The nurse explained gently that certain insects are drawn to warmth, food residue, and stagnant indoor environments. While many encounters result in mild irritation, in some cases, the body can respond aggressively, especially if exposure occurs during sleep when reaction time is delayed.
Julián listened quietly, absorbing the information with a mix of relief and disbelief. He had never considered that something so ordinary—sleeping in his own bed—could turn dangerous. The idea unsettled him more than the physical discomfort.
In the days that followed, recovery was slow but steady. Medical staff monitored him carefully, treating his symptoms and ensuring no further complications developed. The physical marks began to heal, but the emotional impact lingered longer.
He found himself replaying the night repeatedly, wondering how easily the situation could have ended differently. If he had been more deeply asleep. If he had dismissed the symptoms. If he had not reached his phone in time.