It still felt like a freaking nightmare. One moment Vicktor was walking home from a long day of work, just like any other day. Vicktor was walking along a sidewalk with not a worry in the world.  Then something came out of nowhere, like someone turning on a big spotlight, only the beam of light was a weird color. Then, suddenly, Vick was on the ground surrounded by rough mounds of rock and concrete. An ocean of grass on either side of a very perplexed and panicking Vick. It wasn’t till he tried to move that it got really freaky. He had too many legs, hands, or appendages to be more accurate. Just as Vick started to scream and freak out at what his body had become, a loud thumping sound was heard. Vick was afraid it was a jogger or someone running toward him, however, it was a little (or actually, not so little anymore) boy rushing over toward him. Vicktor watched the concerned young boy heading over to him with a glass jar.

The mysterious boy started to speak to him as he reached to pick him up off the concrete.  “I’m sorry. My brother and his friend are playing around again with that machine… but don’t worry I’ll keep you safe.”  The boy carefully held Vicktor as he slowly started to lower him into the glass jar. “I promise you, I’ll try and find a way to fix you and the others.”

This was how Vicktor’s situation came to be. Changed into a random bug and collected by some child with a jar, soon to be put on his desk with several other jars.  Each jar holding a bug like himself in a glass chamber.  The child did the best he could to help them, but well there was only so much the boy could do. Vicktor couldn’t help but look up at the label on his new home with his name on it, BOB. The boy thought it was his name, and Vicktor had a feeling that the other’s names were all made up too.  Still, how could they correct him when he couldn’t understand them even to begin with.

There wasn’t much for a person or a bug to do in a glass chamber by themselves. It wasn’t like he could talk to the others very well. After a week of trying, Vick gave up most, if not all hope on everything. The middle schooler (or whatever grade he was in) couldn’t do much to change them all back, and it was clear no regular person believed his words about them being real people once. A week was enough time for Vicktor to learn that his fate was sealed, as sealed a bug trapped in a bottle till… Well God knew whatever would happen to him.

Vicktor’s thoughts were suddenly jarred when he heard loud noises approaching the open door to the room. Suddenly he saw the boy’s mother coming into the boy’s bedroom.  Luke was right behind her as they both were now in the bedroom.

“MOM!” Luke whined as he stood in his room. He looked upset at the news that he had just gotten over something. “I can’t go,” Luke protested.

His mother on the other hand let out an annoyed sigh, “Luke, you were dying to go camping this summer. That’s why I signed you up and paid for the admissions fee. Remember? You begged me for three days,” Luke’s mom held up three fingers to get her point across to him. “And NOW you don’t want to go?” The irritation in her voice was clear and Luke looked sorry.

“Well… that was before,” Luke muttered.

His mom still looked peeved, “Before what-” Vick watched the boy’s mother look toward him with a look of disgust. “The bugs?!” Luke’s mom almost chuckled at the absurd reason for his hesitation. “You don’t want to go to summer camp because of your little pet collection?” The distaste in her voice was clear and Luke seemed hurt at the tone.

Luke tried to correct the misunderstanding that no one in his family seemed to understand, “But mom they aren’t-”

“Just stop,” His mom cut him off as she walked closer to the several jars on the boy’s desk. Vick couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the mother for not understanding that he and a couple of other poor souls were no longer human in the eyes of other people. Vick was sure he would have laughed the young boy off too if he was telling him that his new bug body belonged to a person. Vick looked up at the mother, her eyes having a clear disgust for him in them. He could almost see the scowl forming on her face just glancing at him. “FINE!” She nearly roared, closing her eyes in defeat, “I’ll look after you silly bugs. But you ARE going to camp. I paid for it, and I will not be throwing money away because of some stupid bugs.”

Luke opened his mouth to say something, but when his mom turned around he shut it. Vick had a feeling he was going to correct his mom but thought otherwise. Seeing that his mom would take care of his “bugs” Luke ran to his mom and hugged her, “Thank you, mom. I’ll write down what you need to do to take care of them!”

Vick watched Luke run out of his room to grab some paper and pen to write down the instructions for his mom. Sure enough, the older woman turned back toward him and the others and he saw the disdain on her face. She truly didn’t care for them. Something that didn’t sit well with Vick as the older woman looked at them like they were exactly what they were to her, bugs.

Luke’s mother kept her mouth shut as she drove her son to camp. He had been going on and on about what she needed to do to take care of some little insects. At first, she was paying attention, thinking it would be simple, little water and food or whatever they ate and she was done. However, it seemed there was much more to the process of taking care of things. Each one had a name, each one had specific rules she needed to follow. It was worse than having to take care of Fido for a few days. If she knew it was gonna be this tedious for some simple scum her son picked up, she wouldn’t have promised to look after them. Yet they were almost at camp, and she wasn’t about to toss out a fully paid week of summer camp for Luke to attend all over some dumb bugs.

“I think that’s all of it, mom,” Luke announced. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that she forgot most of it.

“Okay honey, and just in time,” she spoke, sounding happy as she pulled up at camp. “I’ll pick you up in a week.” Luke was already getting out of the car with all his stuff for the summer camp. There were a few camp advisors there greeting the new arrivals. Before Luke headed off, he gave his mom a huge hug goodbye.

As Luke was walking off he turned around and quickly said, “Oh and don’t forget Mark likes to sunbathe for a few hours!”

“Okay sweetie,” Luke’s mom said, waving him off trying not to roll her eyes. Once he was gone and she was in the car she shook her head. It was only now that she was grateful that Luke had the weird idea to label the bugs in his room, cause she had no freaking idea which one was fucking Mark.

Vicktor had nothing to do. Usually Luke would be here talking or interacting with them occasionally every day. However, with the child gone, Vick was left in a large glass prison with his fellow bugmates next to him. The glass jars help prevent much talking between each other.  Something Vick learned they could talk to one another whenever Luke let them out for a little while.

It wasn’t till the sound of the door to the home opened and closed that Vick knew that Luke’s mother was back. Still, she didn’t come by to check on them. Instead, it sounded like she had other things to do. Sounds of things being moved, a fridge opening, a vacuum, and other household devices were heard through the home over the next hour or so. Vicktor almost thought that the mother forgot about them until finally, she seemed to arrive in Luke’s bedroom.

The look on her face said it all, she wasn’t happy to be here. If that wasn’t clear the sound of her tired and disinterested voice filled the room, “Stupid bugs…” Vicktor backed away on instincts as the mother came into the room walking toward them. He couldn’t help but feel a fear hit him as he watched the mom walk up to the four glass jars on Luke’s desk. Again the older woman spoke, “Alright which one of you is … there you are,” She muttered under her breath as she spotted Mark’s jar with his name labeled over it. She picked up the jar causing Mark to look panicked and unsure of what was going on. It wasn’t till Vicktor watched the mother set the jar on the windowsill of Luke’s bedroom, that he realized what she was doing. She was giving Mark his daily dose of sunlight. A wave of relief hit Vicktor as he watched her shake her head once again as she opened the blinds.

“A bug sunbathing…” A sound of loathing left the woman’s mouth, but that was all. After setting Mark near the window, she slowly walked out of the room to do whatever else she needed to do.

Mark was horrified at what was happening until he realized the older woman was helping him. Luke’s mom may not like it, but she was going to take care of them. Mark calmed down as he relaxed a little more in his jar letting the sun wash over him and warm himself up. The sun helped him forget most of his worries. If he closed his eyes and absorbed the morning rays, it almost felt like he wasn’t a bug anymore. Almost as if he were a normal person again. A dream he was waiting to come true again. All he had to do was pretend he was on a beach or by the pool, just soaking up the sun like any other summer day.

Mark stood, or laid there, it was kind of hard to determine which was which while he was in this new body. Whatever position he was in, Mark felt the temperature and air warm him up, pouring more life into his poor existence. Every minute that passed brought Mark a little closer to serenity as he sat there in his glass prison. Everything faded away as he was solely just finding inner peace and calmness in this fucked up world. Being a bug wasn’t easy on him. The only time he was truly himself was when he was on the windowsill trying to work on his non-existing tan. Could bugs even get a tan?

Mark chuckled at the silly idea. His body was starting to feel warm and relaxed. Almost like he just jumped out of a hot shower. The sunlight gave him the sunbath he needed, Mark was ready to get out of the sunlight. Opening his eyes, Mark turned around and looked at the door that Luke’s mom left through, waiting for her return.

Minutes passed. Mark frowned or he thought he did. Where was the mother? It had been plenty of time, Luke usually gave him thirty minutes, maybe even an hour before he put Mark back. So where was his mom? Time crept by as Mark kept expecting to see the woman return. There were other sounds in the home, but none of them were footsteps approaching the room.

“Uh… MISS!” Mark shouted, forgetting that he couldn’t be heard by her.

It wasn’t till now that Mark started to panic, it was starting to get warmer than he liked. Almost as if he was sitting in a car with the sun slowly warming the insides up, and he couldn’t open the door. Mark felt the unbearable heat starting to get to him. Mark tried to find a place of shade or area with no sunlight, but in a glass jar by the window, there was no such place.

“Oh Jesus,” Mark complained, finding himself pacing back and forth trying to cool down using the airflow. Every minute Mark could feel the jar heat up a fraction of a degree. “MISSES!” Mark called out again just out of the habit of trying to get help. “IT’S GETTING WARM IN HERE!”

Of course, there was no response from anyone. Mark was alone as he felt the baring sun beat more beams of heat down on his back. It felt like it was hotter than the hottest day in history. Mark soon learned that being an insect was less fun than being a human out in the sun. With no sweat glands, there was no way for his body to cool down. His insides were slowly warming up to an uncomfortable temperature. Panting, Mark started to lean up against the side of the glass as he could feel his little body starting to give out.

“too… hot…” Mark panted, feeling the air warm get even hotter. It soon felt like being in an oven or inside a frying pan as it cooked. Mark couldn’t get his legs to move. Unable to help it, Mark looked up through the glass and out the window at the sun. It was getting higher, with more than plenty of time to keep roasting him alive. The time was nowhere near noon for the sun to cast any form of shadows for him. Mark panted and whimpered feeling the blazing heat gleam down on him.

Just as Mark felt like he might pass out from heat stroke something felt off. A part of his back started to feel extremely hot. Hotter than the rest of his body. Mark couldn’t see what was making his back feel like someone lit a match on it, but when he glanced up he saw a solid beam of sunlight blasting through the window and the glass toward him. It looked like the ray of light was being amplified from the layers of glass it was traveling through. All directed right at the spot he was collapsed on.

“OW OW OW!” Mark shouted. “IT’S TOO HOT!”

Mark’s screams were unanswered as he was assaulted by the blistering blast of magnified sunlight. The intensity was worse than having someone use a blowtorch on him. Mark withered as his body twitched and continued to be roasted alive under the baking sun. Mark’s pleas for help withered just as fast as his body. It wasn’t long before Mark couldn’t move any part of his body. He quickly dried up faster than an egg left out on a hot summer sidewalk to cook. The sounds of sizzling and small pops could be heard all around Mark as he felt his body reaching combustion.

The last thing Mark thought as he passed out was wondering what that disgusting smell was. It was like someone was deep-frying insects…

Vick couldn’t watch any longer. He could only listen to Mark’s unanswered cries for help before they grew silent. Still, Luke’s mom didn’t come to check in on them. It was hours after Mark’s weak voice died out. Still, the sun was mercilessly beaming through the window and on him. It wasn’t till the sun passed the house and started to set on the other side of the home did Luke’s mother come back into the room.

She casually walked into the room, with the same displeased look on her face.  By the time the giantess tending to them headed toward Mark, it was well past the time to save Mark. . It was clear this was the last thing she wanted to do. Heading over to Mark’s jar, she picked up the jar without bothering to check in on Mark. She placed the jar back on Luke’s desk next to Vicktor. Sure enough, Vicktor got a look at what was left of Mark. Just a dried-up crispy bug, something the displeased mother would never double-check on.

The mother muttered looking confused. “How much water was it again? One what…”

Vicktor watched the older woman frown in thought as she pondered whatever measurement she was told to use. She slowly turned around and headed out of the room. It didn’t take the woman long to come back holding something in her hands. As she approached Vicktor watched the mom head to the furthest jar to the right. One that belonged to Jessica.

Jessica looked up as her caretaker came back holding some water. Peering up she watched with some relief for her daily water supply only to gasp and let out a shriek.

“Wh-wait! THAT’S TOO MU-”

Jessica wasn’t prepared for the entire cup of water to come splashing down. The force of the water splashed and collided with her knocking her around in a quick instant. The tidal wave of water easily swarmed and overtook Jessica in her glass home. The water was chilling but worse was the amount in the jar. Once Jessica came up to the surface of the now swimming pool, with the amount of water filling the jar, she couldn’t touch the bottom of the jar. Her little legs and body were too small. She was forced to try and stay afloat as the water started to settle and calm down. Jessica panted and breathed as she heard muttering from above.

“Hmmm, maybe a cup was too much…”

“NO SHIT!” Jessica screeched as she felt her body dip a little in the water before forcing herself to keep her head above.

Jessica watched the mother look at her directly and considered something, then she gave a half-hearted shrug, “It’s fine.” Without another thought, Luke’s mom started to leave the room.

“Hey He-” Jessica cried out before sinking in the water only to double her effort to get back afloat in the water. “HELP ME!” Jessica continued to paddle in the water before trying to get to one of the sides of the jar. As she approached the glass, she did her best to use it as support, only for the glass to be too slick from water or from being glass itself. Any amount of effort she put in trying to use it to pull herself up, only caused her to sink and splash into the massive amount of water.

Soon the mother came back, this time with a more realistic measurement, a teaspoon of water. Jessica splashed around feeling her body starting to get sore as the mother carefully poured water in the other jars. One by one, even the now deceased Mark got a splash of water. When Luke’s mom finally came back with the final droplet of water for the last of them, she looked pleased with her job.

The mother slowly nodded and spoke with a proud tone, “There, everyone has water. Hope you all are happy.” Finished with her task, the mother left the room to do other things.

Leaving Jessica to flounder around in the insane amount of water.

“DON’T JUST LEA-” Jessica sank again feeling the water splash into her mouth as she struggled to keep her head above water. It was getting hard to struggle afloat as she couldn’t keep fighting. Jessica wasn’t used to her new form, and to swim with it was way too much to ask for. “Help,” Jessica coughed feeling more water rise over and submerge her head before she frantically kicked to keep her mouth out of the water level. Jessica could see the others watching, unable to help. To Jessica’s horror, she watched each one of them slowly turn away to avoid what was bound to happen to her.

Jessica never felt more powerless and frightened in her life. As much as she fought and struggled, Jessica soon found that her fate was unavoidable now. The water was too deep, and she was wearing down too quickly. What used to be her dipping under the water level for a few moments soon became seconds and soon minutes. It seemed the more water that ended up in her mouth slowly caused her to sink deeper and deeper. It only took a few more dunks before Jessica could feel the chilling water spread throughout her body. She couldn’t move her legs anymore, her body slowly sank downward as everything started to dim. The last thing that Jessica thought was how she no longer was thirsty…

Vicktor did his best not to stare at Jessica’s body that sank to the bottom of the glass jar. The almost three feet of extra water over her head acted like a burial ground for her. He didn’t really know Jessica, however, her demise wasn’t any less impactful. In less than a day, two of them were gone. Vicktor didn’t know how long Luke would be gone, but at this rate, he wasn’t sure if they would make it till he got back.

Luke’s mother let out a disappointed sigh, “Are you kidding me. Two of them died? I didn’t even do anything…” She grumbled as she looked at both Jessica and Mark who hadn’t moved since the other day. Shockingly Vicktor noticed the mom had some form of worry on her face. A deep sigh left her as she grumbled again, “Luke’s gonna have a fit when he finds out.”

There it was, she had no regard for them, just how her son would view her when he got back home only to see his “pets” dead. Vicktor should have known.  He needed to find a way out, a way to escape before he ended up as the next victim due to Luke’s mom being neglectful. There were only two of them left and that was not a good sign when they had a couple of days left before Luke came home.

“What was on the list again,” Luke’s mom spoke out loud. Her finger was on the bridge of her nose as she tried to recall the direction that she had gotten from her son. Vicktor shook his head as he tried to think of what Luke would have told her to do. Finally, after a brief pause the mature woman let out a relieved sigh, “That’s right…”

Vick watched as the large female reached out for his jar and Carl’s. Vicktor let out a startled sound as he was shaken around from being moved off the desk. What the woman had planned was out of Vicktor’s mind as he thought this was the end of him. That was till she lowered him down toward the ground. Placing his jar sideways, Luke’s mom got up, picked up the last jar, and brought it to the floor. “Here’s your exercise time…. But I swear to god,” She said setting down Carl’s jar next to Vicktor’s, “If you little insects cause me any problems…”

The warning was simple, as the mom looked like she wouldn’t think twice about doing whatever she had planned. Vick’s only conclusion was some sort of painful experience. As much as that warning was frightening, Vicktor couldn’t give up this chance. Slowly he crept out of the safety of his glass prison. He saw his last bugmate doing the same. Luckily it seemed they were allowed to crawl around on the floor of Luke’s room. The prying eyes of Luke’s mom gazing at just the two of them. That was until a call came from the kitchen broke her attention on them.

“MOM! We got any ice cream?!” The deeper voice of Luke’s brother rang out through the house.

“Joe, stop shouting in the house,” His mom warned in an almost equally loud voice.

“Fine, but do we!” Joe shouted again, not changing his tone.

Joe’s mom looked so annoyed at the moment, she couldn’t stop from rolling her eyes, “Yes. Yes, we do…”

“WHERE?!” The loud voice called out even louder.

“JOE! WHAT DID I TELL YOU?!” The mother called out.

“What?! You didn’t tell me where? How am I supposed to know where you put it?!”

The annoyance was obvious as it was painted all over her face. She narrowed her eyes before starting to turn and leaving the room. The muttering words of, “...having to do everything around here…” could be heard before she disappeared deeper into the home.

The moment the mother of the two boys left the room, Vicktor ran. He didn’t have a plan, he just knew he had to get out of there. He was close to Luke’s bed and figured it would be the safest place to hide while she wasn’t looking. Looking back at his fellow insect friend, he hadn’t budged an inch.

“What are you doing,” Vicktor called out to Carl.

“Sh-she said don’t cause any problem,” Carl whimpered.

“What are you talking about,” Vicktor called out again. “Do you really think it’s safe in one of those,” Vicktor tried to gesture to the empty jars but failed to do so with his legs, “THINGS?!”

“It was an ac-accident,” Carl protested, trying to convince himself that it was just a fluke for the other two to have passed away.

“AND?! You don’t think there might be another ACCIDENT?!” Vicktor shouted, glancing back at the empty doorway. He couldn’t stand out in the open any longer. If the mom saw him running away, he could only imagine what would happen to him. Still, Carl refused to budge as he stood near his glass jar as if that was his only choice for safety. Seeing as Carl wouldn’t listen to anything Vicktor had to say, he decided he was on his own. Not wasting another second, Vicktor ran under the bed, letting the shadows cloak him as he felt a lot safer under here than out in the open.

No sooner did Vicktor feel the sense of relief did he feel the ground vibrate softly. The shaking grew as the sounds of footsteps on the ground came closer. A pair of familiar feet came plopping into the room only to pause midway toward where Carl was.

The sound of an extremely pissed-off mother filled the room, “What the hell? Hey, where did that other one go!”

Vicktor felt his heart stop as he watched Carl turn toward him. Afraid that he was giving up his hiding spot, Vicktor remained motionless and silent as the mom grumbled some more. “I leave for less than a freaking minute…” It wasn’t till now that Vicktor realized that she didn’t notice Carl looking toward him. Never had Vicktor been happier that no one understood their new bug forms. Instead, the mom seemed to pace around a little.

The mother’s legs started to bend and soon, Vicktor watched as the large face of Luke’s mom started to look under the bed. Her eyes narrowed as she looked under the relatively clean bed scanning, searching, and peering into the dark. Vicktor kept his breath held as her eyes darted around trying to spot him. He was invisible to her eyes as she huffed before getting up off the floor. Vicktor was relieved to see the mom stop looking for him under the bed.

“Just great… there goes another one. Alright walking is over, get back in your jar,” The mom ordered. Carl didn’t have a chance to do as he was told as Luke’s mom’s hand came down toward him in a flash, brushing toward him. She nearly swatted him into his glass jar. Sure enough he was soon shoved and flicked back into the container before the mom picked up the jar and brought it back to its original spot. “Stupid bugs,” Luke’s mom muttered again even louder as it was clear she was upset. “I can’t believe I had to look after you all and than…” there some motions being made that Vicktor couldn’t see, “And you all end up dying or just vanishing!”

If Vicktor had any notion of coming out and revealing his location to the woman, it died at the tone in the angry adult’s voice. She sounded very livid and the last thing Vicktor needed was her taking it out on him. So he stayed hidden in what would be his new home.

The sound of someone else brought Vicktor’s attention back to the doorway, “What’s up?”

The young teen looked almost bored, as his mother sighed, “Nothing…”

A sharp laugh came from Luke’s brother, “Doesn’t sound like nothing. What, did you step on one of Luke’s stupid toys again?”

A deep sigh was heard from the parent, “No. His stupid bugs…”

Again the boy laughed, “He has you watching those things?! OH, MAN!” The laughter went on for a while before he slowed down, “That’s funny. I didn’t take you for a bug lover.”

The silence from the mom spoke volumes as it was quiet for a few moments before she spoke, “Well apparently, it’s not as easy as it sounds. I already lost most of them.”

Another burst of laughter came from the teen, “REALLY?! Oh shit! Wait till Luke hears this!  Our Mom-”

“Joe, if you say one more thing you’re ground,” The mother cut him off with a warning.

“I wasn’t gonna say anything!” Joe complained. He quickly added, “Besides I was gonna help you, but I guess you don’t need it since you’re gonna ground me…” Joe sarcastically said as he started to leave.

“You, help? How are you going to help,” His mother asked, super skeptical at the teens' offer. The sarcasm was heavy in the mom’s tone.

“Twenty bucks,” Joe said, holding his hand out.

Vicktor heard the mom scoff, “Twenty dollars for what?”

“To help. I’ll fix this for twenty dollars. Do you want my help or not,” Joe asked, sounding smug with himself.

“Again… for what,” his mother asked with a layer of annoyance.

“Supplies.”

It was silent for a few minutes before the mom gave in and finally said, “Fine. My purse is-”

Joe was already heading out the bedroom door before his mom could tell him, “Yeah yeah, I know where it is. I’ll be back in a little bit. How many are there?”

“How many what,” the mom called out following Joe.

“How many dumb bugs are there,” Joe laughed.

“Four,” Joe’s mom said as she headed out of the room and after her son. Her voice grew more muffled as she walked away, “Why…”

Joe’s answer was too quiet for Vicktor to pick up but the sound of shuffling feet could be heard throughout the home. Soon a door closed and it sounded like Joe was already gone. Without anyone in the room to spot him, Vicktor moved toward the edge of the bed’s shadow. He wanted to see how Carl was doing. Sadly Vicktor hadn’t thought much out of this plan, now that he was free from his glass prison, he didn’t really know what to do next. Instead he could only observe and stay hidden. Maybe he could get Luke to notice him when he got home. Hopefully that wasn’t too long from now. How long was summer camp again?

As Vicktor was pondering what he was gonna do till Luke came back home, the sound of a door to the home filled the house.  Soon hurried footsteps could be heard thumping closer to the bedroom. Vicktor watched as two pairs of legs walked into Luke’s room.

An uncertain voice from Luke’s mom filled the room, “What did you buy?”

“There’s a pet store down the street,” Joe remarked, heading over toward the desk that held Carl.

“A pet store,” Joe’s mom asked, sounding confused, “For what?”

“To replace the bugs, of course,” Joe chuckled. Vicktor looked out from under the bed and saw the two talking. In Joe’s hand was a brown paper bag.

However his mother looked skeptical, “You're gonna just replace them?”

Joe shrugged, “I’ve done it plenty of times before. He won’t even notice, trust me,” Joe confidently smirked as he started to drop a bug into the now empty jars.

It took Joe’s mom a few moments before she frowned, “Wait… don’t those cost like ten cents at the store? I gave you twenty dollars!”

Joe quickly protested, “Hey, workers comp. It’s my idea so I think I should get paid for it, right?”

Vicktor watched Joe’s mom give a disapproving look but after a moment finally sighed, “Luke better not know about this.”

Joe continued to grin as he laughed, “Like I said… not the first time I did this.  You don’t say anything, I won't say anything.” The grin on his face showed Vicktor how confident the boy was in his plan.

“Fine, keep the change.” Joe’s mom said as she started to leave the room. “I need to make dinner and pick up Luke from camp early in the morning.” Vicktor ducked a little deeper into the shadows as the mother figure headed out the room.

Once the mom was out of the room Vicktor’s attention went toward the only other person in the room, Joe. Not sure what to expect, his curiosity turned to horror in the first few moments of watching. “Wait a second… mom said four bugs. There’s one already here…” A sharp chuckle left the boy as he leaned in toward Carl, “I guess I should fix that.”

Carl didn’t like how this kid was looking at him. The twisted smile on his face, the small twinkle in his eye at seeing him, and how he would “fix it” only left Carl in a more frightened mood. As Carl looked on at Joe who grinned at him, he couldn’t help but back up a little. This kid was in trouble.  It was written all over his poster and look, something that made Carl wish that the mom was still in the room.

No sooner had that thought left Carl’s mind did Joe let out a sharp whistle that shook Carl to his bones (or what he thought was his bones). The smirking boy stood there not moving after his high-pitched noise, never letting his eyes leave Carl’s jar. A soft jingle started to draw closer as something was coming toward Luke’s room.

Joe didn’t even look back as the noise came into the room. “Hey Fido… guess what I got for you,” Joe chirped, not even looking toward the noise. “That’s right boy, I got a tasty treat for you.” Carl heard the jingling pick-up pace as something hurried closer at the mention of a treat. The sound of something swishing through the air filled the bedroom. “That’s right, a savory snack just for you boy. Cause you know you are the bestest boy there is, yes you are. Who’s a good boy” Joe cooed as he grabbed Carl’s glass chamber. Soon Carl was lifted off the desk and carried around Joe and toward the mysterious sound. Carl finally saw who Joe was walking toward. Behind Joe was a large dog wagging its tail excitedly as it stared not at Joe his owner but Carl. Carl let out a panicked noise as the dog’s tail kicked into overdrive at the sudden sight of him. What was a simple wag, turned into a violent thrashing tail.

Joe laughed, “Calm down you dumb dog.”

Fido seemed to listen as his tail slowed, but only a fraction of its insane whipping whacking pace.

“Okay…” Joe tilted Carl’s jar toward himself and squinted, “Carl… Carl? What kind of fucking stupid name is CARL?!” Joe laughed, “God that’s dumb. My brother comes up with the dumbest names for you stupid bugs. I swear if my name was Carl I’d have killed myself already.”

Carl didn’t know which was more insulting, being made fun of for his name and not able to defend himself, or how annoying the teenage boy was snorting and chuckling at him. Just hearing the kid laugh was enough to make Carl want to cover his ears… which he couldn’t.

“Annnnyways… CAAARLLL,” Joe mocked. “I want you to meet my good boy, Fido.” Joe slowly lowered the jar closer to the waiting dog looking too intently at Carl. “Don’t worry he’s friendly. Like so friendly that you guys will be best buds.” Joe let out a snicker, “Like so close, you won’t want to leave him… well till later, like I don’t know, twenty-four hours from now? You know when it’s time to depart. I’m sure Fido gonna give you, my tiny little bug buddy, a nice trip. Trip to where you ask? Well, he’s gonna set you free, to the outside world where you belong. I’m sure this stuffy little room you’re in, my stupid brother’s room is just too small… Nah you need the wide-open outside world! Somewhere to run and be free…” Joe again smirked at Carl, “Well, maybe less running and more freedom. To be free, free like a fart in the wind. A nice poot from my little puppy. Sprayed out of Fido’s backside to make room for something that really matters… like his morning shit. Doesn’t that sound nice? To be turned into a nice little Fido fart?  Let out into the wild.  I can already hear the sound you’re gonna make…”  Joe made a mocking long farting noise before snickering at the sound itself.

Carl was inching backward as Joe was describing his fate. There was only so far that Carl could go before he bumped into the glass. There was nowhere else to go. He was stuck looking at the sadistic boy gleaming over Carl’s upcoming fate.

“I mean just look at that poor little face of his…” Joe said slowly lowering the glass jar toward Fido. The dog’s mouth moved a little as it eagerly waited for Carl. “He looks excited to see you,” Joe cooed. “I think he wants to say hello to you. What do you say Fido? Want to give CARL a kiss hello? Well…” Joe held the opening directly in front of Fido’s mouth. “Go on boy!”

One second Carl was all alone in the jar, and the next a large pink snake darted out of Fido’s mouth and attacked the inside of the glass jar. Carl shouted and screamed as the enormous gooey licker slapped around the jar in search of him. The object flung out nearly hitting Carl as it lapped at him only to be pulled back toward the dog’s mouth. The attack went on as Fido tried again as his tongue lashed out at speeds faster than Carl could track. A large warm wave of moisture nearly hit him as the red and pinkish tongue flung out and licked the back of the jar. It left a nice slimy trail from the path it made on the glass. Carl looked out the small opening and saw Fido tilt his head slightly, eyeing him up for the next attack.

“Come on Fido, we don’t have all day, go get your treat,” Joe urged on.

Fido let out a woof and went back into the fray. Carl watched as the dog changed its tactics as it shot his tongue out, but this time instead of lapping him up, the tongue pressed down on the glass flooring. It slid across the clear material and toward Carl. Like a warm hot sticky carpet, the tongue slipped under Carl’s legs and curled up behind him. Carl landed on the dog’s enormously long tongue as it scooped him up and pulled him out of his safe haven. The moving tongue was all but gentle. The movement pushed Carl back into the soft but firm fleshy taste buds of Fido’s tongue. Carl was being dragged toward an open black hole of a void that only seemed to grow bigger as he got closer. Fido’s mouth hung open wide enough for Carl to be dragged into that cavern of spikes. Those long canine teeth hanging down from the long muzzled mouth. Carl couldn’t see past the wave of red and pink flooring he was stuck to, but he was sure that he had nowhere else to go. The only place he could go was forward, exactly where his warm welcoming was coming from. The scent of hot dog breath reeked its way up the expanding throat as he was quickly dragged toward his doom. Just as Carl was thinking of moving everything got dark and the sound of a jaw snapping shut filled the room. Without a warning, Carl felt the ground ripple and suddenly he was flung forward, flicked off by a simple movement from the dog tongue. Carl landed in a gooey pile of slobber. Damp and drenched in foul-smelling saliva, Carl tried to move, but a wall hit him. The hot warm fleshy skin surged around him as he was pushed toward somewhere deeper inside. A gulping sound was heard and Carl was tumbling and shoved downward with his pile of spite drenching him. The temperature grew every passing second he fell and bounced around the tube. The smell of something foul and sour hit Carl’s senses as he splashed into a bigger chamber of liquid. The smelly scent of dog food and vomit hit hard as Carl splashed into this open room.

A sudden shake and thumping could be heard, vibration throughout the chamber as the muffled sound of Joe called out “Good boy!”  Praising the mutt for his deed of swallowing Carl.

Carl floated in the sea of gunk as the sounds of the heavy thumping reverberated sounds echoed through the chamber, as Fido’s heart pumped blood throughout his body. The sound of throbbing was louder than Carl expected. However, the heartbeat meant nothing to him compared to all the gurgling and groaning the gut was giving off. Sounds of splashing and sloshing filled Carl’s ears as the very sounds of digesting echoed around. Some bubbles and splatters could be heard deeper in this pond of puke. Carl could already feel the warm gunk tickling the joints itching and warming the spots not protected as well as the rest of his body. The sounds of Fido’s body starting to process the little crumb of food that dropped into his gut filled the chamber with rumbling ruckus all around. Carl was hit by a surging wave and warping walls and groans from all around as the stomach started to get to work. Carl gagged on the funky fluids flying around and splashing on him.

Trying to find a way out, Carl was lost in the dark stormy sea of Fido’s belly.

There was only one voice that cut through the chaotic carnage happening in Fido’s gut, and it was Joe’s voice laughing. “See you tomorrow Carl… ops I mean CRAP.”

Fido let out a deep woof that shook the chamber more than it already was and soon the waves became tsunamis as it felt like Fido was moving. Carl had no way of staying above the surface as numerous waves broke and splash on Carl. The sensation of digestion already seeping in, Carl wouldn’t last too much longer.

It was now that Carl hoped that Vicktor made it. Hopefully at least one of them will survive…

“Are they okay,” Luke asked, getting into the car.

Luke’s mom did her best not to look at Luke as she told her son, “Of course they are.”

A concerned sigh left Luke, something that his mother didn’t think her son would make. It sure seemed like he was worried about them. Which made her feel a little guilty about lying to her son. However, how was she supposed to know those little insects weren’t gonna make it. However, she hoped Joe’s plan would work out. Granted she wasn’t a bug expert or anything, but sure enough, they all looked the same. Maybe Luke wouldn’t notice….

“That’s good,” Luke sighed again, “I know that Jessica can get cranky sometimes, and Carl tends to be scared of people.”

Luke’s mom had no idea which bugs he was talking about but figured she would go along with it, “They were at first but nothing your mom couldn’t take care of.” She did her best to not sound annoyed or anything at the mention of the bugs. Instead, she tried to get her son to talk about something other than his bugs. “So how was camp?”

Luke smiled brightly, “IT WAS SO MUCH FUN MOM!” He nearly squealed. He quickly started to talk about all the things they did over the few days he was gone. Luke’s mom sighed as the talk about bugs was gone and now her boy was acting like a normal child. She would have to remember to make sure Luke went out more and played with other kids his age… and not with a collection of bugs.

Vicktor felt his body grow weak and tired from hiding for the past day or so. After watching Carl get eaten by a dog, he wouldn’t take the chance of leaving the underside of the bed. No matter how long he would have to wait for Luke to get back, he would stay hidden till he was safe. Still, it was hard. It wasn’t till the day after Carl died, that Vicktor heard someone leaving relatively early in the morning. It didn’t mean much to Vicktor until he heard the boy’s young voice fill the home as he entered. Luke had finally returned!

Vickor felt joy as he knew the far more caring child was back from camp, now able to properly take care of him unlike the rest of his family. It wasn’t long before the thumping of two sneaker-covered feet came bounding into the room. The voice of Luke filled the bedroom with joy, “I’m back guys! How are you all? Did you miss me?” Vicktor slowly started to come out from under the bed as he watched Luke with his back toward him looking at the jars on his desk. “Jessica, don’t worry I’ll make sure to get you some more water. Did you get your sun today Mark? I know mom said she set you out the other day.” Luke was busy looking after the normal bugs that Joe slipped into the jars, unaware that none of them were the ones he thought they were. Vicktor had to come up with a plan to get Luke to notice him. He recalled his attempts at making signs with his body that would at least get Luke’s attention. Vicktor could try and repeat a few things that Luke had been showing them to do when they needed something from him.

Vicktor pulled himself out from under the bed and more into the open room. It felt odd being so exposed but he needed to do this, otherwise Luke would never notice him. Vicktor stood there and finally, he watched the young boy turn around. Luke had a happy smirk on his face as he headed for the door.

Luke was out the door in less than a second leaving Vicktor alone in the room. The boy was far too fast for him. If he wanted to get Luke’s attention he couldn’t be this close to the bed. As frightening of an idea as moving out in the middle of the floor, Vicktor had to do it. Crawling quickly to the middle of the bedroom floor, he stood there waiting. Vicktor started to get ready to do the signal for help or to be picked up, which was like a jumping action. The moment he heard footsteps, he prayed it was Luke and not someone else. The sound of sneakers squeaking on the floor sent a reassuring wave through Vicktor.

The young boy came around the doorway and into his room, holding a little thing of water. Vicktor started to jump up and down in a way that it was obvious that he wasn’t a normal bug. The first step into the room brought Luke much closer than Vicktor thought possible, and it wasn’t till the second step that Vicktor noticed that Luke was in a hurry and not bothering to look down. It wasn’t till the third step closer that Vicktor saw the flaw in his plan, and quickly tried to abort it. However, the fourth step was already upon Vicktor before he could move.

The dark shadow of the enormous kid’s sneaker came so close to stomping on Vicktor he froze. The underside of the dark shoe passed by Vicktor in a split second before it slammed down so close behind Vicktor that the thump deafened his hearing. However, he was still alive. The sudden shaking on the ground caused Vicktor to fall to the ground as the child continued to walk to his desk.

“Too close,” Vicktor spoke as he shuddered at the thought of being stepped on. “I’ll have to think of something else to do…” Vicktor muttered as he got up and tried to go back to the safe security of being under the bed. However, the moment he went to move, he felt something was off.

It was this time that Vicktor felt something was missing like he couldn’t feel his back legs. Turning around, he looked out in horror as to why. The sneaker that stepped behind him got closer than he thought, as it looked it crushed just the very back part of Vicktor’s body. He was missing a part of his backside along with his hind legs. Something that was now hitting him full force after the shock wore off. Vicktor let out a cry as he tried to crawl using his working legs. He was now working half as effectively as he used to when moving. Vicktor was so distracted by the pain and needed to find somewhere safe to go that he didn’t notice the dark shadow come into view. Vicktor turned and saw the innocent-looking face of Luke looking down puzzled at him.

“Hel-help… LUKE HELP!” He cried out for the large boy’s aid.  He tried to make a sign or signal for the boy but working with half a body was making it difficult.

Luke just peered down at Vicktor before turning back to the jars on the desk. “Uh, sorry guys… please don’t look. I found a bug in my room… I need to get rid of it, mom would get so mad if she thought you guys were running around out of my room by mistake.”

Those words sent a cold shocking feeling down Vicktor’s body. Luke’s head turned back around to Vicktor’s injured body. Any look of pity or sadness was absent on the boy's face. He just simply lifted his foot slightly off the ground and moved it toward Vicktor.

“NO NO PLEASE LUKE! LUKE IT’S ME!!” Vicktor screamed as he tried to crawl out of the shadow that soon washed over his body. Luke positioned his rubber heel just over Vicktor’s broken body. Vicktor struggled to outrun the heel, but the moment it pushed down on him, he knew it was over. For a brief moment, something firm was pushed into his back. Then it pinned him for a slight moment, holding him in place. Slowly that pressure increased and increased. What once felt like a couch on top of him soon turned into a car and then a dump truck. Each passing moment the pressure and weight magnified intensely. Sounds of Vicktor’s cries and muffled pleads were shattered by the sudden shocking cracking noises. His body was breaking apart under the weight and he could feel parts of him being turned into a gooey paste as limbs and sections of his body were obliterated under the unimaginable weight of Luke’s heel.

Vicktor let out one last cry before everything just popped.

Luke slowly and deliberately pushed his foot down on the little bug in his room. The last thing he needed was his mom getting upset about bugs in his room and not in jars. Forcing him to get rid of the others, so killing the thing crawling around on the ground was a no-brainer.

Hearing the faint crunch and smushing sound, Luke nodded before making sure the bug was dead, he twisted his foot a few times. Lifting his shoe, he saw the leftover mark, juices, and paste that was left from the splatter zone of his stomping. 

“Yuck,” Luke muttered. Now he had to clean that up… or did he?

“FIDO!” Luke called. The familiar sound of the collared dog could be heard as it jingled in. Smiling Luke took his shoe off and called Fido over to remove the evidence. In no time the dog was licking and slurping up the remains of the poor insect. Letting Fido have a messy snack, Luck went over to the people on his desk. “Sorry about that, anyway… where was I? Oh right, camp! So the other day I learned how to go fishing. It’s like the coolest thing ever,” Luke gushed as he told his little friends all about the fun he had while he was gone.

Tommy was texting on his phone when he spotted Joe walking Fido.

“Hey dude,” Tommy called out as he approached Joe.  

“Sup,” Joe called out as he turned back toward his dog.

Tommy headed up to Joe and saw he had some weird journal in his hand.  He quickly pointed that out, “What is that?”

“Oh, this?  The vet told me I need to keep track of Fido’s diet.  Mom was worried the other week about him, so now I have to keep track of his meals and bowel movements.  To make sure he’s not sick or anything.”  Joe explained.

As Joe talked, Tommy saw Fido start to squat and push out one of his famous farts.  Tommy laughed, “He’s sure has been gassy lately.  What DO you feed him?”

“Nothing special,” Joe commented as Fido continued to squat in some neighbor’s yard letting out some gas.  “The usual dog food and stuff.”  As Fido pushed out a large perfect pile of poo, Joe quickly jolted it down in the little handbook.  Joe went on, “Just some snacks and stuff but that’s about it.”

Tommy spotted a few little things sticking out of the mound of mud.  He noticed they looked like insect shells either fully intact or broken up, “Uh, you think it might be all the bugs you feed him?”

Joe looked horrified at the question, “What? Those protein pills?  Fuck now.  If anything they help him.  Besides,”  Joe saw Fido was done with his doody duty, and called him over.  “Come here Boy!” Fido came over with a delighted trot.  “Do you want me to stop feeding you bugs?  Is that what you want? Do you boy?”  Fido let out a sad whimper as if he knew what Joe had asked.  Joe gave Tommy a cocky look, “See?  He likes them.”

Tommy shrugged, not really caring, “Whatever dude.  Anyway… I’m bored, want to go fuck around with Mr. Shit’s machine again?”

Joe laughed, “Fuck yeah!”  Joe, Tommy, and Fido headed off to mess around with a device that neither of them knew exactly what it did.  All they knew was that it was fun shooting people with the weird light and having them freak so badly, that they ran off so fast they disappeared before they could laugh at them for being so freaking scared.  It never got old…  

“HEY! Hey I’m talking to you,” John shouted as he knocked on the damn door before him. The music playing for the past several hours filled the neighborhood with its insensitive and obnoxious noise. John tried to call the cops but they didn’t seem to care as they parked a car outside the house and yet no one seemed to be stopping the horrible music. They didn’t even check in on the fucking house that was making all the noise and they sure as hell didn’t stop it. Instead, John was beyond annoyed and decided to take matters into his own hands. He would have to tell them to quit it.

The surging sounds slipping out of the home thumped into John’s body making him wince at the harsh noises fluttering about. “HEEEY!!” John screamed as he smashed his fist on the door again. Barely hearing his knocking over the loud and rude music. For a moment nothing happened but this time he could hear some footsteps approaching. John got ready to yell at whoever was about to open the door. There was no reason for them to be blaring music this loud-

There was a weird sound behind the door and a high-pitched noise before John was flashed with a blinding red light. John screamed as he tried to cover his eyes. He felt his eyeballs being seared as he continued to hold them shut from the bright light that flashed him suddenly.

As John was recovering he heard a loud clicking noise. Before he could see what it was, a sudden gust blew in from behind him as something enormously large swung open. John was caught in the updraft and yanked forward off the ground and beyond. His screams of protesting were ignored as he tumbled and bounced forward into the unknown. His eyes were still recovering when he sat up from the mighty wind sucking his face first into the unknown.

“SEE!” A male voice chuckled, “I told you, you! Flash them with this bad boy, and it freaks them the fuck out. Nothing to worry about, if the cops ran away, my fucking neighbors will too,” The deep and loud voice laughed as John could easily hear over the pounding music clearly. There was only one person in the neighborhood that was that loud, obnoxious, and in this home… fucking Joe. The fucking annoying boy was the bane of the neighborhood’s existence. Hearing his loud annoying voice was agonizing and made John flinch. As his vision was still recovering from the surge of light, John had time to make out a few large distant objects as his sigh came back slowly. Long blue towers and white houses… and a sky of … not blue??!! Where the fuck was he?? This wasn’t outside...

John was too shocked to understand the scope of things as he stood there on the cold glass-like floor. His body was unable to understand what was happening to him. It wasn’t till the sound of the creaking of a door being closed brought his attention toward the noise. John watched as the sky and ground moved as one and a massive object was being moved across the sky. John gasped as he watched the monolithic object swinging shut by the large twin blue towers nearby. It wasn’t till the hearty laugh of that annoying voice that made John look up further past the sky-dwelling towers and toward the god like structure that was… fucking Joe.

John gasped out loud as he saw an enormous, god-like being in the same shape as Joe, laughing his ass off. His body was beyond gigantic as he was clearly shutting a door.

A door…

Oh, Wait!

John suddenly realized Joe wasn’t large, it was John who was small!!

John was now putting that information into his brain as he examined the enormous front door closing shut by Joe, the white sky that was actually the ceiling of the room. The towers were the jean pants that Joe always wore. Finally, the glassy ground was actually a tile floor on the kitchen ground in the home that John was now stuck in. The sudden sound of slamming and a surge of air gusting by, told John that the door to the outside was slammed shut and now he was stuck in Joe’s home. The annoying boy was still laughing and chuckling to himself and his friends about doing… well whatever the FUCK he just did to him. Maybe the teen brat knew a way to fix this? Or at least something, it was hard for John to understand how this could be reversed when he didn’t even know how it came to be-

There was a large thump and booming sound before John came out of his thoughts to reality. It looked like Joe was walking… or at least the large Giant would see it as walking, to John it was like watching an enormous piston coming down before him crushing the ground beneath the large foot. That piston was Joe’s sneakers smashing into the surface of the floor… the floor that John was currently on.

“FUCK!” John screamed as he watched Joe’s left foot effortlessly lift off the ground and gain hundreds of feet if not more toward him. The sound of the sudden slam downward, shook John to his core as his body was still shaking from Joe moving his right foot forward. The immense shadow of the leg easily came toward John and overshadowed him in just a matter of moments. John felt that this was it, his doom. This was his end, to be squished under a fucking teen’s tennis shoes. 

“GET OUT OF THE WAY,” Screamed a mysterious voice as a sudden force knocked John out of the path of the enormous shoe shadow. John watched as a bug… bashed into him, sending him tumbling out of the way. The poor creature’s moment stopped as it transferred all its force into John. John watched as the sad-looking creature was covered in a looming shadow befalling before him…

The booming sound of the sneaker smashing the ground shook John to his core as the sickening sounds followed it. The poor insect that cried out to John was in the way, or at least part of it. John watched as the sneaker sliced the horrified insect in two. Its back half was obliterated into a sickening squishy smash as it was decimated into a paste beneath the footwear. John gagged and cried out as he heard the screaming of pain from his savior before him. The poor thing had half its body smashed into a splatter of spunk. John couldn’t help but head toward the thing that pushed him out of the way. Once the enormous shoe left, John rushed toward the whimpering bug.

“What, why…” John asked, puzzled and confused.

The poor thing spoke in a weak voice, “To… protect….and serve…” it started to cough up what John could only assume was its bug guts.

“But… why? You’re a bug…” John spoke, confused at what was happening between them.

A weak laugh left the half-crushed creature, “Aren’t we all? Stay safe…” There was a weak cough and suddenly the bug went limp. John stood there looking at the thing… that he could understand? Wait… how??? WHY?!

John was confused as he went through the words that were spoken to him. “You’re a bug… aren’t we all…” John slowly felt his limbs feeling weird. Those words struck something in him, like a clue to a big mystery. Aren’t we all…

All what…

John shook his head as he lifted his hands up to his head, “This is too confusing,” John muttered to himself as he felt one hand touch his forehead, then another… and another… and another???

Suddenly John jumped back as he freaked out at the extra limbs touching his head “WHAT THE FUCK?! WHAT??!!!”

Sure enough, he saw long limbs leaving his frightened face, as he saw not two but four limbs leave his forehead. Freaking out at the extra limbs, John slowly heard the words echo in his head from that random bug, “aren’t we all...”

“no… no… no, no, no, no,” John muttered as she skittered along the ground toward a reflecting surface. There was no way that he could be what he thought he was, that would be fucking impossible-

However, as John came toward a silver dog bowl he watched as his current shape came into view in the reflective material. John watched as his “human” appearance came out to be more insect and bug-like than man. In fact, there was no way anyone would mistaken him as a person in this form, as he looked like a typical invading bug in a home.

“NOOOOO,” John screamed in disgust and horror as he stood there looking at his newfound form. There was nothing human about it. If anything he looked like the typical creature that most would make others scream and crush him, or grab a bottle of bug spray and go to town on him. John shuddered before his reflection as he was still coming to terms with his new shape and form. He wasn’t ready to see an insect peering back through the flashy material before him. He was in utter chaos that he didn’t notice the creature creeping up behind him.

John spotted the dark bug-like figure approaching from behind and turned around yelling in fear. His horror was dispersed when he heard a humanistic voice call out in shock, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

Confused at the question John just replied with a, “What?”

“Get the fuck out of the open you fucking idiot,” The bug shouted at John over the loud music continuously blaring about. John quickly darted toward the angry person before he led them closer to a kitchen island where they hid under a cabinet peeking out over the floor. It wasn’t long before the stomping of feet filled the room as John listened to the noises filling the air.

Unsure of what the hell was going on, John did the only reasonable thing, he asked the insect near him what was happening, “WHAT IS GOING ON!” John shouted over the music, not sure if he was gonna get an answer.

“How the hell am I supposed to know,'' the angry-sounding bug person replied. “I show up with my partner to a fucking noise complaint and next thing I know I'm a fucking BUG and now my fucking partner… he’s fucking dead,” the upset bug told John pointing toward the squished remains of his savior moments ago. “Look, I have no idea how this happened, but right now we're in a damn house full of people and it’s clear none of them know about us being like this.”

John was still trying to come to terms with everything when the stranger was saying as he started to peek around after the stomping sounds of feet left the kitchen. “So we’re really bugs?” John asked, trying to wrap his head around the disgusting and horrifying fact.

“Yeah, now stop spacing out and help look for a place to hide. This is too out in the open for those freaking kids not to see us. God knows what they’ll do, doubt it will be anything less than what they did to Harry… poor son of a bitch,” John figured the one that sacrificed his life for himself was the Harry that he was mentioning.

“What’s your name,” John asked, “I’m john.”

“Walter, now that’s out of the way, you gonna freaking help me look?”

“Oh, right,” John nodded as he peered out from under the counter and looked around the enormous home. The design was similar to his own house, just the furniture and carpeting were different. John noticed no one was in this room or living room as those teens walked off pushing something large and massive out of the open kitchen. Something like a big device or machine, it didn’t matter what it was, John figured they only had a few minutes, “What about hiding under the couch or like-”

Walter cut him off, “There’s a dog out there.”

“A dog,” John repeated.

“Yeah, it’s been out in that room on the couch for a while now. Those teenagers were hanging out there most of the time. It’s why Harry and I were sitting out in the kitchen.”

John didn’t know why but he figured it was safe here in the kitchen so he suggested, “Why are we trying to leave here then?”’

Walter quickly answered, “Because it's only a matter of time before they’re gonna come in here looking for something to eat or drink, and I’d rather not be trying to dodge half a dozen enormous shoes stomping around.”

That made sense to John. Not wanting to be another victim of a giant sneaker’s kill count, John looked around the enormous and vast room. There wasn’t anywhere really to go, if the living room was off-limits and they had to leave the kitchen, which only left the hallway leading deeper into the home. Just where those teens headed off to. “There aren't many places to hide,” John told Walter. “If this home is similar to mine, there aren’t many rooms to use. If the living room is off limits, then that just leaves the hallway…”

Walter looked toward the hallway and John knew he had the same hesitation as he did. There was no telling how long till those teens came back. “I… shit…” Walter seemed conflicted for a moment but finally, he let out a battle cry, “FUCK IT!” John wasn’t ready for Walter to dart out from their slightly covered corner but the moment he made his move, John followed after not thinking.

It was hard for John to keep up as he still wasn’t used to his multilegged body. It seemed Walter was more accustomed as he was traveling faster than John by a large margin. As John tried to keep up, he was startled at how much distance Walter was making. By the time John was halfway there, Walter was already at the opening of the hallway looking down the long open space. It took Walter a few moments, standing around in the open before it seemed he found somewhere to go and started to head off.

“Wait up,” John called out as he slowly was getting faster with his new form.

“Not a fucking chance, if you can’t keep up that’s on you,” Walter barked out as he headed off.

John wanted to scream at him. Wasn’t he a fucking cop? Shouldn’t he be helping him?! Furious at the selfishness that Walter was showing, John felt his anger and rage helping him focus on his legs and control of his limbs. It wasn’t long before John caught up and was turning the corner down the hallway after Walter.

Walter was heading to the closest door. John could see there were several doors all along the long hallway. Obviously, the one furthest at the end of the hallway was a no-go, it was way too far. The other doors were open, but John didn’t know who they belonged to. Two on the left and two on the right. It seemed Walter decided to head to the nearest door on the right of the hallway. John couldn’t hear the teens, or at least not over the blasted music that was still playing. It was impossible to hear John’s own pounding heart over that loud noise they called music. With no idea where to go, John followed Walter.

John was slowly catching up to Walter, as they both approached the large archway belonging to the unknown room. Just as it looked like Walter was gonna make it to the room, an enormous white shoe came slamming down out of the doorway. Walter and John halted to a stop as the shoe was followed by another equally large beast slamming into the floor ahead of the previous one. The long legs of one of the boys soon pulled the rest of the larger boy out of the room. If that wasn’t bad, the teen was followed by another as now two of the giants exited the room laughing. John didn’t need to be told to do anything as he spun around as quickly as he could, and headed back to the safety of the kitchen. He hardly made two steps forward when he heard that annoying voice belonging to his least favorite neighbor.

“OH SHIT, look at these two little fuckers,” Joe called out. “Holy shit, winner winner porkchop dinner!” Joe laughed.

John didn’t have to look to know that Joe was talking about him and Walter. John hurried as quickly as he could away from Joe and his friends. As John ran he heard another teenage boy grumble, “Dude, it’s ‘winner winner CHICKEN dinner’ get it, right doofus.”

An enormous shoe slammed down near John before another one smashed the ground right ahead of him with such force that the air tugged on John’s body making him stop. There was an enormous barrier blocking his path as the tennis shoe cut off any escape for him. Joe made an annoyed sound, “Porkchop is way better than chicken and you know it.”

John looked to his right and saw the other foot of Joe cutting off that path, he could only head back toward Walter and the other teenage giant, which now had another one poking his head out of the room. John watched Walter struggle with where to go as he was also locked down by the two other teens walking into the hallway.  

As John tried to think of something to say the discussion or argument went on as if John and Walter didn’t exist, “It doesn't matter if it’s better you dingus. The line is CHICKEN not pork you numbnuts.”

“Oh fuck off Tommy,” Joe scoffed at the other teen. John heard the silence in the air between the two boys. Then out of nowhere, the two teenage boys started laughing at each other. “Alright, let's hurry up, my mom is supposed to be back by five. Lucky for us, we found two dumb ass bugs running around in my house. Kurt, make sure Tommy doesn’t fuck up and let one go,” Joe said to the third teen.

“Me, fuck up,” Tommy asked baffled at the remark, “Your the one failing most of your classes, if anyone should be helping someone, it would be you. Kurt makes sure this dumbass doesn’t fuck up.”

John watched as Tommy reached for Walter and Joe started to bend over to pick him up.

“I’m not failing my classes,” Joe remarked, “I’m strategically riding the line so I don’t turn out to be a fucking nerd like you.”

John stopped listening to the banter as he had three sets of hands starting to approach him and Walter. John moved away from Joe who was trying to pick him up with his fingers. John would have tried to run to the side, but with Tucker standing there, shoes spread wide, he was trapped. Both Walter and John were in a semi cage, boxed in by tennis shoes. John could only move away from Joe, but he kept inching his sneakers forward cutting off his escape routes. It wasn’t long before the teens had him and Walter in a small box lined with smelly shoes.  

“Alright,” Joe sighed leaning down at John and Walter. “you all are starting to piss me the fuck off. Here’s the deal, if you run away again, I'm gonna crush you with my hand. And I don’t mean fast,” Joe smirked, “I mean reeeeally fucking slow. I’m gonna ground you into fucking paste, or dust… whichever it is. I’m gonna make you wish you stayed out of my house as I did,” John watched as Joe lowered his flat palmed hand toward him, slowly twisting his hand showing the grinding motion, “crunch the living life out of your crunchy body, you stupid bugs…”

John felt himself shudder at the threat as the palm grew closer. John stayed still as the hand grew closer and closer until it was almost on him, finally the fingers curled toward him and he was plucked up off the ground and brought to Joe’s chuckling face, “Stupid bug… didn’t even try to run…”

John opened his mouth to tell the stupid kid that he was doing what he said…

Instead, John decided to call out to the boy before him instead of insulting him. “JOOOOEEE” John screamed between the fingers of the teen. However, he didn’t even flinch. In fact, he was more interested in what was below them. John was stuck between Joe’s digits as he watched Tommy repeat the same action with Walter. Now with both of them in the hands of these moronic teens, John feared for his life.

“Well that was too easy,” Joe commented with a laugh, “And here I thought we would need some of Luke’s luck to have some fun today. I think at least …” Joe mussed over the thought looking at John and Walter, “One more should be good, yeah I think three is enough. Let me grab one more.”

John didn’t know what Joe was saying but it was clear there were plans for both Walter and himself. John watched as the three teens walked to the kitchen. The island in the middle of the kitchen had a bowl in the middle of it. Joe and Tommy dropped John and Walter inside. “Alright I’ll be right back,” Joe commented as he headed off, “One of you dummies, get the peanut butter and a knife.”

Kurt, the one who hadn’t spoken yet, called out, “Where’s that?”

John heard Joe grumble off in the distance, “Tommy…”

“yeah yeah, I got ya,” He spoke as he left to grab the items in the kitchen.

John took this time to look at Walter, “What the hell is gonna happen? What’s a knife and peanut butter got to do with us?”

“How should I know?!” Walter barked at John, as he was in the same boat, oblivious to why. Both of them were trapped here unable to escape with the inclined walls. It didn’t take too long before Joe came back with a jar with what looked to be some random bug inside. Watching the jar getting tipped over on its side, John stepped back as a similar-looking creature was dropped in with them.  

“ALRIGHT, BOYS!” Joe called out, “Make your bets. We got our contenders, who do you think is gonna make it to the very end!”  

John didn’t like those words as he felt a dreaded feeling build, “What does he mean by that?”

“Should be clear,” Walter said, sounding upset at the situation.

The new person, or bug, started to stutter, “H-he-he’s a monster… J-j-joe...”

John didn’t doubt him but he couldn’t help but ask, “Who are you?”

“I’m… I’m Patrick…. I’ve been here since… the… uh…” he seemed to be trying to consider the time. Finally, he spoke up, “An election was coming up!’

John felt his blood freeze, “Last election… Patrick… that was like nine months ago…”

The shock shook the newcomer as he looked back at Walter for confirmation. Sadly he nodded.

“But-no I.. I was just… NO! Oh god, WHY?!” Patrick cried out as he slumped to the floor with the knowledge. He looked like a man who lost everything. “Nine months…” Patrick repeated.

“Patrick…” John called out trying to sooth him, “It’s … it’s not that bad. I’m sure-”

Patrick cut him off, “WHAT?! That my life is fine? Does my family think I’m okay? My wife is still waiting for me? My CHILD remember me?” The anger in his voice made John step back. It was clear that Patrick had been caught in a bad spot. Letting him deal with it was the best that John could do.

As John waited for Patrick to calm down from his panic attack, a giant emerged from out of nowhere, it was Joe. John looked up as Joe gave them all a cocky smile, “Finally, now that we got three tiny bugs for our little game. I hope you guys are enough.”  

John didn’t know why he held back any cursing or remarks, but the fact that Joe couldn’t hear them or didn’t care, just defeated the purpose. To be honest, John wasn’t sure which was worse, ignored or being unheard. Either way, it didn’t matter as Joe snickered and picked up the large bowl they were in. Joe carried them off toward another part of the house nearby, which happened to be the kitchen floor below them.

The bowl that they were all in slowly was lowered down to the floor and John saw what was before him. John couldn’t see it, but he heard a sliding and scraping sound beyond the enormous wall before him. A noise that was flowed by more scooping and sliding noises. An almost slick or slimy substance could be heard being used. A rather heavy sound of slathering was all that could be heard. After a handful of times finally, John heard Kurt call out, “That about enough?”

Joe responded, “Yup that should be good. If they can’t make it past that, it wasn’t worth it. The dumb bugs deserve what happens,” Joe commented before breaking out into a laugh. “Alright let’s get started, I’m getting bored.”

John didn’t know what to expect from those words, but as soon as they were spoken John felt the metal bowl they were in starting to move. John watched as the pair of hands gripping the bowl started to lift them off the surface they were set on. The momentum that carried them swayed around before they were stopped in the dead center of the metallic bowl. John was trying to get up and stand inside the container when everything shifted and tilted. John watched as the bowl started to tilt to one side. John, Walter, and Patrick were sent tumbling out and over the side. With no way to latch onto the siding of the bowl, John went tumbling over in a mighty freefall through the air.

Tumbling along with the others, John was tipped out and flung from the bowl of safety and out toward the unknown. As everyone went falling to their deaths, John had no time to prepare as he couldn’t keep the ground beneath him. Falling through the air, John was in free fall for several moments, but it felt like forever as he tripped over his body several times in the air. Suddenly he landed on not solid ground, but some kind of soft surface. John felt like he landed on some kind of marsh or swampy substance as he tried to recover and find out what the heck the squishy muddy stuff was he landed on. All he knew was this wasn’t the hard kitchen floor he ran across earlier.

Feeling the sticky substance under himself, John tried to fight his way upright as he could feel the ground tugging and pulling him down. The smell of peanuts flowed through John’s sense of smell as he slowly realized where and what he was in. A large brownfield of peanut butter was laid out before him as he saw the floor covered with the sticky sappy stuff stuck beneath him. The layer of peanut butter was spread before John like a sports field. It was beyond anything that John had seen and now he and the others were stuck in this struggling situation.  

Joe’s cocky voice filled the air as he talked, “You all placed your bets right?” Tommy and Kurt nodded or said something. “Great, so losers have their bugs eaten.”

Those words sent shivers down everyone’s spine that just happen to look like an insect right now. John looked between the boys, and neither of them even seemed to care what happened to them, as they all reacted the way a teen would about hearing the news. Calm and collective, or just uncaring for the most part.

“What does the winner get,” Tommy asked, sounding annoyed at the bug-eating part, it seemed like he wanted higher stakes.

“Bragging rights I guess,” Joe told him, not really thinking about a winning prize.

“Oh that’s a load of shit…” Tommy complained.

“Okay fine, what do you think the winner should get?” Joe asked, annoyed.

“I don't know, like some money or whatever,” Replied Kurt, equally annoyed.

“Fine! The winner gets… fuck I don’t know I only have like five dollars on me.” Joe said.

“Meh, I guess that works,” Tommy responded as he shrugged at the news.

John started off past the squabbling teens as he gazed down the long field of murky brown before them. John could see the hills and lumps bubbling up from the floor as the vast field of peanut butter was laid before them. Feeling the suction on his legs, John knew this wouldn’t be an easy feat that was before them. It took so much effort just to squirm forward in the muddy mounds before him. The long field before him was vast, a space he didn’t want to know how far it was for him to travel. Instead, he just looked around.

Before John could even think of trying to run, Joe started to speak as he hung over the large track set before John. “The rules are easy you guys, the first one to make it to the end wins. The losers … Well they don’t, simple right?”

Tommy and Kurt seemed to agree with the rules as Joe leaned down toward John and the others. “Alright you little shits, better make this interesting. I doubt you understand what I'm saying but in any case if I don't see you guys hustling out there… you’re Fido chow, got it?” 

Joe didn’t explain more as he stood up and left John wondering what that meant. Looking over to Patrick, he looked horrified at the news. John didn't know what that meant but whatever Joe was saying had him terrified and worried.  

“Alright, line them up,” Joe’s voice called out. John watched as Tommy and Kurt started to huddle around them. Their large fingers and hands were already heading toward them and started to adjust John, Walter, and Patric into a more lined up position than they were. Neither of them moved as the boys started to precisely set each of them in a certain spot. John thought of moving or running away once Tommy let him go, but to where? How far would he get? It all seemed so hopeless that he couldn’t get his body to move.

“There,” Tommy called out, pulling back as Kurt stepped back too.

“See, not so hard,” Joe called out from somewhere off in the room. “Alright, boy, it’s your turn. Come on Fido, I got some treats for you.”

John listened to a slight jingle before a giant thud hit the ground somewhere. Something massive just landed in the house. The jingling continued as it grew louder along with what sounded like clicking and clacking of something on the floor. Soft but loud thumps followed each click, multiple thuds filled the air with the noises. Out of John’s eye, he saw a massive mountain of a beast approaching from the far side of the room behind them.

“What the fuck is that,” John asked horrified unable to get a clear look behind himself as the sound of the new creature approached from his back and out of line of sight.

“It’s Fido,” Peter whimpered, looking just as horrifying, “Their pet dog, he likes to eat…” Peter never finished the sentence as John could hear a high pitched whimpering and several paws pattering in place on the kitchen ground behind them. It was like the mut was running in place or doing a dance. The impatient creature was clearly excited to see something, and John had a sick feeling he knew what Peter was gonna say.

“Wooow, hold up there boy, we haven’t even started yet,” Joe laughed. It sounded like he was holding Fido by a leash or collar as the monster squirmed around trying to get closer to John and the others.

John wasn’t sure why he or the others hadn’t started to move yet. Maybe they were all afraid of what would happen if they took off without someone saying go. It could have been the fear of hearing their doom sniffing and whining behind them that kept them frozen. Whatever the reason, none of them moved in their peanut butter tracks. All they could do was stand there waiting for the go signal, the green light to try and outrun the horrifying sounding hound behind them.

John could feel and smell the hot dog breath bearing down on him from behind. He could swear he could feel the drip of drool dotting the back of his body from the hot mist spraying out of Fido’s panting mouth as he tried to inch closer to John. The panting was like thunder at this distance and John was afraid he was gonna miss the signal to run before Joe released his beast on them..

Luckily John could make out the kid’s voice over the dog’s noises. “Alright, are those bugs ready?” Joe laughed as he went on, “Oh never mind, who cares. Get ready, set…”

John didn’t know if Joe lost his trail of thought, or was building up anticipation, but John almost thought Joe forgot what to say next. However Joe finally let out a loud, “GO GET ‘EM BOY!”

Too startled at the sound of Fido skittering across the floor, John was the last one to move. Peter and Walter were already rushing forward as fast as they could. The sound of Fido sniffing and licking the ground behind John was what tipped him off to the race as he could hear the loud snorting and sucking like noises from behind. Fido was licking up the peanut butter trail that Joe pasted on the ground. John quickly rushed forward, only to realize rushing wasn’t something one did on a road of peanut butter. John felt his legs refuse to move and when they did it was like yanking them out of a pit of mud. If it was hard enough to walk with extra legs, it was impossible to move through a field of peanut butter with them.

However it seemed the other two, Walter and Peter, were more adapted with their new form or were just that much better than John as they were a good chunk ahead of John. Each one struggling to out pace the other. John wasn’t even worried about trying to be first, he was too worried about the real problem, Fido. John could hear the dog catching up as the sniffing and licking grew in intensity and sound. John couldn’t help but glance behind him and nearly scream at the sight.

Fido was scooping up spoonfuls of peanut butter in just one mighty lick. At most it took Fido a fucking second or two to glaze his meaty tongue over the rough surface of lumpy nut batter only to erase it from existence in a second or two. All the distance that John made was gone in a matter of moments.  

Screaming in horror, John increased his pace and drive after witnessing the devourer of worlds licking a path straight toward him. John was sure he wasn’t even the size of one of those freaking doggy molars, not that it mattered. It looked like Fido was gulping and chugging down the thick paste like it was nothing more than whip cream. Not wanting to think about it, John raced after the others, not to beat them but to at least not get swallowed by a dog!

The marathon of running through the peanutbutter track was hell, but the hellish hound chasing after them was keeping John from giving up. He had covered a little more distance to Walter, but Peter seemed to be ahead by a few body lengths from Walter. John would never catch Peter or Walter, but he just needed to outpace Fido, a feat becoming harder and harder. It was either John was getting more tired, or Fido was getting hungrier, which didn’t seem possible.  

John saw the end of the line, or to be more exact the lack of peanut butter that marked the end of the race. He could make it, it would only take a little more effort and John would escape Fido’s furious feasting.

“HAHA,” Tommy laughed out loud pointing toward Peter, “Looks like I’m gonna be the winner!”

It seemed Tommy had dibs on Peter winning. Joe and Kurt stood next to Tommy near the end of the line both looking less than happy at the fact they were losing. Kurt and Joe exchanged looks and suddenly Joe smirked and nodded at Kurt. Kurt seemed to get what Joe was thinking, because Joe mouthed “do it”.  

Tommy wasn’t watching as Kurt kneeled down and got closer to the finish line that Peter was gonna cross any moment. He just had a few more steps to make and he was clear. John and Peter must have been thinking the same thing, because neither of them expected Kurt to do anything but pick Peter up. However things were not as they seemed.

John watched as Kurt grinned and brought his hand toward Peter who froze at the sight of the large fingers splayed out with the index finger curled into his thumb. There was no warning as John watched Kurt give Peter a mighty flick. The sound of Peter being smashed by the impact of the flick was heard through the room, like a bomb falling from the sky and exploding.

“Hey what the fuck man, I was gonna win,” Tommy complained watching his bug go flying.

John watched as Peter went hurtling across the peanut butter ground only to bounce a few times and finally land still on his back, just a little behind John. 

“You still could,” Joe laughed as he pointed to Peter stuck on his back trying to get up, “He’s just got to hurry up because… uh ohhhh, here comes Fido!”

Everyone in the room, bug and person, looked at Peter who was frantically trying to get up off his back. However, like a turtle, it was impossible to roll over in the peanut butter. John felt the need to head back to try and help… but one glance at that massive slurping tongue blazing a trail toward Peter told him it was over. There was no way he could make it in time and live, Peter was doomed.

Peter started to call out for help. First it was for John, then it was for Tommy and Joe to help, then it was for god or anything else to save him. None of it mattered. Fido was on him in moments. The dog had its sights set on Peter’s wiggling body as it lazily tilted its head in that direction while all the while licking up the floor. Peter was barely done screaming when Fido’s tongue was acting like a snowplow scraping up the road. It was acting more like a shovel scooping and lifting up a chunk of peanut butter along with Peter with such ease. One second Peter was in the air off the ground with a lump of nut spread, the next he was past those doggy lips as that lapping tongue slid back into its mouth.

John thought Fido would just swallow like any other tongue full of peanut butter but then he would be wrong. Fido knew there was something in his mouth other than the usual creamy goo. For a brief second nothing happened, then Fido started to chew and chomp. Fido shifted his head left and right as his jaws opened up just enough to fit something between them before mashing them down. The first few bites were just soft peanut butter but the next was more than that. It was Peter. John heard the harsh screams of Peter filling the air along with the sudden crunch and crumbling noise of a bug’s body being chewed up. Mighty snaps and pops filled the air along with harsher and more pain filled screams for a few more quick chomps. Peter’s voice and plight soon quickly ended in a snappy crunch just as Fido finished chewing and all that was left was the smacking of Fido’s lips and licking of his tongue. John watched the dog’s ears flick around and its tail starting to kick into hyperdrive as it seemed he enjoyed Peter more than just the long trail of peanut butter he had been licking up. Fido’s tongue is already licking out of his mouth and trailing over his lips and nose for any trace of food particles left from that snack. Just like any animal with a single track mind, Fido went right back to what he was doing before. Tracking down the next snack to enjoy on his peanut butter trail of delight…

“OH SHIT,” Joe laughed, “You heard that little shit, go snap crackle and POP!”

“That was sick,” Kurt laughed.

Tommy was the only one who wasn’t enjoying the show as he grumbled with his arms crossed over his chest, “Fucking assholes, I was gonna win and you fucking cheated.”

None of their comments were helping the situation or the fact that Peter was now doggy food. John was not gonna end up like that. Heading after Walter, John hurried up so he wouldn’t be the next snack for Fido. John wasn’t too far away from Walter, but he was clearly almost at the finish line, however he stood nearby a few inches away not moving.

“Look,” Kurt laughed, pointing to Walter, “Your bug broke! He won't move… come on little guy,” Kurt said before pointing to John to encourage him. “You can do it, hurry the fuck up little bug!”

Joe looked amused now at the sight of Walter not moving, “Okay you little shit, you better not be getting cold feet on me. Get moving, you're almost there.”

Walter still seemed hesitant at the thought of approaching the finish line. John didn’t blame him, what was stopping Kurt from flicking him backwards too. That would be his doom with Fido so close behind them. However no matter how much Joe demanded and ordered Walter to get moving he couldn’t.  

Not sure if John supported Kurt helping and rigging this contest to help him win, John didn’t try to think of any moral grounds he should be having right now as a bug trying to not get killed. John was hurrying past one of the last globs of peanut butter and then it would just be a few inches from the finish line. Walter was still ahead of John, but still hadn’t budged an inch.

Joe was still trying to get Walter to move, and Kurt was hovering nearby eyeballing him like the cruel bully he was.  

Just as John was approaching the finish line, Joe glared at Walter. “If you don’t finish first I’m gonna eat you myself, you hear me.” 

Those were the words Walter needed to hear as no sooner were they spoken, Walter found his reason to win. Risking the fury of Kurt’s flick, Walter headed for the finish line. Kurt was too busy gloating over his own victory to notice Walter moving again. Just as John was gonna cross Joe shouted out his victory.

“YEAA, I won! Check it out this tiny piece of shit is first place, baby!” Joe was already picking up Walter and carrying him off to the bowl they kept them in beforehand as he was pronounced victor.

John wasn’t taking any chances and crossed the peanut butter path to second place. Kurt looked less happy and excited now that he lost and grumbled as he bent down to pick up John. John was too busy watching Fido clean up the race track they just ran across, like some kind of monstrous street sweeper. By the time Kurt pulled John up from the ground, Fido had made all the evidence of their little game vanish in just a short amount of time. The dog was too busy sniffing around and relicking the floor it just cleaned up, to follow after John to his new destination.  

It didn’t take long before John was set down in the same bowl as before with Walter. John was now trapped inside the container, waiting for what would be next for him. Kurt walked away for a moment before returning a few moments later with Joe behind him as he glanced in at both Walter and John. John tried to ignore the two giant boys as he looked over at Walter, but he didn’t seem so good. He looked haunted but calm at the same time. All John could do was ask him a simple question.

John didn’t know why but he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you okay?”

“NO!” Walter barked for a moment before panting and calming down, “No… he… that fucking bastard,” Walter remarked shuddering before John at the thought of Joe.

“What?” John asked not sure if he wanted to know what made him so horrified.

Walter shook his head as he looked up as if fearing one of the teens might hear him. He quickly said, “They're all freaking insane. I had to… I had to win, you gotta understand! I had no choice! It was me or you!”  

John couldn’t hold it against Walter. He probably would have done the same, win that fucked up game just to live another day or so. John didn’t know why he was feeling so calm, but it seemed Walter was the winner and now John was going to face the reputation of losing the game. It was possible that John had come to terms with a dooming ending, which was why he could remain calm.

As John was coming to terms with his upcoming doom, he couldn’t help but stay aware of the outside world. He kept track of those freaky fucked up teens talking.

“That was total bullshit and you know it,” Kurt barked angrily.

“Oh you can fuck right off,” Tommy complained, “you fucking flicked my bug out of the damn game, you deserve what you get.”

“Oh come on,” Kurt continued to complain, “I didn’t even flick that hard. Your dumbass bug practically wanted to get eaten. You saw how it stayed still near the end.”

“He was having a stupid bug moment,” Joe told him laughing before turning to Kurt, “But they eventually got over it. You should be more worried about your LOSER.”

John felt a shiver at how that word was used. Still he listened as the two teens bickered back and forth, “Loser,” Kurt remarked. “I almost won!”

“Almost doesn't mean shit,” Joe laughed, “You still lost. Which means… FIDOOOOO time for a treaty treat.”

John heard some woofing nearby as the sound of the massive monster made its way toward Joe and them. The paw pads pattering the floor filled the room as the mighty mutt was nearby. The heavy panting of the dog could be heard just below John and Walter as the creature demanded a treat for being called.

“Oh sure, bring your fucking mutt into this. I knew you weren’t man enough to do it yourself,” Kurt complained mockingly.

John heard Joe make a few noises of disbelief before he went on, “ANNND what the hell does that mean?”

“Gonna use your dog to do everything? I knew you were lame…” Kurt muttered.

“Okay you little shit… what are you saying?” Joe asked, sounding upset and defensive.  

“I think you were just bullshitting about the prizes. I think your a pussy and wont fucking own up to your own word. A real winner would be eating the loser's bug and not have their pet dog do it for them…. Bitch,” Kurt mocked with a teasing smirk on his face.

John didn’t know Joe that well, but the way Kurt talked to him it sounded like he was being called out. The words hung out in the air for a moment before Kurt followed up with, “I’ll give you five MORE dollars to do it.”

Before anyone could respond, Tommy quickly added, “OH SHIT! Hell yeah, Joe, I’ll give you another five if you eat a fucking bug on camera!”

John felt horrified at the news as he heard the teen talking about such horrors before them. Surely Joe wouldn’t even consider this barbaric idea that his friends were pushing on him, right?

Sadly the longer the pause that drew out with Joe, the deeper his dread grew. Moments passed and just as he thought Joe might have misheard or forgot what was asked, the teen sadly responded with his own words, “Shiiiit, Ten bucks? Should have started with that. Come on, let’s do this!”

John was horrified at the news that he heard. They couldn’t really mean-

Any doubt that John had vanished when he saw the three faces appear glaring down at him. They were totally thinking of doing this. “Alright,” Joe nearly shouted as he peered into the bowl grinning, “Let’s do this… fucking ten dollars to eat a bug, fucking easy money… okay… so…” Joe smirked looking at John, and then at Walter. “Which one am I eating?”

John felt his heart freeze, what did he mean? Wait, did he not know who was who?

“You dumb ass you’re supposed to eat the one that lost,” Kurt laughed.

Joe glared at Kurt, “Yeah which was… which one again?”

“It’s… the… one… uh…” Kurt muttered as he looked at John and Walter… “the one… fuck… I don’t know man,” Kurt complained. “Just pick one, I don’t care.”

Joe let out a deep laugh, “You can’t even tell which one is which? Oh shit, what a dumbass!”

“Fuck off, you dickweed,” Kurt shouted, “So what, they’re just fucking bugs, just fucking grab one. It’s not like you're gonna actually eat one anyway.”

John heard those words and watched Joe’s hand dipping in as he was mocked by Kurt some more. The teen was taunting and teasing the other as his hand shifted and swayed around. One moment it was heading toward John, the next it was drifting toward Walter. The hand and fingers swayed and swooned around before finally dropping down on one of them. John felt his breath leave him as he watched Walter being picked up.

“WHAT NO, NO HEY, NO! I WON, HEYYYY,” Walter screamed as he was plucked out of the small bowl. “I WON, NO, JOE, JOEEEE!” Walter cried out as he was carried out of the safety of the circular space.

John watched with a sense of relief and horror as Walter was lifted out of the prison and toward the teens.

“This is easy money,” Joe laughed. “Eat a bug? For ten bucks? Let’s go!”

Tommy and Kurt seemed more delighted in the idea than Joe was as they watched him hold Walter in his hand. Walter on the other hand was pleading and begging for them to realize who he was.

As if Tommy could hear Walter complaining and pleading, he quickly asked the question that Walter was screaming at the top of his lungs, “Hey, so like, how do you know that’s the right one? Like you sure that’s the loser bug, right?”

Joe simple looked at Walter and spoke a line that chilled John to his soul, “Oh I’m sure. I can spot a loser from a mile away. A loser bug or a loser in life, they are easy to spot. Besides, even if I’m wrong, which I’m not, a bug is a bug, so who gives a shit? Anyway stop fucking around and get your money out, I’m gonna eat this bugger and I want to get paid! Fork that cash over baby, I’m gonna need that shit for that new bag of chips, you know the one with that new flavor they just came out with. I hear it’s fucking to die for.”

John was horrified at the news. Joe was gonna eat Walter, but John was relieved that Joe didn’t know the difference between them. As horrible as it was, John was so relieved that he almost felt like laughing at the thought that Walter was now being brought toward the teen’s mouth instead of himself. John continued to watch as Walter struggled in Joe’s fingers. He was fighting the most he could as he was pulled upward toward that cocky grinning teenage mouth. John stayed silent as he watched Walter take the journey that was meant for him.

Looking skyward, John could only bear witness to Walter growing closer to Joe’s smirking lips. The grin never wavering as he looked at Walter, as if he could hear the pleading and begging coming from Walter. However Joe never responded directly to Walter, as he kept his attention on him for just enough time before switching to Kurt or Tommy when they talked to him.

Tommy was already asking, “You gonna chew it up?”

“No way dude, that’s sick as fuck. I don’t want any fucking bug legs stuck in my teeth or whatever.”

Kurt laughed, “Pussy.”

Joe laughed as he turned to his other friend, “I don’t see your bitch ass eating a bug.”

Kurt snorted, “Not for a measly $10.”

“That’s what I thought. Now shut up will ya? I got a bag of chips to win.” Joe told Kurt as he prepared himself.

John couldn’t do anything as he was stuck in his prison, any motions he made to get attention were ignored as all eyes were on the special of Joe eating a bug for money. Joe was waving Walter around as he bickered with Kurt and Tommy about the concept and rules to this little show. Walter on the other hand was making noises like he needed to throw up as he was jerked around and shook with little to no warning. John watched as Joe shook Walter at Tommy’s face as he commented on his latest remark.  

It wouldn’t be long before Joe went ahead and finished his dare. In fact after viciously shaking Walter at Tommy, Joe slowly brought his hand back toward himself. Finally the money was put on the counter nearby and Joe started the ordeal.  

“Well, it looks like you're out of luck. It only took $10, which means, you’re hardly worth a bag of chips and a twelve pack of soda.” Joe twisted and turned Water around in his hand as continued to taunt him while he was stuck in his grip, “Shit, not even worth a month of some porno subscription. I should ask for more money…”

Tommy was the first to react, “Yeah right, fuck off. You gonna be a pussy and not eat it, or man the fuck up and chew that fucker up?”

Joe glared at Tommy, “I told you I’m not chewing. What are you some kind of freak? You want to watch me chew my food?” Joe let out a mocking chomping motion at Tommy.

“Taking forever, gonna be an old man before you do it…” Tommy rolled his eyes as he watched Joe hold his snack before his lips.

“Sounds like the fun is almost over,” Joe sighed as he brought Walter closer to his mouth. “I bet you wish you won that little race, don’t you?” John gulped as he listened to Joe mock Walter for the victory he should be celebrating winning. “Sucks for you. Anyway, I got shit to do, things to buy… time for you to go bye bye.”

John watched as Walter did all he could to escape, but it was all in vain as he was brought closer to Joe’s mouth. Joe’s lips parting in an open scene of horror as drops of goo dripped down from his lips and mouth. Joe was pushing Walter toward the dark cavern before him as his mouth pried open. Walter was slowly inserted into the gaping mouth, both Kurt and Tommy cheering Joe on with a bunch of “do it” as he placed Walter in the center of his mouth.

Walter kept begging and pleading out for help as he was slowly inserted into the teens mouth. Past those lips and teeth, into that dark chamber that would soon be Walter’s demise. Joe’s fingers holding Walter pushed him past his lips and deeper into his mouth as he soon was placed on his tongue. John couldn’t see but he could imagine Walter inside Joe’s mouth. The teen’s teeth came down sharply as his finger retracted.

“Mmmhmmm, mmmm, mmmmmm,” Joe muttered out loud at Tommy and Kurt who were watching intently. 

Both of them seemed confused as they looked at Joe, unmoving, who only seemed to be testing and sampling Walter in his mouth. Finally after a few long enduring seconds, Joe finally did something. He slowly reached outward toward something off to the side that John couldn’t see. Finally it came into view as a large Coke can came up to Joe’s lips as he pushed the metal container up to his mouth and slowly sucked down the liquid inside.

John watched as Joe’s throat started to bulge and widen as he gulped down countless mouthfuls of soda, dragging down Walter in the surge of sugary syrup that spewed out of the can. The suction surely sucked down Walter into a hellish hold of horrors belonging to Joe’s gut. John couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be tossed into a person’s stomach and to stew away in the acidic gut. Filled with whatever Joe had consumed recently, which seemed to be only snack foods like chips and more soda.  

Joe sighed as he let out a chuckle, “Easiest ten bucks I ever made. I should do this more often.” Joe laughed, “Anytime you guys want to throw your money at me for a dumb bet like that again, I’m game.”

The look on Joe’s face told John that this wasn’t about the money, it seemed he was enjoying the feeling of power as he gulped down Walter with little to no regard for his life. Still as John watched Joe laugh and take a sip of his drink he suddenly stopped. He looked puzzled. Something was off with him. Joe frowned and looked down at his soda can and looked a little sick.

Was he gonna throw up? Was Walter struggling to get out? Maybe all wasn’t lost?! Walter surely was still alive in Joe. He could try and escape, to climb out and get free!  

John continued to watch as Joe looked to get paler and whiter than he originally was.

“Dude, you okay?” Tommy asked, spotting Joe’s reaction.

“I… oh… no I think… I’m gonna-'' Joe's mouth blossomed as it suddenly expanded mid sentence. He was puking! Joe was-

Joe’s mouth opened and a massive roar of air blew out of his mouth and right into Tommy’s and Kurt’s face as Joe let rip the mightiest of burps ever. The rumbling and roar out of the teens' mouths shook the room. John felt his body shake and shiver from the vibrations that blasted out of the open hole. As John flinched and shuddered, he watched as Joe ripped the enormous burp for several long and very deep moments. By the time Joe was done, his mouth was slowly closing as the gust of carbonated air blew out in wimpy whisps. The roar dying down to a soft supple spew of rough notes. By the time Joe was done burping he was laughing out loud.

“Damn that was a good one! Got you guys so good.” Joe mocked his friend.

“Oh fuck you little shit,” Tommy complained waving at his face and laughing at the burp. “Though your bitch ass couldn’t handle eating a single bug.”

Joe shook his head as he grabbed his can of soda and took a good sip, “Fuck no… that little shit aint coming out… well except as SHIT!” Joe laughed and took another hearty chug, “I mean, felt the thing trying to crawl up my throat but,” Joe took another gulp and slapped his flattish belly as he laughed, “You are not leaving from that end! Nah… as I always like to say,” Joe mocked rubbing his gut and patting it a few times, “GIGO! Garbage in…” John watched as Joe soon turned around and showed his ass to Tommy, Kurt, and unfortunately to John himself as he slapped his jean covered ass, “GARBAGE OUT! That's right babyyyyy,” Joe’s loud and obnoxious laugh echoed through the room as he slapped his butt cheeks a few more times before turning back around.  

John was appalled at the sight of the giant teen mocking Walter’s horrible journey through his body. Not wanting to witness anymore of the horrors of these teens, John did his best to ignore their ranting and talking. They went on laughing and chatting, with Joe letting out random burps throughout their conversations. Interrupting or cutting himself off with a sudden burst of gas. Each rupture of air was followed by a heavy gulping of MORE soda. John had no idea if Walter was still alive after a while, but due to how often Joe slapped or touched his belly after a drink, John could assume Walter suffered greatly in the kid's stomach. John didn’t know much about bugs, but figuring that their new layer of skin was made of hard material, he figured Walter was able to endure more than he should have in that toxic acidic hell hole of a stomach.  

It went on for so long that John figured it would never end. However, suddenly Joe’s phone went off. Someone was calling him. As Joe answered his phone, his face slowly went from a mocking cruel smile into one of dread. By the time he hung up he was freaking out, “SHIT. My mom and brother are getting back soon!”

“So,” Kurt responded, not knowing what that meant.

“You dumbass, my mom will ground me till I'm thirty if she found out I was fucking around with my brother's fucking pet bugs. Not to mention all of this stuff,” Joe mentioned the other’s attention to what John could only assume was a disastrous mess in the kitchen.

“That sounds like a, “your problem,” Tommy laughed… that was Till John watched Joe lean toward him and say a few things. Tommy’s laughter slowly stopped and he rolled his eyes as he quickly turned to Kurt. “Alright… Kurt, stop standing around and fucking help us out,” Tommy complained as he went to work cleaning up.

John had no idea what Joe said, but Joe didn’t give John any hints as he grabbed his container and hurried off, “Fucking lame,” Joe complained as he hurried into a room. John was suddenly tipped out of the bowl and into an empty container surrounded by a few other similar looking jars. John was perplexed as to where he was, but he could see other insects, some he could hear speaking to him, others not making any sounds. It seemed he wasn’t the only person stuck in this situation of being a bug.  

There was a question that he was getting the most out of all of them, and it was “where was peter.” All John could do was shake his head and tell them he didn’t make it. Sadly that seemed like a common response, as none of them seemed too shocked.

Joe was already leaving the room. John watched as Joe left and he was alone in the room. The mixed words from his fellow, bug transformed people, left John confused as to why or even how this happened. He was getting so many from all around it was hard to make it out. All he knew was that he and the others weren’t the only ones turned into insects… and apparently held captive in these large glass jars. John could only hope that Joe was done with him, there shouldn’t be any reason for him to mess with him with so many others nearby, right?

John was still getting used to the jar he was stuck in. Some random kid child, much younger than Joe, apparently was the one holding John and the others inside these glass chambers. He was looking for a way to fix this, or at least that’s what John gathered over the past twenty four hours. As horrible as it sounded, it wasn’t too bad. That was before John was subjected to Joe’s fucking morning routine.  

It was humiliating enough to be a bug, but John had the perfect seat near the window to watch Joe walk Fido. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, or a problem. Joe and Fido were doing their thing, walking around the neighborhood. However to John’s disgust and horror he watched as Joe let Fido trout into his yard. Right across the street John watched as Fido started to squat and take a mighty shit in his front yard. The dog crap, amassing a pile of filth in his otherwise pristine yard. However, this was not the worst part… Joe.. the fucking psycho child was filming. John wanted to yell at them, but his words never made sense to humans.  

Helpless, John watched as Fido took his massive morning dump in his yard… and then Joe started to walk over to Fido. Not that it would stop what Fido was doing but seeing Joe going over to Fido to try and stop him from…. Suddenly Joe started to squat next to Fido.

John wasn’t sure what the fuck was going on, but soon Joe was already pulling his pants down slightly and squatting near the puddle of poop. John watched with disgust as Joe was starting to dump his load beside his dog. Laughing and talking silent words into his phone as he showed off the show to everyone online. John was sick at the sight of not just one, but two piles of poo were placed on his lawn across from Joe’s fucking home.

Things would have been bad, but what made everything worse was John making out the words that Joe was speaking through the window. He was saying something about fertilizing his neighbors lawn. Something about Fido and him getting paid to dump off important loads for their neighbor. John wasn’t sure what that meant but it was obvious when Joe and Fido were done shitting in his yard, John couldn't help but watch as they walked off like they hadn’t just deposited waste in his front lawn.  

How long had those two been doing this was beyond John, but seeing it now, he realized that this wasn’t the first time. The two disgusting monsters had been doing this for a while, and worse was that John knew that there were some people’s bodies discarded in those bowel movements. How many before this were there?  

Yet what horrified John worse than watching his yard being defiled was the way Joe looked at him. Through a window he couldn't possibly see him from. A look that told John that he was thinking about him. It was like Joe had plans, or ideas about him and the others. Him taking a shit, spewing out poor Walter form his ass, was just a forethought, as he was putting together some evil plan for not just John, but the others. The smile slowly grew on his face as he hiked his pants up and slowly patted Fido. His mouth spoke “good boy” but John could tell he was already thinking of another horrible plan to involve John and the others.

Whatever Joe’s brother thought he was doing, John prayed he hurried up, cause it seemed like Joe was just starting to come up with very devilish thoughts. Some that would involve using John or someone else. It would only be time before Joe tried to repeat something like what John had to go through. Only this time, John feared he might not get as lucky as he did the other day...

It was another boring day for Joe and Tommy, both of them slumped in their seats. Tommy was sitting in a chair, if you could call it sitting that was, while Joe was laying on the couch length-wise propped up by his elbow. Both teens hadn’t moved for over an hour as Tommy flipped through the TV looking for something good to watch. Neither teen had said much other than a “nah”, “nope”, “lame”, or “boring” when picking a TV station. If it wasn’t a show, it was a commercial, which again was changed just as fast leaving just a blur of pictures before something new was on.

“God this is sooooo boring,” Joe complained as he rolled on the couch to get more comfortable.

“Hey, you're the one that wanted to come over,” Tommy reminded Joe about his complaining to hang out.

“Yeah, because I thought we do something fun this weekend, not sit inside and watch TV all day,” Joe grumbled as he let out a loud yawn. “I might as well just go back home and take a nap.” Joe still complained as he muttered out loud, “Wouldn’t even let me bring Fido over either…”

Tommy let out an annoyed sigh, “And I told you, my parents would kill me if they knew I let your stupid dog in here.”

“Hey, Fido isn’t stupid,” Joe argued.

Tommy laughed, “Really? Wasn’t it just the other day I watched him running around not listening to you for half an hour as he chased that stupid bug?”

Joe laughed, “Yeah… but I mean he got that stupid thing right? The dumbass bug wouldn’t stop running circles around my foot, I almost stomped it, but it was too funny to watch. I swear that’s the only good thing my little brother is useful for, him and his dumb bug collection. Endless snacks for Fido and good entertainment, unlike you and your stupid big ass TV here.” Joe let out a laugh as he sat up. “Shit… yeah fuck this, I'm gonna go home and play with Fido, at least he’s more fun than this,” Joe let out a snarky noise as he got up.

Tommy was gonna argue but sighed, “Yeah your right this fucking sucks man. Alright, let’s go to your place.” Tommy sat up and started to get ready to leave. Tommy thought about leaving without turning off the TV, but his parents chewed him out like last time for wasting power. Something about it not being free or whatever. “Oh give me a second got to turn off the damn TV,” Tommy told Joe as he headed back for the remote. Just as Tommy picked it up the commercial changed to something that caught Joe’s eye.

“Oh oh, wait, it’s that commerical!” Joe shouted as he hurried back in front of the TV.  The new thrill and excitement appearing shocked Tommy.

“What? Commercial Which one,” Tommy asked as he watched the ad starting to play on the screen.

Before Tommy got his answer he heard the sounds of a woman making moaning sounds. Like some porno going off, as the screen was filled with the most sexual material you can get on television without getting flagged. It had women making lewd noises and faces as the commercial went on.

The stupid commercial was an ad for condoms, some kind of ad for safe sex. Tommy was only watching for the enjoyment of the hot-ass women making those slutty faces. It was a nice teasing turn-on for the most part. However, the ad soon turned into the commercial it was made for.

“When you’re in the moment and needing protection? Don’t worry we got you covered, introducing the safest sexual barrier that is the safest contraception you can use! NOTHING GETS IN, NOTHING GETS OUT! Buy the pocket rocket! Our condoms are tested to the breaking point to make sure there are no BREAKING POINTS. Just like any other space tech, we made sure it never breaks down on you.” Joe and Tommy continued to watch the erotic commercial as it went on with women making faces and sounds that were closer to a porno than an actual commercial ad on TV. “We promise our rubber won't break on any incidents, just like a rocket reentering the atmosphere, our condoms are built to survive anything thrown at it. pocket rockets, buy now at your local stores!”

“God damn that commercial gets me stiff every time… especially when that one chick moans…” Joe replied as he smirked with a pleased grin. “I’d love to show her my rocket if you know what I mean,” Joe laughed.

Tommy just shrugged, “Yeah whatever, it’s all fake. No way anything they say was real.”

Joe quickly argued, “Bullshit! They can’t lie on national TV. They are like totally reliable in whatever they say in their advertisement. Their condoms are built for anything…”

Tommy rolled his eyes, “Not anything dumb ass. Do you really think they are meant for reentry from space? It’s just something they made up.”

Joe gave Tommy a stern look… “Oh yeah…” He started to pull something up on his phone and finally flashed it to Tommy. “Anything they say on TV can be used against themselves. If their condoms don’t hold up, we can sue them for false advertisement.”

Tommy paused for a moment as he thought it over, “Wait… so if it doesn’t last after a certain point, we can get money from the company for false advertisement?”

Joe grinned, “Fuck yeah! Dude, think about it, they set themselves up for failure. Look all we got to do is prove that their condoms aren’t as foolproof as they say it is, and we make a bucket full of cash! Easy fucking money!”

Tommy thought for a brief moment before he grinned and repeated, “Dude, fucking easy money! LETS DO THIS!”

Richard watched as Luke grinned down at him and the others trapped in the many glass jars on his desk. The young child looked happy as he looked back and forth between all of them, ready to share some good news, hopefully.

“Don’t worry I’m gonna try and test the machine today. I think I found a way to turn you all back to normal!” Luke was excited as he rubbed his hands together as he continued to smile at all of them at the joyful news.

Richard didn’t know how to explain to Luke that he was wasting his time, as it was just him who was a normal human or used to be. Richard was one of the last bugs left in the collective glass jars that lined the young child’s desk that was once human. All the others were replaced by Luke’s fucking psychotic brother who used them as fucking playthings, toys, or some sick twisted form of entertainment. Richard was only lucky because he was the furthest away from the bedroom door, but it seemed that Joe was slowly getting closer to Richard’s container now that he was the last one.  It was like he was trying to replace all the original ones with real bugs without Luke knowing.

Still, hearing Luke was close to fixing that fucked up machine that made Richard into this insect, totally made his day. He was growing so tired of being this little pathetic bug trapped in a jar. He couldn’t wait to be turned back to normal. Richard already had a few words he was gonna use on Joe when he was back to his original size and form.

Richard did a little bug-like dance of happiness at the exciting news. His little action only seemed to make Luke smile wider as if he could tell that Richard was as thrilled as he was. “I just need to try a few more things before even trying to attempt to change anyone of you back to normal. It should only be a few more days, I promise!”

Just a few days was better than a few weeks or longer. Sure Richard wanted to be back to normal sooner, but he had been a bug for a while now and was used to waiting. At least he made it to the long run. Richard was starting to worry that maybe he was next on the chopping block for-

The sound of the front door swinging open and hurried footsteps were followed after the shutting of the mighty door, shaking Richard’s jar and himself from the impact. Richard and Luke turned toward the sound of the heavy footsteps rushing toward his door. Before Richard could react, Joe and one of his friends were in the doorway looking exhausted as they were panting from what had been from running some distance.

The monstrous Joe spoke first, “We need one of your stupid bugs…”

Luke stood in front of his desk hands out trying to block them from Joe. “NO! You’re always mean to them!” Richard felt a tear of respect dripping from his eye at how this young child was so protective of him. “I won't give you any of them!” Joe rolled his eyes before taking a step closer ignoring Luke. Luke did the only thing he could do to his older brother… “MOOOOOM!!” He shouted as loud as he could.

Joe looked frightened, “OKAY, OKAY, STOP,” He protested before the sound of the mother of the house calling out from somewhere nearby.

“So help me, Joe, if I come in there and you're bothering your brother again, I’m gonna deactivate your phone and take away your computer for a month!”

Richard watched as the warning forced the mean teen from even taking another step. He let out a groan and rolled his eyes, “I wasn’t gonna do anything!”

His mother was already responding, “That’s what I thought! Now leave your brother alone!”

Luke and Richard both let out a peaceful sigh as Joe didn’t even attempt their mother’s wrath. Still, Richard watched Joe not leave the room. Something that still kept him on edge, but Luke wasn’t as concerned. With a sense of power, Luke grinned, “You heard Mom…”

“Yeah whatever…” Joe grumbled.

The new kid that Richard didn’t know spoke up, “Dude that’s it? You just gonna give up?”

“Bro,” Joe complained, “I’m not losing my fucking computer and phone over some fucking bug. We can just find one in the yard or whatever. How hard can it be?”

Tommy gave Joe a disappointed look before turning back to Luke and speaking to him. “Look, Luke, we’re not gonna hurt your bug friend, or whatever. We just need to borrow one of them for a little while, and you’ll get them right back. I promise…”

Richard didn’t believe a word that was spoken from that fucking teen. However Luke seemed way more trusting than he should have been as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked at his brother and friend, “What were you thinking?”

Those words were pure horror to Richard’s ears, if he still had them that was…

Joe and Tommy smiled as Tommy went on, “Well, you heard of pocket rockets right?”

Luke slowly shook his head, “No? What’s that?’

Tommy pulled out a small square object. Something Richard recognized as a condom. “This can’t be good… no no no,” Richard muttered as he started to try and get Luke’s attention. He started to hit the glass and make as much noise as he could being a bug, but nothing he did seemed to distract the giant child.

Tommy went on, “Well basically it’s something that can survive anything, like a rocket ship. You know what a rocket ship is, right?”

Luke puffed his chest out as he nodded vigorously, “OF COURSE!”

Tommy smiled, “Well that’s great! See this is supposed to be that strong… and so like me and your brother here,” Tommy jerked his thumb toward Joe, “We're gonna test it out! See, we think that Fido could swallow the pocket rocket and let it travel through its…” Tommy paused, “You know what digestion is right?”

Luke slowly nodded.

“GREAT! I knew you were a smart kid.  See we think that if we put something inside said pocket rocket, and let it go through digestion, which you clearly know how strong rockets are, right? So we let the pocket rocket with something in it go through Fido… and then the company will pay us for spreading their product with the video of their item and how effective it is! It’s a win-win for everyone, right?”

Luke was taking his time thinking it over at how Tommy was explaining it. He seemed not to like the idea. However, both Joe and Tommy seemed to be swaying him toward their side. Nothing that Richard said got to Luke and after telling Luke he would get a share of whatever profits they made, he seemed to crumble. The mention of money sparked Luke’s desire as Richard recalled how much Luke wanted that new video game that was coming out. Richard was totally against it, especially when Luke turned toward Richard and not any of the other fucking regular insects on the desk. Luke gave Richard a weak smile and nodded, “Well… you do make a good point. But only one of my friends,” Luke announced as he reached out toward Richard’s fucking jar.

Richard was horrified at the news that this boy was falling for these teens' lies or stupidity. He wasn’t sure which it was but it was insane to think this was gonna work! There was no way the condom would fucking survive digestion! Worse was how Luke was looking at Richard… he should be looking at the other fucking fake bugs and not himself! Why was he looking at him?!?!

Sadly to Richard’s horror, Luke slowly picked up his jar and held it in the air, “But,” Luke objected showing off Richard to Joe and Tommy, “Richard also gets a portion of the money. He is the one doing this, after all, it’s only fair.” As nice as that sounded, Richard was still objecting to this batshit crazy plane these fucking kids had.

Tommy and Joe looked at each other and gave a weak shrug before Tommy turned back to Luke, “Sure, what the hell right? So that’s the one we’re gonna use?”

Richard was protesting as Luke quickly nodded, “Yeah, we can use him. Just be careful with him.”

“GREAT!” Tommy exclaimed as he quickly snatched the jar out of Luke's hand and brought it over to Joe. Tommy shoved Richard’s glass jar into his hands as he started to dig into his pocket. Tommy grinned as he pulled out a small little square plastic package from his pocket. “Look we got everything we need. All that’s missing is Fido-”

Just as Tommy said the name the mangy mut made its entrance as it seemed to be able to hear its name from the future. Fido trotted into the room and stood between Joe and Tommy looking up at the two as if asking “Yeah what do you want? Why did you call me?”

Richard watched as Fido looked between the two giant boys before his eyes locked in on Richard. The high-pitched whimper and tail-storm Fido kicked up told Richard that Fido noticed him. His eyes seemed to widen and lock in on him like a rocket being fired at a target. All of Fido’s attention was dedicated to Richard.

“Look who’s ready for the experiment,” Joe laughed. “Aren't you boy, alright stop your bitching, we're gonna feed you soon,” Joe chuckled jiggling the jar with Richard in it. The motion sent Richard clinking into the side of his prison as Fido’s greedy eyes were glued to every movement that he made.

“HEY!” Luke cried out, “I said you have to be careful with him!”

Joe rolled his eyes and grumbled, “Ooops, my bad.”

“Dude come on,” Tommy sided with Luke, “Don’t fuck this up for us.”

“I’m not!” Joe complained, “I had a hand tremor or whatever. It happens all the time,” Joe argued.

Richard knew that it was a lie but again, his words meant nothing to a world of deaf giants. He could only watch as Fido pranced in place and moved around to keep his eyes and mouth toward Richard’s glass chamber. A simple turn or move from Joe made Fido get up and reposition himself to stay on target. There was no escaping this massive monster who was ready for anything, especially if it meant eating Richard sooner than expected.

Richard scrambled to back away as he tried to get as much distance between himself and that monstrous maw that was making those high-pitched whimpering sounds.

“Whatever dude, just hold the jar still,” Tommy told Joe who just rolled his eyes at the command. Richard looked up as Tommy stood in position before him. “Fucking come on…” Tommy grumbled as he messed around with the square package that the condom was in.

Joe let out a mocking laugh, “Seriously? What are you a virgin? Do you not know how to open that thing?” Joe laughed again as Tommy glared at Joe.

“Dude fuck off, you’re acting like your a fucking player or something. I would ask how many girls you slept with but we both know you’re too gay to get laid,” Tommy mocked.

“Fuck you, I like, totally fucked a chick before,” Joe barked. “You don’t know what you're talking about.”

“Oh yeah, prove it,” Tommy said pushing the condom into his hands and snatching Richard out of Joe’s hand. “Open it.”

Joe snorted, “FINE!”

Everyone watched as Joe held the small plastic square and tugged at a corner… then a side…

It was clear that Joe was struggling just like Tommy was, as he too couldn’t open the stupid plastic piece of contraception. As Joe struggled Tommy went on to mock him, “OH is it so easy now? I bet you gonna say you raw dogged it and didn’t need one, right?”

“SHUT UP,” Joe grunted as he put all his strength into tearing the plastic package open.

Richard would be smiling if he could, but he watched the two teens bicker and argue as they couldn’t open a simple fucking condom. How ironic all their planning was falling apart due to the simple fact that they couldn’t get it open.

Things were looking up for Richard, that was till Luke stepped in. “Let me try,” He said taking the small object from his brother who had given up.

“Oh yeah, like you’re gonna get it,” Joe laughed at his little brother’s attempt.

Tommy laughed, “I’d believe your brother got more pussy than you did.”

“Oh fuck you,” Joe told Tommy who was still mocking him.

Richard would be laughing at all the fighting the older giants were doing, that was till he and everyone in the room heard the simple sound of plastic ripping and peeling apart.

All eyes were on Luke who pulled the condom out of the ripped package, “It said pull from this side,” He announced holding the open pocket rocket for everyone to see.

“GIVE ME THAT,” Joe ordered taking the condom from his brother, “I loosened it up for you,” Joe said as he quickly yanked the small little compressed disk out of the square package.

Richard watched with horror as now they were one step closer to their plan to send him on a one-way trip through that fucking dog… THAT WAS STILL LOOKING AT HIM LIKE HE WAS A TREAT! Richard tried to bark, growl, yell, and even scream for the dog to get away but Fido never even missed a beat as it kept eyeing him like he was the last doggy snack left in the world. Richard turned his attention back to his other problem as Joe was holding the little plastic disk in his fingers.

“So like yeah… now…” he muttered flipping the condom around and looking at it. “I just… got to…”

Tommy seemed to want to add in, but it was clear he wasn’t exactly confident about what to do next. It wasn’t till Luke spoke up as he seemed to be reading something off his phone, “Turn it right side up and slowly roll sides down to extend down the length of the member… what do they mean member?”

Joe seemed to get the instructions as he straightened out the condom and let out a mocking snort, “You're too young to understand squirt. Anyway, see,” Joe showed off the full extended condom, “Simple. Now let’s get this shit started! Cause like I’m getting kind of hungry...”

Richard finally felt his life starting to come to an end as Joe held the jar in one hand and Tommy slowly took the extended condom in his hands. He held the pocket rocket open at one end, wide enough for the jar to pass through. At least the lip of the jar was gonna make it, as Richard felt his glass jar tilting. He had no way to stay stuck to the inside of the jar, or to stop his sudden change in gravity as everything was tilting toward the rubbery opening presented before him. Richard tried to escape and get out of the way of the open plastic hole before him. However, no matter how he slid and twisted around, that condom was always in the way.

“NO NO NO FUCK OFF STOP IT,” Richard screamed as he was quickly tilted and dropped down toward the plastic bag before him. It was like being on a water slide but instead of there being a nice little pool of water at the end of the tunnel, there was a gaping hole of rubber plastic put before his feet ready to swallow Richard up. Richard slid down the frictionless glass and instantly hit the stretchy rubber and rolled down the sides of the condom into the base of the ballon-like package at the end of the condom. Richard looked out the mostly clear siding of the plastic prison as he could only slip around the sleek and almost moist inside of the condom. Richard looked around and saw only the upturned walls around him and knew he was trapped. He was stuck as his legs and body couldn’t get up the side of the slick walls and to the small opening up top. He was doomed to what will happen next.

“Looks like our pilot is locked into his shuttle,” Joe laughed. “Is our astronaut ready to explore the deep depths of my dog’s deep space? I’m sure you're ready to explore the unknown and learn some interesting things about Fido, right?” Joe chuckled as he held the plastic bag that Richard was in. A soft shake and jiggle shook Richard around in the condom as Joe taunted him some more.

“Alright that’s enough playing around,” Tommy explained as he pulled out his phone and started to get ready for the filming part. “I need to film this and edit it, so let's start with the simple eating part, okay?”

“Oh yeah totally,” Joe agreed as he was the one holding Richard. “Eating… yeah nothing like having our space bug being swallowed by Fido, to take a nice little trip through some inner space. LOL! Nothing like traveling the stars, but I’m sure you're not gonna visit many stars… just some gassy giants or whatever they call that big one in our solar system.  Heck, you might even see a brown star if you know what I mean… oh wait, no, you're going through our solar system right? So you gonna have to be passing through URANUS! Right? Yeah, first bug to fly by Fido’s Uranus, how lucky you must be. I hope you packed everything you need, cause I hear it’s a tight squeeze through there. Usually, it’s only a few things that can fit but hey, you’ll be the first bug to make it safely in your little plastic pussy protection, you're welcome,” Joe muttered sounding a little disappointed at the news that Richard was gonna survive.

“Dude come on,” Tommy remarked holding his phone up trying to get a good angle. “I don’t have all day.

“Yeah yeah, just shut up will yeah? I want to get everyone in the mood for this. It’s not every day we send the first bug to Fido space to explore.” Joe grinned, “I mean how many people or bugs you know that get to experience a black hole like Fido’s mouth?!”

Tommy shook his head, “Whatever I guess I can edit it afterward, just hurry up, I got some other stuff to do later.”

Joe rolled his eyes as he finally looked back at Richard. Richard who was horrified, looked at the grinning teen holding him above Fido. The dog was directly below him as it looked up excited for what looked to be another treat dangling before him. However, Richard wasn’t a treat, he was a person!  This wasn’t supposed to be happening to him.  No amount of screaming or begging could get through the plastic barrier, or even to these messed-up teen’s ears. The only one who cared about Richard’s health was Luke and he green-lit this whole operation!

“Okay, you stupid astronaut bug. Get ready for a trip you’ll never forget. Let’s hope your little COCKpit…” Joe started chuckling, “Get it cause it’s a condom for-”

“Dude I don’t have all day,” Tommy shot back at him.

“FINE… God, no sense of humor… anyway, time for your trip through Fido,” Joe announced as he slowly started to lower the little bag of rubber down toward the awaiting dog. Richard skittered around trying to find a way out of there, but it was useless as the only opening had been tied and sealed long ago. Richard was stuck and forced to endure the travel through the monster below him. Hopefully, he made it, as he wasn’t ready for his doom.

Tommy, who was still filming said, “Pocket rocket test on how unbreakable their condoms are. Testing to see if a bug will make it through a dog’s digestive system. Hopefully, it won’t need to breathe too much…”

Richard was afraid as he tried to tell them to stop.

To Richard’s total shock, he heard one person’s voice scream out suddenly, “WAIT! STOP!”

Everyone paused, even Fido who was opening his mouth closed it to look at Luke who was panicking. Richard watched the boy hurry over toward Joe and Tommy. He looked horrified. Richard felt so much better now that Luke was coming to his senses. He couldn’t possibly let Joe and Luke put him through this torment. Rochard was saved.

Luke let out a concerned breath as he stopped his brother. “We can’t do this!”

Joe and Tommy looked pissed, “What do you mean-”

Luke stood his ground as he told them firmly, “WE CAN’T DO THIS! NOT WITHOUT AIR HOLES!”

Both teens looked at each other for a moment. Finally, Joe laughed, “That’s my fucking little brother right there. A fucking genius. Shit man, we almost suffocated this bug… than what would we do? This little guy has to make it to the finish line if we want any money from pocket rockets!” Luke looked pleased as Joe rubbed his head, “Alright boy genius what do we do?”

Richard watched with horror as Luke grabbed a pen off his desk and said, “Well, like the jar he was in. We need to poke holes in the plastic so he can breathe…”

Richard screamed in horror as he watched Luke stab the siding of his plastic prison. Each jab leaving giant gaping holes in the siding of the condom. He kept screaming and shouting, waving his little legs to let Luke know he was doing something stupid, but the kid was too busy making as many holes as he could to let him breathe. Finally after several mighty strokes of Luke’s hand, Richard was looking at half a dozen holes peltering his safe space.

“There, now Richard can breathe,” Luke said proud of himself.

“Shit and we were about to let the poor fucker suffocate to death,” Joe laughed.

Tommy shook his head, “Good thing your brother isn’t an idiot… alright, are we good to go Luke?”

Luke stood back and nodded with a bright smile, “YUP! See you soon Richard!”

Richard’s only words were a heavy cry of misery as he was descending downward, “NOOOOO!” As he cursed the fucking kids for not knowing a damn thing! With everyone satisfied with the new air holes poked into the sealed contraception device, Joe started to dip Richard toward his destiny. Fido seemed to get the idea as he sat up and opened his mouth like a trained dog waiting for a treat to be placed on its tongue. Fido didn’t even need to watch as he seemed to know he would be getting the delicious dangling doggy snack.

Richard could only scream and scurry around as he looked for an exit. Sure the holes that Luke stabbed in were possible escape routes, but they didn’t look big enough, and climbing up to them was impossible with the slippery and slimy sidings of the condom. With all the lube, Richard was unable to get up the sides of the curved condom. Looking down past his feet, Richard looked in horror as those titanic teeth came into view, making himself look so small and pathetic. The massive mut’s mouth made an impact of how monolithic it was. Fido’s tongue itself could easily cover the condom up like he was licking up a ball, especially when Fido flayed it out showing how accepting he was for his special meal. Richard was horrified as he could already smell the doggy scent seeping in through the small holes that Luke made. Richard was so fucked as soon his clear plastic prison was dipped well past Fido’s lips. He was resting on the dog’s tongue and throat as Joe laid him there on the super patient puppy.

“Okay hold, Fido… Hold,” Joe ordered. The whimpering breath that reeked up from the depths of the dog down below made Richard gag as he could smell the awful dog breath blowing into his not-so-sealed space. Richard whimpered as he could already tell how this was gonna end for him. The horrible heinous smell was already greeting him now, which would only get worse later.

Later, being now, Joe let go of the tip of the condom and let out the dooming order, “SWALLOW!”

Richard one moment was bathed in light, and the next the shocking sounds of a snapping snout slamming shut hit Richard as he could hear Fido already trying to gulp him down. The swallowing was evident as Richard felt his prision around him shifting and sloshing forward. Fido’s throat was the first thing to grab him as he was tugged and pulled and soon dragged down toward the depths of the dog's digestive system. The place where Richard would meet his doom…

Luke watched Joe let Richard take a trip through Fido. A journey that shouldn’t take too long. Richard just had to travel through Fido’s stomach and intestine, which for a dog his size wouldn’t take too long, right?  Luke watched Joe and Tommy look excited, Luke didn’t hear his mom come back inside. Whatever it was that she was doing, she headed to Luke’s room.  Giving the door a knock as she entered she announced her presence by calling out to Luke.

“Luke are you ready for- oh!” She said looking surprised, “Sorry I didn’t know you were here Tommy,” Luke watched his mom look toward Joe, confused as to why he would be in Luke's room, and then she saw Fido too, “Oh? Is everyone in Luke’s room today? It’s not his birthday is it,” She chuckled at the silly joke as she started to leave them all alone… till she spotted something. “What-” She said as she entered the room and saw the discarded condom wrapper, “WHAT?! Why?! EXPLAIN,” Luke’s mom ordered as she looked at the three of them. Before the others could explain, Luke answered. 

“We had Fido swallow the plastic thing so we can get money, it’s okay Mom,” Luke said calmly, “We made sure Richard will survive…” Luke felt so proud for catching the mistake his silly brother and friend were gonna make.  Everyone was silent as Luke explained to his mother what was going on.

The silence lasted for a brief pause before she went absolute ape-shit. “WHAT?! YOU DID WHAT WITH FIDO AND… OH MY GOD OH MY GOD! EVERYONE IN THE CAR,” She nearly screeched as she took the condom wrapper and started to hustle everyone out of Luke’s room.  

“What, what’s going on,” each kid kept asking but was ignored by the frantic mother hustling them out of the room.

“GET IN THE CAR NOW GO GO GO,” She barked as she pushed her kids and Tommy into her vehicle, “SWEET JESUS YOU KIDS ARE GONNA KILL ME!!!”  Luke had no idea what his mother meant, but hurried while listening to his mom, as she took Fido by the collar and dragged him toward the car screaming, “GO GO GO!”

Richard was in a true hell as he could hear the sound of Fido’s body doing what it did best, breaking down whatever it just swallowed. The journey down Fido’s throat was faster than Richard expected as he could feel his little plastic cock cover slipping deeper into the dog’s throat and stomach. The sounds of digestion filled the air as Richard felt himself being deposited and plopped into Fido’s freaking fizzy stomach. The stench already making its way into the tightly sealed condom… oh wait, IT WASN’T SEALED ANYMORE! The fucking kids had no idea what they were fucking doing, so now Richard was subjected to the intense smells of Fido’s acids creeping inside. Completely unprotected, Richard was gonna experience this trip the hard way.  The horrible doggy vomit smell already leaking in, not to mention the liquid that Richard was floating in was slowly drifting inside his chamber. The strong scented smell was already forcing Richard to try and tuck himself away in a corner of his little pocket of plastic.

“Shit shit shit,” Richard cried as he started to crawl in the darkness. A sudden warm and smelly stinging sensation hit Richard from off to his side as he realized he was touching some stomach acids that were leaked in from an opening. “OH THIS IS SO FUCKED,” Richard screamed as he tried to back away from the dark depths of the fucking dog’s damn digestive juices. The only thing that Richard could go by was the sounds of the sloshing and swishing of fluids as it sounded like a lake on a mildly breezy day, as waves were being made inside Fido’s belly. Whatever Fido was doing, only helped stir the contents of his belly around as Richard couldn’t do much but wait for rescue, or worse… forced to head to the other exit.

Staying as far away from the lapping waters that already made their way inside was getting harder as Richard found that every few minutes a small stinging sensation snapped at his little feet, or whatever the hell his foot was now after his cursed transformation. Richard jerked back as he could feel the sizzling sensation slowly making its way into the condom and starting to fill it up. It was a slow start but for someone his size, Richard knew that it wasn’t something to scoff at as he wouldn’t have a lot of space left to avoid the burning liquid. He was stuck in the prison of plastic, which wasn’t as protective as it would have been, filling with a deadly melting material.

“Fucking kids,” Richard shouted in the dark depths of the dog’s dumb belly. The splashing and sloshing sounds continued to echo around the immense chamber as Richard did his best to stay out of the leaking liquids inside the condom. As much as he wanted to, Richard wasn’t a professor in the use of condoms, so he had no idea how they would hold up.  He could only hope, as he felt the soft rubbery room shifting and moving about on its path, and pray the basic ballon of plastic plastic would protect him.

The gurgling sounds inside Fido were starting to echo deeper as the noises started to show off the insides of this mighty beast. Fido’s guts were starting to work on its job, trying to break down any snack or treat it found. Sadly that was Richard’s category as he knew he could hear Fido starting to try and break him down just like any other source of food. The strong sounds of stomach juices working their way on and around the plastic confines that Richard was on.

The only safe space for Richard was deeper inside Fido’s gut, which could mean anything to him…

Yet, just as that thought came to Richard, he felt a firm tug at the end of his dick-shaped spacecraft as he was now being pulled along somewhere. Richard felt the jerking and pulling motion as he was now going onto the next part of Fido’s gut. Hopefully, it would be better than where he was now, as the stinky smelly stomach acidic swarmed inside.  The stench stung his nose so bad that he thought it would melt off. Richard let out a startled sound as a deep grumbled sound was heard.  He could feel everything being compressed and flattened as it was dragged beyond Fido’s stomach and somewhere else. At least he was moving on, away from the digestive acids and juices that were trying to break him down….

“As you can see, your dog,” The vet was saying before Joe cut him off.

“FIDO… His name is FIDO,” Joe remarked.

“Right… your dog Fido, is going to be fine,” The vet told them as he plastered up the X-Rays they took. “The obstruction-”

Joe cut in again, “Condom, it’s a pocket rocket condom to be exact. Because we’re doing an experiment.”

Joe’s mom wasn’t thrilled at his remark and neither was the vet as he went on. “Right… the sexual contraception stuck in your dog, is doing fine. You can see it traveling just fine,” The vet said pointing out the multiple X-rays that Fido got. Sure enough, the plastic abstract object could be seen moving along. “Fido should be fine as it moves through him. Give it a day or two to pass… worse case it gets a little stuck and you give Fido these,” The Vet said handing Joe’s mom some pills. “Just some dog laxatives to help things… push along,” He told her. “But I’d save them for when you really need them.  You don’t want an accident in the house,” He chuckled only to realize he was the only one laughing. “So, anyway,” The doctor said as he started to move out of the room. “I think we should talk more about this incident,” The vet said as he led their mother out of the room to leave Joe, Tommy, Luke, and Fido all in the same room.

Joe was the first to move as he walked over to a sleepy-looking Fido slumped up against the table panting heavily. Besides his sleepy look, Fido looked just fine.

Joe laughed, “Fido’s got nothing to worry about. He’s a fucking trooper, that shit gonna pass through him like… well, actual shit!” Joe laughed, “Like come on, it’s just a fucking plastic condom, basically a tiny plastic bag, he’ll be fucking fine.  I’m sure he eats plastic all the time,” Joe said. Although it sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else in the room. “Right Fido,” Joe asked with worry in his voice.

It was silent as no one spoke in the room.  Suddenly Fido let out a little woof, as his tail slowly wagged.

“OH LOOK! I FUCKING TOLD YOU! FIDO IS A BEAST!!!  He can eat anything and be A OKAY!” Joe was laughing as he petted his dog. “Yeah, no fucking bug stuffed in a condom gonna put you down, hell nah… you’re gonna turn that fuckers ass to grass, right? Yeah…” Joe said rubbing Fido’s gut. “Make that bug into a little brown turd…”

Luke gasped, “HEY! That’s Richard!” Luke’s outcry made Joe look at his brother.

“Oh sorry… sorry Fido, you heard Luke. His name is Richard… so turn that fucking little Richard bug into a fucking pile of poo…” Joe slowly rubbed Fido’s lower gut. “Just like all those other little bugs. You got this boy….”

Luke let out an annoying whine as he shot up, “HEY, Richard is my Friend-”

Joe rolled his eyes as he turned on Luke, “Yeah well he put Fido in harm. So like I don’t care if Richard is your best friend or whatever, he’s on me and Fido’s shit list, like a litteraly a list for shit.  I hope he’s in true hell in there cause if anything happens to Fido, I’ll make sure Richard pays. And don’t think you're off the hook either. This was supposed to be a simple cash grab, but your dumb bug had to make this an issue.”

It was clear neither of the boys understood the situation clearly. Joe was still comforting his pet dog as the minutes passed. “Whose a good boy?! You are! Yes, you are. Fuck that little thing, you're a big boy. Go ahead and break that little fucker down to-” Joe was cooing to Fido before Luke stepped in again.

“HEY! Richard isn’t a … bad word!” he protested. “He’s just helping us-”

Joe cut Luke off, “Yeah Yeah, whatever, I don’t care. He made Mom upset and is now messing with Fido's belly.” Joe explained, clearly missing a few points and issues between his dog and everything else. However, he didn’t seem to care as he petted Fido like he was a war hero, “At this point, I don’t care what happens to this bug thing, Fido is the top priority. Maybe afterward your little BUG can be acknowledged in what we're doing but for the most part, it fucked with Fido, so now I don’t really give a shit about it.  As far as I'm concerned that bug is just another of many that will be exploring and learning the inside of Fido very intimately. Just like any other turd Fido makes…”

“That’s not fair,” Luke retorted as he stood up, “You told me everything would be fine, and now RICHARD is in trouble-”

Joe cut Luke off,” Fuck your bug friend. Fido is more important or…. Are you saying you don’t care what happens to poor little Fido?” Joe shook his head, “You’d take sides with a little pathetic bug like that over cute sweet Fido? How could you be so cruel,” Joe asked sounding upset, but it was all a ploy, that Luke wasn’t getting.

“NO,” Luke said at first as he tried to think about it, “I didn’t mean it like that, but like… I guess…”

“What,” Joe cut in, “Would you rather they save your bug over Fido? You want to dissect Fido up all for a fucking bug?!?!”

Luke shook his head as his brother continued to pressure him, “I just meant like… If we can…”

Joe went on, “IF, only one can make it, I know who I'm fucking gonna ask for. Not some fucking ugly dumb ass bug, but our dearest family member FIDO!”

Luke looked down at his feet as he shuffled around, “I mean… your right…”

Joe snatched onto that weakness, “Yeah? So you’d let that bug digest for Fido’s safety? Really? And here I thought you didn’t like Fido at all, look at my little bro!”

Tommy finally cut in, “You guys are being stupid. The vet said Fido is fine, and there's nothing to worry about. No one is dying here. Stop being so stupid.”

Joe laughed, “Us stupid? Look at you, you're the one looking worried. It’s like you really want this experiment to succeed.”

Tomy rolled his eyes, “It's not an experiment it’s supposed to be an advertisement exposer! A condom that won't break even when eaten? Like, that would totally be the ultimate form of protection. And then we would get paid for coming up with the idea!  This could change everything… I think this could be bigger than the false advertisement…” Tommy seemed to already be laying out the groundwork for the new idea.

Luke frowned, “Protection? How does it protect you?”

Tommy opened his mouth and slowly shut it, “Right… uh it’s for wrapping stuff up…”

Luke continued to frown, “Like plastic wrap?”

Joe chuckled, “Kind of, just don’t worry about it squirt. Point is, Tommy’s right, this is gonna be big for us!” Joe seemed invigorated at the idea of making money again. “Just imagine it… maybe they’ll make a new slogan? Oh shit, what if they put Fido on the box?! You know,” Joe laughed, “Like Fido in a space suit! Oh, that would be fucking funny, Fido looking like one of those stupid astronauts while wearing the helmet!”

Fido let out a little woof as if he agreed with Joe.

Before Luke could press any more on his questions or Joe explaining his idea for Fido’s cover art, the door opened and the Vet and Joe’s mom came inside. They were still talking about either medical stuff or whatever but when they got back into the room, both of the adults turned their attention back to the kids.

The Vet let out a chuckle, “Well I will say that you all are very lucky that it was just a condom Fido swallowed, it shouldn’t pose too much of an issue passing. Unlike the very common Lego that ends up inside a pet,” The Vet again chuckled only to see he was the only one laughing, “Right… so everything is fine, you have the pills,” The Vet said to Joe’s mother. “Is there anything else, you’re worried about?”

Before anyone could say anything Luke spoke up, “YEAH! Is Richard gonna be fine??”

Everyone looked at Luke as if he just asked something insanely stupid and pointless, but the Vet was the only one not sure, “Uh… Richard??? And who is that?”

Joe just grumbled before cutting off Luke, “It’s his dumb bug. It’s in the condom.”

The Vet looked shocked and confused and slowly shook his head, “I won't ask… but yes, Richard will be fine. Plastic can’t be digested so easily. As long as the acids stay out of the condom, which sounds like you all tied the tip, Richard should be safe.”

All three of the boys looked delighted at the news the Vet gave, as they started to celebrate.

The Vet gave the mother a puzzled and odd look before he shrugged and started to leave, “Okay… well give me a call if there are any issues.”

“Okay, thank you,” Luke and Joe’s mom said as she stood there till the Vet left.

It wasn’t till the stranger’s eyes left the room that she spun around on Joe and Luke. The look on her face was one of absolute anger and fury.  It was clear she was about to dish out some harsh punishment.

Luke knew not to say anything, but Joe…

“What,” Joe asked sounding sincere and clueless.

“WHAT?! WHAT?!?!?! DID YOU REALLY , JUST FEED FIDO A FUCKING CONDOM?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??!!” His mother hissed as she was so close to screaming but kept her voice as low as possible as she silently screamed at Joe and Luke.

Joe just shrugged, “What? The vet said he was fine. It’s no biggie…”

This was the moment of parenthood that Joe’s mother had to endure as it looked like she wanted to strangle the teen right there. Taking a mighty deep breath she controlled her rage and spoke through her clenched teeth, “That no BIGGIE…. As you said, cost me fucking Four thousand dollars in Vet fees!”

It was now that Joe showed some emotions, “Oh… oh wow that’s a lot.”

Joe’s mom squinted at him with a glare, “YEAH! No shit!” She took a deep controlled breath as if trying to be a monk as she held back the screaming she had in her. She saw that Tommy was in the room and dialed back her anger as she slowly spoke to Joe, “We will talk about this … LATER… with your FATHER,” She emphasized. This seemed to send Joe’s calm demeanor down a dark path as he went still.  The horror that took over him at the mention of his dad getting into it made Joe sober up, and his grin died.

“Mom-” Joe tried to explain before she put her hand up to stop him.

“No,” She said cutting Joe off as she held up her hand, “I can’t believe you did this to Fido, but your father will be hearing this. And trust me when I say he won't be pleased about what you did.”

Joe looked horrified as he sputtered, “It’s not what you think Mom. We were gonna record and-”

The reply was cut off as she waved for everyone to come with her, “I don’t care. Let’s head home. Like I said, your father will talk to you….”

Joe gulped as he followed his mother. Clearly, things were gonna be a little messy as he talked to his dad and mom about the current events.

Tommy was holding back on anything he wanted to say as it was clear their mother was in the zone about what was going on. So, Tommy stayed silent as he followed after Joe and Luke but kept his information to himself as so not to incur any wraith of Joe’s mom.  The less he shared the less chance that their their big deal would flop through and more money for him…

Richard screamed as more liquid sloshed in as he was suffering from the dangerous stomach acids already slowly filling in the inside of his hole poked prison Sure, he could try and dodge the stinging acid in the dark, but he wasn’t able to climb the walls as the stew splashed in, as the slippery slimy sides of the lubed up condom were keeping him from getting any higher up. Richard was on a log flume of horrors as the liquids splashing and seeping into his ride were searing and stinging as they sloshed around with each motion he took.  Richard didn’t know if it was because he was turned into a bug or if all bugs could feel like he did now, but he could feel everything on his bug-like skin. A drop of acid would be like molten metal as it sting and sizzle.

“FUCK FUCK FUCK,” Richard cried as he backed away from the sounds of the sloppy sloshing stuff inside his little chamber. Richard knew nothing about dogs or animals. Did they digest things faster than humans? Didn’t it take, like twelve to twenty-four hours to pass something through the human gut? What was a dog’s digestion time? These were questions that he needed answers to as he was trying to keep from being turned into a liquid snack for the mangy mutt.

As Richard tried to survive as long as he could, it didn’t help that he could hear a few sounds from the outside. Like the mighty thumping of something hitting the dog’s body. It was like thunder or a drum as it went THUMP THUMP, shaking everything around Richard. An earthquake caused tremors around Richard. Whatever was hitting or slapping the dog’s body was affecting him as he could hear more sounds of liquid pouring in as a wave or surge of acid sloshed inside his prison increasing the amount already inside.

“JUST STOP DOING THAT YOU IDOT,” Richard screamed as he backed up further only to find he was coming up close to the end of his condom prison. He was literally in the corner of the little baggy as there was nowhere else to go. The smell of dog, filled Richard’s nose as he could smell and hear his incoming doom. It was too dark to see, but the sense of danger and the scent of stomach juices were slowly approaching Richard in his little nook and cranny of a safe place.

Still, Richard knew this wouldn’t last, as he could swear he heard the sound of hot sizzling creeping toward him. The impending doom was approaching slowly as he was set on a long journey to his escape, if he could make it that long…

Tommy and Joe were sitting in Joe’s room as they sighed looking at Fido sleeping on the ground.

“Dude, how long is it gonna take?” Tommy asked.

“Fuck if I know, I'm not an expert in dog shit,” Joe chuckled. “Should have asked the shitty dog doctor when we were there.”  Joe mockingly asked out loud,  “Hey doc how long till Fido will shit?”

Tommy rolled his eyes, “Whatever dude, that place sucked… anyway, I don’t have all day to wait for your dog to do it.”

Joe just shrugged as he shifted on his bed, “Well obviously Fido doesn’t need to shit anytime soon. So your either gonna have to wait to record it or just fuck off till tomorrow.”

Tommy gave Joe the finger, “Yeah well I got shit to do tomorrow. Not all of us can just do nothing all week. My parents are taking me to my aunt's house for something stupid. So if Fido’s not gonna crap soon, we’re literally gonna lose a condom.”

Still, Joe casually laughed, “And a bug named Richard…”

Tommy rolled his eyes, “I don’t give a fuck what it’s name was. We can use Bobby next time or whatever your brother calls the next one, I care more about the money I paid for the fucking pocket rocket.”

Joe still smirking, “What, the five dollars or whatever you paid for a pack? Where’s the rest of them?”

Tommy huffed and folded his arms over his chest sitting in Joe’s computer chair, “Well… I’m not using all of them for this fucking condom thing. I might need them for later, you know when I try and get laid…”

Joe burst into a fit of laughter, “YOU?! You’re more worried about using the rest of the condoms for sex?! Oh shit, that’s hilarious! Come on, seriously?”

Snapping back, Tommy went on, “Fuck you! Why the fuck should I waste my money on your dog and this stuff? Five dollars for a pack is insane, especially with only a few condoms per package I buy.” Joe was still laughing as he seemed to find Tommy’s anger even funnier. Tommy grumbled as he sat there, “Whatever… are you telling me there’s no way to get Fido to shit that condom out faster? Like we could take him for a long walk… or like eat some chocolate?”

Joe sat up from his bed, “Dude your a fucking dumbass, Chocolate is the thing that kills dogs. Are you trying to kill Fido? You idiot”

Tommy threw his hands up, “I DON’T FUCKING KNOW I DON’T HAVE A DOG!” Tommy glared at Joe as he went on, “Just make your dog shit soon…”

Shaking his head, Joe was about to tell Tommy that it doesn’t work that way. He couldn’t just snap his fingers and have Fido shit….

Wait…

Joe slowly smiled as he softly laughed, “You’re soooo lucky dude. If we didn’t go to the vet we couldn’t do this…” Joe got up off his bed and walked past Fido and headed to his door. He peeked out of the door and looked into the kitchen and saw no one. Even better was the small brown bag that had the laxatives that the doctor gave Joe’s mom. “Alright,” Joe said turning to Tommy. “I’ll grab the laxatives for Fido. We’ll take a walk and as the medicine does its thing, it shouldn’t take long. I mean I remember taking some as a kid and nearly shitting myself in ten minutes. Fido should be the same, easy peasy.”

Leading the way, Joe walked over to the brown bag that was left out in the open. Still looking around for his mom or anyone who would call him out, Joe made his way into the kitchen. As quietly as he could, Joe opened the bag and pulled out the Vet’s prescribed medicine for Fido. Grabbing the bottle of pills, he quickly headed back to his room to Tommy. “Alright, dude get ready for a walk. And better be ready, 'cause I’m sure this is gonna get messy,” Joe laughed as he shook the bottle. As Joe pocketed the pills he called out, “Fido, here boy!”

The sounds of Fido jumping off or getting up could be heard with the familiar tall tale sounds of jingling as in a matter of seconds Fido was in Joe’s room. Joe smiled, “Good boy, you ready for a … walk!” Fido’s tail and hips ran into overdrive as they fanned around like a helicopter trying to take off. Fido whimpered and pleaded with his big old dog eyes as if pleading to go right this second. “That’s what I thought come on,” Joe said grabbing a leash and hearing the whimpering puppy sounds coming from Fido as he recognized the leash. Joe clipped it on and headed for the door, Fido in a rush nearly dragging a luahing Joe behind him. Fido was in such a rush that Joe was being yanked by the thrilled dog.

“Gonna give Fido a walk, Mom,” Joe called out like he usually did.

“Okay, don’t take too long, I’m gonna start dinner soon,” She replied somewhere in the house.

Joe didn’t even wait for the response as he and Tommy were being led by an excited and very much delighted Fido ready to explore the outside world.

Once Joe and Tommy left his home, Joe snapped to get Fido’s attention, “Okay boy hold up, I got a special treat for you…”

Tommy watched Joe pull out the laxatives and something else. Tommy frowned as Joe put a few pills into his palm with something else that seemed to be the same size but also moving.

“What is that?!” Tommy asked sounding appalled.

Joe looked at Tommy and smirked, “A small treat. Can’t give Fido his medicine without a snack to go with it… hehe, been saving this fucker for a while. Not sure why, but I snagged this bug from my brother a few days ago, just didn’t know what to do with it,” Joe shrugged, “Figured Fido could have a nice little yum yum before his walk.”

Tommy looked at the almost pill-sized thing squirming around. “You and your fucking bugs… alright, hurry up, and let’s get this over with. My parents are gonna be home in a little bit, I wanted to jerk off before they get back.”

Joe snorted, “Hey, don’t rush Fido. You said this is like art or whatever, what’s the saying, never rush an artist?”  Joe laughed as he slowly lowered his open palm to a very delighted dog, “Making art. That’s what Fido’s gonna be doing very soon, making… art… with his ass!”

Joe laughed as he dipped his palm toward his hungry dog’s mouth, as Fido opened up for his snack…

Maxine screamed as she watched the looming dog’s face coming in faster than a rocket ship. She watched the mouth open wide and the large lunging tongue of the massive beast coming toward her. She did everything she could to try and get out of the way but the sudden shifting and moving of the giant teen’s hand tossed her back into the brown pellets around her. Leaving her as just another little small snack in the large palm. Maxine screamed as she watched the small sliver of a snout suddenly open into the jaws of death as Fido’s mouth opened wider than any human could compete with. Maxine continued to cry for mercy as Fido snaked forward snatching what he could out of his owner's hand, which was both Maxine and the pills around her.

The lengthy dog tongue lunged forward like a snake snapping at Maxine and everything else as it slurped them all up in a flash. One moment Maxine could see the outside world, the next she was in a hellish hot humid hellscape as the hound before her licked her clean off Joe’s palm. Like the many snacks Fido had consumed, Maxine quickly became just another one. She was soon engulfed in a smelly world of doom as she could smell the last thing Fido ate, which was rotten dog food and whatever leftovers were given to him. Maxine screamed and begged for help again, but all she got was the gnashing sounds of Fido’s gums, teeth, and tongue sloshing her and his pills around like little doggy Skittles. It only took a few moments, but Maxine was able to experience the whole concept of doom and death as she was jerked and thrown around toward the back of a hungry pup, Fido smacked his jaw together jerking her toward the dark doom of the back of his throat. Maxine was covered in a slimy sludge of Fido's spite as she was gobbled up and down in a moment. The dark depth of Fido’s throat opened and gulped Maxine and a half-chewed pill as she was forced down the tunnel to Fido’s tummy.

“NO NO NO! PLEASE OMG!” Maxine screamed as she knew her fate was sealed the moment she met Fido’s mouth. It didn’t take long before she landed in a sea of stinky smelly acid that started to sting and singe her. Maxine’s screams became more frantic and pain-filled as she was being eaten alive.

The only response in the sea of stinky steaming stomach stuff was a mighty woof that Fido let out, as the world started to turn and churn as it sounded like Fido was going for a simple casual walk. All the while, Fido burned and dissolved Maxine’s withering form to a crisp for the calories he needed for a short walk….

Richard was in a living hell as he stood in the condom he was stuck in trying to avoid the flesh-melting juices seeping in. He seemed to be able to stay away as the level of acids hadn’t changed, but the smells…. Oh god, they were getting worse. The stench went from unbearable to god-awful. Sure he was in Fido’s digestive system, but should it smell like death just ripped a fart that would kill if you smelled it. Richard gagged on the stench as he tried to stay out of the incurring water line in the condom. The acids kept trying to nip at his legs, but luckily he was able to stay out of reach as he traveled slowly through this stream of smelly stench.

Richard wasn’t sure he was gonna make it. The fact that he felt himself travel what had to be the majority of Fido’s guts meant that he should be able to-

The sudden sound of gurgling and grumbling was heard throughout the walls and structures around Richard. He could hear the processing of something happening as he stood there listening to the sound of thunder and gurgles growling around him. It was like Fido was in a struggle as his innards were trying to do something new and bizarre. Richard suddenly felt a surge and things shifted. The groans and grumbling thunder around like a rainstorm, echo from the nearest intestinal wall near him. The sound of things expanding and flexing and moving could be heard as sloshing and slurry of juices filled and flowed faster and harsher all around. Richard screamed as something splashed near him, as a rogue wave flopped near him in the dark. The thick slime was slowly sliding away but it didn’t help that it startled Richard at how high the fluid got suddenly. It was like Fido was trying to flush Richard out of his hiding spot himself, but that was impossible, right?

Sadly, Richard didn’t know the answer as the smell grew worse and the stench got harsher. Like driving through a landfill of rotten food, the smell of shit slammed into Richard’s nose as he knew that he was coming closer to the end of his journey. The smells didn’t change the fact that there was still liquid content inside Richard’s prison. The horrible sounds of the goo still gushing in at every moment and movement made Richard panic as he could just make out the mass of dog juices already inside his once-safe space. Richard was running out of room, literally as more of the condom had to be filling up since he had been swallowed.  It seemed once the liquid got in, it couldn’t get out.

“Come on…” Richard cried as he swore he could smell freedom, or at least the smell told him it had to be close. Only such a stench would signal the significance of safety as the droppings that he would be expelled with.

However, it was turning out that as close as Richard thought he was to the exit pipe.  He wasn’t nearly close enough as finally the sound and sensation of the liquid inside with him caught up to him.  The shocking splash as it suddenly leaped up to his feet in a shocking slosh.

Richard let out a horrible scream as he swore his legs were gonna be melted by acid…

Instead of the hot burning sizzling sensation that he was prepared for, it was more of a warm mucky syrupy sensation. Richard calmed down drastically as he found that his feet weren’t in fact melting but were completely fine. What was he standing in if not stomach acid?

It wasn’t till the smell got much worse after a few moments and Richard put it together, that what he was standing in wasn’t digestion juices but the aftermath of Fido’s previous meal. It was liquid waste that he didn’t need.

“Oh shit,” Richard said to himself as he stood there in just that. A wave of disgust washed over Richard at the knowledge of what he was in soon followed by a wave of relief for not dying. All of which Richard was hit with another wave of liquid foulness as he was doused in the smelly shit, which caused Richard to feel a wave of dread as he realized the levels in the condom were still rising with him still stuck inside the plastic bag.

Panicked at the realization of his previous fear being irrelevant and being replaced with one equally if not more heinous form of doom, Richard quickly tried to think of what to do. The sounds of bubbles and goo gurgling and gliding around, filled Richar’s poor ears as he could feel the level of fluids gradually increasing the sinking or filling process. Like a ship taking in too much water, Richard felt like he was on the Titanic. Soon he would be swimming in shit, something he disgustingly didn’t want to imagine. However, as much as he wanted to protest and be ignorant of what was to come, nothing could stop it, as another rumbling sound shook the flesh walls of Fido’s gut as it seemed more fluids were seeping and swirling around Richard’s condom. He could feel the pressure reshaping his long plastic chamber into more of a ball-like shape.

The sounds of fluids still filling in echoed around the shrinking chamber as Richard was now feeling his body unable to touch solid ground. Instead, the liquid brown fluids swirling inside were starting to slowly enclose the remaining space that Richard had left. Those damn breathing holes were literally gonna kill him!

Breathing holes…

That was it!

Richard figured he was out of the dangerous stomach, and that he should be able to survive outside the condom. He just had to get out. Thanks to the holes stabbed into the side of the condom, he should be able to swim through them and get out, at least so he wouldn’t drown…

Richard figured he had to do something if anything, before things got much worse. The smell itself was getting deadly, which was signifying that things were already heading toward the worse part of the spectrum. If the smell didn’t signal where Richard was or what he was treading through, the random splash or wave that sent some of the taste of the dog chum into his mouth let him gag on the content. It felt like forever but Richard followed the sound of dripping fluid and found one of the many gaping holes that Luke had stabbed into his protective barrier. To Richard’s disgusted but joyful delight, there was no acidity at all just more mucky muddy goo that smelled awfully like dog dung.

Pushing his body and head through the little hole that was stabbed into the bag, Richard tried to squirm through the opening.  He just needed a little more force put into it.

After a few moments, Richard realized it wasn’t working…

No matter how hard he pushed or squirmed, the sidings only stretched and kept him entangled and stuck inside. The rubber wasn’t moving out of the way like Richard was hoping. He was pushing his head and maybe shoulders through the gap and letting the fresh swampy stew slosh into his face instead of inside the condom. Richard yelled as he pulled back from this hole.

“Another… maybe one of them is bigger?!” Richard shouted to himself over the low gurgle and rumble shook things around him. The sound of fresh liquid pouring in could be heard as Richard looked for another opening to escape from. He started to travel around the side of the bloated condom as he touched another hole, but this was far less large than the other, which he obviously couldn’t get through. “COME ON! FUCK FUCK FUCK!” Richard yelled, regretting the opening of his mouth to shout.  It wasn’t worth getting that foul taste in there if no one could hear him. Hurrying again he started to reach for the next possible opening, already feeling the roof of the sinking condom filling up. Richard could feel his head touching the top of the plastic structure as he approached the end of his breathable space. The level of the shitty condom was already flooding and bringing Richard to the top of his safe space. Richard was panicking as he approached the last opening that was letting out the soft splashing sounds of fluids leaking in. Richard reached out for the opening and pushed his hands through the gap. Feeling his hands make it, Richard attempted to push his body through his last hope…

He still didn’t fit.

“NO! NOO!!” Richard screamed as he tried to force himself through the rubbery plastic hole only to find he couldn’t slip by. Richard yelled and fought but sadly found that he was stuck and there was no way to get out. Panic set in as Richard could feel the warm sludge slowly swimming up to his face. He was now trapped in a cage of inescapable as his fate was set. Richard was gonna drown in the horrible muck that made up this mutt's gut. Richard was trapped in a hellish prison that was flooding with crap he didn’t even want to think of, as the slurry of shit swarmed in each passing second. All Richard could do was float there as he felt his small space of air shrink to a dwindling pocket of air before it was soon gone.

Richard was gonna drown in a condom full of shit, and there was nothing anyone could do….

Joe was still walking Fido with Tommy when he heard Fido make the weirdest sound ever. Something between a whine and a whimper as Fido let those noises go out mid-walk. Fido was fidgeting in place as if he had to do something. Joe on the other hand didn’t have time for this, “Oh come on Fido, let’s go. Stop being silly…”

Fido clearly didn't understand Joe as Fido quivered there and prepared for his release, but seemed to be having issues. Joe didn’t know if it was the pills or something else, but clearly, Fido was in discomfort. Tommy on the other hand sounded more disappointed in the hold up, “What’s taking so long? Shouldn’t he be taking a dump right about now? How many pills did you give him?”

Joe shrugged, “Man I don’t know. I just dumped some stupid amount out in my hand. Fuck if I know how many Fido should have gotten.”

Tommy sighed as he stood there looking annoyed, “Man, you should have given him the whole bottle. I didn’t think we would be walking around this long waiting for shit to happen-”

Fido let out a yelp drawing attention to himself as he quickly hurried away from Joe and Tommy. Fido headed into the nearest lawn and started to do his thing. Joe laughed, “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? You do your thing Fido,” Joe said turning to Tommy, “You gonna record this shit or what?”

Tommy had his phone out, “Dude don’t tell me what to do, I know what to do. You should be more worried about whose house this is.”

Joe just laughed, “Don’t know don’t care.” It seemed Tommy was the only one concerned for a moment as even Fido didn’t give a fuck as he squatted there, tail raised and legs bent with his backside lowered. Fido was doing his business. Joe laughed again as he went on talking, “Looks like our ASStronaut, is coming out of orbit. I hope his rocket is crash-proof. Hopefully, his reentry isn’t so shitty that it’s explosive… get it,” Joe laughed nudging Tommy who was busy trying to record evidence of the condom leaving Fido. “because you know, it’s gonna be a BLAST for him. This bug is gonna be one of the first to travel the lengths of Fido’s gut and come out safe. I can’t imagine what it experienced, I mean… like, how many dead digested disgusting bugs did it come across? I’m sure there's like, at least, forty or so dead bug bodies in Fido’s gut… or maybe they all just turned to shit like Fido’s food? Yeah, yeah Fido made them into just a pile of doggy crap. No way that bug saw any of its friends in there.  If nothing more than a glob of dog doody. What do you think Tommy, do you think that-”

Tommy turned to Joe and gave him a look of annoyance, “Dude… can you just shut up for like ten seconds? I got to film this.”

Joe rolled his eyes at Tommy, “Whatever dude, you can film my dog taking a shit anytime you want. You’re taking this pretty seriously for a condom commercial.”

Tommy didn’t have time to explain to Joe the importance of this, so he just stayed quiet as he filmed. He could edit the noise out later but all that mattered was filming the act that was appearing. Which was unfolding at the very moment.

Fido didn’t wait or last very long, as he proceeded to let go and release his pent-up waste. Tommy recorded as it all came out faster than a bullet from a gun. One moment Fido was squatting there trying to go, next it was like a damn broke and the floodgates were opened. Whatever was in those pills did the job as it was more of a waterfall than a shit. It sounded like that one time Tommy had a stomach bug and he was on the toilet for hours. The amount of liquid flowing out was more like a piss than a dump. Just as Tommy was about to say something about the condom not being in there, things stopped. Tommy watched as a log-like shape object started to come out.  The only solid-looking object in the sea of brown, all in the shape of a plastic condom. The only solid thing leaving the dog's butt was now slowly being pushed out like a normal bowel movement.  Tommy recorded the long log of plastic coming out of Fido’s ass and plopping down on the ground, which was followed by another douse of dung as Fido dumped his load.

Joe was laughing at how long it was taking, and Tommy could see that their condom was being covered in dog shit as Fido continued to release himself there.

It wasn’t till the show was over that Tommy finally said, “Shit… whose gonna get the condom?” Both Tommy and Joe looked at each other as if seeing who would break first. Before Joe could say anything Tommy quickly said, “I’m recording, so like, you got to do it.”

“OH, what the fuck? Are you kidding me? That’s total bullshit,” Joe complained as he looked at Tommy who was just gave a shrug. “Fucking bullshit,” Joe repeated as he slowly looked around. He finally found something as he went over to a tree and snapped a branch off. “Fine… you little fucker…” Joe headed over to Fido, who was just wrapping up his messy shit. “Alright alright, step to the side Fido,” Joe said as his pet did so. Joe looked at the mud pit before him. Disgusted at the smell and sight of Fido’s droppings, Joe finally put the stick into the puddle and poked around till he found what he was looking for. “Ugh… found it!” Joe called out as he slowly pulled the stick and condom upward out of the brown burial ground.

“Great hold it up for the camera,” Tommy called out getting a little closer.

Joe did as he was told as he brought the over-stuffed bag of dog dung over to Tommy and the camera, “oh… well that’s not good,” Joe spoke as he hefted the brown mushy dirty water balloon up.

“Duuuude what the fuck,” Tommy complained. “Why is there so much shit in it?!”

Joe just shrugged, “Don’t know… maybe Fido's stomach is stronger than this rocket sock? I don’t know…” Joe continued to hold the sloshy slurry of shit on his stick. He could see some fluids leaking out of the side, “Yeah, it’s totally leaking dude. I don’t think it worked the way they said it would.” Joe wiggled his branch around and watched as, sure enough, a small black object floated to the top of the brown plastic condom. A dead drowned bug bubbled to the top of the condom showing off the little insect not lasting the entire trip. “Shit, there goes our fucking astronaut, lol, he’s totally shit-faced… like dead as a doornail or dung beetle. I don’t think this worked,” Joe turned to Tommy. “The fucker is gone. Drowned in dog shit, and I’m not doing fucking CPR on the poor little bastard”

Tommy let out a depressed sigh, “Fine… damn, I thought we had something too…” Tommy turned his phone off as he let out another sigh. “You can just leave it,” Tommy told Joe as he dropped the over-stuffed shit sack onto the ground. “Alright let’s get out of here. It’s starting to smell,” Tommy told Joe as he headed away from Fido’s pile of poo. As Tommy left the shit behind, he let out a quick laugh, “Well at least now I know which condom not to use when I fuck a chick. No way am I using pocket rockets, can’t take the chance of having my little men floating around. Nah… fuck that company,” Tommy laughed as he nudged Joe.

Joe looked at his buddy, “What?”

“It’s not a complete loss,” Tommy explained as they walked Fido back to Joe’s home. “I can at least upload this online and get some views. Won't be as much as I was hoping but some money is better than nothing.  Just got to show that their product isn’t as protective as they say it is!”

Joe laughed, “That’s true.” Joe laughed as he had an idea, “At least it wasn’t a fucking waste, stupid bug couldn’t even last that long in Fido. Not sure if it’s the bug's fault for fucking dying or props to Fido for being such a freaking beast at breaking down bugs like that. Either way,” Joe leaned forward and patted Fido’s head, “You're a good boy. Keep it up my bug cleaner, I’m sure my brother will have some new snacks for you sooner than you think.”

Fido just wagged his tail and let out a bark as he was patted.

(It wouldn’t be till a few weeks later that Tommy found that thanks to tampering with the contraceptive device, the company wasn’t liable for paying for false advertisement.  However, the company did reimburse him with another pack of condoms, so in the end, it wasn’t a complete waste of time…)