Jellyfish

Written by a Literary Staffer
Cartoon by Christine Raine Dela Cruz

There is a jellyfish that follows me every time. No one knows where it came from nor why it comes here. I have always put it aside when I see it—not until it latched on my head and took it away from me. Since then, it has always frightened me. I did take back what it took, but I had to hide in helmets because the pain was unbearable. No matter how good the helmet, it still latches. Infectious, it can spread to anyone. I wonder why the jellyfish never leaves me. It melts my brain until I cannot think anymore. It would lift me up and strangle me or even, drop me. Do others see a jellyfish where I can? I wonder, is it only one of it or are there millions out there in the sea?

— ■