The plot follows Aina, a young virologist living alone in a remote Arctic research station. After investigating a strange meteorite fragment found in the ice, she begins to notice a small, spherical growth forming behind her ear. The growth—dubbed the "Little Puck" by online fans—is not a tumor. It is a highly intelligent, parasitic organism that slowly rewires her brain while communicating with her through auditory hallucinations.
The essay focuses on the themes of agency, the corruption of innocence, and body horror inherent in the title's concept. Parasited - Little Puck