I hadn't expected them to start the punishment so soon.

The water was a murky, oily green. Three seconds in, my skin began to itch.

It started on the backs of my hands. I scratched lightly and the skin flushed red instantly.

Then my arms. When I pushed up my sleeves, angry welts had already erupted across both forearms in thick, raised clusters.

The rash spread everywhere within minutes, especially my face. The itching was so intense I couldn't keep my eyes open. My entire face swelled until it was barely recognizable, burning and crawling at the same time.

"Look at her! Doesn't she look just like a monkey?"

"Ha ha Haha! "

The men circling the pool roared with laughter.

I lost all control. I ground my body against the dirt, clawing at myself to make it stop. My nails tore through skin. Across my face, I raked bloody lines one after another.

But I was past caring. The itching was unbearable.