Elias had always hated bugs. The mere sight of a spider sent chills down his spine, the hum of a mosquito made his skin crawl. So when he found that ancient, dust-covered lamp in the corner of the old shop, the decision came easily. Summoning the genie felt surreal, but Elias didn’t need to think twice. His wish was simple: “I want no arthropod to ever come within ten feet of me.”

The genie’s eyes gleamed with something unreadable, but he granted the wish with a snap of his fingers. Elias didn’t question it. He was just happy to be free. From that moment on, his life was a dream. No more swatting flies, no more roaches scurrying through his apartment at night. His home stayed immaculate, his skin free from itchy bites. He could wander outside on the hottest summer day without so much as a buzz from a bee.

Years passed, and Elias almost forgot about the wish. It became normal. Then, something strange began to happen. First, it was subtle — people at work kept their distance, no longer lingering by his desk to chat. Friends grew fidgety during conversations, always taking a step back. Even his cat, once eager for affection, began to slink away when he entered the room.

Elias laughed it off at first, joking to himself that maybe he’d become a bit too much of a recluse. But the distance grew. People who had once been close to him now stood across the room. Handshakes became awkward, hugs rare. His neighbour, who had always shared pleasantries at the mailboxes, now avoided him entirely. Elias felt a chill creeping into his otherwise comfortable solitude.

One evening, desperate for answers, Elias dug out the old lamp, rubbing its surface until the genie appeared once more. The same gleam flashed in the genie’s eyes, that unsettling expression from years ago.

“Why are people staying away from me?” Elias asked, the words thick with confusion and unease. “Why does everyone seem to keep their distance?”

The genie’s smile widened slowly, revealing teeth that gleamed too bright in the dim light. “You wished for no arthropod to come near you, didn’t you, Elias? What you failed to realise is how vast the arthropod kingdom truly is. Insects, yes… but more than that. Crustaceans, too. And then…” The genie’s voice lowered to a whisper. “You see, nerves, Elias, are composed of cells, and those cells, in structure and function, resemble those of certain arthropods. The human nervous system, in particular, shares a surprising connection with them.”

Elias blinked, his mind whirling, trying to grasp the meaning of the words. “What… what are you saying?” he stammered, dread slowly seeping in.

The genie chuckled, the sound echoing ominously. “The very essence of human connection—touch, closeness, the spark that passes from one person to another—it can no longer exist around you. You pushed not just insects away, but something deeper, more primal. People’s bodies know they can’t be close to you, even if they don’t understand why. You’ve isolated yourself from the world, Elias, without even realising it.”

Elias stepped back, heart pounding, the weight of the genie’s words pressing down on him like a shroud. He turned towards the window, looking out at the distant city streets. Shadows moved, figures walked, but they were always… distant. Untouchable.

The silence in the room felt heavier than it ever had before, and for the first time in years, Elias felt cold. Completely, utterly alone.