This definitely hits close to home, having let covid push me into a pit of isolation that I didn't work my way out of until a few years ago, though I didn't have a parasite in my brain ('least I don't think so). Very solid writing, with a very literal yet fresh representation of loss of autonomy and how we balance that with our own self destructive tendencies. The ending felt a bit abrupt, but given this is for a jam I know that time is a luxury in short supply. Well done!