Professional Risk

The cave was filled with a smelly mucus.
Dhang Pham continued feeling for the hidden netting.

There!
He started stroking it. Nothing happened.
He tried patting. That seemed to trigger a reaction.
More mucus flooding.
He continued, increasing the intensity of his doing.

The entire tunnel began to shake convulsively.
The slime swelled, engulfed him, filled his nostrils and mouth.
Pham choked, struggled for air, driven by the burning urge to breathe.

There was no rescue. Coated in gunk he burbled a last "Help!".

A noise sounded.
He awoke.

A nurse's voice said:
"Dr. Dhang, gynecologist. He's got a burnout.