John ughed awkwardly and continued to scroll with the stylus on the phone she had given him. She then sat down on the bed and continued to scroll again, and they stayed like that for a while.

  After half an hour, Laura stood up and took her book from the desk. “I will go out to read for a while.” She didn’t want an answer for a reaction, and closed the door on her way out. “Write to me if you need something.” She sounded sad.

  John thought about doing one thing and one thing only. Write in the subreddit. He couldn’t write about it with her around, what if she stood up and saw the thing? No, that would be too much. And now that she was gone, he could use the speech to text and make things faster. It was his chance.

  He wrote a post.

  "Title: I Don’t Know If I’m Freaking Out Too Much or Not Enough

  It’s been two days since I woke up like this. Two days since I lost my size, myself, and got thrown into some kind of fever dream. I still don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to exist like this!

  And then there’s her!

  She is huge. I am terrified.

  She’s just my neighbor. I found her in the park when I was looking for help. Or no, she found me, and now I’m just staying in her home. Every time she moves, I freeze. I can’t help it. My body just locks up like some prey animal about to be snatched up by a hawk. And she’s not even doing anything! She’s just there, and my brain keeps short-circuiting, trying to tell me that this shouldn’t be happening. That I shouldn’t be seeing things like this, shouldn’t be feeling her movements shake the air around me.

  I don’t even know this woman, I didn’t even know her name until today! But she has been helping me out, she gave me food, water, she cleaned me since I was so dirty, she put me in a shoebox and cut some of her sheets for me to have.

  And then today—

  She bought me a toilet.

  A real one. It hasn’t arrived yet, but she says she bought it, and that it’s my size. Is that an actual thing? Is someone out there manufacturing these just in case people like me wake up one day wrong? What on earth?

  I am terrified, and I’m more terrified because I know she is not an exception, but the rule.

  I should be grateful. I am grateful. But I don’t think I will ever get used to this. I feel like I have an actual massive 20 meter statue taking care of me, I am freaking out. Please help me."

  He made the post, and after an hour he already had gotten several replies.

  Top Comment (Pinned by Mods) u/Stay_Sane:I know it feels impossible, but you need to ground yourself. The fear won’t go away overnight, and honestly? It might never fully leave. But you can’t let it paralyze you. Focus on the small things—literally. What’s the safest pce in her home? Where can you go when you need space? Every giant move she makes might feel seismic now, but you have to train yourself to react rationally, not just instinctively. You’re not prey. You’re still a person.

  u/RippedMoth:

  Lemme guess—she calls you cute? Talk about how small you are? Maybe she says she’s scared of hurting you, but somehow that makes you more scared? Yeah. Been there. You’ll never stop feeling like a bug, you have to get used to it.

  u/HelpImInASockDrawer:

  If the worst thing she’s done so far is exist too loudly and buy you a bathroom, you’re doing better than most of us.

  u/SmolButMighty:

  Bro, she bought you a toilet? Marriage material.

  u/ThisIsntReal:

  Oh god, oh god, oh god, this is our future, isn’t it? I was hoping this was temporary. I can’t live like this. I can’t be some pet. Someone has to be working on a fix for this, right? Right?

  u/ExistentiallyCompromised:

  I don’t think we were meant to see people like this. There’s something deeply, existentially wrong about it. It’s like seeing a mountain blink. Or a skyscraper sigh. No part of this feels normal.

  u/VioletJenny:

  It took me months to stop feeling like I was in a dream. Even now, sometimes I look up and just… stop functioning. You’re not alone in that. We aren’t supposed to see humans like this. And yet, here we are.

  u/RatKing42:

  Look, man. If she wanted to mess with you, she already would’ve. People like her? They don’t have to pn anything. All it takes is one bad step, one careless moment. If she’s buying you things, it means she wants you around. That’s a good thing. Just don’t make her regret it.

  u/Survivor1998:

  It’s good that she’s being nice now, but always remember: you are not equals in her eyes. You are something small to her. Maybe a person. Maybe a pet. Maybe a hobby. You need to figure out which one, and you need to figure it out fast.

  u/JustAnotherButton:

  I used to cry every time my giant stood up. Every. Single. Time. The sheer movement was overwhelming. I’m used to it now, but sometimes I catch myself staring, wondering how I survived this long.

  u/RuinedPerspective:

  Bruh. Imagine a 6-story building looking at you like you’re a lost kitten. I would simply die.

  u/TheologyofJupiter:

  You are living in a creation myth, my guy. A primordial terror story. A “we cowered before the great being and did not comprehend its will” kind of situation. Of course you’re freaking out. That’s what people do when they stand before something unfathomable.

  u/TinyTerror:

  Nah, but have you considered the fact that her hand alone is probably bigger than your entire torso? Like, if she wanted to pick you up, there’s nothing you could do to stop her. Think about that. Think about that.

  He looked away after the final comment. “Why do people have to be like this?!”

  Laura on the other hand had stopped reading her book, she was on Discord. Sasha was online. Good. She hesitated, then typed:

  Laura: Hey, you there?

  A moment passed. Then:

  Sasha: I am.

  Laura: I don't know what to do, Sasha, I never been more afraid in my life before, he is a tiny thing, he is just... miniscule

  Sasha: And that scares you?

  Laura: yes, because I don't want to hurt him, he seems afraid of me!!!

  Sasha: Of course he’s afraid. You’re huge to him. That’s not something you can fix overnight.

  Laura: do you think he will ask to leave? Will he leave me?

  Sasha: Maybe. Maybe not. Right now, he’s just trying to survive. You’re safety and danger all at once to him. But if he wanted to leave, could he? Where would he even go?

  Laura: I don't know, I did a stupid thing and bought a small bathroom for him yesterday

  Sasha: That’s not stupid. It’s practical. Weird, maybe, but practical. You want him to feel safe, right? That’s not a bad thing. But you can’t force him to feel okay just because you’re trying.

  Laura: I'm also a bit afraid he sees that... Nah, nevermind, it's nothing

  Sasha: No, no, you don’t get to drop that and walk away. What is it? What do you think he sees?

  Laura: I'm afraid he sees that I'm enjoying it

  I went back to check on John, he was now on a discord server.

  Ass: Oh shit, another one. Stay calm, man. First 72 hours are the worst.

  Heliopolis34: Yeah, the brain freaks out. It’s normal. Everything feels wrong, right? Like you’re in a dream?

  John: YES!! Every time she moves, I freeze. I feel like some prey animal, it’s like my body just shuts down.

  Ass: Yeah, that’s the survival instinct kicking in. She’s, like, an actual giant to you now. That’s never gonna feel normal.

  GhostIntheShelly: Wait, hold up. You said this is your neighbor? And she took you in??

  John: Yeah, she found me in the park and brought me to her pce. She’s been nice, I guess? But I don’t even know her!

  StillVincible: You don’t know her, but she immediately took you in? You sure she’s not pnning something?

  John: What do you mean?

  StillVincible: Dude. She bought you a toilet. Day one.

  John: …Yeah?

  Ass: That’s weirdly fast.

  GhostIntheShelly: It’s a little weird, not gonna lie. Like, she had that idea immediately? That’s some premeditated stuff.

  John: I mean, she said she wanted to help…

  StillVincible: Or she sees you as a doll. Ever think about that? You’re tiny, helpless, and she’s already giving you little furniture.

  John: What

  Heliopolis34: Okay, let’s not freak him out more. Some giants just really want to feel helpful.

  Ass: Or she’s collecting. You’re sure you’re the only one?

  John: …I don’t know.

  Laura was still talking with Sasha.

  Sasha: …Enjoying what, exactly? Taking care of him?

  Laura: yes, I... I don't know

  Sasha: That’s not a crime, you know. You like having someone around. You like feeling needed. That doesn’t make you a monster.

  Laura: I also like that he's small, he can't hurt me that way

  Sasha: Yeah. I get that. It’s safe. No looming threat, no second-guessing every move. Just you and someone who can’t overpower you. That’s not wrong, Laura. It makes sense.

  Laura: but it's not fair to him

  Sasha: No, it’s not. But feelings aren’t fair. You didn’t ask to feel this way, just like he didn’t ask to end up small. What matters is what you do with it. You’re not treating him like a pet, you’re trying to help. That counts for something.

  Laura: I never thought I would be taking care of my neighbour two days ago

  Sasha: Life’s funny like that , but you’re handling it better than most would.

  John thought about writing to her, but the server was taking all of his attention.

  Asa: Check her house, dude. Check if there’s more.

  John: More what???

  StillVincible: More buttons. Like, what if she has a whole setup? Like, little chairs, little houses? Maybe a little zoo.

  GhostIntheShelly: Okay, but real talk, if she wanted to experiment on you, what do you think she’d do first?

  Heliopolis34: Poke you with a stick. 100%.

  StillVincible: Drop you from different heights to see if you nd like a cat.

  RabbitTrainMix: Cut a little of your hair to see if it grows back normal.

  Ass: Feed you weird stuff. You know, like, “Oh nooo I dropped my wasabi-covered sushi, I guess you have to eat it now, tiny man.”

  GhostIntheShelly: What if she tests how much weight you can carry? Starts giving you progressively bigger crumbs until you colpse?

  John: Can you all STOP

  StillVincible: Bro, you walked into a giant’s house and you’re acting like it’s normal.

  Ass: Nah but listen, if she’s just weird and not evil, this could be kinda fun. What if she wants to py along?

  John: What do you mean, py along??

  StillVincible: Like, dude. Have you TRIED demanding a throne yet?

  John: Why the fuck would I do that.

  GhostIntheShelly: Missed opportunity. I would’ve immediately gone, “Oh noble giant, I require a throne of gold and the finest grain offerings.”

  RabbitTrainMix: What if she just does it? What if she straight-up builds you a little throne? Then what?

  StillVincible: Then you’re her button. That’s it. Game over.

  Ass: Or game start. ??

  Laura: i'm not prepared for this, im not prepared for any situations of life at all, i suck

  Sasha: You’re trying.

  Laura: maybe he hates me, he hates me because i took him home

  Sasha: If he hated you he would’ve begged you to let him go the second you picked him up.

  Laura: But…

  Sasha: He’s scared, Laura. Of everything. Of himself, of you, of the floor being too far away. You’re just the biggest thing in his world right now, so all that fear? It’s getting aimed at you.

  Sasha: But that doesn’t mean he hates you.

  Laura: how is any of this even real

  Sasha: I don’t know. But it is.

  Sasha: You always say you want life to be stranger, right? More surreal, more like a dream? Well, here you go. You’ve got a tiny man living in your house.

  Laura: Should I just stay away of my room? dont go in if he doesnt call? what if something happens to him?

  Sasha: If something happens to him, you’ll know. He’s in your house.

  Sasha: If you avoid your own room, that’s weird. If you barge in every five minutes, that’s weird. Just act normal.

  Laura: My normal?

  Sasha: That could work

  Laura: So if i show myself as i am, he should see i mean no harm, right? Right?

  Sasha: Yes, or at least he’ll see that you’re not some looming, mysterious force plotting his doom. You’re just you.

  Laura: You are right! I will go and tell him that I like him staying at home! That I love birds, that I love books and music, that even if he will stay tiny, we can always watch the sunset together, that we can eat together,

  Laura: we can write books to each other and maybe we can one day explore the world together, we will watch anime marathons every weekend, we will py video games, tell us each other's secrets

  Laura: I will sing to him every morning to wake him up and I will pat him to remind him that we will never be alone, ever again in our lives, because we have each other.

  Sasha: I think that would be a bit much.

  Sadly Laura had already closed the app and stood up from the stone bench in the park, and now was walking back into her apartment, enthusiastic and ready to talk.

  John: You guys are NOT helping.

  StillVincible: We’re helping you face reality, my dude.

  John: No, you’re making me picture her dropping me from the kitchen counter “just to see what happens.”

  RabbitTrainMix: Lmao, okay, but for science?

  GhostIntheShelly: What if she already did something while you were sleeping?

  John: STOP.

  Heliopolis34: No but like, has she been acting weird? Like… staring? Scolding you too much?

  John: I have barely talked to her. She just told me that she already bought a tiny bathroom.

  Ass: And that doesn’t sound like someone who was pnning this??

  John: I don’t know!!! She looked kind of panicked?? Like she thought she was gonna screw something up.

  StillVincible: Or she was acting.

  RabbitTrainMix: Giant dy goes to the store. Buys tiny furniture. Day one. This is just her starter pack, bro.

  Ass: Imagine if she’s been waiting for this moment. Like, her whole life.

  John: What do you mean???

  GhostIntheShelly: Maybe she’s the type who always wanted a little guy.

  RabbitTrainMix: Like, she’s been dreaming of this. Collecting little chairs, little cups.

  StillVincible: Maybe she used to py with dolls and now she’s got a real one.

  John: Okay, no.

  Heliopolis34: Bro, she BOUGHT A BATHROOM. FIRST DAY.

  John: MAYBE SHE DIDN’T WANT ME TO PISS IN HER DESK??

  StillVincible: Or maybe she’s making sure you’re comfortable so you never want to leave.

  John: …

  GhostIntheShelly: Wait. Where is she now?

  John: …out. In the park, I think.

  StillVincible: Okay. Check the room. Look for more tiny stuff. See if she’s got, like, a whole setup waiting for you.

  John: I CAN’T CHECK, THIS DESK HAS NO STAIRS.

  StillVincible: See? She already has you trapped.

  Heliopolis34: You’re totally at her mercy.

  GhostIntheShelly: Yeah, what if she has a whole dollhouse and she’s just waiting for the right moment to put you in it?

  John: I CAME HERE BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU GUYS WOULD HELP ME.

  At that same moment, the door of the apartment opened and John looked around startled, Laura walked fast towards her room and then she opened the door.

  John turned around, he looked at her, petrified.

  Laura got frozen at seeing him, forgetting entirely why she had entered to the room for.