You couldn’t help but stare, dumbfounded, at the television screen. After all...there’s no way this could be true. The news station must be wrong. But then...why are ALL the news stations saying the same things?
This had to be some kind of sick, April Fools joke, right? There’s no way such a law could have been passed!
“We repeat, the Burden Act has just been passed. Starting today, all Shrinks in the country shall have their rights as human beings revoked. Which means anything done to them shall not be considered crimes” the female news anchor repeated.
You’re a Shrink. A person that was born at an incredibly tiny size. It’s actually a rather common birth defect. There are millions of Shrinks out in the world. But almost all of them rely on a Norm to help take care of them. After all, while you’re an intelligent person...you couldn’t exactly go to the store without someone helping you.
Charlotte Sunshine was one of your favorite news anchors...mostly because she’s a shrink. Just like you. The look of sheer terror in her eyes is all too real though, as she looks through the screen.
“To my fellow Shrinks, listen closely. Hide away. If you have someone you trust, have them help you get out of the country. Do NOT attempt to stay here. Perhaps someday this act of cruelty will be banned, but in the meantime, prioritize your own life first. You need to-hey...what are you doing?!” she asked with concern. A tall, blonde Norm woman walked onto the set with a twisted smile on her face.
“S-stay away from me!” Charlotte screamed as she tried to dash away. But the Norm woman easily snatched her off the desk with one hand. You let out a shrill noise of terror as you watched the Norm woman raise the newswoman over her head...and open her mouth.
“N-no! Stop! Y-y-you can’t do this to me! PLEASE!!!” the tiny woman begged. But without a word, the blonde dropped her into her awaiting maw. Your eyes were frozen to the screen, unblinking as they continued to broadcast the woman swishing Charlotte around in her mouth. Tasting her.
Then finally, a squirming lump appeared in her throat, slowly descending before vanishing under her collarbone. The blonde woman let out a happy sigh and patted her stomach.
“Well folks, that’s all for Charlotte. I’m going to be your new host, Cassidy Jameson. Stay tuned, after this commercial break I’ll be teaching you all the best ways to handle the Shrinks in your neighborhood. And if you’d like to see me dispose of them myself, like I did to Charlotte, feel free to mail them in to us!” she said with a professional cheer. As if she didn’t even just murder someone…
“I...need to get out of here…” you say aloud, genuine fear and panic beginning to set in.
“And go where, Ellie?” came a singsong voice behind you. Your body froze up in terror. Your eyes grew wide as you slowly tried to turn your head to look back...at the Norm you’ve been living with.
Jessica, your older sister, was standing at the doorway. She was still dressed in her pajamas, a pair of pink shorts and a white tank top, and holding a mug of coffee.
You know her as someone that tends to sleep in frequently since she always stays up late. Whether it’s reading gossip articles, binge watching shows, or simply texting a new fling. But that hardly mattered right now. You looked at her, then back at the TV screen.
SHRINKS RIGHTS OFFICIALLY ABOLISHED
You cringed a little at that title in plain view. Not to mention, who knows how long she had been watching from the doorway…
“Well, little sis? Where would you go?” she asked again, swaying her wide hips as she walked into the room. She plopped her thick rear on the couch besides you, placed her bare feet on the coffee table and gave a teasing little smirk.
“Somehow I don’t think it would be wise for you to try and fly to another country. Probably wouldn’t even make it there” she pointed out, ruffling your hair with a single digit. “And I am DEFINITELY not driving you to another country on my day off.”
You felt your stomach sink a little bit. That’s true...you wouldn’t be able to escape the country by yourself. And Jessica was too lazy to genuinely want to save you. She was your sister...and you certainly did love her.
But you also know her as someone that didn’t care one way or another about Shrink rights. She dated a few Shrinks before, but they always broke up with her when she started treating them like toys rather than people.
Thankfully, Jessica’s new girlfriend seemed a bit different. She was also a Shrink, and they were actually going steady for a couple months now. Maybe this one didn’t mind getting treated a little differently?
As you were thinking that, you heard something. It was incredibly quiet...but it sounded like it was coming from Jessica’s shorts. You hesitantly stepped closer...and felt your heart drop.
“Help! Somebody get me out of here! Jessica, you can’t do this to me!” a muffled shout said. A moment later, Jessica’s muscles seemed to flex. Then she relaxed with a pleased sigh.
The scream had vanished.
“What’s wrong, Ellie? Cat got your tongue?” your enormous Norm sister asked from above. Looking back up into her eyes, you swallowed nervously. You didn’t expect to have to fear your own sister…
“Um...Jess? This isn’t going to...change anything between us, right? Like...you’re still going to help me live, aren’t you?” you asked nervously. The giantess snorted back a laugh and ruffled your hair again.
“What are you even talking about, Ellie? You’re my sister! Of course I’ll help you!” she said with her usual confidence. You let out a relieved sigh at her statement.
Perhaps a moment too soon.
Jessica’s hand swooped down and snatched you off the couch. You were held in her soft, yet unbreakable grip as she raised you to her face.
“I’ll help you to…”