The scent of cinnamon coated every inch of Annabelle's nostrils. Leah's pouty pink lips continued to repeatedly press against her tiny body. She was cupped in the middle of the giantess' palms. 

"I've missed you my sweet Poppy," Leah whispered into her hands. Her words vibrated Annabelle. The giantess retracted her hands back a bit. Annabelle received a better view of Leah's perfect face. The giantess looked down at her expectedly. 

Annabelle attempted to recover quickly from Leah's overwhelming presence. "I missed you too, Goddess," she squeaked.

Leah's smile widened. She sat up straight, bouncing slightly on her huge bed. Annabelle glanced around her captor's room. Similarly to Molly and Harper's rooms, Leah's room looked like it was designed with the intention of making everyone who stepped into feel poor and lame. Leah's room was very chic. The colors were muted, but bold. Annabelle couldn't describe it, but even the furniture felt very...Leah-ish. The Shrinkee could practically hear the dresser calling her impoverished. 

"Strip for me Poppy," Leah said abruptly. Annabelle's focus snapped back to the giantess. Leah looked down at Annabelle with absolute glee.

"I—um...okay," Annabelle submitted. There wasn't much of a choice for her. Annabelle slipped out of the long dress Molly had picked out for her. She didn't know what Leah was going to make her wear—or if she would allow her to wear anything at all—but she was certain Governor Windsor didn't have the same hang-ups about provocative clothing as Molly's parents. 

Annabelle's nude body shook from the cold. She made a move to hug herself to keep warm, but thought twice when she saw Leah's lust-filled eyes drink up her body. If Annabelle covered herself up, she knew Leah would take it as an excuse to "tease" her. 

"Good girl," Leah praised once Annabelle was finished. She quietly looked over Annabelle with an excitement that unsettled the Shrinkee. There was also something else in her eyes that Annabelle couldn't read.

Annabelle had a difficult time holding eye contact with Leah. If she was being honest, the Shrinkee had been most concerned about living alone with Leah out of all the giantesses. She could usually predict what the other giantesses were thinking or planning, but she always second guessed herself around Leah.

The giantess smiled down at her, "Poppy I just want to let you know that our time together is going to be determined by what you want to do. You get to decide."

Annabelle blinked. It definitely sounded like a trap. She didn't trust it for a second. She was waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

"So what do you want to do, Poppy?" Leah inquired.

Annabelle gulped, unsure of what the correct answer was. A chill crept up her back, causing her to shiver. She looked up at Leah.
"Can I get something to wear, Goddess?" Annabelle asked. 

Leah's face lit up. "Of course Poppy. And remember what I said: you get to decide," she smiled.

Again, Annabelle did not trust whatever the hell Leah was doing, but she was forced to play along. The giantess set her down onto the bed and retrieved the Shrinkee clothing box from the dresser she'd placed it on. Annabelle watched the huge co-ed move. The Shrinkee couldn't help but notice the specific differences between the giantesses. Even their movements were different. Harper seemed to skip and bounce everywhere, while Molly took quick, intentional steps. 

As Annabelle watched Leah, she was in awe of just how graceful she was. The giantess seemed to float everywhere. 

Leah returned with the box and set it onto her bed. Annabelle awkwardly shifted her weight from foot to foot, while she waited for the giantess to do whatever it is she was doing.

Finally Leah pulled out two outfits and placed them in front of Annabelle. The Shrinkee blanched when she saw what they were. 

"Okay Poppy, choose," Leah said. Annabelle's eyes were glued onto the clothes in front of her, but she could hear the giddiness in Leah's voice. 

The Shrinkee looked between the two outfits—really they were costumes. Both were unfortunately familiar to her. To the left of her was the cowboy outfit she'd seen Chef Dufort's daughter, Camilla, wear in the adult section of the Sano's magazine. To the right was an altered version of the cat costume the giantess had forced her to wear for Halloween. Though instead of a tight full body suit, there was only a frilly bra with a paw design, a matching bikini bottom with a tail attached, and a cat-eared headband.

"I—Goddess—you—" Annabelle stuttered, trying to find the words as she stared at the outfits. 

"Is there something wrong?" Leah asked with poorly veiled delight in her voice. Annabelle pulled her eyes away from the costumes and turned to her gleeful captor. The giantess was grinning from ear to ear.

Annabelle tried to calm herself down. Obviously Leah wanted to see her flustered and upset. Annabelle inhaled deeply and then slowly released her breath. 

Leah looked down at her, thoroughly amused.

Annabelle questioned, "Goddess, I thought you said I would get to decide."

Leah plastered a confused expression on her face. She tilted her head, "What do you mean, Poppy? You can decide right now. Between these two—which one do you want to wear?"

Annabelle glanced at the costumes, and then back at Leah. She shot Leah a look of disbelief. 

Leah shrugged with a smug smile, "If you want, you don't have to wear anything at all." 

Annabelle swallowed a groan. She hated her. She hated her. She hated her. Annabelle snatched the cowgirl costume and began roughly putting it on. Leah's smile widened. 

"Slower," Leah ordered. 

Annabelle bit down on her tongue. She slowed her pace. She noticed that somehow the costume had less fabric than it did in the photo Camilla had posed in. The flannel shirt had essentially become a bra with sleeves and fringe. The denim miniskirt was now shorts that were somehow more revealing. 

As Annabelle wiggled into the costume she wondered if she should've taken Leah's offer to remain naked. The gigantic co-ed clasped her hands above the Shrinkee. 

"You look so cute, my little cowgirl," she hummed. Leah tickled her oversized finger against Annabelle's bare stomach, pulling laughter from the Shrinkee.

"I have to say, I was disappointed you didn't pick the kitten costume, but seeing how you look in this is making me reconsider," Leah admitted. The giantess began to pack away the cat costume into the box. Annabelle observed the content smile on Leah's face.

She determined it was as good as any enough time to ask. 

"Goddess—"

"Wait Poppy," Leah dismissed instantly. The giantess had begun riffling through the box again. The Shrinkee couldn't imagine what else she would need from the box.

Annabelle's eyes drifted beyond Leah's bed. She had one goal—and one goal only: not to imprint. That was her objective, but standing in a slutty cowgirl costume on the enormous bed of her gigantic co-ed captor was gnawing at something deep within Annabelle. Something she was trying to ignore.

For her sanity, she didn't allow herself to think too much of the permanence of her situation. When she'd first been shrunken, she started out looking for any and every opportunity to escape, but Annabelle had come to terms that she'd be destroying a lot of lives if she somehow managed to get away—which was such a small possibility within itself that it wasn't even worth considering.  

She tried to take in a deep breath, but Leah's voice interrupted her.

"Here you are, Poppy. Put this on," she ordered. Annabelle turned to see Leah was holding a pink cowgirl hat in her palm. 

Annabelle couldn't help but cringe, bringing delight to Leah's features. The Shrinkee grimaced, but retrieved the hat from Leah and placed it onto her head. 

"Now you look like my widdle cowgirl," Leah trilled. Her gigantic fingers made their way towards Annabelle's chest. Annabelle held back a gasp as Leah squeezed her breasts in between her massive fingers. The Shrinkee's stomach dropped when she saw the lust in Leah's eyes. She couldn't let the situation escalate with the co-ed.

"Goddess," Annabelle managed to call out through her thin breaths. 

Leah grinned down at Annabelle, still groping her. "Yes, Poppy?" She asked.

Annabelle blurted out the words before she became too frightened to say them. She cried, "I was wondering if I could see Bitsy and Steven?"

She figured it was less suspicious to request to see both Type 0s instead of only Steven. Annabelle supposed she could find some time to speak to Steven alone.

Leah's fingers retreated from Annabelle's tiny body. Annabelle felt her palms become sweaty as Leah's face dropped its smile. She couldn't tell what the giantess was thinking.

Leah peered down at Annabelle, her head tilted. "You want to spend more time with Steven and Bitsy?"

Annabelle fiddled with her fingers. She squeaked, "Um, yes?"

Leah frowned. "Interesting," she noted, "I would have never figured you would want to spend any more time with them based on how you reacted to their help the last time you saw them."
Annabelle had thought the giantess would point that out. She had the perfect response. 

She clarified, "Well, if I'm being honest, I don't want to do the whole 'Type 0 lessons' thing again, I just had some questions I wanted to ask them." 

Leah raised an eyebrow, "Questions?" She inquired, leaning her elbow onto her bed and resting her cheek in her hand. What was most likely a slight movement for her, unsteadied the Shrinkee.
Annabelle noticed Leah's smile return as the Shrinkee attempted to maintain her balance. Annabelle fell to her knees.

"Just...Shrinkee stuff..." Annabelle grunted, as she stood back up on her feet. Just as she steadied herself, the giantess poked her stomach, knocking her back onto the mattress.

Leah's gigantic head appeared over her. The giantess cast a large shadow over the Shrinkee. Annabelle felt a gentle, but firm pressure against her cheek as Leah stroked her. 

"Poppy," Leah started with a small smile, "Who owns you?"

Annabelle gulped. "You do Goddess," she answered. 

"Which part of you do I own?" Leah hummed.

"E-Every part."

"So why are you keeping things away from me that I rightfully own?" Leah asked, her smile still in place.

"Wha—"

The giantess slowly moved her finger to Annabelle's forehead. Leah slowly removed the hat. She gently tapped her enormous fingernail against the Shrinkee's head. 

"I own what's in here, too, Poppy," Leah explained, "So telling me you want to talk about 'Shrinkee stuff' with Steven and Bitsy isn't going to be enough."

Annabelle's heart was racing. She needed to tell her something, but it was difficult to think with Leah's emerald eyes piercing down at her.

Leah narrowed her eyes, "Well Poppy?"

"N-Nightmares," Annabelle blurted, "I wanted to know how to stop the nightmares."

Leah frowned. She removed her finger. "The nightmares?" She repeated. 

Annabelle nodded frantically, "Yes, they're getting worse, and I'm tired all of the time."

Leah sighed, blowing air against the Shrinkee. "Yeah, the girls and I have been talking about that," Leah admitted. 

Annabelle cringed. She didn't like that. "You have?"

Leah nodded, petting Annabelle's hair with her huge finger. "It's unfortunate that your stubbornness is causing you to experience such turmoil, Poppy. If you simply accepted your place as our pet, then you wouldn't have to deal with these nightmares," Leah said.

Annabelle bristled, but stayed quiet. 

Leah shrugged, "But, we had planned to invite Steven and Bitsy over anyway, so there's no need to worry your adorable widdle head."

Annabelle fumed as Leah placed the cowgirl hat back onto her head. Of course she had already planned to bring the Type 0s to her. She was always a step ahead of the Shrinkee. Annabelle just focused on her goal. She had to slow the imprinting process down to a halt.  

The sudden vibration of Leah's phone jolted Annabelle out of her anger. The giantess pulled out her phone and glanced at its screen. Annabelle could have swore she saw dread flash across Leah's face, but it was gone before Annabelle had a chance to blink. 

Leah looked down at Annabelle with a small smile. 

"We'll have to continue this conversation later, Poppy," she said before grabbing Annabelle in a firm fist. The giantess lifted Annabelle close to her perfect face.

Unleashing a sigh onto the Shrinkee, she announced, "It's teatime."

---

"Hello Governor Windsor."

Annabelle was already halfway through her curtsey when she realized what she was doing. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as Leah and Governor Windsor's face shifted from surprised to deeply amused.

Governor Windsor's smirk peeked out from behind his teacup as he took a sip. "It seems as though your pet has learned a new trick," he noted. 

Annabelle heard Leah giggle from behind her. "Well, she was with the Gates, so that doesn't surprise me," she said. 

Annabelle quickly finished up her curtsey. She lowered her eyes to the surface of the small tea table Leah and her father sat around. 

The governor patted her cowgirl hat, and the Shrinkee felt the heavy weight of his finger on her head.

"Howdy Poppy," he greeted back with a grin. 

Annabelle bit her tongue and clenched her fists. Her entire face felt hot from the humiliation. She wanted to forget everything that had happened during her time at Molly's, yet there she was curtseying instinctively.  

"Interesting attire," Governor Windsor said to his daughter. 

Annabelle glanced back at Leah to see her shrug as she sipped her tea. "She chose it herself," she replied. The governor laughed at that. 

The Shrinkee looked away from the two giants, afraid that she was going to say something she was going to regret. She took in her surroundings. They were in a sunroom of sorts, giving Annabelle a decent view of the exuberant gardens outside of the mansion. Though, the view was obscured slightly by the several servants that stood in front of the ceiling length windows around the room.

"What do you think Poppy?" The governor asked, breaking the Shrinkee from her thoughts. 

Annabelle flinched and looked up at the giant. She stammered, "I, um, uh..."

His crystal blue eyes peered down at her with joy. He cocked his head slightly to the side. "Sorry, are we boring you?" He inquired with smile. 

Leah sighed, taking a sip of tea, "Poppy you need to pay attention when your betters are talking to you. Don't be rude."

Annabelle swallowed an insult. The Shrinkee nodded, muttering, "Yes Goddess, I'm sorry."

The Shrinkee winced when the governor suddenly began scratching underneath her chin. She had to stop herself from pushing him away.

The governor explained, "We were discussing the approaching holiday party. I was thinking I could make a quick appearance and announce the full-ride scholarship I'm offering for Shrinkee students in honor of the poor Shrinkees who lost their lives in that tragic bus accident."

Annabelle struggled to keep a neutral expression. She wasn't going to let him bait her.

"That sounds fine, Governor Windsor," Annabelle replied simply. 

Governor Windsor's smile remained. "It would be a great help in figuring out how many exterminations we need to perform each academic year," he said.

Annabelle looked up at him with furrowed eyebrows. 

It was Leah who clarified. "It's illegal to ask for the HDD status of students applicants," she said, "But if they apply for a scholarship for Shrinkees, then we'll know for certain if a student is a bug or not—and I really don't think anyone is going to pass up the chance at a full-ride."

Annabelle's heart was pounding in her ears. They were going to use the massacre they committed as a launching pad to identify more Shrinkee victims to commit even more massacres. 

"That's..." Annabelle breathed.

"It's what Poppy?" Leah said, a warning in her tone, as she took another sip of her tea.

Annabelle closed her mouth. She let the words die inside of her throat. The Shrinkee grimaced and glared at the table's surface.

Governor Windsor hummed amusedly as he leaned back into his chair. "Come on sweetheart, I asked her because I want to hear her answer," Governor Windsor chuckled.

Leah placed her teacup down onto the table, bringing Annabelle's attention to her. The giantess pursed her lips and looked down at Annabelle. The Shrinkee could see the glint of discomfort in her eyes.

Despite her unease, the giantess relented, "Fine. Answer him, Poppy."

Annabelle's palms became drenched in sweat as both giants peered down at her. She swallowed a mouthful of nervous spit before answering, "I...I don't think you should do it."

Leah huffed irritably, while Governor Windsor's grin grew.

"Why is that, Poppy?" He asked, obviously loving every second of the conversation.

Annabelle knew engaging in the discussion would be pointless. There was nothing she could say that would make them change their minds. She opened her mouth to rescind her opinion when a question sparked in her head. 

"Aren't you afraid of getting caught?" She asked.

Governor Windsor and Leah both raised an eyebrow. Annabelle would've laughed at their similarities, but she had a question to ask.

"What do you mean, Poppy?" Leah asked.

Annabelle inhaled before pointing out, "Well, if you use this method to target Shrinkees—especially after what just happened—don't you think people are going to get suspicious?"

Governor Windsor and Leah exchanged unreadable expressions. They seemingly had a conversation with just their eyes. 

Governor Windsor turned his gaze back to Annabelle. With an even expression he asked, "Poppy do you know what the BSA, or rather the Better Society Association is?"

Annabelle forced her expression to remain unchanged. The Shrinkee shook her head. 

Governor Windsor explained, "The BSA started out as a club me and a few of my friends created, in order to combat the increasing threat of Shrinkees."

"Increasing threat?" Annabelle blurted.

Leah replied, "Poppy, I know you know the statistics on Shrinkees. They utilize more social programs than any other group, they are more prone to mental illness, and they drain government resources because they're the victims of most crimes due to their pathetic vulnerability. They're just a drain on our society."

Annabelle's mouth was dry. God, they were so hateful. Annabelle had heard the shit Leah was spouting before, but always under whispered breaths and anonymous internet comments. It deeply unsettled Annabelle to hear such bigoted words in person.

By contrast, Governor Windsor looked at his daughter with pride. "Regardless of the reason, Poppy, the BSA exists. We've actually existed for over several decades now. That means we know how to operate without garnering unnecessary attention to ourselves," he explained.

Annabelle lowered her gaze to the table's surface so they wouldn't see her bitter scowl. They were so sure they wouldn't get caught. 

The Shrinkee flinched when Governor Windsor's giant finger lifted her chin up to meet his eyes.

"You shouldn't be so upset, Poppy. You get to be at the forefront of this movement," he said.

Annabelle blinked. "What are you talking about?" She demanded.

Leah cut off her father before he could answer, "Daddy, don't." Her voice was stern.

Governor Windsor's mischievous eyes glanced from Annabelle do his daughter. After a moment he retracted his finger and raised his hands up in a surrendering pose. 

Annabelle looked between the two giants, alarmed. Her mind was swirling with ideas of what that could've meant—none of them good.

"What do you mean?" Annabelle repeated, unsettled. 

Leah ignored Annabelle and narrowed her eyes at her father. "See? This is why I didn't want you saying anything," she said. Her father only gave her an apologetic smile, and took another sip of his tea.

Annabelle, still perturbed, squeaked out, "Goddess, what—"

Leah clicked her tongued and tapped her manicured nail onto the space next to her teacup, beckoning Annabelle over to her. 

"Sit Poppy," she ordered. Before Annabelle could move, Leah snapped her fingers once. One of the servants by the wall sprung to life. He quickly sped over to the giantess. 

"Bring some cake and slice it up into small pieces," she commanded. 

The servant nodded with a quiet, "Yes Mistress" and rushed out of the room. Annabelle watched the gigantic figure leave, only to beckoned once again by the sound of Leah's tapping fingernail against the table.

"I'm not going to ask you again, Poppy," Leah warned.

The Shrinkee's curiosity was easily surpassed by her fear. She trudged over to the spot where Leah had indicated, and sat down as well as she could without exposing herself due to her skimpy costume.

"Oh sweetheart, don't take out your frustration with me on your pet," Governor Windsor smiled.  

Leah scoffed, "I'm not taking out anything on Poppy. I'm just protecting her from your 'teasing.'"

The governor chuckled, "You don't need to protect Poppy from me. She knows I'm just joking, right Poppy?"

Thankfully, Annabelle was saved from answering the governor. The servant returned with the cake in record speed. 

He placed it in front of Leah, and the giantess wasted no time feeding it to the Shrinkee. Annabelle supposed it was to keep her quiet. She couldn't ask questions if her mouth was full.

The giants, on the other hand, started up their conversation again. Their words were mostly mundane. They were catching up with each other. Leah told the governor about her classes and events she attended, while the governor discussed his travels and meetings with other public officials. 

Annabelle kept her ears open in case either of them said anything informative, but her mind kept wandering to what Governor Windsor had said about her being at the forefront of their movement. Despite what he had said after, he wasn't joking. 

Annabelle had always suspected they wanted to use her for something bigger and nefarious, but it was the first time one of the BSA members had come out and directly said it. 

The thought of being their pawn chilled the Shrinkee to her bones. 

YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY TO BE OF USE TO OUR GODDESS. YOU SHOULD BE IDENTIFYING ALL POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSIST OUR GODDESS.

Annabelle ignored Poppy and angrily bit into another piece of cake that Leah held in front of her. Annabelle stewed in her angry thoughts when a singsong voice penetrated through the sunroom. 

"How is the most special girl on this side of the Atlantic?" 

Annabelle looked up to see a blonde plump woman grinning widely in the doorway. As surprised as Annabelle was to see her, the Shrinkee's jaw dropped when she witnessed Leah's actions. The usually impasse co-ed squealed as she shot up from her chair and rushed over to the woman. She wrapped her arms around the woman's wide frame. Annabelle, shaken from the giantess' sudden movements, was frozen as she watched the scene play out in front of her.

"Gemma!" Leah cried, "How are you here? I thought you were in Milan."

The woman returned Leah's embrace. "Business finished up early, and your father said you would be home for a bit," she said. Annabelle only just noticed the woman's British accent as she spoke.

Governor Windsor smiled at the woman. "It's been a while, how are you holding up, Gem?" He asked. 

Gemma returned his smile with her own, "Just about the same, business is good, but if I'm gone for more than five minutes everyone loses their heads up their own arses."

Leah released the woman. She frowned, "Are you staying for dinner at least?"

Gemma laughed, "Of course, I'll actually be in town for a few days."

Leah perked up, her face brightening. Annabelle was still in shock to see the giantess act in such a way. The co-ed was wearing a smile that wasn't tainted by lust, arrogance, or utter domination. She actually seemed like a normal college student.

The green eyed giantess smiled, "That's great because—" She cut herself off with a small gasp. Annabelle flinched as the massive co-ed's eyes flickered to her. With powerful and quick footsteps, Leah rushed over to the tea table and snatched Annabelle in a swift movement. The Shrinkee braced herself as Leah sped back over to the giant woman. 

Suddenly, Annabelle found herself inches away from the giant woman's face as Leah presented her from her open palm. Annabelle struggled not to retreat from the large woman's face. Her brown eyes were practically piercing through the Shrinkee. The woman had interesting features. Her nose was upturned, and her lips were thin, but coated in very pretty red lipstick. 

"This is Poppy," Leah announced proudly, "She's the Type 0 I was telling you about."

Gemma's red lips almost stretched to her ears. "She's absolutely gorgeous," she noted, "A beautiful Shrinkee for a beautiful girl."  

Leah smiled so widely, Annabelle wondered if her face was going to split in two. 

"Say hi Poppy," Leah ordered.

Annabelle obliged instantly, "Hello Ma'am."

Gemma's massive mouth opened and released a loud laugh, startling Annabelle. "Oh please don't call me Ma'am little one. You'll make me feel like I'm withering away. Just Ms. Gemma is fine," she said.
Annabelle nodded and corrected herself, "Yes Ms. Gemma."

The large woman's face brightened. She wiggled her giant finger against Annabelle's exposed midriff, tickling Annabelle.    

"She is absolutely precious," she cooed, "Did you pick out her outfit yourself?" Gemma asked, reminding Annabelle of the monstrosity she was wearing.

Leah giggled, "No, she did."

Annabelle inwardly bristled at Leah's half-truth, but kept her mouth shut. 

"She has amazing taste then," Gemma noted. 

Governor Windsor inserted, "Speaking of fashion..." 

Gemma grinned, "Right," the woman turned her attention to Leah, "I came to take you shopping. You can think of it as an early Christmas present."

Leah gasped, "Are you serious?"

Gemma nodded, "Deathly. We can go right now."

Leah's smile faltered as she glanced down at Annabelle. "Oh but..."

Governor Windsor offered, "You can leave Poppy here. I'll take care of her."

Annabelle's stomach dropped. 

No. Absolutely not. Annabelle turned to Leah. Based on the giantess' expression she felt the same way. 

In a rare moment, Governor Windsor's voice adopted a tone of sincerity. 

"Sweetheart, I promise you that I would never take something that belongs to you," he assured. 

Annabelle's heart sank as she saw Leah considering his words. Her eyes were filled with hesitancy. 

The Shrinkee begged the giant co-ed, "Please Goddess...don't."

Leah's eyes flickered to Annabelle. The Shrinkee's stomach turned when she saw guilt in them. 

"Poppy," Leah started, "You have to trust that your safety is my number one priority. I think you'll be the safest with my dad—"

Annabelle whimpered, but Leah continued, "Mr. Abbot's men are all around the perimeter of this house, and I know they won't let anything happen to you."

The Shrinkee couldn't be less concerned about someone snatching her away. She didn't want to be left alone with someone who she suspected was the most sociopathic of all the BSA members.   

"Goddess..." Annabelle pleaded.

Leah's face flashed with uncertainty, but she began walking towards the table before Annabelle could change her mind. 

She set Annabelle down onto the tea table in front of the governor. Leah flashed her father a warning glare. 

"Daddy..."

"I'll be on my best behavior, sweetheart," he said, grinning. 

Leah bent down in front of the tea table, her massive face filling Annabelle's vision. "Poppy, I shouldn't be gone long. I want you to be a good girl for me, okay?"

Annabelle considered giving her the silent treatment, but she wanted to give Leah a reason to return quickly.

With her go-to puppy dog eyes, Annabelle replied, "Okay Goddess, please come back soon. I'll miss you."

Leah's face melted. The Shrinkee was briefly engulfed as Leah pressed her gigantic lips against her head. The Shrinkee somberly watched Leah walk back over to Gemma, who was standing in the doorway, watching her proudly.

"You've really grown up into a responsible young woman," she praised, "You've changed so much from that impatient little girl you were." She laughed, "Remember when I first gave you Toe Jam?" 

Annabelle's ears perked up at the confusing statement. She tried to listen to what they were saying as they left the room, but the governor's teacup clattered loudly as he set it onto the tea table. Annabelle glanced up at the giant warily. The met her wary expression with a soft smile that chilled the Shrinkee.

She didn't know how long Leah would be gone, but she needed her to hurry up. 

Once the women left, Governor Windsor lifted his teacup again, and casually held it out in the direction of the servants. One servant jumped into action. He grabbed the tea pot that sat on a table near the servants and briskly walked over to pour in the tea into the governor's cup. 

After he was served, the governor took a sip of the tea. He made a big show of appreciating its taste. He hummed approvingly and unleashed a satisfied sigh after he swallowed. Annabelle did her best to ignore him. She didn't know why he was being so obnoxious, but she didn't even want to entertain the giant.

After another loud sip and sigh, the governor finally turned his handsome face towards her. 

"Your mother is dead."

Annabelle's heart stopped. She spun towards him, eyes wide. An intense nausea overtook her. The governor's face was even, as if he had just told her the weather report. Annabelle struggled to remember how to breathe. 

Suddenly, he cracked a smile. Annabelle searched his face, perplexed and desperate. 

"I'm just joking," he chuckled. Then he stopped himself and raised a dark eyebrow, "Or am I?"

Annabelle was going to vomit. "Wha—What?" She hissed. She couldn't make heads or tails of the governor. 

"It must really be harrowing to be a Shrinkee," Governor Windsor noted, "You have no control over anything. You have no knowledge of anything."

Annabelle stood up, rage in her heart. "Tell me," she demanded, "Is my mother okay?"

Governor Windsor cocked his head at Annabelle. "Now come on, would you believe me if I said yes? Would you believe me if I said no?" 

Annabelle glowered up at the giant. "Just tell me," she snapped.

The Governor dropped his smile. "Fine," he said, suddenly serious. His gigantic head lowered to the table. He leaned in close to the Shrinkee. 

He whispered, blowing air at Annabelle, "She's in my shoe."

Annabelle blanched. She felt like she was going to pass out. The Governor peered at Annabelle with an intense and piercing expression until he abruptly burst out laughing.

"Again, I'm just joking, Poppy," the governor announced. 

Annabelle clenched her fists. "Fuck you," she seethed. 

The governor's grin widened. He scratched underneath Annabelle's chin while the Shrinkee glared at him.

"Poppy," he chuckled, "How could your mother be in my shoe when she hasn't shrunken...yet."

Annabelle opened her mouth to curse him, when he shrugged with a laugh, "Or maybe she has shrunken, and we hid her somewhere. Maybe we hid her in the kitchen. Maybe we chopped her up and made her into a cake. Maybe you just ate a bit of dear old mommy dearest."

There was no point in listening to him. He was just trying to get under her skin.

Annabelle covered her ears and squeezed her eyes shut. "Fuck you fuck you fuck fuck you," she muttered over and over. 

The governor's booming laugh easily pierced through Annabelle's defenses. "Okay, you know what? I'm sorry Poppy. I went too far," Governor Windsor said, not sounding apologetic at all. 

"Seriously Poppy, open your eyes," he said, as though he was handing her an olive branch.

Annabelle knew she was going to regret it, but she tentatively reopened her eyes. She squeaked when she saw the governor's colossal shoe in front of her. Instinctively, Annabelle backed away. She felt the temperature shift, rising as his musky scent wafted into Annabelle's nose.

The governor smiled brightly, "See? Your mother's not in here."

A feminine sounding groan rose from the shoe. Annabelle froze. Her heart pounded in her ears. The governor's blue eyes peered down into his shoe. His eyebrows raised to his forehead as he feigned surprise. 

He tilted his shoe, and a thin feminine figure tumbled out. Annabelle felt as though she were watching the scene outside of her body. 

The governor prodded the tiny woman until she rolled onto her back. Annabelle unclenched when she realized she didn't recognize the woman.

"Like I said, your mother's not in my shoe," Governor Windsor chuckled. 

Annabelle's gaze shifted back to the woman. If Annabelle hadn't heard her groan before, she would've assumed she was dead. She was practically just skin and bones. Her hair and clothes—if anyone would call the rags she wore, clothes—were drenched with what Annabelle assumed was the governor's foot sweat. 

Annabelle grimaced. "Who is she?" Annabelle demanded.

The governor shrugged, "Who can remember?"

Annabelle glared at the giant before running over to the shrunken woman. Annabelle was overcome with the governor's foot funk as she reached the woman. She knelt down next to her soaked form. Annabelle watched her abdomen inflate and deflate as the woman desperately sucked in air. 

"Hey," Annabelle said gently, placing her hand on the woman's cheek. The woman's eyes fluttered open. They took a second to focus, but when they did, they landed on Annabelle. 

The woman's face contorted with pain. She tried to say something, but only a rasp came from her mouth. Annabelle noticed her lips were cracked and blistered. Despite being drenched in the governor's sweat, it seemed the woman was severely dehydrated. 

Annabelle cursed under her breath. She glanced up at the governor who was watching them with rapt amusement. She supposed asking him for water wouldn't be fruitful.

Annabelle scanned her surroundings for anything to help her. Eventually, her eyes landed on Leah's teacup. Before the governor could stop her, she bolted over to the gigantic cup. With a little bit of effort, Annabelle pulled herself up, so she was straddling the teacup's edge. She could still smell Leah's lingering cinnamon scent. 

Her heart pounded from the smell.

WHY WASTE YOUR TIME ON BUGS, WHEN YOU COULD BE BASKING IN THE HOLY SCENT OF OUR GODDESS.

"Not fucking now," Annabelle hissed. She ignored Poppy and tried to think of a way to retrieve the tea. She remembered her ridiculous hat.

Quickly, Annabelle removed the hat from her head and scooped up the tea until her hat was full. She ignored the governor's amused chuckle, and carefully jumped down from the cup. Annabelle rushed back over to the woman, ensuring not to spill a single drop. 

Annabelle held up the woman's head with her arm, and gingerly placed the edge of her hat to her lips. Slowly, Annabelle began to tilt the hat so the tea trickled into the woman's mouth. 
The woman erupted into a coughing fit, but Annabelle held her steady. After she was finished, Annabelle continued to help her drink the tea. Once the liquid ran out, the woman allowed her head to drop into Annabelle's arms. 

The woman, still breathing heavily, winced in pain. She glanced down at her legs, and for the first time Annabelle noticed one of her legs was broken.

"Are you okay?" Annabelle asked.

The woman looked up at Annabelle with intrigued eyes. "You're a very strangely dressed angel," she noted.

Annabelle gave her a small smile. "I'm not an angel. What's your name?" She asked.

"Daria," she replied, her voice still raspy. 

"Okay Daria, don't worry because—"

"Your ingenuity never ceases to amaze me, Poppy," Governor Windsor's booming voice noted, interrupting her.

Daria flinched at the governor's voice. Annabelle placed a reassuring hand on her arm. 

She glared up at the giant. "Let her go," she demanded. 

Governor Windsor smirked and shot Annabelle a dubious look. "Poppy you know I can't do that. Now I can end her punishment early and return her to where we store the other bugs," he said.

Daria looked up at him, hopeful. Annabelle knew better.

The governor continued, "But I can't seem to remember the reasoning for her punishment—and I can't absolve someone if I don't remember what I'm absolving them for."

Annabelle wished he was closer so she could spit in his face again. 

The governor's monstrous hand suddenly propelled itself towards them. Daria screamed and tried to sit up to run, but her body must've been too weak to move.

Annabelle attempted to grab her, but the governor was too fast for her. Daria screamed as she was dangled in between the governor's thumb and finger, directly in front of his gigantic face.

With a wide smile he asked, "Remind me, bug, what were you being punished for?"

"Put her down!" Annabelle screamed.

Governor Windsor placed a finger against his lips. "Shush Poppy, wait a moment," he said. His blue eyes returned to Daria's shrieking form.

"Tell me bug, I don't have all day," he ordered.

"T-Treason!" Daria managed to scream out.

The governor tilted his head. His face slightly scrunched. "Bug, where are you from?" He asked.

Annabelle frowned. She didn't see why that was relevant.

"Please!" Daria screamed.

Governor Windsor sighed, "Bug, I don't have all day. I won't ask again."

"C-Colony 8, section C!" Daria shouted.

Annabelle was confused, but the governor's face lit up with realization. "Ah, I remember now. You and your little insubordinate friends didn't think you needed to follow the rules," he said. 

Daria's body flailed around, except for her broken leg, which remained limp. She screamed, "N-No I—"

Governor Windsor unceremoniously placed her back onto the table. Daria yelped as she collided with the table. 

"Daria!" Annabelle cried. She ran over to where the woman landed. Daria was withering on her back, tears streaming down her face. Annabelle knelt next to her, not knowing what to do.

"Poppy," the governor's booming voice called cheerfully, "You are just so compassionate—it really is your worst trait."

Annabelle narrowed her eyes. "You're a monster," she snarled. 

Governor Windsor chuckled. "No I'm not, I'm a politician—well I suppose depending on who you ask..." He trailed off with a smile before continuing, "I'm just interested how you think, Poppy. You're so creative when it comes to saving Shrinkees who aren't yourself. The things you think of are ingenious actually—so much that I'm going to make you a deal."

Annabelle cursed under her breath. There was no way it was going to end well for her. She hated the games the giants played. They usually resulted in death or utter humiliation. 

The governor started, "I could place your new bug friend back inside my shoe and do a little tap dance or—"

Daria began to start screaming at the governor's words. Annabelle flinched and wrapped her arm around her.

"Shh, it's okay," she reassured, "I won't let him hurt you."

"Or," the governor continued with a widening smirk, "You could solve a problem for me." 

"What do you want?" Annabelle growled. 

Governor Windsor laughed, "Don't be angry at me, Poppy. This a problem that bug you're holding created."

Annabelle repeated her words, slower and with more anger seeping through, "What do you want?"

Governor Windsor considered her words. He hummed as his eyes drifted from Annabelle, and he looked off to the side of the room.

He muttered to himself, "I suppose I can't just take you there...Leah might actually hate me if I did that...okay, all right."

Annabelle looked up at the governor curiously. She watched as he seemed to agree with himself and become more resolute. Governor Windsor turned to the servants who lined the walls. 

"One of you bring the prisoners from colony 8, section C," he ordered before adding, "Also bring our little warden too. Meet me in the conference room."

Annabelle didn't know what he was planning, but she felt Daria tense in her arms, so she knew it wouldn't be pleasant. 

The governor returned his attention to her. His smile displayed his perfect teeth. He chuckled darkly down at Annabelle.

"Let's see if we can put your mind to work."

--
Annabelle grimaced as she looked at the disheveled group of people in front of her. They looked like they hadn't showered in weeks, and eaten in days. There were approximately twenty people in the group—all wearing the same rags as Daria. 

"I think some introductions are in order," Governor Windsor boomed from above. Annabelle clenched her fists at his voice. She was so sick of him.

He'd spent the last hour or so ordering servants around to prepare for whatever he had planned. He ignored each and every one of Annabelle's questions. He didn't even acknowledge her until he plucked her and Daria up and took them to a windowless room that only held a long table and surrounding chairs.  

When they arrived, the group of people had already been on the table, waiting. 

"Poppy," Governor Windsor called with a smile, forcing her thoughts back to the situation at hand, "These bugs are property of the BSA. They've been ordered not to reveal anything of their origins and current living situation, so please don't waste time asking."

He addressed the people, "Bugs, this is Poppy. She is also property of the BSA, but she is the BSA's most valuable property. For this meeting's purpose, you can think of her as a mediator. Please refrain from touching her or getting closer than is necessary."

Annabelle cringed at the governor's introduction. He wasn't making the situation any easier. The Shrinkees looked at her with explicit distrust. She could feel their eyes on her, and suddenly she was very aware of the clothes she was wearing. At least they looked at Daria, who sat down next to her, with longing and glee. Annabelle hoped they would come to trust her through her proximity with Daria.

The governor requested, "Little warden, if you could explain the prisoner's situation to Poppy."

Annabelle watched a blonde woman about the giantesses' age step forward. She wore the same rags as the others, but she had some kind of badge stuck to her chest. 

The warden's face lit up as she spoke to the governor. "Of course, Master!" She chirped. 

Annabelle cringed at the earnest adoration in the warden's face. From the reactions of the other Shrinkees, they were equally revolted. 

The warden turned to Annabelle, and for a second Annabelle thought she looked familiar, but the Shrinkee's thoughts were abruptly ended when the blonde's face twisted with disgust as she looked her up and down. Annabelle had no idea why she was looking at her like she'd shat in her coffee, but it was pissing her off.

"Listen closely, because I'm not going to repeat myself," the warden started, "These ingrates have been refusing to fulfil their assigned responsibilities—"

One Shrinkee man with short cropped black hair shouted from the group, "That's not true! We just refuse to praise a monster who killed—"

A sharp slap-like sound echoed around them. In an instant he was on the ground. The warden stood over him, rubbing her palm. Annabelle blinked. She had no idea how the warden managed to move so quickly.

The man cradled his cheek from the ground. Annabelle's mouth dropped slightly. The Shrinkees were malnourished, but the warden had still just slapped an adult man to the ground. 

"Silence bug," she spat, literally. She hocked a glob of thick liquid onto his face. The man seethed, but remained silent. The warden walked back over to Annabelle while the other Shrinkees helped the man back up to his feet.

The governor was all smiles from above. Annabelle bristled. Of course he was enjoying the show.

"As I was saying," the warden continued, "Each morning before they are supposed to start their tasks, they are required to pledge their undying loyalty and love to Master Warren." 

Annabelle cringed. She didn't know where the people came from, or what their "tasks" were, but she empathized with their reluctance to want to swear their loyalty to the governor. 

Daria, who had been quiet the entire time she sat next to Annabelle, shouted at the warden, "Why would we pledge our loyalty to a fucking devil!" 

The warden's face contorted with fury. "Devil?" She hissed, "A true devil would've ripped your limbs from your body one by one after you created this traitorous movement. The fact that you're alive shows his generous spirit."

Annabelle was getting nauseated listening to the warden. She sounded like Poppy.

"Can we just all calm down," Annabelle pleaded, "What do they need to do for you to leave them alone?"

The warden narrowed her eyes at Annabelle. She spat out her answer, "Kneel. Bow down to Master Warren and beg for his forgiveness. Then pledge their loyalty."

The crowd erupted with fierce protests.

"Never!"

"Go fuck yourselves!"

"He's a monster!"

Governor Windsor chuckled from above. He rested his elbow on the table and leaned his head against his fist as he comfortably watched the scene unfold. 

"Looks like you have a lot of work to do, Poppy," he smirked. 

Annabelle clenched her fists and looked away before she made the situation worse. She turned to the still shouting people.

"Hey!" She shouted over their voices. It took a minute, but they quieted down enough to hear her. 

She took in a deep breath before asking simply, "Do you want to live?"

The Shrinkees hesitated, uncertain of what Annabelle had just said. "What do you mean?" A bald Shrinkee woman asked.

Annabelle thrust her finger towards Governor Windsor. "If you don't do what he says, then he's going to kill you all," she revealed.

The Shrinkees' faces darkened. The man who had been slapped by the warden spat, "We don't care."

Annabelle frowned. She hadn't been expecting that. Daria sat up straighter on the ground and shook her head. 

She whimpered, "You don't understand. We have no reason to live...our children... our babies..." She broke out into harrowing sobs. 

Annabelle lowered herself to console Daria on the ground, her stomach dropping with her. Annabelle wrapped her arms around the crying woman. She could hear a few soft sobs from the crowd.

Annabelle embraced her tighter. "I...I'm so sorry," she whispered.

The warden's shrill voice pierced through the sorrow, "You all should be grateful beyond belief that your bug offspring were blessed to become nourishment for our masters and mistresses."

The room began to spin. Annabelle was so dizzy that she hardly heard the vitriolic curses being thrown at the warden.

She tried to steady herself as she stood back up to her feet. Eaten. Their children were eaten. Annabelle had assumed they'd been taken away from them, or at worst...crushed underneath a foot, but eaten?

More perplexed than anything, Annabelle craned her neck to meet Governor Windsor's gaze. He peered down at her, still thoroughly entertained. 

"You..." Annabelle had a difficult time getting the words out, she was so confused. It couldn't be true, "You ate their children?" She asked genuinely. 

Governor Windsor shrugged, "Our parfaits were missing that crunch, so I improvised."

Before Annabelle could comprehend his words, the bald woman unleashed a guttural shriek as she attempted to charge at the governor's elbow. She got in maybe two steps before the warden had her in a headlock. Muscles Annabelle hadn't noticed before, bulged out of the blonde's biceps as she gripped the woman's neck. The bald woman desperately scratched at the warden's unyielding arms as her face began to turn purple.

Annabelle was about to intervene when Governor Windsor casually tapped the table with his gigantic finger. 

"Remember, no killing...yet," he told the warden with a smile. 

Instantly, the warden released the woman. The bald woman collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. The other Shrinkees rushed over to make sure she was okay. The warden dropped to her knees and lowered her head onto the table until her forehead was pressed against its surface.

"I am so sorry Master! I got carried away," she yelped, sounding genuinely devastated by her mistake.

Annabelle cringed at the display. The governor chuckled, "That's okay, I enjoy your enthusiasm." 

The warden jumped up and beamed from the praise, looking as happy as Annabelle had seen her. Annabelle had never felt so disgusted by another Shrinkee. Annabelle wondered what the fuck had happened to her that she'd sunken so low?

The governor turned his attention to Annabelle. "The truth is Poppy, as much as their offspring provided a much needed crunch to our dessert, really there was an unpredicted growth in population so certain individuals had to go," he explained. 

Annabelle didn't know what population he was referring to, nor did she care. "Children?" Annabelle underscored. 

Governor Windsor sighed, "You don't have the full picture yet, so I can understand your confusion; however, trust me when I say it was the most productive decision."  

Annabelle ran her fingers through her hair, pushing her hat onto the ground, "Pro—productive? Productive for who? How could there be any reasoning good enough to eat—" 

Annabelle stopped herself. She turned away from everyone. She began walking and rubbing her scalp. 

How could she do what he wanted? He was a monster, simple as that. She couldn't look into the eyes of the parents' of devoured children and tell them to swear their loyalty to one of the monsters who had eaten them.

"You understand now," Daria's voice said, breaking through her thoughts as though she were reading them. She continued, "There's no way we could pledge our loyalty to..." her voice died off, shaking her head in disgust.

Governor Windsor's booming voice echoed around them. Grinning down at her, he asked, "Are you admitting defeat Poppy? Tell me now so I can have my boots brought to me."

Annabelle shot him a look of disgust and anger. He met her anger with a wink. She hated him. She hated him more than anyone else at that moment.

But she couldn't let the Shrinkees die.

"Fuck," she hissed. She turned to the Shrinkees. She inhaled and then released the breath, attempting to calm herself.

"You can't die," she stated, "Not like this, not under a boot."

"What's the difference?" A blond man from the crowd shouted, "There's nothing to live for."

Annabelle shook her head, "That's not true, you have to keep going. If you die now, then your children's deaths will have been for nothing."

"We don't care!" A woman with thinning long dark hair cried, "We can't keep living like this. It doesn't matter if we do everything they say, they'll still kill us without a second thought. Our children did nothing wrong and they still were slaughtered!"

"She's right!" The man who'd been slapped yelled, "Who's to say they don't kill us tomorrow, because of some other bullshit reason?"

Annabelle gulped. She wasn't getting through to them. Daria's face twisted with bitterness, "There's just no point to this. They're never going to let us go. Either we stay as slaves forever, or they kill us eventually. At least if we die right now, we won't have to be afraid anymore. I'd rather die here than worship him."

"No, that's not—" Annabelle bit her tongue, stopping herself. 

They were talking as if there wasn't any hope, but they were wrong. There was the Resistance. They had already proven that they could save people. But it wasn't as though she could mention them in front of the governor and the warden.

As if she were proving her point, the warden cocked her head and folded her muscular arms, "That's not what? Are you saying that Master Warren isn't worthy of worship?"

Annabelle gritted her teeth. This wasn't fucking working. How was she supposed to give them hope to live when there were two heinous beings directly showcasing why they shouldn't have hope. 
She closed her eyes, trying to think. If she wanted to save them, then she couldn't give them hope. Hope wouldn't bring them to their knees. She needed—

FEAR.

Annabelle froze.

IS THAT NOT WHAT MAKES A TRUE GOD WORTHY? HIS ABILITY TO INSTILL FEAR INTO HIS WORSHIPERS?

Annabelle's eyes shot open. She couldn't breathe. She took a step back, almost stumbling. The other Shrinkees looked at her with confusion. 

She turned from them, and covered her ears.

WHAT COULD BE MORE FEARSOME THAN A BEING THAT HAS THE POWER TO END THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS? WHAT COULD BE MORE FEARSOME THAN A BEING THAT COULD CEASE THE EXISTENCE OF PATHETIC BUG CHILDREN WITH ONLY HIS MASSIVE MAW AND POWERFUL STOMACH?

"No no no no, please," Annabelle begged tears in her eyes, "Not him, please not him." 

OF COURSE HIM. YOU HAVE SEEN IT. WHY FIGHT? HIS POWER GOES FAR PAST ANYTHING WE COULD IMAGINE. THOUSANDS OF BUGS HAVE MOST LIKELY ALREADY FALLEN TO HIM. BUT WE—WE CAN STAY AT HIS FEET—WORSHIPING HIM.

Annabelle fell to her knees, "Get out of my head, get out of my head."

From what sounded like miles away, she heard Daria's concerned voice, "A-Are you okay? Someone hel—"

The governor's voice thundered through the table—through Annabelle's mind. It lost its mirth. His voice was deadly serious. "No one touch her, that is an order," he commanded. 

LISTEN TO OUR GOD, HE KNOWS WHAT IS COMING IS INEVITABLE.

"I'd rather die," Annabelle hissed. 

THE ONLY ONES SUCCUMBING TO THE DEEP ABYSS OF DEATH ARE THESE BUGS YOU INEXPLICABLY CARE ABOUT. YOU WANT TO SAVE THEM? THEN USE ME POPPY. ALLOW ME TO USE OUR BODY TO SPEAK THE GOSPEL OF OUR GOD. I CAN MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND. I CAN SAVE THEM.

Annabelle frantically shook her head, "N-No, no there has to be another way."

THERE IS NOT. 

Annabelle's head felt like it was going to split open. Nausea found her once again. She slapped her palm violently against her head. She needed to stay conscious. 

THERE IS NO USE FIGHTING. WE BOTH KNOW YOU HAVE ALREADY LOST. 

"Please, don't do this," Annabelle begged. A sob escaped her throat. 

IT IS ALREADY DONE.


--
The sun shinned warmly against Annabelle's face. Her eyes fluttered open as she tried to get her bearings. She knew that she was in Poppy's domain, but she didn't feel the familiar soft field of flowers underneath her. 

Instead, she was propped up. She flinched as she became more aware of her surroundings. She tried to move but realized she was bound to something. Annabelle's stomach dropped.

She was tied a tree. Her arms were spread out, each tied to a tree branch. Another binding wrapped around the tree, tying her shins to the trunk. The tree wasn't very tall, her feet touched the tops of the blades of grass below her, but it was thick and impossible to break from.

"I've missed you," a voice giggled.

Annabelle snapped her head up to see Poppy skipping towards her with her hands behind her back. Annabelle cringed when she saw her outfit. She was dressed in a latex suit that emphasized all of her assets. Annabelle couldn't help but notice written across her prodigious chest were the words DADDY'S GIRL.

"Let me down," Annabelle hissed.

"No thank you," Poppy chirped. Her eyes slowly traversed along Annabelle's body. It was only then did the Shrinkee realize she was naked. Annabelle made a move to cover herself, but of course was still restricted by her bindings. 

"It's like a bummer about your clothes, they were so cute!" She took a step closer, grinning with lust in her eyes. "But this is good too," she added.

"Please don't do this," Annabelle begged, "Those people don't deserve this."

Poppy's eyes shot open, as though she were shocked and offended. "What do you think I'm going to do?" She said incredulously. She continued, "I'm only going to have a little talk with them about why they should submit to our God."

Annabelle snarled, "He is not my God."

Poppy shrugged, "Agree to disagree."

Annabelle narrowed her eyes at Poppy. She tilted her head and snarked, "You're pretty non-committal, huh? What happened to your amazing Goddesses?"

Poppy giggled, inciting anger within Annabelle. She furrowed her brow and smiled, "I haven't decided on anyone...yet," she said. "I have to dip my toe in the pool to see if I want to swim in it for all eternity."

She giggled manically as lust filled her eyes, "And I've gotta say, the water is feeling fine."

Annabelle grimaced, "You're disgusting. You're talking about a man who ate children. A man who—"

Suddenly Poppy removed her hands from her behind her. She pulled out a ball gag. Before Annabelle could attempt to resist, Poppy pressed the gag into her mouth and tightly wrapped it around her head. 

Annabelle tried to scream, but it only came out as muffled groans. 

"That's enough out of you for now," she giggled. Poppy moved so close to her, that Annabelle could feel her body heat. Poppy began to trace her finger along Annabelle's curves. Annabelle cringed from her touch.

"You know, you resist every time, and every time this ends in the same way," she noted. 

Poppy bent down until she reached Annabelle's stomach. Annabelle groaned out muffled protests as she felt Poppy's wet tongue slither along her midriff. 

Poppy stood up to her full height. "Honestly I thought you would be happy," Poppy said. Annabelle shot her an incredulous look. 

Poppy clarified, "He's everything you could want in a God." She moved in close again. Gently, she pressed her lips in the crook of Annabelle's neck. Annabelle futilely tried to move away. 

"He's intelligent," she said, before sinking her teeth into Annabelle's neck. 

She winced and cried out in pain, but Poppy ignored her. Poppy lowered herself again. Annabelle yelled muffled shouts through the gag as she felt Poppy's lips on her thigh. 

"He's decisive," she stated. Once again, a sharp pain went through Annabelle's thigh as Poppy bit her again.

Poppy rose again, inches away from Annabelle's face. Annabelle glowered at her, but she continued to smile as if they were having a mutually pleasant conversation.

Poppy leaned forward and plopped a wet kiss against Annabelle's nose. "He's powerful," she whispered. Annabelle knew it was coming, but she still hissed when Poppy bit down on her nose. 

"What more could you want?" She smirked, removing her teeth from Annabelle's flesh. 

Annabelle had a plethora of comebacks she wanted to spit at Poppy, but her gag was successful in doing its job.  

"Do you know what your problem is?" Poppy asked, "You're too soft." She traced a finger across Annabelle's chest. It stopped above her heart. 

"In here," she whispered.

She continued, "There's only one person you should care about, and that's our God. Not the dumb offspring of bugs, not your stupid family—just our God." 

Annabelle squirmed as Poppy began to twist her left nipple. "Plus, I thought this was all you ever wanted," she whispered as she moved her free hand to Annabelle's other nipple.

Annabelle gave her a confused look through the pain. 

Poppy looked at her as if it were obvious. She giggled, "Don't play dumb with me. You know..." 

Poppy grabbed Annabelle's face, holding her still. She pressed her body completely against her, grinding her crotch into hers. 

She gently kissed Annabelle's cheek. She moaned, "An older man..."  She turned Annabelle's face and kissed her other cheek. She breathed, "Who cares about you—who loves you..."

Poppy suddenly inserted her fingers through Annabelle's lower lips. Annabelle gasped, just realizing that Poppy had undone her ball gag. 

She had no time to defend herself as Poppy's lips came crashing into hers. Annabelle was putty the moment their lips touched. Poppy sucked and smacked the energy right out of her. It was just she and Poppy, and the sound of their wet kissing in the middle of the empty, silent meadow. Annabelle's chest became drenched with a mixture of their saliva as Poppy thoroughly made out with Annabelle. Drool cascaded between their wriggling bosoms. 

"Don't run from this," Poppy moaned, "Be honest, this is what you've always wanted..."

Annabelle's eyes began to droop until they were closed. She felt herself slipping, slipping away. 

Poppy's voice was the last thing she heard before she fell into the darkness.

"...what you've always wanted...a daddy."

--
"...oppy! Poppy!"

Annabelle gasped, jolting into consciousness. She was on something soft. Cinnamon, she smelled cinnamon.  

She blinked. She was high up in Leah's hand. Annabelle looked up to see the giantess staring down at her with tears in her eyes.

A sharp pang struck Annabelle. She was suddenly very alert. 

"What's wrong, Goddess?" She demanded. She looked around at her surroundings. She was still in the conference room. 

The Shrinkees.

Annabelle began to make a move to crawl over to the edge of the giantess' hand to look down, but Leah's finger was faster. 

Leah gently stroked Annabelle's cheek. Relief filled her teary eyes. 

"Poppy, are you...?" She trailed off.

Annabelle was frustrated with herself. She needed to check on the Shrinkees, but she couldn't pull herself away from Leah's touch. The giantess didn't just seem sad, she looked as though she were hurt. 

Leah's turned her gaze upward, anger filling her features. Annabelle similarly turned to see Leah was glaring at her father, who stood with a rare serious expression on his face. 

"You lied to me," Leah hissed. 

As captivating as the giants' conversation was, she needed to check on the Shrinkees. Annabelle crawled over to the edge of Leah's hand, as the giants continued above her.
Annabelle peered down at the table. It was difficult to discern what they were doing, but she was relieved to see the Shrinkees were still alive on the table. She narrowed her eyes to perceive them better. They were all together, but their bodies were contorted weirdly. 

A gasp escaped her lips when she realized what she was looking at. 

They were kneeling.  

Annabelle was a mix of emotions. She was beyond grateful that they had survived. But they had seemed so resolute in their refusal to submit to the governor.

Annabelle's mouth went dry. What did Poppy do? 

"I did not lie, Leah," Governor Windsor said evenly, bringing Annabelle's attention back to the giants. 

Leah cried, "You told me you wouldn't take her!" Annabelle winced from the giantess' volume. She'd never seen Leah so upset.

Governor Windsor refuted, "No, I didn't. I said that I would never take anything that belonged to you." He folded his arms, "Sweetheart, after seeing what you've just seen, can you truly say Poppy belongs to you?" 

Leah's face crumbled. Annabelle could tell she was trying to hold back tears. The governor winced at his daughter's sadness. 

"Oh baby girl," he sighed. He placed a comforting hand on Leah's cheek. "I'm not trying to hurt you, sweetheart. You know I love and respect you. I respect you so much that I'm not going to go easy on you. You know what I've always said: If you desire something—take it."

He wiped a stray tear from Leah's cheek with his massive thumb. "If you want Poppy, then take her. Make it so she never even has the thought that there is anyone else out there for her. Make her see that you are her only option—only you," he declared. 

Annabelle could vomit. She was seeing in real time just how the governor had managed to make his daughter so fucked up. The Shrinkee yelped when Leah's fingers began to curl inwards. She quickly found herself wrapped in Leah's unyielding fist. 

Annabelle anxiously looked up to see Leah sating at her father with narrowed eyes that seemed to be on fire.

"Oh I will," she declared. 
---

Annabelle glanced at the bedroom door with a nervous stomach. It had been hours since Leah had placed Annabelle in her cage and stormed out the room.   
The only thing Leah had said to her before she left was to not answer if any of the other giantesses called. 

As Annabelle was assaulted with the loud buzzing that came from the key panel, she realized following Leah's command was going to be more difficult than expected. It'd been three minutes and Annabelle couldn't take it any longer.

She pulled herself up from the floor she had been laying on to color, and trudged over to the key panel Annabelle saw the number 1 key's light was blinking. 

She mentally prepared herself and pressed the button.

"Goddess Na—"

"Poppy why were you ignoring me?" Naomi demanded. She sounded a little more than annoyed. 

"I'm sorry Goddess Naomi, but Goddess Leah told me not to answer any calls," Annabelle said, "So can you actually please hang—"

"She did what?" Naomi growled, "That little hypocrite. After she made such a big deal when Molly didn't tell us you were with her parents. I'm gonna—"

Naomi was cut off by the bedroom door swinging open. Annabelle groaned quietly as Leah walked through the door. 

Of all the giantesses that could have called at that time—Naomi was by far the worst possible outcome. Leah was already in a dark mood, and her natural rivalry with Naomi was only going to exasperate things.

"Goddess can you please hang—"

Annabelle stopped herself when Leah's powerful footsteps became louder as she approached the cage. Leah cast a dark shadow over Annabelle. Her lips were twisted into a deep scowl. Annabelle had to look away from her, suddenly overwhelmed by the oppressive mood.

Naomi's voice pierced through the tension.

"What the hell, Leah? Who are you to tell Poppy that she can't answer when one of us calls?" She snapped. 

Annabelle's shoulders tensed at Naomi's harsh tone. She generally didn't like to be in the same room as Leah and Naomi when they got into it, but they both seemed so on edge that Annabelle wanted to hide under the bed. 

Leah ignored Naomi, and bent down in front of the cage. Her eyes were filled with disappointment. 

"Seriously Poppy, I gave you one simple order and you can't even follow that? How am I supposed to trust you?" Leah implored. 

Annabelle knew she shouldn't give two shits about the giantesses' opinion of her, but somehow she found herself cut by Leah's words. 

"Don't talk to Poppy like that," Naomi snapped. 

Leah's face darkened. "Hang up," she spat.

Naomi laughed dryly, "No, I'm not your fucking Shrinkee. You can't tell me what to do."

Leah closed her eyes, and Annabelle could tell she was trying to calm herself down. The Shrinkee knew she had to do something or else it was only going to escalate.

Annabelle adopted the most sickeningly sweet voice and pleaded, "Goddess Naomi, please can you end the call? I love you and I miss you and I want to talk to you, but it's my time with Goddess Leah. I promise we can talk as much as you want when I come over to your house."

There was silence on the other end of the call and Annabelle hoped that Naomi didn't take offense to the Shrinkee essentially taking Leah's side.

Naomi sighed, "I miss you too Poppy. Fine, I'll hang up, but I want this exact same treatment when you're with me, understand?"

"Yes Goddess!" Annabelle squeaked, relieved that it had worked. 

"And tell your other Goddess to pull that stick from her ass," Naomi quickly added before ending the call. 

Annabelle warily glanced at Leah, who still had her eyes closed. When she opened them, she turned her green orbs to Annabelle. Her face, still stern as ever, didn't change as she retrieved Annabelle from the cage. The Shrinkee forced herself not to squirm within Leah's tight grasp. 

Annabelle didn't know what Poppy had done when she had control over her body, but she figured it must've been pretty horrible for Leah to be acting the way she was.

Leah placed Annabelle onto her desk. Despite her apparent anger, the giantess was still gentle. Regardless, Annabelle withdrew under her gaze.

Leah moved swiftly as she did something that forced Annabelle's mouth to gape open. The giantess set her other hand onto the desk. She opened it, revealing a slightly disoriented warden. Although her face was red, and there was a damp layer of sweat across her pale skin, she was beaming so widely Annabelle wondered if her lips hurt.

Leah's steel gaze shifted to Annabelle, unnerving the Shrinkee. Annabelle couldn't remember the last time the giantess looked at her so coldly. 

"I brought Toe Jam here to give you a new perspective about belonging to me, but seeing as though you don't appreciate me enough to even listen to the single direction I gave you, I'm putting her in charge. She's going to make sure you don't talk to anyone else while I'm gone," Leah declared. 

Annabelle's mind was whirl. She had a million questions, but the only thing she could think to ask was, "Toe Jam?"

She furrowed her brow at the warden.  The warden, or rather Toe Jam, folded her muscular arms and cocked her head with a smug smile. 

Annabelle looked up questionably at Leah, but she was already making her way to leave. Annabelle glanced uneasily at Toe Jam. 

"Goddess?" Annabelle called to her. 

"I have things to take care of now. I'll be back," Leah said dryly, without turning back to look at Annabelle. The giantess left, closing the door loudly behind her. 

"Goodbye Mistress!" Toe Jam sang with a vicious smile. 

Annabelle's heart sank. Not only for being left alone with Toe Jam, but for being left at all. No matter what she did, the giantesses always treated her like a puppy that was still being housetrained—they were strict but still affectionate. Leah's behavior was a first for Annabelle.

YOU HAVE DISOBEYED YOUR GODDESS AND NOW SHE IS RE-EVALUATING YOUR WORTH. THE FAULT LIES WHOLLY WITH YOU IF SHE DISCARDS US.

Poppy's words hurt Annabelle more than she would ever admit. The Shrinkee bit at her thumbnail. 

"She wouldn't do that," Annabelle mumbled. Even though she said the words, she was still unsure. Leah had said all those things about "making sure she was the only option for her" but Annabelle was still rattled by the coldness in Leah's eyes. She'd never seen any of the giantesses treat her in such a way. 

Annabelle wanted to scream. Why did she even care? It was a good thing if Leah gave up on her. That would be one less giantess vying for ownership of her.

"Hey, I'm talking to you!" Toe Jam's irate voice cut through Annabelle's thoughts. 

Annabelle glanced at her. She was still wearing the same smug smile. 

"What?" Annabelle snapped. 

Toe Jam narrowed her brown eyes at Annabelle. "You made Mistress angry," she stated.

Annabelle rolled her eyes. She was going to snap again at her, but she realized she had information she needed.

Annabelle turned to her, "Hey, what did I...what happened in the conference room with the other Shrinkees?"

Toe Jam pursed her already thin lips. "What's wrong with you? Don't you remember?"

"No," Annabelle sighed.

Toe Jam regarded her with suspicion, "Why not?"

"Can you just tell me what happened?" Annabelle demanded.

"Only if you tell me why you can't remember what you said," Toe Jam retorted.

Annabelle ran her hands through her hair and groaned, "Why are you like this—"

Annabelle shook her head, cutting herself off. She relented. "I'm a Type 0 and the hormones sometimes fucks with my head," she answered quickly. 

"What's a Type 0?" Toe Jam asked. 

Annabelle turned to her in surprise. She scanned her face to see if she was being serious. When the blonde just stared at her, waiting for a response, Annabelle figured she was being earnest.

She started to explain, "So do you know how most people with HDD are categorized as Type 1?"

Toe Jam stared at her blankly, "What?" 

Annabelle blinked. She had to be screwing with her. Annabelle explained further, "People with HDD. Shrinkees—"

"Oh you mean bugs?" Toe Jam said. Annabelle was surprised to hear that Toe Jam's words weren't spoken with any kind of vitriol. She spoke as though she we genuinely asking.

"Shrinkees," Annabelle corrected, "Are not bugs. We are not bugs." 

Toe Jam frowned, "That's not what you said to the prisoners before." 

Annabelle straightened up, "What did I say—"

"Maybe that's why Mistress is angry with you. You're a liar," she said, her smug smile returning. 

"How am I a liar?" Annabelle snapped. 

"You told the prisoners all of these things about how Master Warren was the best person alive, and no one could compare to him. You talked about all of the ways he could kill them. It was shocking—even for me. You just went on and on until Mistress came. She looked so upset when she heard you talking about Master, but you just kept going. So either you're lying about Master being the best, or lying about Mistress being the best—either way, you're a liar," Toe Jam concluded. 

Annabelle grimaced. If Toe Jam was telling the truth, then Annabelle understood Leah being hurt. Annabelle wasn't exactly sure of Leah and her father's relationship, but she knew there was a weird power dynamic between the two of them. If Leah heard Poppy gushing over her father, then that would explain her reaction.

Annabelle found her stomach turning at the thought of Leah hearing Poppy's mad ravings. 

"You don't deserve an ounce of Mistress' attention," Toe Jam growled. 

Her words struck Annabelle deeper than she'd ever admit. The Shrinkee lashed back out, "You were up the governor's ass too!"

Toe Jam's arms dropped to her sides as her pale face turned almost transplant. Her eyes were wide, "I have never been anywhere close to Master's behind."

Annabelle blinked, perplexed, until she realized Toe Jam took her words literally. She would've laughed if she wasn't so angry. 

"I didn't mean you've actually been up his ass, I just meant that you basically worship the governor. The things you said about him to the Shrinkees were insane," she spat.

Toe Jam looked as though she were attempting to incinerate Annabelle with her eyes. In a flash, she was gripping Annabelle by her cowgirl fringes. Toe Jam was shorter than Annabelle, but she could easily feel the strength in Toe Jam's fingers as she gripped her. 

Toe Jam hissed, "I respect Master Warren, just like I respect all of my betters! But no one—no one—is more important to me than Mistress. That's the difference between us." Although she was a ball of fury, all Annabelle could think about when she looked at Toe Jam was how familiar she looked. 

Toe Jam shoved Annabelle, forcing the Shrinkee onto the surface of the desk. Annabelle grunted from the hard fall, but she'd been pushed much harder than that before.

"What the hell makes you so special?" Toe Jam suddenly shouted over her.

"What?" Annabelle asked, irritated. 

Toe Jam snarled at her, "Master said you were their most valuable property, and Mistress—even though she was so angry—so sad about what you said—she told me that I needed to protect you and talk about how great she is. She actually cares about what you think of her, and I don't understand that at all. Is it just because you're pretty? You're just a bug so why...?" 

Toe Jam pulled her leg back, as if she was going to kick Annabelle. The Shrinkee put her arms up to defend herself, but Toe Jam suddenly froze.

She dropped her leg and clenched her jaw, an expression of frustration spread across her features. 

"Mistress Leah said to protect," she grumbled. It sounded as though she were speaking to herself more than Annabelle.

Toe Jam plopped onto the floor next to Annabelle. She sat on her butt, with her knees pointed to the ceiling. Her arms draped over her knees and her head dropped slightly. Although Annabelle was still on alert from almost being kicked into unconsciousness, a part of her that she would never acknowledge out loud was overcome with relief from Toe Jam's words about Leah. She didn't want the giantesses' attention in capacity, but she'd be lying if she claimed her inner-child wasn't relieved at not having been abandoned.  

Toe Jam, on the other hand, appeared forlorn. 

Annabelle, still on her back, peeked at her with caution. She was able to get a better view of her badge. It was engraved with the letters B.S.A. Slowly, as if Toe Jam could change her mind and stomp her out at any second, Annabelle also sat up.

"So..." Annabelle started, inciting an annoyed groan from Toe Jam. She ignored her and continued, "What do you do for the giants—er your Mistresses and Masters?" 

Toe Jam briefly lifted her head for a moment to glare at Annabelle, before her gaze returned to the desk's surface. 

Annabelle wasn't sure if the blonde was going to answer her, when she grunted out, "I do whatever they tell me to do."

"When Governor Warren was talking about colonies what did he—"

"Enough!" She snapped, "You know Master Warren and Mistress Leah do not want you to know about that."

Annabelle frowned. It'd been worth a shot. She had her theories on what the colonies were, but their purpose is what stumped her—with the BSA they could literally be for anything.
A tense silence fell over them. Annabelle waited to see if Toe Jam would say anything else. When she didn't, Annabelle sighed and slumped back onto the ground. She gazed up at the ceiling miles and miles above them. 

After a few minutes of silence, Annabelle shifted to her side and propped her head up with her arm. She turned to the blonde Shrinkee and blurted out, "But really, what's your name?"

"What?" Toe Jam hissed, obviously annoyed that Annabelle had broken the moment's quiet.

"Your real name," Annabelle insisted, "What is it?"

"Toe Jam."

"But—"

"Toe Jam is the name my Mistress gave me. She said it suits me perfectly. It is a name I love, because it was the first thing my Mistress gave me. It is the only name I need."

Annabelle cringed. It was only natural that a Shrinkee's brain would crack from the reality of being surrounded by sociopaths, but Toe Jam was the first Shrinkee Annabelle had met that didn't actively acknowledge the hell that was life under the BSA's rule. 

Another bout of quiet covered them once more. Annabelle nearly jumped when Toe Jam broke it. 

"Has Mistress Leah given you a name?" She asked. Annabelle caught the haughtiness in her voice. Annabelle supposed she thought Poppy was her birthname. 

"Kind of? Not really," Annabelle answered.

Toe Jam sat up, scowling, "What do you mean, 'kind of'?" 

"Well Poppy is not the name I was born with, but Leah didn't give it to me. She is the one who decided that my real name 'didn't suit' me though," Annabelle noted.  

Toe Jam nodded approvingly, the jealously of Annabelle similarly being stripped of her identity by Leah must've subsided. 

She claimed, "Mistress Leah is very good at telling whether or not something is supposed to be something else. She has a great eye and an even better mind."

Annabelle let her head fall back onto the ground. "Are you sure you're not a Type 0, because you sound like you've already imprinted," she sighed.

"What?"

"Nevermind."

Toe Jam was quiet again, but she seemed to be wrestling with something. She finally blurted out, "I shouldn't be saying this, but if you have to chose between Master and Mistress, then choose Mistress. She is the best person in the world."

Annabelle didn't say anything to that, but Poppy did.

SHE IS RIGHT. OUR GODDESS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR US. SHE IS A SUPERIOR BEING. HER MIND. HER BODY. HER RUTHLESSNESS. SHE DESERVES OUR WORSHIP.

Annabelle shot up. "You little hypocrite!" She hissed, "You're the one who forced me to—"

"Who are you talking to?" Toe Jam barked. Her eyes were narrowed, but she looked startled. 

Annabelle ran a hand through her hair. "Nothing—no one," she grumbled. She lay back down and rolled to her side, away from Toe Jam. She could feel Toe Jam's eyes on her back.

Annabelle wrapped her arms around herself and squeezed her eyes shut. 

She had no right to judge Toe Jam. If they were comparing warped minds, then she beat her out of the park.

---

"Should I wake her up, Mistress?" Annabelle heard Toe Jam ask. Her voice was noticeably sweeter than it had been when speaking to Annabelle.

Annabelle kept her eyes closed. She wasn't ready to face whatever Leah had planned just yet.

"No, let her sleep for a few more minutes," Leah answered, "She doesn't typically sleep this well." 

Leah inquired, "Did you follow my instructions?" 

"Yes Mistress! I did. I told her how great you are and all of the obvious things, but Mistress..."

"Spit it out, Toe Jam."

"I think she's broken," Toe Jam admitted. Annabelle's stomach twisted. She had a feeling she knew what Toe Jam was referring to, but Annabelle really didn't want to hear how she was perceived by others. She considered "waking up," but Leah began to speak.

"I would choose my next words really carefully if I were you, Toe Jam," Leah replied coldly. 

"I-I just mean that she gets quiet and stares off at nothing," Toe Jam sputtered, "Plus, she talks to herself and yells at herself too."

"I know that already, we're working on something to help her," Leah said off-handedly. Annabelle had to remind herself to breathe. What the hell did that mean? Could the giantesses hear her when she spoke to Poppy? Annabelle figured that was impossible. They could barely hear her when she spoke in her normal volume—there was no way they could hear her muttering underneath her breath.  
Annabelle's flurry of thoughts were pierced when she felt pressure against her back. It took her a second to realized Leah was stroking her with her gigantic finger. The Shrinkee forced her muscles to relax and she leaned into the giantess' touching.

"Mistress?" Toe Jam squeaked. Annabelle didn't expect the vulnerability in her voice. 

"What?" Leah sighed.

"Why does she get to call you Goddess, when you never let me?" Toe Jam asked. Annabelle could barely hear her sullen voice. 

"You're certainly not comparing yourself to Poppy are you?" Leah questioned, the threat clearly in her voice.

"Of course not, Mistress!" Toe Jam backtracked. 

Leah sighed again. Her finger was still stroking Annabelle's back. 

"Think of it like this," Leah began, "I am your Mistress because I what?"

"Own me."

"Right. Now I own Poppy too, but what's the difference between a deity and a mistress?"

"A what?"

Leah sucked her tongue, annoyed. She rephrased the question, "What is the difference between a goddess and a mistress?"

After a few seconds, Toe Jam replied, "I'm sorry, mistress, I don't know."

Leah responded, "It's my fault, I keep forgetting who I'm talking to." Annabelle's heart hurt for Toe Jam. She would never get what she was looking for from Leah.

The giant co-ed continued, "A mistress owns life, but a goddess creates life. When you shrunk, nothing was created, just revealed. But when Poppy shrunk, everything about her was altered on a cellular lev—on a very detailed level," Leah rephrased again. "It was my device that shrunk her, I pressed the button; therefore, I created her. She is mine and I am her Goddess," Leah explained.  

"Oh."

"Don't pout, Toe Jam, we all have our roles, and you do yours just fine," Leah said.

"Thank you Mistress!"

Annabelle knew it was time to end the charade. She knew Leah's psyche was fucked, but Annabelle hadn't expected her to think that she actually was responsible for her existence. 

She didn't want to hear any more. Annabelle pretended to stir. She slowly lifted her head from the ground. Her newly opened eyes found Leah staring at her from above as she sat at the desk. There was warmth in her green eyes, but her face held the same stern expression as before. 

"Did you sleep well, Poppy?" Leah asked. 

Annabelle rubbed her eyes, "Yes Goddess." She could feel Toe Jam's glare. The Shrinkee hoped Leah wouldn't notice. She didn't want any more guilt burdening her.

"Poppy, do you remember how I told you that while you were here, you would get to decide what to do?" Leah questioned. 

Annabelle nodded tentatively, not understanding what Leah leading to. The giantess' eyes seemed to pierce through her. 

"Choose carefully, Poppy," she advised.

Annabelle watched curiously as Leah reached into her lap and raised a small object in between her thumb and finger. Wordlessly, she handed it to Toe Jam. Once it was in Toe Jam's hands, Annabelle was able to see that it was a wooden box. 

Leah nodded towards Annabelle, indicating to Toe Jam that she wanted her to give Annabelle the box. Toe Jam grimaced but did what Leah commanded of her. Begrudgingly, Toe Jam trudged over to Annabelle. 

She glanced at Leah, who nodded again. Toe Jam's scowl deepened and she opened the box, presenting what was inside to Annabelle.

The Shrinkee leaned forward to see the box's contents.  It looked to be an accessory of sort—an expensive looking one at that. It was some kind of neckwear.

Annabelle ran her fingers along its material. It was leather, with a large silver metal circle dangling from its center. There were words engraved in the metal. She read them and gasped. 

POPPY—PROPERTY OF LEAH WINDSOR 

Suddenly, Annabelle withdrew her fingers from the box as if it had burned her. Her stomach dropped. She finally realized what it was. 

Toe Jam craned her neck to also see. Her face darkened when she read the words. Her neck snapped up as she glowered at Annabelle.

Annabelle took a step back. With her eyes wide, she couldn't tear her gaze away from the box. It was as though all of her nightmares had physically manifested into the perfect symbol of her fear. 

"A-A collar? You want to collar me?" Annabelle squeaked. She looked up at Leah, horrified. 

Leah peered down at her with an even expression. "What's your decision, Poppy?" She asked.

Annabelle frantically shook her head. "D-Decision? I can't wear that. How could you ask me to wear that?" She yelped. 

Leah sighed and abruptly stood up. Annabelle's eyes were forced to the movement of the colossal co-ed. 

"I knew what you would do Poppy, and yet I'm still disappointed," she muttered. 

APOLOGIZE TO OUR GODDESS. DO IT NOW. BEG FOR HER FORGIVENESS.    

"I will not wear a collar," Annabelle breathed. 

Leah pushed her desk chair in roughly, causing Annabelle and Toe Jam to collide with the desk's surface. Leah loomed over the desk. Her massive form towering over Annabelle like the goddess she claimed to be. 

"I warned you Poppy," she said, "If you want to be stubborn, then fine—I can handle stubborn." With that she stormed out of the room, her footsteps shook the desk with each angry foot fall. Annabelle flinched as the door slammed behind the giantess. 

Annabelle looked after Leah in disbelief. There was no way she was actually angry with her for turning down a collar. 

Annabelle's confusion was heightened as her face exploded with pain when something suddenly collided with her forehead. 
She was thrown back onto the desk's surface. She heard something clatter next to her. The pulsating pain in her head made it difficult to think. When she opened her eyes, her right eye was obscured by blood gushing down from her head.

Through her impaired vision she could see Toe Jam seething. She panted with fury. Annabelle glanced down next to her and saw the box the collar had been held in. The Shrinkee easily put two and two together.

Before she could defend herself, Toe Jam sprinted over to her. The blonde grabbed the box and jumped onto Annabelle's body in one fluid motion. Annabelle desperately attempted to get up, but Toe Jam was too heavy.

"You!" She screamed, hitting Annabelle's head with the box, "Are," she struck her again, "Ungrateful!" Annabelle's vision was full of white dots. She didn't know what was up or down. She just wanted to vomit. The pain was disorienting. 

"She gave you everything and you just threw it back at her!" Toe Jam shrieked in Annabelle's face. The Type 0 Shrinkee could feel Toe Jam's spittle as it sprayed onto her face. 

At some point she must've dropped the box, because Toe Jam just started punching her in the head with her bare fists. It wasn't the hardest Annabelle had been punched, but it came pretty close. Annabelle groaned. Toe Jam wasn't even giving her the opportunity for her to beg her to stop. Annabelle wondered if she was actually trying to kill her. Hit after hit, Toe Jam wasn't stopping.
Annabelle prayed to go unconscious, but the darkness wouldn't take her. 

Then it happened. 

The blonde suddenly slumped over. Annabelle blinked. The way she'd stopped had been too abrupt to have been natural.

Toe Jam fell over to her side, colliding onto the desk's surface. A figure stood behind her, holding the box she'd originally used to beat her with. 

Annabelle could barely see through her swollen eyes, but her ears were still working adequately. A familiar voice called out to her.

"Annabelle don't move."

Annabelle could've cried if her head didn't feel like it was going to peel open. 

"Byte?"

Standing above her was Byte, holding the box that he'd apparently used to render Toe Jam unconscious. 

He was immediately on the move. He bent down and grabbed Toe Jam. He dragged her a few yards away from Annabelle. She couldn't see very well with the blood and the inflamed tissue obscuring her vision, but Annabelle thought she could see Byte pull some kind of rag out of a knapsack he carried. He began to wipe Toe Jam's face and hands. 

Annabelle couldn't begin to guess what he was doing, but she found it difficult to work her mouth.

She attempted anyway, "B...Byte, what are you—"

Byte didn't even look away from Toe Jam. "I said don't move," he barked. Annabelle would've flinched if she could move that much.

Although she could hardly see, Annabelle easily witnessed the intense regret fill Byte's face.

"I'm sorry," he apologized quickly, "It's just...I'm disobeying orders by doing this." 

Annabelle had more questions, but Byte turned back to Toe Jam. After he thoroughly wiped her. Byte reached into his knapsack. He pulled out a bag that he deposited the used wipes into. 

He finally turned his attention to Annabelle. His face darkened when he looked at her. 

"Annabelle..." He whispered, his voice full of sorrow and anger. 

Annabelle was embarrassed that he was seeing her in such a state, but she couldn't help but feel happy hearing someone use her name. 

Byte reached into his knapsack and pulled out two large gloves and a mask. He put them on and bent down next to Annabelle.

Gently, as though he was afraid she would break, Byte began to wipe Annabelle's face.

"W...What—"

"Don't speak," Byte said, much more softly than before. "I know you have questions, Annabelle, but I'm not even supposed to be doing this."

Annabelle looked up at him as he stroked her face. His brown eyes were sadder than the last time they'd met. 

He met her gaze. He stared at her in silence before continuing to wipe her. 

"W...Why did you..."

"Your blood, Annabelle. You can't let anyone touch your blood—any one who isn't a giant at least. It's not safe," he said. 

Annabelle looked up at him, puzzled.

"I can't get into it right now, but please remember what I said about the blood," he asserted.

After a moment, Byte sighed and glanced back at Toe Jam. 

"Protocol is that I kill her," he stated. 

Annabelle's eyes widened as much as they could. 

"Don't worry I'm not," he insisted, "I don't think I could even...anyway I don't think any blood got into her system."

Byte grimaced, "I'm not even supposed to be making contact with you, but I couldn't just let her...well if I'm found out then I'll use the blood thing as an excuse."  

Annabelle blinked as she remembered something pivotal. 

"B-Byte...there are colonies—"

Byte smiled down at her—at least she thought it was a smile behind his mask. "I know, Annabelle. That's why I'm here. I was doing recon," he explained. 

Annabelle's mouth began to regain some of its functions. "What did you find out?" She questioned.

Byte's smile fell. "It's better if you don't know. It's not...great, plus it might put you and the mission at risk. The Commander has actually ordered that no one in the Resistance contact you for now," he revealed.

Annabelle's heart sank, "Does she think I'm a traitor or untrustworthy or—"

Byte quickly shook his head, "No! No, of course not. She's just...deciding on how to handle you—I mean your situation. I told her that you two should just meet, but it's not my place to..." he sighed trailing off. He looked down at Annabelle's face, "Wow, you heal so fast," he noted, changing the subject. Annabelle was so tired, she let him.

"Do I look like a puffer fish? Because I feel like one," she joked.

Byte replied, "I don't know what a puffer fish is, but if it's cute then sure." 

Annabelle laughed, but she could've sworn that she felt his hands tremble a bit.

Despite his unsteady hands, Byte continued to wipe Annabelle clean. After he finished, he disposed of the wipes in the same bag he had placed the wipes he'd used on Toe Jam. 

Annabelle began to feel the exhaustion the day's events had brought. She pushed past it. She still had things she wanted to say to Byte.

She grabbed his forearm, surprising him. "Byte, thanks for following through with creating Briggs' digital trail. The Abbots believed it, so we're in the clear," she praised. Framing the suit for attempting to kidnap her had been her idea, but Annabelle never would've been able to pull it off without Byte's technical prowess. 

Byte nodded, "No problem, the guy was an jerk—well they're all jerks, but this guy was really bad." 

Annabelle giggled. It felt good to laugh, but the familiar sensation of dread crept up quickly. They stayed quiet for a while, before Annabelle admitted softly, "I'm trying really hard to hold on, but I'm scared Byte. I'm afraid I'm going to lose myself."

Byte frowned, "What are you talking about?"

Tears flooded Annabelle's eyes. "I think I'm going crazy," she whispered. 

"Annabelle..."

"It's just too much, Byte. It's too much all the time. Everyone either hates me or is trying to get me to turn into a monster. I have no one. I'm alone," she whimpered. 

"You're not alone!" Byte insisted, "You have the Commander."

Annabelle shot him a look of doubt. She sniffed, "I've never even met her." 

A strange expression passed over Byte's face. His face was scrunched up. He shook his head, "Fine, you have me! I promise I won't let you fight against them alone."

Annabelle's lip quivered, "You promise?"

Byte nodded fervently, "Most definitely."

Annabelle's eyes closed, but she forced them back open. Talking to Byte was the most normal she felt in a long time.

"Just sleep, Annabelle. I promise I'll come visit you," he assured.

Annabelle fought against the heaviness of her eyelids, "I thought you said it's against protocol."

Byte pulled down his mask, revealing his toothy grin. "It's only breaking protocol if they catch me," he quipped.

Annabelle laughed as her eyes closed. "Okay, but please visit soon," she said. 

"Of course. Sweet dreams, Annabelle." 

Annabelle heard the light footsteps of his feet as Byte raced off to a world Annabelle knew nothing about. But he'd be back.

He'd promised.