GTS Syndrome Vol 2 Ch 10: Penelope Out Of Control!

(Braden) I barely had time to react. One moment, Penelope's massive hand was descending toward me like a meteor; the next, I was diving to t

(Braden)

I barely had time to react.

One moment, Penelope's massive hand was descending toward me like a meteor; the next, I was diving to the side, narrowly avoiding being flattened. The impact of her hand hitting the ground sent a shockwave that blasted me backward, tumbling me through the air like a ragdoll. I landed hard, skidding across the dirt and rocks, finally coming to a stop several dozen feet away.

Groaning, I pushed myself into a crouch, my body aching from the unexpected flight. Looking up, I saw Penelope towering over me, her red eyes glowing ominously in the night.

"Oh, look how cute you look down there," she said with a twisted smile. "You shouldn't move, little man. All I want to do is break your arms and legs."

Her words sent a chill down my spine. This wasn't the Penelope I knew. She was enjoying this, relishing in my helplessness. I had to do something.

As her hand shot toward me again, I leaped to the side, but the force of her movement created another gust that hurled me into a nearby rock. Pain shot through my back as I collided with the stone, but I forced myself to stand.

Penelope brought her hand to her chin, gazing up at the stars. "I think I'm going to wear you around my neck," she mused. "You'd make a lovely good luck charm."

Her smile widened. "Don't worry about becoming a cripple. I'll take care of you, give you a life most men could only dream of."

Anger flared within me. I drew my emerald sword, its blade gleaming in the firelight.

I didn't run. Maybe I should've. Maybe any sane man would have. But when someone you care about suddenly turns into a monster, something inside you flips. I wasn't going to just lie down and be turned into some... necklace.

Penelope loomed above, red eyes shining through the dark like bloody moons. That smile of hers, wide and maddening, made my skin crawl.

"So you want to play with me, huh?" Penelope licked her lips. "That's fine by me."

She leaned down, pointing her massive fingernail at me. "Come on."

I charged, swinging my sword at her nail. The blade clanged against it, but it was like striking steel. She pressed down, forcing me back with sheer strength.

The force almost knocked me over, but I dug in. My boots slid back in the dirt, knees shaking as I gritted my teeth and held the sword in both hands, pushing with everything I had.

"Gonna have to try harder than that, Pen!" I shouted.

"Oh, I am just getting started," she cooed.

She pressed harder. My sword screeched against her nail as sparks flew. The weight was immense—it felt like holding back a boulder with a toothpick. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but I didn't let go. I couldn't. My arms trembled, sweat dripped from my brow, and I shouted again, rallying every ounce of strength I had.

And still, she smiled.

"Why are you even fighting?" she asked sweetly. "You know how this ends."

I roared and twisted the blade, trying to angle it to slip beneath her nail, maybe pierce the sensitive skin—but she flicked her finger slightly, shifting the pressure. I slipped.

CLANG!

The sword spun from my grasp and clattered to the ground several feet away.

"NO!" I cried, reaching for it, but too late.

Penelope leaned in closer, crouching over me like a hunter over cornered prey. Her lips curled into a delighted smirk as I dropped to my knees, panting, arms numb.

"You really are adorable when you try."

I knew she was toying with me. If she wanted me dead, she could have ended this already.

With a flick of her finger, she sent me rolling across the ground. My chest felt heavy, my breathing labored.

I lay there, staring up at the night sky, wondering what had happened to the Penelope I once knew.

I didn't have time to think, to blink, to breathe.

One second I was on my knees, chest heaving from the fight—and the next, Penelope's fingers were around my torso. Thumb and forefinger. Just two fingers. That's all she needed to grab me like a bug.

"Don't worry," she said, voice soft like silk but somehow more terrifying than a scream. "I'll make it quick."

"Wait, what—?" was all I could spit out before I felt it.

Her right hand reached out and took hold of my left arm. Gently. Carefully. Like someone unwrapping a gift. But there was nothing gentle about the pressure building in that grip.

"Pen, c'mon—! This isn't you!" I thrashed, kicked, twisted my body like some kind of crazed fish. My feet kicked at her thumb, my free hand slapped at her massive fingers. Nothing. I was a toy in her grasp. My shoulder screamed, nerves flaring. The pressure increased—more, more—like my arm was a twig between stones.

"Penelope! Please!" I shouted, staring up at her.

And I saw it.

That smile was still there—still wide, still cracked and mad—but her eyes... her eyes trembled. A shimmer behind the red. They weren't filled with anger. They were full of something else.

Confusion? Hurt?

She tilted her head slightly, like she was hearing something I couldn't. Her smile wavered—but only for a second.

Then she started shaking her head. A soft, slow motion. Not angry—just... unsure.

"Nngh..." she murmured, blinking fast.

The red faded from her eyes like blood draining from glass. Bit by bit, her pupils cleared, her expression softened. She looked down at me—and suddenly, it wasn't the terrifying giantess again.

It was Penelope.

"Braden?" she said quietly. "A-Are you okay?"

She let go of my arm instantly, her fingers releasing me like I was made of glass. I stumbled back and fell on my butt, breathing like I'd just run a marathon. My arm throbbed—no bones broken, but it felt like she'd nearly dislocated my shoulder.

She looked down at me, eyes wide, mouth open slightly like she'd just woken up from a nightmare she wasn't sure was real.

I didn't say anything at first. I couldn't. I just sat there and scooted myself back across the dirt, one weak push at a time.

Penelope didn't move.

She looked... shattered.

But all I could feel was fear.

And not just a little. Not the kind of fear you laugh off later or bury under some witty comeback. No, this was deep-rooted, bone-chilling, makes-your-blood-cold fear.

Because I'd seen it again—that side of her. That same red-eyed version from the first night we met. The one that stomped bandits like bugs and laughed while doing it. And this time, I was the bug.

This time, I almost didn't make it.

My heart pounded in my chest, my breath shaky. I wanted to say something. Anything.

But the words didn't come.

All I could do was stare.

And for the first time since we started this journey—I didn't see my protector. I saw a threat.

And I didn't know what scared me more.

The monster Penelope could become...

...or the part of her that didn't want to stop it.