the ring (part 2)

[part 2]

Kate didn't really feel like spending any more time with this woman. On the other hand, the prospect of being repaid for her work was more than enticing, so she decided to postpone her plans for a lazy afternoon. "Sure, tea sounds good." 

She followed her to the kitchen, and noticed how her footprints had become much less intense now. She cringed at the fact that some of that sweat was now on her shirt and on her back, but decided it was best not to think about it. The kitchen was nothing short of amazing, just like the other room. How could she afford all of this luxury? Ms G took a jar containing dried, brownish leaves, and put some water to boil. They chatted for a while, and Kate grew increasingly curious about what kind of a job the woman did that allowed to live like that, but couldn't get herself to ask. The conversation kept its generic tones until the water boiled. 

"It's a shame that i couldn't get the ring for you" Kate pretended to be actually sorry, but it was just a way of returning to the fact that she couldn't wait to know what the woman was going to give her in return. "Ah yes. such a waste. I guess you're not small enough to fit under there" ms G took two opaque black cups. She then stopped in her thoughts, and said something extremely weird "I know it sounds silly, but if there was actually a way of making you smaller, would you do it for me?". It was a silly question, but there was something off about it. Kate thought about an answer for a while, and considered the fact that her wealthy neighbor had been willing to give her a pair of the most expensive shoes she'd ever seen just like that, for something she didn't even do. So she decided it was better to just say yes to whatever silly question she asked. "Yeah, why not" she answered casually. It wasn't like she could actually shrink anybody.

Ms G smiled, then took another jar containing slightly different leaves from a completely different cupboard. Kate didn't think too much of it, and watched as the woman expertly prepared the drinks. She seemed even more meticulous while preparing Kate's tea for some reason. She carefully measured the quantity before putting the leaves in the water "Let it sit for three minutes" ms G said as she gave the steaming cup to the girl. She didn't even ask if she wanted any sugar, but Kate didn't feel like asking it herself.

They chatted for a while, during which time Kate finally asked ms G what job she had. She was just too curious to know about the woman's wealth. The answer was rather disappointing "I invested at the right moment, i guess. Now i can spend more time doing what i want" said the gorgeous woman while sipping her tea.

"Well, i really got to go now" said Kate as she took the last sip. She really didn't want to spend any more time away from her couch, and the perspective of a reward was getting very far. "What do you mean?" the older woman asked, surprised. "Aren't you going to help me with the ring?". Kate was confused. "Ms G, we tried" she answered, while thinking that the woman was such a boomer. "I know, but since you said you'd be willing to get small... You know, i thought we were doing this right now." Kate had to think twice about the sentence. She couldn't possibly mean what she said. What the hell was that supposed to mean "Get small?" It wasn't like she could actually shrink her to do something like that, right? "Besides" the woman interrupted her train of thought "It should take effect any minute now".  

The initial confusion quickly turned to shock. "What should take effect now?" Kate asked, nearly panicking. "I thought you said it was ok for you" ms G said with a smile on her face. "Don't worry, it's not the end of the world" she said, trying to reassure the hyperventilating girl. "Can you actually shrink people?" Kate's voice was notably cracking. "Yes... Well no. It's not i did anything. It's the tea you drank. But see for yourself!" ms G pointed at Kate's body, who actually gasped out loud when she noticed that her tank top was way looser than she remembered. "You... You can't be serious" she tried to stand, but her shoes were too large for her and she almost tripped over them. "How do you stop this?!" she practically screamed, while comically trying to get rid of her tank top. "Well, it's too late for that" was the horrifying response. "But don't worry, it's not like i'm going to hurt you!".

Kate's heart rate increased dramatically. She was breathing uncontrollably. Ms G was already quite taller than she was, but now she literally towered over her figure, and she was getting bigger by the second. Up to a minute ago, Kate would have never believed that somebody could actually shrink like in old timey cartoons, but that was exactly what was happening to her. She could now see the underside of the table, a detail that often goes unnoticed when visiting somebody's house, but was perfectly visible to her at her actual height. She wanted to call the police, to run away from that place, but all she could do was stand there in disbelief as she dwindled visibly.

[continue...]