The Shrinker

CHAPTER EIGHT (PART-2)

Locking herself in a cubicle in the girls bathrooms, Jamie sat on a closed seat.

She'd made sure she was alone in the bathroom, which had just three cubicles and three sinks within its narrow box-like space. She couldn't hear a sound outside the door, making the place eerily quiet.

Ok Trudy, tell me straight. It's been two days. Why didn't you tell me when we first spoke how dangerously unstable this power...or you, could be?

You didn't ask about that then, simple as that. Nor did a situation arise until now where I felt it necessary to tell you.

Are you fucking joking? There were several times that day when I was pissed off enough to feel the power flowing inside me. When those bitches killed the squabs in front of me. When my uncle went mad on booze. I could've easily shrunk them if either had gone on any further. What was the difference between those moments and the one five minutes ago?

Simple; there were plenty of witnesses in the canteen who would've seen you shrink your classmates. We would've been forever exposed. If your uncle or those two girls had shrunk, who would've known?

Jamie felt an icy chill, Please tell me you're not implying what I think you are. Did you...actually WANT me to shrink them?

I didn't say that. I'm saying I don't care whether you do or don't shrink people, long as we're not discovered doing it. I believe I DID tell you what happens to other people or life forms isn't my problem. My only concern is for our well-being. Did you think I was joking?

Far from being reassured, Jamie felt her skin crawl and her flesh creep at the thought she may have a heartless monster stuck inside her forever, You...you can't be serious. If they DID shrink, how was I meant to explain to anyone why they'd shrunk to the size of insects?

Must I explain everything? All you'd need to do is swiftly dispose of them and shrink the bodies further to effortlessly hide the evidence. Sure their disappearances would be strange and suspicion might arise, but long as you keep me a secret, there'd never be any proof of you committing any wrongdoing.

WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM? I'M NOT FUCKING KILLING ANYONE!

I'm afraid I don't understand what you're getting so upset about, Jamie. I've seen enough of your memories and thoughts over the years to know you despise Emilia, Isabella AND your uncle with a passion. Don't try to pretend you haven't imagined them coming to a sticky end or that you haven't wished they'd disappear. Well now you have me for that, don't you? Anytime they try to hurt, bully, taunt or abuse you, you could just do away with them. Even Gabriella- -

I'M SAID I'M NOT FUCKING KILLING ANYONE, SO DROP IT MONSTER!

...Suit yourself. As I said, it makes no odds to me whether you do or don't shrink them, long as we're safe. I'm not human, so you can't expect me to feel empathy or compassion for other humans. As for you, I'd be most interested to see if your self-righteous moral high ground stays solid the next time you're on the wrong end of their abuse.

I said drop it! Now leave me alone for a bit, I need to think. In private!

To Jamie's relief there was no response and she felt as if her head had gotten lighter. Jamie focused upon her next plan of action; being able to completely control her power full-time. For that, she'd need to practice drawing it out and restraining it whenever each was required. She'd also need to test the actual use of her power.

Jamie concluded she'd use disposable objects nobody would miss as targets for practicing and harnessing her shrinking abilities. But buying them on a regular basis would be too expensive, as she couldn't un-shrink anything.