Turned Upside Down

Chapter 8

Mason's fingers slowly curled around Evan again, this time with a gentler, cautious grip that would ensure he couldn't topple off. Even so, the experience was overwhelming, making Evan's heart pound frantically against his chest. As Mason moved his hand close to his chest, Evan felt himself sway within the vast confines of his friend's hand. The subtle motion of Mason's fingers adjusting around him, the faint tightening and loosening as Mason instinctively worked to keep him steady and not squeeze too hard, created a dizzying sensation, as if he were riding on a boat in choppy waters.

Evan's stomach lurched, seemingly left far behind as Mason rose swiftly from his crouched position beside the bed to his full 6'1 height and began moving, heading for the bedroom door without hesitation. Each step felt like a jolt, sending vibrations up Mason's muscled arm and right through Evan's body, rippling through him from his feet to his head. The shift in momentum with every stride was both thrilling and sickening, leaving him light-headed and gripping Mason's fingers as best he could for some sense of stability. Mason's breathing, steady and rhythmic, surrounded him like a warm breeze, almost comforting despite his unease.

At last, Mason sank onto the couch in the living room, his large frame settling into the cushions with a soft, familiar creaking sound that felt like a distant rumble to Evan. The abrupt stop sent one last wave of disorientation through him, and he took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the swirling nausea and working to blink away the dizziness. Mason's grip remained secure but tender, his fingers gently encircling Evan in a warm enclosure, and Evan could feel his friend's pulse—a steady, powerful beat that felt like a grounding force, keeping him steady even as he was utterly dwarfed by the hand around him.

Mason stared down at Evan, a flicker of amazement and wonder still bright in his eyes. He didn't release Evan onto the couch cushion; he seemed unable to let go, too entranced by the surreal experience of holding his tiny friend, the weight and warmth of Evan's small form resting in his comparatively huge palm. Mason's fingers flexed slightly, almost unconsciously, like he was trying to memorize the feeling of Evan's presence through touch alone. His gaze was tender, a mixture of curiosity and care as he peered down at Evan.

Evan could feel Mason's thumb resting gently against his side, a slight, warm pressure that conveyed his friend's presence in an undeniable, almost comforting way. It was as if Mason was reassuring himself that Evan was real, that this wasn't some illusion or figment of his imagination. As Evan shakily held Mason's eye contact, a look of quiet awe crossed Mason's face, as though he were beholding something impossibly precious.

Mason finally broke the silence, his deep voice softened with concern but tinged with genuine wonder. "Evan... what happened? I mean, how... how did this even start?" He tilted his head slightly, bringing his other hand up to rest gently beneath the one holding Evan, almost as if to cradle him more securely.

Evan swallowed, still feeling a bit dizzy, but Mason's attentiveness steadied him. "It... it started a couple of days ago," Evan began, his voice small yet clear. "The first time was out of nowhere. I was just sitting on my couch, and then... it happened. I felt this warmth in my chest, like a wave washing over me. My fingers tingled, and before I knew it, I was... well, like this."

Mason nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving Evan as he listened intently, his eyes searching for any clue in his friend's expression that might help explain this strange phenomenon. "And then what?" he prompted gently, his thumb instinctively adjusting its position, brushing lightly against Evan's side in a reassuring motion.

Evan took a shaky breath and looked away from Mason, trying to push past the odd sensation of being so small, held so easily within someone's hand. "I... I was terrified. I couldn't do anything. I just waited until it wore off. I eventually grew back to normal pretty soon after, and I thought... maybe it was just a weird one-time thing." He shook his head, his voice tinged with frustration. "But then, it happened again. Yesterday...while we were playing games together. I shrank right in the middle of our call, and I was stranded in my room until the sun came up."

Mason's brow furrowed, his concern deepening as he absorbed Evan's words. "So it's just... random? No warning? You just shrink, and then—what, you have to wait it out?"

Evan nodded, feeling a surge of relief in finally telling someone. "Yeah, exactly. I don't even know how long it'll last each time. It's like... being at the mercy of some unknown force." He looked up, again meeting Mason's gaze, his voice soft but intense. "I didn't want to tell anyone because I thought no one would believe me. But..." Evan paused, gesturing to himself, "It's real, Mason. And it's terrifying. I have no control over it."

Mason's fingers tensed around Evan slightly, as if his instinct was to protect him from the invisible force that had shrunk him in the first place. He exhaled slowly, his face a mix of worry and determination. "Evan... you don't have to deal with this alone. Whatever this is, we'll figure something out, okay?" His voice was firm, a steady reassurance that seemed to cut through Evan's fear.

Evan nodded, feeling a faint smile tug at the corners of his mouth. Mason's words filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt since the shrinking had begun. The idea that someone else knew, that he wasn't completely alone in this bizarre, uncontrollable reality, was a comfort he hadn't realized he needed so desperately.

Mason's thumb brushed over Evan's side again, a comforting, gentle movement that Evan was slowly recognizing as his friend's way of silently promising he would keep him safe. "Whatever it takes," Mason continued, his eyes softening as he looked down at Evan. "We'll find out what's going on, and we'll get you through this. No matter how many times this happens."

Evan felt his chest tighten—not with the unsettling warmth he'd come to fear, but with a gratitude so profound it almost brought tears to his eyes. For the first time since the shrinking began, he truly believed he could face this mystery, as long as Mason was there to help him.