Muppens corner

I really love @bonkalore X-Men art and AU. It really inspired me, but I know squat about the X-Men. So, I decided to come up with these characters and story. Hope you enjoy! I'm really excited to continue making this. Huge shout-out to @bonkalore for their artwork that inspired this.

The next time he met with the doctor, Jeremy told her he'd like to join the program. What Chris had said had… resonated to say the least. He couldn't stop replaying their conversation in his head, the sincerity in his voice, the heartfelt look on his face… his face in general, which kept resurfacing randomly throughout his day.

Doctor Okafor's face had lit up. She was practically bouncing up and down as she escorted herself out to make a call. He hadn't seen her or Chris since, though it had only been a day, so maybe he shouldn't have been worried.

Early the next morning, he heard the metal doors screech open and the clicking of heels. Doctor Okafor stepped into his line of sight, followed by Chris. Jeremy's heart skipped a beat, probably just because he was excited about any sort of company.

"Good morning," Chirped the doctor, drumming her fingers across her clipboard. That was new, "Have an okay rest?"

He shrugged, "I guess", best that I can on a cold, concrete floor.

"Good. Well, I am pleased to let you know that we've started preparations for you."

"Preparations?"

"For you to enter the program, " She looked down at her clipboard, "On that matter, that is actually why we're here."

He vaguely nodded, "Okay…"

She handed her clipboard to Chris and stepped closer. It continued to unnerve Jeremy just how… well, small people looked. It was like they weren't even real.

The doctor dug into her coat's pocket and pulled out a ball of something. "Now, we've got just about everything we need and are currently in the process of getting things set up for you. The only matter we have yet to get started on is acquiring adequate clothes for you."

Jeremy's cheeks flared with warmth. Oh… that.

He had avoided thinking back on when it had happened. For one, he could barely remember any of it, and he also saw no use in dwelling upon it. The one thing he had taken note of and was grateful for was the fact that the clothes he had been wearing had somehow grown with him. He had absolutely no idea how that worked (or how any of this worked), but he had resigned himself to simply count his blessings.

It hadn't occurred to him that he wouldn't be able to wear his current outfit for the rest of his life until now. Wait, did his clothes smell bad? Did he smell bad? His eyes flicked over to Chris, searching his miniature face for any indication.

"Thankfully," continued the doctor, snapping his attention back onto her, "We have almost everything we need to get started on that. All we need now is some measurements." She unraveled the wadded-up ball, revealing it as a tape measure.

Jeremy raised a brow, "Uhh… how do you plan to get those when…" he glanced down the length of his body, grimacing, "When I'm like this?"

Doctor Okafor's smile faltered, letting out a nervous laugh, "Well, we wouldn't need much from you other than your consent for me to touch you and some adjustments where needed. Other than that, it shouldn't be too difficult."

He gulped, "Oh… uhh… okay, umm…" he shrugged, "Go ahead then."

"Alright." She approached him, stopping before a torso over twice as wide as she was tall. Jeremy could barely wrap his mind around the fact that it belonged to him.

The doctor slipped off her heels and called over her shoulder, "Chris, could you get the ladder?"

His stomach gave an uncomfortable jerk, ladder?

Chris hurried off. Jeremy looked down at the doctor, having to awkwardly tuck in his chin to see her at this angle, "What's the ladder for?"

"Oh well, I don't want to discredit my climbing abilities, but better safe than sorry."

His eyes widened, struggling to fully process her words. Wait… was she going to have to…

"Are… are you going to have to climb on me?"

Her smile fell, seeming to sense something was off, "If you are uncomfortable with me doing this, that's okay. We can workshop some different ideas if you'd rather."

Jeremy looked up at the ceiling, his throat tightening. The idea of someone on him, climbing him, and having to keep safety in mind?! This was insane. It's not that he was uncomfortable, just… curious… concerned? How is someone supposed to feel about people scaling your body like a landmass?

He sighed, trying to ground himself. How else were they supposed to do it? He was… he kind of was the equivalent of a land mass now, probably should get used to being treated as one.

"No, it's fine." He moaned, "I'll uh… I'll try and hold still."

The doctor gave him a reassuring smile right as Chris returned with the ladder, "Alright, if at any point though if you're uncomfortable and want me to stop, just let me know."

He nodded.

Chris brought the ladder over and set it up so it led right up to him. He held it steady while the doctor climbed on and up. When she reached the top, she glanced at Jeremy. He lowered his head to stare up at the ceiling and just nodded again.

He felt a featherlight weight on the edge of his stomach. A chill ran down his spine as he was able to distinctly feel two tiny feet step onto him. It just felt so… so weird. He knew it was a person, but he struggled to wrap his mind around the idea. Like… someone was standing on him! standing on him, and he barely felt it. Well, weight-wise, he barely felt anything.

The doctor began to walk along his belly. Jeremy seized up, not mentally prepared for it. It felt like some sort of large bug or rodent was crawling on him. To think it was a human!

To his horror, the doctor gasped and froze. Shit.

"You okay, Jeremy?" she called. God, it was so weird hearing her voice coming from on top of his stomach.

"Uh, yeah," he mumbled, "Just… this is so weird."

He let out a nervous chuckle.

The doctor stumbled and, by the feel of it, fell forward onto her hands and knees. Jeremy froze. Oh God… did… did I cause that? All I did was chuckle!

He raised his head and peered down at his stomach. "Are you alright, doctor?"

There she was, on top of him, just a miniature person surrounded by him. She rose with every breath he took, which was, unfortunately, a bit panicked at the moment. Jeremy held his breath, guilt stirring inside him.

The doctor got to her feet, "I'm just fine, "She assured, waving him off.

Jeremy slowly exhaled, pink in the face and his guts writhing inside him. he laid his head back down. Okay, calm down, for her sake.

She crossed his stomach, and he felt her fingers fiddle against him. She called out a number to Chris before standing back up and starting up his body.

Jeremy tracked her movements, breathing as slowly and evenly as possible. He just couldn't get over the feeling of another human literally walking all over him!

He glanced down as she scaled his chest, stopping to take a measurement right around his pecs. She walked even further up, and Jeremy had to stifle a gasp as she stepped onto the base of his neck.

She began working to measure his shoulders. As she did, he nervously glanced to his side. Chris stood a ways away, clutching the doctor's clipboard close to himself. His stomach sank. God, what did this even look like? Ridiculous, probably.

The doctor called out his shoulder measurement (a number that shouldn't have been possible, yet here they were) and added, "Chris! Could you come over? I need some help with a few of these."

His blood went cold, while his face went beet red. What?

He turned and looked at Chris, who was hesitantly making his way over. Wait wait wait wait! Was Chris getting on him?! No, no, wait!

"Are you alright, Jeremy?" asked the doctor.

"Y-yeah," he sputtered, "Perfectly fine."

"Are you sure? Your heart beat has-"

"I'm fine!" He snapped, a little too loudly. He was fine, totally fine. He was just… just… nervous about the idea of another person on top of him. Yeah, that was it.

The doctor must have shrugged it off and returned her attention to Chris, "Alright, climb up the ladder. I'm going to hand you the other end of this."

She hurried down his torso. Jeremy almost flinched, feeling a tickling sensation as she scampered across him. He glanced down at Chris approaching the ladder, doing everything in his power to keep his breathing measured.

Doctor Okafor handed one end of the tape measure to him and began backing up with the other end, "Okay, climb down and see if you can get it under."

There was a moment of relief. Okay, Chris isn't climbing on. Then panic, wait, then what is he…

Chris stepped onto the ground, still holding the tape measure. He looked up and then down at Jeremy's torso, "Umm… what… what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Can you get it under?"

Jeremy cringed, averting his gaze from Chris.

"N-no,"

"Shoot, umm…" The Doctor looked up at him, "Alright, Jeremy, can you lift your torso just a tad off the ground?"

He paled, his throat constricting. She… she wants me to do what? He couldn't help but glance down at Chris, his stomach tying into knots at the fearful look on his face. Jeremy gulped, looking back at the doctor, "Are… are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Are you unable to-"

"No! No, it's just…" he sighed. Just get it over with, "Fine."

He pressed his heels and shoulder blades together while squeezing his glutes. The bottom half of his torso lifted off the ground slightly. He lifted himself as high as the restraints would allow him.

The doctor struggled for balance on top of him, "O-okay, Chris, go for it!"

Jeremy couldn't help himself. He looked over at Chris, paler than ever, and standing there trembling. His stomach churned. Oh God, please just go already. Please just-

He ran full speed forward and disappeared beneath him. Jeremy froze, not daring to move a muscle. Don't drop, don't drop, don't drop, don't drop, don't-

"You can relax now, Jeremy." Called the doctor.

He didn't move. Instead, he looked to his right. Chris stood there, trembling like a leaf and looking like he'd just seen a ghost. The shadow of his torso was still over him, but he was out of the way. Jeremy let out a relieved sigh, his body crashing onto the floor.

The doctor screamed. His blood ran cold as her footing frantically fumbled before her featherlight weight disappeared.

"Doctor?!" He yelled, looking down at his chest. She was gone, "Doctor Okafor?!"

"R-right here, everything's fine!"

Jeremy's eyes snapped onto the floor beside him. He let out a nervous gasp when he spotted the doctor, leaned against Chris, who struggled with the sudden weight. She braced herself against him, grabbing his shoulder to heave herself onto her feet.

Jeremy winced, a horrible burning guilt taking over his senses, "I'm sorry! I didn't-"

"You're fine, Jeremy." She straightened up, gesturing down at herself, "See? No harm done."

He grimaced, sick to his stomach at the idea that harm could have easily been done, "Are you okay? Did I-"

"Jeremy, everything's fine." She knelt and grabbed the other end of the tape measure that had fallen with her, "Let's get these done, shall we?"

"Gwen," Chris placed a hand on her shoulder while the other hand lingered by his ear, "Are you sure-"

She scoffed, "Both of you quit it, I'm fine." She knelt again, snatching the end that Chris had dropped, grabbed the hand on her shoulder, and shoved the tape measure into it.

Jeremy sighed, letting his head fall to the ground. Jesus Christ. This is insane. He squeezed his eyes shut. Please wake up, please just let me wake up. Let this be a dream, a nightmare.

. . .

"Chris! Could you come over? I need some help with a few of these."

He froze, slowly looking up from the clipboard, "W-what?" he mumbled.

Gwen beckoned him over from on top of Jeremy. On top of a living, breathing person.

He gulped, going slightly transparent as he tucked the clipboard under his arm and shuffled his feet forward. You're here to help, you're here to help, you're here to help.

He repeated that mantra as he inched closer, thoughts too busy screaming to pay any mind to whatever Jeremy or Gwen were saying. His eyes nervously darted all over the living hillside in front of him. Please just have me hold it, please just have me hold the measure for a second and not have to…

Chris stopped at the ladder, slowly looking up the short cliff face that was this guy's waist. Gwen appeared above him and nodded to the ladder. All the while, she was somehow still smiling, a polarizing distinction from Chris' thinning pressed lips and quivering body.

He climbed the ladder and took the other end of the tape measure from her. Oh, thank God, I am just going to-

"Okay, climb down and see if you can get it under."

…What?

As he robotically climbed down the ladder, he looked up and then down at the cloth-covered living mass, "Umm… what… what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Can you get it under?"

Chris paled (If that was even possible at his current complexion). Under? like… like under him?! He stared down at where Jeremy's torso met the ground. There was absolutely no space between the two.

"N-no," he mumbled.

"Shoot, umm…" For a moment, Chris sighed with relief, hoping no more would be needed of- "Alright, Jeremy, can you lift your torso just a tad off the ground?"

His heart just about stopped. She… she couldn't be serious? She couldn't seriously be suggesting he…he…

The conversation between Jeremy and Gwen was once again muffled by his own thoughts, thoughts contemplating his own mortality. She was serious. She expected him to get beneath a person who could falter at any moment and send what could only be hundreds of tons down onto him?! Wouldn't that, I don't know, flatten him?!

He glanced at Jeremy, his heart skipping a beat when they made eye contact. Fuck, why did he have to look so human? So normal and nice looking? It just made him feel all the more worse about being a pussy around him.

Jeremy's face twisted with a mix of emotions, embarrassment seeming to be one of the most apparent. Chris hung his head, shaking it. Come on, this is way harder for him right now. Get it together!

He just about jumped out of his skin when the wall of flesh tensed and rose off the ground. A tunnel appeared before his eyes. he shamelessly gawked at the human archway above him, clutching at his chest and trying to calm his frantic heart. Weirdly enough, he could hear a second heartbeat, much louder but just as panicked. It took him a moment to realize that the distant booming was Jeremy's own heart.

Oh, great, so he's just as nervous, that's reassuring.

"O-okay, Chris, go for it!"

He stared down the light at the end of the tunnel that seemed miles away, fingers curling around the tape measure. Okay… alright.

Chris took a deep breath and went for it. He sprinted full speed beneath the giant. All he could hear was his blood rushing and the pounding of two separate heartbeats.

Just like that, he was on the other side. He skidded to a stop, tripping over his own feet. He doubled over, clutching at his racing heart. Oh God, oh good God, I'm alive!

He straightened up and let out a shaky sigh of relief. The buzzing in his head left him, and he could finally focus back on the actual task at hand.

"You can relax now, Jeremy." Called the doctor.

Right as Chris turned, he was met with the sight of a collapsing land mass as Jeremy slammed his waist down. He yelped as the ground shuddered violently beneath him like a mini earthquake.

Gwen screamed. He looked up just in time to see her tumbling off the giant's side.

Chris surged forward and got beneath her just in time. She slammed into him, collapsing into his arms. He haphazardly propped her up against him, trembling all over.

"Doctor?!" Chris clapped a hand over his right ear as the booming voice assaulted his eardrums. Gwen flinched, pressing one side of her head against him to muffle the thunderous yelling, "Doctor Okafor?!"

She peeled away from him, looking up at Jeremy, "R-right here, everything's fine!"

The giant's gaze snapped onto them, making Chris want to shrink away.

The massive face's brow furrowed, eyes softening with genuine, horrified concern, "I'm sorry! I didn't-"

Both of them winced at the volume of his voice.

"You're fine, Jeremy." She pushed away from him, straightening up and gesturing down at herself, "See? No harm done."

"Are you okay? Did I-"

"Jeremy, everything's fine." She knelt and grabbed the other end of the tape measure that had fallen with her. Chris stared at her, taken aback. "Let's get these done, shall we?"

He placed a hand on her shoulder. Even if she was doing a good job at hiding it, she was shaking, "Gwen, are you sure-"

She scoffed, "Both of you quit it, I'm fine." She knelt again, snatching the end that he hadn't even realized he had dropped, grabbed his hand, and shoved the tape measure into it.

character originally made by the wonderful @muppenthings ive been calling them "kelpie" in my head because they look like kelp and kelpies trick people into getting close and then drown them. i think it fits

I really love @bonkalore X-Men art and AU. It really inspired me, but I know squat about the X-Men. So, I decided to come up with these characters and story. Hope you enjoy! I'm really excited to continue making this. Huge shout-out to @bonkalore for their artwork that inspired this.

Mandy entered the living room, eyes on the TV. A cartoon she didn't recognize was on, though no one seemed to be watching. The coffee table was littered with markers covered in bits of a slimy pink substance. Holly sat hunched over a piece of poster paper, madly scribbling.

"What'cha got there?" She sat herself down in one of the armchairs, the couch taken by Bill and Kelly.

"A welcome sign." She handed off her marker to one of Kelly's dismembered hands, skittering along the table like a spider. It took it and started outlining a different letter.

Mandy strained her neck, peering at the paper that read Welcome Jeremy!

Bill sighed and shook his head, "I tried telling her that this guy probably won't be in the mood for that sort of thing." Both Kelly and Mandy glared at him. He threw up his hands, "What?! Oh, don't act like I'm wrong."

"Well, it can't hurt," Said Kelly, turning to watch her hand as it danced around the table.

He sighed, focusing on the TV, "So, you know anything else about this guy?"

Mandy rolled her eyes, "I already told y'all everything I know."

"Do you think he'll be good at hide and seek?" said Holly, innocent as ever.

"Not as good as you or Chris."

Bill straightened up a little, "Yeah, about that. Why the hell did they drag him along again?"

Mandy leaned back in her seat, shaking her head, "I don't know, some bullshit about being a good example."

He snorted, "Yeah, because that's what this guy needs, someone telling him all the ways he's screwing up."

"Chris would never-"

"I'm not talking about Chris," interrupted Bill, "He ain't going to say shit. I'm talking about them using him as some sort of Golden Boy, please." He slumped in his seat, resting his head on the armrest, "I mean, I'm all for bringing someone along that can possibly fathom what it's like, but if that's what they want, is he really the best option?"

Mandy shrugged, "What? Do you think you should have gone?"

"Not necessarily. I just mean someone who could… relate more."

Kelly sat up, "Okay, sure… but how can you say that Chris isn't the best fit if you know jack about the new guy?"

"Because Chris isn't a Category 5." He looked at Mandy, "That's where I think they should have sent someone like you, or maybe even me."

Holly looked up from her drawing, "You just want out of the house."

Mandy and Kelly laughed, eliciting a glare from Bill.

"Okay, fine. Well, any of you got any predictions?"

They all fell silent, all on the same train of thought. If they were talking Category 5, then that meant something around Mandy's realm of… volatile-ness, but even they had heard rumors she just barely classified above a 4.

"What if," Said Kelly, "If he's like, the opposite. Like, something to do with water or ice?"

"Ice is water, dumb ass," quipped Bill.

"Oh fuck you." She looked at him expectantly, "You got a better guess?"

"Fair point," he thought for a moment, "You think we can weasel it out of Scary Terry?"

"Weasel what out of me?"

They all started as Terry entered through the open double doors to the dining hall, an apron draped over him. He had his usual glower, putting his hands on his hips like a stern mother.

Bill snickered, "Oh come on, man, you got to tell us."

"Yeah, come on." Said Mandy, "Give us something."

He glared at her, sighing and wiping his brow, "God, why did you have to tell everyone?"

She scoffed, "They would have found out eventually. Now tell us what's his guy's deal?"

Terry wiped his hands off on his apron. "It's dinner time."

Holly put down her markers and got up. She hurried over, past Terry, and into the dining hall. He watched her go, the ghost of a smile playing across his lips. Mandy sighed in defeat, getting up from her seat and following the footprints of slime left behind by Holly, like a snail's trail.

Terry looked expectantly at Kelly and Bill, "Well?"

Bill waved him off, "I'll have Will bring it to me."

Kelly nodded. Her other hand sprang free, separating from her body and scuttling over to its partner, "They got me covered."

The older man rolled his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, "What? Are you two trying to win a prize for being lazy?"

"Actually," smirked Bill, "That is exactly what we're going."

"First one who gets off the couch has to do the other's laundry."

"Oh dear God, " grumbled Terry, "Come eat!"

. . .

He wasn't sure how much time had gone by. There was a small hope that if he waited long enough, he'd wake up, that this was just some elaborate dream. Either he was in a coma, or all of this was real, because he felt wide awake.

The woman had given him a moment, most likely to think and calm down. Trouble was, what the fuck was someone supposed to think about at a time like this?! Just ruminate on the fact that he'd grown over a hundred feet tall?! Because that's what he did.

It seemed impossible. It was impossible! Yet here he was.

Just… just how?! How and why?!

He kept looking down at his body. It looked the same as it had been when he awoke the morning before the game. Even his clothes, his tights and undershirt, didn't have a single tear in them. Everything about him looked and felt the same.

His stomach sank as a troubling question (well, another troubling question) came to mind. Was he stuck like this? Surely not. He just couldn't be. No, they were definitely working on some sort of cure. They had to be.

Jeremy was wrestled away from his thoughts as the screeching of the metal door reached his ears. His eyes widened. He turned his head, straining to try and see something.

The woman entered his line of sight, still miniature. His heart sank. So this was still happening.

She carried a large paper bag with a logo too small for him to make out. Fuck, what else was too small for him to make out?

She smiled his way, walking around his head and standing a few yards away, "Hello again. How are you feeling?"

He raised a brow, "Is that a serious question?"

"Yes."

He sighed, rolling his eyes and looking up at the ceiling, "Fucking spectacular, then," he growled, "Love being bolted to the floor while also trying to figure out if I've absolutely lost my shit."

"I'm sorry." Said the woman, "I suppose that is an unhelpful question to be asking." He heard the rustle of the bag being put down, "I have also seemed to have forgotten my manners. My name is Doctor Genevieve Okafor."

He turned to look at her, "Doctor?" Did this mean they were working on some sort of cure? That's who'd you'd get to fix something like this, right? and perhaps some scientists.

"In psychology."

"Oh,"

She frowned, "You're disappointed?"

Jeremy shrugged, "Well, was kind of hoping some scientists or doctors were working to fix this. There are, right?"

Her face fell. She averted her gaze and sighed. Jeremy's insides twisted into a knot, "I'm sorry to inform you that… that what has taken place is irreversible."

A shiver ran down his spine. He gaped at her, struggling to form words, "So… so I'm stuck like this?"

"I'm very sorry." She met his gaze again, "I… I know this is a lot to take in."

He grimaced, shaking his head, "I'm gonna be fucking Godzilla's scale-less cousin for the rest of my life. Is that it?"

She raised a finger, something coming to her mind, it seemed, "On the subject of your future, there is someone I'd like you to meet."

He raised a brow, though genuinely curious. Dr. Okafor turned and beckoned to some unseen stranger. He waited, listening for the sound of approaching footsteps, yet hearing nothing.

The doctor frowned, shaking her head, "Chris, come and introduce yourself."

Nothing.

She muttered under her breath before turning to him with a sheepish smile, "Just one moment." She marched back towards the door and out of sight.

His brow furrowed, hearing what sounded like a bit of a struggle. The doctor was grumbling something while another, faint and unfamiliar voice whimpered. The hell?

She reentered his vision, moving… strangely, to say the least. It was as if she were performing some sort of mime act, pretending to drag something invisible with her. The thing was, it was a very convincing performance. It was almost like she was actually struggling to wrangle some unruly fellow.

The doctor came to a stop, still pretending she was holding onto something or someone that was trying to wiggle free, "Jeremy," She breathed, gesturing to the space beside her, "Meet Christopher."

He just stared, utterly perplexed. Was… was she crazy? Or was he losing it?

"Uh… what are you talking about?"

She sighed, turning and addressing the empty space beside her, "Chris, don't be rude. Stop hiding."

"I-I'm not!"

Jeremy's eyes widened, darting around looking for the source of the voice, "Who said that?"

Doctor Okafor gave the nonexistent something she was holding a light push forward. He heard what sounded like shoes dragging across the floor.

Then, right before his eyes, a man appeared. The form started transparent, like a ghost, only to grow more solid with each passing second until a full-blown guy was standing there.

Jeremy's insides unraveled, and after getting over the immediate shock, tangled back up.

Snow-white hair topped an equally pale and scrawny form. A sunken, timid-looking face looked up, a pair of eyes as blue as sapphires freezing him in place. Jeremy's throat went as dry as the desert, ogling at the form-fitting button-up and sweater-vest that outlined the man's trim waist.

He blinked, completely taken aback, not just by the fact that this man had just appeared in front of him, but also- wait, no! no, just the fact that he'd appeared out of thin air.

The man stood just there, frozen in place as well. His hands were balled into fists at his sides, and he was shaking like a leaf. He gulped and dared to look him in the eye, "H-hi," he squeaked.

Jeremy's chest tightened, just now properly registering that the man was actually shaking, shaking as if he was-

His stomach sank.

Was… was he afraid of him? Why would he be… oh… oh wait.

He tried putting himself in his shoes. How would he have reacted if he were suddenly face-to-face with a literal giant?

Doctor Okafor smiled, looking back and forth between the two of them, "You and Christopher have something in common. You two are both anomalies."

Jeremy gave her a confused look, "What?"

"It… it means people who are… are out of the ordinary." Piped up Christopher, fiddling with his shirt's sleeves, "Y-you know like… like I just did there."

"Wait, wait." He shook his head, "So how did you… Do that?"

The man shifted uncomfortably. Shit, was staring at him, making him uncomfortable?

"Christopher is just one of our residents who is enrolled in the program."

"Program?"

Doctor Okafor nodded, "Yes, the Anomaly Rehabilitation Program."

He narrowed his eyes, regretting it immediately since it caused Christopher to take a step back and… wait, could he see through him?

"What the hell is that?"

She cleared her throat, "Well, as I said, there are others out there, Chris, for example, who have… unusual conditions."

"Conditions? Conditions like blowing up to the size of a fucking building?"

"Well… yes. In your case, yes." She stepped forward and patted Christopher on the shoulder, making him jump, "In Chris' case, it's something a little different, and so are all of our other residents."

"Ooookay," muttered Jeremy, taking a moment to notice that Christopher didn't flinch that time when he spoke. Wait, was he being too loud? He didn't sound loud to himself.

"These… conditions or anomalies can make day-to-day life difficult… and can at times put others in danger, at least, that's what the people in charge believe. So, a system was created for the safety of everyone."

"Wait, wait, wait, like a prison?"

She shook her head, letting out a nervous laugh, "Goodness no! It's more of a… an institution." Her eyes fell upon the bag she had brought, "Oh! I almost forgot." She snatched it up and opened it, pulling out something wrapped. Christopher side-eyed her as she unwrapped a burger, "We got you something, thought we ought to while we were out."

Jeremy just stared. The thing barely fit in Doctor Okafor's hand, but to him? It looked like a tiny pill.

Christopher met his gaze before quickly looking back down at his feet, hugging himself, "S-sorry. I-I know it's not much."

Doctor Okafor tossed the wrapper into the bag and held the burger out to him, realizing a moment later that there was no way for him to grab it, "Oh, um…"

Jeremy grimaced, "It's… It's okay. I appreciate the-"

"Here," She started forward. He gulped, shying away as she kept getting closer and closer. She stopped just a foot away from his face, so close that he was going a bit cross-eyed. God, this was so unnerving.

His exhales blew her hair back, and his inhales pulled it towards him. Oh God! Wait, could he blow her over just by breathing?! Shit!

He stopped breathing, throat closing up at the thought.

She waved the burger before him, "Just open up."

What? She wanted him to do what?

He gulped. Ever so slowly, his lips parted.

She stepped closer. A shiver ran down his spine, feeling a featherlight weight on his bottom lip. He could just barely feel her microscopic fingers pressing against his lip, bracing herself against it.

Something fell onto his tongue. He choked out a gasp. The doctor scrambled back, her hair looking considerably frizzier.

He closed his mouth and rolled the burger around, picking up pinpricks of flavor. At least it tasted good.

Out of muscle memory from swallowing the occasional pill, he swallowed without chewing, barely even feeling it go down his throat, "Thanks." He mumbled.

Doctor Okafor smiled, giving a petrified Christopher a pat on the shoulder, "I'm sorry, but I have to go make a couple of calls. I'll leave the two of you to get to know each other. Is that alright?"

Chris sheepishly nodded, "S-sure thing."

Jeremy's chest tightened.

She smiled, patting him again as she walked past him and out of sight. Chris stared after her, his feet fidgeting about. It honestly reminded him of an unbalanced goat, pitter-pattering about and moments away from fainting.

Jeremy bit his lip; the silence between them was getting to him. Was… was he supposed to say something? The doctor said to get to know him. Does that mean he was supposed to chat with him?

So… uh…. how do you… Do that thing you just did?"

Chris flinched, "Oh, uh- you… You mean this?"

Right before his very eyes, he disappeared. Jeremy's eyes flicked around and scrutinized the area where he had been seconds ago.

"Whoa," He whispered, "Are you still there?" His heart skipped a beat when Chris reappeared, a little further away from him than he had been before. Jeremy gaped, "Cool."

The boy stiffened, averting his gaze, "N-not really, but thanks."

His face fell, "Though, I guess if this is possible." He vaguely gestured to himself with his restrained wrists, "Anything is." He forced himself to lighten the mood, "So like… how long can you stay like that? Like invisible and shit."

Chris shrugged, "However long I want, I guess." He put on a nervous smile, "I uh… I used to be like that all the time… before entering the program."

Jeremy's brow furrowed, "Huh…"

Jeremy was a little taken aback when the man looked him in the eye, "The program can help you too."

He sighed, rolling his eyes, "Sure. Being institutionalized sounds like real fun."

His expression hardened. He took a deep breath, "Listen," He looked around him nervously, "You have to say yes."

"To the program?" He frowned, "Why?"

"Because it's the best option you have." He sighed, tucking his hair behind his ears and swiping it off his forehead, "Look, do you have any idea what your other options are?"

"No…" said Jeremy, "But it can't-"

"No," Hissed Chris, creeping a little closer, "If you refuse the program, that means you stay here, with these people. After that, a life being poked and prodded in a lab."

His eyes widened, "What?!" His heart sank when Chris clapped his hands over his ears and scurried away from him like a spooked mouse. He lowered his voice to a whisper, "They can't possibly do that! They gotta let me go home, see my family! Don't I have rights?!"

Chris lowered his hands, sighing, "Not anymore."

"You can't be serious." He scoffed, "I mean, it's not like I'm some sort of crazed, dangerous psycho."

"You are dangerous!"

Jeremy's heart just about stopped. "What?"

Chris backtracked, "I mean… at least, in their eyes." he grimaced, "A-a-and… and can you really blame them?"

He shook his head, "This is insane. I mean, why would they… they think…" He looked at Chris, really looked at him. His posture, his expression… his size.

A morbid train of thought came to him. How easy would it be for him to crush someone beneath him? Squish people like insects? Stomp on them till they were nothing but a stain on the ground?

Jeremy winced, writhing in his own skin. God, why was he even thinking like that? What was wrong with him?! He'd never do such a thing! Never!

"I'd… I'd never… I could never do something like… like…" He bit his lip, squeezing his eyes shut. He couldn't even say it out loud.

"M-maybe… maybe not on purpose," stuttered Chris.

A new wave of horror washed over him. Oh god… oh good god!

"No, no I… that wouldn't…"

Stop lying to yourself

He swallowed, gulping down the bile rising in his throat, "I… don't… I'd never…"

His words fell short. He balled his hands into fists, his body starting to shake. There was no dancing around it. He thought back to all those giant kaiju movies, looking past the fights and the superpowers… There was always destruction, cataclysmic destruction.

Was… was that him now?

"H-hey." A quiet, delicate voice whispered in his ear. He turned his head, nearly recoiling when he found Chris, closer than ever to his face, close enough to reach out and touch him, "I-I'm sorry. I know… I know this is horrible. B-but the program can help you." He averted his gaze, "It's kind of hard to feel like a freak in a room filled with nothing but freaks."

Jeremy's throat was so tight, he wondered if he was suffocating. He… he was just so close… closer than he had ever dared to be. Still nervous and fidgety, but there.

He ogled at the way the light hit his hair, making his silky white hair shimmer. It… it made him…

Jeremy's mind came to a screeching halt. He internally chastised himself. Stop thinking like… like that!

"Thank you," he blurted, "but I think I need some more time alone."

Chris nodded, silently turning to leave. Jeremy watched him go, the sting of their conversation, and the realizations that came with it, sinking in deeper and deeper.