I only had a few seconds to contemplate the huge bodies of the giants. Immediately the agent bent down and his huge hand came toward me. I recoiled instinctively, but without any effort the giant took me gently in his fist and stood up. I cannot describe the feeling of literally finding myself in a man's hand. I felt like the most insignificant being in the world. I was really beginning to regret what I had done. On the other hand, the ascent in the giant's fist was like riding up in an elevator at incredible speed. The agent held out his hand to Hugh, who reached out his hand and, with infinite gentleness, took me in his fist. My heart was pounding at the sight of my husband turned into a colossus. His huge face wore an expression of disbelief and a hint of glee.
-Wow, I never thought you'd be so small -he said, his voice thundering, and with one finger he began to caress my tiny face-. You're...you're...like a little mouse. MY little mouse -he said, emphasizing the word. I shuddered at the sound of that. Indeed, I was now totally his. I belonged to him.
The agent turned and handed me a sort of robe, to cover me. It was more like a tunic with a cord that doubled as a belt. Very basic, but, as he told me, it was free, so I couldn't expect anything better, I guess. I hurried to cover my nakedness with it, still held by my husband's giant hand. Next, the agent took from a cupboard a cage in his hand and held it out to Hugh.
-This is also courtesy of the house. We advise that the shrunken one be here when he cannot be closely guarded. We wouldn't want a pet or a hungry spider to end his now vulnerable life.
Hugh took it in his other hand and went to put me in it. Nevertheless, I started yelling at him. He couldn't hear me, naturally. But, realizing my efforts, he pulled me close to his huge ear and I spoke at the top of my voice:
-Hugh, I don't think this was a good idea, can we undo it, please?
-Oh, come on! -He said in that voice that resonated powerfully in my ears, - You're just going to give up right off the bat? I remind you that this was your idea. Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll protect you.
He smiled at me. I wanted to keep insisting, but he pushed me away from his ear and ignored my attempts to speak. Then he put me in the cage and closed the door. It was spring-loaded, unlocked, but it was totally impossible for me to open it. Neither could I reach the spring nor was I strong enough. I was completely at the mercy of the giants. The agent passed another object to Hugh. They were two wireless intercoms, one of normal size and one for a tiny ear, as mine was now:
-The voice of the shrunken one is so weak now that it is very difficult for it to communicate with its owner. This device is designed to make that possible. It is also free, but only this first time. I advise you not to lose it, because if you were to replace it, it is quite expensive. In addition to this, we have in the next room a lot of objects and devices for sale in order to make the little one's life easier and more enjoyable.
Hugh handed me the tiny intercom. It was simply like an earpiece. I put it to my ear, but since Hugh didn't wear his it didn't do me much good. With the cage in his hand my husband went into the next room and we were, indeed, looking at everything for sale there for a while. There was a little bit of everything: dollhouses with every imaginable comfort, tiny clothes of all kinds, perfectly functional little computers, writing materials, painting materials, even miniature cars and helicopters. It was all fascinating and we would have loved to buy it, but we simply couldn't afford it at the time, so we sadly left.
Hugh said goodbye and led me to the car. There he put the cage on the passenger seat and looked at me. The sensations I had in front of that colossal hulk were absolutely overwhelming. I signaled him to put on the intercom. He understood and did so.
-Hugh, I'm scared. You don't know how terrible everything is at this size -I said as soon as he could hear me. Maybe we should go back in there, break the contract and get back to our lives. I don't know if this was a good idea-. I don't know why I felt guilty asking him this. I guess I seemed like a pushover. He cheerfully declined again:
-Come on, come on, Tommy! -I hated being called that-. It's normal for you to have a little trouble adjusting to your new situation. But you know I'm here and I'm going to protect you. And besides, it will only be temporary, you know that. Anyway, we are going to give ourselves some time and if, after that, you are still unhappy and want to return to our life, we will do it. I promise -he smiled at me, with that smile of his that melted my heart. That calmed me down a lot.
-Ok, but you don't have to call me Tommy -I replied, half jokingly, half seriously.
-It's just that it doesn't suit you to call you Tom now. At that size it's much more appropriate Tommy, you're so cute! I can't wait to get home and play with you....
