A Small World I: Lost and Found

“The Bureau of Nano Affairs uncovered a nano trafficking plot by a group in Atlanta, Georgia this past week. One hundred nanos were discovered in containers to be shipped to various parts of the country and abroad. This event has continued to raise tensions as the Nano Unity Society lobbies for Nano Rights Legislation on Capitol Hill.” Chris switched off the feed and laid back on his bed. Just a few years ago the only time he ever saw the news was in passing, now he was practically glued to every word.

Chris was a nano, an individual infected by the viral disease known as Rapid Cellular Degeneration, RCD. Five years ago at 19 years old Chris became one of the first victims of the disease, going through a painful transformation that turned him from a tall, confident, college athlete to a one inch facsimile of his former self. He had gone from college parties and track meets to living back at home in a modified dollhouse. His tv was a smartphone propped against a wall, his bed a piece of foam and cut linens, and even his clothing was now baggy and loose, made for a doll that was larger than he was.

The initial transformation had been horrifying, particularly in a time when there wasn’t even a word for nanos. His mother had gone to fifty doctors around the country for help before they were contacted by Dr. Mary Vogel, an expert in molecular biology, CDC researcher, and one of the founding members of the Nano Response Task Force. As one of the earliest patients Chris was subjected to a number of invasive exams, his DNA and that of several other early nanos helped the NRTF begin to gain a basic understanding of RCD and its mutant strains. Dr. Vogel promised that they would find a cure but five years later Chris had just about given up.

The NRTF had since dissolved and became a part of the Bureau of Nano Affairs. Chris continued to provide them with medical updates and monthly checkups in return for specialized care and monthly check for his mother. For his part Chris just got to watch the world go by from his dollhouse, seeing his younger sister grow up and enjoy the life he wished he was having.

Allison was a friendly an upbeat girl, she had just graduated from high school and was looking forward to college but despite her changing life she always found time to talk to her brother and try and make him feel better about his condition. Chris loved his sister but it seemed that she was always attached to less pleasurable company. Sammy was Allison’s best friend, she was a tall, blonde, tomboyish girl who’s claim to fame was being the fourth fastest cross country runner at their high school. If it wasn’t enough that Sammy was loud and a little obnoxious, Chris had always been intensely perturbed by the girl’s strange interest in him. It seemed that every time she came to visit the house she couldn’t help but stare gleefully at the little nano in the dollhouse. Luckily due to the protective nature of both his sister and mom, Chis never really had to worry about being alone with the girl.

Laying down on his foam mattress Chris could just make out the sounds of Allison and Sammy laughing about something in the kitchen. Their mom was at work so Allison had volunteered to look after Chris that day, though he hated feeling like a burden to her. The nano sat up and went to the pile of fabrics located near the dollhouse’s front door. They were new clothes made by a man who “specialized” in nano clothing. His mother had spent a decent amount of money on them but Chris wasn’t too pleased. It seemed that the whole world was telling him to adjust to being one inch tall when he just wanted a cure. He decided to try on the tailored suit hoping that maybe a little bit of normalcy would take him out of his funk.

Chris looked himself in the mirror propped against his wall, feeling a smile come to his lips. It wasn’t too bad, not really anyway. Feeling confident and little adventurous Chris decided to venture out from his dollhouse. It was located on the carpet of the den but the nano had always been a little afraid to leave its safety after a chance run in with a roach as large as he was. Now however he thought maybe he could use a little exercise, and a chance to get away from his own thoughts.

No sooner than five minutes into his stroll Chris heard the front door slam shut. Running his along the molding on the wall he idly realized that Sammy and his sister must have stepped out at some point. The coppery stench of sweat filled his nostrils as he saw a blonde giantess stride into the room, presumably from a run. Chris realized the girl didn’t even see him as she literally kicked off her shoes and headed for the den computer. One sneaker hit the side of his dollhouse eliciting a laughing “Sorry Chris!” from Sammy. However the other manager to hit the unseen nano with the force of a truck. Chris fell over gasping for breath as he looked upwards. Sammy’s attention was focused on something on the computer screen as she peeled off her sweaty socks and let them drop to the floor.

The moist green cloth dropped over Chris and completely obscured him from site. The boy could hardly breath in the rank, humid air under Sammy’s discarded sock. He tried to move and felt his ribs scream in pain from the earlier collision with her sneaker. As he raised a hand to try and move the sock he could barely smooth a wrinkle before the pain forced him to stop. He tried to croak out a feeble cry for help but the words could not escape his lips, and even if they could he knew she wouldn’t be able to hear him if she wasn’t already paying attention.

Chris heard a second pair of footsteps enter the room and his sister’s voice. “God Sammy! Put back on your shoes, your feet reek! Poor Chris over there is probably dying!” Chris tried again to call his sister’s name but he simply could not.

“They aren’t that bad,” the blonde retorted. “Besides, he’s probably sleeping in there, he hasn’t made a peep since I’ve been here.” All the same Sammy reached down to her socks and shoes. Chris in a panic felt the sock close in around him in Sammy’s grasp. In the tumble upwards Chris found himself falling into the sock itself and towards the toe. He tried desperately to cling to the moistened fabric walls but could not get a grip. No sooner had he come to rest did he see the five enormous digits filling the cavernous mouth of the sock.

Sammy’s toes were dirty and unpainted, the girl never really cared for nail polish or pedicures. As they approached Chris could make out the hardened and dry skin, and the putrid aroma of cheese and vinegar. “No no no…” the nano mouthed as the girl’s foot blocked out all light in the sock. When the girl’s foot finally made contact with him Chris could do nothing to stop them. Each digit was larger than he was, slick with sweat, and rough to the touch. As her toes made contact with the end of the sock Chris was knocked about as the girl wiggled her toes.

He finally came to rest between her big and second toe, forced into place with pieces of lint, dirt and toejam. With horror he felt the lurch of the goddess’ foot towards her sneaker, shoving him deeper into yet another layer, far from where anyone could hear him. Chris could no longer make out the outside sounds, he could no longer see. His every sense was set ablaze by Sammy’s gargantuan toes. He couldn’t help but think, how could the girl not notice him as his legs slid under the ball of her foot. The giantess stood and Chris’s legs were compressed under her yielding sole.

The stench of her feet was strongest under her toes, here Chris was practically assaulted by the odor. It washed over him, it seeped into his clothing, and made his eyes water. He coughed and sputtered in the unpleasant atmosphere, hot and damp from the sweat accumulating everywhere. A droplet of sweat made its way from between her toes to Chris’s face, filling his mouth with salt and burning his eyes. As the girl walked Chris could feel his body yielding to her every whim, his lower half pressed under sole and his upper half wedged between her toes.

Every time Sammy adjusted or wiggled her digits Chris was introduced to a new world of pain. He tried to claw at the skin, to do anything to get her attention, but the runner’s callouses did not give to his feeble attempts. He bit hard onto a callous and only succeeded in tearing away a small sliver of dead skin, his tormentor none the wiser.

Hours seemed to pass before Chris passed out, no longer able to remain conscious in the hell within Sammy’s sneakers. When he woke it was with a start, a breath of fresh air and a bright light. As his eyes adjusted he could make out Sammy’s face looming above him, looking down with a mixture of curiosity and bemusement. He realized that they were in a car, likely her car and he was still shoved between her toes as her sole faced upwards. Chris coughed as he felt the walls of flesh on either side compress him mercilessly.

“You know your momma and Allison have been looking for you for hours and here you are playing between my toes,” Sammy laughed.

Chris sputtered, “Thank god you found me, I think you accidently-“ Her large finger came and pressed Chris’s head into the ball of her foot.

“Actually you don’t look much like Chris at all,” the giantess mused. “Maybe you’re just a piece of toe jam that looks like Chris.” She wiggled her toes, releasing and squeezing the nano several times.

“Please, please, Sammy,” Chris croaked. “Please take me home.”

“I’ll tell you what, you show me a little gratitude for finding me and we’ll head straight back,” she smirked. She wiggled her toes again, pressing her big toe down on Chris’s upper body. “Why don’t you give my foot a kiss to say thanks.”

With only the slightest moment of hesitation Chris planted a light kiss on the creamy expanse of Sammy’s sole.

“That’s not a kiss!” the blonde laughed. She pressed his head into the crevice between her toes. “I want you to really make out with it.” Chris coughed and sputtered as the layer of grime and sweat between her toes entered his mouth.

“Sammy, please!” Chris cried in pain.

“Aww but you look like you love being between my toes.” Sammy playfully pouted. “You don’t want to spend your entire life in that dollhouse do you?”  Chris tried to squirm his way out from between her toes when she scrunched them, pinning him to the ball of her foot. “Sorry Chris but your momma and Allison weren’t even using you to your full potential!” She squeezed tighter and Chris’s head began to swim amid the heady aroma.

“Let’s consider this… what’s it called… symbiosis!” the giantess giggled. “I mean there’s plenty to eat and drink down there.” Chris desperately clawed at her thick creamy sole but did not budge. “At your size it’s practically a buffet of tasty toe jam, dry skin, and sweat.” She scrunched her nose, grossed out by her own suggestion. “You get to stay nice and cozy at the all you can eat, and all I ask is that you do a little housekeeping!”

“Please Sammy, I’m a person, I’m Chris!” the nano pleaded.

“Not anymore,” the girl moved to put her sock back on. “Now you’re gunk between my toes.” As Chris’s world descended into darkness once again he felt completely helpless, between the toes of a goddess.