A New Beginning

We all think that we are meant to be something special. That we'll change the world. Parents telling their kids they were going to accomplish great things.

What a damn lie!

I always thought I would become something. A famous soccor player, track-star, maybe an actress. But I soon came to realize that at my size that wasn't possible. I barely scrape 5'10 for a human, which isn't bad. Makes me seem intimiating for others, but it's giants that I have a problem with. My 5'10 heigth is just past four inches for a giant.

Confused? I'll give you a quick history lesson and remember what I say because I will not be repeating myself.

When human life came to be, the world was much different then it was today. It seemed that everyone was on equal footing. Life thrived for thousands of years, until a rogue astroid slammed into the earth, nearly wiping out all life and humanity along with it.

But life, being as stubborn as the hard rocks it came from, hung on. As things began to grow back on earth, animals and humans were growing back much larger. This was an evolutionary stage for humanity. Not all of it though.

Scientists aren't sure why a portion of humanity didn't progress like the rest. They think the reason is the astroid and some unknown space paritcals mixing with the human blood stream back in the day, stunting their progress.

Humans, however, progressed in their own way. They became more durible to the larger world. Their survival instincts spiked and with that so did their intelligents. Humans progressed in their own way and hid themselves from the world of giants.

Giants weren't all that interested in human though, similar to how humans weren't all that interested in monkeys. They considered humans to be a liablity and wanted nothing to do with them. Until human were labeled as exotic pets, just like monkeys, and only the wealthy could aquire one.

Giants would raid human nests (they call them nests rather then towns or homes because they are so disconnected from us) and take as many people as they could without care. Families were broken up, homes were destroyed, and lives were ruined. And they didn't care. They just stomp where ever they like and stuffed their fat grummy fingers in whatever building they could find without a care in the world.

Humans couldn't live in towns anymore. They were forced into harsher climates, deeper in forests or into mountainsand the market for exotic human pets became scarce.

That's were I come in.

I'm Caesar Matius and that's Ma-ty-us and not Mat-us or whatever. Not that you give a damn since you'll never remember it. Yeah, a girl named Caesar. So weird! So cool! So quirky! Yadda, yadda, yadda. Who cares! It's a name!

I'm the girl that thinks she's not like other girls. The typical blonde curly hair, ocean blue eyes, and maybe I'd be a little more tan if I were able to go outside more. There's no way in the shop keeper would allow that to happen. I'm like his price posession that he wants to get rid of, but can't because I cause so many problems for giants.

I've already been to several homes and given each of them hell for it too. I even got a couple to divorse each other cause I kept feeding into their paranoia about one other. There's was nothing going on between the two, but why should these giants get good lives while I have to live this hell they've created for me.

What does it matter though. I'm in this endless circle of torment. Kidnapped to be sold, only to be brought back, boughten again, and brought back. It's been going on since I was fourteen and I can't escape it either. Believe me, I tried.

The constant caging, leashing, playing dress-up for little girls' entertainment. To be called a pet and treated like I'm less simply because of my size? What did I do to deserve this damnation! It is because I simply exist? I didn't ask for this life!

What does it matter though. If this next home doesn't work out for me or if my escape plans fall through then death row will be my next home. After that, heaven or hell.

You're not here to listen to me complain about my life though. You want to hear my oh so amazing story.

Well, let's begin then.

It has to be close to one by now. Bill, a gruffy old fart that owns the store is out for lunch, while his nephew, James is in charge until he gets back.

I hate to admit it, but I like James. He actually treats me like a living, breathing person. Whenever it's just me and him, James will come to the back and let me out of my enclosure. It's a small home with one room, one bathroom, and a kitchen. Bill says he likes to keep his most valuable asset in good condiction. I wish I could complain, but having privacy and semi-decent food is a valuable assest gets, which is much better then what other humans get.

Most days, we'll sit in the front and watch people shop for fist, birds, snakes, and other animals or things. I usually stay out of reach of everyone, wouldn't want James to get in trouble for letting me out of my so-called home. And on slow days, we'll watch a movie or play a game of chess on his smart phone.

But today is different though.

Today is selling day.

Which means my new owner is supposed to be picking me up.

Bill made a special appointment with the guy who's coming to get me, making sure no one else would be in the store. He also set James up to do it since Bill thinks it a good skill for him to have. Yeah, human handler sounds great on a resume.

My guess is that this guy has kids and wants a new pet to entertain them so he doesn't have to. Or he's a pervert and has sexual motives. I've run into a few people like that and have always managed to escaped. I just hope my luck doesn't run out now.

We sit at the front help desk patiently waiting for this person to come in. The shop is in the downtown area of the city, so if they were coming from across town it'd take some to get here.

I sit criss-cross with a duffle bag resting on my back. It's full of personal items I've collected over the years. Journals, books, clothes, a survival kit, a pocket knife and an axe. Usually when I run away or escape, it's out into the woods so I've learned to come prepared over the years. Not that my escapes have been completely successful. If they were then I wouldn't back at the pet shop.

"Check-mate." I say, looking at the phone screen boredly.

"What? How?" James asks while looking at his phone.

I shrug with a smug look on my face. "You hardly ever move your queen or king, James. It makes you more predicable."

James sighs in defeat and resets the chessboard. "I call a rematch."

"Again? This is like," I count on my fingers. "your sixth time loosing in a row."

"It's my fifth time, pint size! And I will beat you this time!" He responds as he moves the pawn.

I scoff and shake my head. "Whatever you say, billboard,"

As we play our next match, I keep looking at the watch on my wrist. The guy who is coming to get me is supposed to be here any minute.

I wonder what they'll be like. I ask myself as I move the knight, taking James' rook. What does it matter. They're all the same!

"Check." James declaires.

That snaps me back to reality. I look at the board closely then up at James. He has a proud smile on his face. I can't remember the last time he checked me, but I won't end our last match on a loss. Can't go easy on him even if I... if I'll never see him again after this.

They aren't all the same. James is different. Maybe this guy will be different too! I move my bishop back. James no longer has check. Hopeful thinking though.

We go back and forth for a minute or so. James getting more and and confident in his moves. I, on the other hand, found a loop hole through his pieces and quickly take advantage of it.

"Check ma-"

The bell to the front door dings, which has to be my new owner. I pay no attention to them, but James, on the other hand, swipes the phone away and stuffs it in his pocket.

I sigh, getting up and dusting myself off. "And just when I was about to beat him again."

"Oh... uh, sorry ma'am our store is closed right now to fill a special order." James says as he cleared his throat. Must be a pretty girl.

James usually get nervous around pretty girls or women, which is normal for a sixteen year old. He acted that way around me, but for being human or cute? I'm not sure.

I turn to take a look at the girl who walked in. She's pretty average-sized for a giant and looks about seventeen or eighteen. She's got on a nice yellow sun-dress that reaches down to her knees and hugs her in all the right places.

The curly chestnut hair falls past her shoulders and compliments her golden brown eyes... kinda reminds me of freshly baked bread. She also looks like she's been in the sun a little with that tan and there isn't a single scratch, pimple, or blemish on her face.

"Is it for Markus Gains?" The girl askes, her voice is like butter with a dash of sugar.

It takes James a second for his brain to reconnect. "Oh, um, let me.... let me go look," He gestures to the back before awkwardly walking away. Leaving me with this strange giantess.

I have to scoff and cross my arms. Bill would be furious if he saw what James just did wrong. Leaving me up here unattented. He'd be fired instantly.

The girl put her elbows on the table and rests her chin in an open palm. My eyes flick over to her as she does so. I can't help but stare at the features on her face. She's pretty, I'll give her that. But usually the prettiest of people have the uglies personalities.

As my eyes travel down, I can't help but think. "Damn, she's the whole bakery."

"Excuse me?"

Oh, no! I said that out loud!

The question sidwswipes me. My gaze darts upward in a panic to make eye-contant with the girl. Neither of us say anything for a moment. We just stare at each other. Eyes locked. Like a preditar staring down it's prey before pouncing.

"Seems like someone likes to stare." She says, a small smile curling up on her red lips.

In response, I keep quiet.

"Guess I caught you redhanded if you aren't going to deny it." The way she sounds so smug ticks me off though.

I scoff and cross my arms. "Trust me, there's nothing to stare at."

The smile on her face flattens. I thought I'd get a glare or a scowl, maybe a rude remark about my own looks or size, not that those comments have much of an effect on me anyway. Instead, it's a look of hurt.

A twing of pain shoots through my heart, but my mind still holds that distasteful thought of the giantess. Why am I feeling bad for her anyway? She's the one being all smug about it.

You were staring though. I grumble and shake the thought away.

We stand by in awkward silence until James comes back with a small box and a small stack of papers.

"Oh, I don't want a box for her." The girl says as she stands up straight.

James and I look at one another, surprised that she wouldn't want a box. Usually giants get boxes for their pets since it's easier to carry and keep track of them that way. But if she doesn't want the box then does she just willingly expect me to climb into her hand and go with her? Yeah, right!

"It's mandetory for us to... well, keep humans safe." James response. He always hated calling me a pet since he knows better. I wish everyone else was like that.

"Well, from what I've heard about this human, she does a fine job taking care of herself." The girl countered, crossing her arms. "I mean, have you ever asked if she'd like to be stuffed in a box?"

"Well... no, I've haven't-"

"Then I suggest you start now. Humans aren't animals and you shouldn't treat them as such."

Okay, now that just blows my mind. First, the audacity she has to make such claims about James. He's always taken good care of me, but it's store and company policy to use a box. And the hipocrisy of this giantess. Humans aren't animals? I mean, I agree, but why are you at a pet shop buying a human then.

Secondly, and what worries me, she knows me already. So that must mean she knows about the problems I cause and the escapes I've made. That means she's had prep time for whatever it is I try to do, making it harder for me to escape.

James stammers with his words, looking between me and the girl. "I-... would you-... she-..."

"It's okay, James," I speak up, easing his nerves. "I don't mind the box all that much. It's better then being manhandled for the uptenth time."

James nods and releases a sigh of relief. He hands over the papers that the girl needs to sign on behalf of her father. While doing so, James holds out a hand for me to climb onto.

As I am being packed away, I get a glimpse of the girl's name on one of the papers.

Samantha.

The box is closed up. The only light I get is coming through the breathing holes around the box. I take a seat in the corner the box and wait to wisked away to my new home. I can hear the two giants talking, but it's nothing interesting.

Once the papers are signed and ID is checked, James tells Samantha that she's good to go. And with that my box is lifted up, slowly and gently. As we walk out the store, Samantha's steps are calm and smooth.

As the bell dings, James says one last thing before we walk out. "Good luck!"

I smirk, although I can't tell if the comment is for me or Samantha. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Published: 11/04/2023