Two: Meeting The Taylor Boys

I hurry down a long ramp that leads down into a numbingly quiet platform. I looked beside me seeing a rogue newspaper being chased by a gentle breeze. My tatty boot footsteps lightly echo throughout the empty TPod station, it was ghostly quiet. It was kind of scary and cause a shiver to run down my spine.

Before me I noticed that my mother had already reached the entrance to the pickup bay, foot tapping impatiently against the white floor as she waits for me. I'm glad that she's waiting for me, if she had left me to walk out by myself I'd most likely end up in a trembling panic.

The station was like any other, Grey above, Grey bellow with a mix of whites to give everything a modern feel. The air feels just as stale as the packed station back home and the cool air left prickling goosebumps up and down along my legs and arms. But there was hardly any litter that scattered the ground, most likely because there wasn't anyone to leave rubbish behind. It looked like a a murder scene, there was no one here but me and my mother. The quiet chills me, paranoia getting the better of me I abruptly turn every now and then to stare behind me. I couldn't help it, it becoming a habit since I was little.

Mom was the only one out of the two of us that has actually been to the giant quarters, many times actually through work. It payed good money, but the trips were long and tiring so she tended to stay over at a friend house whenever she worked double shifts. Aka Brian's house. That's how she met Brian, through work.

Unlike me, she's use to seeing giants and the size of them. I just need to focus on breathing, to keep calm so I wouldn't look like a fool. I could already feel tears sprouting in my eyes thinking about being picked up, I wasn't one for heights. Never have been.

"Ready?" I look up hearing Mum, seeing her reaching out to link arms with myself, which I gladly accept. She pulls me into her side, gently brushing a strand of strawberry blonde hair back off my cheek.

I smile softly to her and shrug my shoulders in defeat, there was no turning back now "y-yeah I guess" I lie. how could anyone be ready for a moment like this, to meet a giant. A freaking giant! Some people live their entire life without ever catching a glimpse of a giant unless it was on tv. And I'm going to be living with two. And not to mention I'll be going to a school full of them. I raised a hand to my head, taking a breath I shake my head. I'm gonna faint.

"There's nothing to be frightened of Tess. Brian and his son are incredibly kind and gentle." she whispers as soft as a kitten, pushing my hair over my shoulder then leaning in to give me a reassuring hug, her strong perfume making my nose itch, the smell of jasmine lingers in the air as she holds me.

"I've been with Brian for over a year now, he's hesitant to even hurt a fly, I'm sure he'll treat us like princess's." she laughs softly to herself as if she'd said something funny, rolling my eyes I scrunch up my nose at her perfume.

"I'll try" I mumble into her soft curly hair, burying my face in deeper getting a coconut whiff, the same smell of the conditioner she uses. We gently pull apart from each other's arms, my mother's smile as bright as day.

I smile back and slowly turn my attention to the side when I see movement, My heart lurching slightly out of my chest at the sight of the two backpacker couples from the pod earlier stepping into an elevator and disappear behind the doors, holding hands and smiling to each other with laughter to follow. Then silence, it hung heavily in the air.

What startled me more was that could hear distant rumbling, it sounded like it could have been thunder rolling in over head, drumming lowly, untamed power reverberated and echoing. But soon began to intensify into bone shaking bangs, I couldn't help but duck with each thunderous boom like an earthquake. I look to the high ceilings expecting it to be cracking and falling to pieces, but it was intact, only the lights above swinging slightly from the vibrations. I knew I had fear struck on my face and I froze, muscles tight and feet glued to the floor. I could feel the blood draining from my cheeks and I didn't even need to see me reflection.

I knew exactly what the source of the sound belonged to, it was the thundering sound of footsteps coming from outside toward the pick up bay. My heart was pounding against my rib cage, I could feel my clenched palms become clammy around my bag handle. I can't hear my breathing picking up over the sound of my heart, but I could feel the desperate breaths of air flooding in and out from my lungs.

But what startles me more is the sound of two loud male voices reverberating throughout the empty TPod station, their baritone voices bouncing off the walls against the silence . The voices boomed across the sky as they approached, vibrating at first because of powerful lungs, followed by a kind laugh that shook the windows like thunder in a storm.

"They're here!" Mum squeals over the laughter, grabbing her bag she turns towards the pick up bay and hurries off through the glass doorway, where she would be picked up by her boyfriend once he arrived

Light headed I take deep breaths, resting my palm on my forehead I get the feeling of wanting to faint. I couldn't wrap my head around what was about the happen, I was going to meet the largest being in the known universe. I take slow breaths until I felt my heart beat slow, looking around I sigh.. pulling gently at my black skirt. I look down slowly to my skin tight black singlet shirt, suddenly feeling a tight sensation around my chest. It was as if a elephant had sat itself down on me. The pressure beginning to hurt. But the overwhelming feeling of someone watching me began to cloud my mind, even though I knew I was alone.

The feeling of being watched intensifies and I slowly look up at the extremely high ceilings, a glass ceiling to let light into the station. But now do I only notice that the sun had disappeared as if a cloud had wandered over to block out its raise.

It sure as hell wasnt a cloud. The ceiling was extremely high but wasn't high enough for giants to be able look in. My breath hitches in my throat suddenly at the huge green eyes, glimmering emeralds staring at me, watching me.

Fear tortures my guts, churning and twisting my stomach in tense cramps. Fear engulfs my conscience, knocking all reasonable thoughts aside. It felt like someone had stabbed me with a knife in the gut, twisting and pulling. My legs refuse to move as the larger eyes watch, amusement hidden behind the Irises. It was as if we were having a staring contest.

My trembling lips crack open and I try calling for Mum, but my voice comes out like a wheeze from my lungs. Peering down to where Mum had left outside i inch closer on shaky knees, clasping my bag tightly as if ready to use it as a weapon.

I look back up at the smirking giant, it's a guy that looks to be around my age, tousled thick dark brown curls fall about a tanned forehead with a playful smile curled into his lips . This must be Brian's son. From what I could see, his eyes could be the front cover of a magazine. It was a kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. He was surprisingly good looking..

"Where's Tess?" A deep voice breaks the silence me and the boy created with our staring. My legs turn to jelly and twitch, fighting the impulse to turn around and sprint back into the pod to hide. I squeeze the handle of my bag as I watch another giants head appear over the station.

An older man appears. He meets my gaze not with any shyness but with a kind refusal to avert his gaze first. He looks to be around my mother age but with the salt n pepper look to his greying hair, he still had quit youthful skin for his age except for the wrinkles that cling to his eyes and around his lips. He squints as he peers down to me, accentuating the wrinkles with a smile brighter then the sun, large white teeth gleaming back at me. He had similar features to the younger boy beside him, high cheek bones and thick brows. Raising a hand he waves at me over the glass, making me flinch away. This must be Brian.

They're bigger then what I imagined, heads larger than billboards, hands the sizes of trucks. I don't really know what I imagined. I imagined monsters. Not this...

Still frozen on the spot, I stare motionless back up at the two male giants. My heart beating out of my rib cage as if it wanted to escape. My mouth drys out and my tongue sticks to the roof, desperately needing water. I need water but I can't move to get any. I'm like a statue, frozen with fear.

"Hey Tess, I'm Brian M Taylor and this is my son, Austin. We are really excited to meet you" his voice is a little muffled through the glass but I can hear every word perfectly fine as if he were standing beside me, breathing down my neck. Brian's smile widens and I notice a small dimple appear in his right cheek as he gestures to himself then Austin.

"could you please walk over to the pick up bay. I know this is scary and all and your probably freaking out right now, but you need to trust me" I watch Brian turn his large mountain like hand towards the pick up bay before me, pointing where my mum had disappeared out of. He has a kind expression, he seems so genuinely sweet and it slowly made my heart calm to a normal race.

I look down at the door frame that exited out into the pick up bay, expecting to see a giant hand to appear, reaching in to grab me. Looking back up at the two giant men, my mouth dropped open to say something like okay or thank you, but ended up gasping at the air like a fish out of water.

"Your Mum is out here with us, we are all waiting for you" Brian's smooth voice helps me calm down a bit more, my breathing slowing back to normal. Yet Im still frozen in place, as if my legs had a mind of their own.

Brian's voice was extremely deep and honey smooth, not rough and gravely like most men's voices. He sounds like he should be a voice over to a sad movie.

"Take your time, not like we need to be anywhere" Austin speaks up, his voice nearly as deep as his dads, but instead with a hint of annoyance behind his word.

"Tess?" I look up one last time at the kind but worried blue eyes of Brian, noticing flecks of golds around his pupils. His eyes were filled with a kindness that seemed so innocent and genuine, so endless: as big as the deep blue sea. It set me aright and made me smile.

I squeezes the handle of my bag until my knuckles turned white, before forcing myself forwards, each footstep feeling heavier then the last as if I had weights clamped to my ankles. My breathing becomes slightly ragged from the nerves.

"finally" I hear Austin let out a breath of relief and I notice his large eyes roll. I feel like dropping to my knees and bursting into tears, I just want to go home

"Austin.. be nice" Brian growls above me. My heart pounds harder against my chest,. My lungs can't get enough air as I gasp for another breath .

I step into the pick up bay, it's made fully out of thick glass which surrounds me like a cage. I can see Austin's and Brian's giant shoes on the either side of the glass, shifting slightly from side to side. I look for another exit, one to run out of incase I needed to get away. There aren't any other doors except for the one that I had just walked in through, which closed automatically behind me. It's like one of those glass pens you see in a pet store. I wonder what it's like looking down at me shaking in my own skin.

When I look up, I feel like crumbling to my knees at the sight. The height of Brian and Austin makes my head spin. I have to keep looking up and up and up and up until I reach their eyes, it's never ending.

"Hey Tess, you okay?" Brian slowly crouches down in front of the glass barrier, his hand flexing open out towards the lid and opening the glass roofing up. I watch in horror as His huge hand slips in and moves towards me, creating a huge shadow to cast over my frame. I whimper and close my eyes quickly, thinking he's about to grab me. I begin to tremble violently, my finger and knees shaking violently. I Wait for his large fingers to wrap around my waist and lift me up off my feet into the air.

I open my eyelids quickly, searching around confused then turn up to see Brian looking down at me, his face twisted with confusion and brows furrowed with worry.

I notice, pinched in between two of his giant fingers is my purple bag, holding it effortlessly as if it weighed nothing. He slowly raises his hand out from the kid to his back pocket of his pants, carefully setting my luggage in his jeans. I feel like a fool, why must I always be so afraid.

"Tess, honey don't be scared. I would never pick you up without permission first, okay?" I stand motionless, staring up between an annoyed looking Austin and a worried looking Brian. I couldn't see my mother though and it made me panic, eyes snapping about the area looking for her. Where is she!

I can't breathe, my chest tightens. I could feel the panic begin like a cluster of sparks in my abdomen. Beginning to replay the last attack in my mind, i could feel my breathing becoming more rapid, more shallow. My breaths come in gasps and I felt as if I were going to black out. Where's mom, why was i panicking so much. The room spins and I squat down on the floor, trying to calm the sick feeling in my stomach. I need an ambulance but didn't know how to get one in these parts, what number, how, she's gone, taken.. blackness.. the creeping blackness. My head feels as heavy as led and before I know it, I'm falling. Colour from my face and lips fading until i was ghostly. I see Austin and Brian's faces fill my vision, the colours of their eyes melting into one. My legs give out from under me and I crumpled to the ground like a puppet suddenly released from its strings.

"What's happening to her, Margaret? What should I do?~" words spun together until they became unrecognisable.

All of a sudden it felt as if I was being lifted off the ground by a warm cloud, feeling the sensation of weightlessness for the first time

I plummet into a thick soup of darkness. Heavenly darkness. Surrounding me like an envelope to my mind. Everything had been fuzzy then nothing at all, my conscious swimming through an empty space filled with thick static. Everything was like an inky Black space, only the distant sound of my pounding heart echoed in my ears.

•••

A nudge to my ribs made me jerk suddenly awake, eyes opening and taking in every ray of light, then quickly close from the burning sensation that makes my head throb. My mind felt empty, all I could take in was the low rumble of a car and the sound of breathing that wasn't my own. It's heaving lightly, like a man. It was so close I could feel it against my cheeks. It made me nervous.

Moving my hands to the surface beneath me which I lay on, it was kind of rough but warm, really warm. I sigh softly and try snuggling back into the warmth, rolling slowly onto my side and pressing my cheek into the surface. It's so warm.

Slowly I began to remember what happened from earlier, remembering the station and the loud footsteps.. then~ I groan to myself, still refusing to open my eyes. I recall the panic attack and fainting in front of Austin and Brian. Embarrassment rolls over me and I felt my cheeks heat up into a bright red and I raise my hands to cover my face.

"Don't get too comfortable, we're nearly home now" my eyes snap open now, looking up to see a familiar wide eyed, toothy grinning face. Familiar emerald eyes stare down at me. The large face hovering over me belongs to Austin. only now do I realise that Im laying on top of his knee. His green eyes move around his head as he looks me up and down, as if he were studying me.

Gasping, I try standing quickly to get away, hating being so close to something so large. but end up loosing my footing because of my shaky legs as the surface under me begins slightly moving. He bounced his knee. In my scramble to stay standing and on the shaky knee, I manage to fall from his knee and tumble down, down down.. landing with a low "oomf" coming from my lips.

I groan again, rubbing the back of my now throbbing head. My breathing picks up again and I could feel my chest tighten until I struggled to take a real breath of air. Slowly I hesitantly lift my blue eyes up. He was lit up with that grin boys wear when they have something mischievous planned. No. No no.

I hold in a scream, the realisation hitting me as if a ton of bricks just landed atop of me. I've fallen in between Austin's thighs, so close to unmentionables that I began to blush deeply.

"Enjoying the view?" I heard him ask from above, looking to him I notice the slightest of smirks tugging up at the corner of his lips.

"Get away!" I then screamed. I scramble to my feet and like the flash of lightning I stumble away from his groin. I can't imagine anything worst. There's a low chuckle over head, then a hand comes to me opening and moving down to my body too fast, too big. I watch in horror as his fingers flex open to try and grab me from in between his legs.

I scream more, the scream tearing through me like a storm. My heart raced with my pulse, eyes wide as I try and scramble away. The scream came again, terrified.

"What's happening back there?" I turn to get away from Austin's large grabby fingers and at the same time notice that me and Austin are seated in the back of a ginormous car.

"Nothing dad, she just woke up and is freaking out" Austin replied to his father, quickly grabbing me and bringing me to his green eyes as he scans over my body, looking at every inch of me with his giant orbed irises.

I open my mouth to scream again but instead am cut off as a large oversized finger is brought down over my mouth, clamping it shut. I squirm, tiny limbs trying to wiggle free, trying to free myself from his fist.

"Shhh, It's okay" he whispers to me, eyes glancing to the front of the car behind me then back to my terrified form.

He brings me closer to his giant green orbs, staring at my face as if he were trying to remember every detail on my skin. His huge vanilla soap scented thumb still holding my mouth shut, I felt tears well up in my eyes. I hate this so much. His hands were clammy and uncomfortably hot, making me squirm harder to escape.

Austin looks up at his dad behind me again, checking to see if anybody could see how he was man handling me at the moment. He smiles at himself as if an idea just came to him he suddenly brings me so close to his lips I could smell his breath. Minty.

"Your kinda cute" he whispers and smirks at me as if he were pure evil, his eyes moving up and down my body, "for a human". He lets out a low chuckle into my face. What's that suppose to mean?

His fingers tighten around me in an intimidating way. He was trying to intimidate me with his size and power, and it was kind of working for him. But I tried glaring and kicked my legs.

His giant head takes up my entire vision like a billboard, I could see his pores and every freckle that splashed his cheek. His green eyes continue to roll about his head as he silently studies me. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. I guess he must get used to that, the way he acted was one of confidence. His face was strong and defined, his features molded from granite.

I squirm and wriggle and kick at his hand, thrashing and screaming against his thumb. I whimper and stare at him helplessly, glaring darkly in his direction. I look down to the finger against my mouth and begin to work up a plan, if I could grin I would be.

I bite him.

I chomp down hard, my teeth aching at the thick skin but I continue to sink my teeth into his thumb as hard as I could until his fingers loosen and my arms come free.

"Hey!" He yelps and his fingers loosen around me until I fall, "What was that for!" I'm thrown onto the seat next to Austin. My legs rolling out from under me and I land on my back, tumbling onto my side . The wind is knocked out of my chest and I begin to wheeze and cough, trying to catch my breath again after being thrown. A pain strikes my chest and I curl up into the foetus position. I prayed for anything but an asthma attack to happen at this point.

"What's going on back there!" Brian yells now from the front seat, his foot slamming down on the brakes and forcing my body to fly forwards, but luckily don't fall over the edge.

I turn my attention up with tears in my eyes to watch Brian's body whip around from the front and glare at his son that sits over me. When he doesn't see me in Austin's lap, his eyes frantically move around the back of the car. He looks frightened until his eyes land on me, gasping for air beside Austin's leg.

The skin on his face looks like it's boiling under the surface, his cheeks and forehead turning tomato red.

"Help her up now!" The bark of Brian's voice surprised her, cupping her hands over ears quickly to block it out . It was then that I noticed a familiar face, i see Mum staring at me in Brian's palm, her eyes widening larger then the moon at me laying next to Austin, cheeks red and panting.

"She bit me!" Austin howls in pain, holding his finger out towards his dads face to show him his 'wound'. I didn't bite him that hard. Brian lets out an annoyed animal like sound and swats quickly at Austin's finger to push it away from his face, replaced with one of the dirtiest looks I've seen from a man.

I ignore the two and roll over onto my stomach. Groaning at the pain that shoots through my lungs and ribs. Shaking slightly, I manage to get up onto one knee and push myself up from the giant leather car seat. I look up at Austin, noticing his smug face looking back down at me.

"You didn't have to throw me, you jerk!" I explode, eyes wide and hands lifting in the air, waving my fists at the larger boy. I step closer and swing my leg back to try at kicking Austin's giant hand that rest atop the seat beside me. But last second, he moves his hand away from my moving foot and I end up falling backwards onto my butt. I blush darkly then lightly scream in frustration, getting back up onto my feet I storm away from the laughing giant. My nerves and fear bubble beneath the surface, anger beginning to wiggle its way to the edge.

"She's a feisty one" Austin chuckles lowly, his laughing deep and full of amusement. He makes the seat move under my feet as he laughs louder, bouncing up and down. I look over my shoulder suddenly to glare up at him, i hate him very much. I could feel it bubble and churn, he made me feel sick

"Cut it out, Austin!" Brian shouts over his shoulder, my ears hurt from his loud voice, "Austin take Tess inside to her house. I've got your luggage" Brian turns and opens his large car door, effortlessly stepping out and leaving with my mother in his hand. He glimpses back over his shoulder once down at me then back to Austin, "be good" He steps out fully of the car, leaving me and Austin alone.

I spin on the spot, watching Austin undo his seatbelt and open his door. He turns to look back at me, a smirk playing on his lips, as if he were challenging me.

He moves his arm towards me, fingers stretching he places his hand on top of the seat by me. He faces his palm up so that I can climb on, like a seat. I look between his hand then back up into his dazzling eyes.

Scowling at him i say, "don't expect me to get on" I growl, sitting down on top of the leather seat instead. I don't know where all this confidence has suddenly come from, it seemingly coming from deep inside my belly. I glance back up at Austin, brows raised I notice a slight twinkle of amusement in his eye. His lips parting into a smile, his hand retreating back to his side.

"Well then... if I've lost your trust, shall we get to know each other a little." he smiles at me, his perfect pearly white teeth glaring back at me. I remain silent, just staring up at the giant boy in front of me with no amusement or interest in my eyes.

"Okay then, I'll go first," I watch in silence as Austin closes his door again and settles back into his car seat, resting his head against the headrest as he suddenly seems to fall deep into thought.

I groan, falling back onto my back and push my skirt down, gazing up to the ceiling. I regret wearing a skirt to the giant quarters. I could still feel a slight discomfort from the idea of being so close to something so large, but I was trying to not show it

I don't care about Austin or anything he might say next. I want to go to sleep, to rest my head down on a soft pillow and feel safe. I've had enough interactions with giants in one day to last me a lifetime.

"Okay. So... my names Austin Kay Taylor. I'm seventeen years old and currently captain of the school Backnott team (it's like basketball, but the game is way more aggressive. They have bats!). I've got a six pack, I have great hair also. I enjoy eating and I'm not a virgin" I look up at Austin from where I lay on the seat, a cheeky smile spreads across his lips at my reaction. He seemed to enjoy talking about himself

"I didn't need to know that" I groan, letting my head drop back so that I'm looking back at the roof of the car. It's so grey in this car. Grey seats, grey roof, grey doors, grey windows. Everything in here is so grey

"What about you?" Without moving my, I look back up at Austin, letting out a long sigh.

"My name is Tessa Rene Moore, I'm 16 turning 17 in two months. I hate sport, I love fashion and makeup, I also love eating and I'm a virgin" I lift my hands up over my head, giving him jazz hands before letting them drop back down by my sides. He laughs.

"What?" I snap. I'm getting really annoyed with this giant guy now. He's was so irritating, how he smirks and how he talks

"Your so weird" he laughs again, moving his head to look down at me. His eyes giving me a once over before looking back up at the ceiling like me, "how bout... what's your deepest, darkness secret?" he asked lowly, not bothering to look over at me when he speaks, suddenly seeming disinterested in me all together all at once.

"What's the point of a secret if I'm just going to tell you?" This makes him look at me, his eyes squinting in a playful amusement. I smirk back, feeling confidence beginning to build again.

"Touché" he coos softly, smiling down at me again. A nice sweet smile not a cheeky one, one that turned up slightly and showing two dimples in his cheeks.

"Okay shorty, enough. Let's go inside" he says and smiles playfully, tilting his head waiting for my reaction. I glare at Austin daggers shooting from my eyes, seeing his hand lift and beginning to inch closer and closer towards until his oversized fingers brushed my ankles, making me flinch and shudder away, rejecting the offer.

"How are you going to get inside?" He asked, the both of us staring at each other in silence. He shrugs, "you can stay in the car all night then. I don't care" He shrugs his large shoulders again and starts to push his door open to get out, seeming to decide to leave me by myself. I horror must have been clear on my face cause he smirks at me, I gasp, not wanting to stay in here all night.

"Wait!" I burst out suddenly , jumping to my feet and running towards the closing door. It's was clear that he didn't care one bit, but he turned and looked back to me teasingly.

"Yes shorty?" He opens the door again, peering in to look back down at me standing helplessly by myself. A smirk pulling at the corner of his lips, his eyebrows lifting up his giant forehead and creasing. I step away, his size becoming very intimidating and frightening as he looms up to his full height.

"I'm n-not sh-short! and You can't just leave me here all night!" I blurt again, feeling my hands beginning to shake again. I clasp them together quickly to hide the fear, not wanting him to pick on me.

"Tessi, You are bit bigger then my middle finger, I think that's considered short here." Austin begins closing the door again, "And I can do whatever I want, since your the size of well... my finger" he laughs, pulling his head out of the car he smiles down at me, "Bye gorgeous!" And with that he slams the door shut.

He evilly smiles down at me, lifting and waving his giant hand in a goodbye wave through the tinted window. He watches me helplessly stand in the car, watching with a trembling lip, he had to be joking. But to my horror, he begins to walk off

I sprint across the giant leather seat of the car, tripping and stumbling over my own feet because of the threads, before slamming into the door and beginning to punch my fists into the ginormous car door.

"Austin! No! You can't do this to me!" I slam my fists into the door over and over again, until my knuckle splits and I have to stop from the pain and blood. I bring my knuckles closer to my chests and clutch it in pain, tears welling up in my eyes. He obviously can't hear me, my vocal cords being smaller than an ant compared to him

"I HATED YOU ANYWAY!" I scream at the top of my raspy lungs and kick the door with my boot one last time, before collapsing to my knees.

I fall back onto my butt, letting out a whimper. Large hot tears begin to roll down my fair cheeks, rolling down my chin and landing on my collar line

I cry.

I cry so hard that I'm sure Austin could hear me from inside. Probably smirking to himself since, feeling all big and strong. What a jerk.

Aye! Another update!! And it was really long! Hope u liked it cause I think it was okay. *sighs* not really. I just don't know how to make it better.

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