[TESS]

The silence in my room was oppressive, thick with a strange, inexplicable weight. The only sound was the faint rustle of pages as I flipped through the book I'd found, its cover worn and spine creased from too many hands before mine. It wasn't particularly engaging—something about planets and far-off worlds that felt too distant to hold my focus. Still, I read, trying to ignore the growing unease settling over me.

The clock on the wall ticked steadily, each second dragging out into eternity. My eyes scanned the words in front of me, but none of them stuck. My mind kept drifting—to Darrick, to Austin, Cole, and Jace. They'd been gone for hours now, off to one of the facility's infamous "classes." Whatever those involved

I tried to remind myself of Darrick's promise—that we'd have dinner together tonight. He always kept his promises. That thought alone usually calmed me, his steadfastness a grounding force in this unrelenting place. But tonight, it didn't work. Tonight, something felt wrong.

I snapped the book shut, the sound sharp in the quiet room. Tossing it onto the bed, I glanced at the clock. Nearly 6 p.m. Dinner started at 6:30. He'd be here soon, I told myself. I wanted to believe it, needed to believe it. But the prickling unease at the back of my mind wouldn't go away.

Rising from the bed, I began to pace the small room. It wasn't much—bare walls, a simple desk, a single bed that always felt too stiff, too cold. Normally, this space felt like a refuge, a place where I could breathe even if just for a moment. Tonight, though, it felt suffocating, the walls closing in with every second that passed without him.

I stopped by the door, my hand brushing the cool metal of the handle. Any minute now, he'd walk through it, tired but smiling, maybe with some sarcastic quip about how he'd survived another day. But as the minutes dragged on, the door remained shut, and my chest grew tight with worry.

At exactly 6:30, there was a knock—a faint, hesitant tap that barely registered against the silence. Not the confident knock I'd expect from Darrick. This was softer, almost unsure. My stomach twisted.

"Darrick?" I called, my voice trembling as I swung the door open.

There he stood, but not how I'd imagined. He was smaller—much smaller—barely taller than my hip. His shrunken frame leaned heavily against the doorframe, his arms trembling as if they could barely hold him upright. His dark hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat, and his face was ghostly pale. But it was his eyes that hit me hardest—red-rimmed, bloodshot, filled with pain. They locked onto mine, and his lips curled into the faintest, wavering smile.

"Tess..." he rasped, his voice so hoarse and broken it made my chest ache. He swayed on his feet, and I stepped forward instinctively.

"Oh my God, Darrick." I dropped to my knees, my hands hovering near him but unsure whether to touch him. He looked so fragile, so breakable, like a glass sculpture on the verge of shattering. "What happened? Are you okay?"

A weak, humorless chuckle escaped his lips. "Been better," he muttered, but before I could respond, his knees buckled, and he slumped forward. I caught him carefully, cradling his tiny frame in my arms like a child, terrified of hurting him. His body trembled against me, his breaths shallow and uneven.

"You're burning up," I said, my voice breaking. "What did they do to you?" My fingers brushed against his damp forehead, feeling the unnatural heat radiating from his skin.

Darrick didn't answer right away. His head rested against my fingers, his eyes fluttering shut as if even staying conscious was too much effort. "It's nothing new," he finally murmured. "Just... growing and shrinking too much. The usual." His voice cracked, and he winced, curling slightly into my hold. "My body can't... regulate itself right now."

"This isn't 'usual,'" I snapped, though my anger wasn't directed at him. It was at this place, at David, at whatever cruel experiment had pushed him to this point. "What are they putting you through, Darrick? Why can't you control it?" My voice trembled, the helplessness clawing at my chest.

He opened his eyes again, meeting my gaze. Despite the pain etched into his features, he smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Tess, don't worry," he whispered. "I'm okay. Just... needed to see you."

My heart twisted at his words. Even now, when he could barely hold himself together, he was thinking about me. I adjusted my hold carefully, bringing him closer so I could see him better. He fit so perfectly in my arms, like he belonged there. "You shouldn't have come like this," I said softly, though I didn't mean it. I was grateful he'd come, even if it broke my heart to see him like this.

"I promised," he said simply. His voice cracked on the last word, and he winced again, his small body trembling.

I brought him over to the bed, sitting down carefully so I could settle him on my lap. Darrick instinctively cuddled closer, his tiny hands gripping weakly at the fabric of my shirt. "You need to rest," I said, brushing a damp strand of hair from his face. "I'll get someone—"

"No," he interrupted, his small hand reaching out to grasp my finger. His touch was weak but firm, his eyes pleading. "Don't call anyone. Just... let me stay here. With you."

I swallowed hard, nodding as I wrapped my hands around him gently, cocooning him in warmth and safety. "Okay," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You're safe here, Darrick. I love you."

His breathing steadied slightly, and he nestled into the crook of my neck, his tiny frame fitting perfectly against me. "I love you too," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

For a while, we sat there in silence, the weight of the day slowly lifting as he rested. Even as his pain lingered, I could feel him relax, his trust in me unspoken but absolute. I held him close, my heart aching with a mix of love and helplessness.

~~~

The next morning came slowly, the kind of morning where time seemed reluctant to move forward. The faint light from the overhead fluorescents hummed softly, spilling a dull, lifeless glow across the room. The warmth of the blankets wrapped around us was comforting but temporary, a fragile cocoon that couldn't hold back the weight of reality for long.

I stirred first, the stiffness in my neck reminding me I'd fallen asleep propped up against the wall. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I looked down to find Darrick still curled up beside me. He was nestled close, his head resting against my shoulder, his breathing soft and steady. At first glance, he looked better—less pale, less fragile—but as I studied him more closely, I noticed he was still... off. He'd grown since the night before, his frame now more in line with what I was used to, but he was still smaller than his normal self. Not by much, but enough to be noticeable.

Carefully, I shifted, trying not to disturb him. His head rested against my shoulder, his dark hair a tousled mess from the restless night. His face was strained, and the lines of exhaustion were etched deep into his features, but his breathing was steady now, calm. He looked better—stronger—but it was painfully obvious he still wasn't back to his full self.

Then, with a small groan, he stirred. His eyelids fluttered open, and his groggy, half-lidded gaze met mine. "Morning," he murmured, his voice came, groggy and quiet, as his eyes fluttered some more. He blinked up at me, squinting against the dim light.

I smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

He shifted, stretching his limbs gingerly, as though testing his body for any new aches. A low groan escaped his lips, and he slumped back against the wall, rubbing the back of his neck. "Like I got hit by a bus," he muttered dryly. There was a faint hint of humor in his voice, but it couldn't fully mask the fatigue. He glanced down at himself, his hands resting limply in his lap, and frowned. "Guess I'm not quite back to normal yet, huh?"

"No," I admitted, my tone light, trying to ease the weight of the conversation. "But you're getting there."

Darrick let out a sigh, his head tipping back to rest against the wall as his gaze shifted toward the ceiling. Sitting up like this, it was easier to notice the change in his height. He was still shorter than me—a reversal that felt almost surreal. Normally, he was the one towering over me, his presence grounding and unshakable. Now, he looked smaller, not just physically but in spirit. His lips pressed into a thin line as his eyes darted toward me, the frustration written across his face.

"Looks like I've still got a ways to go," he muttered, trying to make light of it but failing to hide the frustration in his tone. He pulled his knees up slightly, resting his forearms on them. "It's weird, you know? Not being myself."

I reached out, resting a hand on his arm. "You are yourself, Darrick. No matter your size, you're still you."

He looked at me, his expression softening. "Yeah, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "It's just hard, Tess. Feeling like I'm not... enough. Like I can't even control my own body."His voice wavered, the vulnerability in his words cutting through the usual bravado he wore so easily.

I didn't know what to say to that, so I just squeezed his arm gently. "You don't have to do this alone," I said softly. "I'm here, Darrick. You don't have to prove anything to me—or anyone else."

He nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to his hands. They were still slightly smaller than usual, the proportions just slightly off. It was a reminder of how much he'd been through, how much his body had been forced to endure. "Thanks," he said quietly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the previous day still lingering. Eventually, Darrick shifted, sitting up a little straighter. "I should get ready," he said, his voice steadier now. "If David catches me missing breakfast, I'm sure he'll have something to say about it."

"You're not going anywhere until you've eaten something here first," I said firmly, crossing my arms. "You're still recovering, and I'm not letting you push yourself too hard."

Darrick gave me a small, tired smirk, the corners of his lips curving upward just enough to show he wasn't completely defeated. "Didn't realize you had a thing for shorter guys," he said, his tone laced with playful mischief despite the exhaustion in his voice. He leaned back slightly, raising an eyebrow as if to add emphasis. "Not that I'd say no if you wanted to make the most of this... opportunity."

I felt my cheeks flush instantly, and I glared at him, trying to hide the way my lips twitched at the corners. "Darrick—"

"What?" he interrupted with a mock innocent look, though the grin tugging at his mouth betrayed him. "I mean, if you're into it, Tess, who am I to deny you the pleasure of towering over me for once?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my composure. "Eat your fruit before I throw it at you, Darrick."

He chuckled, his smirk widening. "You're not denying it, though." His voice dropped slightly, teasing, as he leaned closer—though his body clearly didn't have the strength to keep up with the act. "You've always liked being in charge, haven't you?"

I smiled, holding his arm to pull him upright before he could take the joke any further. "Get up, you idiot," I muttered, trying to fight the embarrassed grin spreading across my face. "You're insufferable when you're like this."

As I helped him to his feet, his hand—smaller than usual—gripped mine firmly. He wobbled slightly as he stood, and I reached out to steady him, my other hand on his shoulder.

"Careful," I said softly.

He tilted his head up to meet my eyes, his grin still in place despite his weakened state. "Careful, Tess. Keep holding me like this, and I might start thinking you're really into it."

I shook my head, laughing despite myself. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he replied, his grin softening into something more genuine.

For the first time, I realized just how much shorter he was than me now. Normally, he towered over me, his broad frame making me feel small in comparison. But now, he barely came up to my chin. It was a strange reversal, one that made my protective instincts flare even more.

Darrick noticed too, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "Guess I'm looking up to you for a change."

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't help but smile. "You're still taller than you were last night. Take the win."

"Fair enough." He chuckled softly, though the sound was tinged with exhaustion. As he steadied himself, I guided him back to the bed and handed him a piece of fruit I'd saved from the cafeteria the day before. He took it without protest, nibbling at it slowly.

Watching him like this, so different yet still undeniably Darrick, made my heart ache. He was trying so hard to push through, to act like everything was fine, but I could see the strain in his eyes, the frustration he tried to hide.

"You're going to get through this," I said quietly, sitting beside him. "We'll figure it out. Together."

He looked at me, his expression softening. "I know," he said simply. And in that moment, I believed him.