I lay on the hard ground floor in an abandoned mouse hole in
the Olander family house.

That’s right I am from my knowledge the last normal sized
human on earth, about 50 years ago my grandma said they brought out new medical
advantages, some of these things gave you better eye site some gave you bigger
feet or hands.

But most importantly the big breakthrough was size, when everyone wanted a sample of the product called “Titan” things went up in the markets but the cost of new houses and furniture to fit the newly sized people was very expensive.

The people grew to sizes of 50-80 feet tall and to this day
they keep getting taller.

I am 17 and I was brought up in a family of regular humans,
we never had any of the formula or other medical products of that time, which
is why I think I am possibly the last human alive.

My parents died when I was 10, they were found by a baby who
is now an 8 year old girl in the Olander family, they have 5 members; Selena
(mum), Dandigo (dad), Jastix (16 year old brother), Courtney (15 year old
sister) and Stella (8 year old sister).

My parents were eaten alive but I never blamed Stella, she
didn’t mean to, I miss my parents but I know that they wouldn’t want me to
blame Stella for what she did.

I have been living alone for 8 years and have grown quite
attached to the family, they don’t know I exist but I feel like I know them.

Selena is a kind hearted mother who doesn’t care what her
kids do as long as she knows about them and as long as they are willing to
suffer the punishment which is usually helping out at the retirement village
across the block.

Dandigo is more outgoing and loud, he is very competitive
but is also very understanding and wise, and he works at the newsagency and
reports the most bizarre stories to the rest of the family, and also keeps me
updated if there are any more humans found.

Jastix is a quiet boy, I haven’t seen him invite any friends
over I think he is lonely though I can’t imagine why, he is very fit and
handsome and not at all nerdy but he is a straight B student and gets his
homework in on time.

Courtney is also fairly quiet but popular, she is very
tanned and skinny and wears her skirts way too short but besides that she is an
animal lover and naturally kind and caring, she goes out every Wednesday to
baby sit the neighbours kids.

Stella is a cute outgoing kid, though she did murder my parents
I do forgive her but some part of her still scares me like she could still be
as irresponsible and I could meet the same fate. She also loves to explore I
have had to move camp a couple of times because she kept on finding where I was
hidden when she was about 4 but now she leaves me alone, I think she knows I am
here but she just doesn’t bother me like I would expect.

Animals have also been given the formula and now grow
naturally big, they were given the formula because everyone was tired of being
vegetarian, they also injected the seeds of plants with the titan formula so
now everything is normal sized accept me.

I have long knotted brown hair, pale skin, light blue eyes
and I am not very tall, I’m about 163cm tall but I am probably only 80mm now to
the giants

Today Jastix and Courtney are babysitting Stella while
Dandigo and Selena go one their 19th anniversary.

I am sitting behind the old piggy bank on the kitchen bench
while Courtney feeds Stella some lunch and Jastix finishes his homework.

I like watching the family together it makes me feel
involved but at the same time interested, would our family be in the same
family today if grandma had taken the formula? I would never know but grandma
was very against it she had said before she passed away and she begged each of
us desperately not to take the formula if we were given a chance to take it.

“Hey Jax can you take over for a minute I have to prepare
our own lunch” Courtney called over to Jastix. He looked up slowly to his
sister and then to the giggling Stella “I can feed myself” she insisted
crossing her arms and pretending to pout.

Jastix laughed and nodded to Courtney “You better are making
something good” he teased and scrapped his chair backwards as he stood up.

The earth shook as he took each step towards the bench,
closer and closer to me, I could smell his strong cologne emanating from him.

He stopped a couple hundred metres away from me and picked
up the bowl of food for Stella from the bench. Somehow knowing she was being
fed pleased me, maybe because I knew she wouldn’t be hungry for a ‘little’
snack.

“Are you sure you can feed yourself, it took you years to
get potty trained you know” Jastix teased, his voice booming now.

Stella grumbled and snatched the spoon from him “I’m a big
girl now and I can take care of myself!” she yelled, her voice was so high
pitched I had to cover my ears.

Jastix gave Stella the bowl and pulled out a chair closer to
me, as he sat I felt myself being lifted into the air ever so slightly but it
didn’t alarm me, I wasn’t scared of this oversized family, I knew they would
never intentionally hurt me and I have grown used to their habits to knew when
I’m not safe.

I leaned on the piggy bank and strained my neck upwards, I
saw Jastix smiling at his little sister, he sighed to himself which led to a
breeze being forced my way.

His breath never smelt, he was always clean and tidy, and I
wasn’t a bit scared of him or Courtney or Stella for that matter, in fact I had
been trying to build up the confidence to tell them I exist.

I started with letting Stella see me every now and then, she
just smiled at me like she remembered her earlier childhood days, she never
pointed me out she just smiled and sometimes waved, I never moved or showed her
any recognition because I didn’t want her thinking I was real and hunting me
down.

I looked over to Stella now and revealed myself a little
more but just out of eye sight of Jastix, I made eye contact with Stella and
she giggled, I hope I didn’t look tasty.

Jastix’s face turned serious “What are you laughing at?” he
asked and followed his sisters eyes to me but I moved back behind the piggy
bank just in time.

“Nothing, just my little friend” he said giggling again,
little friend? What’s that supposed to mean?

“Your little friend?” Courtney asked as she thundered her
way over with herself and Jastix’s lunch.

She sat down and joined the conversation which made the
earth jump again but I wasn’t concerned I wanted to hear what Stella was going
to say, maybe this was a mistake.

“We have been friends since I was a baby, she comes and sees
me every now and again, and she’s so cute” Stella explained, well that’s a
relief she thinks I’m cute, and I don’t remember us being friends though the
thought sounds nice but stomach churning at the same time.

“What’s her name?” Courtney asked sounding a little too
excited; maybe she thought I was her imaginary friend or something, which would
be a good thing.

“Um I don’t know” Stella frowned “I haven’t really talked to
her, we just see each other and smile, I have never met her” Stella sounded
disappointed, maybe I should reveal myself and introduce myself but what if
they tell someone or maybe I don’t really know them, what if they turn on me? I
don’t think I could risk that.

“That’s so sad; maybe if you ask her she will come out to
you, did you see her just then?” Jastix asked looking more interested now.

“Yeah but as soon as you looked in her direction she ran
away, I don’t think she likes you Jastix” Stella admitted with an inch of
teasing in her voice, Jastix snickered back and sighed.

She had it all wrong, I liked all of them but it was Stella
I was afraid of most for now but only because she looked happy when she killed
my parents but then again she was only a baby, maybe I should just leave and
let them continue their conversation I don’t think I could stand to hear any
more.

I headed for the string under the counter when I heard a
loud scream “NO!!!” it was Stella, I got worried and quickly looked up in her
direction, but the piggy bank was missing.

I looked at Stella her eyes full of shame and worry; I
looked up at the piggy bank now hovering miles above my head and being held by
Jastix large strong hand.

I fell back and strained to see his expression, he looked
shocked but interested, I looked at Courtney who was staring at me with sorry
eyes and biting her lower lip.

“What are you?” Jastix asked, his voice shocked me, I had
never been so close to him before, and I was frozen with fear and anxiety.

I opened my mouth but no words came out, they were stuck in
my throat and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t push them out, I began to
tremble and shake, my arms gave way and I was lying flat on my back staring up
at the giants.

“Jastix your scaring her” Stella growled with tears falling
down her face, this made me feel more safe knowing that she was trying to
protect me not hurt me, Jastix face was full of recognition and he placed the
piggy bank down inches from me, it made me flinch at the impact but I didn’t
brake eye contact with Jastix.

“Sorry” he sounded sincere, I have to force myself to be
brave, come on I can do this.

“It’s ok” I croaked out, I felt another wave of shake go through
me as I began to stand up, was I talking loud enough could they even hear me?

“What did she say?” Courtney whispered into Jastix ear but
kept her eyes on me.

Jastix stood up which made his seat scrape the floor which
made the ground shake and I ended up on my butt again.

“Jastix!” Courtney scolded.

“Stop yelling please” I asked and they all looked at me
immediately “Oh I’m so sorry” Courtney whispered she too stood up but moved her
chair softer but it still made the bench shake.

Jastix leaned down so that he was eye level with me and
Courtney followed “What’s your name?” Courtney whispered.

“Oh I’m Sophie, nice to meet you Courtney, Jastix and
Stella” I answered politely making eye contact with each of them and keeping my
eyes on Stella a little longer to study her expression.

“How did you know my name?” Stella demanded a little shocked;
I looked at her with a forced smile something about her demanding voice made me
have a short day dream about being her own little slave.

“I have been living with your family for over 17 years” I answered
not really wanting to go into details.

“And no one ever saw you?” Jastix asked also shocked.

“Um yes, but that was a while ago” I answered.

“Who saw you?” Courtney asked now interested.

“Well Stella um saw my parents” I looked down at my hands; I
was hoping not to bring this story back up again.

Everyone looked at Stella who was still on her chair but her
head was resting on her folded arms on the bench while she watched me.

“What? I don’t remember” she defended herself.

“Where are your parents now?” Jastix asked looking kind of
concerned.

“Um their dead now” I answered a little too softly but they
all seemed to hear, they looked at each other with pity and gave me a lop sided
full of comfort smile.

“What happened to them?” Stella asked, I looked up at her
with teary eyes.

“It doesn’t matter” I said holding back my tears this wasn’t
the time to be talking about my problems.

“Did a human hurt them?” Jastix asked, biting his lower lip
after he said it as if it pained him thinking a giant was capable of killing a
human.

“I’m the human one” I joked with a smile and he smiled back
ever so slightly, the features on his face seemed to fill my view and when he
smiled it really seemed like the whole world was smiling with him.

“You didn’t answer my question” he countered and I sighed.

“You don’t need to know” I said trying to make my voice louder
as I looked over at Stella, she smiled at me and leaned in closer, I backed
away but only slightly.

She gave me a toothy grin, and giggled which shook the bench
because she was so close, I tried not to make it noticeable, but the exposer of
her teeth startled me, what if I found a bone wedged between her teeth or something.

The thought forced me to look away and walk away slowly.

“What’s wrong?” she asked and her breath cooled down my back
which caused me to grow goose bumps.

I shook my head “Nothing” I croaked out and tears started
welling up again, stop it Sophie! I scolded myself, your just making things
worse!

“Ok you have to tell me now” Jastix sighed and extended his
finger towards me as a tears fell down my cheeks.

I took a step back not knowing exactly what he was going to
do, I could see the crease lines in his long finger as it approached me, I must
have been scared but I didn’t move, I just stood there with wide teary eyes.

His finger slightly brushed my face, I think he was attempting
to wipe away my tears but he just managed to smudge those more which made my
face cold.

As his finger backed away again I looked up at him again and
smiled, he nodded and I wiped my tears off properly with my loose shirt sleeve.

I noticed Courtney hadn’t said much and I looked over at
her, she looked scared, I wonder why shouldn’t I be the one scared of her?

“Are you ok!” I called up to her recovering myself a little
more.

She seemed startled by my sudden recognition but smiled a
strained smile at me.

“I’m fine” she whispered but I knew something was on her
mind, she sounded like this when her parents asked her where she went all
night, she pretended like she was at her friend’s house but she was really with
her boyfriend.

Point is she was lying to me and I wanted to know why.

“Promise to answer me one question truthfully?” She asked
her voice shaking a little.

“Ok”

“Did any of us kill your parents?” she didn’t meet my eyes
as she said this, maybe she thought she was the one, but for some reason this
question stumped me could I really just blurt it out how do I tell a little
girl she murdered two of the most important people in my life.

“Did we?” Jastix joined in also sounding worried.

“Erm yes” I almost whispered, why did I just say that? Now they
are going to get mad at me or Stella is, maybe she will give me the same fate as
my parents as punishment.

“Who?” Jastix almost demanded with wide eyes, he started
looking at each of the faces in the room but stopped on me last.

“Who?” Courtney insisted leaning in closer; I backed off
because I didn’t feel comfortable with her face being so close to me.

“Um ….. Stella” I whispered her name but they all gasped, I looked
up at Stella who was shaking her heads as tears spilled out of her eyes.

“It’s not your fault, you were only a baby I don’t blame
you” I assured her, I walked over to her arms and looked into her blood shot
eyes.

“I’m so sorry” she whispered and more tears spilled over her
eye lashes “It’s ok Stella I forgive you and so do my parents, you didn’t know
any better” I patted her bare arms and she looked at me almost shocked, it was
my turn to be strong for her, I didn’t want to hurt her like this I had to make
her feel better if it was the one thing I could do to help.

“What?” I asked.

“Where you watching?” she croaked out with even more tears
falling, they started to fall like rain, each droplet the size of my head were
falling around me.

I looked away from her, should I tell the truth, would that
hurt her more?

“No my um grandmother told me about it” I said trying to
make her feel a little better.

She was shaking her head again “Oh” Stella answered and
looked at her belly, she wrapped her arms around herself and her lower lip quivered.

“What’s wrong” I called up to her but she didn’t look at me.

“I feel sick now, I feel like a cannibal” she groaned.

I heard her stomach growl and I jumped back, was she hungry
for more now that she knew, I hoped not but just to be safe I took a few steps
away from her.

“Excuse me” she said and jumped out of her seat and ran to
the bathroom, her thundering footsteps left me falling and tripping, as she
slammed the door shut I began to fall backwards but I was stopped but something
warm and soft.

I put my hands around the wall I had fallen on and felt
small creases in it; I turned around to find I had been leaning on Jastix index
finger.

I stepped back so I could see his face, we made eye contact
and his worried expression turned happy.

“Thank you” I called up to he and he nodded.

“I don’t know what to say?” Courtney whispered with her own
eyes watering, her eyes were far away and I think she was imagining what it
could feel like to know your parents were eaten by a baby.

“I’m so sorry, if you need anything at all just ask please”
Jastix pleaded, his own eyes were going red and watery, this was not my
intention, I have to get out of here.

“Thanks but I’m fine” I said and started heading for the
string, Jastix gasped and the air thinned for a split second.

“Wait, you’re not leaving are you?” he asked now more
worried.

I looked at his watch which was a couple of metres away from
me, it was 5:55pm and their parents were coming home at six, I stood up
quickly.

“Yes I’m afraid I have to go right now, you won’t tell you
parents will you?” I begged as I got closer to my exit form all this mixed emotion.

“As long as you promise to come back soon, please Sophie”
Courtney pleaded, I sighed and nodded.

“Meet you in Jastix room at 8:30” I instructed them, they
looked confused but agreed, I sprinted for the piggy bank, the rope was still
there so I made my way down it, Courtney watched me in amazement.

“I can’t believe Stella would do that, do you believe it?”
Courtney whispered but I could hear her perfectly ‘I know what I saw Courtney’ I
told her in my head.

I ran across the room as the doorbell rang, Courtney didn’t
move she bit down on her lip, Jastix put on a smiled and sprinted to the door,
I tripped but kept on running as we crossed paths.

“Hey mum!” he called but didn’t move from the door way
entrance “Hey Jax how was your day?” she asked I could hear her put her hand to
the door knob but Jastix didn’t budge.

“It was really good, we um went bird watching over there” he
said pointing to something outside, I smiled at him as he gave me a wink, I
dived into the mouse hole and laid flat on my stomach on the floor.

I felt the tremor of Selena and Dandigo walking through the
threshold and into the open kitchen space.

I collapsed for a moment and blocked out the conversation
between the family to run through what had just happened, Stella was obviously upset
and I would have to make her happy, when I heard chairs scrapping on the floor
I peeked out and looked at the time on the clock, it read 8:20pm.

“Um mum can we be excused from the table, we want an early
night tonight” I heard Courtney ask “Um sure kids have a good sleep” she said
and the tremor of their footsteps got louder.

I turned to face the entrance of the hole and one by one the
three pairs of shoes walked past, first was Stella with her bright pink
sandals, second Courtney with her black flats and last were Jastix with his
brown sneakers.

I got up quickly and made my way through the walls of the
house until I reached Jastix room, I was only 8:26 by the time I got there but
I decided to hang around the entrance under his bed while I waited for the time
to pass by.