My name is Casper and I look after a lively girl named Emma who is 8 years old. Her parents often work at night, and this very special day became a memory I will carry with me forever.
I have had the pleasure of looking after Emma since she was 7 years old and our bond has grown stronger with each passing day. This afternoon I drop by her parents before they leave to agree on the day's plan. With cordiality and smiles, they welcome me inside. When they leave the house, I step into the living room, where Emma is engrossed in the TV. I sit down next to here.
Casper: "Hey Emma, what do you see?"
A wide smile spreads across Emma's face and her eyes sparkle with joy.
Emma: "I'm watching a great series called 'Bluey'. It's really one of my favourites!"
I direct my gaze to the TV screen and watch the fun adventures unfold with the talking dogs. We both let ourselves be engulfed by the strange universe, but then I decide to make us a delicious pizza. Emma casts a curious glance at me.
Casper: "Hello, I have something exciting for you to taste."
Emma pulls out a mysterious wrapped object. Is it maybe candy or something similar?
Casper: "Of course, let me taste it," I say to Emma, and she gives it to me with a bit of excitement in her eyes. I take a bite and the taste surprises me. I accidentally swallowed it all.
Emma looks at me, slightly concerned, and asks if I'm okay.
Casper: "Yes, yes, I'm fine. I just need to go to the toilet." I rush out to drink a sip of water. After a moment, a strange feeling begins to spread through my body. I turn to run back, but something is very wrong. You have become smaller! I stare in shock at my disappearing body and feel the panic rise. In a desperate cry I just reach Emma's name.
Casper: "Emma, help! Something incredibly strange is happening to me! Help me!"
I end up falling to my knees and experience a transformation where my size just continues to decrease until it stops.
I take in the impression of the bathroom around me, and it suddenly seems like a gigantic room. A voice reaches my ears and the door opens.
Emma: "Casper, are you okay? Where are you?"
I look up and discover to my surprise that Emma is now a giant in my eyes. The panic makes me shout louder.
Casper: "Emma, wait! I'm down here!"
Emma stops abruptly and directs her attention down to the floor. Her surprised expression changes to joy when she spots me. She carefully sits down on the floor, picks me up in her hand. The soft and warm touch feels wonderful. She lifts me up to her face and I can see her eyes alternate between amazement and excitement.
casper - "Why are you smiling, Emma?
I thank Emma, but emphasize the seriousness of the situation. We have to find out why I've gotten so small. I mentioned the idea of contacting the police.
But Emma continues to smile and exudes a wonderful sense of optimism. Her grip on me tightens a bit and the nervousness returns. I wonder if she really understands how important it is that we solve this problem together Emma walked out of the room with you and carefully sat you down on the dining table. She then rushed over to collect the fragrant pizza. As you sat there waiting, you couldn't help but look for her with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. Why had you ended up in this diminished state and how would it change your day?
Not long after, Emma returned, carrying the delicious pizza on a plate. With a loving smile and a cheerful laugh, she served you a small bite.
Emma: "Here's a suitable slice of pizza for you."
Casper: "Thank you, Emma." Your smile was genuine as you gratefully accepted the food.
In that pleasant moment, enjoying the taste of the pizza and Emma's company, you couldn't help but laugh a little. It was like worries were put on hold and you could just be present in this lovely moment with Emma.
After you both finished eating, you turned your attention to Emma.
Casper: "Can you help me call the police now, Emma?"
Emma's expression changed slightly to disappointment and she carefully lifted you up.
Emma: "I so want to play with you before we call for help."
Although you understood her desire to spend time together and have fun, you knew it was important to find a solution to your situation.
Casper: "Of course, Emma. We can play for 30 minutes and then you promise to call the police, right?"
Emma lit up with excitement and started jumping up and down a little with you still in her hand. She headed for her room to prepare for play and you couldn't help but smile at her energy and joy.
Emma stepped into her adorable room which was a typical girl's dream with horses, teddy bears and dolls around. With a cute giggle, she gently set you down on the floor and then rushed over to get something.
As you watched her in her joyful bustle, you were filled with a warm and happy feeling. You knew that her everyday life was dominated by her parents' busy work and this playful moment gave her a much needed break. Your heart melted as you saw her stand up and approach you. Her gigantic form bent down and you met her eyes which were filled with anticipation and joy.
Emma: "So, now we're going to play monster games!"
You looked at her in confusion, your concern clearly reflected in your eyes.
Casper: "Monster game?"
Emma eagerly shook her head with a laugh.
Emma: "Yes, monster play! You are the brave little people who must avoid me because I am the dangerous monster!"
Although a sense of nervousness washed over you, you couldn't help but smile at Emma's excitement. You nodded cautiously, trying to hide your concern so as not to ruin the fun moment.
Casper: "Okay, I'm ready. How does it work?"
Emma's eyes lit up and she began to explain the rules, gesturing with her little hands.
Emma: "You have to try to avoid me when I try to catch you. If I touch you, you're caught and I win. But if you avoid me long enough, you win, Casper!"
Trying to understand the game, you nodded as you tried to suppress your worry. You couldn't help but feel at ease that Emma didn't fully understand the implications of how small you actually were.
Casper: "Understood, Emma. Let's begin."
Emma clapped her hands and with a smile she began to count out loud.
Emma: "1, 2, 3, 4, now I'm coming, Casper!"
With your heart pounding in your chest, you looked around and spotted a dollhouse nearby. Without hesitation, you ran towards it, hoping to find a hiding place and escape the pudding "monster".
Your heart pounded violently in your chest as you heard her eager steps approach. You quickly looked over your shoulder as you ran and saw her getting closer with a big smile on her face. Your fear of being caught became overwhelming and you felt an intense urge to find a safe place.
With a sudden insight, you spotted the door to the dollhouse right in front of you. Without hesitation you sprinted in and closed the door behind you, heart pounding with fear. You looked out the window and saw Emm's huge feet stopping in front of the dollhouse. She sat down and looked down at it, a big smile across her face.
Emma: "Casper, come out and play with me!"
She gently shook the house with both hands, causing you to cling and try to keep your balance. You cried out desperately, trying to make her aware of the seriousness of the situation.
Casper: "Emma, this isn't funny anymore, I'm begging you to stop!"
Your voice was a faint whisper, but Emma didn't hear it or necessarily understand the dire consequences. She continued to shake the house and you felt powerless as you lost your grip and were thrown out of a window.
In an instant you fell through the air, a feeling of weightlessness combined with fear. You finally landed on her bed, softer than you expected but still with a painful feeling of tenderness in your body. You stood up, looked around and saw that Emma hadn't noticed what had happened.
You knew you had to find another hiding place to avoid her eager play. Your body ached but you ignored it and embarked on another journey to find a safety zone.
You find yourself inside Emma's dollhouse and quickly search for a hiding place. As you explore, you catch the sound of Emma's voice calling you.
Emma: "Casper, where are you? Come out and play with me now!"
Little heartbeats in your chest as you quietly get off the bed and land gently on the floor. You start looking for a new hiding place, but a strong sense of dread hits you as you hear her voice again, closer this time.
Emma: "There you are, Casper! Now I'm coming for you!"
Your heart beats faster as you hear the sound of her steps towards you. You start to run, but suddenly you are kicked by her foot and thrown through the air until you land with a bump on the ground. The pain fills you and a scream escapes your lips, but in Emma's eyes it's just part of the game and she approaches with a smile.
She laughs triumphantly. "Ha ha, I caught you! You've lost the game!"
You see her huge foot getting closer, ready to step on you. You scream in both pain and desperation.
Casper: "Emma, stop, stop!"
She raises her foot and looks at you in confusion, her smile slowly fading.
Emma: "Are you okay, Casper? I really thought we were just playing."
You yell at her, now without thinking about the consequences.
Casper: "I don't want to play anymore! I want to be normal again, and I want to know why I've become so small!"