Though she knew she was supposed to be searching for possible prey Maya simply could not focus. The conversation prior had left her deep in thought as she strolled through the city streets of Los Demonios.

Some metropolis on the west coast of America it’s known for its rather crass nickname as the City of Devils. Fitting for one such as Maya. Of all the devils allowed to walk free in this den of sin, she was perhaps one of the worst of them. Though she was born elsewhere, in some small no-name town, she’s since been forced to migrate to this cesspool when circumstances forced her hand.

That was about three years ago when she had found her beloved Six. Of course, she knew that wasn’t his real name, but both hadn’t used it in so long that it seemed pointless to even remember. But she did. She remembered every detail of her beloved Six. From the year he was born to his former favorite food that he ate she knew everything about him. Even his future goals, which she learned when the two once dated during their college years.

To be twenty-seven, left upon the drawer top of one who nearly killed you. That was certainly not the future he wanted for himself.

Unfortunately, it was the future he was stuck with, and Maya had to remind him of that constantly. He was a beta. A ‘victim’ of an epidemic that swept across the world three years back. On December 25th, 2021 it came to every man, woman, and child's attention just how severe the crisis was. Over the course of a few months millions, if not more, shrunk to various sizes. Some only found themselves a few inches or feet shorter. Others dwindled down to little more than a few inches tall. All were branded Beta. Humans who have diminished and were considered ‘lesser’. They all mostly possessed the same characteristics. White hair, pink or red eyes, and pale skin with stitch-like markings around their body.

Of course, none were certain how the whole epidemic began, none save for Maya, Six, and a few select others. Those who remained of a regular height without ever needing to fear shrinking were branded alphas. Those immune to the whole shrinking epidemic as a whole. Of course, there were still regular people around. Those who had yet to shrink but weren't entirely immune to it. They were getting smaller in numbers though, with each passing year.

Because that was the plan. The plan of the one who orchestrated the very crisis that shook the world. Josephine Minerva. Martyr of the new world and producer of the cure that would return those shrunken to their regular sizes, but only for a short while. It was to ensure only the wealthiest could afford this temporary cure. Maya had put a stop to that, all in search of her little lover. She killed Saint Minerva, putting an end to her dreams. But not for good intentions. Maya was more than eager to live in such a world, but rather than one where only the wealthiest could prosper she ensured that anyone and everyone were capable of becoming a beta.

And for those long three years, with her beloved Six by her side, it was the most fun she’s had in her own twenty-seven years of life. But recently things have grown...complicated between the two.

While it was true that her Six had always voiced against her profession of murder it was only recently that he’s begun to...give up.

Any fight he had early on was dwindling each time he lost one of their arguments.

While Maya still loved him true it was becoming more difficult for her to accept his views.

“Please Six...” Maya pleaded, resting her head upon her hands as she came to a stop. “Please don’t make me break you...don’t make me do that.”

It was well into midnight, hours after she left her home. And still, she hadn’t found herself a victim. How can it be hard to find a small beta? They were everywhere these days. Unfortunately, her mind was preoccupied with her own worries, not focusing on finding any suitable targets. It wasn’t until Maya noticed the brightly lit neon sign of a rather run-down building that she thought to take her search elsewhere.

The sign was of a coiled snake, rising to reach the words, “Rising Python? Is that a joke or something?”

Not really knowing where else to go Maya made the decision of entering the building, quickly finding its rather simple appearance outside to be nothing more than a disguise.

The interior was lucrative, with velvet furniture and neon lights overhead. There were men and women, barely dressed and dancing for the entertainment of others. Some guided others to a back room, where Maya knew they were taking part in more intimate activities.

“A strip club?” Maya muttered, barely aware that one of said establishments staff, a barely dressed woman, was approaching her. It wasn’t until said staff touched her shoulder that Maya turned to face them, grabbing their wrist in the process.

“Ma’am? I’m sorry but...are you lost?” the woman asked, her red eyes keeping close watch of the masked woman’s grip. Though they tried to seem calm they couldn’t help but push aside strands of their white hair away from their eyes. A beta, and apparently one of many.

“I...no” Maya answered, releasing the woman's wrist. “I’m just surprised. Didn’t know there was a club here. Is this place new?”

The Betas expression quickly softened; the potential of having a new client at this establishment was too good to pass up. “Yes, we are in fact. The Rising Python, excuse the name, only opened up last week.”

“Did you now?” Maya mused, her eyes examining the area around her. This member of staff wasn’t the only one of average height. In fact, many of the dancers shared many of the same characteristics held by their kind. Too big for Mayas' goal. She needed someone smaller.

“I see you’re interested!” the woman exclaimed happily. “Luckily we here at the Rising Python are always happy to welcome new patrons.”

“Not quite...” Maya mused, her interest became apparent. “I noticed there’s a certain variety of ‘people’ here. But what I haven’t seen is anyone smaller.”

Immediately the woman's expression of joy turned sour. “Oh, so you’re one of those individuals huh?” she remarked, her voice filled with venom. “That would certainly explain the mask. You know you people give Betas such a bad streak.”

Maya quickly understood where this woman was coming from, removing her mask to show that things weren’t as it seems.

“Calm down” Maya asked, holding her mask in between her fingers. “I’m not one of those Beta haters. I don’t think they’re contagious.” A simple superstition that got many an innocent citizen stepped on. 

“Then why the mask?” the woman asked, her hands on her hips as she didn’t believe Mayas' words.

“It’s...precautionary.” Maya assured. “A friend and I got into an argument recently. We live relatively close by so I didn’t want to run the risk of seeing them...”

An obvious lie. Of course, the friend in question was her Six, who was no doubt still stuck atop the drawer. But it was enough to calm the upset worker, much to Mayas delight.

“So she’s gullible?” she thought. “Good...”

“Well...if that’s all then I’m glad you aren’t one of those haters.” the woman said, now at ease. “So many on these streets that I just assumed you were. That was crass of me. I’m sorry. I hope my outburst doesn’t dissuade you from becoming a patron.”

“Not in the slightest” Maya claimed. “In fact, I’m more than willing. That is if you have someone...”

“Smaller?” the woman said with a chuckle. “Normally we don’t, but one of our own missed their monthly cure so he’s rather small at the moment. Luckily for you, he decided to show up for work for the week. Apparently some people like the small ones.”

“I can imagine...” Maya said with a grin. Deep down she was holding herself back from jumping at this easy opportunity. It would be so simple, finding this beta and snuffing him out. But Maya needed to be careful. A new establishment and a betas death would find her out quicker than she liked. Too risky.

“If I can have myself a session with him then I’d be more than glad to join” Maya explained. Of course, there was hesitation from the larger worker.

“He’s kind of busy at the moment” she revealed. “Though if you’re willing you can wait for him. After paying of course.”

No obstacle for Maya, as she was in no mood to return home anytime soon. Six can manage by himself for a while longer, seemingly needing some alone time.

“That’s fine by me.” Maya nodded. When she was presented with the proper paperwork to have herself become a patron rather than a simple visitor of the establishment she signed using not her own name but one she had forged herself a few months back.

“Dahlia Kraus?” The woman questioned. “You’re German?”

Rather than answer straightforwardly Maya replied in a tone more befitting her guise. “Nur einer väterlicherseits. Only on my fathers' side.”

The woman was more than surprised. She was impressed. Even more so when she saw how much Maya was willing to pay forward to the Rising Python, poor name and all.

“Ma’am that’s...a lot of zeroes” the woman chuckled nervously, unsure of what she was even supposed to do in such a situation.

“I have ways of affording certain luxuries.” Maya claimed. “I hope that it'll be enough to speed up my wait time.

The woman was silent, thinking over what she should do before deciding it best to ask the man who was the cause of the discussion.

Not even five minutes did Maya have to wait before the woman came back with a small, bald man in the palm of her hand.

Six inches, well built, and relatively young. “Not bad at all” Maya thought, her eyes immediately falling to the smaller beta.

“So you’re the lucky woman who’s got my interest?” the man said with far more bravado than his small stature should allow. “I’ll warn you though, I may be small but I’ve got plenty of bite.”

Maya leaned in over the man, grinning the whole while, baring her teeth towards the man. “So do I...”

Ten minutes later Maya found herself comfortably seated within a room befitting the price she paid. Completely red from the floor to the wall to the seat she found herself in. in the very center of the room was a table where dancers no doubt entertained important guests in private.

A curious choice in design.

Below her, the man went to work. He was pinned underneath Mayas' right foot, the blue-haired woman removing her size ten loafer per his request.

“So he’s into that?” Maya thought as she forced herself to relax. “Well, I suppose he can have some sort of enjoyment. Not like he’ll be able to after tonight.”

Soon enough Maya found herself squirming in her seat, trying to keep in place as the man, despite his size, removed her sock and proceeded to pleasure himself upon her sole. The whole situation was...different for Maya. For the whole time she’s had Six he’s never done anything quite like this. His size and condition are one major factor.

To feel such acts take place upon her foot now, to feel someone so beneath her grind himself against the arch. It was different, compared to what she normally did.

And by no means was it unwelcome.

“People are into this?” Maya asked, forcing the six-inch beta to tear away from his job and face her.

“Not into it?” He wondered.

In response, Maya pushed her foot against the beta, the soft skin forcing him against the stand that held the room's table up.

“Not entirely...” Maya admitted, squeezing the man's head briefly with her toes. “So why don’t you convince me?” she squeezed his head tighter, only releasing when it seemed he required air.

The man looked up towards Maya with wonder. She really did have bite, and he wondered if she had more than him.

The beta doubled his efforts, humping Maya's heel when she allowed, licking her toes at her demand, biting them when she chose to play rough. She was dominating every part of his being, yet her mind replaced his image with that of another.

She couldn’t help but wonder, how would it feel if Six were such height, helping himself to such a small part of her body.

He certainly couldn’t relieve his pleasure against her skin, much like the man she toyed with could. He couldn’t lick her toes or bite at her too. But there was something the beta here was missing that Six possessed.

Without warning Maya gripped the man's arm in between her toes, not letting go. The beta believed this little more than Maya toying with him, again continuing his efforts to please her. It wasn’t until the pressure began to increase upon his arm did he start to suspect something was wrong.

“Lady? Your kind of squeezing a bit too hard there...” the beta tried to free his arm from Mayas' right foot, finding his efforts completely useless when she sandwiched him with the left, removing her shoe and sock for his sake.

“What’s the matter little guy~” Maya teased, her cheeks turning rosy and her eyes glazing over. “I thought you liked feet?”

Maya chuckled as the man frantically tried to free himself from his surprisingly soft prison. She wondered just how Six would struggle in such a position, his much smaller body fitting quite nicely with the surrounding flesh.

The man felt his body nearing its limits, as though at any moment he would explode. Yet just when he thought it’d be too much, Maya released him. She looked down upon the shivering man, the incident having clearly terrified him. None of his other patrons were like this. The women he normally pleased were mostly gentle, always on cloud nine thanks to his physique. Yet this woman didn’t care for such things. She was holding herself back, but only just barely.

“Dahlia, was it?” the man stammered, slowly backing away from the blue-haired woman. “We here at the Rising Python, while appreciative of your contribution, have some rules that need to be upheld.”

Maya watched the beta continue to back away, amused that he thought he could even think of leaving. She indulged him, allowing him to near the red curtain that separated the room from the rest of the building.

“Patrons are free to handle betas so long as they take care in handling” the beta continued, uneasy over Maya's growing smile. ‘If you continue to act like this then I’ll have to ask you to leave the pre-”

Before he could finish Maya shot forward from her seat, gripping the man's upper half tightly in her fist.

Her chuckling continued, stifled to keep from turning into full-blown laughter. The beta in her grasp squirmed to break free, unsure as to why Maya had turned so violent. Though, to be entirely honest, he didn’t care to find out the reason, only wishing to escape with his life.

“Did you know...the normal human body can withstand up to four hundred pounds of pressure before giving in?” Maya asked her voice riddled with giggles that fragmented her sentence. “But...you’re not exactly normal...are you?” Maya squeezed the man in her hand, only ceasing when she felt his shoulder dislocate. Before he could scream she placed a finger upon his mouth. “Even think of yelling and we’ll both find out what happens to your wittle body when I squeeze too hard~.”

The beta forced himself quiet, instead being reduced to whimpers that still seemed to aggravate the blue-haired giant.

“W-why?” he asked. “What did I ever do to you?”

Maya continued smiling, her voice coming out as soothing and as quiet as she could manage in her current mental state. “Honestly? Not a thing.” She answered truthfully. “You’re just really unlucky. And I’m in a pretty bad mood. But you wanna know what can help us both?”

The man didn’t reply, only looking up into Maya's manic eyes as she answered her own question.

“I want you to come home with me...” she revealed, much to the betas surprise.

He was ready to voice his protest until Maya placed her thumbnail at the man's throat.

“I wasn’t giving you an option” she told him. “And really, you won’t get the chance to leave once we’re there...”

The man was panicking now, his voice only silenced by Mayas' threatening nail. “But I will admit, you’ve given me some wonderful ideas. Some of which I’d love to try out on someone dear to me. So, for that, you deserve a little reward~.”

She lowered the beta into her loafer, uncaring over his protesting and whimpering. She wasn't sure if he’d survive this. Maya had done this before in the past, and almost half the time the result was...messy. But she was insistent on bringing this one home in one piece.

Once the man was dropped within the shoe he had no time to attempt at an escape as Mayas' foot came down upon him, with no sock to comfort the collision as the blue-haired giant decided against it.

His nose broke immediately, as did several bones once Maya applied too much pressure.

“Shit. Hold up” Maya asked, knowing well enough that the man had no say in the matter. She hoped upon her left foot, ensuring the man was in a more comfortable, less life-threatening, spot within her shoe. “Under my arch should be fine I guess. Just need to make sure I don’t crush half your body...”

Carefully sitting back within her seat Maya put her left loafer back on before leaving the private room and speaking with the beta woman once more.

“So...did you enjoy your first time?” the woman asked with a smile.

“It was fantastic.” Maya assured with a smile of her own. “I’m so glad I decided to stop by tonight! I feel so much better!”

“I’m pleased to hear that ma’am” the hostess said. It wasn’t until she failed to see her fellow employee that she grew suspicious. “But..where is...”

Maya was quick to respond, slowly raising her right leg with a blush. “Well...we had such a good time together that he offered to come home with me. I hope that isn’t too much trouble.”

The woman was more annoyed than surprised. “Of course, he would offer that. The little dude likes his feet. But, just between you and me...” the woman leaned in closely, so as no one but her and Maya would hear. “I think that little pleasure of his is gonna get him hurt.”

Maya didn’t answer, instead chuckling along with the woman when the two realized it was nothing more than a joke.

“But honestly, please be careful with him” the woman asked after composing herself. “There’s plenty of beta haters in Los Demonios. Hate for the two of you to get hurt because of them.”

“Of course!” Maya feigned agreement. “So many sick people in this city, it’s amazing he’s managed this long, and in this profession no less! Rest assured, no one will take him so long as I can help it.”

The woman was pleased with Maya's answer, completely unaware of the torment she was visiting upon her tiny coworker. After a few more pleasantries Maya bid herself farewell, leaving a rather generous tip for the fine establishment as thanks for her enjoyment.

She couldn’t wait to get home and continue with her and her captives little ‘session’. After all, that’s happened today she could hardly keep a smile off her face.

While she still recalled hers and Six’s argument she couldn’t bring herself to care about it now. Right now her attention was solely on the beta in her loafer and ensuring he made it back in one piece.

After that, she couldn’t make any guarantees.