Emma stared through the glass cage with furrowed brows, her lips pursed in a barely concealed frown. The hamster, small and plump with soft, tawny fur, gnawed on his food pellet, oblivious to her disinterest. His tiny pink paws held the pellet with an almost endearing determination, but Emma couldn't muster any excitement. Sure, he was adorable, with his twitching nose and beady black eyes, but she wanted more. A hamster wasn’t a pet she could bond with, play with, or confide in. What could she do with him besides watching him run endlessly on a squeaky wheel?

With a deep sigh, Emma turned away from the hamster display, the soft rubber soles of her sneakers squeaking against the tile floor. Her hands, shoved deep into the pockets of her faded white hoodie, clenched into fists as she glanced around the rest of the pet store. Shelves of supplies stretched before her—fish tanks bubbling softly in the background, glass terrariums housing lizards basking under heat lamps, and colorful birds flitting about in aviaries. The whole store seemed alive, yet none of it caught her attention.

Today was supposed to be special. It was her birthday, and her mothers had agreed to get her a pet as a gift. But, to Emma's disappointment, they had drawn the line at anything larger than a rabbit. No cats. No dogs. No fun. 

Valerie, her stricter mother, had been adamant. “We don’t have the space for a dog.” she had said, her voice firm and final. And as much as Emma loved her more relaxed mother, Lillian, even she hadn’t budged on the decision. “Maybe when you're older.” Lillian had murmured with a sympathetic smile.

Emma trailed behind them now, her gaze flitting from one display to the next. She admired animals of all kinds, even the scaly, slimy ones most kids her age avoided. But none of them tugged at her heartstrings today. As she passed by a tank of brightly colored fish darting through the water, she heard the unmistakable sound of a dog barking from the other end of the store. She stopped for a moment, her heart lifting with a spark of hope. Maybe her mothers would change their minds? Maybe they’d surprise her with a dog after all?

But the barking was distant, and her hope fizzled as quickly as it had come. Bummed out, she shoved her hands deeper into her pockets and trudged down the back aisle with her mothers in tow. The smell of cedar shavings and animal feed filled the air, but something else caught her attention—a different scent, subtle but unusual. She turned a corner and came upon a display unlike any she’d seen before. It wasn’t filled with cages or tanks like the others. Instead, it was a large glass enclosure, meticulously clean, with small creatures milling about inside.

At first, Emma thought they were oversized insects or some sort of exotic rodent. But as she squinted and stepped closer, she realized what she was looking at— tiny men. By her estimate, there were around twenty or so in the tank. She stood in front of the cage, her reflection merging with the men inside as she watched them silently. The glass enclosure was illuminated by soft overhead lighting, casting shadows on the small figures below. Each man had varying hair colors and body shapes. Some were bald, their heads shiny under the store’s lights, while others had shaggy, unkempt hair that fell into their dull eyes.

“Oh honey, you don’t want a man as a pet.” Valerie’s voice cut through Emma’s thoughts, her tone brusque. “Come on, let's go look at the bunnies.”

But Emma was transfixed. Her fingers brushed the cool surface of the glass as she leaned in to get a better look. These weren’t the scrawny, malnourished men she had seen in passing before—usually in food markets, prepped for meals. These were different. They looked... healthy, their skin smooth and hair neatly trimmed. Their eyes, though dull, were alive.

As Emma’s curiosity deepened, a young woman in a green pet store uniform approached. “Do you ladies need help with anything?” she asked with a professional smile.

“No thanks.” Valerie answered curtly, her grip on Emma’s arm tightening slightly. “We were just about to go look at the bunny rabbits.”

Emma, however, couldn’t resist. “Um... what’s so special about these men?” she asked, her voice soft yet insistent, ignoring her mother’s gentle tug on her arm. She knew she was treading on thin ice, but the words slipped out before she could stop them.

The employee smiled knowingly, leaning closer to explain. “Oh, these ones had a relatively humane upbringing.” she said. “They’re much healthier than your typical store-bought males, and they live a lot longer too.”

Emma blinked, her mind swirling with new thoughts. She had learned in school about the differences between men and women—how men were primarily raised for consumption, not companionship. They were livestock, harvested young, never allowed to grow old. But to hear that these men lived longer, healthier lives was intriguing. How long did they live? And what was the point of keeping them alive if they were meant to be discarded?

"Do they make good pets?" Emma’s curiosity pushed her forward, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh, absolutely.” the employee replied with a nod. “Think of it like having your own live doll. You can do whatever you want with them.”

Emma turned back to the enclosure, her thoughts racing. They weren’t as exciting as dogs, perhaps, but the idea of having a pet man—a tiny, living creature she could care for and control—was strangely alluring. It would be something no one else had, something unique.

“And here.” the employee continued, pulling a small cage from the shelf. “This is one of our starter cages. Perfect for a first-time owner.”

Emma studied the cage intently. It was simple yet functional, with glass walls, a soft, synthetic grass floor, and a little cave-shaped shelter. Emma could already imagine the man she’d pick living inside, nestled into the fake greenery. She bit her lip as she ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the cage. It felt real in her hands, the possibility of having a living, breathing creature entirely under her control. Her imagination ran wild with scenarios, and for the first time that day, her mood lifted.

“I want one.” Emma said, the words slipping from her mouth before she fully realized it.

Valerie began to protest, “But Emma—”

“Oh, let her get one.” Lillian interjected with a smile, her tone gentle but persuasive. “It’s her birthday.”

Emma's heart fluttered as her mother finally relented with a sigh. "Fine." Valerie muttered, shaking her head.

The employee beamed. "Great! Just pick one out."

Emma nodded, her blue eyes scanning the enclosure. Some were older while others looked young. Some had pale, almost sickly complexions, while others were tanned or darker-skinned. She could see scars on a few, and others bore fresh bruises, as if they’d recently been in fights. They moved lazily, unbothered by her presence. Their eyes were hollow, either from exhaustion or hopelessness, and Emma found herself at a loss. What was she supposed to look for in a pet?

"Okay, um..." she began, her voice trailing off as uncertainty set in.

The men stood in groups on either side of the tank, each cluster seeming to cling together in some quiet, unseen bond. A few leaned against the glass walls, while others sat, their backs to her, making no effort to meet her gaze.

When Emma couldn’t make a decision, the worker stepped in. “You know, how about you decide while your mothers and I check out up front? Sound good?”

“Okay.” Emma replied distractedly, her gaze still sweeping over the men.

As her mothers walked away, chatting softly with the worker, Emma moved closer to the glass. She tapped it lightly with her fingers, hoping to catch the attention of one—any one—of the men. But they ignored her, not even sparing a glance. They were probably used to this, she thought. After all, they must have been watched every day, all day long, by dozens of other girls like her. Maybe they’d learned to tune it out, their spirits dulled by the constant scrutiny.

She tapped again, more insistently this time, but still, not a single head turned in her direction. A part of her had hoped one would be eager, maybe even excited, to go home with her. It would’ve made the decision easier. But instead, she was left with this sea of uninterested, despondent faces.

Her gaze shifted across the tank, and that’s when she noticed something strange. Amid the two groups of men—each huddled tightly on opposite sides—there was one lone figure. He stood separate from the rest, his back slightly hunched as he stared blankly at the floor. He was smaller than the others, younger, maybe in his early teens. His brownish hair was a mess, falling over his forehead and partially obscuring his face. He may have looked like an ordinary male, but something about the way he stood—isolated, distant—made him stand out.

Emma’s mothers returned just as she was examining the solitary male.

“So, have you decided?” the worker asked, returning with a small, eager smile.

“Um… why is that one by himself?” Emma inquired, pointing at the lone figure.

The employee squinted at him before answering. “Ah, that one... Men are tribal creatures, and they form tight-knit groups. Sometimes, one just doesn’t fit in. Could be his temperament, or maybe the others just didn’t accept him.” The worker shrugged, her words casual, but to Emma, they held weight. She knew what it felt like not to be accepted, to be on the outside looking in.

Emma’s heart clenched a little. She felt an odd connection to the lone figure, as if she could sense his loneliness from behind the glass. He wasn’t like the others. He was smaller, his body slight and wiry, his pale skin almost translucent under the fluorescent lights. His eyes, though, caught her attention the most. They weren’t dull like the others’. They were wide, alert, darting around as though calculating something.

“Um.” Emma began nervously, her voice barely audible. “I’ll take him.”

The employee raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? He’s not exactly... well, he’s a bit of an outcast.”

Emma nodded, her decision made. “I’m sure.”

“Okay.” the worker said, retrieving a key from her pocket.

With swift, practiced hands, the worker unlocked the top of the tank and slid it open. The other men shrank back as she reached in, her hand bypassing the clusters to wrap gently but firmly around the boy Emma had chosen. He flinched, his thin limbs stiffening as he squirmed in her grip. His wide, frightened eyes darted to Emma as he was plucked from the tank and placed in the small cage meant for Emma.

“Here you are.” the worker said, handing the cage over to Emma. The boy huddled at the far end of it, his knees drawn up to his chest, shivering.

Emma held the cage in her hands, her eyes widening as she observed her new pet. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his eyes now locked onto hers, filled with something between fear and desperation. Up close, she could see the faint lines of worry on his face, the way his lips were pressed tightly together, as if he knew that any wrong move could mean disaster. His limbs were thin, his hands shaking as he gripped the sides of the cage, trying to stabilize himself as the world around him changed.

As they left the store, Emma cradled the cage on her lap in the backseat of the car, her fingers lightly tracing the smooth edges. The tiny boy inside continued to stare at her, his small hands pressed against the walls as if testing them for weakness. Every bump in the road made him stumble, his legs wobbling as he tried to maintain balance, but he never once took his eyes off her.

It was a strange feeling, having this small, fragile life in her hands. He wasn’t like the other pets she had imagined. He wasn’t cute in the same way a puppy or kitten might be. He wasn’t cuddly or playful, and yet... there was something undeniably fascinating about him. Maybe it was the way he seemed to understand his place in her world, or the way his eyes seemed to silently plead for mercy, for kindness. Emma couldn’t explain it, but she felt a tug at her heart.

Her mothers chatted quietly in the front seat, oblivious to the silent exchange happening between Emma and her new pet. And as the car rumbled on, Emma smiled softly to herself, knowing that she had found something far more interesting than any hamster or bunny. She had found a mystery, a tiny life to care for, and perhaps even a friend.

When they arrived at the house, Emma’s excitement took over, and she rushed up the stairs, clutching the small cage close to her chest. Her heart raced with anticipation, eager to finally spend time alone with her new pet. The familiar creaks of the floorboards followed her as she hurried into her bedroom, the cozy space she had personalized with posters of her favorite animals and a few fairy lights draped across her bed’s headboard. 

Emma quickly sat down cross-legged on the carpet, her face close to the small plastic cage that held the tiny boy inside. Her breath fogged up the transparent walls as she watched him, her large blue eyes studying his every move. He huddled in the farthest corner, his small form trembling slightly, his tiny hands gripping the sides of the enclosure like they were the only thing keeping him anchored. 

She could see how scared he was—his pale skin seemed almost translucent in the dim light, and his wide eyes darted around, looking for any possible escape. Emma chewed her lip, wondering how she could make him feel more at ease. Her fingers hovered over the latch, hesitating for a moment before she finally released him from the cage. Gently, she lifted him out, her fingers barely brushing against his fragile frame as she set him down on the soft carpet.

He was so small, standing there on the floor, his tiny figure dwarfed by the enormous room around him. Emma’s gaze softened as she looked at him, a mixture of fascination and sympathy filling her heart. She wasn’t sure how to communicate with him. After all, men didn’t talk—or at least, she had never heard one speak.

“Um...” she began, her voice shaky with nervousness. “Hi! My name is Emma, and um... this is my room.” She waved her hand awkwardly around, gesturing to her posters, her bed, her desk—all the things that made up her world, which must have looked enormous and intimidating to him.

“And, uh... I guess this is your new home.” she added, her cheeks flushing pink as she tried to smile. The boy stared up at her with wide, terrified eyes, his small body trembling. Before she could say anything else, he bolted. 

He ran across the carpet as fast as his tiny legs could carry him, darting away from Emma in pure panic. His breaths were short and frantic, his feet sinking slightly into the thick carpet fibers with every step. The vast, endless room loomed over him, making every direction seem impossible to navigate.

“Wait!” Emma called out, her voice filled with desperation. “Don’t run! I’m not going to hurt you!”

But the boy didn’t stop. He darted toward the far corner of the room, his small body moving with a desperation that tore at Emma’s heart. Not wanting to lose him, Emma lunged forward, gently scooping him up in her cupped hands. The boy squirmed violently, his small limbs flailing as if he believed he could escape her grasp. His fear was palpable. He was trembling so hard that Emma feared she might hurt him if she held on too tightly. She wasn’t used to handling something so small and fragile. 

"Shh... it’s okay, it’s okay." Emma whispered, her voice shaky as she tried to soothe him. But the boy continued to thrash in her hands, and she nearly dropped him in her effort to keep him steady. Realizing he was too panicked, she carefully set him back in his cage, her heart sinking with disappointment.

Emma sat back on the floor, her heart heavy with disappointment. Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She understood his fear. If she were his size, staring up at a giant who controlled her every movement, she would be terrified too. But she had to find a way to make him trust her.

She stared at the boy, who huddled once again in the corner of his cage, his tiny chest heaving with fear. An idea sparked in her mind. She sprang up from her spot on the floor, gently picking up the cage and setting it on her desk. "I’ll be right back!" she called to him, her voice full of sudden excitement.

Alone in the cage, the boy wasted no time. He darted to the edges, pressing his hands against the transparent walls, searching for a way out. But every attempt was futile. The walls were too slick, too high to climb, and after a few desperate minutes, he slumped in defeat. His chest heaved as he sat back down in the corner, his small form swallowed by the vastness of the cage.

Moments later, Emma returned, clutching a chocolate bar in her hand. She knelt by the cage with a hopeful grin, unwrapping the bar with quick fingers. "Here!" she said, her voice light and cheerful as she broke off a large chunk and placed it inside the cage.

The boy stared at the giant piece of chocolate, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. He approached cautiously, his movements slow, deliberate. Emma watched him eagerly, her chin resting on her folded arms as she sat at her desk, inches from the cage. "It’s good! Trust me!" she encouraged, her voice soft and coaxing.

Despite her enthusiasm, the boy hesitated. He sniffed at the chocolate but didn’t take a bite, his small hands hovering over it as though unsure what to do. Emma furrowed her brow, then, with a sudden thought, picked the piece back up. "Here." she said again, bringing the chocolate to her mouth and taking an exaggerated bite. She chewed dramatically, hoping to show him it was safe to eat, then placed it back in the cage.

The boy, watching her closely, hesitated a moment longer. Then, tentatively, he took a bite of the chocolate. His tiny teeth left the faintest marks on the surface, almost invisible compared to the giant bite she had taken. Emma grinned widely as he took another bite, and then another. His tiny hands gripped the chocolate as he devoured it eagerly, his fear momentarily forgotten.

"Emma." a voice called from the doorway, startling both Emma and the boy. It was Valerie, her mother, peering into the room with her usual air of mild disapproval. "Did you grab a chocolate bar? You know we’re going out to dinner soon."

"I know." Emma replied sheepishly, her eyes darting between her mother and her new pet. "It wasn’t for me, it was for him."

Valerie's gaze shifted to the tiny boy nibbling on the chocolate, her expression a mix of confusion and distaste. "Well, get ready. We’re leaving in a few minutes."

"Okay." Emma murmured, turning back to the boy, who had finished as much of the chocolate as he could handle. His gaze lifted to meet hers, his body still trembling slightly but no longer as frantic as before. 

“So, do you trust me now?" Emma asked softly, leaning in close to the cage. She didn’t expect an answer, but something in his posture seemed... different. Less afraid, maybe. She slowly reached her hand into the cage, this time laying her palm flat on the floor of the enclosure. The boy shrank back at first, but after a few hesitant moments, he cautiously approached her hand, inspecting her skin with curious fingers.

As he climbed onto her palm, his tiny weight barely noticeable, Emma smiled. She gently lifted him out, cradling him in her hand as she used her index finger to lightly stroke his hair. His chestnut locks were soft under her touch, and though he flinched at first, he gradually relaxed, allowing her to pet him.

"See? I’m not going to hurt you," she cooed, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you have a name?" She pondered aloud, unsure if men were given names at all. But she needed something to call him.

As her finger gently ruffled his hair, she smiled. "Chestnut." she said, the name slipping from her lips with a soft giggle. It was fitting—his hair, his timid nature. "Do you like that name?"

Though he didn’t respond, the boy nudged against her finger, perhaps in a silent show of acceptance. Emma beamed.

"Emma! Let’s go!" her mother’s voice echoed from downstairs.

"Coming!" Emma called back, her voice startling the boy in her hand. She quickly apologized, lowering him back into his cage with a soft, "Sorry." After placing him gently on the soft faux grass, she gave him a reassuring smile. "I’ll be back, don’t worry."

With one last glance, Emma hurried out of the room, her heart light as she left her new pet to settle in his new home. But Chestnut wasn’t just a pet—he was something more. And she was determined to earn his trust.