I never thought it would happen to me. I always see it happen to others on television, in the news. I remember laughing, saying “I would never make those mistakes. I would be smarter than them.” Well, that's what I said, before it happened to me too. Before my life changed in ways I never thought possible. Now everyday things that would normally take seconds, now take hours. Almost everything can bring death to me. Every day is a fight for survival. A fight, for shrunken survival.

I awoke with a throbbing headache. I reach for my blanket to throw it off and get out of the bed. Yet something's off. My blanket feels thicker, heavier somehow and I swore I went to bed with boxers on. I open my eyes to see that my blanket was big enough to cover a football stadium. I shot up, only to stumble back into my house-sized pillow. I look around, to see everything in my room had become gigantic.

Fear, adrenaline, and groggines, all going through my body, I vaguely remember the news last night. A report of “Sudden Shrinking Sydrome” was reported to possibly be moving through the area. After a minute or two of struggling to focus, I remember Mom making a comment about how our family already had survival plans made. Her paranoia, was proven helpful, as my foot brushed across what felt like paper.

“Oh duh!” I said as I smacked my forehead. “The note!”

With my fear mostly gone, I started to tug at the paper under pillow. It was an “In Case of Shrinking” note. I remember when I was 9, Mom made us all write these notes. So if it happened to any of us, the family would know.

After unfolding the note, I compared myself to the paper, I came around to 3 inches tall, a standard size of Sudden Shrinking Syndrome. I then unfolded the paper, showing the note I haven't seen in ages.

Dear Family,
Don't panic I'm fine. I've become a victim of the shrinking disease and as I have my kit prepared, I will be there until things return to normal. My caretaker knows where I am.
Love,
Kyle Kanick

I walked around the curtain-sized paper, smooothing it out so it didn't fold back up. Then I surveyed the room. The view reminded me of the time I went to the top of the house and looked around the neighborhood. I snapped back to the here and now, since reminiscing wasn't going to help me. I distinctly remember refreshing the supplies of my kit, as it is one of my chores. Luckily, it is only at the end of the bed.

With a naked body, and determined mind, I began my trek across the football field that was my bed. For some odd reason, my blanket bunched up into a semi-wall, blocking my view from the whole room. After a few minutes of walking, I came across what seemed to be a tent. After closer inspection, I realized it was my boxers from the night before. I chuckled, and took a step to begin walking again.

BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!

What sounded like explosions, echoed throughout the room. The voice, wasn't pleasant either.

“KYLE KANICK! GET UP OR YOU'RE GONNA BE LATE FOR SCHOOL!”

Even at this size, I still knew that voice. I immediately dove into my boxers, in hoped to hide from her. My mother, was someone I didn't want staring at me shrunk. As I hid in my boxers, I listened to my mother move and talk in my room.

“I swear,” Mom said “that boy doesn't listen to me at-.”

I heard Mom go silent as she was right next to my bed. I admit, I shook a little at the thought of being found. After a few seconds of silence, I heard Mom quickly walk out of the room. She spoke in a hushed, concerned tone.

“Alright Kyle, I call you in shrunk for school, I'll tell your father this happened, and alert the authorities, so your shrinking can be tracked.” Mom said somewhat quickly. “Be safe, and I love you.”

Mom shut the door and left, off to wake up my brother. After I crawled out of my boxers, I brushed myself off and continued walking. I was already halfway across the bed, so the rest would be easy to walk.

As I reached the end of my bed, I did celebrate a little. Victories were more appreciated at a smaller size. I peered over the edge of the bed. The drop to the floor, seemed to be that of a two story building. With my blanket draped over the edge, the climb down was somewhat easier than expected. Surprisingly, it only took what felt like five minutes

After getting my bearings together, I saw the shoeboxes, all lined up perfectly. I eyed the one with a hole in the front. The one I made for my size.

“Well,” I said to myself “the hard part's over.”