Overlooked (2023)

Tyler felt trapped. Not long ago, the government unlocked a groundbreaking ability: the miniaturization of human beings. This led to the initiation of a controversial program, one that mandated each family or household to offer up one or two members for diminution. The reasons cited were multifaceted—research endeavors, population control measures, and the promise of compensation and benefits.

The grim reality of this miniaturization process lies in its glaring lack of infrastructure for the ongoing maintenance or surveillance of the shrunken population. Once reduced in size, individuals find themselves in a permanent state of diminution, with no foreseeable return to their original stature. This program, initially launched as a five-year pilot to assess viability and impacts, left participants like Tyler, who joined in its second year, largely in the dark about its full implications. Unbeknownst to many, a significant and harrowing oversight emerged: the diminished individuals, now out of the immediate line of sight, often fell victim to inadvertent harm. The phrase "out of sight, out of mind" took on a literal and tragic meaning, as numerous unreported incidents of casualties occurred, revealing a harsh reality where the small and unseen were easily forgotten or overlooked.

In this minuscule new world, Tyler found himself grappling with a reality far removed from his expectations. He had chosen not to return to his parents' home, hoping to avoid becoming a burden after deciding, against their advice, to participate in the government's miniaturization program. Living with a roommate and their landlord, Tyler believed that his decision would be mutually beneficial, reducing his financial obligations and presumably aiding the household. Initially, his roommate and landlord appeared supportive, promising to assist in any way they could.

However, the initial care and attention Tyler received gradually dwindled to nothing. In the early days, they would carefully lift him onto the table, ensure he was fed, and express intentions to acquire the earpieces designed to amplify his now-tiny voice. Yet, these promises remained unfulfilled. Tyler's belongings were replaced with a dollhouse, relegated to a corner of the spare room—still overwhelmingly large for someone of his minuscule stature.

A stark realization hit Tyler one afternoon when Brad, his roommate, returned home from work. Despite Tyler's calls, Brad, absorbed in his own world, nearly stepped on him without a moment's notice. Tyler's existence, once acknowledged and accommodated, seemed to have diminished in significance alongside his physical form. Overhearing a conversation between Brad and the landlord, Tyler was struck by their casual dismissal of his needs, joking about his situation as though he were not mere feet away, listening. The conversation revealed a painful truth: they perceived Tyler as increasingly independent, not out of recognition of his resilience but rather from a gradual neglect of his presence.

This revelation sowed seeds of deep depression in Tyler. He had believed in a solid, supportive relationship with his housemates prior to his miniaturization, only to discover that his shrinking had led to a diminishing of their concern and attention as well. This shift not only isolated Tyler physically but emotionally as well, leaving him to navigate a world that seemed too vast and indifferent for someone his size.

—

One fateful morning, Tyler faced a daunting challenge, attempting to descend the stairs. A misstep sent him tumbling down what felt like a 20-foot drop, a fall that, at his minuscule size, resulted in severe injury. His legs bore the brunt of the impact, leaving him immobilized and in excruciating pain. This moment marked the moment his mind had given up.

As he lay there, wracked with pain, a mix of emotions flooded through him—shock at his predicament, fear for his life, and an odd sense of relief when he heard the familiar creak of Brad's door. It seemed, at last, there might be a chance for rescue. Tyler watched with a mixture of hope and terror as Brad, a giant in comparison, made his way down the hall. Each of Brad's steps caused the floor to tremble, the vibrations and creaking noises of the floor silencing Tyler's feeble cries for help.

"Brad! Help me! Please!" Tyler's voice was desperate, trying to bridge the vast distance between them. But it was to no avail; Brad continued on, oblivious to Tyler's plight, the sound of his cough echoing down the hall, a stark reminder of their disparate worlds.

"Brad, no! Stop!" Tyler's voice was drowned out by the ambient sounds of the house and the gap in their sizes. Brad, now directly above him, loomed like a colossus, his next step a looming threat. Tyler could only watch in horror as Brad's foot, a vast expanse of skin and muscle, hovered perilously close, the shadow it cast enveloping him in darkness. In that instant, teetering on the brink of despair and surrender, Tyler tightly shut his eyes and threw his arms up, preparing himself for the final blow.