The Pact (2023)

Alec and Tom were friends since kindergarten. The two were inseparable, and growing up together, they had each other's back at all times. On a bad date? They had a text code. Needed a reference? They were on each other's resumes. Needed some emergency cash? They always were there for one another. 

The two made a pact in high school that they'd never let anyone walk over either one of them if they could help it. After college, they ended up living with one another to save costs, and that worked out swimmingly. 

It wasn't until the day that Alec inexplicably shrunk while doing yard work that he realized who Tom was behind closed doors. Alec, now the size of an ant in their yard, vied for the attention of his best friend as his truck pulled into the driveway and he stepped out.

"ALEC..." was all the tiny man heard as the giant above him spoke, the rest of his words blending in together as he continued speaking. Without an answer, the giant merely shrugged and continued his way to the house. 

"Tom! Tom! I'm down here!" Alec cried as his giant roommate and friend pressed on, none the wiser to his best mate's cries.

Alec realized he was in between the truck and the house, and was promptly reminded as soon as Tom turned on the spot and began walking towards the house. 

"Tom!" Alec cried, his neck craning up further and further as Tom approached. Tears welled in his eyes as Tom continued to look forward, his steps now upon him. The light, and his view of Tom, was blocked out by the sole of his worn-out shoes. 

"No!! Tom!!" Alec cried as the shoe overtook him. 

Tom carried on, unaware of his friend's location. Taking the moment to seat in the sun, he figured Alec likely went to the store or something. Putting his foot on his knee to relax, he caught wind of all the things he stepped in throughout the day. Looking at the sole of his shoes, his eyes never caught notice of a tiny man waving his arm. Out of boredom, Tom began digging out the dirt in his treads. Digging an index into his tread, his finger pressed deeply into Alex, pushing him further into the dirt. 

Alec cried out in pain as the finger was unrelenting. The edge of the nail dug into his skin harshly before the finger curved, in an attempt to dislodge the dirt surrounding him. The pressure was too much, and Tom inadvertently took poor Alec's legs with him as he succeeded in cleaning out that part of his shoe. Now embedded in the dirt and treads, Alec was losing consciousness as his friend ripped his body apart. His last view was Tom flicking the dirt (and his legs) from between his fingers, before lowering his foot back down to the ground, effectively breaking their pact.