“Ready or not, here I come!” Brad’s voice echoed, a playful call that shook the tiny man to his core. To Brad, this was a game, a lighthearted search around his own home. But to the tiny figure hiding below the step, it was a desperate challenge to stay unseen and safe.
Brad’s foot landed heavily on the step just above, a careless, casual shift of his weight, but for the tiny man below, it was like the approach of a landslide. The massive sole stretched out before him, thick and calloused, with every wrinkle and imperfection visible at this close range. He huddled against the baseboard, pressing himself as far back as he could, hoping to remain unseen. A faint musk lingered in the air, remnants of Brad’s steps around the house, an aroma that was overwhelmingly potent at this scale, filling the tiny man’s lungs with each shallow, nervous breath.
Brad’s foot flexed slightly, his toes curling just above, and the tiny man watched, paralyzed by the sight. Any misstep, any shift of Brad’s attention, and that enormous foot could come down without a second thought, flattening him in an instant. Brad wasn’t mad; he wasn’t even aware of the real stakes of this “game.” Yet the sheer danger of his unawareness turned every playful call and movement into a life-or-death gamble for the tiny figure below.
Brad’s head dipped down briefly as he scanned the room, his face a wall of curiosity, his brow furrowing in concentration. “Where are you, little guy?” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through the walls. Brad took a step down to look more thoroughly, nearly missing his tiny friend as he stepped away, unaware his prize was under his nose this whole time.