In the Air Tonight

Mari tilted her head, long ebony hair tugging along the pillow as she angled her gaze towards the door. The night was soft, and by shifting her ears she could hear the air-con in the other room humming softly, hear the ice maker droning. Casting her gaze to the clock on her nightstand, she felt her face creaking out into a tight smirk.

The door to her room was old and hung improperly, through the wide gap between the bottom of the door panel and the floor she could see subtle signs of movement. An almost imperceptible shadow inched along the floor, undulating as the creature crept along the hall. ‘Right on time Maisie…’ she mused silently to herself. ‘…I was worried you’d actually be stuck in there.’ 

The fuzzy umbra shifted and stretched like a worm and slipped beyond the door. Mari twisted up onto her hand, carefully rolling off the top of her still made bed. Staying as quiet as possible Mari slipped her feet along the floor, moving towards the doorway. Through the door, the pats paused, and heavier steps could be heard scampering off towards the kitchen, melding seamlessly into the white noise of her refrigerator. 

Walking along the edges of her bare feet, rolling them out-to-in with each step, Mari crept towards the bedroom door. Slowly enveloping the knob in her hand, Mari twisted the ball as slowly as possible. Silently, she reached the end of the turn and pulled the door open a crack. 

A short distance away, she could see the island in the centre of her kitchen. A soft red light pulsed, illuminating portions of the taps and appliances before dimming and cycling again. Her stalking gait kept her hidden as she approached the kitchen. Bending at her waist, Mari peered into the wide room, checking the corners for her sneaky little guest. 

“Ugh… come…on… you twit…” A soft little voice pierced the gloom. “Trapping yourself, stupid… stupid…” Mari spied a little hand slip over the far edge of the island. The short digits danced and skittered across the marble surface like a drunken spider.

Mari’s heart skipped a beat, her breath halting just behind her teeth as impossibly small fingers almost grazed the grip of the curious device Maisie had brought over just hours prior.   The dainty hand sliding over and close to the coppery red finish of the handle. “Come on… just gotta grab it…”

Smirking, Mari’s eyebrow slipped towards her scalp. Leaning against the wall she watched her guest struggle, marvelling that she couldn’t even see Maisie’s head. ‘Ooh, she is tiny…’

Squeezing every muscle in her body, Mari felt the chill of the wall on her bare thighs. Chewing on her lower lip, she took in an icy shallow breath. “Aww, can’t sleep honey?” 

Maisie’s hand flattened on the counter,  the tiniest whimper fluttered through the air as Mari prowled into the room. Rounding the corner,  she found herself staring down at the adorable little woman.  “It’s ok, it is a...” 

Stooping, Mari rested her hands on her knees. Maisie’s tiny arm was still pawing at the counter, but having sunken back down off of her tip-toes only her finger-tips reached the countertop. Reaching out with one hand, Mari booped her little friend on her nose. “…Big scary world now. To be honest, I’m surprised at you.” Squatting low, Mari grinned in Maisie’s face. “I know you don't think much of me, but that you'd think I would be so stupid, leaving your little toy unguarded?”

Maisie flinched, trembling and tugging at the hem of her new skirt with her free hand. “Mari…please… just let me grow back.”

Mari let the statement hang in the air, the ice tray in her fridge rattled and turned over. The loud noise caused both women to jump, Mari rising to her feet. Poking her tongue into her cheek, Mari shook her head. “After that outburst earlier? The threats? I don't think so squirt.” Maisie glared up at Mari, little jaw grinding back and forth. “Now, it’s been a long day and I’m tired. Either come to bed…OR...” 

Lifting the device, she clucked her tongue. “I could give you another zap. Maybe I could stick you in a shoebox?”

The little woman’s face blanched, her face so white Mari could tell even in the gloom. All Maisie could do was shake her head and wrap her tiny arms about her waist. Setting the ray back down, Mari gripped the shrunken woman by the shoulders. “There’s a good girl.”