Therapy

Ivana had been seeing her new therapist for just under four weeks now.

Her previous therapist had moved away and being able to go in person was important to the 5'10 brunette. She had been impressed with Ali, although some of her methods had been a little different to what the thirty-something was used to.

"Are you still feeling overwhelmed in your day-to day?" Asked the therapist.

Ivana considered that. "I feel like it's been a bit more manageable recently but, yeah, I'd say yes. It's like..." She contemplated her words. "You can have all the trappings of someone who has their life together - a job, a home, all that - but when are you actually supposed to feel like you're an adult?"

Ali shifted in her seat. "Do you not feel like an adult?"

The brunette tightened her lips for a moment. "I don't know, to be honest, I really value my independence but... at times it feels like life would be easier if someone else was just taking care of everything for me." She said with a hint of sarcasm.

The therapist nodded slowly, taking a moment to respond. "Have you been listening to the audio recordings I gave you?"

"I have."

Ali regarded her patient. "Each night before bed?" She said, somewhat firmly.

"Mm, they put me right to sleep though. I never even get to the end of them."

"Thats fine. Shall we see if they're having their intended effect?"

Ivana cocked her head, confused. "What... what do you mean?"

The therapist leaned forward in her chair. "Just breathe for me, Ivana. Now, shrink."

Ivana's brow furrowed. "Er... excuse me?"

She was about to continue when suddenly her perspective shifted drastically, rapidly. Her long legs retreated from the floor, climbing the sofa as she felt her back crawl down the fabric. Her long shirt dress collapsed inward on her suddenly dwindling frame.

"What... whats going on!?" Ivana shrieked, flailing in confusion as she found her whole body situated on the suddenly enormous couch.

Ali put her hands on her knees and stood, regarding her suddenly smaller patient, striding towards her.

"Oh my. You've really been taken to those tapes, haven't you?"

Ivana retreated back on the couch, confused, terrified, her face filled with fear as the much, much taller Ali approached.

"W-what did you do to me?!" Cried the shrunken woman, her voice slightly higher pitched now.

"I didn't do anything, Ivana - this is all you, really. This is some great progress you're showing. I have been wanting to implement this new method of mine for some time now.

"Fix it! Fix me!" Came the terse, frightened response.

"Self-improvement isn't instantaneous, Ivana. Like you were saying, life would be easier if you had some to take care of everything right? Well, you're going to come home with me and I'm going to do just that. By the time, we're done - I'm certain you'll show some real... growth."

Ali grinned down at her little patient, thinking she might have to use her verbal commands a few more times to get Ivana securely home...