Substantiation

Click-Click Click-Click-Click Click Click-Click

Monica leaned back, nervously fidgeting with pen in hand, sighing as she looked over the letter once again.

Mrs. Williams,

Let me begin by stating what a pleasure it has been to have Jenny in my class this year. She is clearly a bright girl, and has many friends. I am concerned, lately she seems distracted. Lately she spends all of her time in her room, she has even avoided extracurricular activities and trips.

I first noted the change right after the disappearance of Ms. Dyer. I have done all I can within the bounds of regulation, and her schoolwork is still acceptable. I am concerned that something is going on, and so I am reaching out to you.

I want to stress that she is still a model student, and will no doubt succeed in all of her future endeavours. If there is anything further I can do to help, do let me know.

Best,

Nicole Corcoran

HSW

She’d met the instructor only once, at a parents day last spring. A bit eccentric, but her youth and mastery of her discipline had cemented her place within the school. Jenny had mentioned her frequently.

With a sigh, she rubbed her temple and sipped her tea. She stood, stretching her arms above her and leaving her mug on the kitchen table as she moved through the house and up the stairs. Jenny had been acting strangely, she hadn’t come along to the city. Even the promise of visiting a cat cafe hadn’t gotten the teen into the family car.

Terrible visions flitted through her mind with each foot fall upon the runners climbing the stairs. Her stride only interrupted when she encountered Anjali, letting herself relax as she scratched the large black cat’s chin. Anjali rubbed against her legs, and trotted alongside her as she resumed her ascent.

As she approached her daughters door, she could see the crudely drawn signs Jenny had posted the day she got home. “No cats!” Had been scrawled three times below a obloid shape crossed out within a red circle. The panther at her feet grumbled a bit before slowly settling down on it’s haunches.

Monica knocked sharply before thrusting the door open and stepping inside. Jenny jumped and twisted in her chair, trying in vain to stand a folder up on the corner of her desk. She was still in her pyjamas, surrounded by her stuffed animals and some drawings she’d pinned to the wall. “Mom! Get out!” She squeaked, her voice cracking as she slapped her bare thigh.

She put a hand on her own hip, but felt the lecture she’d planned for die in her throat as the folder toppled over, folding down the ear of Smiley the stuffed dog. A glittering figure struggled to right itself on the corner of Jenny’s desk. Similar to a doll, but somewhat…

Jenny’s round face turned porcelain, her lips tightening into a broad thin line. “I can explain!”

The figure shifted and looked up at the older woman, her tiny eyes watered, before her mouth broke into a strained tight and open mouthed grin. “Is that Ms. Dyer?”

The teen’s knuckles whitened, and she began tracing a small circle on the edge of the back of the chair with her finger. She opened her mouth to speak, but then shuddered and nodded meekly.

Ms. Dyer went to move. Monica arched an eyebrow as Jenny’s face snapped towards the doll sized teacher before lifting her hand and flicking the miniature woman on the back of her thigh. The tiny woman winced, then settled back in her place.

Jenny glared down at her, before fidgeting on her seat. Little Dyer looked anxiously between the two giants, her skin shifting from starkly white to a weird and mottled mix. The only thing that broke the otherwise oppressive silence was the relentless ticking of the hallway clock behind her.

Anjali mewled and grumbled something, edging ever closer to the threshold of Jenny’s bedroom. Ms. Dyer quickly curled into a ball, shuffling back to wards the the lava lamp bubbling on the desk.

Monica shrugged and let out a deep sigh, every sinew in her back softening as she moved further into the room. “What did you do?” Jenny winced, clenching her knee’s together. “I’m not mad sweetie, I just need to know.”

“Well…” The girl brought her hands to her lap, picking at her fingernails. “The week before the semester ended… there was this party…” Her red hair fanned out as her eyes jumped towards Monica. “..that the school put on!”

“The Quartercup, I went there too dear.”

Jenny nodded, and opened her desk drawer. “Well… Natalie here gave me a demerit for having rumpled socks.” Monica glanced at the trembling and silent woman huddled by the lava lamp. “And when I went to talk to her about it… she was just unreasonable!” She let out a sigh, puffing her cheeks as she shifted.

Monica giggled softly, remembering Jenny pouting after the petting zoo incident when she was four. ‘Even at eighteen, she’s still my little girl.’

Monica shifted her weight and nodded. Her lips curling into a wry grin. Jenny slapped her thigh, bringing Monica’s attention back to her daughter. “...I snapped! It would have ruined my record! I aced my finals, I’m on track for head girl next year!” She reached into the abandoned drawer, and slipped out a sheet of paper wrapped about a slender stick. “I cast a hex I wrote on the back of her citation and shrunk her down.”

“How did you get her home?”

Jenny shrugged. “I petrified her, wrapped her in my leggings and put her in my backpack for the train. Most of my friends were going on that trip abroad, so I had a cabin to myself.” She said.

Natalie buried her face in crossed arms. Nervously peeking up at Monica as subtly as possible. “And can you undo this hex of yours?”

Jenny’s face fell. “I…” She looked like she was about to cry, and she twisted to face the desk again. Staring down at the trembling woman before her. “I honestly don’t know. I never wrote a counter hex, I know we’re supposed to but…”

Monica walked up, resting a hand on her daughters shoulder. “It’s ok. Not to worry, Mummy will take care of things. It’s been a month, I doubt they suspect you. If they did we’d have had a visit from the authorities already.”

Reaching out, she lifted Natalie from the desktop, seating the woman in her palm and clamping down on her thighs to keep her secure. The doll woman was heavier than she imagined, and wobbled in her grasp like a slinky. “Now, I am going to have a little chat with Natalie. I’ll return shortly.”

Jenny’s eyes flared with a boiling fury, but as she tilted her head she seemed to choked on her words and instead nodded. Leaning forward, Monica gave her daughter a kiss on her temple. She felt so light, she nearly skipped into motion. She stepped into the hall and closed the door behind her, nodding to Anjali before returning to her office.

Natalie had tried to speak, but Monica could hardly focus. ‘A transformation hex! Of this strength!?’ Beaming, she flopped into her desk chair before plopping Natalie onto her ink blotter. “Well Natalie, this is an interesting situation. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Natalie leapt to her feet, wringing her hands together before gesticulating with her hands like she was conducting the percussion at the Sydney philharmonic. She held her hands out, and let herself let out a deep sigh.

“Ms. Williams, you… you have to undo this. I’ve been trapped in that snot of a girls room for three bloody weeks and I cannot stand-”

Monica slammed her palm down on the table, causing the little woman to freeze. Tilting her head, she inspected the blotter. “Well, you still have your wits at least. That is my daughter, and a remarkable witch wouldn’t you agree?”

Natalie’s eyes practically tore themselves apart as her hands closed together before pulling into her tummy. “Be… be that as it may, she has committed several felonies with this little stunt.” She swallowed, before straightening slightly. Her stance was less imposing that adorable, and her pigeon toes were scraping against the thick cardstock of her blotter.

“So what?”

Natalie looked away from the comparatively giant woman. “Th-this could ruin her life you know. If… if I am restored I promise I won’t seek retribution.” She looked up at Monica from below her eyebrows. “It… wouldn’t be right to cripple her career because of one mistake…right?”

The giantess swept a lock of her dulling hair behind an ear, pursing her lips. “I suppose that’s true! It really shouldn’t affect her life.” Monica squeezed her thighs together, nibbling on her lower lip.

“So I guess we can’t let this get out.” Natalie beamed as her shoulders slumped and her knee’s buckled. Monica grinned as she gently pressed down on the little woman, forcing her to sit. Natalie squealed as she batted at Monica’s large hand.

“You’re too bright for histrionics my dear. The decision is made. Besides.” She beamed as she began measuring her prize upon the blotter Natalie was pinned down upon. “Wouldn’t you rather be treated like a beloved pet rather than some lab rat? You know the school’s board won’t let this embarrass them. Best for you to stay teeny tiny and away from prying eyes. And the best way to do that is ensure you never leave.”

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