Chapter Six: A Subtle Shift

David woke to the soft rays of morning light streaming through his window, casting a warm glow over the room. The scent of fresh morning air filled his nostrils, and he could hear the distant chirping of birds. His mom was still asleep beside him, her breathing steady and calm. Smiling to himself, he climbed out of bed carefully, not wanting to disturb her. He could feel the softness of the sheets against his skin as he gently pulled the covers up over her shoulders before grabbing a fresh set of clothes and heading to the bathroom.

The familiar routine brought a sense of normalcy. He splashed cool water on his face, brushed his teeth, and ran a comb through his hair, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. Everything felt fine—calm, even. But that sense of calm was shattered when he began to get dressed.

As he pulled on his favorite shirt, he immediately noticed something was off. The fabric hung loosely on him, the sleeves extending well past his wrists. Frowning, he tugged at the hem, which now draped awkwardly almost to his knees. His jeans weren’t any better. The waistband slipped down his hips, and he had to hold them up with one hand to keep them from falling entirely.

“What the…” David muttered, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

The person staring back at him looked like him but smaller, leaner. His usually snug clothes looked oversized, as though he had shrunk overnight. He ran a hand over his face and arms, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. He didn’t feel weak or sick—on the contrary, his body felt light, agile, and full of energy. But the sight of himself in the oversized clothing was undeniable.

“Did I lose weight?” he whispered, his brow furrowing deeply. The mystery of his sudden physical change was like a puzzle he couldn't solve. “This doesn’t make any sense.” His confusion was palpable, adding to the enigma of his transformation.

The medallion around his neck caught his eye, its jade surface gleaming faintly in the morning light. He reached up and touched it, the smooth surface warm against his fingertips. The warmth was comforting, but it did nothing to explain what was happening. Little did he know, this medallion held the key to his transformation.

Shaking his head, he pulled his baggy clothes back into place as best he could and left the bathroom, his mind racing with questions. Something was changing—something he didn’t yet understand—and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for the answers. His internal conflict was palpable. He felt a mix of fear, confusion, and a strange sense of excitement at the possibilities this change might bring. But above all, he felt a growing sense of isolation, as if this transformation was pushing him further away from the life he knew.

As David stepped out of the bathroom, still adjusting his baggy clothes, Kelly emerged from her room, her hair a tangled mess and her eyes half-closed. “Good morning, bro,” she mumbled as she shuffled toward the bathroom. But then she froze, her gaze snapping to him.

Her expression shifted from sleepy to stunned in an instant. “Wait… What the—” she stammered, blinking at him as though she’d seen a ghost. “How… What… Why are you as short as I am?” Her shock was palpable, her words echoing the confusion and disbelief that David himself was feeling. Her reaction only added to the mystery of David's transformation, leaving David with more questions than answers and a growing sense of distance from his own family.

David frowned, looking down at himself and then at Kelly. It was true—he was now eye-level with his sister, who had always been a few inches shorter than him. “I… I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice shaking slightly. “I woke up, and everything’s just… too big.”

Kelly stared at him, her shock quickly turning to suspicion. “This isn’t some weird prank, is it? Did you mess with your clothes or something?”

“No! I swear!” David shot back, pulling at his oversized shirt. “Look at this—everything’s huge on me! I didn’t do anything. I just… woke up like this.”

Kelly tilted her head, studying him closely. “You don’t look sick,” she said, her voice quieter now. “But this is seriously freaky. Mom and Dad are gonna flip.”

David sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know. I don’t even know how to explain it to them.”

“Well, you better figure it out fast,” Kelly said, her tone half-joking but still laced with concern. “Because this is way too weird to ignore.”

Their quiet argument was interrupted by their mom’s footsteps coming down the hall. She emerged from David's room, her hair slightly disheveled, a concerned look on her face.

“What’s all the noise about this early?” she asked, but her words trailed off as her eyes landed on David. Her expression shifted from concern to disbelief, her mouth opening slightly as though she couldn’t find the words. The shock and disbelief in her eyes were palpable, mirroring the gravity of David's transformation.

“David?” she finally managed, her voice soft and hesitant. She stepped closer, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. “What… happened to you? Why do you look so… small?”

David winced under her gaze, tugging at the hem of his oversized shirt. “I don’t know, Mom,” he said, his voice almost a whisper. “I just woke up like this.”

Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening. “This… this doesn’t make sense. You look like you’ve shrunk overnight!”

“I know!” David said, exasperation creeping into his voice. “I don’t feel sick or weak or anything. I just… I don’t know what’s happening.”

Kelly, still standing nearby, folded her arms, her own worry hidden beneath a layer of sarcasm. “Told you they’d freak out.”

Their mom moved closer, placing a hand on David’s shoulder. “You don’t feel different? No pain? No dizziness?”

David shook his head. “Nothing. I feel fine. Better than fine, actually.”

His mom’s brow furrowed as she studied him, her worry deepening. “We’re calling the doctor,” she said firmly. “This isn’t normal.”

“Mom, wait,” David protested, but she was already heading for her phone. He didn't want to return to the hospital for more tests. The fear of finding out he is some kind of freak and his family rejecting him because he was causing so many problems.

The panic in her voice was unmistakable, and David felt a sinking pit of dread in his stomach. Something was happening to him—something he couldn’t explain. And he wasn’t sure anyone else could, either. "Honey, we need to figure out what is going on. I can't lose you, David. I just can't."

“Mom, wait,” David said quickly, trying to stay calm. “What if… what if this isn’t something a doctor can fix?”

Her gaze snapped to his, her fear deepening. “What are you saying?”

“I don’t know,” David admitted, his voice shaking. “But after everything that’s happened—at the pool, the hospital—what if… what if this is part of that?”

His mom’s grip on his arm tightened slightly, her fear mingling with a determination to protect him. “We’ll figure this out,” she said firmly. “No matter what it is, we’ll figure it out. You’re my son, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

David’s dad emerged from the hallway, drawn by the sound of his wife’s concerned voice. He stopped in the doorway of David’s room, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.

“David?” he said, his tone both puzzled and alarmed. His gaze traveled from David’s face to his ill-fitting clothes. After a moment, he raised an eyebrow and said, “You look like you’re the same size as Kelly.”

David sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know, Dad. I don’t get it either. I woke up, and everything was too big.”

His dad stepped closer, frowning as he studied him. “You don’t feel sick? No fever, no dizziness?”

David shook his head. “No, I feel fine. Better than I’ve felt in days, actually.”

His dad exchanged a look with his mom, the unspoken worry passing between them like a silent conversation. “This isn’t something we can ignore,” his dad said, crossing his arms. “We’ll figure this out, David. But… this doesn’t make any sense.”

“No kidding,” David muttered under his breath, pulling at his oversized shirt again.

Kelly leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed. “I told you it’s weird. He’s like… a mini version of himself.”

Their dad shot her a look. “Kelly, not helping.”

David’s mom stood, her hand brushing David’s shoulder. “Let’s just focus on one thing at a time,” she said, her voice steadier now. “We’ll figure out what’s going on. First, let’s see if anything else has changed.”

After the initial shock wore off, the family decided to regroup. Whatever had happened to David during the night wasn’t actively progressing, and he insisted he felt fine. They took a pause, everyone cleaning up and sitting down for a quick breakfast. The atmosphere was tense but calm as they prepared to head to the hospital.

David picked at his toast, his oversized shirt making him look even smaller at the table. His dad finally broke the silence. “Alright, let’s get moving.

The sooner we get this checked out, the better.”

The hospital waiting room was quiet except for the clicking of keyboards and the soft murmur of conversations. At the check-in desk, the nurse raised an eyebrow as David’s dad explained why they were there. Her skeptical expression made it clear she thought the story was exaggerated at best.

“So, you’re saying your son… what? Shrunk overnight?” she asked, glancing at David.

His mom sighed, clearly frustrated. “We don’t know what happened. That’s why we’re here.”

The nurse hesitated, then nodded curtly, entering the information into the system. “Alright. Take a seat, and someone will call you shortly.”

When David was finally called back, the nurse took his vitals and gave him a curious look, but she said nothing as she noted his height and weight. After finishing the routine checks, she jotted down the numbers and added them to his chart.

David sat on the exam table, his legs dangling, while his parents stood nearby. His dad paced, occasionally glancing at the door. When the on-call doctor entered, holding the chart, he looked professional but puzzled.

“Good morning,” the doctor said, offering a polite smile. “David, how are you feeling?”

“Fine,” David replied. “Just… smaller.”

The doctor raised an eyebrow and then looked down at the chart. He flipped through it quickly, then again, going back and forth between the pages. His frown deepened as he muttered under his breath, “This can’t be right…”

Finally, he looked up at the family, his expression apologetic. “I’m sorry, folks, I think someone mixed up your charts.”

David’s dad crossed his arms. “No, doctor. The chart is correct. That’s why we’re here.”

The doctor glanced at David again, then at the numbers on the chart. “So, you’re saying this height and weight are recent? As in… this morning?”

“Yes,” David’s mom said firmly. “He was several inches taller two days ago, and none of his clothes fit anymore.”

The doctor stared at her for a moment before sighing and setting the chart down. “Alright, let’s take a closer look and run some tests. I’ll be honest—I’ve never heard of anything like this before, but we’ll figure it out.”

David exchanged a nervous glance with his parents as the doctor began the examination, the weight of the unknown pressing down on all of them.

The doctor flipped through the chart one last time before setting it down on the counter. He looked at David and then at his parents, his expression serious.

“We’ll need to run some tests,” he said. “I’d like to get X-rays and an MRI to see if there’s anything unusual going on internally. This kind of sudden change in height and weight… it’s not something we see often, if at all.”

David’s mom nodded quickly. “Whatever you need to do, doctor.”

The doctor smiled faintly, trying to reassure her. “Don’t worry. We’ll do everything we can to figure this out.”

He turned to David. “In the meantime, how are you feeling? Any pain, dizziness, or fatigue?”

“No,” David replied, shaking his head. “I feel fine. Better than I have in a long time.”

The doctor raised an eyebrow. “That’s good to hear, but it makes this all the more puzzling. Alright, let’s get those scans scheduled.”

A nurse entered shortly after to escort David to the imaging department. As he followed, his parents exchanged glances, their worry evident. Whatever the results, they hoped they would bring them closer to understanding what was happening to their son.

The hospital lights felt harsher as the day stretched on. David sat patiently, though each test added another layer of unease. The X-rays were quick but awkward, leaving him feeling even more exposed as the technician moved him into position. The MRI was long and loud, the machine’s rhythmic clanking making it hard to think about anything else.

Blood draws followed, and the routine procedure felt strangely invasive after everything else.

By the time it was over, David was exhausted. His parents were with him in the consultation room when the on-call doctor returned, joined by the specialist from David’s last visit. Both doctors looked unusually grim, a stack of papers and charts in hand.

“Mr. and Mrs. Allen, David,” the on-call doctor began, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty, “we’ve been reviewing the results from today’s tests. I also consulted with specialists here and abroad, but none of us have seen anything like this before.”

The second doctor, who had been flipping through the charts, took over. “We’ve observed some significant abnormalities. As you know, during your last visit, we measured David’s height at 69 inches and his weight at 152 pounds. Today, his height is 63 inches, and his weight has dropped to 98 pounds.”

David’s eyes widened. 98 pounds? He thought. I haven’t weighed that since I was 10.

The doctor continued, “But that’s not all. David’s skeletal structure has changed significantly. His bone density is more consistent with that of a teenage girl his age, and his hips have shifted to a wider configuration. These are not subtle changes—they are anatomical.”

David’s mom gasped softly, covering her mouth, while his dad’s expression hardened, trying to process the information. “What could cause this?” his dad asked, his tone sharp with worry.

The doctors exchanged a glance before the first one replied, “We don’t know. None of the specialists we’ve spoken with have an explanation for this. It defies everything we understand about human anatomy and growth.”

“And what does this mean for him in the long run?” his mom asked, her voice trembling.

“We can’t say,” the second doctor admitted. “We’ll need to monitor David closely and continue consulting with experts. But at this point, we’re in uncharted territory.”

David sat quietly, his mind racing. His body wasn’t just changing—it was transforming in ways even the best medical minds couldn’t explain. The weight of uncertainty pressed down on him, but one thing was clear: whatever was happening to him was far from normal.

David’s mom took a deep breath, her voice shaky as she asked the question that had been weighing on her mind. “Do you think we’ll see any other changes? Is this... is this going to continue?”

The doctors exchanged a glance, their expressions hesitant. Finally, the on-call doctor spoke, his tone measured but honest. “We can’t rule that out,” he said carefully. “Given the unprecedented nature of what we’re seeing, it’s possible that more changes could occur. We’ll need to keep monitoring David closely.”

David’s mom clasped her hands tightly, her fear clearly visible. “What should we do if it happens again?”

“Call us immediately,” the specialist said firmly. “Any new symptoms or changes, no matter how minor, need to be reported. We’ll do everything we can to help, but right now, our understanding of this is very limited.”

David sat silently, the weight of their uncertainty settling over him like a heavy blanket. Whatever was happening to him wasn’t over—and the thought of what might come next left him both scared and strangely curious.

As the doctors left the room, David leaned back in his chair, his mind spinning. What new type of hell would I face tomorrow? he thought bitterly. The absurdity of it all hit him at once, and his thoughts drifted to the most ridiculous possibility. Was I going to start growing a tail next?

He sighed, staring at his hands, which looked smaller and more delicate than they had just days ago. The unknown loomed ahead, a storm of possibilities that none of them were prepared for.

The door opened again, and the original doctor who had treated David during his first visit stepped in. He held a small stack of paperwork and gave David a sympathetic look.

“I know you probably don’t want to hear this, David,” he began, his tone calm but serious. “But I’m guessing you’ve already figured out that these changes might not be over yet. So here’s what I’d like to do: I want you to come to my clinic tomorrow morning so we can start tracking your changes more closely.”

David’s mom leaned forward, her worry evident. “Do you think he’s in danger?”

The doctor shook his head. “I don’t think David has any disease. From everything we’ve seen so far, his vitals are strong, and his body seems to be adapting well to these changes. But I want to ensure that whatever is going on doesn’t damage his health in the long term. Regular monitoring will help us understand more as it happens.”

David nodded slowly, taking in the doctor’s words. “Okay,” he said quietly. “I’ll come by tomorrow.”

The doctor handed his parents the paperwork outlining the tests and observations they would conduct at the clinic. “Try not to stress too much,” he added, offering a small smile. “David, your body seems resilient. We’ll figure this out, one step at a time.”

As the doctor left the room, David couldn’t help but feel a mixture of relief and apprehension. At least someone was taking his changes seriously—but the uncertainty of what was ahead was still impossible to ignore.