Chapter Two

Groggy haze clouded Jake Parker’s mind as he stirred in his tangled sheets, and he smacked the 8 AM alarm buzzing through his head on the bedside table. He pulled himself from the slumber and immediately felt like something was wrong. His body felt strange, heavy yet oddly insubstantial, like he’d been drained of something vital overnight.

Jake blinked against the dim morning light filtering through his apartment’s grimy window and awoke to the familiar clutter of energy drinks and pizza boxes scattered near his impressive PC station. As he rolled out of bed, he landed on the floor with a clumsy thud, his bare feet meeting the cold hardwood. The sensation jolted him as the floor felt farther away than usual, and his balance felt unsteady.

The hacker steadied himself, his black boxers sagging loosely on his hips, the fabric clinging to his thighs but slipping lower than he remembered. His cramped apartment, perched above a second-hand Futurtech reseller store, felt oddly expansive, as if the walls had stretched overnight.

Shuffling toward the bathroom, the young man caught his reflection in the mirror held up against the wall. His lean frame, once taut with athletic muscle, appeared softer, shoulders less broad, chest faintly less defined. He glanced down at his knuckles, the faint scar from a punch-up in his youth seemed muted, and his hands seemed almost delicate. Was his vision playing tricks on him, or was the fiasco from the gala still clouding his mind? Fatigue, he told himself, rubbing his eyes. It had to be fatigue.

Moving back to his desk, Jake sat in the chair, its seat feeling too wide beneath him, the armrests brushing his elbows in a way that felt foreign. His fingers, usually accurate and deft, fumbled on the keyboard as he typed away. A flicker of frustration sparked in the man’s green eyes, but he focused on today’s mission. He couldn’t allow one setback to derail his attempt to show up Ethan Keller and the Futurtech empire, and he knew he had to come up with a new plan before long.

Logging into an encrypted darknet messaging service, he opened a chat with Ghost and Viper, his trusted hacker allies. He had no idea what their real identities were, just as they had no clue who Jake was in the real world, but their passion for taking down corporate greed had brought them together.

“The last plan didn’t go quite as I’d hoped,” Jake typed. “I got cocky at the gala and let my defenses down. Keller’s security was tighter than I expected. They nearly had me, but I slipped their cuffs and got out through an air vent.” He explained to the pair.

Ghost’s message flashed across the screen, sharp and skeptical. “You’re fucking lucky you didn’t end up in jail. Futurtech’s sentinels are ruthless, and one had you directly in their crosshairs. What’s your next move?”

A defiant smirk played across Jake’s lips, his fingers hesitating as they adjusted to the keyboard’s unfamiliar scale. The fire of rebellion burned in his chest. “That bastard thinks he’s untouchable, but I was moments away from having a record of every slimy deal that shady company has ever made. They must have used a scrambler to corrupt the data once it was in my hands, but as soon as I program a code stabilizer, I’ll go at it again.”

Viper’s response popped up, her words laced with a mix of admiration and caution. “Just be careful, Dullface. That Ethan Keller isn’t just a traditional corporate suit; rumor has it that he used to be just like one of us, and he can code as well as anyone in existence. Your next mistake could be your last if you’re not careful.”

The young man’s fingers lingered over his keys, thinking over Viper’s warning. Ethan might have been a coder once, but Jake had infiltrated so many corporate fortresses in the past, and he knew there weren’t many that could outcode him. The thought of the smug billionaire gloating at the gala fueled his resolve, and he wasn’t about to let one failure—or whatever was making his body feel so off—stop him. He typed a final message, his words dripping with defiance. “Don’t worry about me. I’m already working on a new angle to hit Futurtech where it hurts. Watch this space.”

Ghost responded quickly, his tone a mix of encouragement and impatience. “Better make it quick, man. They know they’re under attack now, and it won’t be long before they shore up their weaknesses. Show us what you’ve got.”

Viper’s caution lingered in Jake’s mind, but he pushed it aside. He leaned back in the oversized chair, its frame swallowing his diminishing form. The room still felt wrong, and the young hacker couldn’t push that eerie feeling from the base of his gut. He clenched his jaw, forcing his focus back to the screen. Ethan Keller and his Futurtech cronies had made Jake question his very status. One failure, and everything around him felt surreal and wrong. The man shook his head; he needed to get over it.

A glance at the digital clock on Jake’s monitor snapped him back to reality: 9:15 AM. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, tinged with resignation. He’d promised to meet his older sister, Lisa, for morning coffee, a commitment that now felt like a burden. His sister’s relentless meddling, especially her insistence on butting in to his love life, churned his stomach more than the lingering unease in the man’s limbs. The thought of facing her sharp wit and inevitable teasing made the hacker grimace, but bailing would only invite a lecture he didn’t have the energy for.

Jake stood and headed to his wardrobe. As he walked around, the room felt even larger still, the ceiling appeared higher, and his walls felt subtly further away. He shook his head and shoved the strange perception aside. Grabbing a black t-shirt and a pair of cargo pants from a messy pile on the floor, the hacker pulled them on. As the brunette dressed, he couldn’t help but notice how his clothes felt baggier and poorly fitted compared to how they felt just yesterday.

With a final defiant glance at the clock, Jake headed for the door. The sooner he could get this family meeting over with, the better.

❖

Stepping into the coffee shop, Jake scanned the bustling room. His eyes landed on Lisa Parker, his older sister, seated near a window bathed in morning sunlight. Her long blonde hair cascaded past her shoulders, framing a tailored navy blue blazer, crisp white silk blouse, and fitted blue skirt that hugged her curves with professional allure. As a lawyer in Futurtech’s legal department, Jake often saw his sister as sleeping with the enemy, and they had had many disagreements over this. However, he knew his sister wasn’t a bad person, as annoying as she was, and was the only family member he regularly kept in contact with. Two iced coffees waited on the wooden table beside her.

A radiant smile crossed Lisa’s lips as she spotted her brother approaching, her blue eyes sparkling with warmth. The hacker eased into the chair opposite, its frame feeling bulkier than expected, just like it had back at home.

“How are you doing, Jake?” Lisa asked, her voice warm but laced with scrutiny as she leaned forward, sipping her coffee. “It’s been what? A month since we last met up?”

“I’m doing fine,” he replied with a clipped voice, as though he was keeping his answers short and abrupt in an interrogation. His eyes avoided the blonde’s gaze as he tried to get used to the tabletop appearing higher than usual. He grabbed his own coffee and took a cautious sip to steady himself.

Lisa tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she studied her younger brother. “You look skinnier than I remember, Jake. Are you eating enough? You seem, I don’t know, smaller somehow.” Her tone carried a teasing edge, but genuine concern flickered in her expression as her fingers traced the rim of her cold cup.

“I’m fine, really,” Jake muttered, shrugging off her concern even as her words grated through him. If his sister had noticed, it couldn’t be in his head. Was something happening to him? The young hacker forced a neutral, disinterested expression, hoping the 28-year-old blonde would stop probing.

“Mom’s been worried about you,” she pressed, twirling a strand of golden hair around her professional, French manicured finger. “She keeps asking when you’re going to call or visit. You can’t keep dodging her forever, you know.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “Just tell her I’m doing fine,” he said, his voice sharper than intended, betraying a flicker of irritation. The 24-year-old man had been on rocky terms with his Mom for years, ever since he was arrested at 17 for attempting to digitally penetrate a bank, and his Mom’s attempts to send him off to military school as a result. His Mom despised Jake’s choice of ‘career’, and Lisa found herself caught in the middle.

Lisa set her coffee down, her smile shifting to a mischievous glint after a sip. “Okay, enough about Mom. I have some exciting news.” The blonde leaned closer with excitement. “I have this adorable friend of mine, super cute and on the prowl. I showed her a photo of you, and guess what? She’s totally into you.”

The young man groaned, slumping back in the chair. Why did she always do this to him? “Lisa, I’ve told you before. Stop meddling with my damn life. I don’t need you setting me up with some random chick.” The man’s cheeks flushed as he avoided his sister’s amused gaze.

Lisa laughed, a bright, melodic sound that turned heads at a nearby table. “Oh, come on, it’s too late for that anyway. I’ve already arranged a date for you two tonight, so you’d better clear your plans.” Her tone was playful yet firm as she returned to sipping her coffee.

“My love life is none of your business,” Jake snapped, his voice cracking in annoyance. “You need to stay out of it, Lisa. I can manage my own relationships.” The words rank hollow, knowing he hadn’t been out on a date in over six months.

His sister’s eyes sparkled with amusement, undeterred by his outburst. “Oh, please, you have no love life, Jake,” Lisa laughed. “You should be grateful I’m stepping in to help. Anna’s totally into socially awkward, cute nerds, and you, dear brother, fit the bill perfectly.”

A heavy sigh escaped the young man, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his sister’s relentless persistence. He knew Lisa’s stubborn streak wouldn’t relent, and arguing further would only prolong the torment. “Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll go on the damn date.” The prospect of meeting a stranger, especially with the current nagging sense that something was wrong with him, made his stomach twist, but he saw no way out.

“Great!” Lisa clapped her hands, her smile widening in triumph. “Just one thing. Can you, like, dress a little nicer than this?” she gestured to the ill-fitted casual outfit that seemed to drown him. “I don’t think this would impress anyone, even nerd-lovers like Anna.”

The blonde lawyer stood, smoothing her skirt with a confident flourish, and opened her arms for a hug. “Come here, little brother, give us a hug before I head back to the office.” Her voice carried a teasing warmth, her presence commanding the space around her.

Jake rose and stepped into the embrace. Lisa’s arms wrapped around him, her frame feeling unusually larger, her height aligning with his eyes in a way that sent a shiver down his spine. She’d always been shorter than him, but now their gazes met levelly. He couldn’t deny it any longer; he had somehow shrunken in the last twenty-four hours. The hug lingered, Lisa’s warmth amplifying Jake’s unease before she pulled back. The blonde flashed one final smile before heading for the door, her heels clicking purposefully toward the exit.

As he watched his sister leave, a flicker of panic surged through Jake’s chest. Something was wrong, and the proof was undeniable. People don’t just lose their height and muscle mass overnight. His mind raced with questions about what was happening to his body, as the dread of an unwanted date loomed over his shoulder. Angsty, the young man left the cafe and headed back home, feeling worse than he felt when he entered the coffee shop. He needed to figure out what was going on.

❖

Rushing through his apartment door, Jake’s heart pounded with a mix of panic and confusion. The nagging dread from his coffee shop meeting with Lisa clung to him, her words about his more petite frame echoing through his mind. It was no longer a figment of his imagination, and Jake needed to assess the extent of the damage. He beelined for the kitchen and yanked open a cluttered drawer. After rummaging through tangled cords and takeout menus, the hacker’s fingers closed around an old tape measure.

The brunette moved to a bare wall near his desk, biting his bottom lip as his body shook. Standing straight, Jake pressed his back against the plaster, the surface cooler than expected, sending a shiver through his softened frame. With the tape measure extended, he marked his heart, his heart sinking as he read the number: 5’6”. Horror washed over the shorter man. He was the same height as his older sister, Lisa, nearly half a foot shorter than the 5’11” he’d been just yesterday. Stepping back, the hacker stared at the mark, disbelief warring with the undeniable truth. How could he lose five inches overnight? His pulse raced. Would he continue to shrink until there was nothing left of him?

Crossing over to his bedroom, Jake stood before a full-length mirror, its surface reflecting a frail stranger. His once-lean shape now appeared slightly delicate, shoulders narrow, arms devoid of the faint muscle definition he’d carried just 24 hours ago. The hacker flexed his limbs, expecting some resistance, but found none—his muscles had practically vanished, leaving him looking diminished, almost brittle. A chill gripped the young man; his t-shirt and pants hung loosely on his body, far more noticeably than when he put the clothes on that morning. The fear of shrinking further gnawed at Jake, and he knew he needed to find answers.

Settling at his desk, Jake powered up his PC. His fingers, now dainty, tried to settle against the bigger keys, each stroke clumsier than the skilled hacker had managed before. Opening an encrypted browser, the man typed “unexplained height and build reduction” into the dark web search, diving into conspiracy websites and magic enthusiast forums. He had hoped to find information about an experiment gone wrong, or a government crackdown on illicit black-hats. However, his green eyes scanned posts about alien infiltration, cursed relics, and tales of pissed off leprechauns. None of these brought Jake much hope, and they all led to dead ends. Nothing explained his rapid, impossible transformation. Frustration surged inside the shorter man, his voice muttering curses as he clicked through the useless links, the world around him feeling more confining despite its apparent vastness.

Undeterred, Jake shifted his search to “rebuild height and muscle growth,” desperate for a reversal. If he wasn’t going to find an explanation for his sudden diminished state, perhaps he could find a solution to repair the damage. The results poured in: exercise regimes promising slow gains, protein-heavy diet plans, and questionable supplements from shady dark web suppliers. None addressed the sudden, drastic shrinking. Slamming his fist on the desk in anger, Jake swore out loud.

Pinching his arm, the sharp pain confirmed this was no hallucination—no drugs, no dream, his body had transformed, and he had no answer to it. “What the hell is happening to me?” the young hacker asked himself. If he was going to find the answer, it wasn’t going to come from some generic web search.

Jake glanced at the clock on his monitor and halted his spiraling thoughts: 5 PM. Six hours had vanished in his desperate search, and he was in no better position. “Damn it,” he cussed angrily. He was due to meet Anna, Lisa’s mystery friend, in an hour for the unwanted date. The thought of facing a stranger in his frail, diminished form twisted his gut, but he knew his sibling wouldn’t let him live it down if he canceled. Groaning, Jake pushed away from the desk and stood up. Heading toward the bathroom to prepare, he passed the mirror one more time. Shaking his head, he tried to remove the image of his slight form from his mind. The unanswered questions about his transformation gnawed at the hacker’s soul relentlessly. Perhaps a date with a random stranger was good for him, a chance to take his mind off recent events. With one deep sigh, he stepped foot into the bathroom and began getting ready.

❖

Leaning back in the plush leather chair in his office, Ethan Keller grinned, his piercing blue eyes locked on a side screen displaying a recorded feed from a couple of hours ago. The grainy footage captured Jake Parker hunched over his cluttered desk in his Brooklyn apartment, his dainty fingers fumbling on the keys as he scoured the dark web for answers to his shrinking frame.

After infiltrating and downloading Futurtech’s sensitive financial information the previous night, Jake unintentionally allowed a backdoor virus to ride along and grant Ethan full stealth access to the young man’s system. Not only that, but Ethan had uninhibited access to Jake’s PC webcam and two cameras in his home: one in the bedroom and one in the living room.

Ethan’s lips curled into a predatory smile, savoring the hacker’s frantic confusion, the way his eyes darted across useless conspiracy forums about alien experiments. None of the man’s research had led him to the truth, that he had billions of microscopic nanobots in every cell of his body, primed and ready to transform the nuisance hacker at the simple press of a button on the billionaire’s phone. Zooming in, Ethan focused on Jake’s soft, delicate hands, trembling as they typed, a stark contrast to the defiant hacker who’d dared to infiltrate his big night the previous day.

The office door slid open, and Ethan’s personal assistant, Kellie Madison, stepped inside, her auburn hair swept into a tight bun, her cream colored blazer and pencil skirt accentuating her feminine curves with professional poise. She carried a tablet, her luscious lips curving into a warm smile as she crossed the polished floor of her boss’s office. “Long day, Ethan?” she asked lightly, a playful edge softening her usual efficiency. “I just finalized the patent defense brief for tomorrow’s board meeting. The legal team’s ready to crush NextGen’s claims.”

Ethan’s gaze flicked to the approaching woman, his sadistic grin softening into something warmer, though still tinged with his usual arrogance. “Good work, Kellie. You always make sure I look good in front of the board.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, and looked up at her. “What about the investor dinner next week? Any surprises I should be braced for with election season coming up?”

Kellie tilted her head, her smile widening as she tapped her tablet. “The investor dinner is under control. I’ve confirmed the guest list, and the mayor’s team sent their dietary preferences.” She paused, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “Though one senator’s aide hinted at pushing for a tax push discussion. I’ve prepped a counter-strategy to keep them focused on our AI developments and benefits instead. You’ll charm them, as always.”

He chuckled, the sound rich and relaxed, his fingers tapping the desk lightly. “You’re worth your weight in gold, Kellie. I don’t know how I’d manage without you steering those vultures away from trouble.” His tone carried a playful warmth, but his eyes lingered on her curves, a flicker of appreciation passing through them before he leaned back. “Anything else I should know before I dive back into my little project here?”

The auburn-haired woman nodded, stepping closer, her presence commanding yet softened by familiarity. “Just one thing. The R&D team wants your approval on the new LoveSenses prototype by tomorrow. They’re claiming it’s a game-changer for the market, but I told them you’d want to see the data first.” Her voice held a professional yet playful edge.

The CEO’s grin returned, sharper now, as he gestured to the screen before him. “I’ll get to it, but right now, I’m enjoying a little show.” Kellie’s eyes followed his gesture, widening slightly as she caught the recorded feed of Jake, his depressed form slumped over his desk, muttering curses at dead-end websites. The assistant’s brow furrowed, concern creeping into her expression as she took in the hacker’s distress.

“You’re still fixated on this small-time hacker?” she asked, her voice filled with judgmental disapproval. “Futurtech’s facing real threats. Just this morning, NextGen filed court documents attempting to halt the release of our new Futurtech OS. You need to focus on the bigger picture, Ethan, not some scrawny kid in a rundown dingy apartment. The woman tightened her grip on the table as she spoke with a firm voice, though her concern for her boss’s obsession was evident.

Ethan laughed, a dismissive sound that echoed around his office. “It’s not about the hacker, Kellie. It’s about sending a message.” His voice dripped with confidence, his eyes glinting with sadistic glee. “Anyone who dares to challenge me needs to learn their place, and I’m making sure this one does.” Ethan stared up at his personal assistant, sensing her judgmental attitude. “I think you often forget your place, Kellie. Your job is to look pretty and offer me sound advice. How about you stick to that?” The condescending words made the woman flush, her cheeks warming as she bit back a retort; she knew better than to upset her boss too much. With a tight nod, Kellie turned and headed for the door, her heels clicking softly, leaving the rich man alone in the office.

Replaying the footage again, Ethan lingered on Jake’s futile search, the way his frame pathetically slumped in defeat as he discovered the answer wasn’t as simple as he’d hoped. The billionaire’s control was absolute; the options available to Ethan on his device were extensive, not to mention a custom box where he could program his own bespoke transformations. He imagined Jake’s horror as more and more of the broke hacker was transformed, and grinned at the thought of his own personal plaything.

A soft chime broke the CEO from his reverie, a notification appearing on the screen. With a tap, Ethan switched to a live feed from Jake’s living room camera, his eyes widening with glee. The screen showed Jake entering his apartment, his diminished form accompanied by a young, cute redhead, her vibrant hair catching the light as she laughed at something the hacker said. Ethan’s smile widened as a sadistic thought ran through his mind. The young man looked happy, and Ethan saw the perfect opportunity to deepen his humiliation.

Rubbing his hands together, the billionaire leaned closer to the screen and spoke with a low purr. “Time to have a little fun and add some spice to the end of the boy’s date.” His fingers danced over his cellular device, opening his custom app and activating the bots hiding in every cell of Jake’s body. Whatever the young man had planned with this redhead, Ethan would ensure it ended with an explosion. The man chuckled to himself as he began tapping away.

❖

Stumbling through the apartment door, Jake Parker’s lips locked with his date, Anna’s, in a steamy makeout session, his hands gripping her waist as he slammed the door open. The woman’s vibrant red hair spilled over her shoulders, framing a form-fitting black dress that clung to her curves. Despite his reluctant attendance, the coffee date had been a surprising thrill for the young hacker, stretching into a couple of drinks at a nearby bar. Anna’s laughter as his corny jokes washed away the nagging dread of Jake’s diminished frame, and he had forgotten all about his supernatural troubles. The man led his date to the sofa in the living room as they continued their fun.

Their kisses deepened, Anna’s fingers threading through his hair as she pressed herself closer to him, her warmth intoxicating the young nerd. Jake, still in the dark jeans and button-up black shirt he’d changed into for the date, felt a flicker of ease, her giggles at his nerdy humor letting him forget his earlier panic. “You’re funnier than I expected,” she teased, her voice flirtatious as her lips brushed the man’s ear. Her sultry energy stirred something in the hacker’s soul, a heat he hadn’t experienced for months.

“I try,” he murmured as he kissed down the redhead’s neck, savoring her soft skin and lingering perfume. His lips trailed lower, grazing the swell of Anna’s pert breasts above the dress’s neckline, her soft gasp accentuating his desire. A tingling sensation suddenly sparked in the man’s groin that made him shudder, sharp and unfamiliar. However, he chalked it up to his lack of experience—it had been a while since he’d been with a woman. His hands roamed her hips, pulling her closer on the sofa, the world around him a distant memory as he lost himself in the woman and her seductive hazel eyes.

Anna shifted, straddling the man, her dress riding up to reveal her smooth thighs. “You’re full of surprises, Jake,” she purred as her hands continued to roam his chest, her fingers tracing the softened lines of his frame. Anna leaned in, kissing the hacker fiercely as Jake’s pulse raced. Her hands began to move lower, deftly unbuckling his jeans, tugging them down alongside his boxers. Jake closed his eyes, anticipating pleasure, his breath gasping as he totally surrendered to the moment.

A stifled giggle broke Jake out of his reverie, Anna’s enticing lips betraying her amusement. Jake’s eyes snapped open, catching the woman’s humored gaze fixed on his crotch, her face alight with barely contained mirth. Confusion gripped the young man, and he followed her stare, his heart plummeting. His cock, once an average and respectable six inches, was now a pathetic two-inch nub, hard and twitching under the redhead’s scrutiny. Horror washed over him—it wasn’t like this at the start of the day. “This… this isn’t right,” he stammered, his voice straining, words tumbling out in a frantic stutter. “It wasn’t like this before, I swear.”

Anna’s smile softened, but her eyes continued to sparkle with amusement. “Don’t worry, it’s kind of cute,” she said, her tone teasing yet gentle, as if consoling a friend. The word “cute” stung, a sharp blow to his masculinity, his cheeks flushing with emasculating shame. He opened his mouth to explain, but no coherent words came; his mind reeled from the impossible change.

The woman’s finger grazed the tiny nub, a fleeting touch meant to reassure her nerdy date, but the moment her skin brushed his, a jolt shot through Jake’s spine. His cock twitched violently, and before he could react, it spurted cum directly onto his date’s hand, a premature ejaculation that left him in frozen mortification. Anna’s eyes widened, and she struggled to hold back a laugh, her lips trembling before a full, unrestrained giggle escaped. “Oh my god,” she gasped, pulling her hand back, wiping it on the sofa beside her.

“I’m so sorry,” Jake blurted in horror, his face burning in shame as his voice cracked with desperation. “This isn’t right, it’s not supposed to be like this.” He stared at his twitching, cumming tiny dick in ashamed bemusement as he tried to ignore the laughter emanating from his date’s mouth. The humiliation seared through him; his new 5’6” frame felt even smaller under his date’s gaze, the sofa feeling vast beneath him.

Anna stood, smoothing her dress, her laughter fading into an awkward smile. “I-I can’t do this,” she said, her tone apologetic but firm. “I just remembered, I have to get home to wash my hair.” The flimsy excuse hung in the air, her eyes avoiding his as she grabbed her black clutch purse. Jake’s apologies spilled out as he attempted to salvage the situation. Still, the woman didn’t listen and already began heading for the door.

“Wait, Anna, please,” he called with a trembling voice, but the door clicked shut behind her, leaving the hacker alone in the apartment. Shock rooted Jake to the sofa, his hands trembling as he stared at the spot where she’d stood, her laughter echoing in his mind. He glanced back at his tiny cock, still twitching from its recent premature orgasm. What the fuck is happening to me? He thought to himself.

The sting of Anna’s words—“cute,” “can’t do this”—burned in his mind, each syllable a fresh wound carving into his already fragile confidence. He’d felt a rare spark with her, a fleeting connection that had briefly dulled the panic of his shrinking body, only to be shattered by her laughter and pity. His fingers clutched the sofa’s edge, the rough fabric biting into his skin. His 5’6” frame slumped deeper into the cushions, the silence of the room amplifying his isolation. Jake’s tiny nub, still tingling with the aftershock of his premature release, mocked him further, a cruel emblem of his emasculation.

Lifting his pants and rising unsteadily, Jake paced the living room, his steps gently pressing against the floor. Anna’s amused gaze replayed in his head, her touch on his altered manhood a moment he couldn’t erase. What would his sister think? What if she posted it on social media? Was his dating life shattered in a single moment?

Jake had now surmised that someone was somehow doing this to him. The humiliation from his height reduction, and now his cock just before he was about to use it, felt planned out. It couldn’t have been a coincidence. He had no idea how this was possible, but as he stared at his PC setup, he knew he needed to figure out the answers before his tormentor went one step further.

❖

Tossing and turning in his tangled sheets, Jake couldn’t sleep, the horrific events of the day replaying in his mind like a relentless loop. Anna’s laughter, her “cute” comment, and the humiliating sight of his two-inch penis spurting all over her hand burned through him, each memory a fresh wound to his already shattered confidence. His smaller frame felt fragile and frail as he twisted around his larger bed.

Giving up on rest, Jake shuffled to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he grabbed a cold slice of pizza, the greasy pepperoni a small comfort as a late-night snack. If sleep wasn’t an option, he figured he’d dive back into research, desperate to uncover the cause of his dramatic transformation.

Settling at his desk, Jake took a bite of the pizza as he woke up his PC. His smaller fingers spread across the lit-up keyboard and typed “non-consensual body alteration” into his dark web browser. The hacker’s green eyes scanned the results, hoping for a lead, anything to explain his sudden shrinking and emasculating change. Conspiracy forums rambled about mind control chips and secret labs, but none mentioned physical transformations without invasive procedures. Every link led to dead ends and impossible speculation, fueling his despair. The man’s pulse raced, his lighter voice muttering curses as he chewed through his snack.

Undeterred, he shifted his search to “Futurtech remote transformation technology.” The timing of these horrific changes, just 24 hours after he attempted the largest financial infiltration on one of the largest corporations in the country, couldn’t have been a coincidence. If someone were trying to design his downfall, Jake was confident that Ethan Keller and his immoral company were involved.

Forums buzzed with rumors about Futurtech’s LoveSenses division and AI-driven medical breakthroughs. Still, nothing hinted at tech capable of altering a body remotely. One post speculated about nanobots, but it was debunked as sci-fi nonsense, leaving Jake empty-handed. The brunette slammed his fist on the desk, the impact weaker than he had intended. “What the fuck is going on?!” he exclaimed to nobody in particular.

A soft chime broke the hacker’s focus, an encrypted email popping into his inbox with the subject “Want to know more?” Jake’s heart skipped. Was this the breakthrough he had been searching for?

The sender was anonymous, and the email was displayed in a mocking tone: “You’re in way over your head, Dullface. You have no idea who you’re messing with. Your date certainly seemed to enjoy your altered appearance, didn’t she?” That last comment sent a shiver down Jake’s spine as he stared up and around his apartment. Was the sender spying on him? Did they have access to his apartment? A quick intrusion check on his PC showed no uninvited guests on his system, and it was the best detection software out there. Jake was confident his network was secure.

The email continued: “If you want answers, you are to meet me alone tomorrow at 9 PM in the abandoned warehouse on 43rd Street, Queens. You must come alone.” Jake clenched his fists as his mind raced at a million miles an hour. It felt like a trap, but it was also his first lead into discovering what was wrong with him.

The email’s taunting words lingered, each line a sharp jab at Jake’s wounded pride. “You thought you could take on the big players, but you are discovering just how small you are, no pun intended,” it read, the sender’s voice dripping with contempt, as though this was personal somehow. Jake’s hacker instincts screamed trap; there must have been a better way, but the promise of answers gnawed at his desperation. This was his only chance.

Reading on, Jake’s heart pounded as the email concluded: “If you meet me alone tomorrow night, you will get the answers you seek. However, I will only make an appearance if you comply with one simple command from me. I’ll know if you obey or not.” The final line stared back at the short man, its implications shattering his fragile composure.

Jake’s eyes widened, gasping in horror as he read the command, the request’s audacity freezing him in place. Whoever this bastard is wanted to humiliate him, and the impossible choice between complying and receiving the answers he needed, or keeping what’s left of his pride and potentially never discovering the truth, stuck in his mind. What was he to do now?

End of Chapter Two