Growth Malfunction part 1

Growth Malfunction.

Linda walked up to the glass door of the pharmacy and shivered. “Why does it have to be so cold today?” She looked down the sidewalk at the tree with its red and orange leaves scattered around on the ground. “Just because it's fall doesn’t mean it has to be cold.” She turned her pale head and walked inside.

“Hello, Linda.” Ron waved at her as she walked up towards the counter. “How are you doing today? Still going to college?”

She nodded her head. “Yes. Classes start up again this week.” She gave him a smile. “Did my prescriptions come in?”

“Let me check.” He turned around and walked down the aisles of pills. She hummed to herself as she waited. Linda did not like these monthly trips. The Enthroal Township was the only pharmacy that would carry the perceptions she needed in the area, pills that would keep her from growing. Then, a few years ago, her body began to suddenly grow out of control. Every week she would gain multiple feet in height. By the time the doctors figured out a way to control her height issues, she had already become seventy feet tall.

She tapped her foot on the ground. “Ron usually doesn’t take this long.” She looked over the counter. “Did he go into the back room?”

A few minutes later, Ron walked to the counter as he scratched his bald head. “Sorry, but the perceptions are not in.”

Linda crossed her arms. “Ok, then when can I pick them up?”

“Look, we only get our supplies here once every two weeks, and the truck came yesterday. So you will have to come back on the sixteenth.”

She put her hands down on the counter. “But I need those pills now. I will run out tonight.”

“Hey, I can’t do anything. Calm down.”

She grabbed him by the collar of his shit. “You don’t understand. I need those pills.

His eyes went wide. “Linda, calm down. Please.” He took a deep breath. “Don’t do something you will regret.”

She sighed and let go of him. “I am sorry.”

“Can’t you go without the medicine for a few weeks?

I know it isn’t blood pressure or something like that, but what is the worst that could happen?"

She walked over to the door. “I don’t know. I just know I don’t want to find out.” She walked out into the frigid air.  What can I do to keep myself from growing?

***

Linda arrived home late that night. She had been out in the vain hope some pharmacy would have what she needed. But she came home empty-handed and climbed the stairs to her apartment in defeat. “Well, at least I have one more pill for tonight.” She opened the grey door. “I can figure out what to do in the morning and go from there. I am not going to start growing again. The doctor said that if I got off this medicine, it could have disastrous effects on my growth.” She shivered. “I don’t even want to know what that could mean. I just want to get the medicine tomorrow and stay this normal 5’11.”

Linda walked into the next room and gasped. “Buster. What have you been doing while I have been away?” She narrowed her eyes down at her chocolate Labrador and the utter mess of torn food and clothing on the floor. “I put your food out while I was away. Couldn’t you find it?”

Buster ran up to her and rubbed against her leg.

“Hey. You know what you did. Ugh. Look, mister.” He sat down in place. “You go straight to bed.” He gave her big droopy blue eyes. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Buster slowly walked off towards the next room. “Ugh, what am I going to do with that dog?” She sighed and looked down at the floor. “He always gets into my things when he thinks I didn’t feed him.” Linda walked into the next room. “Well, I better just refill his bowl to make sure.” Her eyes went wide. “Oh crap. I just remembered.” She hit herself on the forehead. “I rushed out too quickly to refill his food bowl today. Stupid stupid, stupid. Ugh.”

She picked up the bowl and walked back into the kitchen. “I will have to make it up to Buster. Now that is one more thing on my to-do list.” She set the bowl on the ground and grabbed the bag of dog food. “Next time, I need to remember to feed my little guy before going out to find some anti-growing pills.” Linda closed her eyes. “So he doesn’t become me, extra little guy.”

Once Buster's food dish was filled, she set it on the ground. “Oh, Buster.

I think there is something in here for you.” The young dog came rushing and made a beeline for the bowl at her feet. She smiled and turned around. “Now to clean up this mess.”

Linda picked up the shredded cereal box containers and sweaters on the floor. She set her torn clothes on the table and threw the boxes into the garbage, where they made a giant thud. “That is strange.” She narrowed her eyes at the trash. “Those boxes sound heavier than they should be.”

Against her better judgment, she fished around in the waste bin and in the broken containers. Finally, her hand grasped something familiar. She pulled it out to see it was her pill container for her anti-growth medication. “Oh no.” She looked at Buster, who had just finished eating, and looked up at her with a happy grin. “What did you do?”

Buster lowered his head to the right side and stuck his tongue out. She pointed at the punctured cylinder in her hand. “This. What did you do with the pill inside?”

“Ruuff.”

She bent over and opened Buster’s jaw. “Ok, I am not laughing anymore. Show me where the pill is.”

Buster took a few steps back and shook his head. “Ruff.” He then turned around and walked out of the room.

Linda sighed. “This isn’t good.” She ran her hands through her dark hair. “This isn’t good at all. I need those pills to keep this size. What am I going to do?” She looked around the room nervously. “I can’t start growing again. Last time was bad enough. I couldn’t find clothing that would fit or rooms that would accommodate me.” She sighed and sat down at the table. “With winter coming, I don’t want to freeze my giant butt off for two weeks until the medicine comes in.”

Linda shook her head and stood up. “I will just go to bed and worry about this tomorrow morning. I will call the pharmacies around the state and hope they have what I need in stock.”

She scratched at her head as she walked into the next room and towards the staircase. “I just hope I can go the night without any growth issues.”

***

Linda awoke the following day a tired mess. The covers of her bed lay on the floor from her constant tossing and turning. She threw her feet on the carpet and let out a yawn. “I had dreams of being hundreds of feet tall.” She stretched and rocked her way to her feet. “I had to use buildings as bra hooks. It was crazy.” She dragged her feet towards the bathroom. “I am glad it was just a dream, though. I don’t want to be that massive. I can’t imagine accidentally hurting someone by stepping on them anything like that.” She shivered. “I hope I don’t get that big. I would never want to hurt anyone.”

Linda turned on the sink and ran her hands under the water. “Well, at least everything seems normal still.” She looked up at the mirror. “I think the medicine is still working, at least.” She gave herself a slight smile and blinked her green eyes. “I don’t seem any different, at least.”

She reached down to turn off the faucet but hit her hand on the side of the wall instead. “Oww.” She gingerly rubbed her knuckle along her thigh as she used her other hand to shut the water off. “Damn thing.”

Linda sighed. “Ok, might as well get some clothes on for today before I make my calls.” She walked back into her bedroom and pulled at her nightshirt. “I will skip the shower until later tonight after I make my calls. Ugh. Damn thing is stuck.” She pulled on her shirt in a vain attempt to slide it up and over her head. “My body is already starting to grow. Crap. Come off, you stupid thing.” Linda winced as she squeezed the shirt off, the collar shushing her nose in the process. She threw the useless garment onto the floor and walked over to her nightstand.

“I need to get on the phone with the Glendale Pharmacy now. See if they have what I need.” She picked up her phone and put her finger on the sensor, but her phone wouldn’t unlock.

“Come on.” She tried another finger. “Turn on you stupid thing.” Linda flipped her phone over. “What is wrong with you?”

She gasped as her finger was now just too big to fit onto the sensor. “Noo.

I am locked out of my phone.” She dropped the cellphone onto the floor. “I have barely grown a few inches, and this is already a nightmare.” She shook her hands. “Stupid stubby fingers.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Ok, calm down, Linda. It is just a wincy bit of growth. I can still figure out a way to stop this.” She nodded her head. “Yes. Nothing to be worried about.” She opened her eyes. “I will just get into the car and drive down to Glendale. They will have what I need, and this entire problem will be solved.”

The sound of stretching fabric filled the air as Linda’s skin began to crawl. Her hands fell to her pants as she cried out, “I am growing again.” The feeling lasted for just a moment, but the effects were noticeable. Her head was just a foot from touching the ceiling, and her pants gripped against her body like a vice. She pulled against her blue leggings, which had loosely hung around her waist a moment ago, and vigorously pulled. “Great. How am I going to get you off now?” Her pants slowly slid down her waist before falling to the floor. “Phew.”

Linda looked at her dresser. “I should consider my clothing choices carefully today.”

She opened the drawer and began to dig through it. “Ok, let’s see here.”

“Ruff. Ruff.”

She turned her head to see Buster run in. He stopped at the door and looked up at her, his eyes a vacant stare. She threw the plain t-shirt on the bed before walking over to him. “Hello there, Buster. How are you doing today?”

He continued to stare at her as she approached. “No kisses for me this morning?”

He walked up to her and sniffed her.

She looked down at him. “Hey, Buster. It’s me.

Come on.”

After a moment, he nuzzled up against her leg. She then bent down next to him.

“That is my special boy.” She gently petted him. “I know things are a bit odd right now, but it will be alright.” He licked her leg, and she laughed.

“Ok, I know you are hungry. I will get you your breakfast after I get dressed.”

“Ruufff.”

She ran her hand between his ears; unlike before, she was only able to fit three fingers as she scratched his head. “Now, give me some privacy, will you?” She gently pushed him away and stood up. “You will get a treat if you do.”

Buster rushed towards the door with a gleeful bark.

Linda smiled.  I spoil that dog.

She then turned around to her current problem. “What to wear? What to wear?” She looked at the tossed t-shirt on the bed. “Well, I guess I picked you, but what else?” She bent down and pulled up the drawers. “I have too many jeans. I can’t believe I would ever say that.” She dug down deep into the drawer. “Ahh, here we go.” She pulled out a black and white striped pair of leggings. “This should stretch as I grow. Perfect.”

Linda quickly dressed before the next growth spurt happened. She slipped on a loose-fitting pair of white undergarments and bra and then slid on the leggings and shirt. She then shook her hair and walked towards the door. “Time to get this crazy day started. I have a lot of driving to do in a short amount of time.”

Linda hurried out of the room, her head striking the top of the doorframe as she entered the next room. “Oww.” She turned around. “I am bigger than I thought.” She rubbed her head. “Now I have to duck in doorways. Great.”

Linda hurried down the stairwell, the wooden steps creaking under her weight. She ducked as she entered the kitchen and went to the counter to get Buster's breakfast.

“I will feed my buddy and then go out.” Her stomach growled. “I am hungry, but I can eat after I get this growth problem under control. The sooner that is fixed, the better.” She bent down and opened the door under the counter, and pulled out the dog food. “At least this is slightly easier to carry.”

She turned around. “Buster. Here boy.” She walked over to his food dish and poured out the kibble. “Come and get it.”

He bounced out of the other room and went straight for the bowl. Linda looked down at him and smiled. “I will be gone all day. Please do not tear up my stuff again.” She looked down at him. “Ok, Buster?”

He ignored her as he stuffed his face. She smiled and turned around. “Ok, I will take that as you understand.” She walked back over to the cabinet and put the food away.

“I just hope driving all the way to Glendale will be worth it.”

She grabbed her coat and tried to slide it onto her body. “Ugh, this thing is too tight.” Linda attempted to zip up the jacket, but it felt like she was squeezing into a bottle.

“I will just not keep this thing zipped. I don’t want to grow and be squeezed, but I don’t want to freeze either.”

She walked out into the cold fall air and towards her car. She pulled out her key fob, unlocked the door, and slid into the car. “I need to turn this damn thing on and get the air going.” She shivered. “It is freezing.” She slid the key into the slot and started the engine. “There we go.”

Linda let out a sigh of relief as the warm car air washed over her. “Ok.

Time to get going.”

She reached down for the gas pedal, and her knee hit the bottom of the car. “Ugh.”

She moved her seatback. “Damn big body.”

She drove out of the driveway and down the street. “Ok. I get on the highway and go to Glendale. Should just take me about forty-five minutes. Hopefully, I get there before any more growth spurts happen.”

A few minutes later, she found herself on the interstate. “Well, nothing to do now but turn some relaxing music on.”

She reached for the dial as her skin began to crawl. “Oh no, not now.” Linda winced as she started to grow. Her head hit the ceiling of her car as her knees slammed into the dashboard. Her car seat was forced back, and her left arm pressed against the window. “Oww.”

When she opened her eyes, she noticed she was speeding up. “Oh, crap.” She tried to pull her foot away from the gas pedal, but her foot was stuck. “This isn’t good.” She twisted in her seat as her car seat groaned. “Not good at all.”

She began to speed past car after car. Linda’s cheeks blushed as the honking around her intensified. “I am sorry.” She sighed. “I can’t stop it.”

Suddenly blue and red flashing lights appeared, and a siren blared behind her. She hit her hand on her forehead. “Great. Just what I need.”

The police car behind her sped up beside her. She rolled down her window and yelled. “I can’t slow down. Please help me.”

The officer nodded his head and backed off.

Linda narrowed her eyes. “I said help me, don’t abandon me.” She looked forward and swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle. “Damn this tiny steering wheel. Shrrip. “I don’t want to know what I just tore.”

Up ahead, Linda could see more flashing lights. “What are they doing?” She squinted her eyes to see a barricade of police vehicles. “I told them I can’t stop. What are they trying to do?”

She tried to steer away from the police, but another growth spurt caused her to collapse onto the dash. “Ouff.” Her back pressed against the ceiling as her arms failed about along the front windshield.  “My seatbelt is tearing into me.” She used her right arm to try and free herself, but all she did was slam the passenger seat down and release the airbag. “Gah. I can’t see.”

As she tried to reposition herself, her stomach turned the car's wheel, and she began to spin. “Oh crap. I can’t lose control now.” She put her hands on the sides of the vehicle and tried her best to get the car under control. She looked up just in time to see the line of police cars ahead of her. “Holy hell.”

Pop! Pop!

The car jumped and then quickly slowed down. She looked around as she took deep breaths. “Oh my god.” The car screeched to a halt. “I don’t know what happened, but I am no longer moving. I am saved.” She tried to get the door open. “Let me out.”

Her elbow pressed against the door handle. “Just a bit more. . . Got it.”

Once the door was open, she fell out, her body ripping the seat belt out of its hinge in the process. “I am so happy to get out of that death trap.” She pulled her legs free of the car and kissed the ground. “So happy.”

“Ehhm.”

Linda looked up at an officer staring down at her, his face twisted in a scowl and his arms crossed. “Can I see your id?”

She stood up. “Of course.” The officer blinked his green eyes upon seeing her full height. “I just need to find it in my car.

“Umm, are you from around here?”

She bent over and reached inside her vehicle. “Yes, sir.” She grabbed her license. “I live just outside Liverpool.”

He scratched at his head. “They sure grow up taller than I remember.”

She looked down at him. The officer’s head came up to her breasts. “I assure you this is a special case.” She handed him the license.

“It says on here that you are 5’11.” He looked up at her. “You are clearly a few feet taller than that.”

“Look, I have growing problems, ok.” She pulled at her torn clothing.  “I am on my way to Glendale to get this sorted out.”

“Sorry, but I think we need to head down to the station to get this all sorted out.” He turned his head. “Hey, Barry. Do you have any cuffs that come in extra deluxe size? Also, can you call for a truck? I am not sure we are going to fit her into a squad car.”

“I don’t have time for this.” Linda shivered as her body began to grow again. Her toes burst through the sides of her shoes. “I need to get to Glendale and buy the medicine that will keep me from getting any bigger. “ She turned around and vaulted over her car. “I am not going to be stuck in a jail where I will keep growing and growing until either I or the jailbreaks.” Her jacket and shirt ripped, exposing her skin underneath.

“Hey, come back here. I didn’t even get a chance to give you my number.” The officer shook his head. “Ugh, I mean, you can’t run away. You are being arrested. Barry, start the car up.”

Linda did not look back as she ran down the freeway. “I need to get to Glendale. They have to have something to stop me from growing. They just have to.”