Diminished Humanity

By Joshua Wold

When Kristi Collins looks for love and meaning in her life, she realizes the world is changing around her, and growing. She is experiencing the effects of the diminishing gene. As her body shrinks, Kristi must adjust to a new life and find what truly matters. Her friend, Joan, encourages her to fight the changes, and stand up for others who need

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wold Writes
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087963334

Book preview

One

Kristi Collins sat down at the restaurant table and pulled out a napkin to set on her lap. The server, a handsome-looking man in his mid-forties, asked if she wanted a drink. Kristi shook her head and gave a reassuring smile. The server nodded and stepped away.

Her phone buzzed. She checked the main screen and saw a notification. It was him. She entered her password and checked the message. He was on his way.

She put away the phone and tried to center herself, tried to prepare for the inevitable meeting.

Kristi was in Minneapolis, a too large Midwest City. She felt most at home in small towns set against mountains, but work called and she had to come out. She would be in town for three days, but since she came a day early, she had a little downtime to herself. Her company planned a conference in the city a month later, and she came as part of the advance team to meet and plan out the event. It wasn’t her normal sort of gig, but she’d volunteered.

All that mattered in that moment was David, and she looked forward to seeing him. He arrived sooner than she expected and tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned to look. For a moment she expected the server. The man standing next to her, smiling down, was the same guy from the dating app that she’d connected with earlier. Only, he didn’t have any sort of casual attire. He wore a full suit with tie and vest, and while Kristi was no expert in suit materials, she guessed it hadn’t been off the discount rack.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Kristi?

He said the last word as a question, but with an air of someone that knows they’re right. It was just his politeness coming through.

Kristi turned and stood. He was tall, far above average. But the height worked. Kristi was a woman of about normal height, and she always liked men who towered above her.

It’s good to see you. She thrust out her hand to shake him, then looked down at it. The pause was slight, and about to turn into an awkward moment, but David closed the gap and shook her hand in return.

And you too, I’m so glad we could meet. He smiled down at her, a perfect row of white teeth, a golden smile, and hair styled with an ideal sort of imperfection.

They stood for a moment, taking each other in. Then David bent down, for a second her heart slowed. The movement was strange and unexpected. He stood back up and handed her napkin to him.

This fell down, he said.

Kristi nodded, blushed a little, and sat down.

David stepped around to the opposite chair and looked at the drink menu.

I haven’t dated, Kristi said, but then added, I mean, not recently. There’s been a bit of a gap between my last boyfriend and now. So I feel rusty.

Her dinner companion gave a slight nod, set down the menu, and gave her his full concentration.

Same, well, in a way. There’s something I need to tell you.

Kristi nodded.

Ok, anything, what is it?

His smile continued, but she sensed a slight falter in its delivery.

David gave a sigh and tapped the table with his fingers.

I don’t want to start this out with dishonesty, and I’m not sure how else to say it, so I’ll just put it out there. I’m married and have a daughter. He finished the words and waited.

Kristi felt her breath leave her and lowered her gaze. Her mind tried to process the information, and the realization came over her. She had a snap decision to make, and her mother’s words tried to seep into her mind, tried to label what kind of woman she’d be if she continued.

I don’t want to screw up a marriage.

David gave a nod and said nothing, just waited.

Kristi stood, then paused and stepped back to the chair, picked up her napkin, and re-folded it onto her lap.

Any other secrets I should know about?

David laughed and nodded. Oh, I’ve got plenty, but none that should be a problem.

Kristi nodded and took a deep breath.

Well, we’re here, and I appreciate the honesty. What would you like to get for dinner?

Dinner was a brief affair. They ordered an appetizer course, but skipped the drinks and dessert.

An hour later they were back at the hotel. The reality of the situation, along with a chance to do something that was both somewhat new and foreign, registered in her mind. She liked it; she wanted it.

He asked if she’d like to come to his room, and she agreed. When they stepped on the elevator, he pulled out a card and pressed a button to go beyond the normal set of levels. Her own room was on the eight floor, but the elevator shot past that. She gave a slight gasp as they stepped out. The doors opened onto a penthouse that spread across the entire length of the tower. She gave David one look, but said nothing. She didn’t need to use any words after that.

Her six-month dry spell ended. David’s immaculate suit came off, along with her own dress, shoes, and everything else. She registered a grace in his movements. Everything was done with quick deliberation. He unbuttoned his own suit and slipped it off without a break in their movements. Then, as coverings became unmatched, he paused, released his hand from around her, and gave an inquisitive smile.

Kristi gave a quick nod and pulled his face closer for another kiss. His hands moved around to her back and unzipped her dress. They moved to the bed, and Kristi pulled off her bra. David removed the last of his clothes, and she got a good look at him. Part of her brain registered the abs, and all the rest. The next few hours went by in a blur of ecstasy. The moments of intimacy interlaced with periods of rest, and two occasions of food delivery. Kristi felt the guilt creeping in, telling her that what she was doing hurt other people. She fought it, and told herself that she deserved it, that it wasn’t her fault, and she just wanted to have some fun.

Two

One month later, and Kristi was back in Minneapolis. Fall was beginning to come on, and the weather showed signs of breaking to snow. Kristi pulled out her phone and checked the screen. A notification popped up, the Lyft was just around the corner. She pulled her coat tighter and tugged on the drawstrings. Rain ran down the outer layers of her clothing and dropped off the hood onto her nose. A quick wipe to clear away the water and she checked her phone again. The car should arrive any minute.

Limited visibility made it hard to see as the rain came down in sheets. She turned back to the building behind her. The convention center was near to empty. Everyone was in a hurry to get back to their hotels, or head to the bars to get out of the rain.

She wasn’t interested in either, but had a different location in mind. The conference would be over soon, and she had a few hours’ break where she could slip away. She wouldn’t waste those hours in sleeping. She had something better in mind.

Her phone pinged again. The Lyft had arrived. A look down the street, and another look back up revealed nothing. She couldn’t be sure whether it was her own limited vision, or the app; it had been acting shitty all day. Another vibration, but not from the driver.

The text read: on my way, looking forward to it. A heart emoji ended the message. She replied, then her phone buzzed with the sound of a call. She didn’t recognize the number, but it was from the same city.

She answered the call and directed the audio to her headphones.

Hello, who is this?

Hi Kristi, this is your Curtis, your Lyft driver. I’ve arrived at your location and am waiting for your pickup. You should be here.

Kristi turned her head once more and surveyed the scene.

I came out the West entrance, right outside the main convention center doors.

Did you go to the ride share pickup location?

I don’t know what -

Something across the four-lane road caught her eye. The rain let up just long enough to make out a shape. There was a car, a gray sedan with its lights on and wipers flashing. That matched the description from the app.

Wait, I think I see you. You’re across the street.

Yes, I’m in the designated ride share pickup location. If you cannot be at this location shortly, I’ll need to end this ride and report insufficient Guest arrival time.

Kristi stared down at the phone. Where could he need to go in such a hurry? She took a deep breath and scanned the road again.

I’ll be right there. Just wait.

She hung up on the call and put the phone back in her pocket, tightening her backpack straps as she stepped forward. Waterproof or not, she didn’t want to be out in the rain much longer.

Asshole. Her words drowned out in the rain’s noise.

Traffic was slowing, and since the nearest crossroads was a block down, she cut across the street. Being in in the city made her nervous, it was nothing like her quiet home back in North Carolina. She stepped out into the traffic, thinking of the evening plans with David.. With any luck, she would be there in five minutes. If all went well, she would see him again.

Out of habit, she kept the headphones in after the call. They had a feature to quiet outside noise. They could also switch to an active listening mode to pick up on sounds around her. That second mode was for situations like the one she faced; lots of outside noise combined with low visibility. She didn’t think to switch, and focused on her destination, and tried to ignore the driver’s terse attitude. With the sound of the rain, and most noise blocked out via her headphones, Kristi couldn’t hear much around her. She had her jacket tightened down across her face, blocking off her peripheral vision.

She stepped out into the street without looking. She’d scanned both directions seconds earlier, and it was empty; no need to check again. Seeing David again, that would bring a pleasant turn in the events of the day. She saw the car ahead; it was becoming clear, silhouetted against the dark buildings behind it.

A sound of screeching tires broke through the din and got her attention. She turned to her right just in time to see two bright headlights aiming right at her. There was no time for thought. She threw her body forward. The move saved her life. A small sedan shot through the space where her body had been an instant before. The impact of the vehicle pushed against her legs, but the force moved her body further away, out of the path of a one ton vehicle.

The car stopped, and Kristi fell forward, landing against the sidewalk. She lost her footing and went down hard; her forehead contacted the curb. A moment later she heard voices. One of them sounded familiar, and she tried opening her eyes. Pain registered instead.

Hold on, stabilize her head, she’s taken a hard hit.

Asshole -

What?

From the phone.

A few muttered voices around her. The next moment Kristi found herself on the sidewalk, covered in a blanket, voices speaking beside her. She opened her eyes and squinted at the lights above. Pain, her eyes fought back against the sensitivity that registered and she squeezed her lids shut.

She tried to take a deep breath and shuddered instead. The rain was still coming down, and she felt the chill racing through her body. She realized then that she was shivering, her teeth were also chattering.

A warm hand touched her face, then another lifted her wrist.

Hi, I’m Jessica, your paramedic, and I’m going to check on a few things. Is that ok Kristi?

She nodded or imagined the gesture and gave a weak smile.

Alright, just hang tight.

Her thoughts were reconnecting. She was almost to the other side of the street, and