“What’s the meaning of this!” A voice boomed as a man walked into the playroom. All the toys went silent, or still, falling to the ground as if lifeless. Justine slowly put her hands up and stared, wide eyed, at the man. She hadn’t realized just how big normal people would be when she was just the size of a doll.

“I’m, uh, sorry,” Justine said, her voice sounding high pitched, almost cartoonish. “I just needed a break from the party and found these toys. And they were so cute, and then they came to life, and then they showed me how to shrink…” she paused and looked around, seeing the makeshift forts they had made, at the model train they had crashed, at the clothes they had tried on.

The man’s eyes locked on Justine, and she hoped she find some element of understanding in them. She wasn’t sure what she found…disappointment? Frustration?

“I don’t want to speak for the toys, but I take full responsibility for my part in this, and I’ll gladly help clean up the mess, if you make me full sized again.”

“That’s a very kind offer, but I don’t need your help. Toys, go back to your box,” he said, watching as all the dolls, marionettes, and stuffed animals slowly get up and return to where Justine had found them. She was disappointed that she wasn’t getting a chance to say goodbye to them.

“Well?” He asked, turning to Justine, looking down on her with a stern, expectant gaze. “Why aren’t you going back to the toy chest?”

“Me?” Justine squeaked. “I’m not a toy.”

The man bent down, quicker than a giant should be able to move. But then, he wasn’t a giant; she was just small. Before she could realize, or react, he grabbed her costume tail and hauled her into the air.

“Hey! Hey, wait! I’m not a toy! I’m not a toy!” She protested, squirming and struggling as she dangled from his fingers, helpless in his grasp.

“You may not have come in here as a toy, but I’m going to claim you as one.” He said, carrying Justine to the large toy chest she had discovered, the one which had been filled with amazing, living toys. He dropped her inside, onto Rally Tiger’s soft plush body. Justine looked up just in time to see the box lid come down with a finalizing thud.

Playtime was over. Playtime was just beginning.