Malik sat on the weight bench, his muscles straining against the weights as he pushed through his last set. As he lifted, the room seemed to pulsate with energy, an unusual hum growing louder until it filled his ears. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the gym, and the weight slipped from his hands. Malik's body tensed as a searing heat coursed through him, his muscles expanding, stretching the limits of his skin.
"What... what's happening to me?" he gasped, watching in disbelief as his arms swelled, his legs grew longer, and his clothes began to tear at the seams.
He groaned, his limbs heavy and awkward. Sitting up, he knocked over his bedside lamp with a clumsy swing of his arm. Panic surged through him as he took in his surroundings. Everything seemed smaller, more compact, as if the world had shrunk overnight. Malik scrambled to his feet, his head grazing the ceiling.
"This can't be real," he muttered, stumbling toward the mirror. The reflection that greeted him was foreign—a giant, hulking version of himself stared back, eyes wide with shock.
Malik navigated the hallways, conscious of the curious stares and whispers that trailed behind him. His clothes, hastily altered to fit, still seemed to strain against his frame. He ducked through doorways, avoiding eye contact, his heart pounding in his chest. Jamal, his best friend, caught up to him, a mix of awe and concern etched on his face. "Yo, Malik, what happened, man? You're like... huge!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. "I don't know, man. It just happened," Malik replied, his voice tinged with frustration and confusion. In that moment his feet rip out of his shoes, and so starts the rest of his clothes
Malik stood at the edge of the court, the ball dwarfed in his massive hands. The team eyed him uncertainly, unsure of how to integrate his newfound size into their game. Whispers of jealousy and challenge floated through the air, prickling his skin.
Marcus, a rival player, approached, his posture defiant. "Think you can still play with us, big guy?" he taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Just watch me," Malik replied, determination flaring in his eyes as he dribbled past Marcus with surprising agility.
Malik stood on the rooftop of his apartment building, the cool breeze ruffling his hair. The day's events played over in his mind, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. Despite the challenges, he felt a sense of calm settling over him. Jamal joined him, leaning against the railing. "You've always been different, Malik, but this... this is something else," he said, his tone supportive. "Yeah, but maybe that's not such a bad thing," Malik mused, a small smile tugging at his lips as he embraced his transformation, ready to face whatever came next.
