Eli Stevens groaned, stretching his limbs as he kicked off the covers. Today was his birthday, a day he dreaded as much as he anticipated. He sat up, staring at his reflection in the mirror across the room—a reminder of his short stature and the jokes that had followed him throughout college. "Happy birthday to me," he muttered, trying to shake off the melancholy.
Eli gasped as his feet began to stretch and expand, the sensation both exhilarating and terrifying. His sneakers split open, unable to contain the rapid growth. He watched in awe as his toes extended beyond the bed's edge. "What's happening to me?" he exclaimed, a mix of fear and excitement in his voice.
Eli could hardly believe his eyes as his body shot upwards, his perspective changing with each passing second. Desks and chairs toppled over, dwarfed by his immense size. "I can't stop it," he marveled, his voice deeper and more resonant than before. The thrill of power coursed through his veins, a welcome change from the scorn he'd endured.
At first, Eli's steps were tentative, testing the strength of his newfound form. But with each stride, confidence grew, and he reveled in the destruction his colossal feet left in their wake. Concrete cracked beneath him, and buildings shuddered as he moved. "Let's see who's laughing now," he boomed, a smirk playing on his lips.
Professor Lindberg stared up at the towering figure of Eli, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief. "Eli, stop this madness! You're better than this," he called out, trying to reach the human side of the giant before him.
Eli paused, the words cutting through the haze of his rage. He looked around at the devastation, the realization of his actions settling in. "I just wanted them to stop," he said, his voice carrying a hint of regret. Slowly, he began to shrink, the overwhelming power dissipating as he returned to his original size. The campus lay in silence, but the lesson lingered—great power, misused, only leads to ruin.
