No help from Natalie Shrunk in an airport chapter 17 by Louka31

"W-wait a second, please!" you frantically shout, trying your best to plead your case to Natalie before she can begin her chores for the day.

You've seen your fair share of bright, go-getter interns during your own summer internships, and you instantly recognize that energetic, eager-to-please smile on Natalie's face. This is probably her first special assignment and major responsibility from Nicole, and the girl clearly wants to make a good impression for her superior. Once she begins focusing on the task at hand and completing Nicole's orders, you're certain she'll see you as nothing more than a pet, cheerily working to strip your last shreds of human dignity. With the way she's already fawning over you, you guess it might already be hopeless, but you at least have to try.

"Oh? What's up, little guy?" she asks brightly, looking on with amusement at your frenzied motions.

"P-please, Natalie, you-you've gotta help me!" Your rapid, nervous stutter only causes Natalie's smile to widen, but she lets you finish. "I shouldn't be here at all! I was just going to the airport to fly back home, and I have no idea how I shrunk, and I was scared I'd be crushed and I thought she could help me so I just--"

"Shhhh," Natalie softly hushed me, placing one delicate finger over your entire mouth. She smiles sympathetically. "I know, sweetie, I know. Nicole told me everything. It must have been so scary, shrinking out of nowhere like that. But you're safe now."

"N-no, you don't understand!" You push away the enormous finger against your mouth with all your might. "She -- err, Nicole -- KIDNAPPED ME! She locked me in her purse and wouldn't let me contact my family, and now I'm trapped against my will!"

"Aww, honey," she says, slowly shaking her head like she's explaining to a two year old, "she was just worried about you. A plane is a very dangerous place for a tiny person to wander, so she had to make sure you'd stay safe and sound with her."

This isn't good, you think to yourself. She honestly believes everything Nicole told her. At this rate, she's just going to keep treating me more and more like a little pet.

"I don't WANT to stay with her, though!" you insist. "I'm not just some fun little toy for a businesswoman to cuddle and lock in a cage; I'm still a human being! I have a family, a whole life back at home!"

"I know, cutie, I really do." Natalie strokes the top of your head with a gentle finger, trying her best to comfort you. She has a pained expression on her face, like a nursing home worker patiently convincing a senile resident why they can no longer leave. "But, you have to understand... this is your life now. And you'll have a better life here than you ever would as a tiny guy trying to survive at college, or at home among a giant family, or -- even worse -- all alone."

"N-no, I'll never--"

"It may take a little bit to get used to," she says, "but I promise, I'll make sure you have everything you need to be the happiest little cutie imaginable! When she sees how well I've been taking care of you, I'm sure Nicole will agree to let me watch you when she's not around! So don't worry, I'll always keep you safe, comfy, and happy!"

As you gaze up at your caretaker's adoring, pitying expression in futility, you feel your face flushing with utter frustration and embarrassment. Unlike Nicole's lustful, possessive gaze, Natalie's appears genuinely affectionate and protective. Somehow, it makes you feel even worse this way; a girl around your age legitimately sees you as merely an adorable tiny creature in need of protection and care, not even a helpless person worth dominating.

"Speaking of which..." Natalie beams once more, returning to her cheery intern voice. "I think it's time to get started on today's activities! I'm going to show you everything Nicole has planned for adjusting you to your new role. You're going to love it, trust me!"

You groan inwardly, knowing you've most likely lost your chance at convincing Natalie to help you out for now.

"One second, cutie! Let me just grab the list real quick," she declares.

Carrying you in her open palm, Natalie strides over to an expensive-looking hardwood table in the center of the room, with a very long, opulent tablecloth spread over the center. She gently deposits you onto the center of the table, which appears to sprawl out like a football field in every direction. Standing over you and zipping open the large, business handbag slung beneath her shoulder, she then begins rummaging through various papers in each pocket.

"Hmm... where did I put it again..." she murmurs to herself, pulling out a number of unrelated papers pertaining to internship programs and forms. "I really should've bought an organizer..."

In that moment, you realize she's no longer staring at you with those piercing blue eyes; indeed, she seems completely preoccupied in finding the elusive list. You heart begins to pound as you look out toward the edges of the planar table you've been placed on. It's definitely risky, and you aren't sure how Natalie might react if she were to catch you in the act, but this might be the perfect opportunity to finally escape! Glancing rapidly between the distracted girl and the tempting edge of the tablecloth, you weigh your options -- a slim chance of freedom with the possibility of punishment, versus a gauntlet of humiliating pet activities Nicole must have left for you.

Finally, you decide to...