Kai’s brow furrowed as he looked down at the tiny figure of Tyler standing on the makeshift table. His voice was calm and steady, like the wind through the canyon. “Tyler, I will take you to my home. The spirits will keep watch over you there, and we can think on what must be done next. You will be safe.”
Tyler, feeling overwhelmed by the towering objects around him, nodded. “That sounds like the best plan. How are you going to carry me?”
Kai paused, considering the question with the patience of the desert. “I will place you in my jacket pocket. It is deep, like a hidden cave. You will not fall, and I will walk with care, as the elders taught me.”
Tyler looked up at the massive hand that Kai extended toward him, his heart racing with both apprehension and trust. As the giant fingers closed gently around him, Tyler felt the familiar sensation of being lifted into the air. Kai carefully placed Tyler into his jacket pocket, a deep, fabric-lined space that felt like a small room to the shrunken archaeologist.
The inside of the pocket was dimly lit, with the faint scent of leather mixed with something earthy. Tyler shifted around to get comfortable, his feet brushing against something solid and smooth. As his eyes adjusted to the low light, he realized what it was—a sunflower seed, nearly as big as he was.
Tyler stared at the massive seed, marveling at how something so ordinary had become a giant object in his new reality. The hard shell glistened in the dim light, and as he moved, he noticed there were more seeds scattered around him, each one a potential obstacle or shelter, depending on how he looked at it.
Kai’s voice rumbled from above, the sound vibrating through the fabric of the pocket. “Are you at ease, little brother? The seeds share your space, but they mean no harm.”
Tyler chuckled softly, the absurdity of his situation hitting him. “I’m fine, Kai. Just trying to get used to sharing space with giant sunflower seeds.”
Kai let out a deep, soft laugh, like the roll of distant thunder. “Those are for the journey. The road is long, and the earth provides. Now, they journey with you.”
Tyler leaned back against one of the seeds, feeling its rough texture against his back. “I never thought I’d be small enough to use a sunflower seed as a couch.”
“The Great Spirit teaches us to expect the unexpected,” Kai said as he began to walk. Tyler felt the gentle sway of movement as Kai started the journey back to his place. Each step was a slight jolt, but Kai’s careful pace made it more like a rocking motion.
As the walk continued, Tyler found himself oddly comforted by the presence of the sunflower seeds. Despite their size, they provided a sense of normalcy in this surreal situation. He even reached out to touch one, his fingers tracing the contours of the shell. It was almost calming, a strange connection to the world he once knew.
“Rest easy, little brother,” Kai’s voice broke through his thoughts, gentle as the evening breeze. “We will find the path together.”
Tyler nodded, even though he knew Kai couldn’t see him. “I know we will. Thanks, Kai.”
“Gratitude is shared between us,” Kai replied. “We will soon arrive. Close your eyes, and let the earth cradle you.”
Tyler settled back against the seed, the warmth of Kai’s body through the jacket lining keeping the chill at bay. The gentle motion of Kai’s walk, combined with the soft, dim environment of the pocket, made his eyelids grow heavy. He couldn’t believe he was in such a situation—shrunken to a minuscule size, traveling in a friend’s pocket alongside sunflower seeds—but for now, it was the safest place to be.
But as sleep began to overtake him, Tyler’s mind stirred with thoughts of what could happen next. The warmth of the pocket, the security of Kai’s presence—it was comforting, but something deep inside urged him to stay alert, to be ready.
---
**What should happen next?**
1. Tyler Stays Alert
2. The Journey Takes a Turn, Kai is Running!
3. Kai Reaches for Seeds
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