Small People

The funeral for Neil Thomas Ray was a grim affair, a somber display under an overcast sky that seemed to mirror the heavy air of obligatory mourning. Kayne, a giant of a man, stood at the edge of the graveyard, feeling the oppressive weight of his father's brutish legacy.

He watched his older brother, Lee, effortlessly navigate the crowd, a picture of composure. Kayne, the second son, the 'lesser,' felt the stares of distant relatives, the whispers of his father's cruel reputation, and a chilling rumor that followed the man even into death: that he once ate a human child.

Afterward, unable to bear the lingering presence of the funeral, Kayne made a hasty exit. His enormous footsteps shook the earth beneath him as he sought escape, his mind fixed on the familiar comfort of his ex-girlfriend, Allena, in the mixed-species district.

But comfort was not to be found. A strange man answered Allena's door, leaving Kayne with a crushing sense of rejection. He was an outsider here too, a giant adrift in a world that felt increasingly small and hostile.

Aimless, Kayne found himself drawn to the flickering neon sign of the 'Merry Harpy' bar, a place that catered to both Vareshians and humans. Inside, amidst the muffled music and the delicate movements of human dancers, a disturbing thought crept into his mind—a toxic echo of his father's voice. He fought it down, disgusted with himself, and downed his drink.

He returned to his silent, oversized apartment, the day's events crashing over him. As he sank onto his sofa, the memories of the funeral, Allena's absence, and his own unsettling fantasies warred within him, leaving him feeling smaller and more alone than ever before.