Dad! (2023)

Tyler was basking in the backyard, soaking up the sun, until his father, Daniel, arrived home. It was a common occurrence for Tyler to drop by his dad's house on his days off, indulging in poolside relaxation. Eventually, his dad entrusted him with a key for easy access.
As the blistering sun warmed his body, he let out a contented sigh, satisfied with his decision to soak up the rays. He pondered what he and his dad would have for dinner later that evening when he returned home.


As Tyler dozed off, he was blissfully unaware of the gradual shrinking that occurred under the harsh sunlight. By the time he woke up, he found himself no larger than a grain of rice.

Upon waking up, Tyler stretched and blinked his eyes open. Initially, everything seemed normal, but as he reached for his towel, his hands encountered something different—something larger. Sitting up abruptly, panic surged through him, and he began screaming and crying out for help, calling desperately for his dad despite knowing he was absent.

At least, he was.

“TYLER…?”

Tyler's name echoed in his ears, sounding distant yet deep, and seemed to be coming from behind him. Turning around, his eyes widened in disbelief as his father stood at the gate of their backyard, returning from work. Clad in a blue golf shirt, black dress shorts, and a pair of flip-flops, his dad's presence was both reassuring and bewildering given Tyler's current predicament.



“TYLER, ARE YOU HERE?” The giant called out, his voice amplifying as he approached Tyler's location. Tyler watched as his dad looked down at his towel, clearly puzzled as he approached and scanned the area, wondering why his son would leave his towel out there.

The giant said nothing more, convinced he was alone. However, being Tyler’s parent, Daniel was accustomed to tidying up after his son. Bending down, he effortlessly picked up the towel from the ground, unaware of the speck that flew off towards his left foot.



Tyler landed harshly on the ground at the base of his dad’s foot. Looking up, all he could see was the vast expanse of his dad’s leg stretching upwards, seemingly reaching the heavens. He realized he needed to get his attention, and quickly.

Running towards the base of his father’s flip-flop, Tyler hoisted himself up and began climbing the large piece of footwear. As he reached the floor of the flip-flop, he started waving frantically up at his father, hoping to catch his attention.

Daniel felt a pang of disappointment. He had been elated that his son was visiting and had hoped they could go out to eat together, but it seemed he had missed him entirely. He made a mental note to text Tyler later about leaving his towels out.

Unaware of his son's precarious situation, he turned back towards the house, completely oblivious to Tyler clinging desperately to his sandal to avoid falling off.