As Jeff squirmed, trying to process everything happening, the absurdity of it all hit him. He had wanted this, hadn't he? To see the world change, to experience a reality where animals ruled and humans were the pets. But now, face to face with the consequences, his fantasy felt more like a nightmare.
The brown-furred mouse continued to stroke his head, her massive hand almost comforting if it weren't for the sheer powerlessness he felt in her grip. "He's so soft!" she giggled again, her voice playful and light.
The white mouse girl plopped down next to her friend, watching with amusement as Jeff tried in vain to escape. "You know, my brother said these little humans are pretty smart. They might not talk like us, but they're clever." She tilted her head, curious. "Maybe we should see what Jeff can do."
Jeff's heart raced. He didn't like the sound of that at all. What exactly did they mean by 'see what he can do'? He shuddered at the thought. Before he could contemplate more, the brown mouse girl stood up, still holding Jeff securely in her grip. "Let’s see if he can run around a maze! Like, my brother's always talking about how smart these humans are. I bet Jeff can find his way out of one, right?"
Without another word, she bounded out of the room, Jeff still trapped in her hand, his world spinning as he was carried effortlessly through the house. The white mouse trailed behind, giggling as she followed her friend down to what looked like a basement.
Inside the dimly lit room, Jeff’s heart sank. There, on the floor, was a massive maze—no doubt one that had once been designed for Nibbles. Now, it would be his prison.
The brown-furred mouse knelt down, carefully placing Jeff at the entrance of the maze. “Alright, Jeff, let’s see what you’ve got!”
Jeff looked around wildly, his tiny limbs trembling. He didn’t want to be part of this. He didn’t ask for this kind of attention. But the looming gaze of the two mice girls left him no choice. The maze stretched out before him, a labyrinth of towering walls and dead ends. It felt impossibly large to him, and he had no idea where to even begin.
As he hesitated, he heard the white mouse girl clap her hands. “Go on, Jeff! We believe in you!”
Jeff glanced back at the towering figures behind him and then, with no other options, took a tentative step forward into the maze. The walls loomed high above him, casting long shadows, and every corner felt like a trap. He could hear the muffled voices of the two mouse girls above, discussing how cute he was, how much fun it was to watch him struggle.
He tried to stay focused, moving forward through the maze, but every time he thought he was getting closer to the exit, he hit a dead end. His frustration grew, his squeaks of distress lost on the towering figures watching from above.
As he continued to navigate the maze, something strange began to happen. His senses sharpened. His ears twitched, picking up the faintest sounds. His nose sniffed the air, detecting scents he hadn't been able to before. It was as though, despite the horror of his situation, his body was adjusting to his new role.
Suddenly, he spotted something familiar—a small, metal gate at the end of one of the pathways. It looked like an exit. Hope surged through him, and he sprinted toward it as fast as his little limbs could carry him. Just a little further.
But before he could reach it, the white mouse girl bent down, blocking his path with her large, furry hand. “Aww, don’t go out yet, Jeff! We were just starting to have fun!”
Jeff froze, staring up at her enormous form. He felt a wave of hopelessness wash over him. No matter how clever or determined he was, they were in control now. He was just their pet, a toy in their world.
The brown-furred mouse reached down and scooped him up again, her fingers wrapping around his tiny body with ease. “You did great, little Jeff!” she said cheerfully. “You’re such a smart human!”
Jeff squeaked helplessly as she lifted him up, bringing him close to her face. Her giant eyes studied him with childlike curiosity. “I think we’re gonna have so much fun together.”
As the two mice carried him back upstairs, Jeff’s mind raced. He had wanted to change the world, but now he was trapped in it—just another pet in a world where humans had been stripped of their dignity, their individuality. The only thing left for him to figure out was how to survive.