Consumed

Chapter 1: The Unnoticed Changes

Dylan was your typical college athlete—tall, muscular, and always the first one in the gym. Dylan was once the epitome of athleticism and vitality. at 6 feet 2 inches, he weighed a lean and powerful 180 pounds of solid muscle. His physique was defined by a sculpted chest, toned abs, and powerful limbs, embodying the ideal form of a dedicated college athlete. His commitment to fitness was evident in every movement, from his effortless strides on the track to his precise technique in the gym. With a confident, chiseled face and a well-proportioned frame, Dylan's fit appearance was a testament to his rigorous training and disciplined lifestyle.

He thrived on his routine: morning runs, protein shakes, and intense weightlifting sessions. His life was a well-oiled machine, finely tuned to keep him in peak physical condition. But as the semester piled on stress with assignments and late-night study sessions, his routine began to slip.

At first, it was small things. Dylan would skip a run here, or opt for a slice of pizza instead of his usual salad. He told himself it was just temporary, a reward for the hard work he was putting in. But as the weeks turned into months, those little indulgences started to add up.

His friends noticed the changes before he did. Dylan started hanging out less at the gym and more at the student union, where he’d order extra snacks to help him stay awake while cramming for exams. “You’re living your best life, man,” one of his buddies would say, laughing as Dylan reached for another slice of cake. They meant it as a joke, but no one ever pointed out the weight he was gaining.

Dylan’s clothes began to feel tighter, but he brushed it off as a minor inconvenience. “Laundry shrinks everything,” he muttered one day as he struggled to pull on a pair of jeans that had once been loose. He didn’t notice the way his belly had started to bulge over the waistband, or how his face had grown softer, losing its defined edges.

Despite the growing discomfort, Dylan remained blissfully unaware. He saw himself in the mirror every day, but somehow, he couldn’t see the changes. It was as if his mind refused to acknowledge what was happening to his body. He continued living his life, oblivious to the whispers and concerned looks from those around him.