Don't Drink the Water by theEvolver (aka Sumner)

submitted by Timmy - Apr 3, 2002

Two middle school boys run across a strange device during a dinner party hosted by the oft-eccentric Leones.


The house was nothing short of magnificent. At least this was the conclusion of two neighborhood kids named Jake and Corey.
Houseparties were not uncommon in the Bridgewood district, but the two boys had yet to attend one until this. The chandeliers, the wine, the music. Every bit of the house was decorated like Christmas, with glimmering individual bulbs and sparking red wine. The only thought on their minds was: exploration.
Jake and Corey were not alone, of course. Their parents, a Mr. and Mrs. Reinstall(Jake’s), and a Mr. and Mrs. Austin (Corey’s), were also mingling in the swaying crowd of upper-crust citizenry. Mrs. Reinstall had never particularly cared for Mrs. Austin, but they tolerated each other’s existence for the sake of their inseperable children. But not forgotten was the memory of a certain Robyn Miller (Mrs. Austin), who yanked the towel off a 14-year-old Patricia Stafford (Mrs. Reinstall) in the girl’s locker room at Bridgewood High. Though, as Freud pointed out in some book, people must often repress their inner feelings in order to function in everyday society. And this party was certainly Exibit A.
Jake was the more athletic of the two, opting to try out for the middle school football team instead of Corey’s choice, the Chess Club. They didn’t resemble each other either, making them somewhat of an unlikely pair. Jake had sharp black hair, and a thin row of freckles across the bridge of his nose. Those were soon to fade though, as Jake was tip-toeing across the threshold of manhood daily. Corey, sadly, was a little farther behind in the grand scheme of things. Though intellectually miles ahead of Jake, Corey was skinny, shy, and always opted for books over TV. But somehow they managed to overlook such glaring differences, and spare each other the joke fodder of being clasically different.

Dinner is Served
=======================
“My compliments to the chef,” Mr. Austin noted, knowing how cliched that phrase was. “If this dinner is half as good as it...”
“Honey--” Robyn snipped at her husband.
The hosts of the party, a rather mysterious couple by the name of Leone, sat side by side at the head of the table. Glancing to each side, they began to commence the occasion.
“As new neighbors, and as fellow Bridgewood lovers, we welcome you to our humble home,” Mrs. Leone announced, as she stood up. Her frail 73-year-old frame was barely able to even succeed at that.
The table lit up with chatter, as everyone began tucking their napkins in their shirts. Mrs. Austin, or rather, Robyn was the first to remark to her husband how ancient the Leones looked.
“She certainly didn’t age well, did she, honey?”
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk like that, dear.” Mr. Austin had always been theconservative side of the Austin marriage. He insisted that everyone call him “Steve” instead of “Stevie” or “Steve-o” as some people are proned to do. His mustache only enhanced his status as the room’s most staunch Republican.
Mrs. Austin, on the other hand, was quick with a sarcastic comeback, and a critical observation. She hated these formal gatherings where everyone did little but mask their own contempt for one another. To fit her fiery personality, Mrs. Austin was also the most attractive in the room, by far. She made no bones about the fact that she was more fit, more honed, bigger breasted, thinner at the waist, and altogether more desirable than any soul at the table, especially Patricia Reinstall.
The other guests at the party were fully engaged in conversations about art,literature, and politics by now, and Jake and Corey were antsy for action.
Stairway
===================
Unnoticed by their parents, Jake and Corey slid softly towards the basement door.
“Hey Corey, race ya to the bottom!”
“You’re on.”
The two sped down the steps with a fury only 12-year-old boys possess. Having reached the bottom in record time surely, they took in the panorama that was the Leone cellar. Spacious, vast, and so haunting silent it was.
“Geez, this place is awesome. I wish my house were this big,” Jake said.
Just then, a deafeningly shrill voice interrupted their gazing. Lauren Hackworth, the duo’s 13-year-old nemesis.
“Hey BOYS!” she screamed.
“Oh great,” Corey sighed, as the smile washed off his face.
Lauren Hackworth was two years older than the boys, and in her mind, that made her nothing short of Lord God Almighty. She was the talk of school, as every boy at would drool uncontrollably as she walked by. At 14, she was the envy of all at Bridgewood Middle School. Long legs, suprisingly developed chest, and long auburn hair that was something out of a shampoo advert. The boys were not pleased to see that Lauren, it appeared, had joined the expedition of the Leone mansion.
“Hey boys, why are you down here?” she questioned.
“Just exploring, that’s all.”
“Ohh, exploring. You mind if I join in your little fun?”
The boys looked at each other and shrugged. With racing minds, they agreed that she could come along if she so desired.
“Let’s check out this room,” Jake pointed to an old door across the basement.
As the three of them made their way to the ancient door, Jake and Corey noticed that Lauren seemed even taller than usual. At most, they had thought she was a head taller than them, but it seemed she was even bigger up close (something they rarely experienced).
“God, you guys are short,” Lauren noted.
“Thanks for noticing,” Corey noted.
The Meternott Device
========================
In the corner of the room, something shiny caught the trio’s attention immediately. This was due to the fact that is appeared to be space-age, whereas everything else in the room was nearly Biblical. All three ran to it.
“The Meternott Device,” Corey said, picking it up.
“What?!” Lauren was puzzled.
“It’s what’s inscribed on it,” Corey shot back, cutting Lauren down a notch or two on the old Smarts-Meter.
“Well, what the hell does it do?” Lauren replied.
“I don’t know. But it has a dial on it and a trigger, like a pricing machine or something.”
“This is boring. I’m going back upstairs,” Lauren marched back up the twisted stairway, to the noisy dining room above.
Jake found some old baseball gear in a trunk on the other side of the room, and was throwing the ball against the wall.
“So, what is it, Corey?”
THUMP
“I still don’t know.”
THUMP
“Point it at something. See what it does,” Jake suggested.
THUMP
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. It could be loaded,” said Corey.
THUMP
“Don’t be such a *****...”
THUMP
“OK.”
Corey pointed the device at the wall and pulled the trigger. Nothing. The wall remained, most assuredly, the wall.
“Hmm, looks like it’s broken,” Corey thought out loud. And just as those words came out of his mouth, Corey suddenly felt the urge to point it at Jake... for fun of course.
“Hey, Jake!” said Corey, with a long smile. “Bang.”
Corey pulled the trigger.
As soon as he did, Jake’s expression turned from laughter to concern.
“I don’t feel right,” Jake mumbled. “You did something to me.”
“No I didn’t. I just pulled the trigger. It doesn’t work anyway,” Corey explained.
One Pill Makes You Larger, And One Pill...
==============================
Jake did seem different somehow, but not in a way Corey could place. He’d known his best friend since they were in Little League, and he trusted Jake when it came to always telling each other the honest truth.
One thing did occur to Corey. Freckles. Jake’s small line of freckles seemed thicker now, as they bridged across his nose. His nose. Hmmmm. It looked a little odd too.
“Umm, Corey, what’s happening?” Jake asked, noticing his sleeves didn’t seem to fit where he had rolled them up.
“I’m not sure,” Corey said.
But Corey was becoming more sure, although he didn’t believe it. Jake definitely looked different than he had a minute ago playing ball with the wall. His hair appeared shorter, and more spiked. The freckles were certainly darker now, and, though it seemed outrageous, Jake was getting younger.
Confusion turned to anger.
“What did you do??” Jake demanded.
Corey could only stare at his 12-year-old friend, who looked more like a 10-year-old now. And it only got worse. Jake grabbed his jeans as they were becoming far too loose on his little body. His hands rounded. Jake looked down at the floor, gasping for breath as he realized he was getting shorter, much shorter. His nearly adolescent muscles were turning into the puny arms of a child.
“Stop this! Now!” Jake yelled aloud.
“I can’t, Jake...”
The sleeves on Jake’s button-up shirt were now well past his youthening hands.Corey knew Jake was definitely getting younger now, by the sound of his voice. Jake hadn’t sounded like that since the third grade, when he had to get stitches after a Little League ball hit him square in the eye. Corey could only watch in horror as his best friend went back in time.
And back in time he went, going from 3rd grade to 2nd grade to 1st grade, and finally, to kindergarten. Then it was over. And the once-athletic Jake, who had hopes of asking Cindy Mullins out for the ice cream social, was merely 5 years old.
Inevitability
===========================
“Oh my God Oh my God Oh my God...” was all Corey could say. “Jake, you’re like... a kid again.”
Jake looked down at his body, and looked up at Corey who now stood several feetabove him.
“Change me back! I don’t want to be a little kid!” Jake screamed, a couple octaves higher than he had been minutes ago. “I can’t let anyone see me like this!”
“OK, OK, I’ll try,” Corey fumbled with the Meternott Device.
“Jesus, Corey!”
“I’m trying! I don’t know how to work this thing. The dial is stuck on five...”
Jake glanced at Corey, “I’m only five years old now??”
“Yeah, I guess you are.”
A thundering knock came at the door, and Corey turned his attention away fromthe machine.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Lauren,” Lauren said as she swung open the door.
Standing in shock was Corey Austin, the 12-year-old chess geek from school, and much younger kid, who looked a lot like.... like... Jake Reinstall.
“Jake?!” Lauren exclaimed, “Is that you?”
Jake turned his back, losing his pants in the process.
“Oh my God, is that you? You’re look younger than my little sister! What happened?”
“It’s the device,” Corey added.
It didn’t take long for beautiful Lauren Hackworth to break into spasm of laughter.
“I can’t believe it. You’re just a little kid again! We’ve gotta take you upstairs,” Lauren chuckled.
Jake was infuriated, and emabarrassed beyond belief. Here was Jake Reinstall, one of the pathetic boys at Bridgewood Middle School who lusted after Lauren Hackworth everyday of class, and he was standing in a pile of his own clothes, with the body of a stupid 5-year-old.
Lauren glided over to Jake and turned him around. His face had become so soft, so cherubic. Any hints of puberty were well behind him.
“Awwww. You’re so cute, Jakey!” she said as she rubbed the top of his head. “I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I‘d see you as a kindergartener!”
“I’m not a kindergartener,”Jake said, in his little kid’s voice.
“Well, you certainly don’t look like a 12-year-old anymore!” Her tone got more sarcastic. “No, no, I don’t think you’ll be chasing after girls for a while. I can’t get over how adorable you are.”
“Stop it, Lauren,” Corey piped up.
“Shut up, nerd, I’m just giving Jakey a pep talk. After all, we need to be good friends if I’m going to babysit him this Summer.”
Jake was turning red. Lauren was turning red too, but for a different reason. She thought this was the funniest thing in recorded history. Lauren’s face lit up...
“Hey, if you’re this cute now, I’ll bet you were even cuter when you were a toddler!”
Jake’s expression was one of certain fear.
Jake pleaded, “No please Lauren! Don’t!!”
Lauren turned to Corey and motioned for him to come closer.
“No Lauren, you can’t have it!” Corey shouted, slowly inching away.
But Lauren lunged at Corey just far enough to knock the gun out of his hands. It fell with a clank on the floor. Both of them scrambled like worms to get it, but in the end, Lauren was the more agile. She quickly sprung to her feet, with a mile-long grin, and aimed the device at Jake.
“Let’s see now. How young do you want to be, Jakey? Pre-school? Pampers?”
“Nooooooooooooooooooo!”
But Lauren had managed to spin the dial, all the way down to 2.5. Jake let out acry as the same feeling engulfed him as before. His cheeks proceeded to get rounder and rounder as he descended into early childhood.
“Oh yes, you’re gonna be the talk of gym class now, Jakey!”
Horrified, Jake tried to make his way to the door, but only fell in his heap of clothing. But all too soon, the feeling stopped, and Jake was left in the body of a 2 and a half year old. His shirt had now completely fallen off his shoulders and he was left topless. He peered down, with dread, and saw nothing but a cute, little pink belly, with ruffles of baby fat.
Lauren walked over to Jake and knelt down.
“Yep, I was right. You’re a cutie-pie. Look at those little arms!”
She then lifted Jake out of the mountain of clothing and held him up against her chest, rocking him up and down.
“We can’t leave you in your birthday suit I guess,” Lauren said, “let’s get you some clothes so the people upstairs can see you.”
Corey sat with a blank stare in the corner, watching Lauren cradle his best friend in her arms. He was amazed at how similar Jake looked to his old self. He still had the pitch black hair, with his relatively sharp features (though not as sharp as they had been). And his hand, his face, he just seemed the same...only much younger of course.
As she left the room, Lauren peered back in.
“Don’t try anything, Corey. Or you’ll be going back to grade school with your little friend,” Lauren warned, slamming the door.
Preparations
==========================
Lauren gingerly opened the basement door, and peeked out. The Dining room wasempty now, only the messy table hinted that a party had been going on.
“Perfect,” Lauren thought.
Jake was fighting to get away, but Lauren had a tight grip on him, and besides, how strong could a 2-year-old be? He knew he still had the mind of a 12-year-old, but hisrecent change in appearance seemed to affect his mind, or at least his perception. Either way, it was nearly enough to make him faint. It wasn’t bad enough that he was a toddler in the arms of the prettiest girl at school, but he didn’t have a stitch of clothing to hide his little body. Lauren had him in the traditional baby hold, where his legs stradled her side, as he sat on her forearm.
“Come on, Jakey. Let’s have some fun...” Lauren smiled at him.
Heading upstairs into one of the bedrooms, Lauren discovered an old chest of drawers with baby clothes. “Must have been keepsakes from the Leone’s children,” she assumed.
She sat little Jake on the bed nearby, and proceeded to fish through the drawers. Pulling out a one-piece blue pajama suit, she told Jakey she had found the perfect item. As she dressed him, Jake noticed there was a small flap at the front, for any bathroom trips he needed to make. Lauren, of course, noticed it too. She couldn’t help but further the humiliation.
Opening it, she said, “Don’t be embarassed. I’ll bet you always dreamed of being naked with me. Well, here’s your chance. Too bad your wee-wee is so small now, huh?”
She tickled his stomach, and put the velcro flap back up. Jake could have died then and there.
Then suddenly, Lauren realized the machine’s potential, and she quickly took it off the top of the chest. Gripping the dial tightly, she slowly managed to move it to “21.” Full of adolescent anticipation, she pointed the device at herself, closed her eyes, and pulled the trigger. Lauren may not have been particularly smart when it came to algebra homework, but even she could figure out the implications of the numbered dial. Jake watched in amazement as Lauren began to blossom into full womanhood. 15, 16... Her hair darkenedand her features became more defined. 17, 18... Lauren’s already impressive breasts ballooned into something that was to die for. 19, 20... Her hips widened slighly. And finally, 21. The official age of maturity. Lauren was stunning. Jake now felt his stomach sink even more at the site of his rival growing into adulthood, as he was practically stuck with the physique of a baby.
Looking out the window, Lauren spotted a gorgeous fountain in the backyard. Knowing it was far away from the party downstairs, she picked Jakey up, and headed forit. She needed to time to plot her evening’s fun.

Complications In The Art Of Revenge
=======================
Forgotten on the dresser was the Meternott Device. And as luck would have it,Patty Reinstall was in for the treat of her life.
Running across the room during a search for the bathroom, Patricia had happened to see the little show Lauren put on, growing up instantly from a 8th grader to a college senior. And though Mrs. Reinstall had never been a vengeful person, for some unknown reason, notions of revenge were inhabiting her brain. The “turn the other cheek” attitude she had been known for her entire life seemed to melt away when the opportunity presented itself to cause some major embarrassment.
Reasoning that Lauren would not be back for a while, Patricia hugged the device under her coat, knowing full well what lied ahead.
OUTSIDE
The fountain was even more impressive close up then it had been from the second floor window. The water seemed so clear, like a natural Evian spring right in the center of the grounds. Lauren sat Jake down on the edge of it, and proceeded to pace back and forth, searching for ideas about how to best use the device to its full potential... for embarassment that is.
“I don’t know, Jakey. Who should I use it on next, eh? What about that Cindy Mullins at school. You’ve always had a crush on that little tart, haven’t you? Well, since you’re a toddler now, I could turn her into a little thumb-sucking baby and you could ask her over to watch Barney cartoons.”
Jake’s worry increased exponentially every moment.
Lauren continued, “Or we could just get your little friend Corey out here and shrink him too. I know you must be lonely being the only toddler here tonight with all the other big kids around.”
“I’m a big kid!” Jake responded ferociously.
“No, you AREN’T! You’re just a baby and I’m the adult,” Lauren blasted back.
“You’re only two years older than me!” Jake cried.
“Not anymore, kiddo. I’m old enough to be your mom now!” Lauren answered.
INSIDE
Mrs. Reinstall readied the machine and set it on a coffe table in the lavish den. She then made her way into the elegant living room, buzzing with small talk and hidden agendas. Well, Patricia decided her agenda wouldn’t be hidden for long.
“Oh hi there, Robyn,” Patricia greeted Mrs. Austin near the punchbowl.
“Patty,” Robyn nodded her head and returned her gave to the attractive server at the punchbowl.
“I was just remarking about your dress, and I wondered if I could ask you a few questions... somewhere quieter if we could.”
“If we must,” Mrs. Austin put down her glass and followed Patricia into the den. She couldn’t help but notice how Mrs. Austin was absolutely bursting out of her low cut V-neck dress. She might as well have tattoed “Cleavage For All!” on her chest.
“So what is it, Patty?” (Patricia hated when anyone called her Patty.)
“I’ve got a surprise for you. Turn around and close your eyes.”
“A surprise, for me?”
“Well, you know how you always said you could never look young ENOUGH?”
“Yes...” Mrs. Austin replied.
Patricia aimed the device directly at Mrs. Austin’s backside and fired away. Mrs. Austin turned around.
“What was that?” she asked, as she saw Patricia aiming what looked like a ray-gun at her.
“Nothing, just a little of your own medicine.”
Patricia salivated as she stared at Mrs. Austin, eager for the action. And the action began, almost quicker than it had on Lauren. Mrs. Austin felt a tingling as she grimaced at Patricia.
“Patty, what did you do??”
Patricia didn’t anwer; instead, she just sat down on the coffee table and watched the magic begin. Mrs. Austin was already noticeable younger, her face taking on a more middle-twenties type look. Her breasts remained the same size, but her legs seemed to be thinning, as were her arms.
“Stop it!” Mrs. Austin screamed, thinking her voice sounded a little higher.
“I don’t think so, Robyn. Oh hey, looks like your dress is a little big. Maybe you should hem it...”
Patricia had never felt so powerful, so in control. As she watched Mrs. Austin pass from a twenty-something body to that of a teenager, she reveled in her own creativity.
“Robyn, you certainly look younger. Check out the mirror over there.”
Mrs. Austin stumbled to the full size mirror and saw that she looking more childlike with each passing second. The inevitable was about to happen. Mrs. Austin watched in horror as her boobs quickly decreased in size. C cups became B cups. She massaged her chest and moaned...
“My breasts! How could...?”
“Hmm, looks a tad smaller down there, doesn’t it, Robyn?”
Patricia watched with delight as Mrs. Austin made her final descent into the early teens. When the ray stopped, she was 14 years old, an age Patricia had specifically chosen for the express purposes of reenacting a little locker room episode. Though Robyn was terrified at her appearance, Patricia could see that Robyn’s breasts had not completely gone away. In fact, they were rather large for a 14-year-old. That was as Patricia remembered it too... After all, there was a reason Robyn had not been embarassed to take off her clothes in high school.
The sexy dress was now hanging off poor Robyn, and Patricia made no delays in stripping her of it, much like the towel she had had on 21 years ago. Robyn squeeled, mortified at her skinny teenage body. She desperately tried to cover up her privates, but her little hands were hardly enough to cover the fun spots.
“Who has bigger boobs now?” Patricia grunted.
Robyn turned toward Patricia and smiled. A puzzled look came across Patricia’s face.
“I think I still have bigger boobs!” Robyn chuckled.
Glancing down at her chest, Patricia realized in shock Robyn may be right! She had always been rather flat, but she thought she could at least beat out a 14-year-old, even a 14-year-old Robyn Austin.
“Ha Ha! I can’t believe it! You made me a kid practically, and I’m still more of a woman than you are!”
Patricia was consumed with anger, mostly because she knew not-so-little Robyn wasn’t far from the truth. Robyn’s amusement soon turned back into fright as Patricia raised the device at her again.
“OK, Robyn Miller. Most popular girl in school. Best personality. Sexiest freshmen. I’ll make you so young, you’ll be sucking your thumb and taking baths in the sink!” Patricia boasted.
Just then, the door opened behind Patricia and Lauren tackled Mrs. Reinstall, throwing the machine across the room. All three of them wrestled to reach it first, but once again, Lauren triumphed and the gun was all hers once more. She jumped up and aimed the device at Patricia like a cop.
“Both of you! Shut up! I’m in command here. I found it first.”
“Please, Lauren, just put it down. Enough entertainment for one night, OK?” Patricia pleaded with an innocent look on her face.
“I’m not that stupid, Mrs. Reinstall. You want the device too. Don’t deny it.”
Patricia couldn’t deny it.
Lauren went on, “I make the rules, all right? If you don’t think I will, you should see your son, Mrs. Reinstall.”
“What do you mean?” Patricia sobbed.
“Let’s just say, you may need to start clipping Huggies coupons again.”
Lauren clawed the dial clockwise and shot it at Patricia.
“Not this, no!!” she screamed like Robyn had a minute ago. But Patricia was on her way down the Age-Ladder too. Within 30 seconds, she was already Lauren’s age, and rapidly falling. Robyn counted the seconds on her fingers: 45, 46, 47... In less than a minute, Patricia the same height as the regressed Robyn, only she didn’t stop there. With her blouse draped on her like a tent, Patricia’s regression stopped at 10 years of age.
“Try anything and I’ll make you both younger!” Patricia raised her stick-like arms, now covered by the blouse fully.
Robyn snickered... “Well, I may be a freshmen, but it looks like you’re not even in middle school yet.”
“Shut up,” Patrica barked back, sounding pathetic with her newly raised voice.
“Talk about no boobs. I doubt you even have two bumps now!” Robyn hissed.
“Be quiet, you two... or you’ll join your son, Mrs. Reinstall.” Lauren reminded them. “Now, march.”
Twisting By The Pool
======================
Lauren now had everyone gathered at the fountain, that is, the 10-year-old Patricia Reinstall, the 14-year-old Robyn Austin, and, of course, Jakey, still a toddler.
Patricia instantly recoginised her son, running to embrace him.
“Mom?” Jake muttered.
“Yes, honey, it’s me. Lauren got to me too. How old did she make you, honey?”
“I’m two and a half,” he raised two fingers, and a third one part of the way.
“It’ll be OK, honey. Just wait.”
Lauren now lined the threesome up along the fountain, and towered over them, putting little Jakey in her shadow.
“Now, I’m in charge. Any of you makes any move and I set this thing for “1” and you’ll all be helpless babies.”
Jake saw something behind Lauren. Soon, he could tell it was none other than his best friend Corey. Corey held his finger to his lips, making the universal sign for “shhhhhhhhhhhhh.” Attempting to mask his excitement, Jake made a big frown across his face.
As Lauren began barking out orders, Corey dashed out of a row of bushes behind Lauren and pushed her into the fountain. Her hips hit the edge and she went face first into the shining water. Still grasping the device, she flung her head out of the water, making her wet hair fly back, spraying a bit of it on Corey.
“You little brat!” Lauren spun around to face Corey.
Something strange was happening though. Lauren no longer looked 21. She had rapidly become much younger, almost back to her old age.
“Damn, it must be wearing off,” she thought.
But she didn’t stop at 14. Lauren spiraled back down the age-roller-coaster like mad, becoming a much more innocent 9-year-old, then a very young looking 3rd grader. Her age had decreased so fast, she barely had time to think. Her shapely thighs and incredible breasts sunk back into the innocence of youth. Her hair now more fine, and curly. She held her hands in front of her face and cried like a little girl who had just skinned her knee. When it had all finished, Lauren fell to the ground, a balling 4-year-old.

“No, No, No!” was all she kept saying.
“It was so quick,” said Patricia.
“Yeah, the water must be potent,” Robyn replied.
A mere moment ago, Lauren Hackworth was ready for the pages of Playboy. Now, she was no longer sexy, but cute. Her little pink nipples shown through the now gigantic dress she was donning.
The moment was almost so intense that everyone forgot about the Meternott Device, except Robyn, who was now the oldest. She lunged for the gun, grabbed it, and hopped up. As would be predicted, she adjusted the control to “45” and bathed herself in the ray. Without fanfare, Robyn shot back up through puberty, her twenties, and finally to her old age.
“Thanks, Corey,” she walked over and patted her son on the back. Corey was looking slightly younger, but not enough for anyone to notice.
“You’re welcome, Mom,” he replied. “So, we’ll just get people back to normal now, right?”
“Wellll....” Robyn pondered the question. “Maybe not everybody.”
Everyone stopped talking.
Robyn fiddled with the dial. “I might as well take advantage of the situation.”
“Mom, what are you talking about? Change them back. Change Jake back.”
“You’ll get your friend back... just wait,” Robyn said.
“No, change them back now!”
“You’re acting like a baby, Corey!”
“Mom, they deserve to be their old ages!” Corey argued, pointing at Robyn.
“Don’t you point at me, young man.”
Before Corey knew it, he was on the receiving end of his discovery.
“You were much easier to take care of when you were in diapers.”
“Mom, don’t! I don’t wanna be younger!”
But it was too late. Robyn had fired the gun at her son, considering it punishment for his talking back. Corey could do nothing but let the feeling glide through him like rain. His sleeves covered his hands, and he was on the express back to childhood. All he could think to himself was: “Please don’t let me as young as Jake!” The feeling continued at full force though, and Corey passed the 2nd grade mark. Deep inside, he knew he was no longer a “big boy.” He could only hope his mother wouldn’t send him back to kindergarten, or tell his friends what had happened to him. His worst fears were coming true. Judging from his perspective, he guessed he was about Lauren’s age now, but he was still getting younger!!
“No, not this little! Pweese!” he stuttered in his girlie voice.
“I’m sorry, Corey.”
Corey continued to regress, now the same age as his buddy Jake. Jake looked down at him tearfully, knowing how much Corey had hated being told he “looked young for his age.” Surely that would be enough, Corey assumed. But the ground kept getting closer, until Corey was exactly one year old. Even 4-year-old Lauren dawrfed him now. It was the ultimate punishment.
“You didn’t have to make him a baby!” Patricia said.
"Shut up," Mrs. Austin said, "You're the one who started this!" Mrs. Austin pointed the device directly at Patricia. The beam once again engulfed her and she shrieked, realizing she was getting much shorter.
Jake watched his mother dwindle from an awkward 10-year-old to 9 to 8... Her hair thinned and became lighter. Jake had to admit he never thought his mother had been this cute. Patricia could do nothing as her body went in reverse, going from 1st grade to kindergarten age to pre-school. The whole scene was surreal. Patricia stopped regressing at 2 years of age, now even younger than her son!
"How about that, Patricia? Now you're kid is older than you!"

The Saga Continues...
==========================
With that, Robyn marched her crew back inside, and carried little Corey in her arms. Though he was only 1-year-old in body, Corey was still extremely embarrassed about having no clothes on, with his Mom carrying him at her side. So, now that everyone was a child except for Robyn, she figured she had nothing to worry about from her pint-sized rivals.
Lauren was still balling over her sudden loss of age, whereas Jake and Patricia were still contemplating this altogether strange experience. Robyn's devious mind was planning out various scenarios of hilarity. She decided to herd the crew into one of the Leone's grande bathrooms since it was the closest room to get to, without walking through the mob of party guests.
The children toddled into the bathroom.
"Now," said Robyn, "I can't have everyone be so young, because you'd be too much trouble."
Everyone's face brightened.
"So, Patricia, Jake, come here."
Patricia and Jake made their way in front of Robyn. Aiming the gun at the pair, she squeezed the trigger. Both of them slowly gained a little height as they grew to 5 years old.
What Robyn failed to notice was that Lauren had escaped, being barely tall enough to reach the door knob. In the living room, Lauren, covered with a bunched up shirt she had been wearing before, squeezed into the throbbing crowd.
"Who's kid is that?" someone asked.
"Don't know. I didn't think anyone had little children tonight."
Meanwhile in the bathroom, Robyn was mapping out her next move, trying to figure out a way of further punishing Patricia without drawing any attention to herself. Also, she mused about what it would be like to shrink some of her more annoying co-workers into little kids. Just then, Jake spoke up.
"Mrs. Austin, why are you doing this?" Jake pleaded. "Corey and I are friends and--"
"I know, Jake, but this is more complex than that."
"I just want everything to be back to normal," Jake said, starting to cry.
"Geez, you really are a baby, Jake. I should make you and your mom stay this way!"
Quickly concocting an embarrassing scene in her mind, Robyn ordered Jake into the bathtub.
"What are you going to do?" Jake was worried, but also tired of expecting the worst.
"I just think you need to take a bath, Jake! Little boys like you get dirty," Robyn responded, placing little Corey on the ground. She started running the water.
"Do I have to... ?"
"Yes. Now, take your clothes off and hop in!"
"But I don't want to!" Jake yelled.
"You will!" Robyn said, as she yanked Jake over next to her and knelt down. Robyn unbuttoned Jake's now tight pajama suit, and peeled it off of him. Knowing he had been beat, he stepped into the bathtub reluctantly and sat down.

"Now, Patricia, or should I say Patty, you next! C'mon, take a bath with your little son," Robyn mocked, feeling the power of revenge flow through her. She had to admit this was the most fun she had had in a long time.
Patricia dropped the wadded-up clothing she had been covering herself with, and did as Robyn asked.
"Oh, you two are so cute!" Robyn laughed. "Scrub yourself clean now."
Needless to say Jake and his mother were blushing immensely. This was undoubtedly Patricia's worst nightmare; being bathed by her arch enemy! and being a 2-year-old on top of that! The embarassment was too much to bear.
"This seems about the right age for you, Patty. This way you won't have to worry about your bra size or waistline." Robyn splashed the water over Patricia.
To add insult to injury, Patricia had to gaze right into Robyn's impressive cleavage as she leaned over the tub. What Robyn didn't notice though was that little Corey had crawled away from the spot she had placed him in. He was slowly making his way to the Meternott Device, which Robyn had set just beside her while she played with her two victims. Corey's coordination was next to zero, but he managed to reach the gun. The dial was still on "5" from when Robyn had aged Patricia and Jake. He tried to squeeze the trigger, but it was too difficult, so he used both of his pudgy little hands. The device lit up, and the beam shot along the floor and hit Robyn's foot.
"Hey!" she said, "What the... Nooo!"
Robyn started to shrink once again, her clothing bunching up as her face lost several years. Her twenties went the fastest, quickly making her a teenager. Jake and Patricia watched as Robyn's D-cups shrank to C then B... Soon, Robyn had passed the threshold of puberty. Her face now looked much more innocent, and her nose began to turn up slightly. Patricia hadn't known Robyn when she was this young; she was surprised how much less intimidating her good looks were now that they had melted back into childhood. As the ray stopped, Robyn looked down at herself and shrieked, "I'm so little!"
Just as Robyn gained enough composure to think of the gun, the doors to the bathroom swung open and Mr. Leone, accompanied by little Lauren, rushed in.
He put his hands on his head. "Oh geez, what a mess. I knew I should have locked that thing up," he said. With that, he grabbed the device before the 5 year old Robyn could snatch it away.
"No, no. You've done enough, little lady."
"Now, let's see if I can remember. Lauren, can you tell me who everyone here is?" Mr. Leone asked.
Lauren tried her best. She pointed to Patricia in the tub. "Dat's Patty."
"Can you remember how old she was?"
"She was mommy."
"OK. And what about him?" Mr. Leone said, pointing to baby Corey.
"Cowwey. He goes school with me."
Then Lauren pointed to the other boy in the tub. "Dat's Jakey. He go school too."
"OK, I think I remember everyone now."
With that, Mr. Leone activated the device and returned Corey back to middle school age. Corey quickly covered himself with a towel from the towel rack nearby.
"Now, tell me what went on here, son," Mr. Leone sternly said.
"Well, it all started with...."
Epilogue
========================
Corey told Mr. Leone the entire sequence of events. Intrigued, Mr. Leone turned to the remaining children in the bathroom.
"I see. Well, Corey, I appreciate you telling me who did what. But I don't think it would be fair to let everyone go away scotch free."
Robyn cringed.
Mr. Leone continued, "You see, we discovered that fountain many years ago and made ourselves younger so many times, we nearly wore our bodies out. I invented this device to channel the youthening powers of the water. After careful study, I created this machine. It was never meant to be a weapon, but some of you tonight chose to use it that way. Before I decide how to handle this, I want you all to get dressed."
Patricia and Jake stepped out of the tub and dried themselves off, wrapping towels around themselves. Mr. Leone supplied Patricia and Robyn with two purple-ish outfits. Robyn noticed hers was much smaller.
"Jake, you certainly don't deserve to be stuck in that body any longer." Mr. Leone aimed the device at Jake, saying, "12 right?" Jake nodded. And as soon as he did, he began to grow back to his old self. Once finished, he towered over his mother.
"Thank you," said Jake.
"But as for the rest of you, I think you need to suffer the consequences of your little escapades," Mr. Leone stated. "Since you elected to use the machine as a means of revenge, it shows you both have problems acting adult."
He turned to Patricia. "Patricia Reinstall, you may have iniated some of this, but you weren't entirely to blame. Until I see fit, I'm making you 8 years old. Your son deserves to be older than you." He pointed the machine at Patricia, and she almost instantaneously aged 3 years, to the ripe old age of 8."

Then, he turned to little Lauren. "You aren't without blame either, Lauren. Both you and Mrs. Austin behaved the worst during this whole charade. Until I decide to change you back, I returning you both to infancy, so you'll have plenty of time to think about what you've done!"
Lauren and Robyn started crying, as Mr. Leone reduced them both to balling babies. Corey then picked up his tiny mother, and Jake heaved Lauren up to his side. Lauren protested and whined.
In the bedroom, Jake and Corey proceeded to diaper the two babies.
"Boys," Mr. Leone finally turned to Jake and Corey, "I want you to take care of these kids. Show them a little maturity, will you?"

Jake and Corey glanced at each other, and shrugged their shoulders.
"Well, I'm at least glad to be back in my old body," Jake said.
"Same here. I thought for a second there we were going to be back in kindergarten," Corey added.
Jake rummaged through the closet and pulled out a nice little white shirt for the formerly sexy Lauren.
"The guys at school are never going to believe this."
Jake dressed baby Lauren and set her in a nearby chair.
"The finishing touch," Jake added, as he stuck a pacifier in Lauren's mouth.
They both smiled big smiles. "Looks like I might have some babysitting to do over Summer..."
THE END