Hey everyone! We’re getting into some of the last chapters here, so there’s going to be a lot to cover to get us to the end. Also, from this and just how I feel some of these chapters should go by touching on the heavy points, the timeline is going to be spaced out a little more now. I could talk for several chapters about Ashley playing in the sandbox or her rejecting pureed carrots for the seventh time at daycare from Mrs. Jenkins, but that doesn’t really move the plot forward. So, just be a little more vigilant about those timestamps. Next, just as a reminder, a new poll is up for you all to let me know which story you all would like to read next. Story options and the link can be found back in the beginning of chapters 2 and 14. As I mentioned before though, if you feel more comfortable leaving a comment here or as a private message to me, I will count these as well. Additionally, like before, this poll will be shut down right before I post my final chapter on here, which now will be next Monday (07 July). Last but not least and as usual, I hope everyone enjoys this next chapter! Chapter 26: Finding What Is Important Day 119 – 11:03 A.M. MDT – Earth 2 Ashley seemed to be wandering around in life without much direction… or at least not as much direction as she had prior to her break-in at the facility. One might have said she could have been lying low since then, but any casual observer of her would notice several changes that showed it was something more. Simply put, Ashley was different… even younger seeming than ever before. Some differences were small… like an attachment to Bunty, a nearly ever-present object that she carried around with her in her life. It was juvenile, but according to Ashley’s own nightly words, Bunty provided a closeness and sense of security that any Little in this dimension would likely appreciate. Speaking of which, Ashley still kept up her nightly logs, but instead of status reports with official words and concise language, they came across more like personal diaries of what her days were about… gossip, complaints, about the ‘adults,’ and even reporting’s on the latest juvenile embarrassment… though not all were even labeled that way to her anymore either. Other things… were much bigger in retrospect. Diaper usage was frequent and often uncontrollable or to the state where Ashley didn’t even register it… or didn’t care if she did realize the recent swell of her diaper, front or back. Betty and Pete both flashed concern each time they checked and found she needed a change, but all her friends had similar states in life, so Ashley barely batted an eye anymore whenever they checked her diaper and announced its state publicly. Most damming though, was her lack of memory. At first, she believed it just to be a gap like one trying to remember what they had for lunch five weeks ago. Missing or fuzzy, but not a big deal usually that she couldn’t remember it. As she continued to live her new life though, other items began to show in her life that she felt like she should absolutely remember but didn’t. Like the pink rock. Betty had found three more since the first she had plucked, but each time Ashley looked at the rock, she would then shrug with indifference before adding it to her collection on her bedroom windowsill… just like all the other curiosities she found in the park or on the sidewalk… meaningless and just interesting to the Little’s wide eyes. Betty raised more than a few eyebrows and her suspicions seemed raised about the pink rocks… but ultimately remained silent. Then, there was the thing that Ashley was concerned about, but strangely didn’t do anything about. It seemed to be happening each day at daycare now, and needless to say, if she ever caught it, she was downright scared. The only problem though… no one else seemed to see it. Like today… “Come on, Ash!” Ron complained at the first floor of the playground equipment. “You peein’ or something?” Ashley flashed a dirty look back at Ron. “Am not! Or…” Her flash of anger turned to confusion, then from a prodding seemed to switch to one of uncaring and a simple shrug. Lately, her once rocky emotions had seemingly bloomed into something entirely different. Falls resulted in crying fits, being told ‘no’ could be a meltdown, and being fed something like peas was always a tight rope to walk for either one of the attendants or her Bigs back home. They all navigated around her pretty well, but it was yet another pronounced change from before. “Alright! Alright! I’ll go.” Ashley huffed and turned to the tall expanse before her. ‘Oh… that’s really, really high. Maybe I should turn around and get Bunty and…’ Ashley gave a little shake to her head. ‘No, no. Don’t do that. Just go, you big baby. It’s over in a second…’ Frequently a war seemed to be raging in the Little’s head… between her old and new mind. Fortunately for Ron’s patience today, her old mind won out. “Whee!” she yelled in glee as she rocketed down the slide and to the bottom. “Very good, Ashley!” Miss Fiona praised, something the attendant had been doing more lately now that the Little was firmly in her class and needed some extra ‘encouragement.’ “Thanks, Miss Fiona!” Ashley popped off the slide and nearly bounced away like her whole day had been made just by that one compliment. Grabbing Bunty, she hugged the stuffy as tight as she could. “I made it Bunty! But… never again without you!” The Little seemed to be happy and carefree and started to walk away. Until she froze. Ron was regressed and from his file or just any casual observer however, they would know the extent of that regression, but also that he wasn’t like Melissa or Nancy. He had a general understanding of the world still… just in a reduced capacity with some of the physical aspects of a regressed Little. Also, and more critically, logic, reasoning, and critical listening skills seemed intact still. So, as he hopped off the slide, his face quickly contorted into one of concern as he saw his scared friend. “Ash? You okay?” Ashley nearly trembled in fear and then slightly nodded her head over toward the far fence. “There’s a man staring at me,” she whispered. “I’ve seen him before… he wants to take me away…” Ron’s eyes widened and slowly looked over to the figure that Ashley was referring to. “Oh! I see him,” Ron whispered back. Unlike Ashley though, his dependency on others was far more engrained. “Miss Fiona! Miss Fiona!” Miss Fiona ran over in a panic. “What is it, Ron? Ashley? Are you two okay?” Her fingers and eyes quickly frittered about the two Littles. Ron shrank away though and shook his head adamantly. “No, no! Over there!” His finger pointed toward the fence… now completely devoid of life. “But… there was a man!” “A man?” Miss Fiona narrowed her gaze and crouched down before looking deeply at both. “What did this man look like. Think really hard for me now.” Both Littles strained and scratched their heads. Ron just seemed to wince, but Ashley had looked longer. “I… I don’t know. He was in shadows… tall maybe. I… don’t know. I don’t think he was a Big, but… he looked familiar.” Ashley winced herself and squeezed Bunty even tighter than she had been before. “Why’d he look familiar, Miss Fiona?” “I don’t know. I wish I did though…” Miss Fiona sighed and then gave her classic concerned and lighter but still present smile. “I wouldn’t worry though… I’ll talk to Mrs. Jenkins. See what she has to say. For now, though… come with me and maybe play with some chalk where I can see you both.” Ron readily agreed and Ashley eventually agreed as well, but it was clear that even as she sat down in a defeated huff, her eyes never wandered too far away from the fence still. ‘Why did he look so… familiar? Like family maybe? Ugh! Why does my head get all… confusey about these things now?’ Ashley grimaced but Miss Fiona quickly broke her thoughts. “Ashley? Sweetie?” The Big came over and faced her directly. “Let me check your diaper, honey. Your mommy told me you’ve been having a few leaks lately. Just need to check really quick, okay?” Ashley only shrugged. ‘Just go quick, please. Ron’s already starting the chalk without me!’ Experienced and gentle as ever, Miss Fiona crept her hand into Ashley’s pink shortalls today, popped the snaps, and then went through the crotch of her onesie to feel the diaper underneath. “Hmmm… not too bad right now. I think you can wait until after recess…” She removed her hand and stood back. “Okay then… you join Ron now and I’ll grab you for a change afterward.” “Okay, Miss Fiona!” Ashley said enthusiastically before rushing off without a second thought to join Ron and the bucket of chalk he had next to him. *              *              * Day 121 – 8:01 P.M. MDT – Earth 2 “Daddy… where are we going?” Ashley asked as they drove in the car at night along the long and twisty road under the pale moonlight. “And… where’s Mommy?” Pete kept looking right ahead instead of back at his questioning Little in the back seat sitting in her booster seat. “A special place, sweetie. Mommy will meet us back at home, but this is… we need to do together. We need to go to a place where she can’t go.” “But I can?” Ashley paused for the briefest of moments. “Am I special Little, Daddy?” This time Pete looked into his rearview mirror and smiled. “Of course you are, baby. You always have been. Tonight though… I need to see just how special you really are. So, when we get in there tonight… I need you to be on your bestest behavior, okay?” Ashley looked a little nervous, but lately, Pete’s words seemed only out to help her… even if they were sometimes confusing or restrictive. “Okay, Daddy. I promise.” The car ambled up the curvy and dimly lit pathways before stopping at several gates. If Ashley hadn’t been ‘modified,’ she might have recognized them right away… or heard the guard checking Pete’s ID badge. Still, her face looked out the window once they were through, and her eyes squinted at the building in front of her now. ‘Weird… it looks so strange but so… familiar. Is this another gap?’ It seemed to be like a word one had before but just couldn’t recall. Finally, Ashley spoke up. “Daddy? Have I ever been here before?” Pete sighed as he parked and turned off the car. “Yes, honey. You have a few times. It has a fancy name but we call this place the facility.” “The facility… facility…” Ashley rolled the word around on her tongue as Pete unbuckled and then helped her out of the car, slinging her diaper bag over his shoulder. Before the night was over, she was likely going to need what was stored inside… Pete’s increased skill in that department almost shining as a testament to that fact now. Holding her hand tightly, Pete quickly shuffled Ashley inside the facility. Several of the security guards and staff in general seemed to know him and were quite friendly, but there was also a fair percentage of everyone the pair encountered that looked at them with increasing suspicion with each security checkpoint they passed. The continued stares were not lost on Ashley. ‘Wow! Daddy must be really famous… or are they staring at me?’ No sooner than she asked that question then when one burly security guard about fifteen minutes later answered it. “Good evening, sir. Late night business again?” he asked, his hands neutral but still inches away from a gun that looked about the size of Ashley’s head. “Oh, this and that really.” He then pulled the dumbfounded or at least full of wonder Ashley forward. “Need to check out this little one. You know how things are…” The guard, now seeing Ashley, flinched toward his gun. Pete nearly looked like he was about to faint, but when the guard looked at him questioningly, he shook his head. “Easy there, Davis. She’s no threat to you anymore.” The tension didn’t falter, so Pete sighed and turned to his Little. “Ashley… can you tell me where we are or the state of your diaper right now?” His words were blunt, and Ashley could easily follow them… if not quickly answer them in her own way at least. “Where we are?” She looked around and genuinely looked confused. “Are we… in a candy factory?” The guard seemed to ease up right away, but Pete also looked determined to never want to have to do this type of check again. “And your diaper, sweetie?” “My diaper?” Ashley questioned before Pete’s nodded confirmation. “I, uh…” She wiggled around a little and squinted as if she was trying to solve a complex problem in her head. “I…” Suddenly, inspiration seemed to hit, and her hands shot directly to the hem of her skirtalls. “I dunno, but let me lookie here and…” Just as the underside of her onesie could be seen, the pink of the background surrounding the unicorns emblazoned on it standing out very well, Pete lunged in and smiled before yanking her skirt back down. “No, no. That’s okay. Just wanted to answer a question of Davis here.” With her skirtalls now settled back down, Pete stood up and turned back to Davis. “Satisfied?” Now, it was already heavily and quite well-known to most Bigs that some Littles feigned regression in order to sneak into facilities these days. After all, when the cures for half of your world’s problems could just simply be accessed by wearing a diaper and just giggling, that opportunity is one that most wouldn’t pass up. Fakes used to be entirely common, but now… not so much. But even with that seeming fear in the back of his mind, as Davis looked over the innocent Little, his face slackened considerably, and his itchy trigger fingers moved away from his gun. Ashley was a good investigative journalist and undercover mole when she needed to be, but now… that type of pretend was no longer necessary… or maybe even possible. Davis sighed and looked apologetically at Pete. “Sorry, sir. Just… the last time she came in here, I thought she was harmless, and I didn’t stop her when I was checking the cameras. Next thing I know and she’s stolen files and…” Davis winced at the memory. “I understand,” Pete said calmly, flashing a sympathetic smile toward Davis. “You were just doing your job, but now that you see how she is now… can you let us through?” “Oh!” Davis quickly slid to the side and unlocked the door in front of them with a swipe of his own ID badge. “Sorry. Right this way.” “Thank you,” Pete said with a genuine warmth that was likely meant to ease the officer of the guilt still plastered all over his face. He then turned to Ashley and took her hand. “Come on, Sweetie. We need to get you checked out.” Ashley took Pete’s hand without a fuss and as they passed by Davis, with the hand holding tight onto Bunty, she waved the stuffy at him and grinned simply at the Big. “Bye Davis!” The guard chuckled and waved goodbye, and while neither Ashley nor Pete saw, as the door closed, he sighed and shook his head… muttering something about “there goes another one…” Back in the main lab though, there were several monitors, computers, a few cabinets of supplies, and even a few tubes of oddly colored liquid. ‘I wonder what those taste like…’ Ashley stared in wonder at it all, but her eyes quickly drew to the largest object station directly in the middle of the room. “What’s that, Daddy?” Pete sighed and guided her over to it before reaching under her armpits and setting her on the tray-like device that faced the large hole in the center of the almost doughnut-looking device. “This device… machine helps me see in your head,” he explained before starting to attach electrodes over his Little. “You probably have something like this back on Earth, but this one is a little more… extensive.” Ashley frowned and started to pick at the electrodes being attached to her chest, arms, and head. “Exten…?” “Extensive,” Pete confirmed. “Yes, but, honey…” His hands quickly batted her own away. “You need to keep those sensors own. If you don’t, I can’t get an accurate picture of what’s going on up here.” He pointed to his head and finished sticking the electrodes on to Ashley. “Now then… let’s get you lying down…” Pete then gently cradled his Little downward so that she was facing headfirst toward the opening in the machine. “Now, baby, I’m just going to attach a few straps to you, okay? I promise… nothing bad will happen to you, but… it might be a little scary, okay?” Ashley whimpered as the first reinforced cloth strap was quickly pulled over her waist. “Shh, shh…” Pete consoled his Little. “You hug Bunty there. Hug her tight and don’t let go. If you want… you can close your eyes but try not to move.” As Pete pulled over the final of four straps over Ashley, she looked utterly terrified. Bunty was about as close to her as she could get, but it didn’t seem to help much in the grad scheme of things… especially when Pete backed up and pushed a button that caused her to jerk backwards and into the machine. “Daddy!” “It’s okay, baby. Just breathe.” There was hesitation in Pete, but after a moment, his legs finally willed themselves to step into the other room with a simple window display of the large machine. The monitors blinking, and several images of Ashley soon popped up. “Okay, sweetie. Here we go… In 3… 2… 1.” Pete flicked the switch. All at once, a loud hum roared to life and the machine began to shake. Moments later, bright and flashing white lights began to bathe Ashley in a heavenly but terrifying glow. Moments after, Ashley clinging to Bunty as if her life depended on it, the noise turned to a clicking and then a banging sound. Ashley screamed. “Daddy!” she cried. “Get me out of here!” She clung to Bunty, almost disfiguring the poor stuffy on the spot and threatening to pop it in two. Only Big engineering and skill in its creation seemed to keep it together. “Almost there, honey…” Pete said, pain etched all over his face. There was clearly conflict going through his head, but he still seemed as determined as ever to finish the test. “One more switch!” In seconds, the machine crackled to life and little arcs of electricity began to light up all over Ashley. She screamed. The machine sounded like a thunderstorm going off and the whole thing buzzed and vibrated to the point where the world might have seemed like it had crumbled away from inside. Ashley’s diaper took a pounding… she screamed more and more. And then she blacked out. *              *              * Day 121 – 9:58 P.M. MDT – Earth 2 Words seemed to drift around the peripheries of the blackness. Calming, soothing, and reassuring with every lyric spoken. It seemed so familiar and yet so distant, but soon, Ashley eyes began to creak open. Pete was cradling her close in the same room and was even singing to her. “I dreamed I held you in my arms. When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken. So… I hung my head and cried. You are m…” Pete stopped and looked down at Ashley with a relieved smile. “Oh, sweetie. You’re awake! Are you… are you okay?” The wrinkles of worry seemed more prominent right then than ever before. Ashley wiggled a little in his arms and Pete soon sat her back on the padded surface of the machine. “I... I think so, P… Daddy.” Her words seemed a little hesitant, but more from trying to find the right ones rather than forgetting them as sometimes happened to other Littles. “Wha… what happened? It was… so, so scary.” Pete nodded and rubbed her shoulder. “Yes, and I’m very sorry for that. The machine is very thorough, but that can mean it’s a little intense. I just…” He sighed. “I needed to be sure of something, and tonight’s results confirmed what I initially thought. And because of what I found… we might need to do this a few more times.” “What?” Ashley recoiled and gripped Bunty close to her like a shield against the monster machine to her left. “Please, no! That was really, really scary!” Pete’s expression turned sorrowful. “I know, baby. I know…” He then looked over and pulled up a single scan of her brain. “I wanted to check something, and… well, let me ask you this… do you feel like you’re maybe missing something from your brain? Like missing information or maybe even something you can’t quite describe but can feel the gap where it used to be?” Ashley’s eyes grew wide. “Yes! Ever since… well, I’m not sure… but yes! It feels so strange! It happened right before that old general and meanie Mr. Vasiliou came over.” Ashley was rageful but then blushed. “Wait… how’d you know about that?” Pete sighed and clicked on the screen to show different colors light up in her brain. “There’s no need to be embarrassed over something like that. I can see it all plainly here… I just wanted to confirm it with you just then. Now that you have… you see these darker areas?” Ashley nodded, and Pete clicked forward a few images. “Well, if you look closely, you can see some colors, and they’re dull, but… not black.” Ashley blinked back at the screen several times. The gap in her brain seemed to link up with what she was seeing, but the gap also seemed to be a bridge over the knowledge needed in order to put it all together. “Uh… so what does that mean?” Pete turned off the images. “Well, what it means is that I can help you with that gap if you want me to.” “Help me?” she questioned with both fear and intrigue. Pete nodded. “Yes, honey.” He then gestured to the machine again. “With this machine, while it can scan your brain, it can also redirect currents and stop or restart sections. Basically… if we do what we just did, I should be able to restore many of your memories. Probably not all of them, but definitely some… if you want.” Ashley flinched in her quick look at the machine. “But it’s so scary…” She clung to Bunty even closer now against her chest. “Yes, it can be,” Pete acknowledged, “and that’s okay for you to be scared of the machine. I can’t blame you there, but… don’t let your fear stop you if you want your memories back. In this case, it might only be a few weeks compared to years of memories in the future.” Ashley looked back at the machine once more and her diaper swelled a little as she trembled in its sheer presence. Pulling Bunty up to her face now, she sighed. Her emotions seemed to be at a tipping point but inside was at war as well. ‘He’s offering me the chance to fix this gap… Daddy can help me, but… I’m just so scared! Why does Daddy want to both hurt me and help me, but… why can’t it be both?’ Ashley seemed to debate the topic fiercely in her own mind and remained outward silent except for the occasional whimper and soft stroking sound as she petted Bunty gently. ‘I don’t want to, but another part of me does… if the gap wasn’t so big… if I wasn’t feeling like I was missing something huge… maybe I would do it. But… I am. I’m missing all that stuff and more. Daddy wants to help me, and maybe… maybe it’s like when he put that stinging cream on my owie the other day… hurt a lot, but he said it would help… I don’t want to do this, but…’ Ashley sighed and nodded her head. “Okay, Daddy. I agree, but on one condition…” Pete sat up and looked more intrigued than ever now. “And that is?” Ashley held Bunty up to present her to Pete. “I need to be able to bring Bunty along as well. Bunty can’t do everything for me, but… she’s definitely a big help for before and after…” Pete smiled and nodded. “Of course, baby.” He then came in for a hug and wrapped his arms tight around his Little. His face was awash with emotion and conflict and Ashley may have questioned him… if only she had seen it. Instead, as he backed away from the hug a few minutes later, both wore opposing expressions. While Pete was still clearly relieved, Ashley seemed in a pure state of panic. Pete noticed right away. “What’s wrong, sweetie? Headache? Upset stomach?” Ashley shook her head. “No, Daddy, but… what if you get in trouble with this? I didn’t hear much from meanie Vasiliou, but… he didn’t seem to like me very much, and I don’t think this would help… I don’t want you to leave Mommy or me! That would be awful!” Pete sighed but then smirked after he gave her a tiny hug. “I wouldn’t worry about any of that, honey. You let me worry about that. You… you just need to worry about bringing Bunty along next Wednesday with you, okay?” Ashley hesitated but still nodded. “Yes Daddy…” In moments, she had been helped off the table, but before they could leave, Pete was obviously directing her to the nearest restroom. Ashley wiggled a little. ‘Oopsie! I guess I need a change!’ Ultimately though, she only shrugged and took Pete’s hand as they left. *              *              * Day 125 – 3:48 P.M. MDT – Earth 2 As the days progressed, there was an odd sort of split with Ashley and her new life. While her memory still looked something like Swiss cheese, the gaps left behind a picture of what she was missing… and while she liked a lot of back then, she held a clear like for her time these days as well. In the nearly three weeks since the accident, the days had not only grown colder, but Betty and Pete seemed more determined than ever to spend time with Ashley. Little treats here and there, apple picking, baking pies, fixing the garden, and even coming back to the store during the day while Betty watched on vigilantly. It was a closeness that Ashley had been lacking for months now, and while the gap in her mind still seemed to concern her, there was a definitive happiness now as well. “Come on, Ash!” Pete encouraged as they hiked back into the main camp area on top of the mountain. Having just come from Hawk’s Nest once again, the trio huffed a little as they neared the cabins and campground in front of them. “Ranger program starts in just a few minutes!” “Coming!” Ashley yelled with some urgency. ‘Okay, Ranger Rick! Here I come, ready or not!’ Despite her exhaustion from the hike, Ashley made it just in time and quickly sat in the circle that had been formed around the ranger for the program. “Okay, you all! Has everyone got their booklets?” Many nodded or nearly screamed out “Yes!” but Ashley looked around in confusion. She then felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around. “Here you go, sweetie,” Betty said kindly as she handed the Little a stamp book of her own. Ashley took the booklet with glee. “Thank you, Mommy!” She then turned around and listened closely for the next instructions. Fortunately for the attention span of Littles, the ranger was quick, thorough, and above all, most entertaining. Ashley never broke eye contact once. “And what animal is this?” the ranger asked the class a little later. Ashley stared at the large sculpture in front of her. ‘Ooh! Ooh! I know! I know! It’s… crud! Another gap!’ Ashley strained and looked at the sculpture again. It had a large mane, tan fur, a tail, sharp teeth, and even a few leopard spots. Ashley squinted closer. “Uh… roar… roar… roar!” “Very good, Ashley!” the ranger complimented. “That’s probably what they sounded like, but I’m looking for a name. Any guesses?” Ashley tried to stammer out her answer… even if it might have been wrong. In truth, with her ‘roars’ and considering her embarrassment afterward, she was likely just thinking out loud… but the ranger didn’t know that, and unfortunately, along with her clue, another Little raised their hand and was called on. “The Liberalia Lion,” she stated proudly, looking at the group in a slightly superior manner, like that she was somehow better than the others. Ashley looked at her with envy and a slight pout. ‘Oh! I knew that! Mommy and I were here before and it was my favorite and…’ Ashley’s pout deepened, and she hugged Bunty closely. ‘Stupid Little… just because she isn’t wearing a diaper, doesn’t make her better than me… right?’ Ashley’s confidence had taken a hit in recent weeks. While much of her screamed that she was an adult, that concept seemed to be increasingly foreign to her. She had those memories still of driving and drinking and going on dates… but they were seeming more distant. New memories, like endless diaper changes, playing with Ron and Kyle at daycare, and loving things like Bunty were much fresher. Also, her enjoyment of certain activities seemed to cement her new status more as well. “For best effort and completion of the program,” the ranger announced as she went down the line a little later, “I present Ashley Jones with the bade of Little Ranger!” Several in the audience clapped, none more loudly than Betty and Pete… both looking more than a little prideful as the ranger pinned the badge onto Ashley’s shirt. Looking down, while the badge showed a cartoon version of Hawk’s Nest and an eagle overhead, Ashley showed a certain amount of pride herself. ‘I got it. I actually got it! Mommy and Daddy are going to be so happy with me, and…’ Ashley looked over and saw the other Little get an even shinier badge than her own. Ashley pouted a little more and just hugged Bunty tightly. ‘Stupid Little… I knew that answer. I was just… slow… But we’re not that different though, right?’ Ashley seemed like she was trying to convince herself of that fact, but the more she looked… the more that confidence appeared to fade.   Then, as if to make matters all the more visible on the differences between the two, as soon as the crowd broke up, Betty came over and patted the Little’s rear and popped open the front of her shortalls to check her diaper. “Hmmm… looks like we’ve got a wet one here. Come on, baby. Let’s go get you changed.” Ashley could only continue to hug Bunty, take Betty’s newly offered hand, and waddle away to go get changed. ‘I’m still Big, right?’ *              *              * Day 128 – 9:34 P.M. MDT – Earth 2 A few days later Ashley was back at the facility, more determined than ever to show how much of a ‘big girl’ she really was. Lately, that was becoming increasingly difficult… Everywhere she seemed to go now, she was treated like any other Little. Maybe more pity or maybe some sympathy or respect that others didn’t seem to receive, but the end results were always the same. Despite her memory gap, per her nightly entries, she still had memories of being different than Ron. But now? Those differences were narrowing… and most of those were starting to come in the form of Betty’s care versus Joy’s for Ron. After all, Ashley still wasn’t breastfed. For some reason, that was one of the few things she seemed to remember from that mostly blank spot of the facility now. Regardless though, Ashley was determined to ‘fix’ that gap. So, armed with Bunty, she had reentered the machine at the facility under Pete’s close supervision. Once again, the machine shuddered, the sounds were nearly unbearable, and lights streaked everywhere… all followed by darkness. And again, Pete held her as she woke up. “…you. Please don't take my sunshine aw…” Pete stopped and looked down at his Little before tenderly easing a lock of Ashley’s hair out of her face and patting her bum in a supportive caring way. “There she is. There’s my girl…” Ashley smiled and while there looked like a hesitation to stay in Pete’s arms… safe and content, she ultimately wiggled away and wavered a bit as she then sat by herself. “Did… did it work, Daddy?” Pete looked a little disappointed but nodded. “I think so. Hard to know for sure, but I’ll keep an extra close eye on you to monitor your…” There was a loud thud at the door before it swung open completely, followed by an impatient general… the same that had been at the house after Ashley had woken up. ‘Uh, oh. Is he going to take my Daddy away from me?’ Ashley clung tight to Bunty. “General… what can I do for you tonight?” Pete asked, his calm and resolve seemingly untouched by the loud and intrusive invasion. “I see you’re taking the steps you talked about with your daughter,” he noted coldly as he observed Ashley for a moment, sending a chill through her body. “I assume that means you did what we asked for? No questions asked and a better formula than the last one?” Pete nodded with a great deal of hesitancy and regret. “I did. In fact, we should be moving onto testing soon of the second formula. One of my colleagues should be arriving soon with our first subject to establish as a baseline for comparison and…” Pete looked over the general’s shoulder and nodded and waved. “Oh! You two are here. Come on in. Just finishing up!” Brushing past the general, two Bigs appeared. The first was a woman decked head to toe in hospital scrubs with silly cartoon pictures all over them. The second was definitely a Big from her height… but that seemed about it that was remotely ‘mature’ on her. Sporting a light blue gingham romper complete with frills around the shoulders, the Big waddled in. It only took a second for even Ashley to smell the immense scent of lavender and baby powder coming off her… leaving little doubt as to what was under the massive bubble of material stationed between the Big’s thighs, butt, and waist. “Oh, you…” the general looked at the Big with a disdain that probably could have been seen from space. “Little Hilda seems like she’s coming along nicely, huh, Pete?” Pete sighed and then nodded begrudgingly. “Yes, she is. I was hoping to use my formula for another purpose, but…” His eyes glanced over toward Ashley. “It’s personal,” the general filled in. “I understand that. Probably weren’t thinking we would go to these extremes, but… we also had to set an example. Can’t think of a finer one to show the community what happens to even Bigs when they cross the lines of secrecy and tamper with other experiments. Isn’t that right, nurse?” The nurse nodded. “Very right, sir, but also… she goes by Hildy now. Hilda was the old version… the fully Big version of her. And as I’m sure you can agree on and that you can see… she’s very different now.” “As planned…” the general said smugly. There was almost a sadistic look in his eyes, but he soon turned back to Pete and patted him on the back. “Very good work here, Pete. Your trade will work wonders for us. Can’t wait to see the next iteration of your formula if Hilda… sorry, Hildy was the first batch.” Smiling, the general then left as quickly as he had entered. Once gone, Pete sighed. “Geesh, I can’t believe I’m working with him again. Feel like I’ve sold my soul.” “But very worth it I take it?” the nurse questioned. “Fine anything valuable tonight or fix anything?” Pete nodded. “Yes. The machine works great, but… still a long way to go…” As the two talked, Ashley stood there with Bunty and waited for her Daddy to finish up. ‘Come on, Daddy! I’m getting’ all sleepy an’… this big lady… baby? I don’t know… she’s making me uncomfortable… like I hate her… but I don’t know her, so that can’t be right… right?’ Ashley squirmed uncomfortably, but at the same time, the other ‘baby’ did as well. Hildy grimaced and scowled for a moment, before looking as near to being relieved as someone in her state likely could get. It didn’t take long for anyone in the room to figure out what had happened. “Oh dear…” The nurse waved her hand in front of her nose with a playful smile over her face. “Guess that feeding from earlier finally caught up to little Hildy here, huh? Isn’t that right, Sweetums?” she cooed down at the ‘Big’ before her. They looked about the same age, but now… that gap never looked larger… especially when Hildy only grinned back and chortled slightly. “Well… it might not all be her…” Pete noted, now glancing over to Ashley. “I thought I felt a little present from my Little as well earlier.” “Daddy!” Ashley yelled, hiding behind Bunty… her embarrassment over the state of her diaper being something that hadn’t happened in weeks now… something that Pete seemed to quickly take notice of. “Awww… someone’s a little shy about their diapers…” He beamed down at his Little… looking almost prideful. “Well,” the nurse said, taking Hildy to one side and laying her down with a toy, “I guess tonight was a bit of success after all, huh, Pete? Maybe the machine has an even better use now as well?” Pete shrugged. “Not sure… best not tell the general though… If his plans are right, we might need that secretive backup just in case…” The nurse nodded and Ashley took Pete’s hand right away and began to tug him away. At the same time though, she looked back at Hildy.  ‘I don’t know why you look so familiar and yet I dislike you so much, but… whatever the reason, I definitely don’t care now. You’re a baby too!’ Ashley shook her head. ‘No, no. You know different, Ash. You’re an adult… remember that… remember that…’ Another yank from Ashley, and Pete made his excuses, and the pair left… right towards the nearest restroom. *              *              * Day 129 – 4:56 P.M. MDT – Earth 2 Ashley loved the pool and while she hadn’t been much this past summer, she still would remember the feeling of coming up for air after being underwater for an extended period of time. A breath of fresh air, the water cascading off her hair and face, and then maybe a slight breeze and the sun beating down on her face. When she got back home the previous night… that’s exactly what she described. Except in this case, it was with her mind. The gap was still there for sure and many of her abilities seemed diminished, like the messy diaper Pete changed before they left the facility, but any outside observer could see a change in Ashley. Not the person she was, but it seemed even at daycare today that she had traded regular oven mitts for ones with rubber grips. Still not great enough to play the piano, but marginally better… and in Peirama, that was a rarity. “Come on, sweetie,” Mrs. Jenkins beckoned towards Ashley, now sitting on the floor and playing with Bunty with Ron and Kyle. Ron was as giddy as ever while Kyle said rarely more than ten different words anymore. Smiling wide, Ashley hopped up and ran out the doorway to the main lobby, quickly nearly jumping into Betty’s awaiting arms. “Hello Mommy!” “Hey there, sweet pea! Have a good day today?” she asked, taking Ashley’s diaper bag from Mrs. Jenkins and mouthing ‘thank you’ to her. “Uh huh,” Ashley confirmed as Betty hoisted her up on her hip and walked out of the daycare. “I beat Ron at checkers! I double hopped him!” Betty smiled. “Oh? That sounds like quite the accomplishment. Maybe… something new?” Betty had left the question hanging, but as part of an answer to it, Ashley nodded, understanding her implication fully now. “Yep! I figured it out! Can you believe that, Betty?” Betty had been buckling Ashley in her booster seat in the back of her car but quickly stopped and looked at Ashley with wonder and shock. “Sweetie? Did you just call me… Betty?” Ashley smiled but almost looked confused before nodding. “Oh, wow! I did, didn’t I? I… Betty sounds wrong, but… I know it’s right! So strange! Must be the treatments that Pe… Daddy has been giving me.” There was a look of happiness all over Betty, but there was almost a sadness behind her eyes as well. “That’s wonderful, sweetie. I’m so proud of you.” She smiled as if she was worried about shattering her face if she smiled too hard before leaning over and giving Ashley a quick hug. It was all genuine, but there was a feeling of loss that Ashley picked up on. ‘Is Mo… Betty okay? Is she sad that I’m not calling her ‘Mommy’ anymore? It feels so right and yet so wrong now, but… I just don’t know what to do?’ So, it wasn’t a major shock when Ashley looked at Betty with concern. “Betty… are you okay?” Betty was distant and it seemed to take a moment for Ashley’s question to register. “I… I’m fine, sweetie. Just… a long day. Lots to think about…” She gave a deft smile once more and then closed the car door… no extra flourishes or playtime as she had been doing for a little while now. Ashley could only look onward as Betty sat in the car and started to backout to drive back home. If one looked close enough though, they might have noticed the loss written over her face as well… *              *              * Day 134 – 10:46 A.M. MDT – Earth 2 It was another day at daycare and the fall leaves scurried about in the faint breezes of the oncoming cold weather. Ashley was dressed in a pair of overalls with leaves and pumpkins embroidered on them to mark the occasion. Now, only ten days away from Halloween, all the Little were excited about their costumes and the candy they would receive. “I’m going as a clown!” Olly announced, his presence back in the daycare a welcome sign to most who knew him before. Only problem though… most of that crowd was now either regressed mildly or just plain too regressed. Fortunately, Ron and Ashley had more than taken on the slack over the lack of other relatable Littles. “Oh no!” Ron nearly screamed. “Not a clown! Clowns are scary!” “Are not,” Olly shot back, tossing the ball over to Ron with some effort. “Are so!” Ron shouted, nearly pegging the ball back at Olly. Olly grunted as he caught the ball and then groaned at the response before turning to Ashley as he tossed the ball over to her. “Hey Ash! Be the tiebreaker here!” “Huh?” Unfortunately, Ashley was too distracted by her own issues and had nearly completely tuned out their conversation… and didn’t see the ball until it sailed past her face and over to the fence. Holding Bunty didn’t hep matters either… “Drats!” Olly cursed. “Come on, Ash!” Ashley sighed and looked over where the ball had gone. “Sorry… I’ll go get it…” She then rustled off to go searching for it… a little fear still present as a result of seeing the previously present shadowy figure. Curiously, he hadn’t shown up in at least a week now. “Oh… where are you?” Ashley bent over and pulled back several branches to look underneath the fallen leaves of the bioengineered trees. It was Fall for sure, but… Utem wasn’t exactly flush with trees everywhere… except in Peirama, in no small part of thank to Betty’s efforts. A stick then cracked, and Ashley spun around in a panic, her eyes wide as she held a single stick up to defend herself. “Hey there, Ash,” the shadowy figure said, his closer appearance obvious to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention or with a good memory. Ashley, however, did not have that luxury and trembled like one of the fallen leaves around her feet. “I… I… you’re…” Ashley froze and then took a deep breath of air. “Hel…!” “Ashley!” Betty ran up behind the shadowy figure and clung to the fence. “It’s okay… it’s me. You can trust him.” “B… Betty?” Ashley still trembled and her knees wobbled precariously, but she edged closer to get a better look at her Big. Sure enough though, with a little more light and a little clearer view, it was definitely Betty. “Wha… what are you doing here? Wh… who is that with you?” Betty sighed. “Just breathe, Ash. We just want to talk to you and… well, that gets a little tough around here.” She then gestured over to the still shadowy figure. “Now… think. I know you and… Daddy have been helping your mind each Wednesday. Had a few now, so he should be clearer. Can you remember his name?” Ashley squinted at the shadowy figure, and while his near hidden appearance wasn’t helping, there was definitely a look of recognition on her face… followed by confusion. Betty picked up on it right away. “Sweetie? Everything okay?” she asked with her typical warm and genuine concern. “Can you not remember who he is?” Ashley shook her head but then tossed her hands up in seeming defeat. “Ugh! I… I wanna say yes, I know him, but… I just keep thinking of my family. Like… like he’s my cousin or… or… brother?” The shadowy figure chuckled. “You want to tell her, or do you want me to?” Betty shook her head as she looked behind her at the shadowy figure. “No, me… I’ll do it.” She then turned back to Ashley. “Baby? You are right. You met this man a while ago and because it’s secretive… you called him ‘Brother.’” It was like a light switch had suddenly been turned on her head and her eyes widened. “Oh! Oh! Brother! Yes! I…” She then trailed off. “I know more… but its all kinda fuzzy still. Still… you were going to help me… leave?” Brother nodded. “That’s right. Anything else?” Ashley strained a little, but in the end, she could only tearfully shake her head. Betty patted her hand through the fence. “That’s okay, honey. We’re all three here now and that’s what’s important. Well, beyond…” Brother placed his hand on her shoulder and stopped her dead. ‘What the…? Darn it! What was she going to tell me? I need to know! This is a gap in my memory, and I feel… I don’t know why I feel this way… but I wanna say that he’s connected to me escaping and that caused the gap!’ Ashley looked concerned and pressed closer to the fence. “Betty… what’s beyond? What’s more important?” Betty sighed, and before Brother could do anything more, she smiled. “Sweetie… we have a plan for this place, and more importantly… you.” Ashley nearly lost her breath.

Maggie listens and nodded her head as she says "i guess that makes sense i mean i know you had it rough all those years ago but now its like fate brought you both back together and im sure your extended family and other friends will me happy for you just not sure about your parents".

I guess I better get you to my house and clean you up 

But I got a dry diaper on 

Hehehe I wins 🤪🤭