The Sacrifice

[urson]

  

I remember the day well, July 17, 2006. That was the day that my old life ended and a most unusual, new life began.

I was 13, just entering into teendom. I was both proud and sad. My parents were overjoyed that I was leaving my “kiddie” days behind me and entering into the pre-adult stage of my life. I was happy that they were happy but, I didn’t want to celebrate. All my life, I’ve felt younger than my physical years portrayed. I didn’t get along very well my peers and classmates. I was more at ease and happy when I was playing with kids half my age or younger.

My parents were worried that as I reached my 13^th year, I might be branded as a predator because of my desire to socialize with younger kids. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. Despite my advancing into puberty, I had no interest in the “fairer sex” or, any sex for that matter. I had heard about masturbation from sex-ed class but had never tried it. I just had no interest in it at all. This didn’t stop people from assuming that I had and was just in denial.

It was about this time when I first became curious about diapers. Oh, I had seen babies getting changed before but, I always felt something strange when I saw it. Figuring out what that feeling was what lead me to exploring diapers and infantilism. I was a good kid so, I never stole any diapers from anywhere but, I did find that I could purchase a “sample” pack, containing 2 diapers. I bought a sample pack and kept them in my room, hidden under the bottom drawer in my dresser. I really thought that I was clever in choosing my hiding spot, typical “kid” logic. They sat in that hiding spot for nearly six months because I could never find a time to try them out. Though I was 13, my parents didn’t think I was old enough to be left home alone so, they hired a “babysitter”. The thought of someone coming over to take care of me, sent images of them diapering and feeding me a baby bottle, flying through my mind. Nothing happened, of course but, it didn’t stop me from imagining it.

Let’s talk about my parents. Mom and Dad were basically good people. They never abused, neglected or, starved me. They really did care about me but, they didn’t really know me. I was always very private and didn’t like to talk about myself. Sharing my personal thoughts with anyone terrified me. In fact, there was only really one person who knew much but, not all, about me, my best friend, Max. Being my only close friend, I spent a lot of time at his house and, he at mine. We were so close that, when my mom and dad had to leave for a week on a business, I asked to stay at Max’s house for the week. My parents were dubious about it but, Max endorsed the idea enthusiastically. He pushed his parents to let me stay and they eventually said, ok.

This was all planned months in advance. Since it was in July, Max and I worked out a schedule, to make the most of our week. On the day before my parents dropped me off, Max and I spent the day horsing around and talking about how much fun we were going to have. We dreamed of adventures like, finishing the fort we’d started the year before. We thought that maybe this would be the year we’d catch “Old Man Carp”, the largest fish we’d ever seen in the pond which lay near the fort.

I barely slept that night so, when my mom came to get me up, I was a little slow. It took me five minutes to realize what was happening. After that, I was WIDE awake. I scarffed my cereal so fast that, milk and cereal bits flew everywhere. My mom made a joke about me needing a bib. Man, I’m glad she couldn’t see me blush. I was so hyped about my week at Max’s that I don’t think I ever moved that fast in my life. I was packed and waiting in the car before my parents even put their first suitcase in the car.

We were on the road after a few, last minute checks like bathroom, and “head on straight”. Max’s family only lived a mile and a half out of town, an easy walk for either Max or me but, with my bags, clothes, toys and, games, my parents decided to just drop me off. I was sure I could’ve made the trek but, you know parents. Eager to get our itinerary under way, Max and I unpacked my stuff in the blink of an eye. I said my good-byes to my mom and dad then, raced Max to his bedroom. We stared off with a marathon of Royal Combat Arena, our favorite 1 vs. 1 fighting game. By the time we on our 20^th match, we noticed the fading light outside. Deciding that we needed to stretch our legs before his parents called a halt to outside activities, for the day, we raced around the back yard for a while. We avoided the edge of the woods and pond. We didn’t dare go in there that close to dark. One summer, we snuck into the woods after sunset and got lost. You do not wanna know how much trouble we were in. I couldn’t sleep on my back for two days. On top of that, Max and I were each grounded for a week though, it felt more like a year to a couple of 10-year olds.

Finally, Max’s mom called us in for dinner. We were less than two feet in the door when Max’s dad stopped us. He looked us up and down and told us to strip. He had a voice that was like a commandment from the heavens. He didn’t even have to raise the volume. You just knew he meant business. We stripped down to our skivvies and were escorted upstairs, to shower. Max took the regular bathroom. I, on the other hand, was taken into the master bath. The one in Max’s parent’s room. I came out of the bathroom, towels on both my head and around my waist. As I exited the bedroom, I heard Max and his parents talking.

“Well Maximillion? What do you think? We know how you felt about Lyla but, I think he’ll work out better.” Max’s dad said. I never got to hear Max’s response because the floor creaked as I tried to back up and, everything went silent.

Max’s mom poked her head out of the room, smiling. She signaled for me to come in. Max’s parents left saying, “Just think about it kiddo.” I asked Max what the conversation was about. He told me that his parents wanted to get a dog but, he still missed his old one, Lyla. As long as I had known Max, he’d never owned a dog. I asked him when he had owned a dog and he told me that it was before his family had moved to town. I took the answer at face value and changed the subject because he looked sad.

We stayed up for a couple more hours before passing out. I woke up later, having to go to the bathroom. I felt my way through the dark (I knew Max’s house almost as well as my own), finally making it to the regular bathroom. After closing the door and flipping on the light, I sat down on the toilet, too tired to “aim”. I don’t know how long I sat there because I fell asleep. As I reached down for my underwear (it was way too hot for pajamas) and pulled them up, I thought I heard a baby crying. The sound was so soft and it ended quickly that, I wasn’t sure I’d heard it at all. Drowsy, I made my way back to Max’s room. I was still, really tired. As sleep overtook me, I swore I smelled baby powder but, the thought was razed from my mind as my head hit the pillow.

The next morning, I woke up and Max wasn’t in his bed. I headed downstairs and find max, lying in front of the television, watching cartoons. He had a bowl of oatmeal in his hands. He looked up at me and swallows a mouthful of oatmeal before yelling, “MOM, Jason’s up!” Max’s mom called me into the kitchen. As I moved to respond, Max game me a thumbs-up and shoveled a heaping spoon of oatmeal into his mouth. In the kitchen, Max’s mom was standing by the microwave. As I walked over to her, the microwave dinged and she opened it. From inside, she pulled a steaming bowl of oatmeal. I smelled cinnamon. Normally, I really don’t like oatmeal but, I thought I’d be nice and eat it. After all, She was allowing me to spend a week at her house. What was a little gooey paste to that. Besides, it was cinnamon and spice. That alone made it more edible. I thanked her and took the bowl of lumpy goo into the living room. I sat down next to Max and took a huge spoonful of the stuff, hoping to get it over with quicker. Max smiled at me. The first mouthful tasted amazing! I dug into the bowl with vigor and max giggled before saying, “Mom’s oatmeal is the best! It’s not from a box, she makes it from scratch.” I finished the bowl in record time. Looking over to the television, I saw that max had Dora the Explorer on, a little kid’s show. I didn’t think much of it because it was just the way Max was. He liked a lot of “little kid” stuff but, a lot of things that I liked as well so, it was cool. Max seemed pretty into the show that he hadn’t wiped his face off and , had a ring of oatmeal around his mouth.

As if on cue, Max’s mother walked into the living room with something in one hand. She went up to Max and swiped the thing (which turned out to be a washcloth), across Max’s face, utterly removing the oatmeal. She turned to me, washcloth in hand. Now, I have to admit, I did have some oatmeal on my face but, I didn’t need to be cleaned up like a toddler in a highchair. I swiped the back of my hand across my mouth which, ushered a response from Max’s mom

“Now it’s all over your hands.” To which, she took my arm and wiped it down, along with my face. Again, I didn’t want to seem inhospitable, seeing as I was a guest. When we were clean to her satisfaction, she ordered us upstairs to dress. Realizing that we were wasting time, we hurtled each other, trying to be the first to dress.

Max beat me to the bedroom, claiming victory. He then excused himself to go to the toilet. Outside the room I heard him yell, “Mom, we’re out of wipes!” I thought for a moment as my head tried to wrap itself around the wording. Had he really just called toilet paper, wipes? I didn’t have time to dwell on the thought as I hurried to get my clothes on before Max got back. Just as I walked out, into the hall and yelled for Max to hurry, he came, screeching out of the bathroom and blew right by me. All I saw was his Spiderman themed underwear as he ran into his room, slamming the door shut behind him. I tried the door, only find it was locked. I didn’t understand what the big deal was. When we dressed for gym, we’d both seen each other naked. I let it go as Max just being Max. I’d reached the bottom of the stairs when Max caught up with me. We went into the back yard and headed into the nearby woods, to work on our fort.

We’d gathered junk for an entire summer to assemble that thing. We got sidetracked later that summer when we got punished for getting lost. We kinda forgot about it after that. With a week at our disposal, it seemed the best time to finish it. After we left the yard, I thought I had left my Swiss army knife on the back steps. I turned around to see if I could spot it. In the distance, I saw what looked like a rusty, metal door, leading into the basement where I had never noticed one before.

Remember, Max and I had spent a lot of time at each other’s houses. I knew pretty much the exact layout of Max’s house, including the basement. I had never seen any outside access to the basement before. I stopped in my tracks and turned to Max, calling out to him.

“Hey Max!” I shouted. Max turned and looked at me questiongly then, trotted back to me.

“What’s up?” He asked

“Where’s that metal door go to?. I’ve been in your basement tons of times but, I don’t remember seeing an outside access to it.” He looked to the house then, back to me.

“What metal door?” He actually seemed confused.

“That one…” I turned back around and found the door gone. There wasn’t a trace of it. I told myself that it had just been an illusion. Still, something at the back of my mind kept insisting that the door had been real.

For the rest of the day, we worked on the fort. Max’s dad came out around dusk, to escort us back to the house. Now, I was bummed to have to go inside but Max, he seemed genuinely upset like, on the verge of crying. His dad took him aside when we got back and, they talked privately for a minute. After that, he seemed to be his old self again.

That night, Max and I took separate showers again but, this time, Max took forever for his shower. I banged on the door and didn’t hear an answer. Max’s mom told me that sometimes, Max liked to take really long showers but, he’d be out in a bit. An hour passed and sure enough, Max came strolling into the living room.

The minute he walked up to me, I could tell something was different. He was wearing a pair of footed pajamas. That wasn’t the only thing though. When he walked up, I could swear I heard crackling like, a plastic shopping bag or…like my toddler cousin’s DIAPER? I looked down at Max’s crotch and yep, diaper bulge. Max saw the look in my eyes as I stared at his padded crotch and, he started crying. He began bawling and ran from the room, crying for his “Mommy”. I didn’t know what to say. My best and only friend was wearing a diaper and baby pajamas. Suddenly, the pieces in the puzzle began to fit. Why we had taken showers in separate rooms. What I had seen that morning wasn’t underwear, they were pull-up diapers. It didn’t make sense though. Max, I and, the rest of the boys in our class, all dressed for gym in the same room. There was no way Max could’ve hidden if he was wearing pull-ups or especially diapers. Not with all the other boys in the same room.

I didn’t care if Max had to wear diapers, he was still my best friend and the coolest kid I knew. I got up and ran after him, finally finding him in his parents bedroom but, what I found shocked me silent. Max was curled up in his mom’s arms, sucking on a baby bottle. I just stood there, mouth wide, eyes as big as dinner plates. Max’s mom glared daggers at me. She put a finger up to her lips then, drew it across her throat. Even at my age, I knew what she was saying, “Quiet or Die!”. Max’s eyes were closed and his mother gently rocked him until it looked like he had fallen asleep. She carefully laid him on her bed then, signaled for me to leave the room. Not wanting to upset her, I did as she silently commanded. Out in the hall, I watched as she slipped out the room and quietly closed the door. She trained her gaze on me, eyes nearly glowing red. I involuntarily swallowed and started to cough. Instantly, her hand was over my mouth. She lifted me into her arms and hurriedly carried me downstairs, into the kitchen. When we got there, I saw Max’s dad, sitting at the table, looking very upset and concerned.

“John, we have a problem.” Max’s mom said. Max’s dad looked up. He had a look of grim resolution on his face.

“Yea, I saw this coming. I talked to Max about it and I told him that it would not make a difference. Well Jason, will it?” He asked. I thought about it and realized, he was asking me the same question that I had asked myself, not five minutes before. I was still a bit nervous about the whole “baby-bottle” thing. After taking a deep breath, I gave him the same answer I had come too earlier.

“No sir. Max is my friend. While I’m not sure what’s going on here. It doesn’t change that he’s my friend. I don’t care if he has to wear diapers, no matter the reason. The bottle is a little weird but, I don’t like him any less because of it.” I puffed my chest out, to show that I meant every word. As I watched, they looked at each other, took a deep breath and, let it out in a long, slow sigh.

“You have no idea what that means to us Jason. Max is a very special boy and is very sensitive about his sacrifice.” Max’s mom sat down and gestured for me to do so as well. Please understand, boys my age are incurably curious. If you put a mystery in front of them, most will spend every waking moment, trying to solve it. Max’s dad was right. No matter how they tried to hide this, the clues would tantalize and irritate me until I figured out what was happening.

“What do you mean, sacrifice? I asked. They looked at each other again, nodded then, turned back to me.

“If we tell you what’s going on, you cannot tell ANYONE! Do I make myself clear young man?” Max’s dad looked more serious than I ever seen him before. I gave it serious thought before nodding

“So long as my friend isn’t being hurt or , in any danger then, I agree.” I gave them my most serious face

“Fine. I have a couple of questions before I tell you the entire story. Please answer them truthfully. Jason, did you learn about early civilizations like the Romans or the Native Americans?” He began. I nodded, remembering some of my world history class.

“You also learned that they worshiped gods other than the one you learned about in Sunday school?” Again, I nodded

“Well, the people who first lived here, long before we Europeans came, worshiped a goddess called Nahuri. She was the protector of children and the goddess of youth. When the Europeans came, they pushed out or simply killed all of Nahuri’s people and she was extremely angry. For years, after this area was colonized by the Europeans, children would go missing for no reason. People who harmed children would be found dead with expressions of terror on their faces. About one hundred and fifty years ago, while my ancestor was building this house, he found a shrine to Nahuri, buried here. The night after he found the shrine, Nahuri visited him in her dreams and made him an offer. Nahuri demanded a sacrifice for the deaths and displacement of her people. In return for the sacrifice, Nahuri would protect this place entire area and all those who dwelt here.” My mind went in a thousand directions. A sacrifice? In my mind, that meant killing someone as an offering and my face betrayed those thoughts.

“No Jason, this was not a sacrifice of blood or life but, of youth. You see, every full moon, Max has to go to the shrine and offer himself, willingly, to be taken care off as Nahuri’s child. He spends a week being treated as a baby, to satisfy Nahuri’s conditions. Only an hour passes in the world but for Max, a week goes by. The after effects are that for several days after he comes back, he still basically a baby even though his body is that of a 11 year old boy. He was upset because he thought you wouldn’t be his friend anymore if you knew he had to wear diapers and the like. Do you understand, Jason?” I nodded though, my mind was blown.

“But, what happens when Max grows up? He won’t be a kid forever. Will Nahuri still want him as her baby?” I asked, concerned for my friend.

“That’s just it Jason, Max will NEVER grow up. Do you remember? I told you that Nahuri was the protector of children and the goddess of YOUTH! Jason, when I told you that my ancestor found the shrine, I lied, sort of. My name is Johnathan Ambros and, I founded this town over one hundred and fifty years ago. Max was 11 years old when the deal with Nahuri was struck and, he has remained 11 years old since then. Max is such a good student because he has been alive for over a century but, because of Nahuri, he still has the mind of an 11 year old boy.” My jaw was hanging on the ground in shock. Max’s dad’s eyes hardened as he told me the next part.

“Jason, this next part is something I want you to consider very carefully. We know about your home life. We know that your parents, while good people, do not really understand you. We also know about your interest in being a baby. We’ve been watching you since you became friends with Max. Max, you see, never wanted to be the sacrifice but, agreed to it to keep his family and everyone in the area, safe from Nahuri’s wrath. He was always a good boy and I am proud of him. Now, all he really wants, is to live a normal life and grow up but, he can’t. Nahuri will not let him go unless she receives a replacement. I want you to understand that, you’re not the first person we’ve made this offer too. Many years ago, we found a girl named Lyla. She came from a bad home and we took her in for a while. She discovered our secret because, she could see the door that leads to the shrine. Only those who are acceptable to Nahuri, can see the door. Lyla though, did not want to be the sacrifice. We cannot compel anyone to take Max’s place so, she left us not long after. Since then, we’ve been searching for a replacement. When you became friends with Max, I kept my eye on you. I’ve seen you crying because you don’t feel you fit in with your age group. My wife noticed how you linger around the baby isle when you go shopping with your mother. Then, there was the day I came over to talk to your father about a barbecue. I saw you run from your bedroom into the bathroom down the hall. I noticed that there was a bit of white, plastic, sticking out of your pajama bottoms. It was then that I began to question your parents, subtly. After a while, I realized, they had no clue how unhappy you were. That’s when I decided that you might accept being Max’s replacement. Now again, we can’t force you into this. The decision has to be yours and, you’re free to say no.” I was too stunned to speak then, I heard a baby crying. It sounded just like the one I had heard, the night before. Suddenly, it struck me, the baby I heard was Max! My heart went out to my friend, condemned to a life that he never wanted but I, would give anything to have. I looked at Max’s dad, my decision firm in my mind.

“Yes, you’re right. I love my mom and dad but, they’re clueless. I’ve tried to tell them about me wanting to be a baby but, they’ve either chosen to ignore it or, they just don’t understand. Max may have to go to this willingly but, I see that he is basically forced into it. I’ll do it, I’ll take Max’s place.” I said, getting it out in one breath.

Thus began the changeover. We planned to do the change on the next full moon. I stayed over on the day before and the day of the full moon. On the day before, I saw the door and wanted to check out the shrine but, Max told me, it wouldn’t open until the night of the full moon.

On the night of the full moon, I hugged my friend good-bye and opened the metal door. The stone steps lead down into a dark area. Swallowing my fear and excitement, I walked down the stairs, closing the door behind me. As I reached the bottom, my fear seemed to vanish as a gentle warmth surrounded me. I felt a soft hand on my shoulder and looked up. A woman, maybe in her 30’s to 40’s, stood there, smiling at me. She gave me her hand and we walked into the dark. Eventually, we came to a lit area where there was a nursery. My eyes lit up at seeing a crib, changing table, high chair and everything else you would need to take care of a baby. The woman lifted me onto the table and removed my clothes. My legs were lifted into the air and a soft, crinkling diaper was slipped under me. I was about to question where an ancient goddess got plastic diapers when, she placed a finger on my lips and shushed me. I felt as if someone were whispering in my head.

“Do not question. I am timeless and for my baby, this is what he expects. This is what he is happiest with so, this is what is.” The voice consoled me and relaxed me. I gave myself up to the joy that filled me as she carried me over to a rocking chair and held me against her shoulder, rocking me to sleep.

Max only went to Nahuri for a week so, that’s what I expected to happen. Much to my surprise, I had a choice. It seems that a week was the minimum that Nahuri would accept but me, I never wanted it to end. Years later, a single woman and her young son, moved into Max’s house. The boy seemed normal except that he was incontinent. He lived a life and made friends despite his handicap. In public, the boy seemed just an average boy but at home, he was always, his mother’s baby. After a few years, the woman and her child moved on. Years after that, another single mother and her son move in. The cycle repeated for a very…long…time.

P.S. If you’re wondering what happened to my parents? Nahuri allowed them to forget the boy they never really knew and they had a daughter, years later. They were happy and, so was I.

[fyunch]

Maybe you can copy the text from your document and paste if in?  Many of us have crippled phones that cannot open a Works file without support.

[willnotwill]

I can't even open it on my desktop.

 

[urson]

Sorry about that, I usually just post the text of a story. Wasn't quite awake when I posted the file.

 

[junyour]

Very good story, Urson. I will look forward to reading more of your work as it appears here.

[Eagle0769]

Very interesting story.

I like this type of story as long as it's not

about monsters.  ?

What were they talking about not being able

to open something?

[urson]

The door to the shrine would only open on the night of the full moon.

 

[Cya]

Absolutely beautiful! I've always been a big fan of your work and this is why! Great job!

[Sarah Penguin]

That was fun

[CDfm]

I thought the story was fantastic and I was more than happy to give it a like. It was short sweet. I would love to read more of your stories. 

[urson]

I believe I reposted my stories for this forum about, six months ago so, they should be here somewhere.