A Reform of Everything: A View into the Change of the Maturity Laws (Alternate Chapter 38 - Complete)

[kerry]

14 minutes ago, Mary Moon said:

You must not be influenced by propaganda and ideology, no one would prevent a raped girl from having an abortion

You wouldn't think so, would you?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2024/aug/20/woman-raped-by-stepfather-child-condemns-us-state-abortion-bans-dnc-video

Or, perhaps more to the point: 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohio-minors-sought-abortions-state-sexually-assaulted-affidavits-say-rcna49797

Since Trump "left abortion up to the states" and more states are GOP controlled (a byproduct of two things: gerrymandering and a 19th Century crammed full of right-wingers making states with lots of land and very few people) and therefore it would take more than a Dem president and VP to fix the problem. Since the US, as has been amply proved, is pretty much split down the middle, there was nothing Biden/Harris could do.

[Diaperingdaddy]

On 11/13/2024 at 3:05 AM, LostBBoyBear said:

Hey everyone!

Ugh. Blame a downed internet last night for the lateness of this post. There’s only so much you can do in those moments, but alas, here we are.

Blaming others and inanimate objects for your tardiness could get you enrolled at the butterfly ranch!

 

Love the story I check daily for your updates!

[LostBBoyBear]

2 hours ago, Diaperingdaddy said:

Blaming others and inanimate objects for your tardiness could get you enrolled at the butterfly ranch!

 

Love the story I check daily for your updates!

Uh oh! No one would want that, right?

And thank you! I try, but also thank you for having something nice to say on here. 

[Diaperingdaddy]

2 hours ago, LostBBoyBear said:

Uh oh! No one would want that, right?

And thank you! I try, but also thank you for having something nice to say on here. 

If you do we will sneak you in a smart phone so you can keep writing lol

 

Don't put any stock into the ramblings of bunch of crinkle butted babies.  😜 

 

  I feel the flow and context is easy to read and follow Along. I look forward to seeing where this goes . Hit my pm sometime would love to hear more about your plans.

[LostBBoyBear]

Hey everyone!

You know… I had a speech all prepared here to rant and rave about the comments you all have been posting lately. I even made a few references to The Lord of the Rings, Shakespeare, and Harry Potter. Maybe I should have kept it and called everyone out for not just enjoying this story and trying to pick apart a fictional world, but I’m not going to do that. I’ll just simply state that this is a fictional world, and I’m writing it how I want. I’m sorry if that takes any of you out of the story, but in looking at how I could write this story in so many ways, I found this one to be the best. I’m sorry it’s not on Goopglorp 9 or some alternative reality, and maybe it will be when I turn this story into three in the future, but for now, that’s just how it goes… it isn’t wrong. So, for anyone still reading, thank you. I’ll continue with this story for you, but at this point, I don’t think I’m ever coming back to this universe, or at least won’t be for a very long time.

Also… leave the current affairs of the world off here. This is a place for people to have fun and enjoy a story. I try not to take them seriously but keep it civil. If you don’t and nasty comments to each other keep up… I don’t want to, but I will stop this story.

You all don’t need another message right now about the poll for my next story. The stuff for this is in the 21 chapters before this, and so you know, there is a tie currently. Regardless, for now, for those of you that can, enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 22: The Gift I Want Isn’t Under the Tree

“I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams…” Last weekend at the annual holiday block party in Smeckton, those lyrics had played out at the end of one of the songs as we all drank virgin eggnogs at Don’s diner. I had heard those same lyrics for years, and I always imagined they meant that the person couldn’t make it home in time for Christmas, or some other holiday festivity, yet they could still dream about it. No doubt, for countless millions, that was the case, but for anyone at Smeckton Institute, particularly for those in the Safari Building now, those lyrics had taken on an entirely new meaning this year.

Holidays were supposed to be about family. Mine celebrated Christmas, and while we weren’t the most festive people on the block, the holiday season had come to mean a lot over the years. Before, I could expect gifts, lavish and scrumptious meals, movies, and a bunch of jokes or nagging around the dinner table. This year though, those tales and memories of old Christmas’s seemed like a dream now.

Still, as I crunched my way over the frozen ground to Mrs. Pettigrew’s class, my last until the upcoming winter holiday, it was easy to overlook the campus and see very much of what I had been seeing for the last two plus years. If nothing else, the staff tried to make the place look as festive as they could. String lights lay nestled and wrapped around trees and remained unlit in the cold but sunny atmosphere. An occasional leaf would flutter by my feet, as well as the last smells of the kitchen wrapping up for break, but at the same time, the strong mountain wintry air told me that Fall had now very much passed. Winter was here, and with it, I took note of more in my life and around the campus.

Before, even with an overcoat, the Smeckton Institute wasn’t fully up to the task of keeping its wearers warm. Frequently, the group had dashed from building to building and we cursed whoever made a campus where sprinting on the lawns was still required between classes. Last year, when the snowfall reached up to three feet, the day was amazing after, but most classes weren’t cancelled until the afternoon. So, for a few hours that morning, we still had to trudge through the increasingly deep snow.

This is where one of the few niceties of wearing a diaper came into play. By now, walking around with something damp down there had just become ordinary. ‘Accidents’ for all the Safari Building had increased with regularity, and while that was a concern, the diapers provided a measure of comfort that we would be protected against them fully now. Additionally, in these current cold months, the extra padding down there, despite the embarrassment of a clear diaper bulge more often than not, provided some extra measure of warmth.

But that’s where the positives ended.

Many of us had gone home for Thanksgiving and were greeted by wary or just outright rude or cruel families. With the program widely thought to only regress those who were deemed unworthy, most of the parents who didn’t care or thought their kid was lying, just viewed them as a failure. Slowly, that perception had ended, but seeing us each in diapers, even my own family seemed to struggle with how to react around me anymore.

I was still loved. There was no doubt about that as Ben, my parents, and even Katie had all shown their affection to me in some form or another. At the end of each hug and kiss though, I felt a pause from each of them. Seeing their faces, it was a different reaction from each.

For my dad, he seemed concerned and even frustrated with how my time at Smeckton was turning out, as opposed to Ben’s seemingly more successful outcome. My mom lauded her praise upon me, and that felt nice, but her pride went hand in hand with wet diapers… ones she insisted on changing herself. Not that I wanted the rest of the family involved, but there was just something hard to get over about her changing me once again in my life. I was supposed to be going forward… not backward.

Still distant and quiet, but now, like our dad, Ben seemed frustrated… upset even. His facial expressions only went that far, but I could see something building up in him, that seemed close to releasing. My sister was the same as well, but hers seemed more of guilt than of anger. Needless to say, as I listened on to Mrs. Pettigrew talk about the Bourbon dynasty in France, very much expecting us to remember her lesson, as opposed to some of the other teachers here, I couldn’t help but try and distract myself on her words. Thinking of home just put a knot in my stomach.

A little while later, Mrs. Pettigrew was done with history and moved onto literature. “Today, I think you all have been mostly good for me these past few weeks. I know what you’re going through can be kind of difficult, but just hang in there.” It hadn’t passed anyone’s attention that despite other classes being sort of mixed between normal students and those in the Ocean or Safari Buildings, there was only a mixture of the lower tier buildings in Mrs. Pettigrew’s class now. As such, I think Mrs. Pettigrew felt she had some latitude on certain days with our class time at least. Her other classes seemed more traditional, but in this one instance, I didn’t mind the difference so much.

She then walked over to the door and dimmed the lights in the class, leaving only the illuminations from her installed twinkling lights bathe the room in their glow. “Feel free to rest your eyes. Just remember to continue your reading of Heart of Darkness over break, as we’ll be discussing it on your first day back in my class. For now, though…” She eased back into the large plush chair she had pulled in here about a month ago when her reading aloud became a routine of sorts.

I would have never believed someone if they told me the previously uptight Mrs. Pettigrew would have ever been a source of comfort for anyone, and maybe it was just in comparison to other teachers, but I could feel a sense of ease fall about the classroom as each of us cozied in. Being one of the few classes Bill skipped this year, he was absent, but the rest of the group quickly got comfortable. Considering the upcoming long holiday break back at home, it was the first time I had seen most of them relax since this morning.

Mrs. Pettigrew donned a pair of glasses and flipped open the elaborately decorated book. The worn red and gold edges of the book showed it was well loved, and seeing Mrs. Pettigrew’s smile, it wasn’t a mystery of who at least one of those people was. “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,” she began.

Her eyes gazed up and she flipped around the book, so anyone not resting their head on their desk currently could see the brilliant illustrations on the page. Smiling, she turned around the book and turned the crinkly page. “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads…”

It was a dreamy way to end the shortened school day and wishing us all a safe trip home and some happy holidays, we all exited her class with looks of happiness for once during the day. “Everyone off back home now?” Luke questioned; his fists buried in his pockets as we exited onto the quad and then stopped briefly. Andre was in another class and apparently had already left.

“I’m staying with my aunt and uncle instead this holiday break,” August said lowly. “I don’t think my parents can take another diaper in the house. Gordy is already too much for my mom when my dad is at work.”

“That sucks, man,” I tried comforting. “You think you’ll see them at all?”

August shrugged. “Maybe tomorrow on Christmas itself. I don’t know. Honestly, don’t even know if I really want to this year…” I questioned that type of logic, but he wasn’t the only one with mixed feelings.

“Agreed,” Luke said dryly, coughing for a second afterward in the chilly air. “My parents want to take me to Bora Bora or someplace like that. Not come back and escape entirely, but we all know how that ends up for me, right?”

“You get a pony when you come back?” Tommy asked sarcastically. We all smirked at that.

“Right…” Luke said, rolling his eyes. “A big fat pony right after I get shipped off to option B la-la land. You leave the country, and they ever catch you, it’s just bad news all around. Automatic fail for us here.”

“Well, at least they care about you…” Tommy’s words were no longer sarcastic. His previous smile had faded, and his eyes were fixed on a white car far off in the distance. “That’s them… they just want to get this whole break over with and came early... Can you believe that they blame me for this? As if I wanted to be wearing a friggin’ diaper right now.”

“Shhh!” Luke tried to get Tommy to calm down as other students passed us by. Luke seemed to be under the impression that there was still someone in 50 miles of here who didn’t know we were diapered at this point, but not wanting to argue and clearly worried about the future, Tommy didn’t say anything back.

Worried about my friend, I gave him a quick side hug. “Tell you what… you have such a bad time this go around, you come to my place in Easter, okay?”

Tommy seemed surprised, but when I didn’t laugh like I was making some joke, he broke out of my side hug and gave me a full one instead. “Thank you, John! You don’t…” Tommy seemed a bit embarrassed and backed out of his hug. “Sorry. Just…”

I waved my hand to ease his worries. “Don’t worry, bud. Just stay strong this break and come back here ready to take on January.” Tommy nodded, made his thanks and goodbyes to everyone, and soon disappeared out of sight.

“Poor guy…” August noted sadly. “I would have offered my place after what he told me about Thanksgiving, but it’s no picnic at my place either.” We all shrugged and hated that he had kept some of the crueler and stronger details of his last break with his family to himself, but there was nothing any of us could do about it now.

“You two staying or what?” Luke asked after waiting on the quad for Bill for another few minutes. The diapers were helpful, but only to a point by now.

August shook his head after staring down at his watch. “No. I gotta pack up before my aunt gets here. Wanna walk back with me?” Luke nodded his head, no longer wanting to travel by himself, and both then looked at me for my answer. “John? You staying for Bill?”

I sighed and looked at my watch and then to the sciences building. “Yeah, but I think I’m just going to head inside for him. You two go on ahead. If I don’t see you again, good luck over break and I’ll see you after.” I gave a knowing glance to Luke, hearing about his family’s potential plans to get him out of here. I couldn’t blame them for their thinking, but Luke was just as right. Leaving the country and getting caught at this stage was a just a guaranteed failure for Luke. Before, it might have just been a fine and a minor punishment, but in the Safari Building, nothing was minor anymore.

They made their goodbyes as well and we all departed before I rushed into the sciences building to get warm again. With several of the teachers in here stacked against the rest of us by now, I always worried about what stepping in here unnecessarily might incur, but I had made a promise to Bill, so I waited outside of Mr. Bellbody’s class for a moment.

Fortunately, none of the teachers stopped me and before long, Mr. Bellbody’s class let out. From the looks on everyone’s face, no one had the mental fortitude any longer to make fun of me. Looking for Bill, I finally found him, but before I could get out a word, Bill growled back at me. “Let’s get out of here. No questions. Just… now.” Seeing that look before, I knew Bill needed a second to breathe, so I just gestured for him to take the lead, and I soon followed.

Passing through the admin building to get a temporary burst of warmth before re-exiting outside, Bill finally spoke up. “Did you know that I once wrote a statistics paper that showed the futility of this program and that it won several awards and was even featured in the paper?” I shook my head. “Yeah, well I did. It was fully annotated… college level stuff all about why all this was doomed from the beginning and even used game and chaos theory to back it up. But now?”

“I take it Bellbody is treating you differently?” Bill might have been a borderline genius, but it didn’t take one to figure out what was bugging him, especially after he kept trying to pull his blazer lower over his crotch and then rear areas.

“You think? That…” He then quickly looked around and lowered his voice. “Asshole picked on me the whole class. He said that if a baby can’t even keep their pants dry, how are they ever going to learn about string theory?”

“Wait… did you all actually learn about string theory?” We shared a few classes, and while we were still learning things, most of the topics seemed relatively unadvanced. String theory though… that was another matter if Bill was legitimately learning about it now.

“Yeah… I mean, are you all not in the normal math class?” Not wanting to dwell on Bellbody too much, no one talked much about math class… or any of the classes in general anymore. So, taking the time, I wanted to set the record straight.

I most emphatically shook my head. “Bill… we learned about advanced fractions using dry spaghetti noodles the other day. The closest we’re getting to string theory is if Bellbody teaches it to us very slowly and uses a ball of yarn to demonstrate it.”

“Oh…” Bill’s previous bluster faded away. There was still a smidge of anger there, but his realization over just how much worse he could have it around here was noticeable. “I’m sorry, John. I didn’t know… I…”

I put up my hand to stop him and then looked around to the frozen landscape of the campus we had now stopped in the middle of. “Don’t worry about it, but… do you think we could talk the rest of how much a shit Bellbody is indoors?” Bill could only smirk and lead me away back inside the Safari building.

“I’m just saying… he could cut down on the diaper humor,” Bill concluded later as we both walked to the Safari Building lobby to wait for our rides after we packed our bags to leave for the week. Our respective families all had extra uniforms and apparently even diapers now, but we still had to bring some things back with us. For instance, one of the last things I packed was Rocky. We had been specifically warned that leaving our toys here over the break would incur a mandatory 100 spanks and revoking of some other to be name privilege we currently enjoyed. No one wanting to test the waters, I saw everyone checking their bag for their specific toy before they stepped into their ride to go home.

“I hear you there. Maybe if we…” A loud car horn sounded outside. The impatience could practically be heard through the loud noise ripping its way through my eardrums. “Your ride?”

Bill nodded and suddenly looked very anxious. “Can’t say I’m looking forward to going home this time. How weird is that? Who would have ever guessed I would actually want to stay in this freakshow at Smeckton instead of going home?”

“It won’t be that bad,” I tried to assure my roommate. “It’s just a little over a week, and then it’s back here before you know it.” Bill shrugged, seemingly doubtful of my words, but his smile told me that he at least appreciated them. Saying our goodbyes, I thought I saw I was one of the few students left around. I was wrong.

“Hey there stranger,” Laura warmly greeted me, a bag slung over her shoulder she soon set down as she walked over to me. “Waiting on your dad still?”

“You know he’s picking me up?” I questioned, me only finding out that he had elected to do it this morning.

She smiled and nodded. “Yep! I exchanged numbers with everyone last year when I started volunteering here, and he texted me this morning offering me a ride back with you two. Figured it would save me gas and all, but I’ve got my own ride, so I just told him thank you but no.”

“Oh…” I had kind of wished she had said yes, to at least talk with her more or break any possible tension in the car, but I understood her wanting to be an independent driver and all. ‘What I wouldn’t give to drive myself right now…’ “So… what are you still doing here? I thought all you nurses would have left by now?”

She nodded again. “That’s right. Most of us did, but I also volunteered to check all the rooms in the Ocean and Safari Building before I left. Apparently, one year, one kid got left behind by his parents and he had to wander into town to get some help.”

“Yikes!” I couldn’t imagine that… especially if he was in the Ocean or Safari Building. Seeing how the town had acted toward us in either building, his time must’ve been awful. “I don’t want to even imagine that happening to anyone these days.”

“Right, so that’s where I came in,” she explained further. “Then, I was just about to check the Ocean Building, but I saw you here. Figured you could use some company…”

“Oh… thanks, but you didn’t have to do that.” The last thing I wanted Laura to do was to wait for me and delay her own break back home. Seeing her as one of my few bright lights around here, I felt I had taken enough of her time.

“Nonsense, John. I wanted to.” Her eyes then drifted over me, “Besides, I figured I owed you for the numerous times you would drive me to school whenever my busted-up car wouldn’t start. Remember that?”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. “Geesh. Yeah, I remember. Your Chevy just never wanted to start in the wintertime. You almost missed midterms because of it, but wow! Talk about a blast from the past. Feels like a few lifetimes ago now, huh?”

“Tell me about it…” Her once gleeful eyes turned more downcast. “Sorry about your license and all. Must have been tough…”

I honestly hadn’t even thought about it, but like Tommy said, it was probably best we didn’t dwell on the fact that a day after entering the Safari Building, all our licenses had gotten punched with capitalized letters, ‘REG’ in the top right-hand corner. We realized only after the fact that it was supposed to denote ‘regressed.’ “Can’t lie. Going home and seeing my old car… which Katie is driving now, was tough back in Thanksgiving. I didn’t even drive it much the past few years, but I still could. Now…” I sighed heavily.

Laura smiled sympathetically and rubbed my shoulder tenderly. “It will be okay, John. I promise…” Her eyes looked at me, away, and then, as had become a bit of a sad habit lately, drifted down and around my crotch. “I hate to ask though; do you need a change before you go?”

“Go? I…” I then realized that my dad’s car had just pulled up. I sighed that I had to go, but I shook my head. “No. Thank you, but Molly checked in on Bill and I before she left. She gave us each a change for the road, and I should last in this thing.” I patted the front of my pants with a bit of a crinkled thump.

Laura smiled back at me and quickly gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek. “Happy holidays, John. Stay safe, but I’ll be right back here when you get back. Hang tough for me, okay?”

I nodded, and like the rest of my group today, she faded away into the building to start her checks of the Ocean Building. As I picked up my bag to head out to the car, I could only sigh at the changes happening between us. I still felt the connection between us, but things were starting to feel like a ‘had been’ romance between us. My one consolation is that she had stayed for me, wishing that I was safe in this place and had a ride home. It was admittedly a part of her job, but she didn’t have to stop and talk. With that, I left Smeckton with a tiny little warm feeling somewhere in my chest.

On the way back, at first, I dreaded the awkwardness my dad seemed to instill at first. He seemed like he was walking on eggshells around me, but gratefully, once I told him my grades were up, he began to question me like usual. It felt like a rapid-fire interview, but that was just his ways. In a sense, it felt like the old days… until his questions became more pointed. “You know… your letters have gotten pretty run of the mill lately. Almost seems like you’re going to a nunnery now. Have things gotten better… or is there something you’re just not telling us back at home?”

I sighed and I realized he was onto my plan. “Sorry, Dad. I… I found out they were censoring my letters. There was a rumor that it was linked to our punishments, so I just started writing nice things only.”

“Oh…” He seemed to have difficulty swallowing the fact about censorship and all, but finally, he asked me the question I had been dreading. “Okay… fine. Makes sense, and I obviously know about some things…” It was clear he was indicating about my newly added diapers at least. “But what else is there? And no sugarcoating, understand? I want to hear it all.”

I sighed, but ultimately nodded. “Understood. So, there’s this teacher… Bellbody…” For the next 30 minutes, I told my dad everything. Every humiliating and abusive detail I could muster. I didn’t tell him about the chastity, or why it was in place, but everything else… Needless to say, by the end, I think my dad could spit fire.

“Those bastards!” he yelled, louder than I had heard him in years. “I’ll… I’ll…” He seemed at a loss for words, but I saw revenge in his eyes. I had half a mind to tell Bellbody and Chen to leave the country, or at least run, if they ever saw my dad coming, but I just hoped his rationale thoughts would return soon. “Damn it! I don’t know what I’m going to do.” He then turned to me and narrowed his eyes. “Mark my words, though, John. I’m doing something about this. You’ll see…”

So, for the rest of the car ride, we sat in silence… or at least as much silence as one could get from a grumbling 50+ man speeding down mountainous roads and then the highway back home. Even as we turned down the street I had grown up on, normally a happy time where I would get to see all the lights, I was white knuckling the underside of my seat out of fear we were going to crash. Fortunately, though, we parked in the driveway in one piece.

As we got out, my dad then stopped me. “Alright. Not a word about what you just told me. Ben probably already knows… shit! Probably knew already, but your mom and sister don’t. I can tell your mom later, and your sister… she might find out, but this is the holidays. Let’s smile for them, okay?”

“Maybe kick some snow before you go in then?” I suggested, smiling a bit to try and get him to ease up a bit.

My dad stopped and saw the fist he had formed. “Oh. Suppose you’re right. Damn! Who could’ve predicted that from me, huh?” He then spent the next minute or so kicking a mound of freshly fallen snow on the side of our house. He kept his muttering to himself, but I could still see the rage in the man who once almost got stung by a spider because he was trying to save it from getting squashed by my sister a few years ago. Going forward, I wandered just what would come of this…

“We’re home!” my dad bellowed, now back in his usual and jovial state as we entered inside. Seconds later, Katie, Ben, and our mom soon wrapped us both together. For a second, I thought about not joining in the hug, worried about my diaper, but I felt pretty confident that the smells of cinnamon and pine would hide any trace of baby powder possibly coming off me.

“And just let me look at you!” My mom, ever the sentimentalist, spun me around and did the whole motherly routine of checking me out. She was checking a lot of things I’m sure, and while my mind tried to rationalize that she was still only looking to ensure I had been fed, a little voice in the back of my mind told me she was checking out my new uniform and diaper bulge underneath as well. Gratefully, if she was, she had the good graces not to say a word about it.

“Welcome home, John!” Katie said excitedly. “We got your room all settled for the holidays.”

“Shh!” Our mom quickly quieted her, like somehow, she had just given away some big secret.

“Welcome back,” Ben added stiffly. Again, his reserve seemed strange, especially considering how he used to greet me after every time I had come home. What’s more, he now seemed almost guilty about something. I wondered about that all the way through dinner, and ever afterward when we all shared our annual tradition of Christmas cookies while we watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a tradition since Katie was born. Nearby, our stockings were all hung above the fireplace, and ready to be filled for the morning.

Just as I was getting ready to go for my usual nightly Christmas Eve walk though, my mom stopped. “And just where do you think you’re going?”

“For a walk?” I wondered if I had somehow done something wrong or forgotten something critical, but my eyes wandered over to the clock and saw the late time. “Aww! You can’t mean I have to go to bed already?”

“What?” Even my sister seemed upset. “It’s not even 11, mom!”

My mom sighed but stood up and remained firm. “I’m afraid so. Rules are rules and we can’t be seen slacking for your brother’s sake. No one knows how the government knows, but they just do. You don’t want a punishment when you get back, do you John?”

I sighed and shook my head, dejected over having to follow the rules here to the letter as well, but knowing she was right. “No… I’ll go up. No protest from me…”

“But it’s not fair!” my sister protested, much to mine and seemingly everyone else’s surprise.

“Maybe, sweetie, but we have to follow the rules. I double checked this morning,” my mom noted, already guiding me out of the family room where we all had gathered. “He can at least stay up on New Year’s Eve though, so that’s something. And besides… it’s only one more year of this.”

I swore there was a ‘we hope’ at the end of her words, but I didn’t push anything and just trudged up the stairs. Dad had already put my bag up there, but with everything going on, I still hadn’t seen it. So, brushing my teeth and washing my face, I entered my bedroom.

Honestly though, it was kind of hard to call it that anymore.

It was still the same room, and Ben and my dad had insisted on some of the décor remaining from high school, but otherwise, it sadly appeared very much like a nursery. A crib and changing table my family rented from the government lay inside, just as I had first seen when I came back here for Thanksgiving. I had nearly fainted, but my dad at least had promised that it all would return once I graduated.

“So, do you like it?” my mom asked, my eyes quickly dancing around the small tree and the few string lights she and my sister had apparently decorated my room with. “Katie insisted that you get a little extra up here to make you feel more comfortable.”

“It’s nice. I…” I wanted to gush all over it, especially as a gesture coming from my sister, but I didn’t want to seem excited about the nursery either. Part of the theming that had been added was some Christmas crib sheets and a few baby elves after all. “Tell Katie thank you for me tonight.” I knew once I went to bed mom would go back downstairs and see her before I did.

Mom smiled. “I’m sure she will be glad about it.” Her eyes then shot over to the clock on my wall that hadn’t moved in at least five years now. “Oh! Look at the time. Got to get you all ready for bed!”

I sighed but having already done this on Thanksgiving, I knew what to do, but basically that just meant following what my mom told me to do. So, first, I took off my shirt and pants, which just left my socks and my undershirt, now straining to hug my diaper up against me. “Oh! Look at that. I know someone who could use a change, huh?”

I didn’t say a word, but as I had been instructed before, I calmly went over to the changing table, hopped on top, and then just laid back for her to do her work. Gratefully, with my bedtime involved, she didn’t waste a second and quickly popped off my snaps and changed my diaper without incident or really even saying a word. As compared to Thanksgiving where she gushed over me, and I swear I could have died from embarrassment right there and then, she was quick and kind, and before I knew it, I was wrapped up snug in a new diaper and with some Christmas-themed pajamas.

The next morning came, and I woke up feeling more rested than I had in years. It felt strange to not be in Smeckton and the Safari Building, but nice as well. Rocky was still with me, but I noticed just how close he had come to me. It felt strange, but in truth, the guy was almost becoming a confidant of sorts. It didn’t hurt that both Molly and Laura had suggested using him as a sounding board, but his presence in my life began to grow less strange.

My door then flew open and my mom practically sprinted in. “Merry Christmas, John. I hope someone had a… oh my…” Her smile remained, but she went from jubilant to clearly shocked. I tried to figure out why, but to my horror, I finally saw it. My thumb was in my mouth.

“It’s not what you think!” I tried to protest as I yanked the digit out. “I… I’ve never done that before in my life!”

My mom hurried over and dropped the railing on my crib and smiled at me warmly. “It’s okay, John. I was doing some reading, and they say that with this phase of everything, it’s almost to be expected. Some even say it’s a coping mechanism to deal with all the stress you’re under. It’s super cute, but really… it’s not a big deal.”

I was glad of her wording, but her smile felt in contrast to what she was saying. Not being a deal tended not to coincide with a small of what I could only describe as longing. Still, being Christmas, I felt compelled to put it out of my mind and I proceeded to take my morning shower and let mom rediaper and dress me for the day. Unfortunately, that just meant the old Smeckton uniform had to be worn… once again.

“Alright, John!” my mom nearly cooed. “Let’s see what Santa brought you this year, huh?” Moving on from our stockings, where our mom had played Santa already, she now seemed determined to carry over the tradition to the gift under the tree as well. Since no one had played Santa seriously in at least eight years, Mom’s new reason to pick it back up was obvious and embarrassing.

“Mom!” Katie cried out. “He’s not two. Give that stuff a rest!” Ben and our dad seemed a little surprised once again, but it was nice seeing someone else on my side in the family as well. The guilt I had seen during Thanksgiving seemed to be paying out in dividends now, and I might have questioned it a year ago, but considering that my mom was finally getting called out, just made me feel happy.

“Sorry, sorry,” she quickly apologized, seemingly realizing her error. “Force of habit with…” She shook her head, and I dreaded what she was originally going to say next. Crib? Diapers? Early bedtime? She had her pick, but just wanting to move on, I just resettled back in my seat as the gifts from under the tree were distributed.

Being stuck at Smeckton without time to wrap, I had coordinated with each of my family members on what to buy for the rest of them. For example, coordinating with my dad, we had selected a new set of earbuds for Katie, a new laptop case for Ben, and a new set of slippers for mom. To my surprise, this year, more than two gifts were placed at my feet. For now, I decided not to question them.

As I started opening the gifts and reading their labels though, I began to grow concerned. First, I received a sweater from Katie. Apparently, it was extra long and from what she had heard, that was a really good thing for guys like me. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that it was supposed to act as a cover up for my diaper bulge.

From Ben, I got a nice hat and gloves, perfect for the bitterly cold weather we had been having lately. It was nice and normal enough, but a note labeled, ‘Private,’ was attached to one of the gloves. While my family was distracted by mom opening a new bathrobe, I read the note, and it told me another gift was waiting for me upstairs from him. I questioned what it could be and why it was so secretive, but I just pocketed the note and stared at the rest of the gifts. It didn’t take me long to see that they were all from my parents.

Now, I was grateful to be getting gifts, and as I went through and opened a few books and some of art supplies, both which I was immediately grateful for, I found a question in my head, and a pang in my heart with what the answer could be.

Everyone settling in with their new gifts, me already wearing my sweater instead of my uniform, I took my chance after thanking my parents first, of course. “So… I love all the gifts. Top tier and I’m going to read all these books before you know it, but… I was kind of wondering about the deal we made… the one two years ago.”

My mom seemed confused, but my dad quickly nodded his head. “Yes, John. Before you ask further, we are still storing money away for a car for you… for after.”

“So then why the gifts?” I hated to sound as rude as I was. I was thankful for the gifts, but the car… like with Ben, it had come to represent a freedom and maturity of sorts in contrast to what I had been experiencing more of the opposite of lately. To lose the car… it almost felt like a final nail in my future’s coffin. To me, if my parents did that, it would show that they had lost faith that I could even graduate still.

“As your dad said, you’re still getting the car, but we just wanted to give you some real gifts this year. Ones you could actually take back with you.” She then paused and seemed almost hesitant to continue. “Frankly, we felt the car felt too far off and that we had made a mistake.”

“And wha…” The oven time suddenly went off and my mom stood up to go check on the turkey before I could even ask my question. I valued an unburnt turkey, but now, the ‘too far off’ bit was dancing around in my mind incessantly.

I think my dad noticed. “Seriously, John. The car is still in play, but you know your mom. She saw some facial tick at some point when you were talking about your friends or just to her in general about gifts… don’t think too much more on it. Just enjoy today and look forward to your car in the future.”

My dad’s clarification had helped, but the tiny nagging notion still lingered in the back of my head. Determined to at least ignore it for the time being, I quickly picked up one of my new books and started to read intently. Pretty soon, right around the time Ben and our dad sauntered off to go help our mom in the kitchen, I was successful.

About the same time though, another tiny notion started to distract me. At first, I thought it was nothing. Then, I thought it was simply from the cookies and home-cooked meals I was no longer used to eating. Last night’s meal had been a veritable feast, and the cookies weren’t the half-fat kind. Still, the sensation lingered until I couldn’t ignore or deny what it was any longer.

I had to poo.

I had been dreading this moment since I had first been demoted back to diapers at Smeckton. Fortunately, being here only for about 24 hours on Thanksgiving, I managed to entirely avoid the matter, but now, during holiday break, I was here for over a week. The sensation had to come at some point, but honestly, I was hoping I could put it off… at least not on Christmas, but another cramp reminded me that my body didn’t care about that sort of thing in the end.

So, I gingerly got up and went into the kitchen. There, mom was zooming back and forth between all the dishes being transferred in and of the oven. Ben and dad were alternating between carving the bird and glazing the small ham we had, as well as acting as assistant to our mom. Chaos was quite the word, but busy was also an understatement.

Still, I needed to go, so I went over to mom and tried to whisper to her. “Mom, I have to…”

“Sweetie,” she noted sweetly, but clearly in a state of stress, “you have to speak up for me. Lots of noises and I just can’t hear what you’re trying to tell me.”

I gritted my teeth, but another cramp forced the issue, so, I tried again. “Mom, I need to go to the bathroom.”

Using one of the electric knives that my dad had gotten for his birthday last year, neither he nor Ben could hear us, but looking up at me with a large dish of sweet potatoes in her hands, I could tell mom had. “Oh, sweetie. I just… can you wait a minute? I really need to get these dishes in., and I know it’s important.” I bounced a little just standing there, and I think she felt bad for the situation I was in. “Just five minutes, okay?”

I nodded and retreated back to the living room to refocus on my book. Unfortunately, my mom was never big on time estimation, so, five minutes later, she still wasn’t done with the critical stuff. In an effort to prolong the outcome I was trying to avoid; I stood up and began to pace around the room.

“What are you doing?” Katie finally asked, looking up from her own book.

“It… it doesn’t matter. Just go back to reading.” I tried to convince her, but my pacing wasn’t helped my case that ‘it doesn’t matter.’ Katie could see right through me, and in little sister fashion, she decided to just stare at me intently until I gave in. Considering she didn’t scream like she used to; I felt it was a step up.

“Fine!” I snapped, starting to feel desperate. “I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Then… aren’t you supposed to just use it?” I almost chided her for insinuating that I could just use the toilet to pee, but I saw her eyes directed to my lower half.

“No!” But I realized I was wrong about that. “I mean… damn it! Yes… for that,” I said awkwardly, being mortified enough that my sister knew I was in diapers, let alone implying I should use them. “But this… it’s the… other thing.”

“Oh.” It finally clicked for her and her eyes narrowed and she looked like she was in deep thought for a moment. “Then… same suggestion. Why not use it, you know?”

“Wait…” My mind started to short circuit as I was realizing now what she was implying. “You don’t mean…?” Katie only nodded solemnly. “Hell no! It’s not for that. I get to use the potty for this!” I grimaced at the words coming out of my mouth, but I was getting to the point where I just needed relief and that all other considerations were secondary.

My little sister sighed and put her book down next to her before looking back at me. “John… I know I’m your sister, and you would prefer mom, but… I can help you if you want.”

I stopped in my tracks, and I nearly let out a small fart that I was so stunned about what I was hearing. Stun soon turned into revulsion though. “No! No, not that. Anything but that!”

Katie sighed and scooted forward to the edge of her seat. “John… I know you think I’m your little sister… emphasis on little, which is why I picked on you so much, but August… seeing you then, and then again on Thanksgiving… well, it made me do some thinking. About myself… about everything. I just… I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry. I know that won’t make up for how I probably made you feel the past two years around here, but I want to help you, John.”

I didn’t know what to say at first. I thought that maybe she was trying to trick me, but then I saw the sincerity in her eyes. Putting that together with her sudden defense of me in front of our mom now also made so much more sense. I thought she was different somehow, but now… “I just don’t know, Katie. Mom is supposed to do this kind of thing. It’s hard enough and you could laugh, and I don’t know. You could just…”

Katie held up her hand and I stopped talking. I was desperate, almost beyond that point, so, seeing my mom as unable to help right now, I knew I would be a fool not to at least listen.

“Please, John,” she implored. “I can tell how bad you need to go. Let me help you this one time at least. Pinky swear I don’t laugh or use this as blackmail later or record you or any other horrible thing you think I would do to you.” She then stood up from her seat and came over to me before extending out her pinky. “Pinky swear on it.”

I looked back at the offered-up digit, and I knew what a big deal it meant to her. I had taught her the move years ago, and now, she was using it on me. She had never once broken a promise like this, so seeing that gesture, and with few other options, I wrapped my pinky around hers as well. “Fine. Just this once though.”

Katie nodded and led me up the stairs and into the bathroom I used. Before Thanksgiving, per the government mandate, my parents had placed a training potty there for my use. Initially, it was there when I was in pull-ups, but it never was used in that way. So, in essence, this moment was the first time I was using it. The smiling duck didn’t help matters, but Katie stood in front of me with an assuredness and kindness I had never seen before. I knew she was growing up, but today I saw evidence of it for the first time.

“Alright. Mom kind of told me what to do, so, hands up and just let me, okay?” I think I blushed ten shades of red, but I nodded and tried to block out that my younger sister was now helping me off with my clothing. Worse, as soon as she popped my undershirt, it was clear just how much I had wet it.

It was a terrible thing, but as per her promise, she didn’t make any comment, and just yanked it down with a single tug and then helped me sit back on the plastic potty. Seconds later, and bursting, I let loose. The sound was horrible, and I could see the secondhand embarrassment on my sister’s face, but she had turned her head and tried to disappear away from what was going on with her older brother right in front of her.

Just as the last bits were exiting, our mom soon joined in. “Oh, thank you so much, Katie. I kind of thought that John was breaking a rule of two, but I’m just glad you’re here. How about you go set the table now?” Katie could only stare straight ahead and nod her head before exiting. I wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but feeling my relief whole-heartedly, I knew without a doubt that I appreciated her help.

Turning back to me, mom first saw my drenched diaper. “Oh my! I guess I should have checked you sooner, huh?” Compared to Katie, this time, my mom was very talkative, which especially didn’t help when she was wiping me, or changing me into a fresh diaper afterward back in my nursery.

Regardless, we were soon both back downstairs, and after a good hand scrubbing, we all sat down to eat. It was a perfect meal. Despite the bulk between my legs and that I didn’t feel 20 by a long shot, I was immensely grateful to being back home with my family. They weren’t always the best, but especially after hearing my group’s various own problems, I couldn’t help but appreciate mine even more… particularly in our post-meal talk.

“I just don’t understand how anyone can call this an improvement,” he noted angrily. “Before, maybe there was some good. John seemed better in a lot of ways, but this? This just seems more drastic.”

“Yeah,” Katie agreed. “I mean, how is a leaky diaper supposed to help mold him into a better man for the betterment of society.” Her last words were pulled right from the maturity laws themselves, but her words were now dipped in sarcasm.

“He leaked?” Dad questioned, looked concerned for a moment.

“No!” I tried to defend myself before turning to mom. “Tell them. Tell them I didn’t leak.”

“He didn’t leak,” she replied calmly. I was relieved, but she continued. “He was getting closer, and I really do apologize for not checking you sooner. Maybe something… a little thicker?”

“Mom!” I yelled. “That’s not the point of all this!”

“Mind your manners with me, John Clark,” she warned. “I might be diaper master of the world around here for you, but I’ve also been given the authority to swat you on the butt if I feel fit.”

“No, mom,” Ben said defiantly before I could protest. “You can’t brush this off and treat him like a baby. You’re doing it again.”

“What?” I could see that my mom wasn’t expecting his defiance towards her. “When have I done that actively? I might veer over a little bit, but what about you? When you were going through all your little inconveniences, I didn’t say one word or treat you like a baby.” Looking over at Ben and then directly back to Katie, I could tell that we were both confused as to their discussion.

“I just wore training pants when I came back here during my last year. That was nothing compared to what’s happening with John now! You’re different around him, and that’s not a good thing. For him… fix it!” At last, one piece of Ben’s story was sliding into place. It explained so much, but not everything…

Ben then turned to me, realizing what he had just said out loud, and sighed deeply. “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner that I wasn’t Mr. Perfect all the time when I went to the center. I didn’t tell you sooner because I thought you might feel as if I was trying to steal from you when I tried to compare our times on who had it worse.”

He sighed and I could see that same regret shine out from his eyes. “I know now that… well, that wouldn’t be the case, and I was an idiot. I was too wrapped up in my problems and what happened during my time in the center, that I neglected you when you needed me. I was too wrapped up in my own crap from back then and I’m… I’m sorry, John.”

Again, I knew there was something more to his story, but seeing his desperation to be forgiven, I set his mind at ease. “It’s okay, Ben. I get why you did what you did. I wish you had told me sooner, but at least now you don’t have to hide that side anymore from me.” Without warning, both of us soon hugged each other and it felt good again to hug him without that previous barrier between us. I felt he was keeping another secret from me, this one buried much deeper, but I just hoped he would come to trust me to tell me one day.

After a moment of that, Katie spoke. “So… yeah. Anyways, glad to be part of the revelation journey here. Truly, I am, but… what are we going to do about John’s situation as it stands now?”

“What can we do?” my mom asked, already seeming like she had given up. “I mean, maybe leave the country, or…?”

“No!” the whole then shouted as one. It was clear that like Smeckton, nearly everyone had heard of what happened to families who tried to leave the country permanently to help their son. Considering the possibility of success in staying, the risk for getting caught was just too high. Anyone who thought differently, lately at least, just became another failed statistic when the son was brought back and severely punished.

Startled, she held up her hands defensively. “Okay, okay. Obviously not… So, what then?”

Suggestion after suggestion, we all tried to pitch in idea or two. “Maybe we should fight the system? A little bloody revolution could be in order at this point.”

“No,” our mom said without hesitation. “Absolutely not. You don’t know who’s going to get bloody by the time it ends, and those movements never end well for really anyone involved.”

“How about writing a letter to the government?” Katie suggested. “Maybe they don’t know about Smeckton? How it’s different from the other places?”

I had thought about it myself, but Ben jumped on it before I could say anything. “The government is behind the program, sis. Some might listen, but most are just going to think we’re overexaggerating, or worse, they already know about Smeckton… and they aren’t doing anything about it.”

“Maybe a multi-step approach?” my dad finally offered. We all stared at him intently, hoping he had some ace up his sleeve. “Start with letters, but meanwhile, I can reach out to some friends I made last year during the election cycle. I did some volunteer work and made a few friends. Maybe they can help.”

“And weren’t you talking about something weird you found as well?” Ben asked, hope very much alive in his question. “Something… irregular?”

“Well,” my dad started, seemingly nervous about whatever it was. “I started looking into some background with Smeckton. It’s an odd place, and the more I’m learning recently, the more I don’t like it at all.” I knew he was at least referring to our chat in the car yesterday, especially as I saw the same look of hate flash over his eyes. “I’m writing it all down, but just in case… there’s some oddities I’m looking into regarding their ledgers and their student body. Something… something just doesn’t add up.”

After that, the family agreed to the plan and that I should continue to find support in both students and faculty back at Smeckton. Meanwhile, as the family started to prepare for our annual Christmas movie night, complete with holiday treats, I went back upstairs with the loot I had acquired today. I was definitely appreciating the sweater already, but curious, I saw the gift that Ben had placed under my crib before. In seconds, the wrapping flew all around my room. Looking inside though I could barely believe it.

Inside, gray and even ribbed in a few areas, was a onesie… similar to the undershirt I was wearing now. Of all the gifts… I felt this just had to be a mistake, but I then found a note underneath the garment. “Brother, I apologize for the variety of gift this comes off as. I got you the gloves and the wintry hat because I know just how cold the winters can be up in those mountains, but this has another purpose. I know you wear diapers, and while I couldn’t be sorrier that’s the type of state you’ve found yourself in, I figured you could use this. I didn’t wear it myself, but I came about as close as I could and the person who wore it swear 100% by it to better conceal your diaper in any state. I didn’t want the rest of the family to see you open it but test it out and let me know what you think. Keep the faith and stay strong. Your loving brother, Ben.”

I looked over the garment, and sure enough, leaving the tag on, I could see all the features it apparently had. It promised a less noticeable bulge when dry and to keep the garment situated on you even more than usual to help prevent leaks.

I was thankful of the gift to be sure but seeing it and wearing the sweater that was longer to better hide my diapers, all situated in my nursery no less, I couldn’t help but reflect back onto other years. Even just in Smeckton, this marked my third Christmas in the program. I knew that no matter what, next year would be different, but as I bent over and could feel my wet diaper, I knew it couldn’t come soon enough.

Fortunately, after checking, I knew it could wait, but I thought of so many other things as well. I was happy that both Ben and Katie were on my side now in the family, and both seemed like they wanted to help and look after me in any way that could. Thinking to earlier, that could mean some intense embarrassment in the future, but the caring attitude couldn’t be undervalued in this setting. On the other hand, Mom’s casual attitude was worrying and Dad’s anger toward the system seemed ready to blow in the worst of ways. I want to fix all that tonight, but as I refastened my shorts and pulled my sweater back down, I sighed and looked in the mirror. Dad seemed to have a plan, but with eight more months to go still at Smeckton, I shuddered what would happen or what I would even look like at the end. Somehow, despite the hopeful twinkling lights of my room and the joy of family still downstairs and waiting for me, feeling my wet diaper, and all that implied, made me feel that things might only get worse now.  

[wuersterl]

2 hours ago, LostBBoyBear said:

Also… leave the current affairs of the world off here. This is a place for people to have fun and enjoy a story. I try not to take them seriously but keep it civil. If you don’t and nasty comments to each other keep up… I don’t want to, but I will stop this story.

Thank you so much for your words! These comments have no place here, write your story how you want, don't get discouraged by some haters who have too much time on their hands. If someone doesn't like this story, they are not forced to read it, it's that simple. I enjoy it very very much, thank you for keeping up the great work!

[Mary Moon]

It's nice that Katie is now on John's side, but the mother is totally addicted to the system. I wonder if Luke's family will actually try to leave the country. In any case i wonder how the government knows what happens in the houses, have they put chips on the kids or something?

[deewet]

Very interesting series of events taking place here, but there are a few unanswered questions still, like is Nelsons Family involved in more ways than just being a large financial partner, and what happens when students go to option B exactly, and what happened to Mark/Mary when sent to the butterfly ranch??  Lots of side stories to work through before this is finished it seems???  

Very interesting and compelling reading, and fantastic effort of the author! 

[Mary Moon]

1 minute ago, deewet said:

Very interesting series of events taking place here, but there are a few unanswered questions still, like is Nelsons Family involved in more ways than just being a large financial partner, and what happens when students go to option B exactly, and what happened to Mark/Mary when sent to the butterfly ranch??  Lots of side stories to work through before this is finished it seems???  

Very interesting and compelling reading, and fantastic effort of the author! 

In my opinion Nelson's father is the head of the program and also the financier and the director works for him. I think there is some kind of experiment behind this center, i don't think it's just sadism, probably there is a motivation i don't know if scientific, social control or i don't know what else. It could be that this center unlike the others serves to train future leaders, or it is just a pharmaceutical experiment given the drugs that the boys are forced to take

[BabyLock]

Picking up where I left off (Chapter 18) I read 19 and then -blank- where is chapter 20 ?

Continuing with chapter 21 and this latest posting chapter 22.

Chapter numbering error ? ----- Missing Chapter 20 ?

[Operational Systems]

13 hours ago, LostBBoyBear said:

You know… I had a speech all prepared here to rant and rave about the comments you all have been posting lately. I even made a few references to The Lord of the Rings, Shakespeare, and Harry Potter. Maybe I should have kept it and called everyone out for not just enjoying this story and trying to pick apart a fictional world, but I’m not going to do that. I’ll just simply state that this is a fictional world, and I’m writing it how I want. I’m sorry if that takes any of you out of the story, but in looking at how I could write this story in so many ways, I found this one to be the best. I’m sorry it’s not on Goopglorp 9 or some alternative reality, and maybe it will be when I turn this story into three in the future, but for now, that’s just how it goes… it isn’t wrong. So, for anyone still reading, thank you. I’ll continue with this story for you, but at this point, I don’t think I’m ever coming back to this universe, or at least won’t be for a very long time.

Also… leave the current affairs of the world off here. This is a place for people to have fun and enjoy a story. I try not to take them seriously but keep it civil. If you don’t and nasty comments to each other keep up… I don’t want to, but I will stop this story.

You all don’t need another message right now about the poll for my next story. The stuff for this is in the 21 chapters before this, and so you know, there is a tie currently. Regardless, for now, for those of you that can, enjoy the next chapter.

You're doing good work.  By my estimate you have about a 1000 active readers here.  The chat is just the chat.
Good job on the chapter, pacing is strong here.  The diverging opinions of parents and family, works well, especially in light of how the others are treated.

Not sure who has it worse, Bill, who is forced to continue to show excellence, while being subjected to this, (possibly out of punishment for his high school attitude towards the system), or the John, who is being forced into more infantile behavior because no one expects better from him.

I'm surprised the third year continues through summer, not sure that's a reveal this chapter.

[kerry]

8 hours ago, deewet said:

what happens when students go to option B exactly

Goodness I hope we never find out, since doing so would mean that John ends up there...

Um...LostBBoyBear, I want to apologize. After...some of the events in the real world, at least in the US, I started taking someone's comments too much to heart. I know better; I even told them at one point that we shouldn't hijack the thread. I should have fought harder against my emotions.

FWIW, though, I have consistently said that I think this is an excellent story, one I look forward to. I may hate what happens in it and find some things unreasonable, but that's very different from thinking it is bad. It's not, at all. Thanks for writing it and continuing to post it.

[LostBBoyBear]

5 hours ago, BabyLock said:

Picking up where I left off (Chapter 18) I read 19 and then -blank- where is chapter 20 ?

Continuing with chapter 21 and this latest posting chapter 22.

Chapter numbering error ? ----- Missing Chapter 20 ?

Oops! You caught me. I accidentally repeated chapter 19. Chapter 19 is 'Stepping Up or Down' and chapter 20 is 'Horror and Tricks Come in All Kinds of Ways.' Thanks for seeing that, and I have now corrected the chapters accordingly. Sorry for the mixup. 

[zzzz50]

Really good chapter, very revealing about the family history and feelings about them system. It will be interesting to see what systems that Smeckton is using to regress certain students, I don’t think John would start sucking his thumb unconsciously without drugs or some type of psychological influence. Please keep up the great story!

[Mary Moon]

4 hours ago, zzzz50 said:

Really good chapter, very revealing about the family history and feelings about them system. It will be interesting to see what systems that Smeckton is using to regress certain students, I don’t think John would start sucking his thnumb unconsciously without drugs or some type of psychological influence. Please keep up the great story!

probably the pills they put in their drinks are responsible and they are not banal diuretics, i am of the opinion that the center is a pharmaceutical experimentation laboratory

[LostBBoyBear]

Hey everyone!

Pardon the more unusual day of posting for me, but I decided to do a little planning this past weekend and look ahead. As many of you might recall, my goal is to finish this story by the end of the year. With about three chapters a week, this is possible, but the upcoming weeks are usually some of the busiest in the whole year. I might be lucky and they’re not, but not wanting to take that risk, I knew I would need to post whenever I could. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I think I’m up for the challenge in order to finish this story on time.

Next, I just want to thank you for your all’s comments and I just want to apologize for being such a Debbie downer. I said what was on my mind, and that can be a dangerous thing, but I was sucked too far into my own problems, and you all saw that. I found this whole thing for reasons to have fun and relax and I think you all just witnessed the backlash of when that didn’t feel like it was the case anymore. Never fear though, I’m still here and more chapters will be coming soon.

Like before though, a new poll is up for you all to let me know which story you all would like to read next. Story options can be found back in the beginning of chapter 2 and the link in both the beginning of chapters 2 and 18. 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. Further announcements will be made regarding this when the time gets closer.

Last but not least and as usual, I hope everyone enjoys this next chapter!

Chapter 23: Growth Brings Change and Relief, Right?

The holidays passed and we all returned to campus with the same dour I had seen for the past two years after returning back here from our homes. Now, however, the feeling of shame, loss, and anger were even more prevalent. This time, no one jumped the fence or tried to escape, but most returning to the Safari Building seemed embarrassed or even downright distraught from their time at home after coming back.

August seemed one of the few immune, staying with his understanding and caring aunt and uncle, and Luke seemed more annoyed than anything, but Bill and Tommy… I tried talking with both of them, but Tommy just made me swear that I could go home with him over Spring break rather than return to his house. He didn’t elaborate any more than that, but from the way he was shaking when he made me promise, it told me all I needed to know.

Now, one of the oddest things about Smeckton, in my opinion at least, were the lack of counselors or therapists. Laura’s college had an entire building dedicated to mental health and was even offered as a major, along with classes and lectures on how to maintain said good mental health. Here at Smeckton though, it was like they wanted us to break down and fail completely. It was one thing to suspect it but seeing it in action was something else entirely.

So, at the end of the day, they didn’t have a dedicated service to helping us, but moments began to slip in, intentional or not, that I knew were designed to help our moods and outlooks on life. First, as I had noted with Rocky back home, Molly, Laura, and several of the other nurses encouraged us to talk to our toys, though admittedly, by now, almost all were just stuffed animals. It felt shameful at first, but having a non-judgmental friend you could freely hug afterward no matter what actually began to come in handy as more seemed to slip away in our lives. I think Bill took the longest, but one day, I walked into our room, and he was talking to his stuffed dog, Porky. I didn’t make a big deal out of it, and even began to hug Rocky each night myself, but it was another oddity now firmly attached to our lives.

Secondly though, beyond just talking to the faculty who actually seemed to care, Smeckton began making announcements about some of their former students. They would be brief, and they didn’t talk about everyone, but for example, shortly after we arrived back from holiday break, they announced a familiar name over the intercom while we were all in the common area in the Safari Building. “Attention students! It is my pleasure to inform you that Eddy Kallgren has been taken in by a loving couple. I’m told he’s doing well and is in high spirits. Have a pleasant day!”

“Can you believe that crap!” Luke said, frustrated like usual once the announcement had ended.

“Luke!” Janice screeched looking up from attending to Andre’s needs currently. “Don’t make me come over there and swat your bottom for naughty language, young man.”

“No, nurse Janice,” Luke said weakly. I could see his hate burning for that woman, but we had all taken the warning of no backtalking or rule breaking to heart as much as we could. Even Luke seemed to be falling into line, but I knew he secretly would beat almost the whole staff into a bloody pulp if he could and get away with it.

Still, then and other times, none of us commented on his submission to her. We did the same for Ashley and Molly as well when they laid down the law for us, but they at least had the decency to try and be nice about it. From what I had seen so far, Janice had no such compunctions or personal obligations to treat either Luke or Andre nicely if they didn’t earn it.

“At least Eddy seems to be in a better place,” I noted, trying to switch the conversation.

“It’s just a ploy to get us to comply better with everything they’re doing,” August said as he ground his pencil haphazardly onto the sheet of paper in front of him. “Apparently, too many of us have been fighting back in the end. The staff want to stop that so they’re giving us hope that everything is going to turn out in the end.”

“Name your source,” Bill quickly shot back, trying to challenge the validity. We all believed August, but spreading panic from just a rumor was more annoying than anything at this point.

“I overheard it from Director Breckenridge before one of his classes. I think Cora and Mrs. Chen we’re talking to him about it, but he didn’t seem thrilled at all.”

“Wait…” Tommy interjected. “You’re in one of Breckenridge’s classes? I thought only the elite got into those.”

Bill shrugged. “It’s hasn’t been a picnic, but I think they had to allow an exception with me taking my other classes. I think Bellbody might have pulled some strings for me or something.”

“Must be nice to have the Devil on your side,” August said, flicking his pencil back and forth now. I don’t think August cared about Bellbody, but having a teacher on your side was more valuable than most things to us lately.

“Easy, August,” I said, desperately trying to keep the peace in our group as I calmly patted his shoulder. I had noticed since Bill had split off from most of our classes and Luke was now paired with Andre, cracks were forming amongst us. I knew it was just stress, rather than a true dislike of each other, but I knew how quickly that could escalate, so cooling August and then the group just felt like the way to go. “Now, can we just have a good Sunday afternoon for once around here? One where no one yells at each other, there’s no arguing, and none of us try and escape?”

“Fine by me,” August said, almost snapping his pencil in two from the amount of force he was applying to it from bottling up his emotions. I think going back home and seeing how close he was aligning with how his brother, Gordy, was, had taken a toll.

“Yeah. Whatever, John…” Luke rolled his eyes a bit before turning back around and then going back to reading his sports magazine. His parents sent it to him whenever they could, and we could always tell when he was reading a new one. He would be in an unusually cheery mood. This magazine had clearly been in his possession for some time now…

It was an uneasy truce, but it held. Almost three weeks went on like that and the stress of the Safari room was getting to everyone. Three students gave up and opted for option B personally rather than subject themselves to anymore of this in-between life. Nightly accidents became normalized and daytime ones weren’t a regular occurrence, but narrow misses became a frequent source of angered discussion. It was a lot to handle, and being the self-designated peacemaker of the group, I had my work cut out for me. That’s why, come January 26^th, I felt confident that I would get some relief at last.

“Wake up birthday boy!” Molly greeted me cheerfully as I woke up. She quickly rattled down my crib bars, and as she did so, I groaned as I felt my thumb had worked its way into my mouth once more. It had become an annoying habit of sorts, and I think Bill judged me a bit for it… until he woke up the same way one morning. For their part, Molly or Laura never commented on it whenever they saw it themselves.

“Happy birthday, John!” Bill celebrated waving a small streamer in his hand. To my surprise, it matched the others now draped over much of my room.

“What…? I don’t… when did you all do this?” My eyes scanned the room, and while the nursery setting wasn’t ideal for anyone’s 21^st birthday I felt, the streamers and ‘Happy Birthday’ banner at least showed me that others cared for me. Hearing the stories of everyone else after the holiday break, I knew I was lucky for that much at least.

“Oh, Bill and I talked the other day, and he got me to get him up early today,” Molly explained after blowing into one of the horn party favors. “Honestly, John. I think we could have driven a dump truck through here and you would have still been passed out. Good dreams maybe?”

I shook my head. “No. No dreams at all.” Ever since I had been demoted to the Safari Building, my dreams had been non-existent or just plain nightmares. Of the two, I was grateful for the fact that I hadn’t had a nightmare before my birthday. “But thank you both for this. Makes the day feel… special already.”

“I’m glad, John.” Bill then trailed off and I could teel something was eating at him.

“What’s wrong?” I asked worriedly. The last time I saw Bill this way, we just found out that being allowed to wear other clothing beyond our uniforms extended to pretty much wearing only childish things as alternatives. “Did someone else get sent off? Was it Julian? He’s been getting angrier and testier every time some calls him ‘diaper butt’ lately. Did Nelson finally push him too far last night or something?”

Bill stepped up to answer, but Molly stood in his way. “Let’s not worry about that right now. Let’s get you both ready for the day, shall we?” Bill’s concern still played on my mind, but not wanting to lay around in a wet diaper on my birthday of all days, I nodded, and we all began our morning routine. Being my birthday, Bill had apparently quickly showered and had gotten dressed, so I wouldn’t be delayed this morning.

So, one disrobement of my diaper and a hot yet brisk shower later, I was back out. One diaper and uniform later, Molly was helping me do my hair like I normally liked it when August, Tommy, and Luke all stuck their heads in the door. “Knock! Knock! We got a birthday boy in here?” Ashley asked loudly. The other rolled their eyes, but Molly went over and let them all in. Everyone was very impressed with Bill’s idea to decorate the room, and I could quickly see the jealousy in Tommy’s face. His birthday had been back in December and Bill’s had already been back in September… before our move here and some of the more… unusual aspects of birthday life in the Safari Building.

“Here,” August said, holding up a bag of Reece’s cups. “We know they’re your favorite, so we all pitched in and got you the biggest bag we could find.”

“Plus, drinks and food are on us tonight at Don’s,” Tommy quickly added.

“But we also figured that 21 should actually mean something,” Luke grumbled before pulling out one last container. “So, we got you one of these…” In the plastic container, were two hand-sized jumbo Reece’s cups, a specialty they had to order with Ashley’s help apparently.

My eyes bugged out and I took it like I was holding some holy relic. “Holy smokes you guys. You didn’t have to do this!” I had been expecting maybe a card, but even if it was just candy, it was the thought that really mattered to me. In Smeckton, it was a universal truth that you were nothing without your friends. Scores of other students had isolated themselves and quickly found out how ill-fated that decision was. So, no matter the humiliation that came our way, be it spanking, diaper, or anything else down the road, I was glad to see everyone coming together today. On my birthday of all days, it meant more to me than I could express.

“Alright, everyone!” Ashely quickly announced after we shared our thanks and well wishes a little more. “I hate to break this moment up, but we got to get y’all over to the dining hall pronto! Director’s got a special announcement for a lot of you today!” I questioned what it was, but seeing Bill’s face suddenly turn pail and apologetic, I couldn’t help but make the connection with the announcement and what he had been trying to say to me earlier.

“Come on, John,” Molly said as she gently took my gift out of my hands. “These will be waiting for you when you return here tonight, okay? No one’s getting to them, but right now, we need to get you to the dining hall. Not a good idea to upset the Director on your birthday, you know?” I sighed but nodded and quickly ran to join up with my friends.

In the dining hall, everyone gathered around, and I could only sigh as I ate my scrambled eggs and reflected on just how many fewer people were here now. The Fall quarter of the year and fallout from both the Thanksgiving and holiday break had taken their toll. Of the almost 400 we started off with, less than 230 remained. Considering the national failure average posted last year was only about 5%, it wasn’t hard to see that something was very wrong with Smeckton. The only problem was… none of us could do anything about it.

Breakfast was soon over though, and while several people tried to leave, our nurses were quick to swoop in and stop us. Their methods varied, but ranged from the “Sit back down right this second young man if you know what’s good for your bottom this morning!” to a “Not quite yet, sweeties; the Director needs to have a word with you first about today.” Despite Molly falling in the latter of the two types, I couldn’t help but squirm in nervous anticipation over what he had to say to us.

As he approached, it didn’t take a genius to see that the one thing we all had in common as we crowded together, was that we all attended daycare during the day. There were only about 30 of us currently, a few failing out and reducing our numbers just last week, but even students like Bill were there. Despite his advanced classes, he still attended daycare once a day in the afternoons with us.

“Now then…” the Director began, rubbing his hands together like he had some scheme that was about to hatch. “As you all may have noticed, I’ve gathered everyone on this campus who is currently enrolled in daycare. It’s a surprisingly low turnout this year, but nonetheless, you all have proved to the faculty here that the advanced placement classes are just a little too far beyond your current… standings.”

A few of the more daring types groaned and even some growled at the notion. Most of us weren’t academically gifted like Bill, but we weren’t idiots either. From what we had been told, the nursery was more of a cumulative punishment from the previous two years… not a reflection on our intelligence. Director Breckenridge now seemed to imply otherwise, though Bill and one or two others seemed to already contradict that notion.

“Regardless, the staff and I have been going over our numbers and we feel that trouble around here always seems to occur on the weekends. Specifically, holiday events, but as those are part of the town of Smeckton and we have already started some measures in place to fix that, we here feel we should focus instead on your weekends. To be more precise… your Saturdays…” My stomach dropped and looking over at the unsurprised Bill, I knew this was what he was trying to warn me about.

“As such, from now on, a portion of each of your Saturdays will now be spent at daycare with Ms. Sandra and Mr. Gray,” he announced with at least an ounce of pride over his new solution. “Both have agreed to come in on their weekend time, so I’m sure you all will thank them generously for that.”

I think if looks could be turned into weapons, Director Breckenridge would have been massacred in a heartbeat right then. It seemed completely unfair, but sadly, apt and true to the direction we all seemed to be heading in. I remembered back to August talking about Gordy and how the Safari Building was a slippery slope. In contrast to the still present possibility of placing out, it seemed we just kept getting buried further into the chaos and shame that seemed to be our fate now.

So, dismissing us, we all walked gloomily over to the creative arts building and once again, trudged up the stairs to the third floor, where an apologetic Ms. Sandra and Mr. Gray were already waiting for us. “Come on, everyone. Try not to look so glum.”

“Take your seats in our circle like normal,” Mr. Gray instructed. “We promise… we’ll try to get you all smiling in no time.” I very much doubted that, but as we entered, I was happily surprised by more birthday decorations.

“Dude! They remembered it was your birthday!” Tommy said gleefully, shaking my shoulders up and down from behind me. “Just like they did with me back in December!”

“Oh boy…” Luke said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “What fun…”

“Luke…” Mr. Gray’s warning voice got an apology from him as he sat down, but I could still see the grumbling and bubbling rage growing in my friend. Like a volcano, I was getting more worried that pretty soon, it would erupt.

As the last of us entered and sat in our usual spots around the circle, contracting a tiny bit to accommodate the ten we had lost since we started. We had lost more, but failing in the upper tiers, other students were moved down to take their spots. So, ten was just the number missing today from the initial total. I didn’t know or even want to think about how many we had lost overall since we had started. 90% of the numbers lost in the past few months were from our daycare group alone.

Mr. Gray and Ms. Sandra then sat in their usual spots across from each other, splitting the circle into two halves. “Alright, class,” Ms. Sandra began cheerfully, “as you might know, today is a very special day for one of our students.”

“John? Can you stand up for us?” Mr. Gray requested. I hated being the center of attention, but I knew it was better to just run along with whatever they had planned for me today, so I stood up.

“John here is celebrating his birthday today,” Ms. Sandra explained again, her voice gentle and calm in contrast to the several gloomy or angry faces staring back at her. “And we know you all might be a little sad of having to come here on your Saturday’s now, but we promise, we’re going to try and make each of the rest of your Saturday’s that you’re here as fun as we can, okay?”

Despite the underlying feeling from both Ms. Sandra and Mr. Gray of not wanting to be here either, I could see the same dedication I normally saw in them while they were here. There was a seeming desire to actually get us to enjoy our time with them, and while that sometimes came across as us acting childish for them, I at least appreciated their intentions. Unlike someone like Fitzpatrick, Bellbody, or Chen, their efforts only seemed to try and ease our time here at Smeckton. So, on my birthday, despite not feeling 21 at all, I was at least grateful for being here with them.

“Alright, first, I think the birthday boy needs a few things, don’t you, Ms. Sandra?” Ms. Sandra only nodded happily at Mr. Gray’s question and gestured for me to come over to her. Seconds later, I was wearing a crown and had a large ‘Birthday Boy’ pin attached to my childish blazer. It was a little humiliating, but again, their attention and thoughts shined through the overarching childish theme.

“Now, who wants some… birthday cake!” Okay, so, I wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not, but when one is denied so many things in life, when you do get something nice, I found that the receiver’s reaction might be a little more extreme than what is considered ‘normal.’ So, when Mr. Gray stood up and asked his question, the whole class went nuts. Seeing my peers like that and feeling the overwhelming joy in my own chest, must have seemed very weird to any other ‘normal’ adult watching. Being who they were though, Ms. Sandra and Mr. Gray only smiled and proceeded to bring out the cake to the table before dressing it up with candles and prepping all the plates, forks, and napkins that were sure to be needed.

“Happy Birthday, dear John… Happy Birthday to you!” Every cheered and howled as I bent over my large cake with the freshly lit candles. With a giant blow, I managed to snuff them all out… until they all lit up again. I blew again… but the same result. I tried at least four more times, until finally, Bills stopped me, laughing a little at my expense. Looking around, a few others were just as confused and frustrated as I was, while others seemed just as amused as Bill was.

“Easy there, buddy,” he said trying to get me to stop blowing all over the cake. “They’re trick candles. You can’t just blow them out.”

“Oh…” I blushed and felt terrible for not realizing that sooner. I guess I was trying to show that I could do something as simple as blow my own candles out, but in the end, I had only seemed to make myself more seemingly helpless. “I didn’t know,” I lied. I didn’t want anyone else to know why I had really been blowing on them. Today, ignorance felt better than stubbornness and failure.

“Oh,” Ms. Sandra said, swooping in quickly and dousing the trick candles, “sorry about that, honey. I swear… the cake still tastes good.”

I could see a guilt wash over her face, and not wanting her to feel bad over something nice she was trying to do for me, I shook my head. “It’s okay, Ms. Sandra. I guess I should have known something was up, and I’m sure the cake will taste great.” I turned to the rest of the class. “Right, everyone?”

“Right!” everyone else in the class agreed. Ms. Sandra smiled, ruffled my hair a little, and then gave the knife to Mr. Gray to start slicing the delicious sight before us. Soon, everyone had a piece of the cake that had once been decorated with teddy bears and balloons.

As soon as everyone started finishing their cake, Ms. Sandra tapped me on the shoulder and showed a small gift being slid into the backpack I had brought with me. “For later,” she whispered, pressing her finger up to her lips for me to keep the secret. I nodded, and without missing a beat, she turned to the rest of the class. “Okay, everyone. Clean-up time! You know the song… clean-up, clean-up! Everybody do their share!” We all hated the song, but soon the room was clean once more.

Next, after a few rounds of pinning the tail on the donkey, duck-duck-goose, tag, and other such childish games, Ms. Sandra clapped her hands and got our attention. “Okay, everyone. We have a new game for all of you to play today. It’s called make believe!”

“Make believe?” August questioned. “Like what little kids do?” The irony of him asking that question while his diaper bulged out from behind his pants, in likely need of a change, was not lost on anyone.

“That’s right, August,” Mr. Gray confirmed. “Because it’s the first day, everyone must participate!” Everyone quickly groaned, but a knowing and almost threatening look from Mr. Gray quickly quietened most of the protests in the room.

“Today, the theme is pirates!” I’m pretty sure I saw Luke’s eye twitch a bit at the mere mention of them. “I know you all might have a hard time with this at first, but it can actually be quite therapeutic.”

“I doubt that,” Luke spat bitterly, crossing his arms, and unintentionally looking like every bit of the angry pirate he was now supposed to be paying.

“Well,” Ms. Sandra continued, placing her hands on her hips to show us she meant business, “we’ve actually been coordinating with other faculty members. All agree that it can pass large blocks of times in lieu of playing with childish toys, can take you out of an unwanted situation as you make it yours, and you can even vent your frustration in some form or another as you act your character.”

She then walked over to where Mr. Gray was now setting several large containers. “First though, you need to make your props and then set the scene.” Her eyes then shifted toward me. “John, as it’s your birthday, you will be playing the role of Pirate King. Can you give me a big old pirate cry?”

Everyone’s eyes were on me, and I didn’t care for that too much, but just wanting to comply, I let out a big “Arrghh!” Ms. Sandra’s eyes lit up, and soon we were all hard at work making our props and setting the scene. During that time, Ms. Sandra and Mr. Gray handed us some juice and some sandwiches, rather than us interrupting our time here and going to the dining hall. Considering it was minimizing our possible interactions with Nelson and his crew, none of us minded the change.

Our props now finished, right before we started though, Bill stood up proudly and wrapped a mock tri-cornered hat around his head. “Truth and justice for me, lads! I’m going back to the old life and I’m going to be playing the Royal Navy instead of some filthy pirates. Who’s with me?”

Everyone was stunned for a moment, but with a curious and yet wondrous look in his eyes, Mr. Gray walked over to him first… a few other students following behind. “Uh, Bill? It’s supposed to be pirates only today… and I admire your efforts here, but why are you choosing to be the Royal Navy instead?”

Bill stood on one of the chair platforms we had set up. It was supposed to be another island, but he clearly intended it to be his new ship. “Every story needs a hero and a villain, Mr. Gray. To be a good one, we need another side.” He smiled triumphantly, and it seemed good enough for Mr. Gray, but as Bill took in a few other followers, I couldn’t help but guess which he thought he was in this; hero or villain?

Still, the parties soon split into their own sides. Bill took the far corner by the bathrooms, and I took the one closest to the staircases and cubbies. Mr. Gray and Ms. Sandra waited in the middle to referee the play if we needed them to in the chaos seemingly about to unfold.

Looking out over my cohort, only Luke had defected to the other side of our group. The rest of my crew, some 18 or so of us, stood poised in front of me. Taking to leaning over the desk that was supposed to be my throne, I knew I had to give a speech of some kind. “Men! This is it. We pirates sail today for treasure and adventure, but out there… see there!” I pointed angrily to Bill and his 12 or so crew. Considering the on-going diaper changes and other ‘emergencies,’ accurate head counts were hard to come by with consistency.

“They call themselves the Royal Navy, but we all know what they really are!” I felt like I was on a roll now. I just couldn’t stop… no matter how ridiculous my words would have sounded otherwise. “A bunch of stick in the muds, right?”

“Argh!” everyone responded. I was a little surprised how into this everyone was getting, but each of us making our own garb out of construction paper seemed to do the trick. Even Luke he crafted a sword out of scrap carboard laying around. Ms. Sandra eyed him warily, but when the rest of us followed suit, she just sighed and stood back, going so far as to even bring out the First-Aid kit.

“So, now we stand on the edge of destruction by their ways! They mean to capture and jail us, but I say no!” I then stood up on my chair and raised my own cardboard sword. “So, who’s with me?”

“Arghhh!” they all sounded.

Smiling, I pointed my sword at Bill, who was now staring right back at our group. “Let’s go get them. Man the boats! Full speed ahead!” Using chairs, blankets, and some well-placed construction paper cut-outs of windows, flags, and canons, we scooted forward and engaged our ‘enemy.’  

The fight lasted less than 20 minutes, and while I think both Ms. Sandra and Mr. Gray had expected us to look for buried treasure or sing some sea shanties instead, beyond a few bruises and whack foreheads from the pillows we launched at each other, both teachers were soon grinning from our interaction.

Still, after a round of diaper changes for everyone, I stuck around to thank them personally for their efforts today. They made the difference here at Smeckton and I didn’t want that to go unsaid. Both seemed shocked, but just told me it was their pleasure and sent me back to my group.

Rejoining them though, still wearing my large ‘Birthday Boy’ pin, I could tell that everyone was in a weird mood afterward. We had fun and Ms. Sandra and Mr. Gray were good teachers for the roles they had to inhabit, but what was the cost for us? We had all just played a make-believe game in daycare on our day off. Saturdays were supposed to be breaks for us, but now… it seemed like there was no break from Smeckton anymore. The holiday break, with the diaper changes and troubling omens of the future, indicated as much, but today sunk in a little more than any of had realized as we walked away.

“Anyone a little hungry?” August then asked, right before we got back to the Safari Building.

“Oh! Thank God!” Tommy exclaimed. “I didn’t want to be the first one to ask, but I’m starved.

Bill then looked at his watch and shook his head. “It’s still a few hours until dinner though. Uh…” He then turned to me. “What about you, John? I know we said we’d buy you dinner today, but…”

I held my hand up and stopped him. “Say no more, Bill. Something from Don’s diner sounds just about the best thing in the world right about now. Maybe a round of poker back at the Safari Building tonight instead? Animal crackers and licorice for chips as usual?”

“Perfect!” Luke exclaimed. “Maybe we could hit a few bars downtown as well. You’re turning 21 after all!”

He seemed so excited, but the look on the rest of our faces, including mine, was ones of horror and apprehension. I wanted to drink… I really did, but this was Smeckton. “I don’t know, Luke… I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. Maybe another day? At least one where the Director didn’t just revoke half our day because he thought we were ‘being naughty’ on Saturdays?”

Luke seemed amenable to that logic for now at least, but before he could respond, Molly finally caught up with us. “Hey! Wait up you all! You going somewhere? Let me just go grab something and join you in a…”

“Actually,” Tommy interrupted her, grimacing a little as he did so. “Maybe we could do this just ourselves?”

Molly seemed shocked, but August quickly jumped in before she could get a word out. “We like you, Molly. We really, really do, but tonight… can we get a night off? For John? Just some fun between us guys?”

I didn’t like being used as an excuse to leave Molly of all people behind, but I understood the logic behind it at least. Fortunately, Molly didn’t seem upset. “No, that’s totally fine. You all go ahead, but just keep an eye on the time. Maybe even come back early to give me a sense of peace?”

We promised we would, remembering our already-planned poker game as well. Then, as soon as Molly was out of sight, we all high-fived each other. We truly loved Molly and Laura, maybe even Ashley to some degree as well, but there just came a time where you didn’t want to hang out with the person changing your wet diapers. I liked the buffer they sometimes could provide, but with the daycare scene looming in my rear, I felt the need to show some modicum of independence tonight. Going to Don’s wasn’t a major accomplishment but doing it just ourselves was something.

Along the way, we were unfortunately confronted by a group of uppity high schoolers. “Hey, babies. What are you doing at this time? Isn’t it your naptime?”

“Get lost, creeps,” Luke boldly spat back.

“Some attitude coming from one so screwed, huh you guys?” another member of their group said with a sneer.

“Look who’s talking,” August retorted with a scoff.

“What are you all?” Tommy questioned. “17? 18? Aren’t you going to be facing the same as us next year?”

Oddly the group just laughed before most of them began peeling away. A few others and their apparent leader stayed for a second longer though. “You just don’t get it, do you?” The rest of us remained silent to his question. “No matter… I’m not going to Smeckton. That’s for sure, but as for you all… see you in the local daycare here when we visit again next year during our time off!”

With that he ran off. Luke was ready to go and beat some sense into them it seemed, and even started sprinting after them, but Bill quickly stopped him. “No, Luke. It’s just not worth it…” I agreed with Bill, but some of the things they had talked about just stuck in my head as well. I wondered deeply if locals knew something about our situation that we didn’t. It felt like a crazy notion that something more sinister than a few twisted individuals at Smeckton, but ‘conspiracy’ just kept ringing out in my head over and over lately.

Still, we finally made it to Don’s, where, unlike others in the town, greeted us in his usual pleasant way after we took our seats in our usual booth. “Evening, gents! Before you all order though…” Don then looked at me. “Your parents actually called me up, John. There’s a huge tub waiting back on campus for you all… cherry ice cream with chunks of black cherries and chocolate chunks. Your favorite flavor from what I hear.”

“They contacted you?” Don only smiled and nodded. I was just too blown away by the gesture and surprise, but I managed to squeak out a small “Thank you…”

“No problem! Think nothing of it,” he said in his usual jovial manner. “It’s your day, and you get what you want here, but I just didn’t want you to explode from going overboard from my food, you know?” We all smiled and nodded as we gave him our orders.

While he was gone, we all talked about this and that, but I was mostly distracted by the other locals around us. The group cracked jokes and told stories and made fun of Nelson and all, but every time I seemed to look beyond just our group, yet another townsperson was glaring at us. I had hoped that the feelings from the riot Mark had inadvertently caused back in October would have subsided by now, but I guess with a small-town relaying so heavily on people like Mr. Cash, who was still threatening to pull out his funding from some important places and foundations, I couldn’t blame them.

Then, just as Tommy was doing his own impersonation of Mr. Fitzpatrick, the door to the diner opened. “Three malts to go, Don!” Dilbert slithered up to the counter like he owned the place. A few turned away from him, almost as if in fear, while the other half seemed to want to squash him.

Being a paying customer, and Don being a fair business owner, he didn’t refuse him service, and just silently went about making the malts. As he did so though, Dilbert spotted us. “Well, lookie who we’ve got here! A bunch of babies, huh?”

I could tell that Luke immediately wanted to action, but we had done this so many times, we knew the routine. Ignore the big, and soon, they would get tired of you and just leave.

But Dilbert was still waiting on his malts. “Oh, come on. Can’t I even get a hello from my fellow students?” His confidence had been growing over the years, and now, he was a self-assured, cocky, and even vain individual. He still seemed to slime his way through life, but now he did it with a gusto I never thought possible. Seeing him try and flirt with women during the holiday block party had been nauseating to say the least.

He pressed in on us. Several of the patrons at the diner seemed incredibly uncomfortable, but didn’t move an inch to help us. Suddenly, Dilbert smiled in a way that sent shivers down my back. “Oh? What’s that smell?” His nostril flared wide as he exaggeratedly began to sniff the air around us. “Yeah… that’s what I thought. Five diapered baby losers at one table, huh?”

The bulk of our diapers and our uniforms marked us as Safari Building residents. That meant diapers and everyone knew it, but it was sort of the unspoken rule around town. I doubted it would have remained so come the warmer weather and days at the pool, but Dilbert announcing our padded undergarments so openly was clearly a shock to everyone… more poignantly, Luke.

Luke seemed to almost steam from the anger boiling up on his insides. Dilbert was a puke that didn’t even seem worthy of scraping off the bottom of your shoe, but his friendship with Nelson had cemented him as ‘untouchable,’ or at least that was the rumor. So, fearing for Luke, I tried to ease him down. “Easy… easy…”

But my efforts were too late. Dilbert had noticed his anger and skunked over to him. “Oh, yes! Potty pants at 12 o’clock over here. Seems like one of the stinkier ones too. Hard to imagine you were ever some big jock in high school now, huh? Bet you had all the ladies lining up around the corner at each of the dances. Bet you wouldn’t have given me the time of day, huh, Luke?”

Luke was holding fast, and I was honestly impressed, but I could already see him starting to crack around his tightly gripped hands and twitching cheek. Dilbert seemed to notice as well and only pushed in closer to taunt him more acutely.

“Oh, that’s a bingo I think!” Dilbert’s was clearly on a power trip, and I wanted to intervene for my friend, but I knew silence was the key to his defeat. Intervening now would have just given Dilbert the power he craved. “Little baby gonna cry about it? Little baby gonna mess themselves? Bet you all those ladies would still line up around the block for you, Luke! Just to change your diaper I think though! Probably couldn’t even make a touchdown with that waddle I’ve you got on you. Some sport you are, Lu…”

Luke stood up and glared back at Dilbert. Despite Dilbert hitting the gym and almost getting what looked like a makeover since he first arrived, Luke’s piercing looks as well as his sturdier and taller frame made Dilbert look completely insignificant. Still, Dilbert had gotten his desired rise out of him. “Finally! See I got that rise out of you yet. Like some Neanderthal using its fists against me. Truly a sight to behold!”

Before Luke could retort though, Don finally stepped in. “I have your malts ready, Dilbert. Just take them and go,’ he said confidently, but with a tiny ounce of fear behind his eyes as well. The whole diner looked on in nervous anticipation with what was going to happen next.

Dilbert turned away from Luke and his shit-eating grin turned into a sneer. “Just you wait, old man…” Right then, the diner door opened once again, and Nelson entered confidently.

“What’s taking so…? Oh, I see…” Nelson smirked and strode up to the standoff between Dibert and Don. “Giving you some trouble in here, Dil?” Dil quickly nodded, and as he retreated to let Nelson takeover, he smiled sinisterly back at Don. “Don’t you know who my father is?”

Don smiled and stepped forward. “Of course, I know your father, Nelson. Everyone in town does.”

Nelson seemed to mock being confused for a moment. “Hmmm… that’s strange. Because see, if you know who my father is, then you know he owns most of this town. Saved it from ruin back in the day too and is a good friend to your mayor.”

“Well, he doesn’t own this place, so what I say goes around here.” I didn’t know about Mr. Cash owning half the town, but remembering back to the art gallery in May, I knew I shouldn’t have been surprised. Still, I had to admit that seeing Don face down confidently both Dilbert and Nelson were a great sight to see today.

Nelson scoffed. “Well, doesn’t own it yet anyways…”

Don glared at the showboating and powerfully connected student in front of him. and I could see his hate, but I could also see him compress it down deep as well before turning back to us. “I suggest you all make a plan. Stay or go, I’ll support you, but I’d make the decision soon before it’s made for you.”

Everyone didn’t seem to know what to do, but maybe it was my leadership, calm mind in these matters, or just my birthday, but the whole group looked to me for my decision. Sighing, I shook my head back to Don. “Thanks, Don. It truly means a lot, but I think we should just be going.” Don nodded and we tried to make our exit out the rear, but nimble on his feet as ever, Dilbert jumped in front of us. Seconds later, the other members of their group barreled in and blocked the exit as well.

Dilbert smiled about as menacingly as he could back at us. “Going somewhere?”

“Just let us leave, Dilbert. It doesn’t need to…” And that’s about all I had time to say. Out of nowhere, and nearly in the blink of an eye, a few actions happened. It was so fast, I wasn’t sure who struck first, us or them, but I definitely knew that one of Nelson’s gang members and followers had punched me squarely across my face in that moment at some point.

“Get him!” Tommy screamed, jumping over and trying to defend my now dazed body. In seconds, the diner erupted into chaos.

Food started being slung everywhere, but only seemed to land on a few of townspeople. Worse though, several of them were accidentally punched as other students joined our side. It seemed like we push them out, but as if on cue, the band of high schoolers we had seen earlier joined in the fray as well. Fearing for their safety, any of the townspeople remaining soon fled.

Taking a seat and trying to get my senses back in all this newfound mess, I saw Don pick up the phone. “Yes… Evelyn? I need security down here pronto. Yes, townspeople could get caught in the middle of it.” He nodded and then hung up. Looking over at me, he seemed to regret what he had just done, but with a sigh, I could see he already made peace with the fact that he couldn’t change that decision now.  

In the midst of all the chaos, I wasn’t sure who did it, but maybe being the initial person of focus, Luke seemed the main target beyond myself. Before I knew it, the fight had died down and was now staring back wide-eyed at Luke. There, in front of everyone, it seemed that his pants had been pulled down and his undershirt popped open. For all to see, Luke was in a very wet diaper now.

“Ha ha!” one of the high school students laughed while point to Luke’s sodden diaper. “Look at what a baby he is! Nelson was right!” Several of the patrons still remaining, likely sensing they were trapped in all the chaos, laughed as well.

“It’s just a little pee! It’s not a big deal,” Luke tried to defend. “It’s not like I go poo in them or anything! I swear! I’m not a baby!” His protests were strong and true, but the way he phrased them and his desperation at the end almost seemed to make the laughter grow stronger. Worse, the slight whine on the end of his words only added to the toddler-like image he was now making of himself, right or wrong.

“Freeze right there!” The doors to the diner burst open, and several officers armed with taser stood staring back at us. Frustrating, I noticed several of the tasers were pointing at the students from the institute rather than someone like the guilty high school students.

Each of us held our hands up, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of fear as well from both Dilbert and Nelson. So, looking more closely at the men pointing tasers at us, I saw the school logo on their right arms. I gulped in fear and realized just how bad things were now. These weren’t local cops… these security officers were part of Smeckton security.

[Mary Moon]

Now of course John and his friends will take the blame, because Nelson and his are protected. However it is evident that there really is a conspiracy given the confidence that those high school students had. They are confident that that fate will not befall them.

[Pierry Louys]

Here we go again they gonna be severely punished ! I think the next item for them is gonna be pacifiers to calm his “rebellious “ mouth and attitude! Hope they get some happiness in this story

[Mary Moon]

3 hours ago, Pierry Louys said:

Here we go again they gonna be severely punished ! I think the next item for them is gonna be pacifiers to calm his “rebellious “ mouth and attitude! Hope they get some happiness in this story

I have three plausible hypotheses about this center, because sadism as an end in itself makes little sense to me: 

1) it is a government or illegal pharmaceutical experiment directed by Nelson's father (given the drugs that are given to the boys) 

2) this center is different from the others because they serve to train future leaders and scientists in a twisted way (this would explain why Bill is kept under observation by the director himself, perhaps because of his intelligence) 

3) Experiment, to see how the "guinea pigs" react if pushed to the limit (this would explain the humiliations and punishments)

[D503]

Excellent stuff, thanks. They need a hideout to drink beers.

[LostBBoyBear]

Hey everyone!

Well, that teaches me to never wait until I get back from the movies at night to finish writing a chapter… Passed out a few times and when I finally called it quits, I knew I needed to come back and do some heavy edits first thing, but oh boy… I did not anticipate what I found. I guess due to auto-correct in one section, Molly became a cow and at some point, this story turned into one where a ghost and a unicorn met each other on a field somewhere. It gave me some interesting ideas for other storis, but this story definitely isn’t one of them. Sorry if that disappoints any of you…

Regardless, I was able to get this story out in time today after finishing my edits to it. I should be able to get at least another chapter out this week, if not two. With what is happening next, that would be ideal, but just check for updates to see what happens. I’m definitely still trying to hit my goal of finishing by the end of the year, but I know the next month is going to be a little busy with the holidays and all. Please just keep your fingers crossed for me that no delays occur as I wrap this story up…

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 can be found back in the beginning of chapter 2 and the link in both the beginning of chapters 2 and 18. 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. Further announcements will be made regarding this when the time gets closer.

Last but not least and as usual, I hope everyone enjoys this next chapter!

Chapter 24: A Gift and Day to Remember

Looking at their uniforms and seeing they were just campus security, most of the room seemed like they could relax. It didn’t bode well for any of us back at campus, but they still had to follow the normal protoco… “Hands up! I said freeze. Don’t you know how to listen?”

My inner thoughts interrupted, I shot my hands back up in the air and froze in place. The air in the room was tense and I could see the nervousness in everyone’s faces, oddly enough, including Nelson’s and Dilbert’s. Then, however, Nelson smirked and slowly lowered his hands and seemed to put on a swaggering attitude as he approached the cop. “Look… we’ve got somewhere to be, and all this is just a big misunderstanding. No big deal, and besides, my father is…”

“I know who your father is, but I said to freeze!” the security guard shouted again, his hand quickly reaching for his baton like Nelson was any other mouthy student, instead of a Cash. The baton just stunned students, but according to Eddy after he first got whacked with it during our first year, it was something everyone should endeavor to avoid if at all possible. Despite the possible threat to us all as well, I couldn’t help but crack a tiny smile at seeing someone finally standing up to Nelson and all.

With Nelson’s power seemingly meaning nothing though, the high school students now inside with us as well began to panic. I saw them start to breathe heavier and their raised hands begin to shake. Finally, their leader began to shift his eyes all around the room. I knew that look. No doubt about it, he was going to bolt.

“Easy… easy…” I tried calming the kid down, the same one who had threatened us earlier and thought he was going to see us next year while he visited us in daycare. Now, all that same confidence and bravado seemed to have vanished in a puff of smoke. So, as soon as the guard removed his hand from his baton and stepped more forward into the room, the kid ran.

Chaos ensued, and everyone else, scared and confused, ran for the doors as well. At the same time however, more security guards arrived, followed closely by police from the town itself as soon as some of them parked their cars outside. The diner, not being overly large, soon overflowed with people and everyone who could, ran for cover and safety far away from the building. If they could, police captured as many as they could hold in one hand while cradling their batons in the other.

Being duty bound and professionals, however, the security guards and police officers, now up against a panicking and essentially untrained mob, were able to put down the mob and each of us were neutralized once again. For the most part, most of our group tried to stay out of the previous scuffle, but it only worked so well. Now, when everything settled for this round of aftermath from the chaos, I saw that Luke’s exposed diaper had been torn and some of its use began to leak out and onto his previously spotless clothes. He saw it right away and didn’t seem happy about it at all.

“Alright, now! We’re just going to stay nice and calm while we question each of you… one at a time!” the police officer shouted at us all, turning his attention away from the one high schooler who had previously tried to escape and now remained handcuffed and sitting down in shame.

Just as Don started to speak though, Nelson piped back up. “Hello? We did nothing wrong. Just wrong place, wrong time. Nothing more!”

“Right…” the cop didn’t seem convinced though, and essentially just ignored any further outburst from Nelson. I heard a few whispering that his actions might cost him his job, but the officer didn’t seem to mind, telling Nelson or Dilbert frequently to “pipe down and sit down or else!” Miraculously, it worked, and Nelson and Dilbert soon began to practice a silent but fuming broil of hatred pointed at the man who was likely the first one to ever tell them ‘no.’

Seeing that Nelson, Dilbert, and any of the remaining high schoolers were now resigned to waiting around, the cop actually cracked a smile, but sadly, it didn’t last. He then sighed and ventured over to the rest of the patrons to start his round of interviews. Shortly after, he questioned us and then stood up and sighed. “Seems like all this was just a big misunderstanding. Something small… something that got out of hand.”

Walking over to Luke, the officer looked him up and down and sighed once again. “As much as I hate to say it, I know that part of being in Smeckton Institute’s Safari Building is to be punished… and part of that is to be humiliated out in public.” Well… that confirmed that the Safari Building and that all of us in it was likely the worst kept secret in the area. For his part though, Luke didn’t seem amused or comforted by the notion that everyone knew that he probably already wore diapers. For me, my shorts still covered my shame, but for Luke, it seemed like a good thing. Shaking his head, he still just seemed ashamed and disgusted.

“Can I at least pull my pants up now?” Luke asked impatiently.  

“Well,” the officer stroked their chin for a moment. “I think you need to come with us and just ans…”

“Wait… me come with you? I didn’t do anything wrong!” The officer looked like he was trying to explain the whole matter to Luke, but I saw that the fume and boil which had been brewing inside him since he got here, start to make its way to the surface and outside the tiny cracks forming in his previously calmer façade.

“Dilbert started this shit!” he shouted, pointing an accusatory finger across a booth to where Nelson and Dilbert were now sitting. “We were just minding our own business, and he came after us! How can nothing happen to him? It’s just not fair, damn it!”

“I’m sorry, Luke. It’s just a bad business all around, but there’s nothing I can do today. It’s out of my hands.” The officer then reached out to place his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “I’m very sorry and I ho…”

“No!” Luke screamed shoving the officer away. “Not again! They won’t! Not this time!” Fortunately, it wasn’t a brawl, but unfortunately, the officer tripped over a tray that had fallen to the floor and fell backward.

His ego bruised but otherwise unhurt. He got up and dusted himself off. It might have ended there as nothing more than an accident from a trouble student that had just been pushed too far. But as the officer got up though, Luke took a defensive position.

The officer noticed and became hesitant and guarded himself. “Now, now… there’s no need to get that upset about this. I’m sure we can talk about it, okay?” He slowly gestured his hand toward his fellow officer gingerly walking up to the right rear of Luke. “Just come with us, and we can get this all sorted…”

Then, the officer was in position, and placed his hand on Luke’s shoulder just like the other officer had done. This time though, his force seemed much heavier than had happened previously. Already on edge, it proved too much for Luke to just ignore.

He snarled and wrenched away from the officer. Everyone stood motionless, and I think the new officer was one of the fresher cops on the force. He froze, and already under pressure and furious for what he perceived as a miscarriage of justice yet again, Luke snapped. In one single thrust, Luke’s fist hurtled through the air and struck the new officer squarely in the jaw.

The officer flung backward against one of the booths. Everyone just stared at what just happened. There was no backing out now, and looking at Luke who seemed even shocked himself as he looked up at his curled fist that had just done the need, I saw panic eclipse his face now as well.

The other officer that had tried to calm him down seemed shocked as well, but from the snarl that soon encircled his face, I could tell he was out of patience with Luke now. Luke saw that too.

“Damn it! That does it!” The officer was pissed, and while yet another helped the knocked-down one up, two other officers came. “Don’t just stand there! Take him into custody!” The officer had venom seemingly running through his veins, but he still seemed to want to uphold the law. For Luke’s sake, I hoped my instincts weren’t wrong.

Luke, the athlete he was, hadn’t skipped a beat when he had arrived at Smeckton. He was one of the few of our group that had stuck with Mr. Fitzpatrick’s fitness class now all three years. Even a few that had stuck with it previously, now were focusing their efforts elsewhere. I had picked up a pound or two here, but I think Luke had never been in better shape in his life. I think fitness, beyond partying secretly on the weekends before, was his outlet to cope with Smeckton. With increased security for Safari Building residents at night though, going to the gym beyond class had become his driving force. So, seeing the officers begin to crowd around him, I imagined that Luke only saw them as the defense he had to get past once more in life, and what’s more, I felt he even had the skills to pull it off.

Crouching down just a little, he smirked at the oncoming officers. It was difficult to see him when he did that, but all of a sudden, I heard a screech, and Luke bolted off. Dodging left and right, every move the officers made, Luke either countered it or avoided it altogether. Dipping, diving, swerving left and right. It was almost a perfect dance with the befuddled and increasingly frustrated officers. The latter feeling for them didn’t seem too wise to poke at, but before we knew it, Luke had dodged each of them as they came. Now, he was by the door, with no one on the other side of it.

Looking back at us in that single moment, I saw him grin widely at us. Being in the Safari Building meant extra stringent enforcement of the rules of the institute, but it also meant less second chances and therefore, more of a chance to go option B. Seeing that smile, I knew my friend was likely screwed already, and what’s more, he seemed to know it as well.

So, armed with that bit of foresight and with nothing more to lose, Luke dropped his smile and exited the store. I saw him look around to see what to do next, but almost immediately, several campus guards and Smeckton police officers began to surround him. Not that nothing happened in Smeckton, but when a call like this came over the radio, I noticed that pretty much everyone wanted to show up for the big showdown. Luke was no exception. In moments, he was trapped…

Except… I saw him turn his head. I wasn’t the only one though, and we all rushed to the nearby giant window looking outside to see if maybe he had some other plan waiting up his sleeve. Part of Don’s painted letters on the window blocked my view, but once again, I saw Luke smile in the way I saw him do more when I first met him. The ladies seemed to fall for it every time, and seeing it now, that scheming smile almost felt like his personal send-off in a way.

To even my surprise though, staring back at the diner, he winked at us.

Seconds later, he bolted again. This time though, he didn’t head for the officers. By the time he bolted, there were probably at least 20 to 30 personnel all looking back at him. Going out that way seemed foolish, but maybe possible for a bold man with a little luck. Instead, though, Luke ran right to one of the nearby police cars.

“No way…” August said, his mouth then hanging wide in shock.

“What?” Tommy asked, clearly not getting it. “What? What’s happening to him? Did he lose his mind or something?” I shook my head. I knew what he was doing as well and pressed against the glass to see if I was right or not.

Maybe it was karma or something for the town, but our first year here, Mr. Dumphy actually got us driving cars and learning all about them. Nelson and that whole lot would get to do it again come this summer, but I then remembered that Luke had taken a shine to the driving portion of that class. It was a fuzzy and fading memory for me, but as he hopped into the open squad car with the engine still running, it didn’t seem like he had forgotten a thing. Even more so, when shifting the levers into place, he was able to then speed off around the block.

“Yeah! Go Luke!” Bill cheered. Several of the other students from Smeckton cheered as well… even Ted and Dilbert. Nelson looked like he was still sucking on a lemon, but the rest of us saw Luke for what he was right then. He was bucking the system, going out in a blaze of glory, and he didn’t care who knew about it. Knowing his likely doomed fate though, it was a little hard to watch. Still, for about three minutes as Luke zoomed around the nearby town square, narrowly avoiding hitting a few telephone poles and some bushes, I could see a glint of hope in everyone’s eyes that he was somehow going to make it out and be the first one to actually escape the clutches of Smeckton security.

The problem was though that it was mainly just a numbers and geometry game at this point. Luke was just one lonely car in a small section of town. If this was over by the local grocery store and strip mall on the other side of town, Luke could have escaped at least six different ways… not to mention he could have even just hopped a curb and sped off that way.

Here though, another squad car parked itself on the northbound Main Street at first when he tried that route. Luke then tried going south on Main Street. He was blocked again. He tried going on Sunset Drive out east, but at least a dozen officers and a barrier now blocked that way as well. Four more roads out of the town square soon became blocked as well, until only Flower Street remained.

“It’s over, Luke,” the previous officer from inside yelled out on his megaphone, clearly trying to just end what they perceived as the nonsense before them. Like a rat in a trap, Luke had a means of escape, but getting there and making it through was another matter entirely. The officers knew that, but hearing the engine revving, it was clear that Luke didn’t or just didn’t care anymore.

A tense standoff ensued. Luke revving his engine and every other officer crouching like they were at a football game and ready to be tackled or dodge the oncoming heavyweight. Finally, Luke let go of the brake and the squad car zoomed at ramming speed right towards the Flower Street route and his exit to freedom.

Most of the flowers, which the street was named after, were dormant and in hiding in January, but the pine trees above seemed to freely dance in the wind. It was a glorious sight, like something out of a movie even, but one squad soon screeched to a halt right across the exit. Luke was now trapped. It was do or die and for a moment, I thought Luke was just going to end it all and crash or go out like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Instead, and to my relief though, he made a hard right turn, and his tires let out a piercing wail that everyone in the diner covered their ears for. Slamming on the wheel in frustration, I could see that Luke knew it was over. The whole thing was over in fact and seeing the fuming campus security guards already approaching his vehicle, we all knew where Luke now had a one-way ticket to.

“Okay! Out of the car, son!” A police officer yanked Luke out of the car and shook his head at him as Luke tried one last attempt to struggle free. “It’s over, Luke! Stop your squirming and just go quietly.”

“Would you?” he angrily questioned the officer. “Would any of you just go willingly back to campus for a rigged trial?” No one made a sound or a movement, other than continually moving him away, but from everyone’s looks, it was clear that would have done the exact same thing he had done if the roles were reversed. And that, above all else most days, seemed to be the oddest part to this madness. When it was our generation enduring this stupidity, no one batted an eye, but when they thought even for a second what it would have been like if it were them, doubt began to creep in. Hearing my reports from Laura still though, I knew that single ‘what if?’ thought was growing… even back home too now.

“Okay now, just hold it right there,” one of the institute security guards said boldly, stopping the police officer in his tracks.

“What are you doing?” the police officer questioned who still held onto Luke tightly by the handcuffs he had just placed over his wrists when Luke still wouldn’t stop struggling. “He’s ours.”

“No,” the guard tried to defend. “He’s ours. Smeckton student… Smeckton jurisdiction.”

“Uh, no,” another cop tried to defend back. “Crime committed out here… the town of Smeckton jurisdiction. The institute doesn’t rule over everything, you know?” Before that cheeky comment, it seemed more like friendly banter between two seemingly opposing forces but still ultimately on the same side of the law. Making fun of the institute proved unwise though… Arguments quickly spread throughout the town square, and we could only watch Luke continue to struggle amid it all. He was screwed, but now it just remained to be seen who was going to have the pleasure of bringing him in.

“We’re willing to bet our careers and lives on this!” one guard defended loudly. “Are you all willing to do the same?” Several of the officers seemed to back off from that remark. Rumors grew steadily of some underground punishment of staff, similar to our state, that was threatened against them… but they were just rumors so far. Considering the graveness of his statement though, I wondered just how much of rumor it really was.

The initial handcuffing officer glared at the guard, but it was clear in this standoff that there was a difference between the two sides. Deciding which to obey more, the Director or the Mayor, it seemed the Director at least had a fear factor in his corner. Considering the type of institution that he ran though, I couldn’t blame anyone for choosing his side over all others in matters like these.

So, seconds later, Luke was thrust into the custody of the campus security guards, who promptly took him away and to a nearby golf cart we sometimes saw security on campus utilizing. Pushing him into the back seat and then strapping him to prevent him from escaping that way, the cart soon disappeared into the distance.

“Shit!” Tommy cried. “We have to go after him!”

“Now, just wait one moment!” one of the officers bellowed out at us. “You just wait to be questioned before you can just up and lea…”

“It’s okay, officer,” Don defended. “I saw the whole thing. They are innocent, or at least innocent enough that you can question them later. I very much doubt that your unit wants another mark on its record indicating that you failed to bring in yet another student from the institute… and on the same no less…” Don shook his head in disbelief, and seeing the officers suddenly graven face, it didn’t take a mystic to foresee us being let free to go pursue Luke.

“Thank you, Don,” I told him privately as the other started to depart his diner already. “It means a lot. The ice cream, the food, the company, the way you defended u…”

Don held up his hand to stop me. “It’s no problem, John. You all are some of the good ones.” His stink-eye directed toward the slowly slinking away Nelson and his group put a tiny smile on my face. “Just go. Be with your friend, but John… I’m truly sorry about your birthday.” I sighed and shrugged. At this point, I cared more about Luke than what day it was for me.

“Just make sure you don’t… leave… town!” the guard called out to us as we all finally managed to escape the diner today. Already though, I could hear where he realized how silly his question sounded, even before we laughed. We were Smeckton students and unless we went the way of option B, we were stuck in this middle of nowhere town for another seven months.

Starting to run, fearing that we would miss the inevitable trial, we soon passed beside the Safari Building where we saw Laura wandering around the front door, clearly just coming from inside and looking around confusedly at the building crowds rushing to the administrative building. In the chaos though, she quickly saw and waved at us. “Hey you guys! Happy Birthday, John” She saw us running though and the crowds heading to the administrative building though and squinted her eyes at us. “But… what’s going on here?”

I saw the several bags she had brought with her, and it seemed a little strange to me, but I only quickly grabbed her one free hand and pulled her along. “Come on, Laura! I’ll explain it on the way. Bad news though! Really bad news! It’s Luke!”

True to my word, I explained everything to her, and true to her form, she only showed her support and sadness over what had happened to Luke. Students snapping around campus was sadly increasing. A few parents were asking questions, and even my mom was now apparently no longer a full convert to the validity of these pointless and cruel ‘maturity laws.’

Unfortunately, as seemed to happen far too often for my tastes, we arrived at the trial of our friend right at the end of everything. Considering what Luke had done prior to all this and then his antics in the town square, his fate seemed inevitable. Even the defense attorney, maybe just being too weighed down by work, seemed more hopeless today than usual.  

Soon after we arrived, pushing through the crowd and making tiny apologetic noises as others were moved out of the way, we settled near an open space in the front. Laura held my hand and held Tommy’s hand in her other. Seeing us as well, Molly quickly smiled at our group as she made her way over. Taking her hand, Bill and August seemed to be glad for her company as well, but the Director’s gavel shattered that peace and marked a sharp verdict rendered.

“Guilty on all counts!” The gavel banged again, and it was like hearing a nail pound its way into my coffin lid as I was being buried alive. I thought this day couldn’t get any worse…

“Further, I am recommending that the defendant, Luke Rapp, be given the full course of treatment for option B.” His eyes then narrowed, and he scowled at the unflinching and unphased Luke. “That means filling the greatest extent of the law I can.” A sickening smile then grew over his face. “Have fun starting over, Mr. Rapp…” The judge then smacked his gavel again, leaned back, sighed, stacked his papers, and left the bench without another word.

The crowd began to dissipate, and I think it was all our group could do to keep from breaking down right there in front of the court room. Luke seemed dejected but ultimately resigned to his fate. He had gone out on his own terms and for someone like him, despite the outcome, it appeared to be all that mattered. Still, as he was ushered away for the final time, we wanted to say our goodbyes.

“Luke! Luke!” August shouted out, pulling Molly and Bill along as well. Tommy and I quickly followed behind Laura as well to see our friend off.

Unfortunately, right as Luke was about to join us one last time, in our haste we didn’t see the Director emerge one last time from his chambers. Planting himself firmly in front of us like some guard dog, he completely blocked our view and therefore final goodbyes from Luke. Not seeming to care, the guard just dragged him away further as the judge stared down at us.

Bill was the first to pipe up in protest. “But judge! He’s right there. Can’t we just…?”

“Not another word out of any of you!” he thundered, his arms crossed and his glare piercing our very souls. Almost as if on instinct, Laura and Molly pulled us back and Laura even pulled me into a hug, almost like she was trying to shield me from the evil man now standing before us. Not wanting to draw attention to it, I just kept staring straight out and praying that nothing else horrible was going to happen. “You all saw him leave and he doesn’t get the right to say his goodbyes after what he pulled in town today. He’s being punished… starting now.”

He sighed and took a deep breath in. “As for the rest of you now… I’ll just give you this single warning.” His eyes narrowed and I felt a chill suddenly enter the courtroom, goosebumps even appearing over my arms. “You all continually seem to be at the center of several of these trials. That’s either very lucky… or very unlucky.”

“Are you trying to imply something, Director?” August blurted out loud before the Director could even make out another word.

The Director only scoffed. “Pure impudence… but I wouldn’t expect any different from a Fowler boy. I remember your brother being just the same…” August seemed near ready to blow himself at the mention of his now option B brother, Gordy, but I could see Molly quickly pull him back a little bit with his hand she was still clinging to.

Direct Breckenridge saw this and smiled, almost like one would to a child for finally getting something right. “I would suggest you all need to start worrying more about yourselves right now…” He then cleared his throat and looked back at each of us intently as if trying to bore what he had to say in our brains. “See, what I meant to imply though, is that there is an ongoing investigation into what happened today. You all will still be questioned and can still be prosecuted in this court just like Luke was. So, if things prove damning this week for anyone involved… we might just have a few you join Luke in his new life… option B style. One hair out of line, however, will incur the same outcome. Is that understood?”  

We showed him our fear and I think that was enough of an answer for him to go away, his judge’s robes flapping in the breeze behind him. Molly had taught us that little technique when he had started to turn sour toward us and considering that it seemed to actually work when we gave in to our fear a little bit, and I had to admit that despite hardships endured, it had been my one bright spot on otherwise terrible days. Today was no exception. Right as he neared the door though, he turned back at stared right at Molly.

“Oh… and Molly?” I saw her look back at him in fear. “My chambers. Five minutes. Don’t be late…” he growled. In her seeming state of shock as well, she could only deeply nod. It seemed acceptable to him, and he finally disappeared from the room as he slammed the door to his back office closed.

“Oh! What are we going to do?” Tommy despaired once we were now alone in the courtroom. I thought I was the only one panicking, freaking out, and despairing, but everyone didn’t seem too far off from those same emotions either.

“Easy, you guys,” Molly tried to comfort us, though clearly shaken herself as well. I wondered where Ashley or Janice was, especially considering their personal students were involved in today’s whole mess as well. “Everything will be okay. We just need to…” Her usual confidence seemed on rocky ground enough as it was already. Trying to form a plan to calm the panicking students before her seemed like a near Sisyphean task with what possibly could be looming in the Director’s office in five minutes.

“I can handle them from here, Molly,” Laura then piped up, letting me go from the previous hug she had wrapped around me with one of her arms. Her other free hand also let go of Tommy’s. He seemed more reluctant, but a pleading face from Laura kept him quiet about it.

Laura then got in front of us and directed us out the back door. “You all head over to the Safari Building and go upstairs to the common room. I’ll catch up in just a minute.” Like scared sheep, none of moved. Laura only smiled at our hesitation and gently nudged us away. “It’s okay. Go on. I promise… just one minute for me.”

Feeling like I needed to take the first step, I nodded and gently prodded the rest of the group out the back door. Looking back as I did so, I first saw Laura smile at me and then turn her attention back to Molly before giving her a giant hug. “Don’t worry… you’ve got this. He’s not going to fire you, Mols…”

I never even thought of that being a possibility, and if someone was to blame for Luke’s behavior, I felt it should be Janice, but low and behold, right as were walking over the grass to the Safari Building, we saw her exiting with a sniffling Andre. Hearing her explanation briefly over where they had been, Andre had apparently pitched a fit, and was subsequently punished earlier today, for throwing a tantrum over not being allowed to see his old girlfriend. I wasn’t sure why he would want to see her in diapers, but I couldn’t very well judge, soon holding Laura’s hand once more as she caught up to us and we entered the Safari Building and the two of them left to go see the Director next.   

“How about a board game?” Laura suggested as we all settled into the common room upstairs. It was just like the others with a fridge, microwave, a table, some chairs, and a comfortable couch, but in the Safari Building, pictures of cartoon versions of baby giraffes, elephants, lions, and several other animals lay painted on or were sculpted away from the wall. A shelf of board games and childish books also lay nearby, and as tempting as any distraction was, the group ultimately shook their heads.

“Okay… what about…?” her eyes started to scan the shelves, and she quickly looked like she had another idea. “Ooh! What about a story?” But again, the group just shook their heads.

Laura immediately looked crestfallen. “Come on guys. I know losing Luke was tough, but we can get through this. Don’t lose hope on me now. Please? Try for me at least?”

Bill, Tommy, and August all just sighed and pretty much remained motionless in their slouched forms on the table or couch. Seeing Laura’s saddened yet hopeful face, I knew she deserved the truth at the very least. “I’m sorry, Laura. I think we all appreciate your efforts, but… maybe just not tonight on feeling better and all, okay?”

She nodded, but I could tell she wanted to try still though, and at least personally speaking, I didn’t feel I had any energy left to give her, so I knew I needed to bring out the ‘big guns.’ “Laura… there’s only four of us left now. We just lost the fifth member of our original group of ten. We just….” I sighed. “It’s been a day… please…”

“Some birthday, huh?” August asked, sighing and looking at me with sympathy. Laura gave him a dirty look, but I couldn’t help but nod my head as well.

“You know… we could use a really good joke from Mark right now,” Bill said wistfully, likely thinking of our former group member. The rest of us nodded in agreement, but Tommy only sighed.

“But they’re gone too…” he said mournfully. We all knew that, but his despair just filled the room.

Sighing, I knew I had to make a decision about the day. “Laura… Don said that he got me a tub of ice cream to share with the rest of the group.” Laura seemed shocked he had told me, but ultimately nodded in acknowledgement. “Well, I was thinking… could we just save it until tomorrow when we’re not feeling so… I don’t know… maybe just less raw about Luke?”

Laura looked even sadder now, but I could see an understanding in her eyes as well. “If that’s what you want, John. It’s your day and your decision, so if you want to wait…”

I quickly nodded and then turned to the rest of the group. “Sorry guys. I would love to, but… and I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but I just don’t think I’m in the mood for ice cream anymore tonight.”

The rest of the group seemed disappointed, but we all agreed that tomorrow would be best at this point. Today, at least now, Luke’s loss was the only thing in the front of everyone’s minds. I was a little disappointed when we also agreed to put off poker night, but yawning, I went along with the plan as well to just go to bed instead. As most of the group got up, apologizing for how the day turned out and then wishing me another happy birthday, I could see in their faces that they too had a hope that somehow, tomorrow would be better.

Staying behind temporarily, Bill cracked open his books and let the rest of us wander the hallways to go back to our rooms. As Tommy and August disappeared, it was just Laura and I. “I’m really sorry about today, John… I wanted so badly for today to go right, and then with Luke…”

“It’s okay, Laura,” I tried to comfort her about how today turned out. I hated seeing her upset, even if it was something negative in my life. “Everyone did what they could to make it a special day. You included, but… Smeckton, you know?”

Laura sighed and nodded. “Yeah… I just…” I could almost see the verbal curses she was spitting inside her own head, but outwardly, only her forehead wrinkled under her angry glare. “Dang it all, but… I promise, John. I’ll be back tomorrow though to do the rest we had planned. Plus, your parents…”

“My parents!” I just then realized that in the chaos of everything I had forgotten to call them. “Crudolla! I didn’t call them today!”

Laura patted my back. “It’s okay, John. Let me do that for you tonight on my way back to my dorm. Knowing them, I’m sure they’ll not only understand about what went down with Luke, but they’re going to want to know about it as well.”

Just then, we heard a shuffling come from down the hallway. Wondering who it could be at this point, we both looked, and there at the end of the hallway, we saw a forlorn Molly begin to trudge toward us. Even more so from earlier, she looked stunned and now even scared as well.

“Molly? You okay?” Laura tentatively asked first.

Molly nodded. “Yeah… I just…” At that moment, I saw a little movement in her head to Laura specifically. Looking at Laura, she repeated the gesture. Something was going on between them, but I just wasn’t sure.

Turning to me, Laura smiled and opened the door to Bill and I’s room. “Before I met up with you all at the trial, I dropped off a few things inside, so I know that you’ve got a few gifts in there to open. How about you do that while Molly and I talk out here? I’ve got to leave after I talk to her, so I’m sorry about that and for today but I do hope you enjoy your gifts. I’ll see you tomorrow as I said, but does all that sound like a good plan to you, sweetie?”

I was definitely getting the opinion that whatever needed to be said, both women wanted it to be said in private. My curiosity burned, but not wanting to cause any more complications today, I nodded. “I can do that, Laura. I don’t think I’ll ever say no to opening a present.” Laura and Molly smiled, and I soon disappeared into my room after briefly hugging and then waving goodbye to Laura.

Before the door fully closed though, I could hear just how desperate Molly was to unload onto Laura. “Nothing happened, Laura! But I… he just… Laura… he threatened to send me up north.”

“So?” Laura questioned. “At least he’s not firing you for not going with them after daycare today after promising to cover for Janice while she dealt with Andre, right?”

“Wrong!” I didn’t get what was so wrong, but fortunately, Molly pressed on. “He said north, Laura. I mean… north, north. As in…” But right then the door closed, and I couldn’t help but groan at missing the next bit of their conversation. I hated eavesdropping like that, but at Smeckton, I felt that something was happening and hearing another piece of the puzzle that would make a kindly nurse scared, felt like just too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Regardless, entering my room, I saw that three packages were laid out on my crib. To my pleasant surprise, the gifts were only adorned in solidly colored paper. Julian from down the hall had his birthday two weeks ago and diapered teddy bears greeted him on the front of his gifts. To say it put a damper on his big day was putting it mildly.

So, as I came to the presents, I showed some extra caution when I first opened the gift that Ms. Sandra, and even Ms. Diaz, had apparently given me. The jumping bunnies and lambs on the card inside weren’t ideal, but the fresh sketch pad and colored pencils underneath were. Smiling, I read the card and fully intended to ‘use them well and find the joys where I can.’ I made a mental note to thank both in class when I saw them on Monday.

Next, I saw two gifts of different sizes that were tied together and labeled, ‘Love, Your Family.’ Curious, I slowly unwrapped the ribbon first and started tearing the paper of the first gift. To my surprise though, before even opening the box underneath, I came to a single card first. Deciding, per family tradition to open it first, I began to read… “Johnny, Happy birthday! There are those that love you here and over there, and we just wanted to give you something special beyond a few other gifts you’ll get in the mail soon (or I guess after security is done looking through them at least). Please open the larger of the two boxes first and then come back here. Scout’s honor to not read on…”

Setting the card down, I quickly opened the wrapping of the larger gift as instructed. Before opening the box though, I saw a note to ‘Open the small package first.’ ‘Geesh… guess not doing this in-person this year, they really put a lot of effort into this…’ Popping open the tapes, I looked inside. I had to push a few bits of tissue paper out of the way, but the gift underneath became readily apparent.

The large blanket had been folded neatly, and pulling it away from the box, some tissue paper falling on the floor, I stared at the gift before me. Undoubtedly soft, the thick blue and white material had been woven together with a thicker and almost fleece-like fabric. To be honest, it almost reminded me of a baby blanket.

Slightly confused and wondering if I was just being paranoid, I picked up the note and read further… “Ms. Diaz, Ms. Sandra, and even Mrs. Pettigrew came up with the idea of the blanket, then Laura and I worked on making it for you back here over her Fall break. After we were done, Molly made sure that security didn’t flag it for a second when Laura dropped this and your other gift off today. We know you and your friends have been having some hard times lately and I know Smeckton is tough, but just try to hold on a little longer and think of the love and care that surrounds you when you cuddle under this blanket at night.”

I sighed and thumbed the blanket. It was soft and thinking back to the previous cold or even just rainy nights around here, I knew that despite appearances, it would be a welcome addition. Sitting down on the edge of my crib, slightly wrapping the blanket around me for comfort after the tough day with the loss of Luke and all, I turned back to the note… “Now, open the small box and before you take any other actions come back to the back of this note. Keep your head about you and just breathe…”

I didn’t like those words, but setting the note down, I turned to my final gift. The box was small… no bigger than just one of my hands. Curious, I popped open the tiny white box I had previously set aside, and then peered in to see what was there. My eyes bulged out and I nearly dropped the box on the floor, not truly believing what I was seeing. It was there, in all it’s plastic shame, but still… even with my crib, my diapers, Rocky… I just couldn’t truly believe it.

There, right in the center of the opened box, was a baby blue pacifier.

‘No, no, no! This can’t be!’ Now definitely hoping there was some mistake or that maybe my family had finally lost their minds, I snatched the letter back and read further… “I know this isn’t the gift you’ve always wanted in your life, but Laura, Molly, and I talked specifically over the past weeks, and from what we’ve seen, we all think you may find comfort in this item if you just give it a chance. Use it tonight and write to me privately when you can about it. If you truly don’t like it and it doesn’t provide you with any comfort whatsoever, I’ll get you something else instead and we won’t say anything more about it. For now, though, please just trust me on this and hang in there. With lots of love from those who love you, have a wonderful birthday. Love, Mom, Dad, Ben, and Katie.”

I looked back over inside the box at the tiny object I perceived to be the enemy of my life. It was a pacifier, and unlike my diapers, or even Rocky… there was a point to them. Diapers were for punishment at first, but even sitting on the bed, I could feel that I was already wet… more so than I had felt before the trial and didn’t remember adding to. I blushed at the thought… but they had a purpose. Rocky or the crib seemed like a stretch, but now, with everything else going on, they felt like a safety net of sorts and even a comfort I could turn to without judgement here. But the pacifier… it was just so babyish, full-stop.

I then read my mom’s words again. It was signed by the family, but I could recognize her distinct half-cursive handwriting anywhere. The words were undoubtedly hers, or at least mostly hers as well. “…think you may find comfort in this item if you just give it a chance.” The words seemed like poison at first, but strangely, the more I looked at the offending item, the less alien it seemed to me. It started to not even seem evil… maybe just like some foreign cuisine that just sounded strange or disgusting at first… ‘But maybe wasn’t such a bad thing?’

I wanted to slap myself for that thought, but at the same time, there was a tiny part of me that wanted to prove my mom wrong. If I hated it, she specifically stated I could get something else. I could just lie to her, but by now, I knew that wasn’t a good idea, and that she would know right away. It was almost her superpower and Ben, Katie, and I all hated it with a fiery passion, but we respected it enough by now to not even try anymore. So, just wanting to get it over with, I popped it in my mouth.

One suck. Two sucks… It was large and felt strange at first. I wanted to spit it out, but in doing so, I ended up just giving it a third suck. It didn’t feel so bad that time. A tiny part of me was horrified, but a much larger part of me was curious. Looking down, and just seeing the small ring attached to the bulb, I wondered what this odd new object was in my mouth.

I then heard the floor creek…

I looked up and saw both Molly and Bill standing at the entrance of the room, just beyond the bathroom. Bill looked shocked, but Molly almost seemed happy. Already blushing, I looked down and I realized just what a sight I was… babyish blanket, sitting on a crib, and sucking a pacifier, all the while I wore a sodden diaper, a childish version of the institute’s uniform and Rocky looming pleasantly behind me. ‘Crud!’

I spat out the pacifier into my hand and quickly stood up. “I swear… it’s not what you think!” I pointed to the wrapping paper and note from my mom. “I was just opening my gifts, and this was in there and I was told I had to try it and if I did, I could…”

“Woah, woah, woah there!” Molly said, rushing over to calm my nerves. Apparently, whatever transpired after the last I heard from Molly and Laura, seemingly had worked. Gone was the frazzled and even scared lady I had last seen, but now replaced with the usual smiling and level-headed calming nurse. “It’s okay, John. I know about your gift. You don’t need to be embarrassed by it.”

I looked at her like she had suddenly lost her mind. “Are you kidding me? It’s a stupid pacifier! How can I not be embarrassed by it! It’s my birthday, and I’m supposed to be getting older… not younger!”

Molly smiled and gestured to the crib for me to sit down on it. When I did, she sat right next to me. “You know John… you might have a point there, but I’m going to let you…” She then looked over at the still seemingly shocked Bill. “I guess both of you… on a little secret. Ready?” I wasn’t sure if I was or not, but I still nodded and Bill did too.

“Right… well, everyone in the Safari Building is going to receive one here sometime in the next few weeks,” she explained. If our jaws could unhinge, I’m pretty sure that Bill and I’s would have hit the floor. Molly only smirked at our reactions. “I know it might seem crazy right now, but they can actually provide you a little comfort. Hearing that… and a few other moments we noticed, plus talking to Laura and me, your family felt you could get your pacifier a little early. Considering what happened today with Luke, I don’t think it’s such a far-fetched idea for even a tiny source of added comfort.”

I looked at the still-alien object in my hands and Molly noticed right away. “It’s okay to be hesitant but do this for me… try it out tomorrow, and just like I know your note said, if you truly don’t like it, just set it aside tomorrow and you never have to look at it again. Even when everyone else gets theirs, you can just set yours to the side at night, okay?”

The pacifier still lay in my hand like some poisonous mushroom where I would die if I stuck it back in my mouth. Curious as to my roommate and friend, I stared back over at Bill. Since the revelation that everyone would be getting one though, his face had turned from shock, to horror, and now it seemed deep in thought.

When he saw me looking at him though, he sighed. “You know, John… I think all things considered… maybe it would be okay to try out?”

“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from Bill of all people. He wasn’t Bruce or Luke, but he didn’t actively embrace this place very much either. To hear him saying that I should give in tonight and use the pacifier… I briefly thought that somehow, an alien had just replaced the guy whom I had known for over two and a half years now.

Bill smirked and shook his head, almost as if he couldn’t believe the words coming out of his own mouth. “I know… weird coming from me, right?” I quickly nodded my head. “Yeah, well, I think this is different. It hasn’t been a great day for anyone, and these things are coming into our lives anyways. Just get your trial period over with tonight, and like Molly said… you don’t like it, just set it aside. You’ll know and then you can move on. Nothing more to it than that.”

Bill paused for a moment, and I think he noticed that I was still staring at him intently. He sighed once again. “Look, if it makes you feel any better, and I can ever swear an oath to this if you want, but you’ll receive absolutely zero judgement from me at all in this place or even one day outside in the real world if you use that pacifier you’re holding tonight. You’re my best friend here and my roommate, John. I wouldn’t say all that normally, and maybe I should, but you have my word on this very specifically tonight, okay?”

“I…” I wasn’t sure what to say exactly to that, but staring back at the pacifier in my hand, I knew now that there was nothing stopping me from using it tonight except me. Knowing that I had to thank Bill at least for his kind words, I turned back to him. “Thank you, Bill. It means a lot hearing that from you.” Smiling, Bill only nodded his head while his eyes then turned back to the pacifier in my hand. Despite his words, I could see the disbelief in his eyes still that we had even come to this point at all. Moreover, though, this point was coming very soon for him as well.

“Well, I’m glad you two are okay with it. I know a lot of students around here fight it, and it never turns out well, so definitely good job clearing that hurdle already.” Clearing her throat and then smacking her hands eagerly together, she stood up and then turned to both of us. “Okay! Who’s ready for some beddy-bye’s tonight?” John and I both soon raised our hands, giggling as we did so.

The night, at least briefly, took on its regular bearings as it had for the past few months. Despite the two diaper changes and the two pajamas, both equally bulging at the bottoms that we were changed into after, there was a quiet comfort in the routine now. Sure, it was babyish like almost no other routine, and the amount of baby powder Molly used sometimes felt excessive, but it wasn’t surprising anymore. I knew almost every move and word Molly would perform by heart, and sure, lifting my butt for a new diaper to slide underneath wasn’t a vacation, but it wasn’t any new terror that Smeckton had concocted either.

Even when Molly guided us into our cribs and pulled up the railings, as she had actively been doing now for at least a month, there was a calm in the room I never wanted to take for granted. Tucking us in and even placing our stuffies by our sides was almost like a general forming their troops to stave off the baddies at night. Rocky and Porky were no lady friends… no Laura even for me, but again, the comfort and sameness they brought were not cheaply thought of qualities around here.

“Goodnight, you two,” Molly said, positioning herself as usual by the doorway and light switch over there. “Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite. Dream deeply and of a better day tomorrow…” Smiling meekly, she then shut off the lights and walked out while closing the door.

Initially, darkness took us, and it was a painful existence… actually namely one of the first reasons I ever cuddled with Rocky when Molly began that particular routine. It only took a few weeks though for Bill and me to both kindly request we get a little more light. Luke and Andre did the same, and Janice had fulfilled their request, but gave them a diapered koala bear drinking a baby bottle shaped nightlight. So, now, only a moon with a nightcap on smiled and lit the room softly. It gave me peace of mind for some reason but was also now the reason that the pacifier in my hand not gripping Rocky was still there instead of in my mouth.

“You know… I was being serious earlier about not judging you, John…” Bill whispered over to me in my crib. I could just faintly make his overall appearance out in the still dark room. “It’s coming for us all now, whether we like that or not. Test it out and let me know, okay?”

I eyed the object still in my hand, moving it between the shadows of the bars of my crib to get a better look at it. “I just…” I faded off before I could finish my thought. I just wasn’t sure what to say anymore.

Bill then sighed. “It’s up to you John… seriously.” I could only faintly make it out, but Bill then shifted over on his side. “I don’t know about you though, but today was way too long for my liking. Happy Birthday, John. I’ll see you in the morning, but for now… goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” I whispered back. I heard a few more rustles and then the room was deathly silent. I sighed and turned my attention back to the pacifier.

It felt strange as I wiggled it around in my hand. It looked like such a simple object, but it seemed like so much more. With so few remaining, I knew that to me at least, it represented something I wasn’t sure if I was willing to give up around here… yet another step down. Bill was right in that everyone else was going to get one… but using it tonight was choosing it willingly.

Still, everyone said it was okay, and my mom said I could get another gift if I chose to, so, with another deep sigh, I plopped it in my mouth.

It was the same odd feeling I had experienced earlier, but now, cuddled under my new blanket and with such a long day, sleep started to rapidly take me into its warm arms. My eyes fluttered closed and my breathing slowed to a peaceful rhythm.

All felt fine, but somewhere in the back of my mind, there was a little voice screaming that it was far from okay. Yet another member of our original group, Luke, was gone now as well. Only four of us remained and the Director seemed even more vindictive than usual. Worse, Molly now even appeared threatened by our actions. I didn’t know much but her fear of something up north and the possibility of being fired was enough on their own.

Further, in all my glory in what was essentially my nursery, my mind couldn’t help but reflect on what an odd 21^st birthday it had been for me. Before, it meant a time in this country where one could legally drink. It was a minor thing for some, but it represented one of the last doors to adulthood. It was a threshold one crossed on a momentous day. Unless being referred to colloquially, one just wasn’t labeled a “kid” by almost any standard after that.

Now, it all felt strange to be ending my 21^st birthday in this way. Diaper, crib, stuffy, blanket, and now pacifier… all given to me lovingly by someone who cared about me. It made it easier in a way, but that odd feeling still lingered. Here in Smeckton, odd usually meant trouble. So, looking ahead and knowing some of what was around the corner for the rest of the remaining members of our group, I couldn’t help but wonder where this path would lead us after all this was finally over.

[Guilend]

I wonder if being threatened was her only issue that night. I’m curious what up north means. I’m guessing it code for a place towards the north that either the schools send their disobedient staff or the country send those that are going against the maturity laws and get caught breaking the law. I know it’s wrong, but I’m hoping that Molly has to sleep on her stomach tonight. “Hopefully” she doesn’t wet the bed or anything. 
 

Im starting to think that everyone entering this place is preselected to fail or not before they arrive. It’s obvious they at least need a certain percentage to fail and go with option B. 
 

I’ll be honest, once my ability to get off was removed, I’d just give up on everything. I’d probably just eat and go back to my room and let the cards fall. 

[zzzz50]

4 hours ago, Guilend said:

I wonder if being threatened was her only issue that night. I’m curious what up north means. I’m guessing it code for a place towards the north that either the schools send their disobedient staff or the country send those that are going against the maturity laws and get caught breaking the law. I know it’s wrong, but I’m hoping that Molly has to sleep on her stomach tonight. “Hopefully” she doesn’t wet the bed or anything. 
 

Im starting to think that everyone entering this place is preselected to fail or not before they arrive. It’s obvious they at least need a certain percentage to fail and go with option B. 
 

I’ll be honest, once my ability to get off was removed, I’d just give up on everything. I’d probably just eat and go back to my room and let the cards fall. 

I agree that the fix seems to be in on who is going to be Plan B candidates. I am looking forward to see if everyone but the students knows it is going to happen, even the family and nurses seem to be getting in on the infantile conditions placed on the students. Is there an advantage to easing into Plan B rather than just placing them directly into the program? What did the Director mean by asking if they wanted to start over? Are some Plan B not permanently infantilised and can grow up?  One thing for sure I would stop going into Smeckton as the incidents seem to be setups for punishment.

Congrats to the author for the compelling story, I am looking forward to having all my questions answered!

[Operational Systems]

The intensity of the brain damage varies.  As we saw in the nursing home and trick or treating, you can be stuck a baby forever or slowly wane off it.

 

I am surprised the director threatened a woman.  While the society is not explicitly matriarchal it is "clear" who wears the pants now.  The nurses will probably find a way to protect their own and push back on the men in charge.  They're everywhere and know all the secrets, like Bene Gesserit 

Oh one more thing, thank you for the quick post there's a few continuity issues in the post.  I think Billy thanks John, and takes over the first person narrative for a paragraph.  Just a minor fix, but a bit of a hmm Freudian? slip ;).

[LostBBoyBear]

5 hours ago, Operational Systems said:

The intensity of the brain damage varies.  As we saw in the nursing home and trick or treating, you can be stuck a baby forever or slowly wane off it.

 

I am surprised the director threatened a woman.  While the society is not explicitly matriarchal it is "clear" who wears the pants now.  The nurses will probably find a way to protect their own and push back on the men in charge.  They're everywhere and know all the secrets, like Bene Gesserit 

Oh one more thing, thank you for the quick post there's a few continuity issues in the post.  I think Billy thanks John, and takes over the first person narrative for a paragraph.  Just a minor fix, but a bit of a hmm Freudian? slip ;).

Thank you, and you are definitely right about the 'brain damage' part of it. This will become more obvious later, but previously, I largely focused on the permanently regressed. I figured they would probably stick out more in society, and therefore be talked about more. For example of progression though, think back to Ronny from Halloween. It's a bit of a spoiler, but you will definitely see him again...

And thanks for those catches. I really try not to pass out when I'm initially writing these chapters or when I'm editing, but that was about the point where the unicorn came into play previously. It's honestly a miracle there aren't more of these glaring mistakes, but for the record, I mixed up John and Bill's name. I have since corrected it though. Thanks so much!

6 hours ago, zzzz50 said:

I agree that the fix seems to be in on who is going to be Plan B candidates. I am looking forward to see if everyone but the students knows it is going to happen, even the family and nurses seem to be getting in on the infantile conditions placed on the students. Is there an advantage to easing into Plan B rather than just placing them directly into the program? What did the Director mean by asking if they wanted to start over? Are some Plan B not permanently infantilised and can grow up?  One thing for sure I would stop going into Smeckton as the incidents seem to be setups for punishment.

Congrats to the author for the compelling story, I am looking forward to having all my questions answered!

Thank you!

I will do my best to answer all your questions. I know at least that most of your questions above will be answered by the end though.

11 hours ago, Guilend said:

I wonder if being threatened was her only issue that night. I’m curious what up north means. I’m guessing it code for a place towards the north that either the schools send their disobedient staff or the country send those that are going against the maturity laws and get caught breaking the law. I know it’s wrong, but I’m hoping that Molly has to sleep on her stomach tonight. “Hopefully” she doesn’t wet the bed or anything. 
 

Im starting to think that everyone entering this place is preselected to fail or not before they arrive. It’s obvious they at least need a certain percentage to fail and go with option B. 
 

I’ll be honest, once my ability to get off was removed, I’d just give up on everything. I’d probably just eat and go back to my room and let the cards fall. 

Stay tuned... I wanted to focus more on the guys in this chapter, so it definitely leans toward society hating them seemingly more, but the government isn't totally corrupt against men here. There's a reason for it, but 15 years in, there are a few places for women. Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate it into my story... but let's just say that you should be watching out for some of the nurses. At Smeckton, it's hazardous for almost everyone...