Mary was getting tired of waiting for Kelly to go to sleep. Kelly kept looking at the clock, and Mary knew she was wondering what was taking Mary so long at the grocery store. Mary nervously fingered the age regression vial in her pocket. If she could make Kelly just a little bit younger and smaller, she could be the one in control again.
"Um, I need a drink. Do you want anything?" asked Mary, standing up from the couch and walking into the kitchen.
"Sure, I'll have a soda," said Kelly, still lounging on the couch.
Mary had just finished preparing Kelly's glass and was about to pour the vial in, when she felt a large hand grab her own smaller one from behind. She looked behind her and saw Kelly standing there, glaring down at her angrily. She must have snuck up behind her while she was preparing the drinks and had been watching her the whole time.
"Ah ha! I knew it! That stuff is some kind of drug, and you were trying to drug me. Is that what happened to Mary?" said Kelly angrily.
"No, it's just a sweetener, kind of like a cherry vanilla extract. See," said Mary, dripping just a few drops on her tongue. She felt her body tingle a bit. She knew she was beginning to regress again, but she hoped it wasn't noticeable.
Kelly sighed. "Okay, kid. I have had enough. I need to go home," said Kelly.
Mary was overjoyed. As soon as she left she could get back to normal.
"But I can't leave you here alone, especially since it looks like Mary is not coming home. You will have to come with me, " said Kelly.
"No!" whined Mary.
"Yes, and I won't take no for an answer. I think Mary might be in some kind of trouble, and it may not safe here. If Mary doesn't show up tomorrow, I will have to call the police," said Kelly. "Now get some stuff together and let's go."
"Can I take my box?" asked Mary hopefully.
"Definitely not. I don't want those messy chemicals in my home, even if they are sweeteners," said Kelly.
"Then I am not going, " said Mary, as she crossed her arms and pouted like a little girl.
"You most certainly are. I guess we'll just have to get you new things to wear tomorrow, " said Kelly, as she grabbed Mary firmly by the arm and pulled her towards the door. Mary was surprised ho easily Kelly could manipulate her, then realized that she had shrunk to the age of 9 or 10.
"Wait! Wait! I have to tell you the truth. I am really Mary. I have some magic vials that made me young, " said Mary in a childish voice.
"Really? Magic vials that make you young?, " asked Kelly, as she raised one eyebrow skeptically. "And just how did you get theses magic vials? Did a fairy give them to you?"
Mary stamped a tiny foot, and it slid out of her now oversized shoe. "It's true! I am Mary!"
"Then prove it. Tell me something only Mary would know," said Kelly, as she leaned down and smiled.
Mary thought hard. For some reason, her memories were more fuzzy. Could it be because she was younger? "Um, you like that guy from work. I don't know his name. And you kissed a boy at school."
"Of course I like a guy at work. I am sure every girl likes some guy at work. And I kissed several boys in school. I am afraid you will have to be more specific, " said Kelly. This was becoming a fun game.
Mary was beginning to panic again. It was so hard to think. "Um, I think you pooped your pants at work one day."
Kelly cursed. "Mary swore she would never tell anyone about that. Okay, enough games. Time to go."
Kelly dragged Mary out the door kicking and screaming. In the car, she cried like a child. By the time they reached Kelly's house she had tuckered herself out and was sound asleep. Kelly carried her inside her house. She was surprised at how young the child was. When they first met, she could have sworn that the kid was 12. But now she looked closer to 7 or 8. She tucked the child into her bed and a felt a bulge in her pocket. Kelly pulled out the strange vial the child had used as a sweetener. She took it with her to the kitchen and laid it on the counter. She might want to try a little of it tomorrow, but right now she just wanted to sleep on the couch. It had been a long night, and she was very worried about her friend Mary.