Makenna fiddled with the dials on the sides of the ray gun, twisting them this way and that. Mia stepped out of her puddled shorts and trotted over, slightly unsteady at her "new" height.
"How's it work?" she asked, standing on her tip-toes and craning her neck, trying to see the magical gun in her friend's hands. "Is there a 'return to normal' option on there?"
"I think I've got it, don't worry" Makenna replied. Mia was too relieved to notice the sly gleam in Makenna's eyes as she backed up, holding her hands out and letting the long sleeves droop once more over her thin, young limbs. Taking aim, Makenna pulled the trigger once more and Mia was again enveloped in the strange pink light.
She yelped "Ohh!! It tingles!" Mia shivered all over, anxiously waiting for the changes to occur. The light pulsed, moving and swirling around the young girl, growing brighter and brighter until both girls were forced to close their eyes.
"Whaaa? Wahhh!" Makenna heard her friend wail even before she'd opened her eyes. At first all she could see was a squirming heap of sweater where 5-year-old Mia had been standing. Placing the gun on the table, she hurried over to the pile of fabric, rummaging through until she finally untangled a tiny, naked months-old baby!
Faint wisps were all that remained of Mia's blonde hair, and Makenna watched in fascination as the baby waved her pudgy arms and legs around. Her face was scrunched up in frustration, and she was turning a worrisome shade of red as she cried, unable to form words.
Makenna stood with baby Mia in her arms, bouncing her slightly and murmuring soothing "Shhhhhsss" to calm her. Stepping back over to the table, she reached out with one hand to fiddle with the dials on the ray gun...