"All right, I guess it's my turn," Derrick said, reaching for the bubble. Caleb's hand stopped him.
"Are you kidding me, dude? Look at what's happened to the girls already. We can't keep playing."
"That's not fair," Courtney complained, feeling her braces with her tongue. "We all have to play."
"Yeah, besides, I bet that's the only way to reverse everything," Jenna said, lifting the waistband of her thong that was Sara. "You want her to stay like this? Maybe you do . . ." She made a suggestive face.
"No!" Caleb exclaimed, but then sighed. "Maybe you're all right. Maybe we have to finish. Fine, Derrick, go. But be careful."
"Like I have a choice," Derrick laughed, hitting the bubble to roll.
The number 3 appeared, moving Derrick's token three squares, and then the following words:
You don't like traveling alone
The number you rolled will be the number of companions you have
"That seems simple enough," Derrick said. "I guess I choose three of you to come along with me, and you probably have to stay on the square that I'm on until you roll som---whoah." Suddenly, Derrick didn't feel well at all. He jumped to his feet and ran to the bathroom where he felt like he threw up everything he'd ever eaten in his entire life. When he came back, he was a little wobbly on his feet but otherwise felt a lot better. "Sorry. Guess something I ate earlier didn't agree with me. Um. You guys okay?" No one else was saying anything, just staring at him with wide eyes and dropped jaws. "What? What are you staring at?" He plodded back to his seat and eased himself into it, then rested his hands atop his belly.
"Uh, Derrick?" Jenna said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You been getting busy with someone?"
"What are you talking about, babe?" He rubbed his belly in small circles, his shirt lifting quite a bit to expose taut, firm skin. "You know I only have eyes for you." He jumped as something kicked him--from the inside--and finally noticed what he was doing. His eyes widened in horror as well. "OMIGOSH!" he shouted as his stomach protruded a bit more, pushing down the waistband of his pants and turning his shirt into nothing more than a chestband.
"Yep," Caleb said, shaking his head. "You're pregnant. My guess? Triplets. Three traveling companions."
"Nononononono," Derrick said. "Men can't get pregnant. This can't be a thing. This isn't happening." He clutched the sides of his protruding belly, feeling its warmth and the three lives that it held.
"Yeah, and getting younger before your eyes or turning into freaking *underwear* can be a thing?" Courtney said, anger flashing in her eyes. "It's *happening,* Derrick. My advice? Let's finish the game before you reach full term." Derrick winced as a baby kicked him especially hard, fear and resignation etched deep into his face.
"Okay, who's next? Someone roll," he said in a shaky voice, though both arms cradled his large belly protectively.