Laura’s fairly confident she can slip out of the restaurant without attracting attention, but only if she’s dressed as her current age. She removes the toddler outfit and slips the kindergartener one on, letting out a sigh of relief as she takes off the diaper. It was humiliating to be wearing one of those. She’s six, not two.
Now dressed in a more comfortable manner, Laura grabs her bag off of a table, where the employee that took it had set it down. She rushes out of the restaurant before she can be spotted.
The walk to the train station is short and easy. No one gives her a second glance, including the person she shows her digital ticket to board. However, an attendant is still called to bring her onboard and into a car for unattended children.
“Here you go, Laura,” the attendant says, opening the door to the car. It’s mostly deserted; the only other inhabitant is a boy who looks to be about twice Laura’s current age. “Mason, this is Laura,” the attendant says to the boy. The boy grunts wordlessly, not even bothering to look up from his book. “If you need anything, let Mason know,” the attendant instructs Laura. “He’ll come get me.” Laura nods. The attendant leaves.
Laura walks over to a corner with some toys meant for kindergarteners and sits down. She eyes Mason suspiciously, but he doesn’t seem to care she’s there. For the time being, she’s safe. All she can do now is hope nothing changes.