Just as Laura is sure she made a clean break, she hears a shout behind her. Panicking, she speeds up. In her rush, she doesn’t see a tree root. She trips over it. To her horror, she hears the voice of the dice yet again.
“Four years you have walked this Earth. Now this number is but two. Each roll of the dice returns more of what you have lost.” Laura shrinks. In her shock at being regressed yet again, she doesn’t struggle as she is lifted into the air by whoever spotted her.
“You must’ve been dropped off early,” comments the young man. He carries Laura back to the daycare. “Come on, let’s get you settled in.” The man looks Laura over. “Looks like you were playing dress-up in your big sister’s clothes, miss runaway.”
“I-” Laura starts.
“It’s okay if you were. But you can’t wear clothes too big for you,” the man says gently. “That’s why you tripped, after all.” They enter the daycare. Laura is brought over to a changing station, where the man deftly removes her training pants and tapes on a thick diaper. While she’s still on the changing table, the man goes over to a dresser and rifles through it for clothes.
“Oh, these will look adorable on you!” the man gushes, returning with a pair of tights and a sparkly dress. Still in shock, Laura doesn’t resist the man dressing her. “And one final touch!” The man puts her hair into pigtails. “Perfect! Now, remind me of your name?”
“Lowa,” Laura squeaks.
“Laura. So pretty!” A bell rings somewhere. “Oh, I have to go get that.” The man sets Laura on the ground. “Put your bag in your cubby, okay? I’ll be right back!” The man walks away.