Sarah didn’t even really have to think about the decision. Obviously, she would take being a teenager over being a young child, toddler, or even baby. In fact, her mom used to tell her all the time how difficult it was to potty train her; at four, Sarah was still in diapers at night or for long trips, and in training pants during the day.
She went to press the button for Option A, but her finger slipped, landing on Option B. Her eyes widened.
“No, not four!” she begged. She pressed Option A, hoping maybe it hadn’t registered the first push. It was too late. The machine was already beginning the process of turning her into a child not even old enough for kindergarten.
A strange prickling sensation spread throughout her body as she aged backwards. Her skin smoothed and brightened, her hair lengthened, her chest flattened, and she began to shrink. When it was all done, she was identical to how she’d been at four years old.
With a reluctant sigh, Sarah stepped out of the booth, swimming in the clothes that had fit her so well only minutes ago.
“You went with four? I would’ve thought you’d choose the teenager option,” Isaac remarked. Sarah crossed her arms, scowling.
“I tried to do that, but accidentally hit Option B,” she muttered. Isaac walked over and patted her head.
“Well, at least you didn’t accidentally hit the baby option,” he teased. “Let’s get you in some clothes that actually fit you.”
“About that…does the machine remove potty training?” Sarah asked timidly.
“If you are young enough, yes. But you were turned four, not two, so-” There was a faint trickling sound. “Is there a leak somewhere?”
“No,” Sarah mumbled. She lifted the clothes, revealing a small yellow puddle beneath her. “I wasn’t potty trained at four.”
“Ah.” Isaac and Gerald seemed a bit surprised at first, but then took it in stride.
“We’ve got protection that should fit you just fine,” Gerald said reassuringly. He put a hand on Sarah’s back and guided her out of the room. “Come on.”
The three entered an adjacent room filled with the various supplies that Isaac and Gerald had stockpiled for any potential option Sarah might have gone with. Quickly, Isaac and Gerald realized that they had been wrong as to what size Sarah was at four. There was only one outfit that fit her and it was…