As Marshall walked down the hall, he heard footsteps behind him. Fear rose in his throat. He was just a little boy right now, he couldn’t handle any sort of supernatural confrontation. Panicking, he broke into a sprint. The footsteps sped up as well. Suddenly, two hands picked him up.
“Now, what’s a little boy doing wandering around?” asked a voice. Marshall turned around. It was Rusty. Rusty’s eyes widened. “Wait. Marcia?” Marshall nodded. “What happened to you?” Marshall sighed.
“Long thory.”
“I can tell.” Rusty looked Marshall over. “I don’t think I should leave you alone.” Marshall shook his head. “Stay right here.” Rusty set Marshall down and walked away. Marshall stood in the hall anxiously. Thankfully, Rusty was back shortly, carrying a diaper bag and a baby bjorn.
“What that fow?” Marshall asked. Rusty put on the baby bjorn, picked Marshall up, and buckled him into the carrier.
“This is the easiest way for me to carry you around. And the diapers are…well…” Rusty laughed awkwardly. “We both know how this works, Marcia. Your speaking skills got reduced, so your other skills probably did, too.” Marshall turned red. “Don’t be embarrassed. I don’t care if you need a diaper. I’ll even change you! I’ve had practice with my nieces and nephews. And now that we’ve got the same plumbing, you don’t have to worry about being naked in front of me.”
“I gueth,” Marshall mumbled.
“By the way, calling you Marcia is weird. Mind if I call you Marshall?”
“Pleathe, call me that,” Marshall begged. Rusty chuckled.
“Got it, Marshall.” He began to walk. To Marshall’s surprise, he actually liked being carried in the baby bjorn. “So, wanna tell me how you wound up like this?”
“Okay.” Marshall took a deep breath and began his story.