Kaitlin returns with the food, not sure why Laura hadnt just answered the phone. As she steps off the elevator and approaches the office she can see the light was still on. As she reached the door to the office her foot bumps into something.
"What the heck is this," She says, picking up the box that had been on the floor.
"Laura?" She said, poking her head in the office. "Are you still here? I got the food."
As Kaitlin's eyes scan the room her attention is drawn to the large window that was open.
"That's strange, how did the window get open." Cautiously she stepped through the room, peering inside and around the office.
"Hello? Is anyone here? You shouldn't leave the windows open. Someone could have gotten inside."
She was about to turn and leave when a noise from the corner caught her attention. She couldn't be sure but it sounded like someone was trying to hide.
"Is someone there? Show yourself!"
She said this as she walked further into the office. There in the far corner was a lump of fabric, it looked familiar. "Wait is that Laura's coat?"
Kaitlin took a few more steps towards the corner, when a foot appeared. "Laura is that you? Why are you playing around like this?"
The person didn't respond, instead they retreated deeper into the coat, but Kaitlin could no longer ignore her suspicions something was wrong. Stepping forward a final time Kaitlin grabbed the arm she had seen.
"Laura is that.."
Kaitlin didn't complete her sentence as the young women finally looked up at her. Kaitlin could see there was nothing remotely adult like about the girl. She looked to be no more than 15, and that meant she couldn't be her old and worn down co-worker.
"You're not Laura. Who are you, why do you have that coat? What are you doing here"
Laura didn't reply, she just stood there a nervous look on her face, an a stunned expression in her eyes.
"Well!??"
The girl flinched in fear as she ducked her head. "I…it’s me Kaitlin… It's Laura your friend!"
Kaitlin didn't respond, to busy trying to make sense of what the kid was babbling about. There was something about the mannerism, and her eyes that seem familiar, now looking closer. Those are definitely Laura's clothes, but how?
"Don't try and pull my leg kid. There is no way you are my forty year old co-worker. There isn't anything around here worth stealing so why don't you spill why you are here, and what you have done with Laura."
The girl took a step back her face looked crestfallen as her lip began to quiver.
"I am serious, that better not be a joke and those'd better not be crocodile tears your crying, otherwise i'm going to call the police and have you hauled downtown."
"Please! It's not a lie!" Said the younger Laura.
"Its me… Laura, I know I look and sound young, it's because of these stupid dice" she pleaded. "Just believe me."
Kaitlin looked at the girl, unsure of how to proceed. On the one hand, even if it was Laura, she doesn't seem much trouble. She couldn't run in heels and all her clothes seemed a few sizes too big. Kaitlin is more confused than afraid, but better to play it safe.
"I have an idea," said Kaitlin. "Why don't you tell me something about me only Laura would know."
Laura looks at Kaitlin for a moment then starts hesitantly. "Um… well... when we first started working here you went on a date with the head of the insurance company in our building, and it turned out he was a real jerk who spent most of the night hitting on the waitress."
"After he was finished he asked to pay the bill but then told the waitress 'you may be willing to accept a lower tip, but I'm afraid it just wasn't very good service' then walked out. When the waitress told you what happened, you covered her half of the bill and gave her the best tip possible."
"So now every couple months I take the time after dinner to take her flowers."
"Alright, alright, I'm convinced. The kid was telling the truth" said Kaitlin a smirk appearing on her face.
"Then what's the matter now, you are as young and spritely as the day you graduated. Where's your grin?"
"Ha ha" said the former older Laura in an entirely unconvincing and sarcastic way.
"Very funny. This is no joke, I need to somehow fix myself. I'll never be able to show my face at the job again, everyone will laugh their heads off if they knew!" The young teen shouted.
"Calm down", said Kaitlin, "There is always some explanation. May I see the dice ?"
Laura pulled the dice out of the coat and handed them over.
"Hmmm" muttered Kaitlin as she examined the dice. "Not much to look at, but the box says 'Regressing Lots' and the spirit did say something about returning you to your lost youth. So, let's try this out."
"NO!" Screamed the younger Laura. She could already see the orbs appears next to her friend, now more like her mother.