Chapter Thirteen

It was now or never. Hearing some footsteps coming down the basement steps, Theodore hurriedly pressed the edit button - entering the figure ‘18’. He once again heard the computer hum to life and his body tingle all over as the nanobots got to work. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the inevitable return to normal. Surely it was over! Surely he had finally escaped the horrible humiliating nightmare!

As he opened his eyes however, glancing down at the familiar white pressed Holyoke uniform shirt complete with school crest and gray khakis still stained with dirt from the flower pot he’d broken, he realized something was off. The spindly arms arms sprouting out of his short sleeve shirt; the angelic face staring back at him from his reflection in the nearby glass white board; the whining moan rumbling unbidden from his pouting lips - all of these remained not those of a confident young man striding into an adulthood, but of an excluded, unpopular, immature eleven year old boy. Theodore groaned in frustration. What had gone wrong? Why wasn’t he older?

“What are you wearing?” A voice sneered from the stairs. Theo spun around, seeing Ewan and Charlie having just come through the door. “Is that…a Holyoak uniform?” Ewan demanded.

“Urgh…” Theodore stuttered wordlessly, much too emotionally whiplashed to provide any sort of explanation to his bizarre predicament.

Ewan marched confidently forward, brushing the boy aside to take a look at the computer interface. “Oh my God!” he exclaimed, hardly able to contain his amusement as he let out a series of loud mocking snickers. “Did you change your age on here?” he demanded. Charlie scurried up beside him, also taking a look at the monitor. Theodore didn’t answer, just looking at the older boy dumbstruck. “What, did you think you’d actually get older or something?” Ewan went on mocking, as if it were the most ridiculous sentiment in the world.

Charlie smirked, clearly very amused by the situation as well. “All it can do is change your clothes.” he explained. “Didn’t you know that?”

“O-obviously!” Theodore exclaimed defensively, though he didn’t sound very convincing. “I was just messing around with it.” He tried to backtrack.

“Suuuure.” Ewan rolled his eyes. “So then I guess you won’t mind if I mess around with a few other settings, then?” he declared, taking hold of the mouse and keyboard.

“No!” Theodore exclaimed, trying to wrestle back control. He pushed Ewan aside with all his might, trying to pull him away from the precious monitor. This was too important! He couldn't run the risk of Ewan messing things up! The two boys tumbled to the ground in a scuffle, but not before Ewan managed to press two keys - the back space, and enter.

The computer hummed to life for a third time, the nanobots once again rushing into action to dress Theodore in attire appropriate to his listed age. Unfortunately however, that figure was no longer eleven, nor eighteen - but just one. Preoccupied with keeping Ewan pinned to the ground, Theodore didn’t notice the changes at first. He was oblivious as his school uniform shirt and khakis merged into a single set of adorable bright yellow shortalls featuring the smiling sweet face of Winnie the Pooh; as his undershirt unfurled into a stripey soft t-shirt adorned with buzzing bees; as a matching yellow bucket hat materialized on his head, crowning his messy coronet of honey brown curls. In fact, the first notice Theodore had at all was the strange bulk he suddenly felt manifest around his waist - his boxer briefs retreating up his legs and then thickening four-fold into a crinkly, poofy, perfect oversized replica of a toddler’s pair of Huggies.

This last humiliating change was also the detail Ewan chose to draw attention to, almost breathless with laughter as he kicked his way free from the grip of the eleven-year-old in toddler’s clothing. “I can’t believe it!” he exclaimed in delight, expertly twisting Theodore around and pushing him down prone on the floor to put his obviously padded rear on full display. “You’re actually wearing a diaper!”

Theodore was completely mortified. Hot all over, he felt like his cheeks were on fire. “CHANGE IT BACK!” He screamed, flopping around under Ewan’s grip like a suffocating fish.

“Naw.” Ewan shrugged. “I think you're cuter this way.” He turned to Charlie, showing him a mischievous smirk as he continued to hold Theo down. “Hey, click through to the outfit selection mode and get rid of his overalls, would you? I wanna see if it’s like an actual baby diaper. You know, with cartoons on it and stuff.”

Charlie looked vaguely disconcerted, taking a step back. “I dunno. This seems kinda mean…” he said.

Ewan rolled his eyes, seemingly preparing to jump up and do it himself, but before he could act Uncle Rob appeared in the doorway.

“What on earth is going on in here?” he demanded, narrowing his eyes in suspicion as his gaze fell on Theodore. “What is he…?”

“It’s his favorite outfit.” Ewan snickered, jumping up to let the boy loose. Theodore sat up on his padded bottom, completely exhausted and humiliated. He covered his eyes in shame.

“Ewan!” Uncle Rob scolded. “I thought I told you not to come in here without permission.”

“But the door was unlocked.” Ewan countered.

“That doesn’t mean…” Uncle Rob trailed off, extremely frustrated. He marched over, quickly taking back command of the computer. “Theodore…you said you wouldn’t change anything!” he tutted, sounding extremely disappointed.

“I’m sorry…” Theodore whined, his voice barely a whisper. He was completely dejected. Not only had his plan failed, he was now sitting there in the lab on full display to everyone dressed exactly like a one-year-old infant.

“Go and stand in the testing area.”

Theo didn’t need to be told twice. He got up as quickly as he could, cringing at the papery feeling of the diaper rustling around his legs with every step. He finally waddled up to the designated spot behind the glass. Uncle Rob took a few agonizing moments to correct all unauthorized changes the boys had made before he was able to get things back to running how they should. He pressed the enter key, restoring Theodore to his dirt biker shirt and plain sweat pants. The eleven year old breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing at once, though he was still tremendously embarrassed.

“There. Now go to your rooms.” Uncle Rob demanded. “You’re all in very big trouble.”

***

Theo stood in between Charlie and Ewan in a line up in the brother's room as Mom and Uncle Rob stood across from them. The silence was thick, as if the tension had caused the air itself to become viscous. Theo glanced up to see the tight faces of the two adults opposite the boys. He quickly looked back down, fearing even looking at them would break them out of whatever was holding back the rage that Theo could feel emanating from them. Theo began to fear what was going to happen to him. Would he be grounded? Would Mom take away his video games and computer privileges? What if she actually made good on that threat to take him across her knee?

Theo at once shook his head. What the hell was he thinking? The fear that had just run through him felt overwhelming,but Theo was eighteen!He shouldn't actually be scared of crap like that. Besides, how was he even in trouble? He hadn't even done anything! Sure he had changed two little numbers on the computer, but how could they even be mad at him after what Charlie and Ewan had pulled?

“I just don't even know where to begin,” Mom said, finally breaking the silence and throwing her arms up.

“Let's start at the end and then work our way up.” Uncle Rob suggested. Both adults then turned their eyes onto Charlie, who squirmed a little under their gaze. “Well young man, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“I'm really sorry!” Charlie said, his voice sounding so incredibly pitiful at the moment - almost as if he was on the verge of tears. “I was just mad at Theo for yelling at me at the fair, and Ewan was mad at him for fighting with him, and then I said we should play a prank on him…”

Theo's eyes widened a little. He couldn't believe that Charlie was actually admitting that he was the mastermind behind all of this.

“But if I had known that was what Ewan was going to do, I wouldn't have gone along with it.” Charlie said. He turned to Theo. “I'm so, so, so, so, sorry,”

Theo turned his head away, waiting with anticipation for Mom to lay into Charlie. Maybe that little kid act had worked in the past when the boys had squabbled, but now with only a year separating them there was no way Mom could ignore Charlie's behavior!

“Well, we can hear how sorry you are.” Uncle Rob began. “And I think we can hardly punish you just for suggesting a prank.” Theo's head turned slowly in shock upon realizing where this was going as he listened to his Uncle continue. “The next time you are upset with someone, please just talk it out with them. Now why don't you skedaddle.”

Charlie went to leave before Mom stopped him. She told him to apologize to Uncle Rob for going into his lab without permission as well, which Charlie did, before scurrying out of the room - no doubt relieved to escape the oppressive atmosphere. Theo was aghast at how manipulative Charlie was. He had certainly put on a good show, and both the adults had lapped it up.

“Now on to you two,” Uncle Rob said, putting his attention on the boys.

“Theo started it! He was messing with the computer, I was just trying to fix it,” Ewan said.

“Don't even try it,” Uncle Rob said with a stern tone. “You are already in deep trouble, lying is only going to make it worse.”

“Theo.” Mom began. “You were already on punishment. Your Uncle gave you one rule, and you couldn't help yourself for even a minute.” she said. “What could have possessed you to try and change your age in the computer?”

“I had too, it was my only chance!” Theo yelped. Both of the adults looked at each other with befuddled looks. “I h-had too,” Theo said, convinced this was the only chance he had to make his case. There was no telling what age he’d be the next day, after all. “I'm not eleven or six, or fourteen. I'm eighteen! But this house changed me...I don't know why but...” Mom put up her hand to interrupt him, shaking her head.

“That's your story?” she said. Uncle Rob couldn't help but chuckle a little.

“We already know what you were trying to do. We know you were trying to get around some of the restrictions, weren't you?” Uncle Rob accused.

“So what website were you trying to get on?” Mom asked. “Maybe a movie you're not supposed to watch?”

“Or play video games late into the night?” Uncle Rob added.

“I'm not lying!” Theo yelped. “I'm not a kid, I'm eighteen!”

“Theo, your story is impossible.” Uncle Rob said. “Just because you change your age on your profile, that doesn't mean it will change your biological age. That kind of technology is at least a hundred years off. You're talking science fiction.”

“Yeah, too bad for you,” Ewan smirked. “It would be great if you could just grow up with the click of a button.” He bit his lip mischievously. “Or maybe we’d all be better off if you grew down.”

“Ewan, you have no right to be talking that way after what you did.” Uncle Rob said.

“It was just a prank!” Ewan insisted defensively. “It's not like he doesn't need diapers anyway.” Ewan teased, causing Theo's face to flush red. “I just didn’t want him leaving puddles all over the house again.”

“Enough.” Uncle Rob barked. “Ewan, you are going to your room for the rest of the night and the door is being locked.”

“What!” Ewan shouted, looking genuinely outraged.

“You heard me, you're on lockdown tonight and you're grounded for the rest of the month.” Uncle Rob said, placing his hand on the back of Ewan's neck as he led him out. “Let's go, we'll finish this up in your room.”

Theo and his Mom were left alone. Theo went to say something, but his Mom just shook her head.

“You're grounded for the rest of the night as well.” she said. “I suggest you use this time to figure out how you're going to pay back your uncle for that violin - since you can't be trusted in his lab.”

“I'm not lying!Why can't you just listen to me for once!” Theo said, seeing his plans slipping from his fingers. She had to listen, she had to believe him!

“I'm listening just fine.” Mom said. “Honestly Theo you are too old to be doing this. Your Uncle was very gracious in giving you an opportunity to make things right.”

Theo felt his temper flare up. Why did he ever think she would believe him? She always thought she knew what was best for him, and nothing he could say to her would change that. Theo's anger was seething as his mind raced. The only thing he could think of now was to hurt her as much as she had hurt him all through his life.

“When we get back home tomorrow, I'll be taking your electronics as well - until you can show me some maturity.” Mom said. Theo gritted his teeth.

“I'm not going back home.” Theo said. “I don't ever want to see you again as long as I live! I hate you!” Theo yelled, letting his anger burst with the reckless fury of a preteen. His Mom blinked, a little taken aback by what he had said. But to Theo it wasn't enough - he wasn't going to hold back any longer. “I wish Dad had taken me with him!”

Theo regretted the words just as soon as he had said them. He saw his Mom take in a sharp breath as her face fell. She didn't look angry or even sad, she looked shattered.

Theo had not been serious about his statement. Despite his misgivings and resentment towards his Mom, there was only one person in the world he truly hated - and that was his Dad, who had walked out on the family shortly after Charlie had been born. They hadn't heard a word from him since.

Mom tried to say something in response, but Theo wouldn't hear it. He turned around and crawled under the covers of his bed. There was silence before he heard his Mom leave the room. He could almost swear that she was sniffling a little as she left. He heard the door close and the lock engage with a definite click.

Several hours later, he heard the door open as his Mom and Charlie came in. He heard her say goodnight to Charlie as she tucked him in. He then felt her come and sit on the edge of his bed.

“Theo, are you awake?” she said as she placed a hand softly on top of the lump under the covers. Theo was in no mood to even attempt to reconcile with her however, as he scrunched up tighter underneath the covers. “You can hate me all you want,” Mom whispered. “But I will always love you, no matter what.”

Part of Theo wanted to throw off the blankets and bury his face into her chest. He wanted to feel that comforting embrace, tell her how sorry he was, how he didn't mean any of the terrible things he had said. But he couldn't. He listened as she got up and walked out the room.

Theo lay in the bed for some time, staring up at the ceiling. He wondered what would happen tomorrow. How old would he be? Older, back to fourteen? Or would he get younger again? He knew that just hoping to wake up eighteen again wouldn’t make it happen. He sat up. He couldn't allow himself to be given over to the winds of chance. He had to do something. Hegot out of the bed, quietly looking over to see that Charlie was completely asleep, and then went to the door -turning the handle and finding it unlocked.

The boy crept out into the hallway. He couldn't hear a single sound. It seemed everyone was asleep. He snuck down the hallway, feeling like a robber in someone else's house. As he went past Ewan's room, he could see the red LED light on the door handle that signaled that his cousin had truly been sequestered into his room for the night. Theo made his way back down to the entrance of his Uncle's lab. He knew this was his only chance at setting things right.

Luckily Theo found the door unlocked. He moved stealthily into the lab area, coming back to the computer. He found it on a screen displaying the profile pictures of all the inhabitants of the house. He looked at his own to see a picture of his eleven year old self smiling, his name next to it along with his age set to eleven - thanks to Uncle Rob. Theo clicked onto the profile. He moved the cursor back over to the box with his age.

He changed it back to eighteen, yet this time nothing seemed to happen. He guessed it was because the clothing program wasn’t running. Hopefully changing the setting now would set him back to normal in the morning. He let out a breath of relief, now seeing his profile with his true age next to it. He got up and crept back up to his room, crawling back into bed.

Even if Uncle Rob had told him that it wasn’t possible, Theo couldn't buy that. Obviously something was going on that even his Uncle didn't understand. Theo waited a bit just to see if he could feel something. After a while, he felt his eyelids start to droop. He let his eyes close. He was confident that this would work; it probably just took some time was all. Theo let himself fall asleep, knowing that tomorrow he would be back to normal. Once he was eighteen again they would have to believe him - of that he was sure.

Down in the lab, some life came to the screen on the computer.

Diagnostics report compiling User input detected...data not complete...continue diagnostics.