This one starts out as chapter 17 but has a different ending, mental age regression.

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Mrs. Colleen Cracknell waited in Miriam's outer office. She had been summoned to the school because of her two children who sat beside her. Despite not being twins Ericka and Matt were in the same grade. Matt was the older at fifteen and Erick the younger at fourteen. They were eleven months apart but because they were born on either side of September, they ended up in the same grade. Neither had been much trouble, until early this year when their father had died. No one knew whether he died of a tragic accident at work or was it suicide (or even worse foul play.)

But without a father and their mother was in no shape to parent properly. As a result the family was thrown into ruin. Ericka though just fourteen years old started to dress provocatively much to the delight of the horny boys in her grade. Ericka's clothing wasn't bought too short or tight, but after rolling up the belt-line of her skirts/bottoms and tying a huge knot on her tops exposing her mid-rift, her clothes were 'inappropriate' for school. Despite her dress (and her obvious come-ons to the boys), she had no intention of letting any boy even get a kiss from her. She was a tease; a very hot tease.

Matt started to pick fights with everyone. At first it was just the boys who made crude remarks about his sister (not that he ever admitted to even liking her.) Matt called Ericka a bitch or worse many times. But if another boy called her a skank or even if he innocently called her cute, a fight would entail. Eventually anything could set him off.

If Matt wasn't getting into trouble for fighting, he would be getting into trouble for the things he called the other girls. They were much cruder (or at least as crude) as what the boys were calling his sister. This also resulted in fights with the girl's brother if she had one at school.

The Cracknell family was shown into the office. Mrs. Werner had resisted desperate measures with his family due to the family tragedy. But this family had been a thorn in her side for long enough. She had to straighten things out.

The family took a seat in front of Miriam. Each was under their own best behavior. Ericka had removed the knot in her top and unrolled her skirt so each was a respectable length. She had also washed all the makeup off her face giving her a false look of innocence. Not that this was fooling Miriam.

Matt couldn't hide his black-eye. But the scowl and/or smirk which was usually on his face was replaced with a non-committal look.

“Welcome,” Miriam said in a cheerful tone and a big smile. “I know you all have had a rough go of it. I was hoping I could help you get past these difficulties.”

No one knew what to think. Each had been told by friends (and other family) there were problems. But they all thought they had gotten over it. Which was far from the truth. They didn't expect Miriam's tone. They thought she would be like all the rest; very solemn and very stern.

Continuing Miriam said, “Hey I got something new. I have been showing everyone. This is amazing.” She then lifted a cloth napkin and revealed a red crystal that seemed to shimmer in the light.

The entire family locked eyes on the crystal. They couldn't look away. Their minds went blank as the entire world seemed to fade. All that was left was the crystal and Mrs. Werner's voice. Their minds were opened and waiting for instructions. These instructions would bury themselves permanently into the minds of each of the family as soon as they heard them.

“Can you hear me?” Miriam started.

“Yes,” they replied..

“We are going back to the root of the problem and then fix it from there. You are now all a year younger.” Very little changed. “Now you are two years younger.” Matt and Ericka both lost everything they had learned in high school, algebra and high school biology were gone from their mind as well as the other subjects. Ericka first real date with a boy was gone too. Not the 'false' one where the boys mother drove her and her date to a movie, but one that was totally arranged without any parents involved. This was the one in which she had her first real kiss and the feeling of a boy feeling her up with her permission too. Matt lost similar experiences.

More years were counted down. More knowledge was lost and more experiences. Dad's death is lost with the rest of the recent memories. Lost were the points where first crushes were developed, the opposite sex weren't just annoying and finally when they all had cooties and must be avoided.

Years went by quickly, the time when security items lost their importance, the time when they are picking out their own clothes, music and friends. Both forgot their sleepovers at friends houses.

Years pass again, Colleen is picking out who her children's friends are. Both Ericka and Matt like to be around 'Mommy' full time, not that both don't have their friends, they just prefer to play while 'Mommy' is around.

Another year passes, Ericka and Matt want to behave for adults. They have started to suck their thumbs again. They like to tell “Mommy about everything they did. They have started to take showers alone. Although mom is outside the door.

Another year drops away, going to school is fun, they think of themselves as big kids now. Both develop a best friend. Their bedtime is 8:30 and they have given up naps in the day as a regular part of their schedule. They have started to make or get their own foods, like pouring milk into cereal.