A Who Done It

Chapter Description: The group find the culprit. or so they think..

The nursery had gone quiet.

The storm still rumbled faintly beyond the shuttered windows, but inside the air felt warm and heavy, as though the whole room were holding its breath. Izabella sat cross-legged on the rug, absently humming as she traced circles on Hugo’s back. The baby had slumped sideways against a plush giraffe; thumb hooked lazily in his mouth. Mark lay sprawled nearby on his belly, kicking one leg in half-hearted rhythm, his once-bright brown eyes distant and glassy.

No one spoke for a long while. Even Jessica had gone silent, rocking slowly in her chair, the faint creak marking each pass. Flo perched stiffly on the edge of the changing table, hands clasped between her knees. Daniel leaned against the wall near the door, checking his watch and then the hall for what must have been the fifth time.

Katy sat apart from them all, perched on the arm of a sofa, her gaze drifting between the two infants. The longer she looked at their slack, dulled eyes, the more her chest tightened. The silence pressed in, filling the spaces where their adult voices used to be.

“Maybe he’s not coming back,” Dean muttered at last, shattering the stillness. He was slouched in the window seat, arms folded, one knee bouncing. “Carlos. What if he bailed?”

“Don’t say that,” Sarah said quickly. “He wouldn’t just leave.”

Jessica snorted softly. “Wouldn’t he? You’ve known him all of what, two hours?”

Izabella finally spoke without lifting her gaze from Hugo. “Monsieur Carlos will return,” she said simply, smoothing her palm down the baby’s spine. “He gave his word.”

Dean scoffed lightly. “If he’d really bailed, he wouldn’t have triggered the lockdown. The shutters, the sealed doors… all of it. That was to keep us in, not let him out.”

Jessica raised a brow. “Unless he locked us in and then found a way out himself.”

Sarah shook her head. “Doubt it. The whole place is sealed like a vault. He’s still here somewhere.”

“His word,” Jessica echoed, dry. “Fantastic. I feel reassured.”

“Enough,” Daniel cut in, straightening. His voice was firm, but not harsh. “We can’t start turning on each other. Not now.”

Dean blew out a sharp breath through his nose. “We’re not turning on each other. We’re just… sitting here. Watching them…” His voice faltered, and he rubbed a hand over his face. “…and pretending this is normal.”

Silence swallowed the room again.

Katy’s eyes lingered on Hugo’s pacifier bobbing faintly with each slow suck.

Silence thickened again—until Katy stood.
“This is taking too long. We should all go and find him.”

Flo frowned. “And just leave them here? Alone?”

Dean shrugged. “What’s the worst that can happen? They’ve already been turned into babies.”

“Yeah, I mean—but is it safe?” Sarah pressed. “For them to be left alone like this?”

“We’ll put the babies in a crib Katy said. “They’ll be fine.”

There was a brief pause. Then Flo sighed. “Okay.”

Dean bent and lifted Mark carefully from the rug. “He’s so light… How old is he, do you think?”

“Maybe four months,” Sarah murmured, her voice hushed. “They really did a number on him.”

Dean set the tiny boy gently into the crib beside Hugo. The two babies only blinked dully, Hugo’s pacifier bobbing faintly while Mark’s lips gaped slackly. They didn’t even seem to notice.

“Okay… bye, babies,” Jessica muttered. “Back soon.”

The infants only babbled aimlessly, not truly aware of anything as the group filed from the room.

The storm grumbled low outside as they moved down the hall, their pace quickening as they neared the east corridor. When they reached the hidden panel behind the painting, Katy’s stomach dropped.

The secret door to the lab stood open.

“Stay close,” Daniel murmured.

They stepped through.

And stopped dead.

Carlos lay sprawled on the cold floor before the humming machine—
—or rather, what had been Carlos.

Carlos was now a tiny, squirming infant, his small body contorted in an awkward position on his back.  He squirmed feebly in a glistening puddle of his own urine, The baby's delicate limbs flailed weakly, his little fists clenching and unclenching in a futile attempt to grasp the reality of his new existence. each cry hitching with ragged desperation. His large brown eyes were puffy and streaming with tears, yet they glowed faintly like the others had before, a soft, eerie light flickering through the wet lashes. His chubby cheeks were flushed, the baby fat rolling as he squirmed, his movements jerky and uncoordinated. A thin trail of drool from the corner of his mouth His small, wrinkled willy and balls were damp and soft, the delicate skin a tender, pale pink. His chubby fists clenched and unclenched in frantic little spasms, and as his legs kicked weakly against the slick floor, his tiny bare bum lifted and wobbled helplessly with each feeble jerk.

“Holy crap,” Dean whispered. “How the hell has this happened? We were all together.”

“No we weren’t,” Katy said, turning sharply to stare at Daniel.

Daniel stiffened. “Wait… you think this was me?”

“You were the only one not with the group,” Katy shot back. “You told me you were getting your phone, but told everyone else you needed the toilet.”

Dean squared off at him, taller and more muscular. “Is that true, dude?”

Daniel hesitated, jaw tightening. “…Okay. So I did both. Big deal?”

“It is a big deal,” Sarah snapped. “Carlos is a baby. And oh look—the device that could fix this is gone.”

“Search him,” Katy said coldly.

“Get your hands off me,” Daniel barked, but the twins and Flo were already grabbing him, patting him down as he struggled.

“Nothing,” Dean muttered. “He’s got nothing on him.”

“Then he stashed it,” Sarah said.

“I didn’t do anything!” Daniel protested, wild-eyed.

“I don’t believe you,” Katy replied flatly. She turned to Izabella. “Is there anywhere we can lock him in? You have keys, right?”

“Oui, mademoiselle,” Izabella said calmly. “The pantry, in the kitchen.”

“Perfect.”

“This is a mistake!” Daniel shouted as Izabella slipped a small brass ring of keys from her pocket. Jessica stepped forward and snatched them from her hand.

“Save it,” Jessica said, glaring at him. “You can explain yourself later.”

Dean grabbed one arm, Sarah the other, and Jessica shoved him between them as they started marching him toward the door. Flo followed close behind, ready to help if he tried to bolt—but he didn’t. He just kept muttering protests under his breath, eyes darting to the floor.

“We’ll know when we find the device,” Dean said grimly. “Until then… time-out.”

The group disappeared with Daniel down the hall, their voices fading.

Katy stood still, breathing hard, relief prickling her spine that they’d caught someone… but the victory was hollow.

No device. No way to fix anyone.

She turned back, and froze.

It was definitely Carlos. His chubby little hand bore the same dark birthmark at the base of his thumb. This was real. All of it.

His eyes, though red and swollen from crying, still glowed faintly, bright and unnatural like the others.

Before Katy could move, Izabella crouched smoothly beside him.
“Mon pauvre petit…” she cooed, teasing her finger gently under his chin.

The baby whimpered, lip quivering. His tiny bum lifted as his legs kicked feebly, fresh tears welling up.

“You poor thing,” Izabella murmured, her voice melting into a purr. “You must be so hungry…”

Katy watched, transfixed, as Izabella cooed and pulled playful faces at the baby. To anyone else it might have looked like tender fussing—but to Katy, it felt wrong. Carlos’s tiny body jerked with sharp, frantic movements, his fists trembling as fresh sobs tore from his raw throat. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear he was terrified of her… and if he had the strength, he would have crawled away.

Before Katy could say anything, Izabella pulled her top down, her large breasts spilling out. She turned and winked at Katy. "He hasn't eaten all day. I will just feed him." Katy looked at Carlos, who seemed to have calmed down, transfixed by the large breasts before his tiny body. Katy's eyes widened as his little penis started to point up. It was tiny and fairly natural for boys to be like that, she thought, trying to rationalize the scene before her.

Katy stroked the boy's hair gently, her fingers weaving through the soft, downy strands, She lifted Carlos, his tiny body now limp and unresisting, as if he had been placed under a spell. His large, brown eyes, once filled with terror, were now glazed over, lost in a trance that seemed to have stolen his will to resist.

As Katy guided him, Carlos moved with an eerie fluidity, his tiny limbs cooperating in a way that felt almost mechanical. She stood up, her movements slow and deliberate, as Carlos's toothless mouth found its way to Izabella's left breast. The sight was both mesmerizing and unsettling for Katy . Carlos's tiny, pink lips pursed around the nipple, his suckling motions strong and rhythmic despite his toothless gums. Izabella's breast, large and full, seemed to envelop the baby. The room was filled with the soft, wet sounds of feeding, an intimate symphony that seemed to drown out all other noises.

Katy watched, her breath hitching as she took in the scene. Carlos's small naked, wrinkled body was pressed against Izabella's, his tiny hands splayed against her soft, warm skin. The baby's eyes were closed, his lashes casting shadows on his flushed cheeks, as if he had been transported to a place of pure, sensuous bliss

Izabella turned to see Katy watching, transfixed, her eyes wide with a mix of fascination and disbelief.
 N’est-il pas le plus mignon de tous? she purred, her voice rich with a lilting French warmth. “Is he not just the cutest little thing?”

“Mademoiselle…?”
Her lips curled into a knowing smile as she caught the flicker in Katy’s eyes. “Perhaps you would like to experience this too, hmm?”

Katy took a slow step back, unsure what to make of this sudden, display from Izabella. Her gaze flicked to Carlos, still cradled in Izabella’s arms and a chill pricked her skin. The baby’s earlier panic seemed to drain from him. His glowing brown eyes, once bright with fear, were dimming, the colour fading to something softer, duller. His tiny fists unclenched, his limbs going slack as a faint gurgle bubbled from his lips. He nestled against Izabella’s breasts with sudden, unnatural ease, as though resistance had simply… vanished.

Katy cleared her throat softly, forcing a polite smile as she edged a step back. “I… uhh… I’ll go check on the others while you finish up,” she murmured, her voice just a little too bright.

Katy turned quickly, eager to escape the strange intimacy of the scene. She slipped out through the lab’s side door and followed the corridor until the kitchen’s warm light came into view. The air smelled faintly of bread and herbs, familiar yet hollow now that everything else had changed.

The others were waiting there. Dean leaned against the counter, arms folded; Sarah sat on a stool, tapping her fingers restlessly; Jessica stood by the pantry door, where the lock clicked faintly under her hand.

All four looked up as Katy entered.

“Well,” Jessica said dryly, jerking her thumb at the heavy pantry door, “he’s in there. Lock clicks tight.”

Katy nodded once, her tone brisk. “Good. Then that’s handled. What’s next?”

Dean let out a low sigh. “I guess… we look for where he could’ve stashed the device?”

“Where did you say he was before all this?” Sarah asked, her brows drawn tight.

“In the main lobby,” Katy said. “So he could’ve hidden it somewhere around there… or maybe the drawing room.”

Jessica gave a sharp nod. “Makes sense. If he wanted to sneak back later, he’d pick somewhere close.”

Flo spoke up quietly. “Then we search. All of us. And quickly. And… I’ll keep an eye out for the second device too—the one Carlos said he was trying to find before this happened to him.”

“Oh. You’re checking the lab?” she asked, glancing at Flo.

Flo nodded. “Yeah. If he hid the device anywhere, it’s the most likely place.”

“Okay…” Katy hesitated, then added dryly, “Just… be warned. Izabella decided to feed Carlos. I swear that woman is baby mad.”

Dean gave a low chuckle. “Maybe that’s why Hugo hired her. For his little… timeouts.”

“Yeah,” Katy muttered, shaking her head. “I guess so.”

Katy straightened, her tone brisk. “Do you still have the keys?”

Jessica patted her pocket. “Yeah.”

“Great. Go check Daniel’s room,” Katy said, pointing down the hall. “Twins, you two head to the drawing room, where we first met. Look around carefully for anything out of place. I’ll search the entrance hall.”

“Right,” Katy said. “Let’s make it quick. The sooner we find it, the sooner we can fix this.”

“Flo, hold up,” Jessica called as the group began to split off, their footsteps scattering down the halls in different directions.

Katy turned toward the entrance hall, the muted roar of the storm still pressing against the shutters. The space loomed vast and cold now, the marble floor echoing under her shoes. She moved slowly past the ornate console tables that lined the walls, their surfaces crowded with silver trays, vases of wilting roses, and crystal bowls of keys and loose change.

She ran her fingers lightly along the gilded frames of the portraits hanging above them, searching for seams, hidden latches—anything that might reveal a secret panel. Nothing.

Frustration biting at her, Katy strode to the front door and pulled it open.

The sight of the thick metal shutters slammed over the entrance made her heart sink. They glinted dully in the faint light, rain streaking their surface on the other side.

“If only we could leave,” she muttered. “Or at the very least get a signal.”

Then a thought struck her like ice. Carlos’s watch. The one he always fiddled with.

She spun on her heel and hurried back toward the hall, nearly colliding with Flo emerging from a side passage.

“What are you doing?” Katy asked sharply.

“Oh,” Flo said quickly, adjusting her jacket. “I had a thought. I swapped tasks with Jessica. I’m going to check Carlos’s room for any clues.”

Katy blinked but nodded. “Oh. Okay… I’ll see you in a minute.”

Flo headed off, and Katy passed the twins near the grand staircase, who were arguing quietly over where to start their own search. She barely slowed, pushing on toward the east wing.

The warm scent of roasted herbs drifted faintly from the kitchen as she passed, almost comforting. Almost.

“Hey, Izabella,” Katy called as she stepped through the archway into the laboratory. “Have you seen the watch—?”

She stopped.

The room was empty.

“…For god’s sake,” she muttered under her breath.

She walked further inside, scanning the floor around the still-humming machine, crouching to peer under the counters. Nothing.

Then her stomach turned.

If the device had consumed Carlos’s clothes when he regressed… it might have taken the watch with them.

“Shit,” she whispered. “We’re trapped.”

Katy bit her lip hard, trying to think.

Wait.

Where was Jessica?

Spinning on her heel, she strode quickly back toward the kitchen.

And stopped cold.

Jessica was there—

—only much younger.

A tiny infant, no more than nine months old, sat on the cool kitchen tiles, legs splayed clumsily to either side. She was naked, sitting upright. her soft, chubby body spread out on the floor,Her wide blue eyes blinked up at Katy, dazed and glassy, a faint dribble of milk trailing from the corner of her mouth. She clutched one of Izabella’s discarded tea towels like a makeshift blanket, its edge bunched tightly in her fist, the rough fabric rubbing against her bare, puffy vagina as she shifted uncomfortably.

A baby bottle lay tipped in her lap, half full of milk, and she sucked at its teat with slow, unsteady pulls, her tiny cheeks hollowing with each draw. Her little toes wiggled, curling and uncurling in a futile attempt to find comfort on the kitchen floor.

“Jesus Christ…” Katy whispered. “I’ve been gone ten minutes.”

Her pulse spiking, she spun and bolted from the kitchen. As she passed the pantry door, she paused just long enough to check the heavy latch—still locked tight. Daniel was still contained, at least.

She ran on, heart hammering, until she found the twins rifling through a side table near the drawing room.

“Have you found it?” she blurted.

Dean straightened, startled. “No. Why? What’s wrong?”

“It’s Jessica,” Katy said, breathless. “She’s been regressed.”

Sarah froze. “What? How?”

“I don’t know,” Katy said quickly, “but I think it was Flo. She had Izabella’s keys and said she was going to check Carlos’s room.”

Dean’s jaw tightened. “So it is Flo.”

“And Izabella’s gone too,” Katy added grimly. “Did you find the device?”

Sarah glanced down, and for the first time Katy saw it in her hands: a sleek, black remote-like object, no bigger than a phone, its slim LED screen glowing softly, unmarked buttons running down one side.

Dean’s eyes widened. “Holy shit… you actually found it.”

“Okay,” Katy said, swallowing hard. “Hear me out. Maybe Daniel wasn’t working alone.”

Dean let out a low curse. “And there’s still another device out there.”