Alex, Austin and their parents.

The van drove off of the highway and took the 148B Exit. The sign said that a town named "Idunn", and the sign said that it was only a few miles away.

Dad was driving and mom was in the front passenger seat. Their 16, going on-17 kids Alex and Austin where in the back seat.

In the back seat sat Alex and Austin. They were fraternal twins, and while they had their differences (beyond their differing chromosomes), they both suffer from a physical disorder. It didn't have an English term yet -- the only name for it being three, ten-syllable-long words that might have been some kind of Greek -- Alex and Austin had a word for it.

Inconvenient.

Their condition left them with a hit or miss digestive system from top to bottom, meaning that they had very specific dietary requirements, as well as leaving them near-incontinent. While they are capable of using a toilet like the big kids that they were, 9 times out of 10 they would not make it and they would end up having an accident. Because of this, Alex and Austin have never grown out of their diapers.

On-top of that, lately they have been suffering from different bouts of forgetfulness. Sometimes they would have trouble reading past a 2nd grade level, or their emotions would become more intense, causing them to throw a tantrum or cry uncontrollably when something they didn't like happen to them. Their classmates at their old school would mock them, "retarded" being a recurring cruel remark made at their expense. Alex and Austin where perfectly intelligent for their age, but it was not until lately did these peculiar spells strike them at inconvenient times.

Their parents took them to the doctor, at a loss for what to do and fearing for their children's health. While their annual check-ups left them with poor results, it was by the end of school year did they receive a letter from the government. The letter said that Alex and Austin where not the only kids their age suffering from this condition and that there was a government program put in-place to care for them and study their condition in a safe and controlled environment. This new plot of government housing would be rent-free for the entire family and it was in-state, meaning that their parents would not have to quit their jobs or make any other massive changes, so the family could not have said "yes" any faster.

The van passed by a cornfield that bled into the town border. They went passed a sign.

Welcome to Idunn: Stay a Little.

The cornfield dissolved as they drove passed trees and stopped at a gate.

Dad gave the security guard at the gate their letter of admission.

"Ah yes. 'Sampson Family'. I got a call to expect you."

The security guard gave mom and dad a brief glance before his eyes met Alex and Austin. Both blushed and sunk into their seats at his gaze. They knew what this place was and the security guard likely knew their padded secret. Alex tugged at her shirt, making sure that the frills of her underwear wasn't exposed while Austin crossed his legs.

"Alright. Your plates match the record. Everything seems in order."

He pushed a button. A buzz went off and the gate opened.

"Welcome home."

The van drove passed the gate into town.