What Happened in Between

The Trick

(WARNINGS: Panic attack)

After dinner, dessert, and a movie, the plan started to commence. The junior high students and Mitch walked into Kirstin's room. The lavender walls went well with everything that was in there. Posters of The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Swan Lake were everywhere on her wall. Rent, Next to Normal, Wicked and other musicals posters were above her bed. The seventh grader then hopped on her bed and did her little smile that everyone loves.

"Truth or Dare time?" Kirstin asked, everybody nodding excitedly, including Mitch. She then cleared her throat. "Any disagreements will lead to the punishment so let's not do that, okay?"

Everybody nodded as Kirstin got a water bottle and placed it on her carpet. Unbeknownst to Mitch, Ariana stuck a magnet where he was going to sit and another magnet was put onto the water bottle. Kirstin turned it and, of course, it landed on Mitch. He clapped his hands excitedly, happy that he was the first one to be chosen.

"Okay, Mitchell," Tyler started off, trying his best to not laugh evilly. Mitch looked at him, smiling. "I dare you to...go next door and steal something from your neighbor!"

"I c-ca-an-n't do t-ha-ha-at-t," Mitch responded, fear being struck in his little body. Who would ever do that? "T-ha-ha-at-t is w-wr-ro-on-ng!"

"Is that a no I hear?" Scott pressed on, holding back a smirk when Mitch nodded. He then grabbed a bucket and took out some tape. "You know the rules."

How in the world did Avi not see that? If he saw that, he would have flipped his lid, grounded Kirstin and Scott, call Kevin, have Kevin come back, have Kevin yell the kids, ground them even longer, and then all will be done. Not this time though. The Olusola children were really discreet this time.

"Let me help," Ariana spoke up, getting the tape. She then taped it twice around Mitch's mouth, smiling at her friends. "Okay, perfect! Now, close your eyes."

Mitch nodded as he felt tears begin to make his eyes wet. He was led down the hallway, his cocoa-brown eyes covered by his eyelids, long lashes, and some fabric. All he heard was a door opening and he was quickly pushed in there. The door closed quickly, locking him inside. The blindfold made it harder to find out about his surroundings and the only senses he had were his hearing and touch. He could feel a wooden object and hear the rude laughs of the older children.

"That's what you get, London 2.0!" That was Kirstin. Why would she ever call him that? She's always been so sweet to him!

"You're going to be in so much trouble! Your siblings will thank me later." Ariana. Ariana was sweet to him. She taught him how to sing a little and taught him 'whistle tones'. Why is she doing this?!

"This is what you deserve! Your siblings do not need to get in trouble all the time!" Tyler. He was, is, funny. He always made Mitch laugh and asked how he was feeling, but never once was he rude to him!

"Good night, Mitchy!" Scott. That was Scott. His older brother. His whole world. His closet family member. He helped him fight off the scary nightmares and tucked him in bed at nighttime. Why, out of all people, is he doing this?

Mitch heard the laughter get quieter and Kirstin's door close. He got the blindfold off quickly, looking around his surroundings. He's in a closet.

A closet.

Carson.

Carson locked him in a closet.

A flashback occurred. Mitch felt his chest tighten as a major panic attack took over him. Carson was behind him, not psychically but mentally. Mitch screamed, but the tape disabled him from making a sound. He tried to open the door, not knowing that a family chair was put in front of there. He let out another scream, his lungs burning. His breathing became erratic and louder, taking him away from his warm home and back to Esther's closet. He felt his eyes get heavier and he finally gave up, feeling like he could not breath.