Kyle Hayner was being brought by the hand of his “mother” Corrine to engage with what she called “bonding time”. Just from the words alone, Kyle immediately went to the obvious conclusion, and began to sweat from the highly-likely outcome.

(Please, don’t let it be what I think it is...!)

They had reached the second door he tried to open earlier, and Corrine took out a key from her left pocket to unlock it.

“Inside...” she pleasantly invited her “son”, one arm pointed into the new room.

“Okay...” Gulping, Kyle cautiously stepped inside...

“Huh?”

It was a small, sparsely-decorated room. There was a medium-sized table near the back right corner, with two chairs positioned on the side the two could more easily reach. A pirate-themed chest labeled “Toys” rested on the back left corner, which was currently closed. A round, red rug covered nearly the entire floor, somewhat-clashing with the light blue walls and matching with the light brown carpet which peaked out in the corners of the room. And to top it off, this was yet another room devoid of any natural light.

“This is the Bonding Room!” Corrine introduced. “This is where the two of us can just enjoy our company in peace!”

“But there’s no one else here...” Kyle said as he entered the room, while his “mom” closed the door.

“There’s just something about a small room like this that’s...cozy, y’know?” Corrine smiled.

“I can’t argue with that...” He sighed, giving a slight smile of his own. There was indeed something quite comfortable being in a room of this size, as opposed to the huge playroom or even his own bedroom.

“So, what would you like to do first, Kyle?”

“I dunno,” he replied, shrugging. “What should I do?”

“There’s toys over there,” Corrine spoke, pointing to the chest. “Or maybe you’d like to play with Mommy?”

“I’ll try the toys first...”

Kyle walked over to the chest, opening it to discover the “treasure” inside. These toys seemed smaller than the ones littering the playroom, consisting of little trains, cars, planes, plushes, beanbags, and rattles, among other things that could easily be held with one hand. He dug through the pile, unsatisfied with the topmost items, until he found something he desired...

“Hmm...this’s kinda neat!” Kyle spoke, now holding a foam cutlass.

“Oh, feeling like a pirate today?” Corrine said.

“Kinda, I guess...heh heh!”

He swung and waved the sword, feeling the weight in his hands.

“Hah! Take that! Hyaaa!”

Kyle grinned as he pretended to fight off imaginary enemies, while Corrine sat in one of the chairs and happily witnessed her “son” swing his sword all about. In his mind’s eye, he was defending his ship from invaders looking to take it over, and Captain Hayner was not about to let anyone take his vessel without a fight.

(I haven’t done this in years...this’s way more fun than I thought!)

After several minutes of playing pirate, he tossed the sword aside and went through the chest again, this time taking out a rattle. It was light blue on the handle and the orb, which had magenta diamonds horizontally wrapped around it.

(Hmm...cliché, but...also kinda amusing...)

Kyle chuckled to himself as he shook the rattle and took in its sounds. Corrine too found enjoyment from his playtime.

“Would you like a binky to go with that, Kyle?”

“Hmmm...I suppose...”

Corrine got up and went to the chest; it took her a few seconds of scouring to obtain a small cube container, with a picture of a pacifier on all six sides.

“Go on, open it!” she spoke, holding the box in front of Kyle with both hands.

“Okay...” Somewhat reluctantly, he took the lid off and peered inside. There was a plain purple pacifier with a hoop attached to the end opposite of the nipple.

“Well...here goes...”

Kyle took a deep breath, sighed, and popped it in his mouth.

(Hmm...)

He sucked on it for a few seconds, looking all around him as he also shook the rattle.

“How is it?” Corrine asked.

“...I don’t really like it,” Kyle replied once he took it out of his mouth. “Tastes weird.”

“Oh...” She frowned.

“Sorry, Cor--Mom.” He shrugged, with an uncertain frown.

“That’s such a shame...” Corrine spoke as she took the pacifier and put it back in the box. “You look downright adorable with a binky!”

“Mmmmff...” Kyle turned red, looking away. “Th...Thanks...”

“Of course, sweetie.” She gave a slight smile as she rested the box on the table.

“...so...if you don’t mind me asking...”

“Yes?”

Kyle put the rattle down and stood up, looking right into Corrine’s kind, green eyes as he asked:

“Why...why did you kidna...have me?”

She frowned and looked confused for a brief moment, before smiling again and answering:

“Mommy’s always wanted a little baby of her own. Someone to take care of and love with all of her heart. But...well...Mommy wasn’t built for it. She...um, couldn’t really give birth. Which is why you’re so special to me!”

“But...you didn’t give birth to me!” Kyle said.

“Mommies aren’t bound by silly things like blood! Whoever they take care of is their child, even if they don’t look a thing like each other! Don’t you agree?”

“I...but...!”

“You may have a Mommy of your own, but whoever truly loves you is what really matters. Sometimes the Mommy that gave birth to you isn’t the best Mommy for you. It’s sad, but it happens.”

“And what if both Moms love me?” Kyle spoke, anger rising within him. “A-Am I just...supposed to pick the one that loves me more or something?!”

Corrine merely shook her head, still giving that content, motherly smile.

“Does your real Mommy love you, Kyle? Can the Mommy that brought you into this world do even half of what I’ve done for you? You’re happier here!”

“How do you know that for sure?!”

“Mommies just know, honey. It’s not something you can explain.”

Kyle shook in place, both hands balled into fists as he bored a hole right into Corrine with his hateful glare.

“Stop...just, stop it!”

“Kyle...” Corrine approached him, but he merely recoiled, pushing her arms away.

“Don’t touch me! Don’t...don’t ever say anything about my mom again, got it?!” He threateningly pointed her way.

Corrine shook her head, sighing in disappointment.

“If that’s how it’s going to be, then fine. But if you keep this up, I’m not making you that special lunch I promised. And I’m going to send you to time-out. Understand?”

“Whatever...” Kyle crossed his arms and looked away.

“...is there anything you need?”

“No...um, well...”

Turning back around, he blushed and frowned in embarrassment.

“I...I’m thirsty.”

“I’ll go get you some milk...”

Corrine left Kyle alone in the Bonding Room, where he pondered some more.

(That woman sure has a way of making me feel like shit...it puts my real mom to shame! I don’t know why her words are having such an effect on me...I don’t know a lot about anything here, actually. A-Am I...being drugged?)

Kyle’s heart beat faster, he breathed quicker, and he began to sweat, as he paced around the small room.

(W-What was in that food she gave me? Did she lace it with some sort of chemical? She must’ve done something like that to bring me here, so I wouldn’t put it past her! But it tasted fine...but she might have some sort of tasteless mind-control thing in it!)

He shook his head.

(Really, Kyle? You’re sounding really crazy right now! Calm down! You’re not being brainwashed or anything! You’re just being held against your will in...wherever the hell this is! Just don’t give in to her words and you’ll be fine!)

Kyle’s thinking lasted for longer than he had thought it did, because he wasn’t expecting Corrine to open the door so soon.

“Here, sweetie...” She handed her “son” the bottle of milk.

“Thanks...” He stared at the bottle.

“There’s no laxative in it this time. Promise!” Corrine smiled.

“Oh...good.”

“...how come you aren’t drinking, Kyle?”

“I...um...”

In spite of himself, he could not help but ask:

“I...I-I want you to...to feed me.” Kyle blushed.

(Dammit! I just told myself I wouldn’t...but...)

“Only if you apologize for what you did,” Corrine replied.

Kyle gulped, still red-faced. “I...I-I’m...sorry, Corri...Mommy...”

“I forgive you.” She smiled again. “Now, come here...”

Corrine sat on the floor, patting the spot between her legs. Kyle followed her lead, sitting in front of her.

“No no, like this...”

Corrine gently turned her “son” around and laid his head in her lap. He stared up at his smiling “Mommy” as she brought the bottle to his lips, and he began to suck on it.

(This’s...even better than last time...)

Kyle closed his eyes as he drank from the baby bottle, hands folded on his chest, while Corrine softly hummed a tune for him. Any previous sense of unease and doubt faded from his mind; this moment was all that mattered. And yet, part of him wondered...

(Why...? Why do I keep falling for her tricks? Why must everything about her be so...hypnotic? I don’t want to be in this place anymore, but when I’m with her, I don’t want to leave...I don’t want this pleasant feeling to ever end...is this what I’ve always wanted? To be babied by some crazy woman who thinks I’m her son?

...I...I suppose it’s not the worst thing in the world...but I still want to get out. I have to get out!)

“All gone!” Corrine chimed as she removed the empty bottle from Kyle’s lips.

“Mmmmm...” He comfortably sighed, slowly opening his eyes.

“Hmm?!”

“What?” Corrine tilted her head, confused.

“N...Nothing...”

Kyle sat back up, shaking his head.

(I think I saw her last night...! But I still can’t quite remember when!)

“Well, now that you’re all full, do you want to play a bit with Mommy?”

“Um...sure...” Kyle replied, turning around to face Corrine.

“How about a game of Patty-Cake?” She smiled.

“O-Okay...”

“Do you know how to play?”

“Kinda...refresh my memory.”

“Put your hands together like this...” Corrine put her hands together in front of her.

“Okay...” Kyle mimicked her.

“Now go like this...” She slowly brought her right hand toward her “son”.

“Like...this...?” He brought his own right hand to meet hers, and felt how soft and tender her palm was.

“There you go!” Corrine cooed. “Now the other one...”

Kyle and Corrine played Patty-Cake with one another, with “mom” reciting the rhyme. They alternated between clapping their right hands together, their left, both hands at once, and back to their right hands; the speed at which they clapped slowly ramped up as they continued.

“...and bake it the oven for Kyle and me!”

“Heh heh...ha ha ha ha!” Kyle couldn’t help but giggle, especially from Corrine replacing “baby” with his name in the rhyme.

“I love you so much, sweetie...” She gave him a sweet, gentle smile.

“Ha heh heh...I-I--Ahhh!”

Kyle accidentally clapped with the wrong hand due to the tingly distraction in his chest.

“It’s okay Kyle...babies get a little confused sometimes. But you’ll get better as you grow up!”

“I-I’m 25!” he complained.

“I know! It’s hard to believe you turned two not too long ago!”

“Years, Mom. 25 years.”

“Ha ha ha ha!” Corrine laughed, gently rubbing Kyle’s left cheek. “You’re just so adorable sometimes!”

“Mmmmmmmm...” He blushed from the patronization, yet he did not seem to mind it that much.

“Are you being a Grumpy Gus again?” she teased.

“No...” Kyle crossed his arms and frowned.

“Yes you are!” Corrine tickled his chin with one finger, and he recoiled.

“Stop it.” He blushed even harder.

“C’mon, sweetie! I want to see my Kyle smile!”

“I don’ wanna.” He looked away.

“Come on...pretty please?”

“No.”

(Am...am I just playing along with her now? What the hell’s gotten into me?!)

“Kyyyyyyle...” Corrine leaned forward to enter Kyle’s line of sight.

“Nnnnnnngh...”

“Just a little smile, sweetie! Please?”

“Mmmmmmgh...okay...”

Sighing, Kyle faced his “mom”, and slowly smiled. It was not the most confident, secure smile, but it was a smile all the same.

“There’s my happy little boy!” Corrine cheerfully spoke as she hugged him.

“Ehhhhh...” His cheeks were bright red as his emotions got to him again.

“I love you, Kyle.”

“I-I-I...love y-you too, Mmmmmom...”

This time, Kyle was not teary-eyed, though the desire to stay in this embrace was just as strong as before.

(She gives some of the best hugs I’ve ever had, I gotta admit...)

“Okay!” Corrine let her “son” go. “I think that’s enough bonding for now! I’ll let you play a little bit longer before lunch!”

She pecked her son on the nose, and he smiled even wider.

“O-Okay!” Kyle nodded.

Corrine led him out of the Bonding Room and back into the main room. She waved goodbye as she left for the kitchen, and Kyle waved back, still smiling.

(I...I gotta get out before she completely takes over my mind! It...it feels good, but...I-I don’t want this!)

Kyle took a deep breath, walking to the center of the room to get a good feel for what he thought was a glorified prison:

The walls were aqua-colored, which had a calming effect on the babied adult; it was designed with bubbles, seaweed, coral, and cutesy smiling underwater creatures like octopi, dolphins, starfish, sharks, orcas, and whales; the rug that covered the whole floor was light green, which complimented the walls, and depicted cheery land animals like dogs, cats, bears, lions, elephants, and chickens; the various doors were white with polished silver knobs that had keyholes; the ceiling was also aqua, but had no decorations on it, or anything else besides an intercom speaker and security camera that both hung from the center, attached to a mechanism that allowed for 360 degree rotation.

Kyle faced the wall that had the door to the Bonding Room; he designated this as “North”, despite not knowing whether it truly was north. The “North” wall had two doors, though he did not know what lay behind the one on the left. The wall extended to Kyle’s right back towards the hallways, to his room and what he assumed was Corrine’s room that was across from his. Turning right and facing “East”, there was but one door, which was the first door he checked when he futilely tried to find the bathroom earlier. “South” had no doors, while “West” had two doors on opposite ends of the wall; he knew the one to his left (when facing the wall) led to the kitchen, but he had no idea what lied behind the other door. Having done a complete rotation in place, Kyle now knew that the playroom was rectangular, with the “North” and “South” walls being the thinner sides of the rectangle.

(Okay, now to check these doors...)

With his stomach normal, Kyle could now roam about without worrying about keeping his diaper clean. He started with the sole “Eastern” door, but just like last time, it would not budge. Knowing that physically taking down the door would not end well, Kyle moved clockwise along the walls; he skipped the kitchen door, opting to instead check the other “Western” door.

(Dammit! Locked again!)

To his dismay, Kyle could not open this door either, nor could he open the nearby “Northern” door that he had not gone through yet. He quickly walked past the Bonding Room and into the hallway leading to his room.

“Huh?”

Kyle did not notice it when Corrine brought him to the kitchen this morning, but there was a door next to his room.

“Yes!”

He smiled when he noticed it was open, and upon looking inside, it was as if he had finally found an oasis amidst endless desert sands. It was a bathroom, which contained a sink, shower, bathtub, and toilet. Kyle gazed at the porcelain throne in complete awe, and it seemed he had good timing; there was pressure in his bladder, and now he could actually use something besides the padding strapped around his waist.

(I just need to take this off...)

“Kyle Hayner!”

It was too good to be true, however. Through the intercom, Kyle heard his “mother’s” demanding voice as he grasped the rim of his diaper, prepped to take it off.

“Mooooooom...!” He could not help but whine like a child.

“You’re not to take off your diaper young man! I don’t want you making a mess on the floor!”

“I’m not a dog! I-I’m going to use the toilet!” Kyle moved his hands towards it, gazing up at the camera/speaker that was hanging from in the corner.

“Don’t be in such a rush to grow up!” Corrine’s voice was now more motherly. “You’ll learn how to use the potty one day, but not without Mommy helping you!”

Kyle groaned, crossing his arms. “I’ve been using it for decades, Mom! I know what I’m doing!”

“I’m not going to ask you again, Kyle. Get out of the bathroom, or I’ll have to punish you.”

He sighed in defeat, shaking his head and feeling chills just from hearing the word “punish”.

“Fine...I-I’m...s-sorry...” Kyle ashamedly spoke as he exited the room, closing the door behind him.

“I know, sweetie...it’s okay.”

“Mmmmmmmm...”

He felt as if the air had been squeezed out of him, causing him to slouch as he slowly approached the door across from his bedroom.

“Kyle, don’t go in there!”

“Why not?”

“It’s not nice to go into other peoples’ rooms without their permission!” Corrine explained.

“So this is your room...”

“Yes, and you’re not allowed inside!”

“Fine...I’ll just go into mine then...”

Upon entering, Kyle better observed his new abode: The walls were the same here as they were outside, and again, a camera/speaker system was installed in a corner of the room; the changing table rested next to the entrance on Kyle’s left, the rocking chair sat in the corner near that table, and the rocking horse was close to the wall on Kyle’s right; the yellow round table had two matching adult-sized chairs, with crayons and blank paper resting on top; the baby walker was no longer here to rest on the light brown carpet.

(This room is rather cozy...)

Kyle could not deny that fact as he slightly smiled, looking all around.

(What’s with this thing anyway...?)

As he walked throughout the “house”, he could not stop wondering about the crinkling his diaper made; he looked down at it in curiosity. It was fairly thick, no doubt to absorb plenty of his waste, which made him walk with a slight waddle. It was a snug fit, hugging his waist and feeling like some sort of soft cushion.

(Ohhh...I can’t believe I’m doing this...)

Unable to control himself, Kyle slowly lowered his right hand to feel the front of his padding.

“Heh...heh heh!”

He grinned and giggled as he heard it rustle and felt the cushy, smooth plastic on his fingers. There was something enticing about it that he could not explain, nor could he deny the pleasurable sensation he had while fondling his diaper.

“Ha ha ha!” (So comfy...I-I can’t believe I’m enjoying this so much!)

Kyle patted his padded posterior with both hands, and blushed from the tingling he felt as a result. The sensation wasn’t as intense as when his “mommy” did it, but it was something he still really liked.

“They’re nice, huh?”

“Whaaa?!”

Kyle jolted in place when he heard Corrine speak behind him. Utterly red-faced, he turned around and was greeted with her pleasant visage.

“Y...Y-Y-Yes...they’re...really comfy...” he replied while nodding.

“I buy only the softest, bestest diapies for my baby!” Corrine double-patted the front of Kyle’s padding. “They’re also really absorbent; you’ll rarely leak with these on!”

“Heh heh...good to know, Mom.” Kyle grinned.

“So, you ready for lunch?”

“Y-Yeah!”

“Well let’s go then!”

Kyle willfully took Corrine’s hand and was guided back to the kitchen. All the while, he excitedly wondered what special meal was in store for him. Before he knew it, he was sitting in the highchair again, with his “Mama’s Boy” bib wrapped around his neck.

“What’re we having?”

He saw Corrine pour something from a pot on the stove, into a blue plastic bowl. With oven mitts on both hands, she delivered the steaming, piping-hot bowl to her “son”, resting it onto the highchair’s tray; its tempting aroma wafted its way up his nostrils.

“Soup!”

“...that’s it?” Kyle frowned in disappointment.

“Kyle, I didn’t just make a canned soup! I used fresh organic ingredients to make it from scratch! It’s chicken noodle soup, with celery, carrots, and a hint of mother’s love!”

Kyle couldn’t help but snicker at the sappiness of Corrine’s last ingredient; her smile did not waver.

“It’s the truth, sweetie! You’ll taste it for yourself!”

“Okay...pfff...!”

He grabbed the nearby spoon, which had a space-themed hilt not unlike those seen in a baby’s utensil. The bowl of the adult-sized spoon was not steel like a regular utensil, but instead made of a baby blue plastic just like a toddler’s spoon.

“Wait, it’s too hot!” Corrine warned.

“But I’m hungry...” Kyle frowned.

“Lemme get you some warm milk to tide you over...”

Corrine went back to the stove to get a baby bottle full of milk, and placed it next to the soup on the highchair.

“Warm? Um...thanks...” Kyle began to drink the milk, which felt quite calming.

“You’re welcome! It’s warm because drinking something hot then something cold, or something cold then something hot, hurts your mouth from the temperature difference! So, if you drink warm milk before the hot soup, your mouth is more used to that sort of temperature!”

“Wow...that’s pretty smart, Corr--Mom.”

“Of course!” Corrine nodded. “I’m no stranger to childcare!”

“Hmmm...how long have you taken care of kids?”

“Most of my life,” she answered. “I’ve always wanted to help kids and be a mother, and it turned out that I’m quite a natural! When I was a teen, I used to babysit kids in my neighborhood all the time! I also worked various daycare jobs for over a decade, and did lots of research on how to properly care for a baby!”

“But...you’ve never had any children of your own? B-Before me, I mean.”

“Like I said, Mommy’s just not built for it.” Corrine frowned. “I wanted a little baby boy or girl of my own to care for, but I never could...my late husband and I were planning to adopt a newborn, but...”

It felt as if the joy in the room had suddenly died; Kyle uncomfortably squirmed in his seat as he looked at his “mom”, whose green eyes were filled with sorrow and regret.

“I’m...I’m sorry, Mom...”

“It’s okay.” Corrine shook her head, sadly smiling. “I’m sure Daddy would have loved you just as much as I do. I bet he’s watching down on us, happy that I’m here to take care of such a wonderful little boy.”

“O...O-Okay...” Kyle gulped, feeling tears in his eyes.

(I...I actually kinda feel bad for her...maybe that’s why she’s kidnapped me...though it doesn’t excuse it.)

“...um...any chance that, you know...”

Corrine shook her head. “No, I can’t. Your dad was...a man unlike any other I had ever met. I’ll never love anyone as much as I loved him...except you, of course!”

Kyle blushed and squirmed again. “I-I hope you know how wrong that sounds!”

“Ha ha ha!” His “mom” laughed, embarrassed. “You know what I meant, sweetie!”

He looked at her with a skeptical look on his face.

(Do I? Because I wouldn’t put it past you...and us not actually being related doesn’t make it any less icky!)

“Anyway, I think your soup’s cool enough now! Go on, have a taste!”

“O-Okay...”

Kyle put down his half-drunken bottle of milk, taking his spoon and bringing the soup to his mouth.

“Mmmmmm...” He licked his lips after swallowing.

“Isn’t it delicious?”

“...it’s really good!” Kyle grinned as he continued to drink his soup. “Probably one of the best soups I’ve ever tasted!”

“See? It’s way better than anything you can find premade in a store!”

“Definitely!”

Kyle happily consumed the soup and kicked his legs, as Corrine smiled at her “son’s” youthfulness; his tummy slowly filled up from the warmth of his lunch, creating an ever-increasing sense of relaxation and sleepiness. After a while, she went back to her soup pot, pouring a bowl for herself.

(The more time I spend here, the more kiddy I become...but the less I care! This stuff is so good, I could eat it every day for the rest of my life! Er, as long as that meant I don’t have to be a baby 24/7...)

“Nnngh!”

As Corrine sat down at the nearby table with her own bowl of soup, he felt his insides gurgle.

(Oh no...not again...!)

Kyle winced, trying his hardest not to dirty his diaper as the pain intensified.

“C-C-C-Corrine!” he spoke, strained.

“Yes, sweetie?”

“D-Did you...put anymore l...llllaxative...?”

“No, I didn’t,” Corrine replied, shaking her head. “I think it’s still in your system.”

“I...I’m not going to--”

Out of his control, a disgusting sound escaped him, and Kyle knew it wasn’t just gas this time.

“...dammit...” His cheeks were red hot.

“Kyle, watch your language!” Corrine warned.

“S-S-Sorry, Mom...ennngh!”

The cramps persisted, and he could not hold it and focus on his food at the same time; in fact, it felt as if he couldn’t hold his second mess inside for very long to begin with.

(I...I already did it once, but...I’ll probably feel it...uuuugggh...!)

Sighing, Kyle knew it was pointless to put up a fight, especially since his diaper was already unclean. So, determinedly, he put down his spoon, grasped the edges of his highchair tray, and pushed. This time, the sludge came out immediately, accompanied by sickening sounds as it vacated his body and entered his padding. It even felt less solid than last time, which did nothing but make him feel more nauseous from his messing.

“D...Doesn’t this--nnnngh!--doesn’t this...m-make you lose your--aaaagh!--your appetite?”

“Kyle, when you’ve been around babies for as long as I have, you gain a tolerance for gross behavior,” she answered. “Don’t hold back just because I’m here!”

“I-I-I wasn’t...hnnnnnnnngh!”

With one last, long splattering noise, the cramps faded away again; Kyle sighed in relief, relinquishing the sides of the tray and slacking in his seat.

“Haaaaaaaah...Mom?”

“Yes?”

“Can I...get a new diaper please?”

“Not until you’ve finished your lunch.”

“What?!” Kyle’s mouth dropped.

“I don’t want your soup to get cold! And you might not be finished!”

“But...I-I can feel it...uuuuuuuuuugh!”

Kyle cringed as he sat upright, feeling the warm mess inside his diaper press up against him. It was a disgusting feeling, even more so than simply using his diaper. Despite the tastiness of his soup and his milk, he was distracted by the utterly unpleasant sensation from down below, and the worries of getting a rash from wallowing in his filth for so long.

(I’d better finish fast, before I start to like this too!)

Thankfully, no more flatulence, mess, gurgling, or cramps were had; instead, the tingling feeling in his bladder was more apparent than ever.

(Oh, I might as well...)

Kyle sighed as he let himself go, smiling from the pleasantness of release as a piddling sound reached his ears. It lasted about 15 seconds before he was through.

“Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh...”

“All done, sweetie?” Corrine asked as she brought her bowl to the sink, gazing at Kyle’s near-empty containers.

“Almost...”

Within a minute, he drank the last of the soup and milk, loudly belching afterwards and feeling a third kind of relief.

“Aaaaahhh...excuse me.”

Kyle licked his lips, smiling from the sheer warmth in his stomach...despite the warmth in his diaper.

“You’re excused, Kyle. Now let’s get you cleaned up!”

Corrine opened the tray and took off his bib, leading him out with one hand.

“Please...it’s really gross...”

Kyle was taken back to his room, red from cheek to cheek; even though he was no longer sitting on his waste, he knew it was stuck on him, so the nausea was still present in his chest.

“Lie down...” Corrine instructed when they had arrived in his room.

“Mmmmm...Mom?”

“Yes Kyle?” Corrine opened his used diaper.

“I...I want to know what’s in those doors.”

“I saw you trying to open them, you Silly Billy!” She smiled, wiping him down. “You’ll find out soon enough if you behave yourself!”

“Mmmm...I...I noticed something...”

“What?” Corrine applied diaper cream to his now-clean bottom.

“Brrrrr...th-there’s no windows...why are there no windows?”

Kyle’s question wasn’t answered until after his “mom” dashed baby powder onto him and taped a fresh diaper onto him.

“Sweetie...you’ll see the sun again after your nap.” Corrine smiled as she disposed of the dirty diaper.

“That’s not an answer!” Kyle complained, leaving the changing table. “Are we underground or something? Why isn’t there any sunlight?”

She sighed, shaking her head. “If you must know, we are technically in the basement of my...our home. If you promise to behave yourself and not run away, I’ll let you upstairs and into the backyard for a bit.”

“I...I want to go home...”

Despair began to set in. Kyle shook in place as fear, anger, frustration, panic, and sorrow all swirled together in a vortex of negativity inside of him.

“I told you, this is your home.”

“I want my real home!” he angrily said, pacing about. “I want to see my real mom again, I...I-I don’t want to be here the rest of my life! Why don’t you understand?! I hate it here!”

“You don’t look like you hate it here, especially when I made you that soup.”

“Th-That’s because you...you’re doing something to my mind! I-I dunno if...if you’re lacing my food, or playing some sort of hypnotherapy bullcrap, or...whatever!”

Corrine sighed again, shaking her head. “Kyle, I would never do something like that to you. You’re my son.”

“No I’m not!” he yelled. “I’m not related to you in any way! Stop...stop saying I’m your son, because I have a birth mom, and it’s not you!”

“Didn’t I tell you that blood has no meaning?” she replied in a harsher tone.

“I don’t give a fu...flip!” Kyle hatefully glared at Corrine. “I’m sick of being in this prison! Lemme out! Just...lemme out!”

Kyle lunged at Corrine, eyes filled with rage. Before he could reach her, shocks coursed throughout his body, halting him in place.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuugh!”

He crumpled in front of her, panting with his teeth clenched and tears streaming down his face.

“Kyle Hayner! You’re really acting up today, aren’t you?” Corrine spoke, device in hand.

“I...I jus’...jus’ wanna go home...” Kyle said, delirious.

“You’re just a bit cranky...I think I should put you down for your nap early today...”

“Stop...please...I...I...”

He took a deep breath as he got on his hands and knees, looking up at his captor:

“I wanna go home! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Kyle bawled his eyes out, kneeling in front of Corrine.

“Oh, sweetie...”

She knelt down as well, bringing him into her loving arms.

“Shhhhhh...it’s okay, Kyle...” Corrine softly rubbed and patted his back.

“I wanna go home! I don’ wanna be here no more!”

“You’re gonna be just fine, honey...please...Mommy hates to see her baby cry...”

Corrine felt tears of her own as her “son” continued to sob into her shirt.

(I...I no wanna be here...but Corrine makes me feel better...I’m all confused...what do I want? What’s...what’s best for me? K...Kyle no know...why am I thinking like that? I-I’m not a baby...even t’ough...is kinda fun...no, stop it Kyle! You’re an adult! Just...just remember that!)

“Kyle...I love you so much...please don’t cry anymore...”

“I...I...!” He sniffed, whimpering as he gazed into Corrine’s sad, caring eyes.

“You just need a little nap, and you’ll be alllll better...” She smiled, bringing her “son” back to his feet.

“O...Okay...I...I wanna take a nap...”

“There we go...”

Corrine gently kissed Kyle on the forehead, caressing his blonde hair; the young man once again felt warm and fuzzy on the inside, smiling through his tears.

“Th...t’ank you Mommy...”

“Anytime, sweetie...”

Corrine lowered the bars of the crib, and Kyle stepped inside. He allowed her to put the cowboy sheets up to his armpits, leaving his arms above the blanket.

“Mommy?” Kyle was now speaking in a more youthful tone.

“Yes?”

“Can...I have my bunny?” He pointed to the bunny doll resting at the other end.

“Of course.” Nodding, Corrine brought it into Kyle’s arms, where he tightly hugged it.

“T’ank you...wha’s his name?”

“Basil.”

“Kyle an’ Basil...dey go toget’er real good!”

“Yup.” Corrine smiled.

(His fur’s real soft, like a real bunny’s! An’ it feels real good, jus’ huggin’ ‘im! Is...is like huggin’ Mommy, only is not as good...but Mommies can never be replaced, not even by a cute widdle dolly like Basil!)

Kyle rolled over to his side, snuggling his plush pal with a big smile on his face.

“Aaaaaaaaaahmmm...Kyle sweepy...” He yawned, eyes barely open.

“I bet! Have a good nap, sweetie...”

Corrine pecked Kyle on the cheek, and he happily sighed; she observed him for a while until his eyes closed and he fell asleep. Just seeing the rising and falling of the smiling boy’s chest was enough to melt her heart.

(You’re so beautiful, Kyle...I’m so lucky to have been blessed with a lovely little boy like you...)

She contently sighed, tiptoeing out of the room and slowly closing the door behind her.