't quite reach me. I sat at the long table, a guest of honor at a party that felt like a trap

smile wide and practiced. He raised a glass. "To Ethan! The quiet geniu

, but their eyes

ée, squeezed my arm. Her touch felt cold. "Aren't you

rn for years, suddenly made my sto

to that small, dark closet when we were ten. A game of hide-and-seek. Chloe had locked me in, laughing outside the door while I screamed, my lungs burning, the walls closing in. S

same look in her ey

g to the lavish spread of food arriving at the

salmon, and intricate pastries. My plate was placed in front of

when the bill came, Brandon and Chloe would announce the "real" celebration was elsewhere. They would lead everyone in a "dine and dash," leaving me behind, disori

e left it on the counter. A message from Brandon: "The plan is set for tomorrow. He won't know w

was the key that unlocked the closet door from my child

"I'm not feeling well. I

"Don't be silly, Ethan. The part

endly mask was still in place, but his eyes were hard.

ayal. The anger I felt was cold and sharp. I had spent my whole life avoid

lanning," I said, my

ed for a second. "What

t the other classmates, their faces a mix of confusion

ning to one of wounded innocence. "Ethan,

"A friend wouldn't use my claustrophobia against me. A f

other students stared, fo

said, forcing a laugh. "He gets

anymore. I turned to leave, my o

goi

save them from the poisoned food. I wouldn't warn them about the bill. Let them eat their tainted meal. Let the

ate dining area, Brandon and a few of

voice no longer friendly. It was a command. "You're go

ing into a chair. The trap wa