I was left alone. I thought I was going to get to spend the night playing on the computer and eating snacks. You see, I’d found the mother lode earlier in the day. I’d found the candy stash!

The night called for something chocolatey and crunchy. It was going to be a Whopper of a night! I had my prize and I had my online friends to look forward to. This would be bliss. I began to tear into the box, ready to taste heaven in malted form.

Before I could do more than open the box and eat a single Whopper, a noise behind me made me completely freeze. The door had opened. Nooo! Someone couldn’t be here. I looked around for a place to hide my loot, but movement in my peripheral vision caused me to turn.

As I spun around, I saw her. “No. Not her. Anyone but her.” It was “Auntie Talia” at the door, and she had opened it more than a tiny amount. I couldn’t help but start to shake in fear as I realized that I’d been caught by the worst possible person.

“Uh oh. It looks like someone has been naughty again. Naughty Nerfle at it again. I don’t believe you are supposed to eat that box of candy.” I wasn’t sure how I could have such rotten luck, but there was nothing to be done for that. I had to think of something quickly.

“Um…I was told I could! I promise!”

“Really?” Talia just shook her head and tried to look disappointed as the unmistakable hint of a grin played on her face. “I told you there would be consequences if you misbehaved again. Since you wanted some sweets, we’ll get you something sweet to drink. I’ll go get you a bottle of Powerade to drink. You’ll have something cool to drink and stay hydrated, and it isn’t even water.”

Without hesitation, I nodded at Talia and accepted her offer. “Thank you, Auntie Talia. You’re the bestest!” I put on my sweetest smile and tried to suck up the best I could. Maybe I would get through this night relatively unscathed.

“Drink up, little one.” In just a moment, Talia was back with a bottle of Powerade and a baby bottle. Rats. I was hoping to get out of this without any embarrassment, but that was clearly not happening. The best I could hope for was damage control.

“Tanks!” I whispered, making sure to draw out my ‘s’ sounds and sound as little as I could. Maybe if I gave her a display of a little extra embarrassment, she would keep this to herself.

“I’m waiting,” Talia said. She tried to stare down at me, still looking more than slightly amused. As a matter of fact, if she got any happier, she would look like Harley Quinn or the Joker. I felt like that grin did not bode well for me, at all. I grabbed the bottle and took a drink, almost spitting it out instantly.

“What the heck is this?” I shouted, reaching out for the Powerade bottle. Sour apple? This isn’t drinkable!” Talia’s chuckle was all the confirmation I needed. This was her punishment. Drinking something gross out of a baby bottle was not going to be fun. Still, it could have been worse.

“It sure is. You see, babies don’t have the same taste buds as adults. I promise you, that’s just regular Powerade. Some day, it will taste delicious to you. I promise, Little Nerf!” As Talia gave me that shark-like smile, I felt a weight hit the pit of my stomach as I realized we weren’t done yet. “Now, let’s get the baby ready for bed!”

“I’m not a…” I tried to say, but my protests were ended by a bottle being shoved into my mouth.

“If you don’t finish this in the next 10 minutes, you will be stuck in the same padding for the next 24 hours. You decide if you want to talk or drink.” My body shuddered as my imagination kicked in. I started to do my best to drain the bottle as Talia gently pushed me towards the bed. “Let’s get you in your nighttime diapers!” My face flushed with crimson as I realized what was coming. “Tonight, I think we better go for the double diapers. I have a sneaking suspicion they will be needed!” Talia’s mouth erupted into sound as she started laughing at me. I closed my eyes and tried to finish my bottle. Everything else was out of my control for now.

I peeked as I was being taken to the bed and saw a “Baby Parade” diaper and diaper cover out on the bed. Next was a blue, frilly nightgown that looked like it would go well with a flight to Neverland. With a silent sigh, I closed my eyes and turned away from the bed. At the very least, I would not go willingly. To prove this point, I gave my foot a little stomp. A very dignified stomp, of course. I felt my clothes being taken off and heard them being thrown nearby. I’m not sure why she did not put them in the hamper, but I figured there was a better time to ask that question. There was a sudden bump against my chest and I stumbled backwards, landing on the bed. It was surprising how easily I had lost that fight.

“Just lie still and make this easy, little baby. We’ll have you tucked into a nice, warm diaper in no time at all! And don’t worry, Auntie Talia remembers that you get super blushy and quiet if you get extra powder!” With a Herculean effort, I opened my mouth to speak and set her straight. Before I could get a single word out, though, I inhaled the strong scent of baby powder and felt my brain start to cloud. This was going to be impossible now.

A quick pinch got my butt off the bed and I dropped back down onto what I assumed was the diaper I had spied. After a moment, the cloud of powder became a blizzard that froze my mind in place. I didn’t fight at all as the diaper was positioned and pulled into place. I felt the two bottom tapes being fastened, one at a time, and then the top of the diaper was pulled taut again. The last two tapes were fastened and I felt the cool plastic of the diaper cover being slid up my legs almost simultaneously. As I was pulled to my feet, I remembered the bottle that I still needed to finish. Quickly, I took a few deep drinks, swallowing as much of the liquid as I could.

“Give me that. How slow are you? You’ve got about a minute left. You better hurry. But first, arms up!”

“Why? I want my bottle! Let me finish!” I was almost shouting at Talia, but she was ignoring me the best she could.

“If you want to waste your last minute throwing a hissy fit, be my guest. If baby wants his baba, I suggest you put your arms up.” I glared at her for a split second before realizing I had no choice. With what must’ve been my hundredth sigh of the evening, I lifted my arms. In a few seconds, the frilly, lacy nightgown was on my body.

“I don’t know if this is better or worse than just a diaper.” Talia looked at me and rolled her eyes, then handed me the bottle back.

“30 seconds, baby! Finish that baba!” With a start, I shoved the bottle back in my mouth and emptied it, barely stopping to breathe. “What a thirsty baby! Unfortunately, you finished a few seconds after the time was up. I’m sorry.” I stared at Talia, shock turning quickly into fear. “Don’t worry. I won’t make it terrible. Go lean up against that wall and wait for me.” Talia pointed to the nearby wall, and I walked that way with the slowest trudge possible. Why couldn’t anything go right?

“Since you almost made it, I won’t make you go a whole day without changing. We will add a layer so you can last a bit longer, though!” Talia pulled me off the wall a tiny bit, then slid a cloth monkey diaper behind my back. She pulled it up, trapping me even further. I was now encased in more padding than before, and as I waddled back towards the bed it was quite evident.

“Great job, little one! Double diapers and you finished your bottle. Let’s get you another one!” I stared at Talia in horror, not wanting a third layer added. Despite my protests, Talia just grinned and walked away. She started to refill the bottle as she pointed to the bed. “Lie down. It’s almost time to go nini.”

Since I knew I was stuck, I went ahead and plopped down on the bed. Another bottle was better than another layer. The pouring sound stopped and Talia walked up to me. She positioned several stuffies around me as I laid on the bed doing my best to remain calm. “For the rest of the night, you are going to join your friends in the land of stuffies. Do not move your body, Little Nerfle. Until I come and get you, your only choice is to pretend you are my biggest, favorite stuffy in the world. If you don’t…” Talia trailed off, the threat more than implied. Instead of giving her the satisfaction of throwing a fit, I quietly took a few deep breaths.

“K.” That was all I was willing to do. I would not play this game with her. If it got me an easier night, though, I would pretend to be her doll. Once I figured out a way out, I would come up with a way to get my revenge. But to get there, I needed to play along for now.

“Good job! Tomorrow, those stuffies better still be in place. Now, drink your bottle and no more talking. We’re going to have such fun after I rest and take a short nap!” With a click, I noticed the railing that was normally pushed down at the bottom of the bed. I had not needed the bed rails for months, ever since my sleep walking disappeared. That didn’t make a difference tonight.

“Have a good night’s sleep, Baby Nerfie! See you tomorrow!” With a click of the light switch, the room dimmed almost instantaneously. “I’m going to trust you with the candy and the remote in your crib with you. If you mess with either one of them, tomorrow will be even more fun. For me.” The last line was delivered with a whisper, and it almost faded away unheard. Talia curled up by the desk where she could keep watch, then closed her eyes and started drifting off to sleep. I was trapped for now, but I knew I would find a way out of this situation. Somehow. As the minutes ticked on, I came up with a plan to save the night. And the future.