Surprise Surprise

There was just one rule: don’t open the door.

A foster child named Elijah had confided this to Tresa. However in other interviews from the Carson foster home, no one acknowledged a hidden door or Mitch Carson's strange behavior, like pouring meat down a laundry chute as reported by Elijah.

Tresa was met with averted eyes and shoulder shrugs. As an experienced social worker, she was hardy surprised, but jolly saint Mitch locking a child in a basement would certainly be added to the short list.

Now, Tresa stood before a steel door hidden behind the refrigerator—Well color me surprised.

Mitchell raised his hands. “Tresa, I swear this is an addition I’m working on.”

Tresa’s hand hovered over her mace. Despite his belly and male pattern baldness, Mitch was a potential threat.

“Open it, Mitch.”

“The stairs aren’t finished and its danger—”

“Open it or I’ll call Officer Martinez.”

Reluctantly, Mitch fished a keychain from around his neck. As he opened the door, he tried to shove her inside. She regained her footing and sprayed him, leaving him writhing. Surprise #2: I actually used the mace.

In the dark of the basement, stale air hit her nose before the chain light did.

At the bottom, Tresa first spotted a mattress and then a chain leading to a child's neck.

“Oh my god!” She rushed to the boy, who stared blankly, covered in old and new blood. “Come on, let’s get you out.”

The chain came undone with a smaller key, and she hurried upstairs, the boy’s face nestled against her neck.

She found Mitch blocking their escape. “I’ve got plenty more mace, Mitch.”

Mitch wiped his bloodshot eyes. “What have you done?”

Tresa heard a sound she thought was a purr. Did Mitch even have pets? The boy pulled back, smiling to reveal rows of jagged teeth. “Oh no, hon-"

Instantly his teeth ripped through her jugular. She could only watch as Mitch pleaded, “Now Emilio… I fed you like you wanted.”

Soon, both she and Mitch were in puddles of blood. It was then Elijah appeared. Emilio, instead of adding him to the body count, gave him a bloody fist bump. Tresa managed a gurgled laugh.

Another surprise added to the list.