New read (the fort)

I just finished reading The Fort, and I am very surprised at how dark this book is. It was great. I loved the symbolism at the end with the blooming cactus, reflecting the boys, how they’re growing into something beautiful despite their situations. My questions are

1. Where did you get the inspiration for Mitchell’s character (a kid with OCD)

2. Since The Fort is your 100th book, was it intentional that C.J and Mrs. Delacroix were also names used in Masterminds? 

Thank you