Wrt the bedtime thing cats are territorial and some will get a lot of anxiety about not being able to access their whole territory for patrol, etc. So if you're putting them in a room at night closed off you may be stressing your cat out and that's why she's fleeing. If I put my cat in a room too long the escape attempts and complaining are epic.

It's not for everybody but I kind of find that "pal, you don't _own_ me" look when my cat knows what I'm asking but doesn't feel like it endearing.