Asylum: By Malik Ishtar

Summary: Three Reporters go undercover to write an article and end up in a more dangerous situation than they ever realised. Malik, Ryou, Yuugi, Seto.

The Global World™ presents: ASYLUM- By Malik Ishtar

It is Day 41 and I cannot believe the Irony of this. I am stuck in here for another month, myself and my co-workers. The utter dangers associated with madness are made abundantly clear. When one is trapped by madness, there is no escape from the taint. Who would have known this experiment would have such drastically bad results? Let me explain. Today's activity is personal diary day. I feel like a 5 year old. We have to write with crayon like substances, special pens that you can't hurt yourself with. Every thing here is a reminder of my wrongful imprisonment.

You see, I am currently writing/residing in Kuraskyuro Asylum for the Mentally Ill.

But I am not insane- yes I know every insane person (or most) will deny it. But perhaps allow me to explain. I know that many of you would have heard of me, or even read my work before.

By the time that the public read this, I will hopefully be out. I write this feverishly, knowing that I wouldn't be allowed to pass this out- writing something as politically volatile as this could have nasty repercussions for places like this everywhere. But it has to be said, and so I have a visitor coming. I will get one chance and one chance only to pass this on to him. I am, as you will have guessed, a reporter. I have worked for Time magazine, EarthScience, even some fashion magazines. But now, currently under employment for a world news section (which publishes to various newspapers in America, Australia and England) is where I found the highest quality work.

Along with my co-workers Ryou Bakura and Yuugi Motou, I was checked in to this Asylum. I am apparently here for a variation of a split personality disorder, Ryou for attempted suicide and Yuugi for paranoia. I do not have a split personality, Yuugi is not paranoid and Ryou did not attempt suicide. As per the procedure Seto Kaiba (chief editor) instructed us to follow, for the first two weeks we pretended- I with my dual 'selves', Ryou acting depressed and Yuugi profession all kinds of nonsense about aliens and the like.

And then, following orders, we stopped. We acted completely normal, as would you, your friends… And then we asked (as per instructions) to be let out. The answer was a resounding "No." It was then I began to hear the first hint of trouble. We waited one more week, reasoning that we wanted to live/didn't have a double/realised Aliens do not exist. To no avail. The doctors decided we just wanted out. No dice- we're still in here.

And so Seto Kaiba wrote a letter, explaining the trial, our situations, why we were here and why we should be let out. We weren't crazy, we had gone undercover as a scientist might, to investigate the realities of life for people in here. The Asylum politely responded that they were still running tests and needed to keep us for observation. We panicked then, a little. I am truly lucky Seto Kaiba is rich, famous and very influential. And I wonder all the poor souls who are stuck in here, who could be living a normal life if the doctors would let them, because not everyone has a friend like Seto Kaiba. Oh yes, the doctors are very polite and earnest. Ryou yelled at one- being here for this amount of time, and the threat of continuing to be unreasonably restrained here does great on ones nerves. They told him to calm down. He has to take extra pills now. When we protest against the use of drugs (wouldn't you? I don't know what they are doing to my immune system, but it worries me.) we are ever-so-gently reminded that we can take them voluntarily, or they will force them on us.

Our letters are read, mail in and out. Our phone conversations are our own, but there are listening ears and limited time… (END OF WRITING)

EDIT: (Seto Kaiba, Chief Editor)

When I went to visit these so called 'lunatics' I was in for a very nasty shock. Firstly, I was searched for both sharp objects and means of escape. I then was told the guidelines, and given a strict amount of time. I could choose to visit but one of my three employees. When Malik Ishtar handed over his article, I nearly laughed. The words were scrawled on uneven paper in what looked like crayon. But then I saw a warden approach me. The conversation went something like this.

Warden: "Excuse me sir may I have a look at that?"

Myself: "You may not. It is a private matter."

Warden: "We have been asked to check any outgoing material. I'm afraid I will have to take it."

Myself: "Malik Ishtar has given this to me. It is my own private property and you will not confiscate it."

At that, the warden looked duly troubled.

Warden: "The Paper and writing materials are the property of the Asylum."

Myself: "Then I will handsomely reimburse you for them."
Warden: "I'm afraid it's not possible."
Myself: "Then when I next visit, I shall arrange for suitable writing materials for Mr Ishtar so he may write me something I can take."

Warden: "I'm afraid that's also not possible sir.

And therein lies the trap. Who would know if the inmates were mistreated? With no proof, no help available once someone is declared mentally ill, this is a dangerous situation that Mr Ishtar, Mr Bakura and Mr Motou have uncovered. Malik had anticipated this (How many letters had he tried to send out previously, I had to wonder) and given me openly a faux copy. The real article he slid to me under the table, and I had to hide it well to avoid it being found when I was searched once more. Unfortunately, our time was cut short all too soon and when Malik protested (with, I might add, no hint of violence) he was 'lead' away by two men and handed a cup of pills. This is our first hand, cutting exposé on our health systems. Read tomorrow for the Article of Mr Bakura, and the action being implemented on behalf of our wrongfully accused.

By Seto Kaiba, continuing for Malik Ishtar, The Global World ™.