I DO NOT OWN STRANGER THINGS. THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MENTIONS OF ABUSE. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Spring City, Pennsylvania

Paladin was milling about Q1 when superintendent Alvin Weitz appeared with a new regulation. All the children were fearful. Every time Weitz issued a new protocol, it meant pain and suffering for them.

"Good morning my children." He said in his usual tone of voice.

"Good morning Mr. Weitz." The patients harmonized.

"I have an important announcement to make." Weitz said as he paced around the room. "We have been having issues with some of our more violent patients over in Quaker Hall. Therefore, as of today, there will be new protocols implemented. First, all of our orderlies will be armed with self defense tools in order to maintain order amidst potential chaotic situations." Weitz snapped his finger and several orderlies came in brandishing night sticks. Some of the orderlies looked uncomfortable with their weapons while others seemed to enjoy twirling them around.

"Hungry." One of the boys said. An orderly by the name of Schnapp walked over and hit the boy in the gut with his stick. The boy groaned in pain as Schnapp got in his face.

"You eat when we say you eat, you sleep when we say you sleep, you piss when we say you piss and you shit when we say you shit." He growled. "You got me, or do I need to draw it in crayon like usual?"

"Anyway, the second protocol is that due to recent escape attempts in Mayflower hall and Hershey Hall, from now on, there will be restraints on all patients. Men, if you please..." Weitz explained as the orderlies began wrapping Chains around the left ankles of every child.

"Is this really necessary?" Paladin asked as Weitz came over and stared him down.

"You know what I hear?" He asked in a mocking tone. "I hear a child, asking if he can stay up past his bedtime. It is time for bed and these protocols are necessary. You are just going to have to take my word for it because you are a child, and you have no other choice." The children groaned as the chains were locked tightly around their ankles.

Later that day, Paladin arrived at Dr. Josiah's office for their daily therapy session. It was on this day that the good doctor got a glimpse at the dark side of his employer.

"Hello Paladin." The doctor greeted. "How are you feeling today?"

"Been better." He said as Josiah saw the chain around his ankle.

"What is this?" He asked. "Why is there a chain around your ankle?"

"The orderlies put it on us, under orders from Weitz." Paladin replied.

"Us? How many patients are wearing these?"

"All of them." Paladin replied as Dr. Brown was stunned.

"Does it hurt?" He inquired.

"It's really tight." Paladin commented.

"Follow me." Dr. Josiah said as he escorted Paladin over to the administration building where superintendent Weitz had his office. When they entered, Weitz was caught off guard.

"Dr. Brown, you should have told me you were coming." Weitz stated.

"I'd like to talk to you about Paladin's foot." Dr. Josiah said.

"How odd for a doctor of the mind to take a interest in the other end of our children."

"It seems that the orderlies have fastened his chains too tightly."

"Have they?" Alvin remarked, clearly uninterested. "I'll have a word with them."

"Yes and if you would loosen them now please?" Dr. Josiah insisted.

"Can't be done." Weitz said.

"Why not?" The doctor asked. "Do you not have the key?"

"There are 300 patients in Q1, 300 locks to be locked." The superintendent pointed out. "I don't have the manpower to spend all day adjusting ankle locks."

"I'm curious as to why they are on at all."

"To prevent escape attempts."

"That is absurd." Brown pointed out. "They do not stop movement."

"Why do you even care about his body at all?" Alvin questioned. "You're supposed to be treating his mind."

"Superintendent Weitz, the thoughts inside a body can be a determining factor as to the health of said body, more often than not." Dr. Josiah explained. "The mind and the body form a symbiotic circle. What happens to one will affect the other, you must understand this."

"Josiah, I went to college. I don't need another lecture."

"How about a demonstration then, the key please." Weitz grimaced as he handed over the key. Dr. Josiah bent down and loosened the chains on Paladin's ankle.

"Thank you Dr. Josiah." The boy said as the doctor smiled.

"Let us return to our session, good day Alvin." Josiah said as he escorted Paladin out. Weitz was fuming, thinking about how he would pay Paladin back for his insolence.

WILL PALADIN SUFFER FOR GOING AGAINST WEITZ? REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.