"Memories of the Days Gone By"

Asylum for Troubled Teens
Somewhere in the state of Washington
April 10, 2024

Michael looked at the bare walls of his room--scratch that, it wasn't
a room. A room meant it was cozy and welcoming. His room had looks of
intimidating others. Technically it was his cell. Someone who once lived in
his cell ages ago had etched "Life sucks" on the door.

'We're here to help you be rid of the devils in your mind,'
Headmaster Lydexter's echoed. Michael laughed harshly at the thought.

The PA system came on. "All students report to the common room
immediately," the voice droned. "Those who disobey will be subjected to
punishment."

Michael made a face at the speaker built into the wall of his cell.
'You mean cruel and unusual torture,' he thought. Following the other
students to the common room, he saw Lydexter with a teenage girl.

"Everyone, I want you to meet our newest student Azalea Ivy Hayes,"
Lydexter announced. "Due to a shortage of rooms, we've decided to have Azalea
room with someone until we can get this problem fixed. Who doesn't mind
having to share rooms?"

Nobody raised their hands.

"Alright, then I'll choose one of you students," Lydexter said.
Scanning the 50 students, he chose a brunette girl. "Cynthia, you'll room
with Azalea. Any questions?"

"No sir," Cynthia answered meekly.

"Alrighty then. Back to your work, then." Lydexter left the common
room. Everyone but Michael, Cynthia, and Azalea left.

"I don't like that Lydecker guy," Azalea said.

"You mean Lydexter," Michael answered.

"Do you really think that he'll built another room for Azalea? I
mean, mine's pretty cramped and stuff," Cynthia said.

"I don't know, but it's unlikely," Michael answered.

**********

April 11, 2024

"Psst! Michael! Over here!" a boy named Jacob hissed.

Michael noticed Jacob hiding in his room. "What's up?" Michael asked.

"Get in here! You don't want Lydexter to be on your tail!" Jacob
pulled Michael in his room and closed the door.

"What is it now?" Michael asked.

"You know that new girl Azalea?"

"That green eyed blond girl? What about her?"

"It's barely 24 hours since she's been here and she's already gotten
into three fights with the teachers! Won all three too, but now she's getting
punished."

"Let me guess. Electrocution?"

"No."

"Cheesy music?"

"That's not even a torture."

"I was joking. Emotional abuse?"

"If I had a million dollars I'd give it to you. Lydexter sure knows
how to hit the soft spot."

After a few minutes someone came knocking on Jacob's door. "It's
Amy!" Another student of the Asylum. "Lydexter's done with Azalea. It's safe
to come out now," she said.

"Whew, relief is necessary in times like these..." Jacob said.

Azalea walked out from the end of the corridor, her winnings evident
through the physical bruises. "Man, Lydexter's harsh."

Amy, Michael, and Jacob stared at Azalea. Azalea stared right back at
the three. "What's the matter with you three?"

"This is the first time someone's escaped any real damage from
Lydexter's emotional abuse," Amy said.

"When you spend your childhood in a harsh Alaskan orphanage, you
learn to adapt," Azalea shrugged. "You guys really ought to be more on guard
than let Lydexter catch your weak spot."

**********

April 23, 2024

Azalea looked through her email. "Junk, junk...hey! Ryan's finally
answered my email!"

"Who's Ryan?" Michael asked.

"A friend of mine. He's telling me that the state inspector's coming
to the Asylum."

"Inspector Rena? Damn, I thought she was fired ages ago..."

"Well, she's still large and in charge," Azalea said. "But this time
I think we can put Rena away for good."


Time passed, and soon everyone filed into the cafeteria for their
meal.

It was a relatively peaceful time until the TV flickered on. "Is the
Washington State Inspector Janette Rena not as helpful as she claims? New
evidence claims she may be as corrupted as the Asylum of Troubled Teens," the
TV announced.

That was enough to get everyone buzzing. Because it was the eve of
the inspection, Lydexter had gone out.

Azalea got up from her seat. "Where're you going?" Michael asked.

"I'm calling the police. I know a couple buddies and they may be able
to help us get out of this hellhole." Azalea said.

**********

April 24, 2024
Inside Lydexter's office

Inspector Rena and Lydexter were poring over plans to extend the
asylum when they were interrupted by Michael and Timothy, another student.

"Sir, we hate to bother you--" Timothy began.

"Then let's get to the point," Lydexter snapped.

"--but Azalea broke her leg from one of the exercise equipment. She's
really hurt, and I think it's best if we get her to the hospital," Timothy
continued, ignoring the fact he was interrupted.

"Are you lying?" Lydexter demanded.

"No, we're not. You can follow us to Azalea to see for yourself,"
Michael said.

Cynthia and Amy were standing next to Azalea, who had truly broke her
leg. When Michael, Timothy, Rena, and Lydexter arrived a swarm of officers
closed in on the inspector and Lydexter.

"We had an anonymous tip that the funds you received were being
funneled to building torture devices instead of providing these teens a safe
haven," one of them said.

"But that could be a lie," Lydexter said.

"We've received warrants for your arrests." Soon, Inspector Rena and
Lydexter were in handcuffs and taken away while Azalea was taken to the
hospital.

"We're free!" Michael shouted.

"What do you mean?" Another girl named Clair came up. "I thought
Inspector Rena and Lydexter were discussing plans."

"Azalea helped free everyone from this Asylum. We're no longer
subjected to torture by Lydexter! We can go home to our families!" Michael
answered.

**********

April 27, 2024
Outside the Asylum

"It's been nice being with you, Michael," Cynthia said. "I'm glad you
were there to protect me from Lydexter's brunts."

"Me too, Cynthia," Michael answered, hugging her.

Cynthia turned to Azalea. "Even though we've only known each other
for two weeks, I'm glad you helped free everyone at the Asylum. Thanks."

"You're welcome." Azalea tried to hug Cynthia but it was hard
balancing on her crutches, so she gave up.

A blue station wagon drove up. "My family's here," Cynthia said.
"Goodbye, Zackary."

"Bye, baby sister," Michael answered, watching as Cynthia got into
the station wagon and the car fading away.

"Zackary? Is that your nickname?" Azalea asked. "And why did you call
her baby sister?"

"No, that's actually my middle name. Full name's Michael Zackary
Darren." Michael replied. "The reason why I called Cynthia baby sister was
because she was the shyest and youngest of everyone and Lydexter usually
liked to pick on her. She had no one to defend her because they were too
scared of Lydexter."

"Well, with everyone gone, I guess I'll be out on my own," Azalea
said.

"Same with me," Michael answred.

Azalea stopped. "You're an orphan?" she asked.

"Yeah. Grew up in Oakland, got busted for trying to help fellow
orphans escape one too many times. You?"

"Beat up the director of my orphanage in Juneau. They deemed me too
violent because I wouldn't let anyone tell me what to do. Not to mention that
I was the oldest in the orphanage and protected the younger ones," Azalea
said. "No family to turn to, I guess I'll wait for Ryan. He's letting me stay
at his apartment."

An hour later a car drove up to Azalea and Michael. "Azalea!" a voice
shouted.

"There's Ryan. I guess we'll go our ways now," Azalea said, hobbling
over to the car.

Getting in the car, Ryan saw Michael. "Who's he?" Ryan asked.

"Michael. Fellow inmate of the Asylum." Azalea answered.

"Where's his family?"

"He's an orphan."

"So where's he gonna go?"

"I dunno."

Ryan was quiet for a minute. "Hang on." He got out of the car.

Michael saw Ryan approaching. "What now?" Michael asked.

"Azalea said that you don't have a family. Where are you gonna stay?"

"Dunno, probably go to Seattle, maybe find work there."

"How about you stay with me and Azalea? Seattle's not exactly too
safe since Wall Street crashed 14 years ago by a deadly computer virus.
Besides, Azalea could use some company."

Michael debated for a minute. "Fine. Guess that means I'll have to
put off getting a job till tomorrow." They returned to the car, Michael in
the backseat, Ryan in the driver's seat.

"Michael's coming with us?" Azalea asked.

"It wouldn't be too safe for him wandering all over Seattle by
himself since the crash." Ryan answered. "Come on, it's starting to rain."