Miles away from Duckburg, passed Mount Demontooth, near the borders of Calisota, is a large, extinct volcano. The volcano erupted more than ten thousand years ago, and a forest surrounds the dead volcano today after five thousand years since eruption.
The dead volcano is called Caldera Lake.
The forest that surrounds the volcano is so thick that even a small compact car would have difficulty maneuvering through it. Only a man-made road can get you to drive through the forest and upward towards the lake's entrance. The entrance is a cave, made from the crater that surrounds the lake. Once you drive through the cave, you'll finally see the lake itself. The lake is about 600 meters deep with water so clear and blue that it can be used as a mirror. The volcano's crater is used as the lake's walls, isolating it from the rest of the world.
There was also the island that took up one-third of the lake. The island was called Aislamiento Island. The only way off and on Aislamiento, was by boat.
Fortunately for Bradford Buzzard, the ride to the island was quiet and not as bumpy as he feared. He wasn't one to get motion sickness, but he certainly wasn't in a mood for a rough boat ride.
When the boat finally stopped at the island's docks, Jones Jughead offer his hand to help Bradford out of the boat. For a short moment, surprised by the offer, Bradford's eyes widen. He quickly narrows his eyes in suspicions, no I'm not letting my guard down. Ignoring the hand, Bradford gets off the boat by himself.
Once standing on the dock, Bradford turns his gaze at the hospital building.
After the trial and before being transported to Crater Lake Island, Bradford spent a night in a jail cell. Mr. Jughead had given him a brochure about the Duckburg Mental Hospital. As well as a small speech about how someone like him could benefit from it. The therapist was basically doing an ad for a business. Only this time the audience doesn't have a choice in denying the business.
Throughout the presentation, there was one thing Bradford found odd. The hospital was shut down in the early 70s and reopened in 2010.
Bradford asked Mr. Jughead about it, and this was the therapist's response, "the patients were not treated fairly, but things changed for the better." Bradford was going to ask more questions regarding how exactly the patients were treated, but Mr. Jughead quickly changed subject before the vulture could speak.
It wasn't until after Mr. Jughead left that Bradford finally got his answers. Unfraternally, those answers came from a young policeman who had a very bad day and felt the need to make the prisoner feel miserable. They grinned while telling Bradford a detailed history of mistreatment - that they recently looked up on the internet – the mental hospital had done to the insane. They chuckle as they tell Bradford some of the punishment the unstable would receive.
Staff would beat the patients from head to toe, resulting in permanent damage. Patients were forced to walk around the building naked, while staff encourage other patients to bullying. Lastly, patients were forced to be locked in a dark room in isolation. They were treated like animals. Each night there would always be about twenty people or more screaming for it to end.
"Honestly, would've been a perfect place for someone like you," the officer said, "too bad the hospital was then shut down after an investigation."
Bradford knew the officer was trying to scare him, and unfortunately it worked. He would hate to admit it, but looking at the building, Bradford can't help but feel afraid.
The hospital building was three stories high, and the outside walls look like they were patched up to cover the cracks. At the center was a clock tower and that had a bell on top. The clock and bell looked brand new compared to the overall establishment.
"Mr. Buzzard," Jughead said. The vulture looks backs and sees another person standing next to the dog man. They were a middle age, golden retriever woman and is dressed like a nurse. "I would like you to meet Miss Aurelia Rose, she will be your nurse during your stay."
"It is very nice meet you Mr. Buzzard," Ms. Rose said as she bows her head. "I hope we can get along."
"Now Mr. Buzzard," Mr. Jughead started. "The typical rules are for you to be on good behavior, respect staff members and other patients here in the hospital, and that you are not allowed to escape. If there is a problem, then come to me or Miss Rose about it." As he says the rules, Jughead keeps an eye on Braford's expression. Bradford only gives him a blank stare. "While you're here, you will not have access to your money. You will have access to it again once you are released." Still a blank stare. "You will be given a job, but you will choose a different job once I see improvement." Again, blank stare. "We have social activities here, and you will join them. The only time you will not join them is when you are feeling sick. Again, you will be able to choose to not join them once I see improvement." Nothing changes, just blank stare.
He sure knows how to keep that mask on, Jughead thought. Impressive, most patients would crack a bit when they're told these rules the first time.
"Are there any questions?" Jughead ask. Bradford shakes his head no. "Very well, let's go then." Jughead gestures the vulture to follow him and Rose to the main building.
"So that's the new guy?" An inmate questions. "I thought he was coming on Tuesday."
"The today is Tuesday," another answered, "you're terrible with dates."
"They said he was about 80 years old, but he looks more like a 60-year-old."
"So? That's nothing new. Scrooge McDuck looks nothing like a 170 old duck, you know."
"What are you two chatting about, now?" A third inmate intrude on their conversation. "Spreading rumors, are you?"
"Oh no Mr. Gull, it's not like that. W-We were just talking about the new guy."
The three prisoners look down at the three people walking towards front door. Then two security guards approach them. One guard puts out a hand to greet the vulture. The new inmate looks at the guard in shock by the gesture.
"Mr. Buzzard, right?" Mr. walked up to the window; a smile spread on his beak as he sees the vulture inmate reluctantly shakes the guard's hand. "You know, I've heard he's done some terrible things."
"Mr. Gull you know rumors are-"
"It's not rumors when it's based off facts, right Gabby?"
Gabby frowns and points a finger at the old man, "you stop that right now, Mr Gull! We're not going to fall to your tricks again! Come on, Gossie." Gabby grabs Gossie's hand and drags her away from Mr. Gull.
"Hmph," Mr. Gull turns away from the annoying women and back to the vulture. "It'll just be like old times."
Ms. Rose was escorting Bradford to his room. They both pass by other patients, staff members, and security guards. Bradford can feel their eyes staring at him. It was even worse when someone stopped Ms. Rose so they could have a small chat with her. Bradford could hear two patients talking about him nearby. It was very awkward for him. Thankfully the conversation Rose had ended, and she continues to escort him to his room.
The nurse stops at a door numbered 204. She opens the door and gesture for Bradford to enter. Once the vulture enters the room, he looks around. It was a simple and plain room. There was a bed, a desk and chair, and window. "You got a lucky room Mr. Buzzard. This one has a lovely view of the lake." Ms. Rose commented. "Now I want to tell you that your first session Mr. Jughead starts next week on a Monday at 12 PM. We think it's best you get used to living in the hospital first before your session. So as not to overwhelm you. Have a good afternoon, sir." With that she closes the door and leave Bradford alone with his thoughts.
Bradford sat down on the bed. This place was strange.
The security guard offering to shake his hand wasn't something Bradford expected. The vulture only shook the guard's hand to be polite and to not anger him. When a guard expects you to do something, you do it without question, a voice from long ago reminded Bradford.
Bradford shakes his head; it was not the first time Bradford was held captive. Although being inside a mental hospital is new, he knows the general rule of being a prisoner: always do what your captors say. No matter how demeaning, humiliating, or painful it may be. Because if you disobey or question them, the punishment will be much worse.