Voyagers!: Asylum

Chapter 8: Freedom

Jeffrey limped to the center of the dining hall at breakfast. The entire room was eerily quiet, with not even the clatter of a utensil. The other children were aware of what occurred. A few were glad they didn't try. Some were envious of Daryl's success and others just stared at Jeffrey impassively, the life drained out of them from constant abuses and indignities. Jeffrey struggled to climb atop a wooden stool.

Inside the iron box, air was tight, but they'd managed to take in deep breaths through the window. Brocklehurst could not be bothered in the evening and went back to bed; however, Rufus and Owen brought in the other children who'd escaped. The sight of their torture infuriated and shocked him, but there was nothing he could do but comfort Firth and cover his ears.

Wick, Addie, and a few other boys were forced to scrub out and polish the entire first floor with no sleep or break. Jeffrey watched as their heads drooped into their bowls of rancid porridge. Every time their eyes closed, one of the gross cooks pinched or whacked them into wakefulness. They seemed barely alive. Jeffrey's stomach did flip-flops as he realized one of the younger ones, George, was missing, and the grave-digger was out this morning.

Jeffrey tottered on the edge of the stool in his bare feet. His knees wobbled and the searing pain from the cat's paw and whip shot through his body. His muscles cramped in the night, having remained in the same position with little Firth snuggled across his chest. He was beyond starving, even a spoonful of the porridge or bit of stale bread would've been akin to a fine cuisine. Brocklehurst had other plans. Jeffrey was to remain standing the entire day, and no one was to ever speak to him. Should he fall off the stool, he'd be beaten and put back up. Brocklehurst was still making decisions over what to do with him. He knew Jeffrey didn't belong there and that someone could come looking for him.

Every move was like a torture, but Jeffrey endured it, trying to imagine how Bogg would've handled the situation.

'Bogg would be kicking tuba right now!' He thought bitterly. He had to be reasonable. He was only twelve and in no condition for fighting. He could never beat these men, seeing as they had weapons and torture devices at their disposal. He prayed that Daryl found Bogg.

~Oo~

Brocklehurst sneered at the two young wretches. They came begging at his door all the way from Kent Road and desperate for work. The man was strong, perfect for hard labor and up-keep of the grounds and animals. His bright eyes retained a resolute strength, but also appeared dull and passive at times. He'd be perfect to kick around. Underneath the repulsive veneer, his wife was indeed a beauty, and she made the usual claims that she could wash, sew, cook, and clean. Brocklehurst had other labors in mind as well, and his grotesque smile betrayed him. She stared at him rigidly and clasped her husband's hand.

"I may be the only tasty dish 'round 'ere sir, but only me 'usband can butter me buns! I tain't got no problems with that now!"

Her husband let out an obnoxious guffaw. "That's right! That's right! Sometimes me lady can be colder than a day old biscuit, but I've got enough fire to toast her might fine! " He exclaimed like a simpleton.

Brocklehurst groaned and waved his hand. The real test would come when they saw how the children were to be handled, so he posed the question.

"Tell me, what is your opinion on children?"

The man banged his desk. "Children are nuisances! They need to be taught lessons any which way ya can! They're scurvy little sprogs that need the rod!"

Brocklehurst nodded satisfied. "And what about you, love? How do you feel, considering you're a lady?" He noted her gender with as much distaste as if she were a cockroach.

"Children are a waste of space. I'm glad I don't 'ave me own…but with me 'ubby 'ere, it's only a matter of time!" She snorted and kissed her husband's cheek. He responded by grabbing her and dipping her over his knee. He nipped at her neck with animal growls and lusty laughter.

"Oh stop it! You beast! We don't wanna disturb the children!" She giggled and pushed him off.

Brocklehurst paced around them one last time. He finally put a hand on their shoulders.

"You'll do! I was getting tired of these old blokes 'round here and I need fresh young blood! Owen!"

Owen sauntered into the study, making eyes at the woman and her husband frowned.

"Show this…gent, around the barn. I'll take the lady to the rooms upstairs. Meet me in the dining hall in fifteen minutes."

"Yes, sir, Mr. Brocklehurst, come on then, let's be quick, I've got a lot of work to do!" Owen addressed the husband.

"Fine then! But you just watch yerselves with me lady!" The husband retorted.

They all exited the study chamber. The couple looked out the window and noticed the graveyard. The elderly grounds keeper was patting down the soil on a fresh grave. They gave each other a worried glance and the husband clutched his wife's hand briefly, as if to say, 'don't worry, it will be okay.'

~Oo~

Jeffrey's legs were giving out, but he kept standing upright on the stool. It'd been two hours since breakfast. Little Firth was still scrubbing the floors, just as exhausted and wounded as he was. He stopped to rub his head from the sweat, and Rufus beat him with a thick belt, giving him two strokes on his back. Firth moaned loudly, and Jeffrey was compelled to jump off and help him. Firth bowed his head and kept cleaning, his sniffles echoed throughout the dining hall.

Rufus picked the sausage from his teeth and watched Jeffrey carefully. He had the four-inch thick strap ready in his hand, should Jeffrey attempt to move his spot. He swung it over his head as a warning and Jeffrey backed up on the stool. A pain attacked his knee and his foot slipped. He flailed his arms, but couldn't hold steady. The stool flipped backwards and Jeffrey landed on his back, with a frustrated and excruciating cry.

Brocklehurst and his two new employees entered the room with Owen.

"'Ere now! What's all this! He's not supposed to move from that spot! Get him up! Get him up!" He shouted.

The ruffian's heart soared. He and his wife ran to the child's side. "I'll get this little rodent up for ya, Mr. Brocklehurst!"

Tears blinded Jeffrey's eyes as the man clutched him. He couldn't take the pressure anymore. "Get off of me! Don't touch me! Let me go! Let me go! I want Bogg! Where's Bogg!"

The ruffian wouldn't release Jeffrey and dropped beside him, pretending to whisper vile threats in his ear. Jeffrey refused to acknowledge him and tried to break away. The ruffian shook him to his senses, but didn't hurt him.

"You listen to me and you listen good…I'm here, Jeffrey…I didn't leave you…I…" Phineas choked up.

Scratches covered his entire body and dried blood caked on his legs. He showed signs of infection. Phineas' hand moved toward his shirt, and he looked at his back. He winced at the whip marks. He touched his arm compassionately and Jeffrey eyed him confused, about to break down.

"Bogg…it's you." Jeffrey finally recognized the ruffian's voice. Phineas' eyes glistened with fury. The anxious woman next to him looked familiar and he soon recognized Voyager Lilly Morgan.

Owen came over and pulled Jeffrey from his grasp.

"Now you've earned yourself another stay in the dungeon, only this time, it's not gonna be in the box!"

He dragged Jeffrey kicking and crying to the library. Brocklehurst followed with his employees and Rufus stayed behind to keep his eye on Firth. Jeffrey didn't know what to do. It was obvious Phineas and Lilly were playing roles, so he kept quiet. He almost couldn't recognize Phineas with his tattered clothes, grimy face and hat pulled low over his forehead. Lilly looked just as loathsome with her greasy dress and shawl and unkempt hair.

Owen's sharp, chiseled nails dug into his skin. "Get moving!"

"Wait a minute!" Phineas shouted and ran over, taking Jeffrey's other arm. "Where is this dungeon?"

"Down in the cellar of course, but it's none of your concern!"

Phineas looked at Brocklehurst and Lilly. "May my wife and I see it? I'm kinda clever at these tools me self!" He laughed wickedly. "I think it'd be a perfect opportunity to prove me worth 'round 'ere!"

Brocklehurst thought for a moment. Out of the corner of her eye, Lilly saw Daryl clamor up the left side of the staircase with rows of boys behind him. They barely made a sound. A slew of others met them at the head of the stairs and they disappeared into a large bedroom. They were going to make another escape through the tunnels under Brocklehurst's bed.

Lilly tugged on Brocklehurst's dingy sleeve and led him to Phineas and Owen. "Oh heck ya! Please show us down there! I wouldn't mind a little torture me self…right, dearie?" She winked at Phineas.

Phineas blew her a kiss. "I know what your favorite tool is!"

Brocklehurst threw his hands in the air. "Confound it all! Shut up already! Dirty dogs! The both of ya! Let's go then!"

"Wait! He's mine!" Phineas demanded.

Owen shoved Jeffrey over and he could barely contain himself from hugging Phineas. Owen opened the Library. Lilly seized Phineas' arm.

" 'old on love, let them go first, this be their place, they know the way."

"Aye, my sweet cheeks, you 'eard the lady! Lead us down!"

Owen and Brocklehurst pulled the lanterns from the wall nooks and lit them. Jeffrey struggled, even under his partner's grip. He did not want to go in there ever again and his tear stained face broke Phineas' heart. Owen went ahead with Brocklehurst close behind. Jeffrey clung to Phineas' frightened and Lilly stayed close behind as they followed the passage to the entrance of the chamber. Owen rattled through his keys and opened the door wide.

"Now, Phineas!" Lilly screamed.

Phineas let go of Jeffrey and kicked Brocklehurst in the backside; the heavy, older man crashed into Owen and they tumbled down the stone steps, screaming oaths. Phineas picked up Jeffrey and ran with Lilly out of the passage. He took hold of bookcase, and pushed it back into place. Jeffrey collapsed into his arms, hysterical.

"Bogg! You came back for me! You found me! Don't make me stay here, please get me out of here…it's awful!"

Lilly swallowed a large lump in her throat. Tears trickled down Phineas' face and he grasped Jeffrey's head, rubbing his hair, trying to calm him. The bookcase started to wobble. Owen and Brocklehurst yelled behind it.

Lilly gently approached and tapped Phineas. "We have to leave before they break out." She patted Jeffrey's arm and he gave her a weak smile. She kissed his cheek and pushed back his hair.

"I missed you, kiddo. Glad you didn't cut that 'do!"

Phineas picked Jeffrey up and the trio left the library. Jeffrey halted them.

"Wait a minute! What about Daryl? How did you know I was here?"

Phineas opened the omni. "Daryl came to us. We weren't sure if this was the place. Come on, we have to leave now…"

"Wait! What about the kids?" Jeffrey forgot his aches and pains. "What does the omni say?"

Lilly checked hers and scratched her head; it was still a red light. "He's right, Phineas! Something else is wrong, the light didn't change."

"Really? The kids made a break through the escape tunnel. We have to get your wounds cleaned…"

"But Bogg, we can't leave a red light!" Jeffrey pleaded.

The bookcase splintered in half and Owen tried to claw out enraged. A shrill cry came from the dining hall. Jeffrey climbed out of Bogg's arms and stumbled away.

"That's Firth, he's in trouble, and I won't leave him!"

~Oo~

Little Firth thrashed under Rufus' brawny grip and bit down on his hand. Rufus shouted and loosened his hold. Firth ran toward the Voyagers but Rufus chased him. Phineas jumped atop the long table. He sprinted across and took a flying leap into the man. They tumbled to the floor and began fighting. Firth ran into Jeffrey's open arms and hugged him.

"It's gonna be okay, Firth. Come on, we'll get you out of here!"

Firth pointed toward the upstairs, tugging on Jeffrey's shirt. He wanted to go in the direction of his friends. Jeffrey started to follow but Lilly stopped him.

"No, where are you going?"

"I have to take him to the others, that passage leads to the Gravesend docks!"

"No, come on! We have the carriage outside and we can ride there!"

Phineas drop kicked Rufus in the stomach and slugged him. The man fell into the boiling cauldron of dishes and it spilled over. He screamed from the scalding water and fainted from the pain. Phineas ran out of the dining hall to catch up to Lilly and Jeffrey. As he made it outside Jeffrey yelled.

"Bogg! Behind you!"

Phineas didn't get a chance to turn around. Owen jumped him and wrapped his whip around his neck.

"You like knocking me down a flight of stairs, aye? I'll show you! I'll kill you!"

Phineas choked and tried to pull it from his throat. Lilly leaped from the carriage and pounded on Owen's back, kicking him and pulling his hair.

"Get off of him! Get off, you brute!"

Owen shoved Phineas forward and he slammed into the carriage, gasping. Lilly backed up and fell on the front steps. Owen's expression blazed and he raised his whip. Lilly screamed and turned her body, blocking her face. The whip cracked but never touched her. She opened her eyes and saw Phineas standing over her, the leather twisted around his arm. She hurried back to Jeffrey. Phineas tugged Owen toward forward, then punched him in the jaw and tripped him on his back.

"That's for Jeff!"

Owen grabbed for his ankle, but Phineas kicked him in his middle and he doubled over. He picked up the whip and cracked it over the villain's back twice.

"And that's for what you do to these kids! I should whip ya till you can't see straight!"

Brocklehurst limped toward them. Phineas tossed the whip. He had to keep his composure, if not for himself, then for Jeffrey's benefit. He was so furious he almost wanted to take a life. He hopped onto the carriage seat and grabbed the reigns.

"Where to now?"

"Straight up the road! We're not far from the docks!" Jeffrey pointed.

Brocklehurst waved his fist and shouted, red-faced. "You won't get away! I'll get me children back! Do you hear me? I'll get them back and they will all be dead! Do you hear me? Dead! I will kill them mysel…"

The man's face suddenly paled. His body slackened and he clutched his chest. He moaned loudly and collapsed in his doorway, struck down from a sudden, deadly heart attack. Phineas looked on surprised, then narrowed his eyes and whipped the reigns.

"He got what was coming to him!"

The arrived at the docks within fifteen minutes and swarms of orphans crowding the area. The Dock Master was trying to make sense of it all and keep them calm with other workers. Lilly went up to him. Daryl ran over, embracing her with happy shouts.

"Lilly! We made it out! All of us…but…Firth! He's missing!"

The little boy rushed over to his friends and they all cheered. Phineas helped Jeffrey from the carriage and they watched the scene with tears in their eyes. Lilly explained to the Dock Master all about the orphanage and pointed over to Phineas and Jeffrey. She elaborated their escape and Brocklehurst's sudden demise. Phineas checked the omni and his light turned green.

"Look, Jeff, everything is gonna be okay now. I hope. I guess those boys never belonged there in the first place."

Lilly rushed back with a large smile. "The Dock Master is going to call the City Mayor. They had no idea a place like this existed, well, they couldn't believe it anyway. He's sending the constables over to the asylum to arrest Rufus and Owen and anyone else they find around there."

"But what's gonn happen to the children?" Jeffrey asked.

"He said they'll get help, they know of some benefactors that might be willing to take over the asylum and turn it into a productive school for boys. They'll even try and find their parents. Right now, things are a little crazy, so I think it's time to make our exit."

"I have to say goodbye to Daryl and Firth." Jeffrey insisted.

Phineas put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't make it harder, Jeff. It's best if we go now, those cuts on your legs and body are not looking good. They'll be alright."

"Hey, when I get better can we check up on them? Maybe come back in a year?"

Phineas set his omni for Voyager Headquarters and grasped Lilly's hand.

"Sure, why not?"

The Voyagers instantly disappeared and little Firth watched amazed and smiled. He put four fingers on his chin and drew them away in thanks. He decided to keep silent on the matter, as no one would believe him anyway.