Albert Ingalls had adjusted well to life with the Ingalls. He had a roof over his head, clothes on his back, and food in his stomach. He had parents who loved him, siblings who were his best friends, and he was receiving the education he'd always wanted. He was happy. This, however, did not mean that his past never came back to haunt him. It seemed to be affecting him more and more these days. He never really talked to anyone about his life in the orphanage or his life on the street. He was traumatized from both, but he figured it was best just to move on. But moving on didn't seem to be working anymore. It was the worst at night. When it was quiet and he was alone he would think about all the things he spent his day distracting himself from thinking about, and he'd have the worst nightmares. He wouldn't tell anyone though. He didn't want to be a bother. The Ingalls had already done so much for him. He didn't want them thinking he wasn't grateful. But things were getting worse. Even the smallest thing would send him into a flashback. At school that day he was daydreaming in class. He just zoned out as he stared out the window until he heard a faint voice growing louder.
"Albert...Albert! Albert Ingalls!"
He was jerked out of his trance by his full name. The teacher looked none too pleased with his distracted behavior which was to be expected. But what happened next Albert didn't expect.
"Albert, come to the front of the class and bring the switch."
Albert was shocked but obeyed.
"If you can't seem to respect me enough to pay attention in my class you'll just have to have consequences Albert. Hold out your hands."
Laura flinched knowing what was coming. She didn't think it was fair that Albert didn't even get a warning before being punished, but what was she supposed to do? Albert held out his hands and took the switching. After every smack across the palms of his hands he sunk deeper into his flashback. All he could think about was the man orphanage bending him over and switching him in front of everyone for stealing extra food. All the emotions Albert felt as a little boy he began feeling again in that moment. He was scared, sad, embarrassed, and in pain. It seemed to go on forever. When she was finally finished he just stood there in a daze.
"Albert! You may sit down now unless you'd like more!"
This snapped him out of it and actually frightened him enough for him to run from the school building and into the woods. He was pretty sure the teacher called after him and Laura too, but he was too out of it to notice. He ran to his favorite spot in the woods, slumped down next to a tree and began to cry.