Locked Up Again (Part Four)


Marshal walked into the office, his newspaper under his arm. He sat down and unfolded it, leaning against his chair as he read it. It had been a day since he had helped Allison and Steph escape, he had remained in the anthro world in case things went wrong and he needed to find another way to get them free. Opening the news section of the paper, he found an article that caught his eye.


"GUARD HOSPTIALIZED AFTER FAILED ESCAPE ATTEMPT

Yesterday, a guard employed by St. Tomas' Institution for Troubled Adults was hospitalized after an escape attempt knocked out another guard. Doctors say that the guard is expected to make a full recovery…"</b>


"We need a doctor!" came a shout from the door of the emergency room. Instantly a flurry of movement went to the door.

"What happened?" An anthro mouse nurse asked, bringing a stretcher over. The doctors and nurses helped move the badly battered guard onto it.

"I work for the nearby asylum," The guard said. "St. Tomas'. We were transporting a couple of patients when they tried to escape. Our friend and I managed to put them to sleep, but not before they managed to beat the hell out of my friend here." The doctors nodded, moving him away. One stayed behind.

"I didn't know they hired females to be guards," He said.

Allison gave a small smile.

"We can be strong when we want to be," She replied. "Just… make sure he's safe."

"Did you deliver the patients, at least?" Allison shook her head.

"They're out cold, will be for another two hours or so. We came here first, we didn't know what his condition would have been after another hour of driving." The doctors nodded.

"We'll make sure your superiors know that," He said. A nurse ran over to tell him the patient had been placed in intensive care. The doctor turned back.

"What's your…" name, he was about to say.


Allison had disappeared.


"…though he has been placed in a medically induced coma as he recovers from severe trauma to the skull and jaw.

'It's a shame what happened to the other two," A doctor added. "Had he stayed with them he would surely be dead.'"


Marshal frowned and searched for more information. He had gotten the call last night about what had happened, but he knew little of the situation. He had hoped that the newspaper would have shed some light on the situation, but so far… nothing.</b>


"Cargo?" The front guard asked.

"Two patients," Steph said.

"Crew?"

"One guard, one doctor," Allison said. The front guard looked up at them.

"The registry we have here says to expect two guards and a doctor," He said. "What happened?"

"The patients tried to escape," Allison said. "We managed to subdue them, but they beat up one of our buddies pretty good. We had to transport him to the hospital first." The guard stared at them emotionlessly.

"Update your registry," Steph suggested. "The hospital said they'd send the message ahead." The guard gave a small nod and looked down at his computer screen. A few minutes later, he looked up.

"Everything looks in order. Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope he recovers," The guard says sincerely. Steph nodded a thanks as she was let into the complex.


Half an hour later, with an empty cargo hold and wide smiles, the two former prisoners drove away from the hospital.


Marshal continued flipping through the paper until he discovered the article he had been looking for.


"INFLUENTIAL PSYCHOLOGIST DIES IN CAR CRASH

After delivering a couple of patients to St. Ann's Hospital for Unstable Adults, Doctor Reidman's remains were found three miles downstream from the car crash site. Investigators assume that the driver of the armoured van that had been used to transport patients had lost control, sending the two passengers into the river…</b>


Steph and Allison stood at the side of the road, looking at the van that was slowly sinking into the river.

"Well?" Steph asked. "Is that it?"

"Close," Allison replied, starting to strip. Once she was naked, she threw the clothes into the river. Steph grinned and did the same.

"They'll think they're dead, won't they?" She asked, smiling. "It's a fitting end."

"It'll take a while," Allison said. "Maybe a few weeks. Maybe a few months. What matters is that Allison and Steph find some way to make a new life. Take Tony with them, take everyone they need. That way… when they do come after them, they'll be prepared."

"What about us?" Steph asked. Allison just grinned.

"Follow me," She said, taking her hand and leading her off into the forest.


…Although the bodies of Reidman and the guard who's family have requested remain anonymous were never found, enough evidence suggests that the two had drowned in the river. Searches for their bodies continue, though authorities remain pessimistic of recovering the bodies."


Marshal put the paper down and smiled. They had escaped.


A couple of guards walked in.

"Sir," A polar bear anthro said. It was clear by the markings on his uniform that he was the head guard here. "As per protocols, according to Dr. Reidman's untimely death, you are now the Head Doctor." Marshal nodded.

"I guessed as much," He said. "Give me the details of all the patients. I'm going to be doing some reassignments." Marshal smiled. "It's time for some change."  



Reidman woke up in the truck. He moaned… the last thing he remembered were… his eyes widened. The prisoners! He sat up and was about to stand when he felt his legs refuse to help him. As the doors opened, he let out a shout of warning. All that came out was a muffled cry. He realized what had happened and bounced in the restraints, trying to free himself.

"You weren't kidding," The St. Ann's guard said, staring at Reidman as he struggled. "They really are feisty. I can see how they knocked the other guy out, this one," He pointed to Reidman, "looks like he could knock me on my ass." He shouted through the gag angrily. How dare they treat him like this! He was Reidman! The guard pulled the doctor towards him and carried him like he was nothing while another guard went to tend to the other prisoner. The guard gave a little wave to the drivers and carried him inside. Once there, he was promptly turned over and a beeping sound read a barcode near his waist. His eyes widened as he realized what that meant.

"Patient 2492," The doctor said, looking at him. "It says you have a history of violence. I can see why. It also says you've calmed down and become… a willing patient. Tell that to the guard who's comatose because of you." Reidman shook his head frantically. The records! They didn't have his patient's name, they just had the details of her case! They had mistaken him for his own patient! Reidman shouted, trying to fight the words through the gag, but the doctor just laughed. "We're going to have fun, you and I," He grinned at Reidman. "Take him to his cell," He said to the guards. "Put him in the pneumatic suit, and strap his legs down. His first session starts tonight."




In the end, what began as a simple request fulfilled by a naïve mad scientist ended as a triumphant success for those who were claimed insane.


Marshal remained as the Head Doctor at St. Tomas', deciding to keep a watchful eye out for any wayward travelers. Wrongful incarcerations soon ended, except for those who voluntarily wanted to commit themselves. It happened more often than Marshal cared for, but it was better that people commit themselves than captured and thrown in against their will.


Allison and Steph managed to reach their homes safely, taking a second interdimensional portal back to home universe.


Seth decided to continue to let Tara believe that he had left on a business trip, thus saving her from the hurt and pain of having her husband be separated for three weeks. While Seth suffered minimal psychological damage, he still received the occasional nightmare.


Keegan, thinking that he had managed some retribution thanks to his involvement in the matter, slept soundly for the first time in four weeks, with the bedcovers on and the lights off. Kelly would sense this change in Keegan, but not question it. After all, he seemed happier than he had before.


Reidman's body was obviously never found, however authorities gave up their search and a memorial service was held for the influential doctor. An anonymous source released several documents that proved that Reidman himself suffered from several psychological dilemmas, and wrongfully imprisoned several people over the course of his leadership at St. Tomas'. Despite this, many continue to have good memories of Reidman, and refuse to believe the evidence.


And what of Reidman? Reidman remained in the facility at St. Anne's for several months. When his true identity was discovered, he had been broken to the point where he didn't want to leave his small, padded cell. For years afterwards, he remained a secret, his accidental incarceration the final blow to his sanity.





No great loss.