The Cost of Freedom

CRACK!

Walter cried out in agony as he hit the floor, having received another hit from the asylum doctor. This beating had been going on for what felt like hours to Walter. The doctor sneered at him, readying the belt again in his hands.

"I'm only going to ask you one more time, kitchen boy. Where is the girl?"

Walter stared at him for a few moments before giving the same smirk as he had before, coughing up a bit of blood.

"I'll say it once and I'll say it again, you're not getting an answer out of me no matter how much you beat me."

The doctor sneered.

"Who said I need to beat you anymore?" He grabbed him by his hair, forcing him to his knees. "You want her freed so bad? A dangerous inmate out into the world?"

"The only one dangerous here…" He coughed. "Is you!"

The doctor growled, shaking him a little.

"You don't understand, boy. They'll throw the book at you for this… or I'll find a much better punishment for you myself."

"Do what you want. The information you want you'll have to pry from my cold dead hands."

"So be it."

The doctor, threw Walter down before pressing a button on an intercom.

"Get a room ready. We have a new patient."

It wasn't long before other doctors came into the room, taking Walter away and into one of the many rooms of the asylum. They threw him in without much care, Walter skidding across the floor.

"Enjoy your stay, traitor." one of the doctor's said before closing the door.

Walter laid on the floor, soreness keeping him from being able to get up. He glanced at himself, least the best he could without his glasses. His clothes were torn in some places, he was covered in bruises and judging by the warmth he felt on his face, he most certainly was bleeding from his nose and had blood on his lips from coughing some up.

He sighed, curling up on himself.

Least Willow got away… I just hope Maxwell is going to keep his end of the bargain in regards to me.

The room was illuminated by a single light bulb that flickered overhead, casting shadows across the walls. Walter shuddered, curling up more on himself, wincing as he felt his abdomen.

Something definitely got messed up. He put me through the wringer.

Of course, tick off the head doctor twice…

It was hours before he heard any sign of anyone outside.

"Hello?"

The door opened before it was quickly closed.

"Sorry for making you wait."

Walter glanced up, squinting his eyes at the person before him. He recognized the voice but he wasn't sure if it was who he thought it was.

"Maxwell?"

Maxwell knelt to his level, putting on a new set of glasses over Walter's eyes.

"The one and only. Again, sorry for the wait, time got the better of me of getting Willow away from this place."

"I-It's fine. H-How is she? Is she okay?"

"She's doing well for herself and you'll see her in due time but right now, let's focus on you." Maxwell summoned magic aura to his hands, having it wrap around Walter, healing his injuries. "You know, I thought doctors were supposed to do no harm."

"Tell that to ones who see patients like Willow as science projects over people." Walter sighed in relief. "And then, when you break their rules this is what happens… At least here. There's some good ones out there I'm sure." He growled. "But not here… Not these people. They don't care at all."

"Hmph, cads the lot of them. Best we make haste now before more show up."

"Wait, one more favor, please."

Maxwell raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. Walter gave him a pleading look.

"It's not huge I promise. Just… make it so my mother never gets any notification of me being forced to be in here. It'd scare her a lot."

Maxwell thought it over before nodding.

"Very well. Might not be a pleasant experience for the doctors here but considering what they do to people here I honestly will not feel bad for what I will do them to keep that from happening."

"I just don't want my mother to worry… She's the only person I have left that is family in this world and I don't want to hurt her."

There was sympathy in Maxwell's eyes.

"I understand and I promise I shall do what I just said to keep that from happening."

"Thank you." Walter held up his hand. "I'm ready to go now."

Maxwell took his hand, summoning shadows around them.

"Let's leave here then."

There was a rush of shadows around them before they vanished, something else, something quite dark left behind.

A terrorbeak skittered onto the bed, screeching as the door was opened before lunging for its prey.

oooooo

Walter felt a little dizzy as the shadows dissipated around them. He looked around, seeing they were in a forest area, taking note the trees were burnt to a crisp.

"Looks like she was through here rather quickly."

"Oh goodness, Willow…" Walter gulped. "W-Where is she?"

"Somewhere far from here. Probably just best to follow the burn trail."

"You can't just take me to her?"

"Watch it. I'm already doing you quite a few favors in order to ensure your mother doesn't find out about this." Maxwell gave him a serious look. "You can't make too many demands."

Walter gave him a miserable look before sighing, adjusting his glasses.

"Right, right, my apologies. Nothing in this life worth having is easy to get, right?"

"Indeed."

"Then…. I'll just get to work."

"Good." Maxwell summoned a backpack to his hands, offering it to him. "Here, something to start you off. Know these simple rules. Keep your guard up, stay out of the dark and whatever you do, don't starve. Best of luck finding your "sister"."

Walter took it, nodding.

"Thank you, Maxwell. You're a real pal."

"Anything for a friend. Now, if you'll pardon me, I have some "doctors" to check on." He grinned wickedly before disappearing.

Walter took a deep breath before going through the backpack, finding an axe inside.

"Well… if I'm gonna survive." He looked at the charred trees. "I'm gonna need something for a cooking means."

Hang in there Willow. I'm coming!