Skids visits the Asylum - DttF Theme Competition Entry

I felt a shiver down my spine as I walked through the Asylum doors. It wasn't that my true reason for being here went beyond the 'visit' I'd described to the receptionist and involved a plan to break out with one of the patients - after all, I’m no stranger to 'adapting' the truth.

No, the shiver was because of just how much these corridors reminded me of the jail where I'd lost years of my life. Lost the chance to see Mam before she…

I shook my head, trying to clear it. Obviously, I’d made preparations. An official Police Badge that I’d 'happened across' which might help me handle any tricky circumstances and one or two weapons secreted on my person which would get me out of anything trickier still.

Some tools of my trade and the skills I'd learned could well help out too.

I smiled to myself. Maybe I'd run into my old buddy, Joey "The Rat", while I was here. We’d had a few laughs.

...and then my inner smile was replaced by a puzzled frown. I'd known Joey in the clink. Why would I think I was going to run into him here?

But even so, I was prepared for the worst. I felt confident in my abilities, knowing I'd find the information I needed and keep ahead of the dull orderlies and rambling patients who'd be wandering the corridors. And failing all else, I was sure I could stay ahead of the game and find a way out at the last moment.

But why are these corridors so familiar? I know I’ve never been here before. I shake my head once again. I guess cells look like cells, whether they're in a prison or an asylum.

At least I remember the way out.