the Asylum

the asylum part 1

After a week of mindless work, the two detectives finally met up again. Not that they hadn't been in contact all that week via telephone and the occasional visits from Poe at the ADA. After a quick stop at the convenience store near Poe's home for snacks, they entered his house. Ranpo skipped in after Poe and followed him (and the snacks) to the living room. Ranpo dived in on some chocolate gummies that Poe thought were the most distasteful thing Ranpo ate.

"Want some?" Ranpo uncharacteristically offered his 'Gummy Choco'.

"You know I hate those," Poe answered in a huff.

"Yeah, that's why I offered them because I knew you would say no." Stated the smug detective.

Poe rolled his eyes in response and turned around to face the bookshelves. Poe stared at the shelf for minutes before deciding that nothing looked too interesting. He walked across his home, surveying the stacks of books in random spots. He remembered that he was given a book by the local bookkeeper's daughter, insisting he needed to read it. That would be perfect. Poe walked to his kitchen and spied the book in mind sitting on the table.

The cover looked very horror-like, a picture of a ghost in front of an old building. The title was simply "Asylum", and Poe was very intrigued. He enjoyed writing about the darker insanity in people, so he was eager to see what work this author concocted.

"Ranpo-kun I found---Ranpo-Kun!" exclaimed Poe when he saw Ranpo holding his beloved Karl in the air with one hand. In Ranpo's other hand, stretched as far away from the raccoon as possible, was a package of crackers.

"Poe, he tried to steal my snack! Teach your pet to not take what is not his!"

"Put Karl down this instant, I will take care of him."

"Fine." Said Ranpo as he lowered the animal to the couch. Poe immediately grabbed Karl, cuddling him and cooing to him. Meanwhile, Ranpo fell back down onto the couch in a slump, proceeding to eat his crackers.

"I'll go feed Karl. Oh, here's the book I chose, you can read over it a bit, just-just doesn't solve it from the summary. Please." Poe pleaded before carrying his pet into the kitchen.

When Poe returned with a sleepy and well-fed Karl, he placed him down on some blankets and walked towards Ranpo. "You ready?" Poe questioned.

"Yeah, I didn't read a thing about it, the cover was creepy enough," Ranpo said.

"It's a gift from a girl I know, she insisted I read this," Poe replied putting his hands behind his back. "I know it sounds cheesy but-"

"I never said anything about it being cheesy. It looks like something you'd like, let's dive into it." Interrupted Ranpo.

Poe smiled, loving that he could call Ranpo his friend because unlike many, he respected and understood Poe well. "No glasses, no raccoon?" asked Poe.

"Correct. Let's hurry it up, I am ready!" said the inpatient detective.

Thus, Black Cat in the Rue Morgue started up and they were carried away into the book "Asylum".

The two appeared on a freshly cut lawn, at a university campus. Banners hung up, welcoming high-school students to the campus. Poe glanced at Ranpo and noticed that both of them were in school uniforms, they must be a part of the high-schoolers. The mass of students around them was being led across the lawn by a couple of adults. Poe nudged Ranpo to follow.

The crowd stopped. The lead lady in a red blouse addressed the students. "This building behind me will be your lodging for the week. It is not only a beautiful building but a piece of Briarbrooke history. This is Briarbrooke, the mental asylum that operated until the late '50s, all the upper floors have been completely renovated. There is even a community rec room on the main floor. History about the asylum can be found in our records department in the Wayford building, next to the cafeteria. And, of course, if you have any questions or comments on the history and renovation progress, ask me, Miss Evergreen, I am the lead historian on this renovation process."