Disposable Teens

2

THEN

"Harley Anne Jack. Aged 8. Birth date is the 23rd November 1985. Lived at 46 Falcombe Drive, Deep Creek. Is this information all correct?" Warden Steel was a large British lady with pink skin and a round belly. Her voice was deep and stern and her eyes were a hard brown. She didn't look like someone you would touch with a ten foot pole; unless you're Harley, of course.

"Indeedy-Doo." Harley nodded. Steel shot Harley a withering glare.

Needless to say, Harley was quite happy prodding the beast.

"Alright. You will be shown to your room after the presentation video, which is an introduction on the rules and regulations of Deep Creek Institute for the Criminally Insane. Your luggage will be taken to your room during the video. Due to the circumstances, you will not be sharing a room until further notice. Any questions you have will be answered in the video. If you still have any questions after the video, you'll do well to keep your mouth shut. At this institute, we don't like loud mouths, smart asses and know-it-alls. You be on your best behaviour or there will be repercussions. You wanna act like a criminal, we will treat you like one. I don't care if your eight years old or eighty, you will be treated the same. Is that understood?" Steel asked sternly and Harley nodded. "Very well, follow me. Try anything funny and I'll stick you with enough sedatives to knock out a buffalo." Steel's British accent was thick and hard to understand for Harley so she just nodded and smiled, which did nothing but infuriate Steel. She led Harley through large corridors with towering roofs and barred windows. Harley skipped and whistled next to the unhappy lady.

Eventually she shoved Harley into a small room with a small television set in it.

"Sit, watch and shut your damn mouth." She slammed the door and the television turned into static, before tuning and a younger, thinner, Warden Steel appeared on the screen.

"Welcome to Deep Creek Institute for the Criminally Insane..."

During the video Harley hardly payed attention and instead fiddled with the handcuffs that restrained her already red wrists.

"The gardens are monitored constantly and the fences are patrolled at all times. Anyone found trying to leave the vicinity without authorisation will spend up to a week in solitary. There are three meals a day and classes in between each meal. Wake up is at 7am sharp. Anyone who misses a meal will not be catered for and will have to wait until the next meal. Bells are sounded at the beginning and end of each meal and class. Times are as follows..."

Eventually, the video ended with a strict warning.

"Here at the Institute, we have a three strike policy. Strike one means a week in solitary. Strike two means three weeks in solitary and 4 canes to the knuckles. Strike three means two months in solitary and 15 canes to the knuckles. There is no pity here, do not expect to be coddled. Enjoy your stay here at the Deep Creek Institute; follow the rules and you'll do fine."

As expected, Harley didn't plan on following any sets of rules.

✖️

NOW

"Who are you?" The teacher asked without even looking up from her laptop. Harley stood there holding no supplies whatsoever and a bored expression.