Dare I suggest one of my favourite tropes ?
Whumpee wrongfully locked up in a psych ward, and being driven mad by the imprisonment. 19th century psych wards are so good for that.
When he's rescued, caretaker can't recognise him anymore.
- @whumpisgoodwhumpislife
Yes, I got so excited when this request came through. Asylum history is one of my favorites, and it has been a special interest of mine for almost fifteen years now. I hope this is to your liking.
Sorry it got a bit long. -Mj
Disclaimer, before you read: thus story does use rude language toward the mentally ill. That is due to the time frame of when this story is set. Unfortunately it was a dark time back then, I have studied this part of history for years. Nit a good time for the mentally ill. Thankfully a few people led the way to benefit these persons. Dorothea Dix being one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy this story.
Caretaker had only left them outside for a few minutes. They just needed to grab a cloth to wipe some spilt water from Whumpee's shirt.
Whumpee accidentally dribbled some of their drink and was bound to do it again.
Caretaker whistled as they started back outside.
They looked outside and saw Whumpee being carried away on horse.
Whumpee's screams matched Caretaker's.
"Stop.... where are you taking them?" Caretaker yelled, "where are you going with my sibling."
Someone rode back to Caretaker until they were a few feet away, "the mad one is being taken to the State Hospital. It is too dangerous to have someone like them out here with us."
"Someone like?", Caretaker was taken back, "they were just sitting by the tree in their wheel chair", Caretaker looked at the tree and saw the chair had been flipped.
"You flipped their chair?", Caretaker frowned.
"The hospital will be just fine for them. You can rest easy", the person turned and road off.
Whumpee continued to scream even when Caretaker couldn't see them anymore.
Caretaker cursed as they lifted the wheel chair and found it had been broken along the seat. Whumpee's blankets laid disheveled on the ground.
"Ma made these", Caretaker mumbled as they tried to shake them off.
Caretaker spun around as they heard a horse approaching.
"I just saw them ride by with Whumpee. Where are they going?", Caretaker's father called as they got closer.
"Th-they must have been watching the house. I went inside to get a cloth to wipe some water off of Whumpee. I came back and they were riding off. They said the state hospital", Caretaker cried, "I was gone for a moment."
"No no no", Caretaker's father turned their horse and raced after them.
"I told those bastards no", Caretaker's father sat in the jail with the sherif, "they came onto my property. Attacked my child, and stole. I have signed papers that said Whumpee was to stay with us. Caretaker wants to take care of them so they can practice doctoring. Whumpee was perfectly content with the situation."
"There is nothing I can do Darryn", the sheriff frowned, "I'm sorry, but they have papers that are above even me. It's state run", they sighed, "maybe it's a good thing. Whumpee might be getting help. It is state run after all."
"No, the best thing is for them to stay with their family. These people have over stepped", Darryn set his jaw angrily, "they kidnapped my child... just because they are a little different from every one else. I told them no."
"In a few months the judge will be around. What I suggest is preparing a case to take to them. They will be over to go against the orders set on Whumpee. Maybe they will agree", the sheriff sighed, "I am truly sorry, but my hands are tied."
Darryn slowly rode home. Defeat weighed heavily on their shoulders.
Caretaker and the family watched as Darryn dismounted.
"I-I shouldn't have left them pa... I'm sorry", Caretaker sobbed.
"It's not your fault Caretaker. You didn't know. You were taking care of our Whumpee", Darryn hugged Caretaker close, "there are some horrible people around. The moment someone who doesn't quite fit in sticks out... well these people just don't understand. It's not your fault."
"Can we get them back?", Ma spoke up.
"Oh we are getting them back. They took my kid, you don't do that to a man", Darryn frowned, "Sheriff can't do anything as it is run by the state. They said the judge is to be here in three months. We need to work on our case and present it to the judge."
"Three months? What about Whumpee?", Caretaker wept.
"I... there is nothing we can do", Darryn sighed, "nothing. Whumpee might be a little different, but they are strong. I believe they will be alright."
Three months passed slowly, but finally the judge came.
The sheriff had rode about a mile out to meet them as they rode in.
This would give Sheriff enough time to explain Whumpee's case before the family piled into the office. They were called upon soon after.
"Your honor" Darryn started, "my child was taken from us. We want them back."
"Yes, Sheriff told me some of this already. You said you had papers that said you denied them the right to take Whumpee, but they were still taken."
"Yes your honor", Darryn nodded and handed the forms.
"My that is a lot of papers", the judge looked up.
"Yes, they asked many many times. Even harassing my other children and my wife", Darryn explained, "I've had to chase them away from my property.... as they would set camp nearby."
"I see... I wonder what their interest was in your child. I haven't had a case like this before. So what are you looking for me to do", the judge looked over the notes.
"We really just want our baby back. Whumpee may require special care, but we made it work. We would like to at least stop this from happening to others as well. Our family hasn't been the same without Whumpee."
"So you say made it work? How do you mean?", the judge leaned back.
"Caretaker here, this is my oldest. They want to become a doctor. They took care of Whumpee. They were, unfortunately, the one who Whumpee was stolen from."
"Oh?", the judge looked at Caretaker.
Caretaker nodded, "I was outside with Whumpee. We were just going to sit in the sun, and I was going to read. They like it when you read to them. They dribbled some water from their mouths, so I just ran in for a cloth to wipe them off. When I came back, the wheel chair was knocked over and broken. They were racing off with Whumpee. My Pa came right after."
"Your honor, they were stalking my kids. Ready to steal when they saw their chance", Darryn tried to contain their anger.
The judge nodded, "I agree with you. I will take this case as a top priority. I will call on the hospital to come and give me their statement. They will be required to return your child to you. Let's see if we can get some support because of the troubles they've caused."
It took a few days to get officials of the hospital to come back to the town.
Darryn and their family almost jumped out of their skin when they heard Whumpee's wailing outside of the courtroom.
"I've never heard them yell like that", Caretaker whispered to their father, who nodded in reply.
Everyone watched in astonishment when the door opened and Whumpee was pushed in.
"Wh-why are their hands tied to the chair?", Darryn whispered hoarsely, "what have you done to my child?"
Whumpee fought against the restraints. Their skin was caked with dirt and who knows what else.
"Ca... Ca... Ca", Whumpee looked up at Caretaker, and fought against the restraints.
Caretaker bolted to Whumpee's side.
The officials attempted to stand in the way, but Caretaker knocked them over.
"Get out of my way", Caretaker yelled.
The judge sat with their jaw dropped.
"I'm here, I'm here Whumpee", Caretaker started to untie their wrist, but hurried to cup Whumpee's face to comfort them, "I am so sorry."
Whumpee cried as Caretaker continued to comfort them.
The judge looked toward the town doctor who had been invited to sit in.
"Doc, can you confirm that this is how Whumpee looked... before they were taken away?", the judge felt a lump in their throat.
"No, Whumpee did not look this. Whumpee was not so frail and... and they at least had some sense. This is not the one I took care of", the Doc stared at Whumpee, "I taught Caretaker how to take care of Whumpee. They did good work for their sibling. I can tell you Caretaker would never allow Whumpee to look li..like this."
"Thanyou Doc", the Judge nodded, "I expected that."
The judge turned to look at Darryn, "Darryn what are you thinking?"
Darryn stared at Whumpee. Their throat closed as they choked back tears.
"How could someone do this to... that's my child. Kidnapped from my home. What have they done to my kid?", Darryn felt tears slide down their cheek.
They hugged their wife close as she cried uncontrollably.
"I will now hear from the officials of the hospital", Judge looked at them, "you both have some explaining to do. How did you think it was alright to bring them looking like that?"
"They received the care they required in our hospital. We do believe that with a little while longer, they will be a great addition to civilization. They are still too wild at this point. Still an animal."
"That doesn't answer my questions", the judge frowned, "let's start here. Why were their hands tied to the chair?"
"A wild beast must be taught properly. They will do mischief to themself or others if not tied down and beaten", the hospital officials looked toward Whumpee, "this is the most settled they've been since they came into our care. It is working."
"They are only settled because they are in my arms", Caretaker yelled forcibly as they hugged Whumpee closer into their chest.
"Tell me about the care they received", the judge dared ask.
The officials looked at each other, "you have no right to ask."
"Oh, I do though", the judge furrowed their brows, "this family has a right to know."
"Lunatics require domination. They were whipped and bled repeatedly. They would give us a quiet night when beaten to the verge of passing out. We would give them drugs in their food to make them sick. This brings even the strongest willed patients to a behaved state."
"They're missing some teeth", Doc, who had decided to help Caretaker look over Whumpee, spoke up, "it was nothing done here in town."
"Yes they had a biting problem", the officials explained, "we removed teeth to teach them better."
"I've heard enough", the judge looked at Whumpee, "the fact this dear one went through all of this. To think other patients are going through the same procedures", the judge sighed, "Whumpee is to be returned to their family. Their family is to receive funds to help care for them. Justice will be served. You may never touch them again. I will do everything in my power to ensure this hospital and others like it are searched and brought to order. No one should ever be treated like this. Mad or not."
"They are not human though. Only a beast", the officials argued and walked toward Whumpee.
Caretaker stepped in front of Whumpee to block them, Darryn and Doc also stepped up.
"How dare you limit this great movement in medical science. We are making history", the officials stepped back.
"Not with my child", Darryn growled.
"Sheriff arrest those two. A full investigation will be brought upon the hospital", the judge ordered, "Darryn I will talk with you tomorrow on what your family will require for Whumpee's care. Recess for today."
"You can't do this", the officials yelled as the sheriff and two deputies dragged them out.
"Doc, do they look alright?", Caretaker held Whumpee's hand as Doc did an exam.
Whumpee shook nervously as Doc worked.
"They will need a lot of care. Not just physically, but they need some good loving from your family. They are terrified. They also need some good rest and some good food."
Caretaker nodded, "Ma and Pa hurried home to get to work."
"I will ride out to your home in a few days to see how they are settling. I think when they see that they are safe, and in your care again, they should settle. It will be a lot of work. Are you ready for this?"
Caretaker looked at Whumpee lovingly, "wh-what if I make another mistake."
"Another mistake? What was your first?", Doc looked up curiously.
"I took my eyes off of them", Caretaker frowned, "then all of this. I don't deserve their forgiveness."
"You walked away to get them something. You were caring for your sibling in the normal way. You didn't know people were there to take Whumpee from you", Doc sighed, "unfortunately we definitely can see how far Whumpee can be pushed. I think any mistakes you do make won't even compare to the hell they just survived. Mistakes are human, I even make mistakes."
"Ca... Ca... Ca" Whumpee reached for Caretaker.
"Seems to me they already forgive you and are ready to have you take care of them again. Are you ready to take on the responsibility again?"
Caretaker reached for Whumpee's hand and gently squeezed it, "I am."
"Slow down Whumpee" Caretaker shoveled another spoonful into Whumpee's eager mouth.
"Look at them... they are starved. It must feel good to eat with no worries about the drugs", Ma watched, "my poor baby."
"I'm coming. I need to eat to", Caretaker smiled, "Doc says the drugged food was to get them to be nauseous or to get them to sleep. They had overheard some people talking when they were out of town."
"My poor baby", Ma repeated, "they can eat all they want."
"Doc says to be careful. They could get an upset stomach of they eat too much too quickly."
"Maybe after dinner we can gather around and Caretaker could read to us again", Darryn looked up, "it's been a while."
Caretaker nodded, "we can do that pa."
Darryn got the fire going again and joined his family. Caretaker reached for the book their family had been reading through before Whumpee was taken.
Whumpee rested in their Ma's arms.
"We have our baby back", Ma played with Whumpee's fingers like they use to play.
Caretaker smiled at their family as they wiped away some dust from the book.
"We have our family together again', Caretaker smiled at their Pa.
Darryn smiled as they nodded.
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