FILE 2: THE ASYLUM PART 1

It was now early autumn, and the leaves on the trees started turning golden. It was truly beautiful to behold. I stood before an antique body-length mirror my mom gifted me when I turned twenty. My dad gave me a car. Mom knew me best. 

I hate driving, as it brings out the worst in you. I saw that side of my parents a lot as they drove. She would shout, "Come on you sonofa (censor)!" as her face turned ugly. "Away an bile yer heid!"

Her twisted expression was so ghastly that was when I decided to never drive. So I sold Dad's car after I got his permission, of course. I brushed my hair as I remembered his constant yelling. 

"Moving to South Korea? Do you have a pit in your head? What do you mean you sold the Range Rover? It cost me over a hundred thousand!" Good times, good times.

"How long are you going to admire yourself?" Mars snapped from behind me. I gave myself a final look and left with my partner to receive our latest client.

I wore my usual black clothes. Being inside, I only wore socks and slippers. 

A bright smile spread across my face as I slicked back my hair. "Ouch!" I felt a sting as Mars nipped me in the ankle. "Stop being so pleased with yourself.

They'll be here in less than five minutes, and there are still no refreshments. Stop slacking!"

Muttering under my breath, I quickly prepared tea and coffee when the bell rang. At last, our client showed up, albeit two minutes late.

I perfectly lined up our beverages and opened the door, smiling broadly. A small, middle-aged, and nervous-looking man stood before me. My enthusiasm dropped, and my smile became forced. Darn, it's a geeky dude. 

He waited anxiously as I poured his tea for him. As I sat down, he snatched the cup and downed it in one gulp. Wow, this person must have quite a story.

"Please, sir, how may I help you?" I asked politely. I no longer smiled, which was a relief.

"Th-thank you for the t-tea. M-my name is Choi Kwan. I have worked at the Sahagu Institute of the Mentally Insane as a ward nurse for the last fifteen years," he stammered.

He wiped his face. While he listened, Mars lay on his cat bed in the corner as I sat across from Kwan.

He ruffled his black hair before proceeding. "We see many things. But the one thing SIMI is famous for is taking care of its patients. Asylums have a bad reputation, but SIMI treats its patients like family.

It hasn't made the news yet, but for the last few weeks, patients have either gone missing or died. The doctors and staff are frantic. 

No one knows if there is a maniac on the loose or something," he said fearfully. Slowly sipping my coffee, I inquired emotionlessly, "What do you want me to do?"

Mars meowed in disapproval. Yeah, yeah, I know. Comfort the guy, or he'll leave.

"Oh well, maybe find out the cause-" he mumbled. 

I flashed my best smile and waved, "Yes, of course. Please ask whatever you need of me." I refilled his cup, and he gratefully accepted.

"The hum- people are in dire need of your help. P-please save them!" he begged, squeezing his cup. I patted his hand. 

"Of course. Let's see. I'll be infiltrating as a worker, definitely not a patient, and could go up against a kidnapper and killer, will be working for hours, and will use my acting skills day and night, which would cause me mental exhaustion

So that'll be thirteen million won." I held up a paper so he could see my calculations. He blinked. "Huh?"

"Also, I need your signature here, please," I added.

A few moments later, I closed the door behind the shaken man. "As always, you ask for too much money. What if he can't pay you, did you think of that?"

Mars scowled at me from his bed. "If he can't pay me now, then he'll just have to pay it off each month. Now let me be, I have a job to apply for."