The asylum wasn't always my home. One time it was in a city, in a fancy house. When mommy and daddy were still there. Before the monster came and made them go away. Now this cold room with it's cold, hard flooring was home. The only light filtered in through the cross-shaped window in the wall. The guards sometimes came to check on me. Sometimes they look like my parents. It bothered me but I didn't say anything ever. They said I was crazy and dangerous. It had been almost 16 years. I was almost 20 years old! That's a big number! They also say I'm a child still. But I feel different. I feel sad and lonely. The cold darkness of my room gets to me now. I want to talk to people. To have fun again! I wanna see my old friends and how they changed.
One day my guard told me I had a visitor, I was so very excited. Maybe it was a friend! But no- it was a tall man in a nice black suit with a red tie. He dressed like daddy. His left eye was scared and cut up, his good one fixated on me.
"You are Molly Zimmer?" he asked, his voice suprisingly smooth. A slight grin on his cracked lips.
I nodded frantically; the first time someone had called me by name is so many years. She loved the ring of her name.
"My name is calypso" the man began, taking a few steps forward. "I want you to be in my contest" he grinned, showing his yellow teeth. I recoiled a bit. "The Twisted Metal Tournament, vehicular combat- to the death. The prize is a single wish of your choice…" He trailed off, seeing the glint in my eyes.
"You can bring mommy and daddy back!" I yelped, joyous. If they were back everything would be back to normal- yes it would!
"If you win- yes. I can grant that wish." The man replied, grinning. Maybe he would be my friend after all.
"Count me in Mr. Calypso!" I giggled. Standing from my bed, jumping for joy.
"Excellent. Well be in touch- Miss Zimmer" Calypso replied, strolling out of my cell, the door was closed and locked behind him by the guards.
The next month passed by in a flash as I eagerly awaited this tournament. One day the men in white coats came and gave me a shot. I slept for a long time I guess. When I woke up I was sitting in some kinda car, but it rumbled really loud outside the interior. A little TV screen in the middle of the dash flickered on showing Calypso. My heart jumped a beat seeing my friend.
"Hello again, Miss Zimmer." He spoke. "How are you feeling today my dear?" he asked, hands clasped behind his back.
"I'm great!" I smiled at the screen. "But where am I?" I looked around again. This car must be really big.
"You're in the vehicle I've chosen for you. Tell me do you like nicknames? Everyone in my contest has one." He spoke smoothly. "Yours is Buttercup."
"Buttercup?" I asked, letting the word roll over my tongue. I liked it. "Alright, Mister Calypso!"
"Good, good. Now- this is just training. I want you to follow my Assistant's instructions to the letter, Buttercup." He told her firmly.