The van shook and rattled as it made it's way up the rocky mountain path, though it did little to disturb it's one passenger. Propped against the metal wall that separated the driver's seat and the hollow back of the vehicle, the dark-haired girl sat in silence as she was escorted to her destination.
Edna had been careless. She thought she would be able to simply sneak up on Marcel's goons, eavesdrop a little bit, and leave to reunite with Lilli. If she had heard anything that sounded dangerous, at least the two of them would be one step ahead.
But Edna had underestimated just how much the doctor had learned since last time. The guards were taking no chances at letting anyone escape their sight, and after getting too close for her own good, Edna misstepped and tumbled right into the river. Blinded by the headlights of their bus, she was easily overwhelmed by the two and restrained.
So here she was now, being taken back to the prison that had held her captive for so long: the asylum.
She really wished she had found that flashlight and kettle drum now.
Edna could almost hear Harvey's voice cracking jokes about this predicament. Looks like we're in for a real family reunion, huh Edna?
Her stomach ached. If Harvey was here, he'd know what to say to get her optimistic again. Silly jokes kept her spirit up to keep going, and inane suggestions got her brain working to think up a real plan. When the two of them were together, nothing could stop them.
She tried to push the memories back. They were too painful to think of now. Instead, she focused on a different face that had filled in the spot where Harvey's used to be.
Lilli. Edna smiled as she remembered the games they would play together, and the bond they had formed over time. They were outcasts, ignored or hated by their peers, but as long as they had each other, nobody else mattered. They looked out for one another through thick and thin.
The van suddenly came to a halt, jolting her out of her thoughts. Bladder could be heard cursing loudly at the failing engine before both men got out of the front seats. Edna listened to their voices as they headed to the back of the vehicle.
"Damn thing's been acting up all night." Bladder was grumbling. "I'm telling you, I can't take much more of this crap..."
"Look on the bright side, man." His partner replied. His voice sounded like a bad impression of John Travolta. "When the doc sees who we found, he's really gonna make it worth our while."
"I still can't believe she's alive." Bladder said, and Edna could hear the click of the back door being unlocked before it swung open, and she could see the two peering in. "But... jeez, there she is. It's like looking at a ghost."
The other guard shuddered. "Don't say stuff like that, man!" He looked around nervously. "You know he might be out here somewhere..."
"Well if you're so scared, you can take her back by yourself." Bladder snapped as he walked back to the front of the van and popped open the hood. "I need to get this thing running again anyway."
Edna was removed from the vehicle and placed in a set of cuffs. For a brief moment she was able to get a look at her surroundings. The asylum was barely a hike away, and it loomed in the horizon like the gates of Hell itself. But a thought crept into her mind as she became more familiar with the dirt road they stood on.
Her eyes moved to look into the distance at the opposite mountain range. She remembered those times when she would stand by the swing tree and stare at the asylum, seeing a reflection of her old self looking back. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to see herself walking hand in hand with Lilli towards the convent, starting a new life together. If she could just have that small bit of comfort...
But there was only darkness.
"Lilli," Edna whispered as she and her escort began walking towards their destination. "Wherever you are... please help."
For all the dread she had felt for this place, the asylum felt... dead to Edna.
Everything was dark aside from a few lights here and there, but if you were to arrive without notice you'd swear the place had been abandoned by it's staff. As the girl and her lone orderly walked through the grounds, she could see dozens of inmates wandering freely without supervision.
Many simply shuffled around in circles, or stared blankly into space. Some of the more 'colorful' characters were occupied by their newfound freedom. The 'bartender' had transformed the front entrance to the building into a makeshift pub. As they headed to the back door, she recognized the distinct figure of Professor Nock digging through the zen garden with a trowel, muttering about velociraptor bones.
"This place is going to the dogs..." Her captor sighed.
The inside of the Asylum was even deader. There seemed to be no power at all, and was devoid of nearly all life. Not-Travolta marched Edna up the stairs, where she could hear the sound of familiar voices coming from the rec room, but there was no way to get a good look as she was continuously pushed forward.
They finally came to the third floor. The top of the tower in which the mad wizard had held the fair maiden prisoner. Though Edna laughed at the idea of being called fair or anybody referring to her as a maiden.
Her cell, the starting point of her grand adventure, still stood where it always had been. This time there was no Babbet guarding the thick steel door, just an empty chair. Like everything else, it all felt empty and lifeless to give off any feeling of power over her. But something caught the former occupant of the room's ear.
Behind the foot of solid metal, Edna could hear the faintest sound of humming. Was someone really in there? Or perhaps it was just a phantom of her memories resurfacing. A shudder went up her spine.
"So, what happened to Mr. Mini-Golf champ?" Edna finally spoke, hoping to change the subject.
Her escort was caught off guard by her sporadic timing. "Uh... oh, you mean Babbit. Yeah, he quit. You know what's funny? He really is a mini-golf champ now. Who'da thunk, right?"
Edna was baffled enough to have a response, but it died in her throat as her eyes fell on a portrait hanging on the right wall of the hallway. It showed a young boy, his brown hair neat and tidy, but his face was something only a mother could love, and he had a crude smile. The sight of him could bring tears to one's eyes, but not for the same reason they were forming in Edna's.
"Alfred..." She uttered softly.
The guard looked back and forth between her and the picture in puzzlement, but it clicked together in his mind pretty quick. He may not have been totally in the loop, but he remembered the story of why Edna had been locked away here in the first place through word of mouth.
He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly as Edna stared at the portrait for a good while. Truth be told, he always held a little sympathy for the girl. Even before his descent into utter insanity, Marcel's plan had always seemed... cruel.
But he didn't dwell on it for long. As sorry as he felt for Edna, he still had a job to do. Besides, he only knew things from rumors and biased view points. He didn't know anything nearly well enough to make it his business.
Still, it was only fair he try to ease her pain. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, and while she didn't react, Edna certainly appreciated the gesture. He guided her down the hall, and soon they were facing their destination. Doctor Marcel's office.
With Alfred fresh in her mind, Edna was more terrified than ever.