Starr Park: A Brawl Stars Story

Handle With Care

Author's Note: Credit to my sister for some ideas of this chapter.

Jessie couldn't see anything in the truck of the car. She could only hear her heartbeat and the sound of her sobbing. She didn't know where she was going, but she had started to get cold. She was thinking of her mother and wanted to scream but she decided to be rational and follow her head. This is the only way to leave safe and sound from this place, she thought. Three hours had passed and the kidnapper hadn't arrived at his destination yet. He had also gone past the river, using a boat. Why am I so important that he's been driving for hours? she was thinking. It was really strange, actually, if you think about it. Suddenly, the car stopped out of the huge gates of a large blue hotel! The weather was so cold and snowy that Jessie could feel the chill from the truck. The walls and the roof were frozen but from the numerous windows, one could see a lot of people enjoying this luxurious hotel. Above the entrance there was a big doorplate where was written the name of the hotel: "Snowtel". Jessie heard the sound of the man getting out of the car. Then, the truck opened and he told the girl to get out of the truck. Jessie did as he said. When she got out, the large hotel immediately caught her eye. She was staring it admiringly for a few moments and the man told her to move on and get inside. Was I kidnapped to come here? she questioned herself puzzled.
    "Move on! Move on!" Shouted the kidnapper angrily. Jessie got inside the hotel. It was so warm in there in opposition to the outside. The lobby of the hotel was wide and the lighting was bright and resembled the northern lights. The man approached one of the desks and asked for a ticket of the lowest floor. Jessie began to worry thinking about what might be in the lowest floor. She went closer to the door trying to leave but it was locked. Ok, I'll go downstairs... They both entered a golden elevator and went down to the last floor.

Starr Park, Starr Park
A place you'll never want to leave!

The man had started to sing this weird elevator song but Jessie didn't pay attention. She was thinking about what was downstairs and making strange scenarios in her head. She was so anxious and scared, but she had always been the voice of reason and decided to try to stay calm. When the elevator stopped and the door opened, they got out and the man told Jessie to enter a specific room he showed to her. The floor looked like a jail; it had grey walls and a lot rooms. She went to the doorstep of the room. The door had a sign on it: "Mr. Paananen's office. Do not enter unless it's a matter of life, death or business". As she was entering the office, her heart was beating faster than every other moment in her life before. Well, not as fast as when she was kidnapped, but quite fast. Inside the room, there was only a big office table and two chairs. The door was suddenly closed which meant that Jessie was alone. She quickly had a look at the walls. They were grey, like all the walls in this floor and there wasn't a single window. Across from the door, there was a big portrait of a blue short penguin which was wearing a black suit and sunglasses and was also carrying a suitcase.
    "Perhaps this is Mr. Paananen's pet." Said Jessie out loud.
    "This is Mr. Paananen himself." A honeyed and childish, yet deep voice was heard when someone opened the door. It was the penguin of the portrait who got inside the office. "Please, take a seat over there." Said to Jessie politely and sat at the chair of his office. Still afraid and confused of what's going on, Jessie sat at the chair opposite Mr. Paananen.
    "What is this place?" Asked Jessie abruptly when she sat, although she was sure she wouldn't get any clear or helpful answers.
    "Hello Brawler J", he pretended he didn't listened to her question, "Brawler J... Brawler J... I don't like these names, but my dear friends insist on using them. What is your name Brawler J?" He asked the girl. His modulated voice was making Jessie's heart beat more and more intensely.
    "I... I'm Jessie" She shuttered.
    "Nice to meet you Jessie. I'm Dr. Paananen." He introduced himself. Jessie was really confused at that moment.
    "Why am I here? Why did you kidnap me from my house?" She asked few seconds later.
    "Let me make it clear. It was all predetermined, Jessie. I was there when your mother gave birth to you in the hospital. You are special Jessie." He started to explain, but Jessie still hadn't understood a single thing.
    "Why am I special?"
    "Your mother participated in a genetic experiment 16 years ago, here in the hotel. One year later, she got pregnant. You have a special power, Jessie; you are super-intelligent." He continued. Jessie was left speechless by his monologue. She shook her head and glanced at Mr. Paananen nervously.
    "That can't be true! She would've told me!" Exclaimed the girl.
    "Back then, I used old technology. I had to experiment with pregnant women in order for the mutations to work on their children. Now, I have the means to interfere directly in the human DNA. Your mother didn't tell you anything because I deleted the memories of every parent I experimented with."
    "Why did you kidnap me then? Couldn't you just come to tell us what you want?"
    "Follow me." He told her, stood up and got out of the room. Jessie followed him. They were walking along the corridor and stopped out of a wide door. Mr. Paananen opened the door and Jessie followed him inside.
    "This is your room from now on." Said the penguin to the girl.
    "What?" Shouted Jessie, but the door suddenly slammed and locked.
    "You must be Brawler J." A voice was heard from the further back of the room. Jessie turned around to see who was it. There were another four kids inside the room. As it seems, Jessie wasn't the only child Mr. Paananen had kidnapped.