Outcasts Of The Midlands

Chapter 2, 2023

Chapter 2, 2023

"So... er.. is this digbeth?"
"Yeah" stated a stranger
"Well.. we gotta hitchhike to Coventry then"
"But how will we bring the Time Machine!"
"It's actually quite simple, there is a core inside that allows time travel in a 4 meter bubble."
"Shut up Maisie!"
"Can you stop James, that is the only thing you say."
But then James had an idea, James had a wonderful awful idea. Maisie was the only person stopping him from leaving and helping the robots win, if he could just trick the others and take part of the core he could go ahead and stop them before they could hack the computer.
"I know what we can do! We can rent a bike."
"But.. we don't have any mon-"
"We can just steal them then!"
"Isn't that messed up?" Stated Magnet
"Well.. we kinda do have to save the world.. let's do it!"
They all stole a bike each from a local shop. Was it messed up? Yes, but was it necessary? No, they could have just got a taxi by selling some stuff they had.
They cycled for a bit until they found a small pen on the floor.
"Anyone want a pen? I'm selling it for a pound!" Magnet shouted
"Wait.. where is James?"
"He's probably set off to Coventry by himself."
"I'll buy it for a pound!" Stated a stranger
Since they had a pound, they bought a bunch of pencils which they sold for £1 each. They sold 10 of them which got them £10. They kept repeating the cycle with different products until they ended with £136. It was like a game of monopoly without the starter money. They cycled the rest of the day until they reached the Town Of Solihul. It was a small town where a lot of people were made of money and you could get a hotel for cheap, they could get a room for about £63 per night. They tucked themselves to sleep but they could not predict what event would take place shortly after, they all simultaneously awaked themselves except from magnet who had an antenna looking object inside of his head. Maisie felt nauseous while Lewis felt extremely weak. But for an unknown amount of time they rested there, however long it was, the outcome was concerning.

They woke up in a cold street in Digbeth, this was where they had started but much colder. The sky was faded purple and the fog was a heavy grey coat.
A black glove reached them and grabbed them. They were dragged to a waiting room where they were met by a boy who was a few years older than them (about 18).
"Hello I am Manipulator Danny and I have created an amazing world for you to reside in, we have theme parks and empty beaches. You also have rooms and restaurants plus even more-"
"But.. er.. we don't want to... be her-"
Before he could say a word, he was cut off.
They woke up in a young child's bedroom. They were much smaller than normal.
"Hey Lewis! Why do you look like robot?"
"Ha ha! Well er.. funny joke!"
"No, I'm being serious"
"Wait? Seriou-"
"ARGHHH" screamed Magnet, he was being pulled in by a mysterious hole. A voice stated from the other side that he had to tell the information.
"This is a really funny dream! Now I think it's time we wake up."
But Maisie didn't wake up, this was real.
Maisie started crying, she was now a short, cartoon mask wearing girl. She was wearing a mask that was white but reflected her emotions. A orange hoodie was around her aswell that she could not take off. It covered her hands and legs aswell.
"Everything will be alright Maisie, we will escape this."
"I don't think you get it.." Stated the Manipulator
"You cannot escape the room, this is your life now."
Spending her whole life as a child toy, this could not be real. She had to stop the world from AI.

Another person peeked around the corner, they looked like an anthropomorphic deer.
"Hello? Anyone here!"
"Yes.. er. WE ARE HERE!"
"Other people? You cannot be real"
"Err.. yes.. real!"
"I can't remember my name, should I make a new one?"
"I can't remember mine either!"
"Yeah.. I don't either."
"Luckily we have a random name generator somewhere outside the room! It can only do 5 letters though." Stated the Manipulator
Lewis really was actually enjoying this as he thrived on adventure, and everyone else's memory had been taken including him.
"Let's give it a spin! I'll choose the deer's name first!"
"I'm 25! I can make one myself."
"No! You're a toy deer."
"How about Aiivb?"
"That isn't even a n-"
"That's what I was thinking! Let's give it another spin."
"Er.. sir.. where are the beaches?"
"I completely lied to you! Now your name is... Kiara!"
"I guess I'll take it!"
"And for you... lemme think of one robot kid.. oh yeah! Robot kid!"
"Now.. Lily? That's a girls name"
"Sure then, I'll take that. Just give me a second and I'll be back"
She could not comprehend this, Kiara and Robot kid went to comfort her.
"Do you not understand this is dehumanising?"
"Err.. yeah.. we are.. not happy!"
"I don't care, money doesn't grow on trees. I have to make children's shows and get good reviews. If you don't get good reviews you will face the consequences."
"This is horrib-" Robot boy was interrupted
"And.. start!"
"Welcome to Bart's Playroom! A truly amazing place in toonland! But when Bart isnt home.. the toys come to life and play!"
"La La La La La, We love adventure!"
They all said this. But they did not want to at all, it felt like a higher entity was controlling them like lifeless puppets.
"We like to chat, and especially play
If you like to show loves and hugs
I think it's about time
You join us!"
A voice inside Lewis's head rang
"Break free of the chains! You don't have time to be controlled."
"Do you want to play a game Robot Boy?"
"Yes I would.. HELP- to!"
"I would rather do a mission! Do we have a mission?" Kiara stated
"Yes! Let's stop the evil dinosaur!"
A toy dinosaur with bloodshot eyes seemed to walk over, it seemed to be a puppet and not a person. But it was still made out of plastic
"I am so evil!" Shouted the dinosaur
"Hey stop you big baddie!" Maisie shouted unwillingfully
"Alright! I will be kind now."
"And.. CUT!"
"What was that!" Shouted Lewis
They decided to start a small campfire and found a drawer of tiny marshmallows. They sat down at a fire while Kiara played her guitar
"At least I'm not alone around here anymore, I used to work as a scientist. I know I will never escape and I will never be able to return to my life."
She started playing American Pie on her guitar and everyone loved it
"I really liked that!" Shouted Maisie
"Can you play.. er.. House of the rising sun?"
"Sure can!"
"There is a house way down in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one"
But then she played a pitch which fixed everyone's memory, everyone remembered their names (Kiara was actually called Ashley).
"I actually remember a funny version of the second verse, wanna hear it?"
They all nodded their heads and stood excitedly
"Magnet was an engineer, yeah, yeah
Not even really that good
James was a graphic designer, he spent his days on his laptop, way down in New Orleans"
But this time there was silence and Maisie nervously put her hand up.
"Did Magnet have red hair?"
"Yea! Howdya know?"
"He was here a few hours ago, but he fell into a hole where we heard voices from the other side."
"I can actually give you a song about him!"
"Magnet was a working man, oh yeah oh yeah
Usually lurking in the deep
No one is ever honest
No one you can trust
Don't go to New Orleans, or you'll end up like rusted truss"
"He is a spy for a Orginisation?"
"He is a spy and so is Lewis, It's called IHDA (International Human Destruction Agency)"
"So how do we beat it?"
"There's nothing we can do about it, we are in this place now."
"Well.. we should get some sleep now.. night guys" Lewis stated sleepily
"This Danny person is a psychopathic tyrant!"
"We gotta get over it though Maisie."