Chapter 8

Woody found himself nodding off several times throughout the evening, each time jerking back awake to find that none of the dolls had noticed, with the exception of Dolly. Winston was finishing his 'gripping' tale of an unfortunate encounter with London pigeons years ago, one which she had heard numerous times before.

Both the new and older dolls were all seated on Bonnie's grandmother's fading flower-print couch, Woody and Dolly next to one another on its edge, and an eager Janet and Winston across from them. The Sheriff had already shared his terrifying adventure at Sunnyside, and that had taken most of the night.

"... and so I gave that feathered scoundrel a good whack on his beak, and I fell to the cobbled street below," continued Winston. He briefly paused to glance at a declining Woody and his captured audience. "That's when I landed safely atop a merchant's blasted auto, and upon his return, he took me to his shop, and I was sold to the dear Mrs. Anderson."

Janet clapped loudly, along with a few other dolls, once again startling Woody awake. He quickly realized Winston was finished and clapped along.

"Ya know, Winston, there was another darling storyteller that used to be with us," Janet mentioned, scrunching her brow. "But I can't think of her darn name."

"Ah, yes! The shepherdess, if I'm not mistaken?" Suggested Winston, nodding. Woody perked up - now listening more intently, a particular pink figurine coming to mind. He unknowingly adjusted his hat.

"Yeah! I remember her! She was really, really nice and pretty and sweet!" A younger cornhusk doll spoke up, adjusting her crumpled skirt, while looking at Woody.

"Wait, was she a porcelain doll?" Questioned Woody. "I... Well... May know who she is."

Janet, Winston, and several other dolls nodded.

"Why, yes! I believe that's why you sound so familiar, Sheriff! She would talk about you and, I believe, your Space friend's adventures quite liberally." Winston rubbed his chin. "Bo Peep, I dare say her name was."

Woody froze, his mind racing. Bo had been in this very house! He suddenly approached Winston.

"Where is she now?!"

"At young Bonnie's now! Went over there several years ago."

Impulsively, without any other thought threatening to stop him, Woody sprinted onto the near side table and leapt to the window, unlatching it. The older dolls, collectively stunned, watched him.

"Woody! What are you doing?" Dolly exclaimed, following him. "You may be seen!"

"Dolly, I haven't seen her in 10 years. And there isn't a person or toy that can stop me." He gave her a quick tip of the hat, lifted the window several inches, and jumped to the mulch bed below. Several dolls came the windowsill behind Dolly to watch his departure.

"Bye Mr. Woody!" The cornhusk doll waved as the Sheriff sprinted towards Elm Street, the thought of Bo fueling his every step.

Wow, it's been a long time. In all honesty, this story was put on the backburner and then forgotten because of my negligence. But I'm back, and it's time to keep going... thank you! - AshFang7