10:

The sun had completely set. Undeterred by the darkness, the toy trio marched down the sidewalk in a single file line, occasionally passing through the flickering yellow light of street lamps.

"Buzz, are you sure about this?"

"I told you memorization is a key Space Ranger skill. I had the map completely retained in my mind before we even lost it at Linda's."

"Jeez, I hope you're right."

Jessie was lagging behind her male friends. Taking notice, Buzz slowed down until he was beside her. "Are you all right?" She raised an eyebrow and he held up his hands. "I'm not trying to be protective! I just want to make sure you're okay!"

"We've been walkin' for hours and I'm tired," she confessed. "Feet are gettin' sore too."

Buzz put a gentle hand on her back. "Is there anything I can do?" Jessie grinned…

Woody hadn't even noticed the two behind him. That is, until Buzz ran past, carrying Jessie piggyback style. "Yes run! Yes, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force!" She growled over his shoulder.

"What are you two doing?"

Buzz stopped running and turned. "Jessie was tired so I'm just giving her a lift."

"Mmmhmmmhmmmhmmm!" Jessie laughed.

"Will you two stop goofing around!" Woody snapped. "We can't afford any distractions!"

"Anger, fear, aggression, the Dark Side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join…" Woody reached over and pulled Jessie's hat over her eyes.

"Woody, we've been walking for hours. Maybe we should take a break."

"A break?" Woody repeated in disbelief.

Jessie slid off of Buzz's back. "Maybe we should try to get some shut eye too."

"No way! Night is the perfect time to travel! We're less likely to be spotted by humans! Do you want us to be picked up by another Linda?"

"But we're tired! We need to refresh!"

"You're a bit cranky too," Jessie added. "You could use a nap!"

"I don't want a nap!" Woody rubbed his face in frustration. "I don't care if I have to walk all night and into next week!"

"Woody…"

"I am getting to that Doll Hospital, I am getting to Bo, and no force on Earth is going to stop me!"

And that was when they were grabbed.

Woody felt himself being hoisted into the air. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Buzz and Jessie being lifted as well. Jessie was screaming and punching while Buzz kicked and struggled. Whoever or whatever had them, it was a group and it was holding tight.

"What's going on?"

"LET GO YA VARMITS!"

They were being carried now to a dumpster. Somebody knocked on the side: one, two, a pause, then one, two again. A small rusted door opened.

"Password?"

"Charles Darrow."

The familiar scent of rotting garbage filled Woody's nose as he, Buzz, Jessie were carried into the dumpster and unceremoniously tossed on the ground.

The Cowboy couldn't see his own hand in front of his face. That didn't stop Jessie from screaming, "Daggone cowards! Y'all wanna fight, show yourselves! I'll knock the batteries out of all of ya!"

Light from above suddenly blinded them. Someone was holding a jumbo flashlight and shining it on them like an interrogation lamp. Through his blindness, Woody could just make out the silhouette of another doll.

"State your business."

"Look," Woody said, shielding his eyes. "This is all a big mistake! We're just passing through!"

"We're looking for Doctor Marcella!" Buzz added.

There was a gasp and the light shook as if the toy holding it had nearly dropped it. Murmurs and mutters filled the darkness of the dumpster. "Did I say something wrong?" said Buzz, confused.

The first toy who had spoken stepped further into the light and now they could see he was a porcelain faced jester doll dressed in black and white. "How do you know about Doctor Marcella?"

"Uh, how do you?"

"I'm asking the questions! Now tell us how do you know Doctor Marcella?"

"I-I found her online!" said Woody. "I saw her videos! I went to her website!"

"You mean the website that hasn't been updated in four years?"

Buzz and Jessie's heads simultaneously swiveled. "Four years?"

"Woody…"

"How was I supposed to know?" He snapped.

The Jester looked behind him. "Ah good," he turned back to the trio. "Our Leader is here. And you better not try to pull any fast ones!" As he stepped back into the dark and they could hear whispering.

"…On our turf."

"…Overreacting…"

"They know…Marcella…"

"I'll…take care…"

The three exchanged worried glances. Buzz slipped his hand into Jessie's and she gave him a squeeze.

"Forgive my friends," said a new voice, now loud enough for them to catch every word. "It's just that we don't often see new faces."

Jessie folded her arms defiantly. "Are you the Leader of these Lost Toys?"

"You could call me that…" The owner of the new voice stepped into the light, allowing all three toys to finally get a glimpse. She was a tiny plush tiger that barely came up past Woody's knee.

"But I prefer Shakes. Shakes the Rattle."