And now here's the next chapter where Timon and Pumbaa have found the missing girl. Please be advise that this chapter might contain hurt and comfort.
Animorphia
Chapter 7: Orphan Girl
Later that evening, Timon and Pumbaa parked their car by the gas station that merged with fast food restaurants. Pumbaa turned off the engine.
"Alright, here we are. Taco Tuesday." said Timon.
"Oh boy, Taco Tuesday!" said Pumbaa happily.
"Tell you what Pumbaa? Why don't you go get some tacos while I go refill some gas." said Timon as he unbuckled.
"Okay, be right back." Said Pumbaa unbuckled his seatbelt when he got out from the car and walk over the building.
Timon got out from the car. He pulled out the nozzle to fill in some gas. He looked at his phone doodling a video app until he heard a ding. He put the nozzle back and pulled out his credit card to pay for the gas. He put his credit card back into his wallet and looked at his phone watching a video where it shows a man wearing nothing, but his underwear and his purple cape while roll blading.
"I am a super star!"
Then he started to trip and fall to the toilet when it flushed. Timon started to laugh it out loud.
"Oh ho, ho, ho, ho, ho! Oh man! Whose stupidest idea was that?! Pretend to be like what? Captain Underpants?! Ha! What a mook!"
Then all of sudden, he heard something when an empty soda fell out from the trash can. Timon stop laughing and turned around to see what's going on. He could've sworn he heard something. He shrugged his shoulders and looked at his phone.
But then, he heard a noise again. He turned his head and looked at it when he heard something. Until he spotted another soda can that came from an alley. He moved his head to check and see if Pumbaa comes back.
But he knew Pumbaa might take too long so he decided to check out the alley that is right next to Taco Tuesday and see what it is. He walked over to the alley and see nothing but most of trash cans and empty bottles laying. He knew there's something's wrong so he walked slowly to make sure no one was stalking him.
He looked cautious when self-defense once he gets closer to the dumpster and quickly open it, but it turns out that there were bunch of garbage. He sighed in relief and close the lids as was about to head back. But then, there was a small sniffle. Timon froze and turned his head around.
"Uh…..hello?" called Timon quietly as he waited for response, but it was too quiet.
He can still hear sniffle who's actually crying. How can he have heard someone that is crying. Suddenly, he spotted something that was behind two trash cans. Timon walked closely to see what's behind. He moved two trash cans aside with his arms slowly and there was a small childish frightening gasp.
He completely froze. Timon gasp softly with his eyes wide. It is revealed that there was a child which turns out to be a little girl who's been hiding behind the trash cans. She has olive skin, short shiny black hair with three different colors of beads tied up with small ponytail, and dark brown oval eyes wearing light yellow shirt, dark greenish overall dress, grey socks, and teal croc shoes. She's wearing her blue backpack on her back clutching her stuffed caterpillar in her arm. She looked completely frightened with tears shedding.
Timon couldn't believe what he just saw. It nearly hit him when he remembers what the police officer said to him about the girl. The one who ran away from the orphanage. From the paper with picture of the girl. They stood silent for a moment until he started to speak gently.
"Uh, hello there." Timon greeted softly.
The girl took step back against the wall frightened. He knew that most kids are afraid of the dark, but for the girl she was afraid of him. Timon kneeled and reached out his left arm.
"Hey, come here." said Timon reached out his arm, but the girl refused to move as she clutched her stuffed caterpillar tightly.
"It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you." said Timon gently.
The girl doesn't know what to do. She was hesitating at first, but finally the girl walked slowly and reached out her hand. She grabs onto his hand and looked at this man with a bit of tears. She never felt so calm with this stranger before. Timon is going to ask her who she is to make sure it was her.
"What's your name?" asked Timon gently.
The girl hesitated to respond because she was scared a bit. She moved her eyes to look down. Timon knew she couldn't respond, but he's going to try again.
"Can you tell me your name?" Timon asked once more. And finally she spoke.
"M-M...Marcy...W-Wu..." the girl spoke stammering.
Now he knows what the girls name is. He smiled.
"Marcy Wu, huh? That's a nice name." said Timon. "But what are you doing wandering off?"
"I-I don't… know." replied Marcy stammering.
"I know you're scared, but the police were looking for you. He told me when this lady was worried sick about you." Timon explained.
"S-she did?"
"Of course she does. She cared about you. Why did you leave?" Timon asked kindly.
Marcy let go of his hand and think about it. If he's asking her about the orphanage, she was nervous to tell him. Then she finally answered.
"I-I had to… because… there's a big… b-bully who's making fun of me… and he said that I don't have… friends."
Timon raised his eyebrows. "Really?"
"Yes sir, he said that I don't have any friends… but I do have friends… and he also said that I don't deserve to be a-adopted… because…" Marcy explained but started to cry when tears are shedding. "I-I have…no… parents… an-and… I-I ran away… "
Timon was shocked. That explained why she ran away from the orphanage. He put his hands on the girls' shoulder to comfort her to calm her down.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. Look at me." said Timon comforting the girl.
She looked at him with tears shedding.
"I get it. I know how you feel. Whatever that bully you mentioned was not true. Of course you have some friends. Most kids do care about you. I'm sure you can have your parents." said Timon when he's telling her the truth.
Marcy wiped her eyes when she's calming down.
"I'll tell you what, why don't you come with me and ask my friend who can drive you back to the orphanage. Is that okay with you?" Timon asked nicely.
Marcy was nervous about it.
"I-I... don't know, but…"
"Hey, I know you're scared, but he's not gonna hurt you. He's a nice man and he made some good friends. Trust me." said Timon softly.
Marcy was hesitated, but instead she nodded. She reached her hand to hold his hand. Timon smiled when he stands up.
"Alright kid, let's get you home."
They started to walk out from the alley. Later on, Pumbaa already got their dinner and waiting for Timon since he left. Pumbaa was wondering why did his friend left, but luckily Timon arrived with a little girl holding his hand. Pumbaa turned around and looked at him.
"There you are, Timon. Where have you been?" Pumbaa asked.
"Sorry about that, I got a little sidetracked, but uh…." Timon stopped his sentence.
He looked at the girl holding on her caterpillar toy in her arm hiding behind his leg. Pumbaa looked at her and he started to remember what Timon was talking about. He raised his eyebrows.
"Wait, is that…"
"That's right, her name is Marcy. She told me that she ran away from the orphanage because a bully picked on her." Timon explained it to him.
Pumbaa felt bad about the girl.
"Oh dear, I am so sorry." Pumbaa apologize.
"It's okay, but luckily for me that I found her." Timon looked at her hiding behind his legs. "Don't worry, he's a friend of mine."
Marcy step out from his legs and looked at Pumbaa. She didn't know that she trusts him. She waved her hand, but a little shy.
"Hi." Marcy greeted.
"Why, hello there little one. Are you hungry?" Pumbaa asked kindly.
"Y-yes sir." replied Marcy.
"Okay, I got some tacos in case you're hungry."
"Pumbaa, she doesn't know that she likes tacos. Why don't we try some snacks like cookies or candies…" said Timon before his line was cut.
"I want one please." said Marcy quietly.
"You got it." said Pumbaa when he got inside their car.
Timon open the door and allow Marcy to get into the backseat. She took her backpack off of her back and sit in the middle. Timon put on a seatbelt on Marcy and close the door. Timon got inside when he takes a passenger seat and put on his seat. He looked through to see there are extra tacos for Marcy and luckily that there's only three tacos.
"Pumbaa, you didn't tell me there were three tacos?" Timon asked smiling.
"Well in case we found her. I thought she might be hungry." said Pumbaa.
"Oh, you are a genius." said Timon as he took out one of the taco and looked back at Marcy sitting in the middle back when he hands it to her. "Here you go, kiddo. One taco."
Marcy set her caterpillar toy down next her and a taco from Timon. She looked at it when sniff and took a little bite of it. She raised her eyebrows when it tastes good and quickly eat her taco. Timon was surprised that she's eating it fast.
"Whoa, you must be hungry, huh?" Timon asked when the girl nodded. He looked at Pumbaa.
"You ready, Pumbaa?
"Ready." said Pumbaa when he turned on the engine. Pumbaa start driving and left the gas station. Timon pulled out his notebook to make a checklist next to a last list. He smiled.
"So, where to?" asked Pumbaa when he's drinking his lemonade.
"I'm gonna give a call for the orphanage." replied Timon when pulled out his phone to call someone from the orphanage. He was waiting when he listens to the phone until he heard a voice saying hello.
"Hi, is this the orphanage?" Timon asked when he heard a reply saying who's this. "My name is Timon and I wanted to let you know that I found the girl that you were looking for." Then heard a voice saying in relief and asking him that if the girls okay.
"Yes ma'am, she's safe and sound in the backseat. Can you direct me where we can find your location?" Timon asked when he's waiting for response until he listen to her very carefully. "Alright, hold on a second."
He looked at his phone to look for map and typed down the address until he found the location that reach 10 miles.
"Okay, I got your location and we'll be there in about 60 minutes." said Timon when he heard a lady saying thank you. "Your welcome. We'll see you in a bit. Thank you."
He hangs up his phone and pulled out his taco. Pumbaa already eating his taco.
"What did she say?" said Pumbaa when he's eating.
"She was relieved that we found her and asking her about her location. I looked through the map and typed down the address until it was confirmed that we'll be there in about 60 minutes." explained Timon.
"That takes an hour." said Pumbaa when he's done eating.
"I know, I know. We'll be there shortly." Timon looked back at Marcy when she already finished her taco and pulled out her water bottle to drink it. He smiled softly.
"How are you doing back there?" Timon asked softly.
Marcy stopped drinking when she looked at him.
"It's delicious." replied Marcy
"Glad you liked it. I've already called a lady who's in charge of the orphanage and she's relieved that you're okay." said Timon.
"Is…s-she mad at me?" asked Marcy nervously.
"Of course she's not mad at you. She was worried about you. Don't worry, once we head to the orphanage, I'll go with you if that's okay with you." Timon replied back to her.
Marcy was nervous when they get back to orphanage, but she picked up her caterpillar toy and nodded.
"Great! Now we'll be there in about few minutes." said Timon.
"Thank you, mister." said Marcy when she didn't know his name at first.
"You're welcome." said Timon softly.
Marcy is playing with her caterpillar toy when nervous. Timon turned his head around and looked straight to the front. He started to eat taco and chewed slowly. He never tastes this taco so good when it's all cheesy and delicious.
60 minutes later, they parked by the sidewalk and they looked at the building that has gates surrounded with dark tannish holding a sign says "Children's Sanctuary". Timon and Pumbaa got out from the car. Timon went over to the passenger door and allow Marcy to get out putting on her backpack. He holds the girls hand who looks nervous.
"Hey, it's gonna be okay." said Timon comforting her. "We'll go together."
Marcy nodded. They walked straight through the gate and approaching the front door. Once they go inside, we see the lobby that has some benches and the front desk. Then they spotted a woman with brunette hair wearing her pearl earrings, long pink shirt, purple dress, and her dress shoes. They looked at her when she's at the front desk. Timon felt tight and he looked at Marcy cling on to his legs. He knew that she was scared when they approached to a woman. He broke the silence.
"Uh…. excuse me, ma'am." said Timon.
The woman turned around and looked at them. Then she gasps softly when she was surprised that Marcy is home safely. The girl popped her head out from his legs. The woman walked fast to Marcy and kneeling down.
"Marcy! Thank goodness you're safe! Where have you been?! Do you have any idea what you've been doing out there all alone?! You've could've been hurt or taken! Do you know how much it worries me?!" exclaimed the woman with mixture of anger and pain.
Marcy hid her face on Timon's legs when she started to cry.
"I-I'm…so sorry…I didn't mean it to ran away…b-but…please don't be mad at me." cried Marcy holding on her caterpillar toy.
The woman dropped her anger when she realized that Marcy was crying. She started to regret when she snapped at Marcy, but deep down she was worried sick when Marcy was gone all day without telling anyone. Timon and Pumbaa looked at Marcy crying and looked at each other with worrying look.
Then they heard a footsteps running when it shows a girl who's older than Marcy. She has orange hair with freckles, wearing red long sleeve shirt with white stripe, olive green short pants, purple bracelets, and red tennis shoes. She looked at Marcy who's crying onto the man's legs with.
"Marcy!" The girl called out.
Marcy looked at the girl and run straight to her. Then they give each other hug. Marcy is still crying and while the girl is comforting her.
"Oh, thank goodness. Are you hurt?" The girl looked up at her with tears shook her head.
"It's okay. You're safe now." said the girl comforting Marcy.
The woman is standing up and felt her heart warm. She could never stay mad at her. She doesn't know to do with Marcy when she got back. Then she heard saying 'ahem'. She turned around and looked at Timon and Pumbaa.
"Pardon me, ma'am, but uh…. you see it wasn't her fault. She told me that she ran away from here is because there's a big bully who's picking on her." said Timon honesty.
"Pardon?" The woman asked.
"It's true, ma'am. She also said when that bully saying to her that she has no friends or doesn't deserve to have a parent." Pumbaa added.
"Ugh, that boy. When does he ever learn." groaned the woman.
"I'm terribly sorry about that." Timon apologize.
"Oh no, it's fine. It's just…. never mind. My name is Julia Padilla and I run for Children's Sanctuary for years since my grandmother funded this place. I really wanted to thank you for bringing back Marcy." said Ms. Padilla as she introduced herself and thanking them.
"Your welcome, ma'am." replied Timon.
"So, Timon, right?" Ms. Padilla asked.
"Yep, that's me. And this is my friend, Pumbaa. He's with me."
"Please to meet your aquatints." said Pumbaa.
"It's really nice to meet you. So are you two like brothers or something?" Ms. Padilla asked curious.
"Actually, we're more like roommates. It's not like we're together together, but um…well…. uh…" said Timon when he's rubbing his head blushing. He never thought of talking to a woman since the 90's.
"Okay, I understand that." said Ms. Padilla.
She looked at the girls hugging.
"Bailey." Ms. Padilla called.
The girls stop hugging and looked at their caretaker.
"Yes ma'am?" Bailey asked.
"Would you escort Marcy upstairs to your room? I would like to speak with her alone I private." said Ms. Padilla kindly.
"Okay." Bailey respond.
Then she looked at Marcy.
"Come on, Marcy. Let's go." Bailey hold Marcy's hand as they were about to head upstairs, but Marcy realize that she needed to do something first.
"Wait! I need to do something first." said Marcy.
She let go of Bailey's hand as she runs over to Timon and hugged his legs. Timon raised his eyebrows when he felt like he had never felt this way before. Marcy looked up at him smiling when she's no longer crying.
"Thank you so much mister….um…"
"Berkowitz." said Timon softly. "You're welcome."
Marcy let go of his legs and run back to Bailey taking her hand. She looked back at him one last look before they went upstairs. It won't be long until they left. Ms. Padilla broke the silence.
"That is so very nice of you gentlemen for bringing her back here." said Ms. Padilla.
"Why thank you, ma'am." said Timon thanking her.
"Is she really okay?" Pumbaa asked concern.
"She'll be alright. As long she's safe, then there's no trouble at all." replied Ms. Padilla.
"Great! Then I guess we should be going then." said Timon.
"Of course, again, thank you for bringing her here." Ms. Padilla thanking them.
"You're very welcome."
"Have a goodnight." Pumbaa added.
"You too." said Ms. Padilla when she shook their hands and they exited through the door.
Ms. Padilla went upstairs to check on Marcy. From the outside, Timon and Pumbaa went to their car and put on their seatbelt.
"You know, she seems like a nice lady." Pumbaa commented.
"Yeah, let's head back home." said Timon.
Pumbaa start the engine and drove away from the orphanage.
Back inside, Ms. Padilla reached the second floor through the hallways until she reached by the end of the hallway next to the door. She knocked on her door and heard Bailey saying.
"Come in." Bailey respond.
Ms. Padilla open the door to enter their room and close the door behind her. Both Marcy and Bailey are sitting on the bottom bunk bed wearing pajamas. Bailey is wearing her red shirt and pants while Marcy is wearing her olive green pajama dress. They looked at Ms. Padilla and waiting for her to speak.
"Marcy, these gentlemen told me that you were picked on by a bully like every day. Is that true?" asked Ms. Padilla.
"Yes ma'am." Marcy replied.
"Look, I know it's stressed you out, but what you did out there is really dangerous. There are bad people out there wanting to kidnap you or worse. Do you know how much it worries me?" asked Ms. Padilla concerned.
"I'm sorry ma'am. I didn't mean it to ran away, but…" Marcy paused her sentence.
She looked down at her caterpillar toy. Ms. Padilla knew how she felt.
"I know you wanted to be adopted someday, but you are not supposed to leave here until one of the oldest kids will escort you. Will you promise me not to do that again?" Ms. Padilla asked calmly.
"I promised." said Marcy quietly. "Am I in trouble?"
"Maybe, but I'm letting you off the hook. But if it happens again, there will be no video games and deserts for a week. Do you understand?" Ms. Padilla warned, but softly.
"Yes ma'am. I'm so sorry." replied Marcy and apologize.
"It's alright, sweetie. You're a good girl. Now get some sleep. We got a long schedule for tomorrow." said Ms. Padilla.
"Goodnight, Ms. Padilla." said the girls.
Their caretaker exited their room and close the door behind. Marcy is looking at her caterpillar toy. Bailey looked at her.
"Hey, it'll be okay. Right?" Bailey asked.
Marcy nodded. Then she went to her covers while Bailey went to turn off the lamp and climbed the ladder to the top of bed bunker. Before they went to sleep, Bailey needed to ask Marcy one thing.
"So those two guys brought you back here. Who are they?" asked Bailey.
"I don't know, but they looked…. seems nice." Marcy replied.
"Really?"
"Uh huh. They gave me taco."
"Was it good?"
"It was so good."
"Well I'm glad you're safe. Goodnight Marcy."
"Goodnight Bailey."
Bailey went to sleep. Marcy couldn't help, but noticed when the last thing that she has ever encountered when she met those two strangers whom they were really being nice to her. Marcy closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. Hoping this day could be better tomorrow.
What'd you think of Marcy's first encounter? I thought I could do something new like how most people do to their favorite characters for crossover. I hope you enjoy reading and stay tuned for the next chapter.
Amphibia and The Lion King (c) Disney
