Chapter 14

Oswald threw a glance over his shoulder, seeing the white expanse that used to be Universal's cartoon world. He gripped tighter to the Gremlin Gun in his right hand, knowing they were still a bit away from Lincoln Square but had thought he had saw something out of the corner of his eye. He noticed Sadie giving him a glance, giving her a shrug as a silent response to her unasked question. He turned his attention to the group they followed, Oz and Mo directly in front of himself with the ghosts and chipmunks in front of them. Mickey walked with Ted while Woody and Felix led the way. Nervous energy felt almost palatable as their little band of fighters trekked through the white thinned out world.

Oswald glanced to their right, the motion he was sure he was seeing grabbed his attention again. Still he saw nothing. He took a deep breath as he kept his attention in that direction, hoping to catch some color in the white. He didn't want to alert anyone just yet, remembering the stick George had found that the blotlings had missed. He kept pace with the group, though still kept one eye in the direction until the area was too far behind them. Turning his full attention back to their parade he caught Sadie's staring look, a knowing looking in her eye. Keeping the silence they had agreed to before leaving, Oswald threw his thumb over his shoulder and gave her a second shrug. He turned his attention back to following those in front of him as his mind went back to what the plan was.

After lunch those who were going to fight the blotlings rejoined in the storage room by the door. Oswald had found himself tapping his foot in nervous inpatientness as they waited for Woody and Felix to appear.

"Why don't you sit down?" Sadie asked.

"I don't want to get comfortable," Oswald said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"True, you did have a problem with falling asleep after you ate," Sadie said, a smile on her face as she eyed the rabbit.

"I wouldn't call it a problem," Oswald tried to defend.

"Hey," Mickey let out as the door from the main part of the grocery store opened to reveal a black cat and woodpecker.

The door shut behind them as Felix asked, "Is everyone here?"

Oswald looked around the room and saw everyone he expected as Mo let out a, "Yes, we're all here."

"For those who don't know, Lincoln Square's in Charlesville, about a half an hour walk from here," Felix said, looking at the three Disney toons. Turning his attention more broadly he continued. "We're gonna go as far as the old hedging around the square, Balto said the hedge was also missing now so we should be safe at that distance. Everyone must be mindful of your own limits. If you get too badly injured, fall back. Mickey," his eyes fell on the mouse. "If you see anyone fall back, I'm counting on you to do double duty. I need you to fight, but I need you to be our medic too."

"Yes sir," Mickey said, his features serious as he gave the cat a nod.

"As for a proper plan of attack," Woody said, turning all eyes to him, "Remember, you're using guns. You don't have to get close to take out your target. If you feel safer farther away, try it. Just make sure your aim is good."

"We know these things are attracted to sound," Felix said. "For the journey we won't be able to speak, so if anyone's got any questions, now's the time to ask them."

Oz and Mo turned, getting Oswald's mind back to the present as they circled around a large white something that was in their path. Oswald held out his hand, hoping to figure out what they were passing, to find a car's side mirror as he passed the driver side door. They got around the car and continued following what Oswald now realized was a street. He tried squinting, struggling to make out the pencil lines only to vaguely understand they were passing closely built buildings but he couldn't make out what they once were.

He looked down at his feet, his black fur a stark contrast to the ground they tread, as he silently wished they would get to the square. Looking back to those he followed, he absentmindedly started flicking on and off the pistol in his hand's safety.

Sadie gave him an elbow to the side to get his attention, her stern face looking down at the Gremlin Gun he was playing with.

Oswald gave her an apologetic look as he quickly flicked the safety off and kept his thumb away from the small flick switch. Letting out a sigh, he turned his attention ahead once more as those in the lead slowed down from Felix's hand movement.

The cat turned and held up a hand, indicating they should stop, and waited as the group of fifteen followed his silent orders. He dropped his hand and turned to look at Woody, silently nodding his head farther forward.

Woody gave the cat a nod before turning to walk out of sight. Before Oswald lost track of the woodpecker he saw him crouch over so he wouldn't be seen.

Oswald shifted his weight, trying to look around the white obstacles blocking his view. He could just barely make out the old familiar sound of blotlings chattering. Giving up on trying to see the square, Oswald leaned on his left leg as he waited with the rest of the small force.

What felt longer than necessary, Woody returned, waving for everyone to come around as he made his way into the middle of the group. Oswald stepped up with Sadie, leaving her to stand beside Oz and Fatso. With his voice hushed, Woody said, "I couldn't make out how many there were, more than twenty for sure, but there's not much paint left here so they might move off soon. I think all of the monsters are here, the lazy blob is sitting practically in what's left of the fountain."

"Mick," Oswald whispered, looking across the group to the mouse as he assumed Woody was talking about a spladoosh.

"I'll get that," Mickey said, his voice matching. He pulled out the magic paint brush from his pack pocket, putting it in his right hand and the Gremlin Gun in his left.

Woody gave the mouse an unconvinced look, getting Sadie to whisper, "Trust him."

Woody turned his eyes on the cat for a moment before taking a deep breath and nodding his head, Oswald guessing he really didn't trust that Mickey could take care of the large blotling. Looking more broadly over the small fighting force he whispered, "The old hedge is just over there," motioning in the direction he had come from. "Does everyone know what they're doing?"

Oswald quickly turned to look at Mo, sure she was going to speak for the group, only to notice a sliver of worry on her face. He looked back at Woody as the woodpecker took their collective silence to mean everyone was ready.

"Alright, let's go," Felix said, making a show of flicking the safety off of the gun in his hand.