It had been fifteen minutes since the toys had found their hiding places, and they were getting bored. "Is the game over?" Rex asked after they'd emerged out into the open.
"Did she find anybody?" Peatrice asked. Totoro shrugged.
"I'm tired of this game anyway. Let's go play something else." Peanelope suggested.
It was Rex who grabbed the other toys' attention, asking everyone he met if they'd seen the princess. When Buzz and Slinky began to gather all the toys together for a staff meeting organized by Woody and the princess still hadn't shown up, the two friends were growing a bit concerned. Woody and Jack, at that moment, entered Bonnie's room when Rex and Jessie met them. "Guys, have you seen Mitsy?" Jessie asked.
"No," the two toys shook their heads. "Is something wrong, Jess?" Woody asked.
"We're all here for the meeting, except our princess."
"She never came back from playing Hide-and-Seek!" Rex cried. "As a matter of fact, we never saw her after it was her turn to be 'it'! Oh, something bad's happened to her, I just know it!"
"How long ago was that?" Jack inquired.
"About an hour ago. We were playing outside."
"Okay, calm down, Rex," Woody said calmly, though he had noticed that Mitsy had been unusually quiet lately. "She probably just became tired of trying to find you guys. Maybe she's having some private time, and that is not easy in this house! We'll find her."
Woody, Jessie, and Jack looked around outside, Jack sniffing the air and ground for her scent, but there was no visible trace of the missing princess. Woody was searching the curb beyond the white picket fence when his eyes caught sight of a small doll with a light blue dress on and long, curly hair sitting in an open suitcase, inside the open trunk of a car a couple yards up the street! He gasped. "Guys! Over here!" He called back to his friends-though they were pretty far away from him-, then darted forward. "Mitsy! Hang on! Mitsy, I'm coming!"
As she could see her beloved sheriff drawing closer, Mitsy's eyes widened with worry. She couldn't hold a halting hand out to stop him in his tracks because they were taped behind her and her feet were taped together too. But she had to protect him. "Woody, no!" She yelled out to him. She was terribly afraid of what would happen to him if he came inside the trunk, but at the same time equally afraid of what would happen to her if he didn't. "Go back! Woody, don't come in here!" But the loyal sheriff doll ignored her warnings and hopped into the trunk. He was going to rescue his 'little girl'.
"Mitsy, what are you doing in here?" Woody panted. "What happened? Are you all right, honey?" He freed her hands of the tape then bent down to free her little feet too.
"Woody, get out of here now!" Mitsy stared sadly at him. He looked up at her confused, then stood when he'd undone the tape. "You're not safe here! Please go before something happens!" She begged, looking up at the cowboy. Her voice was trembling.
"Not without you, Little Bit. Come on." Woody grabbed Mitsy's shaky little hand in his larger, protective one and began to lead her out when...WHAM! The lid of the suitcase slammed shut, throwing Woody off his feet, and trapping them in darkness. They could hear the clips being securely snapped in place and a minute later, the trunk of the car shut and the motor came to life!
Jack saw the whole thing, and for a rare moment in his normally fearless life, panic seized his big heart. "NO!" He yelped and charged after the vehicle as it began to drive away. Jessie watched from the sidewalk, gasping and holding her chest.
"Woody! No!" She wailed. "Oh, Mitsy. Hurry, Jack! Hurry!"
Jack ran as fast as his legs could carry him, trying to catch up to the mobile car. Usually he was a pretty agile dog though he was a stuffed animal, but the worry in his mind was sucking his breath away faster. The car picked up speed, and the German Shepherd's pounding heart felt as if it was going to give out. He took a flying leap and collapsed on the gravel, totally out of breath, and a burning scrape sensation on his left shoulder. He wearily raised his head and watched the getaway car. "Mitsy," he panted. "Oh, Precious. Keep her safe, Sheriff. Don't...don't let anything happen to her." The text on the car's bumper sticker and license plate number stuck in his mind.
"Woody, I'm scared! Where are they taking us?" Mitsy cried in alarm. "What are we going to do?! How will we get back home to Bonnie?"
"Calm down, Little Bit," Woody said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "As long as we stay together, we'll be okay," he answered, pulling the princess close to him and trying to soothe her. He was just barely able to sit up straight with the roof of the suitcase brushing against the top of his hat.
"You don't understand," Mitsy sputtered, shaking her head as she looked up at him. "Do you know how I ended up in here?"
"No. How?" Woody asked curiously. Mitsy explained all about her masked assailant. "Well, his threats not withstanding, there was no way that I was going to let a little lady like you go for a ride with strangers." Woody grinned, trying to cheer her up and also dropping a hint of his fatherly guardianship over her. Mitsy faintly smiled and then grew solemnly quiet.
"Do you know what's really frightening me, Big Guy?" Mitsy asked as she leaned back against his shoulder.
"No. What?" Woody looked at her thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure exactly. It's hard to explain, but...but I...feel in a really strange way almost as if I've seen this toy before!"
"Really? Are you sure?" Woody gasped. "You know, we imagine some pretty bizarre things when we're scared."
"I don't know," Mitsy said shakily. "Maybe in the midst of being attacked, I did just imagine it. But when I looked at him, what I was able to see of his face, I had a terrible sinking feeling right in the pit of my stomach. Woody, there was something almost hauntingly familiar about him! I...I felt as if I'd lived through a moment like that before. Oh, I don't know." She shrugged, shaking her head. "But, it definitely felt as though something horrible but very real in our lives was coming back to life!" Mitsy shivered all over and her teeth were chattering, as if she was cold. Woody clasped her even more tightly in a hug. He hoped that her mind was just playing tricks on her. He thought about the passed few days and how he hadn't paid much attention to her, and how she'd had something on her mind. He kept her close to himself, hoping that she knew he was here for her and would do his best to keep her safe. He hoped to the moon and back that this had nothing to do with the Spikes Toy Gang!
"It's strange and kind of scary how suddenly a peaceful day could turn out so badly," Woody remarked.
"That's for sure." Mitsy agreed, nodding her head, then she looked up at him. "How many times have we or our owners seen that happen?"
"I've lost count." Woody sighed, shaking his head.
Jessie came running to Jack and dropped at his side. "Jack? Jack?" She asked, shaking his shoulder, but he didn't move or answer. He just lay there dismally on the gravel. "Jack, can you hear me?" Jessie cried, afraid he may be in shock. Then she saw a tear in his shoulder. "Oh, you're hur..."
"I...I couldn't make it!" Jack wailed. "My princess. I've got to go after her!"
"Slow down there, partner." Jessie said. "Catch your breath and then we'll go get help."
"Buzz! Buzz!" Jessie called as she and Jack rushed back into Bonnie's room, startling the other toys. Well, Jack rushed as best he could with his injury.
"Jessie, what's the matter?" Buzz asked with worry. "Are you okay?"
"Mitsy's been stolen," Jack groaned.
"What?!" The toys all gasped.
"She was kidnapped!" Jessie blurted frantically.
"Aah! No!" Slinky yelped.
"Kidnapped?!" Buzz sputtered. "But how?"
"I knew it. I just knew it!" Rex shrieked, flailing his little arms. "I knew something was wrong."
"Where's Woody?" Trixie interrupted.
"He's gone too," Jessie gulped. "He tried to get her out..."
"What happened?" Chuckles asked. Jack and Jessie told their friends what they had witnessed.
"Okay now," Buzz said, trying to keep the toys calm and form an emergency rescue plan. "Can you describe the car? Anything stand out to you? How about the license plate number?"
Jack described the gold car to them. "Oh, yes," he said. "There was a bumper sticker that said , 'I'm Proud to Teach at Tri-County Dogwood Middle School'."
"Jack, are you hurt?" Trixie asked.
"Huh? What?" Jack cocked his head.
"Yeah, your shoulder's torn." Buttercup said.
"We'll get you fixed up first," Buzz instructed. "Jessie, you and Chuckles tend to Jack."
"Right oh." Jessie did a thumb's up.
"Trixie? You check the internet and see if you can track down a gold 2002 Ford Taurus with the license plate MRSMRT, possibly belonging to a teacher at Tri-County Dogwood Middle School. Check the school's website."
"No problem." Trixie smiled. Jessie and Chuckles took Jack to the cardboard clinic and had him rest on the table as they patched up his wound. Everyone else watched as Trixie pounded effortlessly on the computer's keyboard. Soon, Jack and his medical assistants returned. His shoulder had been restitched pretty good.
"Good news." Rex announced. "Trixie found the car and the school!"
"Great!" Jessie exclaimed. "How about the teacher?"
"Uh-huh." Trixie smiled. "See?" She scrolled down on the mouse. "Here's a picture of him standing against his vehicle."
"That's the car!" Jack barked, pointing with his paw. "That's the one, no doubt about it!"
"Sure is!" Jessie agreed.
"Great." Trixie nodded. "The gold car is registered to a Mr. Samuel Wilson, a math teacher at the school. He's been there for eighteen years. He's married with two young adults. And the school is four miles outside our city."
"Excellent!" Buzz exclaimed, pounding his fists together. "She also printed a map for us. We'll find Woody and Mitsy and bring them back home before Bonnie returns!"
"But we don't even know for sure if that's where they are." Potato Head remarked."He could've taken them to his house."
"Right now it's the only shot we've got." Jessie snorted.
"We can't all go," Buzz said. "Some of you will have to stay home. So, who's coming?"
"Me!" Slinky barked before anyone else could speak.
"I'm going!" Jessie announced. Bullseye trotted up and panted happily.
"There's no way I'm going to pace around this place like a caged tiger." Jack declared loudly.
"Well, someone's gotta do something." Potato Head groaned. "Count me in! I'm not going to sit back on the sidelines." He stepped forward too. "And you can't go with the shape you're in." He said to Jack.
"Excuse me?" Jack glared. "Since when do looks stand in the way of helping someone?"
"I think he means your stitches," Buttercup said. "You could be popping open in places along the way if you get poked."
Jack's face clouded over. "Never stopped me yet!" He growled. "Do you ever hear me complain about them? Do you think Mitsy cares about that?"
"I'm afraid I have to agree," Buzz spoke. Jack was angry, and the intimidating look he gave actually scared Jessie, Rex, and Slinky a little.
"What is it with you guys?" Jack huffed. "Who cares if I have a few bumps and bruises? So what? Let's go!" He started to turn on his heel.
"You're not going without proper protection!" Buzz declared firmly. Jack turned his head back and glared.
"Hey, how about the Battlesaur armor that Mason lent to Bonnie for Trixie and Rex?" Chuckles suggested.
"Perfect!" Jessie agreed. "That ought to dissolve your ridiculous spat." Jack was prepped and fitted with the plastic protective gear 'til they decided which pieces worked best for him.
"There. Now you're ready." Trixie smiled.
"I should be with all this combat gear on." Jack said sarcastically.
"You look sharp and annihilating." Jessie said, nudging his shoulder.
"Ya sure do!" Slinky panted cheerfully. Jack grinned.
"Ready, Buzz?" He asked, anxious to get going.
"Sure thing." Buzz saluted, popping on his helmet. He kept the map clasped safely in his fists. "Okay, troops. Let's move!"
"Be careful!" Trixie waved.
"Good luck, and look out for each other!" Chuckles called.
"Oh, I hope everything will be all right." Rex said.
"We'll look after everything while you're gone. With Rex around, what can happen?" Trixie smiled.
The rescue party was walking on the sidewalk just passed Bobby's home when a voice stopped them in their tracks. They turned their heads. "Buzz! Guys! Is that you?!" It was Sgt. Matthew's voice. Bonnie's toys hurried over to the front window where Matthew was watching them from above, along with Alice, Katan, Iris, and the Falcon. "Hey, guys. What's going on? Where are you going?" Matthew inquired. "Forgive me for being so nosy, but you look as if you're on an important mission."
"Are you guys going to a party?" Katan cocked his head.
"We're in the middle of a rescue right now and don't got time to stand here jawing." Potato Head said.
"Rescue?" Matthew and his friends sputtered, though Bonnie's toys still were a bit distrustful of the Falcon. "What's going on?" Matthew asked anxiously. Iris glanced nervously at the soldier.
"Woody and Mitsy have gone missing!" Slinky cried.
"M...missing?!" Matthew gasped and tightly, fearfully gripped the window sill. Iris sighed heavily.
"The poor things," Alice shook her head sadly. "I hope they're okay."
"Wow! They're missing? Cool!" Katan wagged his tail. Matthew flashed the cub a dark glare and Alice swatted his tail with her trunk. "W-what?" Katan acted confused. "What did I say?"
Katan was always up for adventure, but this time Matthew was offended at his little friend's merriment over such an urgent matter.
"This is serious," Alice said firmly.
"And it's not funny either!" Matthew growled.
"Okay, I'm sorry, Matt." Katan lowered his ears and gritted his teeth. Matthew turned his head back to Buzz and the gang.
"Hang on there, guys. Wait for me!" Matthew exclaimed and disappeared from view.
"Wait. What?" Potato Head remarked. "Where does he think he's going?" The soldier returned a few minutes later, with his combat helmet on, and his plastic rifle strapped on his back. He hopped out the window, landing with a flip on the grass.
"Let me come too!" Matthew exclaimed. "You may need my services."
"That's awfully kind of you, Matt, but I don't think it's nece..." Buzz started to say.
"I'm going, Buzz! I have to." Matthew insisted. "You're not talking me out of it."
"Matthew, you can't go!" Iris begged. Matthew turned back and looked at her. Her lip was puffed out and she was clasping her hands together. "What about us? What if something happens to you?" What about me, you blonde-crazy playboy? She thought to herself.
"I'm sorry, guys." Matthew apologized to his friends. "But I have to do this."
"Let him come, Buzz." Slinky said. "It can't hurt anything, can it?"
"We might need his services." Jack agreed.
"How can I argue with you all? All right, troop. Let's hit the road!" Buzz ordered.
"Are you sure you'll need that?" Alice pointed to Matthew's rifle with her nose.
"A good soldier never enters a mission unprepared." Matthew replied. "I'll only use it if I have to." Then Katan pounced out the window and rushed up to the soldier.
"Hey, Matt, can I come too?" Katan asked eagerly. "You could probably use a ferocious lion like me."
"I don't think so this time, Katan." Matthew sighed. "Sorry, buddy." At first, the lion cub looked disheartened, then his face clouded over.
"Why not?" He growled. "Give me one good reason why, Matt! You don't have one, do you? I'm too small, right? That's the only reason you won't let me come!"
"Don't use that impudent tone to him!" Alice scolded.
"Katan, I'd like for you to come, but..." Matthew started to say.
"You're not being fair!" Katan spat.
"Uh, we really need to get going." Buzz spoke up, hoping to end the dispute.
"You're right, Buzz." Matthew agreed. "I'm sorry, Bud. You need to stay here and keep everyone here safe. Will you do that for me?" He knelt down next to the little lion that turned his angry head away. "I...I'll see you later." He stood back up and joined Bonnie's toys. "I'll be back later, guys!" He waved.
"Good luck and be careful!" Alice called.
"I'll be waiting." Iris said softly. Why did it have to be her, the damsel in distress? Ugh. How convenient.
Katan just glared as he watched his good pal walk away. He wanted to help, he wanted some excitement, he wanted to do something big! "I'll show him!" He growled under his breath.