Lassoing the Cresent Moon

33. Wheelchairs and Peanut Butter

The phone rang. I gave a soft smile happy to be out of danger for once as Ollie called.

"Wow... you did it. You must feel pretty good."

My face shifted into a pout. Was that sarcasm? I swear if could hear a sub tone of attitude with his voice.

"With CatNap dead, you're one big step closer to The Prototype. One step closer to winning!"

I gave a soft sigh. I didn't mind helping Poppy. I really didn't mind protecting the weak by killing the prototype-but "winning"? I didn't like this sound of that. I just... wanted to do the right thing.

"You've made your choice... you're staying to help Poppy. Well, finish the job. This win is yours."

I caught a little attitude again as Ollie hung up. I scoffed a little as I pulled my phone away from my ear and stared at it.

"What's that look?" Dogday asked.

I turned to him with a sigh slightly rubbing my temples. "Nothing. I might just be being cranky. I'm sore, I'm hungry, amongst other things." I stretched my arms. "I wanna find Sam, help poppy, and get this over with."

Dogday sighed and nodded with understanding. "I know what it's like to be tired."

"That-" I blinked a few times. That wasn't what I meant. Sure I was hungry, and sore but who was I to complain next to Terry? "I'm sorry." I pulled him close. "I don't know who to trust... What do you know about Ollie?"

"Ollie?" Dogday went back to think. "I've never actually seen him, but I've talked to him a few times. I know he and Poppy go way back, way before any of us were here."

I raised a brow. "But he sounds like a kid."

"A lot of toys do." He shrugged. "Have you heard PickyPiggy's voice? Crafty Corn's?"

I gave a small sigh. "You're right." At least that did make me feel better. Maybe, Ollie was just frustrated.

Poppy sighed as she popped out if a vent. Good, you're here... and you've done it again, the impossible, just like I knew you would. CatNap's gone, the red smoke is diverted... everything is falling into place, thanks to you..."

I looked around, recognizing Poppy's voice but not immediately seeing her. I looked up to see Poppy waving with both hands from one of the vents to catch my attention. "I sent Kissy to find medical supplies. She knows the factory like the back of her hand! She'll be here soon."

Dogday gave a long sigh of relief that I didn't know how long he'd been holding.

"I know we want to get this done as soon as possible. I really want to see Sam- but I think we should take a break." My adrenaline was still pumping from the fight. My legs still pulsed vaguely with pain from running. "I dont know how much rest you two need- but I don't want to get further faster just for my body to give up on me. Its hard- without food."

Poppy's face shifted. "Yes, you're right. There- there are non perishables around here."

My eyes widened as I glanced at Dogday. "What?" The thought hadn't even occurred to me. With how starving and malnourished Catnap looked it didn't seem real. "I thought- i though the toys were starving!"

"Most of it is downstairs where the danger lurks most or in various cafeterias or cabinets hidden throughout the factory- often shared or guarded between bigger bodies. For us smaller toys, it's impossible. It's often used as bait or a hunting trap more than anything else."

I blinked at Poppy a few times. "I'm not scared of a hunting trap. I'm five feet tall."

Dogday scoffed with a chuckle before I playfully slapped his shoulder.