Disney's Wondrous Secrets

Joy

At the sound of the weasel's call, impatient and uncomfortably close by, Sarah jumped. Robin pinned his back up against a crate. "Go," he assured, meeting her eyes. Nervously, she crawled out from under the cage, where she came face to face with Gammy.

"Ha! There you be."

"I... I was – I was just putting something away," she fibbed, thankful that she was able to think of a lie so quickly.

A brow rose beneath his cap and he shook his head, giving a huff. Although the girl was acting suspicious, Gammy had to push the matter aside when Bing Bong rounded the corner, carrying a few hula-hoops over his shoulders.

"Hng!" he heaved as he set them down and rolled them aside near that same cart. "There..."

Sarah glanced over her shoulder at the elephant, mind racing.

"Boss liked yer stunt, kid," Gammy said. "Particularly awkward use of the tent, mind ya."

I was just playing it by ear, she thought as Bing Bong, Woody and the others looked on, nerves playing at their features.

"Yeah, um... I hope it was, you know... okay."

"You knocked 'em dead, ya both did! He's gonna provide you all with meals for the night."

Gurri's eyes lit up, and the rest of the gang followed suit. Sarah looked at them for a second.

"Really?"

"Yep."

She felt overjoyed at the fact that things were starting to get better because of the stunt that she pulled. After Gammy disappeared in search of Pete, Sarah took a few steps towards her friends, who seemed relieved that there were no punishments in store.

"Jackie? Does that mean... I won't fall asleep again?" Bing Bong asked innocently.

"I think so, buddy," she answered, attempting to steady her breathing. And I think I know why...

"What you did for us..." Gurri nuzzled Sarah. "...we cannot thank you enough."

"Hey, think nothing of it. I just~"

"Why did you do it?" Geno snapped, suddenly very suspicious of the girl.

Sarah tensed. "Well, I didn't think- No. I don't like how Pete is treating us. How they were treating him..."

Bing Bong shyly avoided eye contact when she glanced at him.

"Leave her be, Geno," Gurri pleaded with her brother.

"Right." Geno glared at Sarah. "It's not like we've had any bad experiences with humans before."

Sarah felt anger prick at her insides. "I didn't do it for you! I did it for Bing Bong. Because, hey, he's a nice guy! He didn't deserve any of that."

"That's all very noble of you, Jackie," Geno spat, words soured with sarcasm. "But no offense to you or to your doll, performing is the least of our worries."

Bing Bong did not like how the buck was speaking. "Hey! Ya know what? She never did anythin' to you... ya don't have to be so rude! She helped me... Me. Out of everybody here! And she didn't even know me..."

The fact that the elephant was siding with Sarah so easily took Geno by surprise. "I see. Friends now, aren't you?" The buck's voice was raw with anger yet soft in volume.

"Don't get mad..." Bing Bong begged, staying beside the girl.

"Should've known," was the last thing Geno mumbled before walking off to the other side of the tent.