A Rose In A Haystack- A Sheriff Hayseed Fan Story

And So It Begins...

Another slow day in Troughwater. No commotion whatsoever to speak of. We find our dynamic duo Todd and Shawn sitting outside the sheriff's office. Todd drew in the dirt with a twig while Shawn was catching up on some Z's.

Lloyd's hooves came into the fox's view. "Uh, Mayor Joy would like to see you guys." He said in his usual nervous manner.

Shawn stirred awake at the sound of his voice. "If it's about the bakery problem, I only took four hot-cross buns and plan to pay her back by the end of the month." Shawn defended.

"Wait," Todd paused, "you stole?"

"It's not stealing if I plan to pay her later." Shawn said, half awake.

Todd raised a brow, "So what does Mayor Joy want to see us for?"

"Not sure," Lloyd held a hoof to his chin. "But she did say that it was very, very, very important and if you're not in her office in the next thirty seconds she's going to turn the both of you into her new skin curtain set."

"A very, very, very important mission?!" Todd jumped up, tossing his stick and racing to town hall. The stick soon landed in Shawn's gaping mouth.

With the twig lodged in his throat, the donkey deputy awoke with a start and proceeded to perform the Heimlich maneuver on himself. "Agh-Ack! Guh! AUgh!! Pwah!" Shawn spat out the stick and made a beeline for the mayor's office with Lloyd following.

Todd kicked open the door with a smirk soon melting into a pained grimace as he held his foot. "Ow, ow, ow. Mahogany sure puts up a fight."

Shawn soon entered looking rather nonchalant but rubbing his sore throat.

"You called, Mayor Joy?" Todd perked.

"Yes." She nodded. "I have a very, very, very, very important job for you two."

"But Lloyd only said three 'very's'." Shawn corrected.

"It was a rushed order." Mayor Joy deadpanned. "Anyway, you are aware that we've gone almost a month without crime." She stated pointing at the 'No Crime Count calendar'.

Mr. Bitsy greeted them as his web hung over a count of twenty-six days.

Todd muttered. "If you don't count, Shawn's hot-cross bun heist-"

"I just need more time! I'm gonna pay her!"

Mayor Joy rolled her eyes. "With what we've gathered, other towns are bein' targeted by criminals. A performer from Cotton Valley is supposed to be singing at one o' those towns. That's why I want you two to escort her to her show."

"But what about Troughwater? Who's gonna keep watch if we're not here?" Todd questioned.

Mayor Joy dismissed it with her hoof, "Oh, don't worry, I'll be taking over as the long arm of the law in your stead." The mayor ripped off her dress revealing her old Scarecrow outfit as she gave a menacing grin.

The sheriff and deputy sat frozen in place until Shawn leaned over to his friend. "I feel sorry for the bandits who'd set foot here." Todd nodded.

"Besides, it'll only take about three days the most." The horse lady then carefully took off her Scarecrow costume to reveal another dress underneath.

Todd balled his fists in excitement, getting up from his chair. "So who exactly are we escorting?"

"You can come in now, Ms. Granger." Mayor Joy said.

"Granger?" Shawn repeated.

Upon orders, the door to Mayor Joy's office opened and the person standing there was a sheep lady with wool hair distinctly covering her right eye, an outfit of brown and blue with gold tassels and red boots with a matching cowgirl's hat. She entered with a trot in her step and smiled sweetly at the boys. Shawn and Todd's eyes widened to the size of plates and the sheriff quickly stepped over and allowed her to take his seat.