Chapter 24

Buzz's POV

The next morning...

 You're not going to believe this one, Bonnie's mother attempts to donate us back to... Sunnyside Daycare Center. There is no way in hell any of us are going back in there. When no one is looking, we rip open the trash bags we're in and make a run for it. We manage to get far enough away that no one attempts to bring us back. That place is chalked full of horrible memories for all of us. Now we'll have PTSD episodes for the next few days. Well not Dolly and her gang because thankfully they never had to spend any time in that prison. I'm envious of them for once. 

    "Is everyone okay?" Everyone nods, though some of us are more shaken up than others of course. Jessie's doing everything in her power not to have a meltdown in front of everyone. She smiles nervously. "Well now that we've moved past that venture, let's head to California folks. Shall we hitch a ride?" Hamm shouts "HECK YEAH!", causing all of us to chuckle. We needed that though, the mood is a little lighter now thanks to him. We search the town for an RV and manage to find out parked outside of a bookstore. We all sneak onto the back of it and let ourselves into it once the cost is clear. The couple in it just so happens to be heading to California too. What are the odds?

      The drive to California is three days long and not once does the couple notice our presence. They only come to the back of the RV twice to dig through their luggage for personal items. When we finally get to our destination, we're in awe. Woody and Bo are in Santa Monica and according to road signs, we're about twenty miles from them. If we hitch another ride, we'll be there by sunset easily. We silently thank the couple and hitch our next ride onto a minivan. We stay on top of it and hold onto the rooftop for dear life because we don't want the children in it to notice a group of toys hitchhiking with them. 

Bo's POV

 I nudge Woody as we're snacking on corn dogs at the pier. "Woody, is that the gang coming towards us?" We both squint to get a better look. When we do, we do indeed realize that it's the gang heading towards us. I squeal out of joy. Jessie is leading the gang and when she's in front of us, I scoop her up into the biggest hug I've ever given her. "Jessie, what are you all doing here?" She laughs sadly. "Bonnie decided to get rid of us a few years ahead of schedule. Now we're lost toys just like you and Woody." Woody gives me a sad look. "Jessie, I'm so sorry. I thought your fate was going to be far better than mine." 

     She swats his pity away. "You don't have to pity me Woody, it's okay. We can all be together again. We can see the world, go on adventures, go out on dates, etc. It's going to be great!" I can tell that she's saying that with more enthusiasm than she feels. I've had to do that a lot myself, especially when I first started out as a lost toy. I really am happy to see all of our friends again. In due time, their hurt of having been tossed to the curb will diminish and we can replace that memory with more pleasant ones. Everything is going to be just fine. I make sure to tell both Jessie and Buzz that. We all say it to the group as a whole too. 

     Once they hear those comforting words, everyone begins to calm down and we spend the evening exploring the pier. Woody, myself, and our newer friends only just got here yesterday so there's a lot we have yet to even see. 

Hoped that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary