Dispelling Shadows: Prologue
anonymous
June 8 2011, 03:53:34 UTC
Ok, finally got *something* written. This piece of the story might seem unnecessary, but there are several important themes and concepts imbeded in here that are integral to the storyline. So...yeah. Hopefully this is ok, at least and doesn't suck too much. Really short, but will get longer eventually. Enjoy!
She didn’t respond, just focused her stiff gaze on the blue, polyester stitching inside of Bonnie’s backpack. Frankly, she didn’t know how to respond, her mind reeling for an answer, but she might as well have tried to grab for air. Pulling her knees against her chest, the cowgirl doll remained silent and distant to the toy sitting beside her.
Buzz sighed as quietly as possible, not wanting to express the notion of defeat and irritation. He couldn’t entirely blame her however. His own stomach lurched when Bonnie decided to take him and Jessie to Sunnyside for the day, giving them no time to discuss the matter before she shoved them into her school backpack earlier that morning. Summer was nearing after all and she didn’t want to miss out showing her classmates two of her favorite toys.
After being placed inside the backpack, Jessie immediately fell quiet, uneasiness plaguing her features. Even after a quick glance, neither toy spoke for the majority of the ride to the daycare. Yet, the space ranger eventually found the silence too stifling.
“Jess, I know how you feel.” Buzz murmured, side glancing the cowgirl. “I don’t want to go back either…it’s the last place I would like to visit. But, it has been almost seven months; things have changed for the better. Woody’s seen it firsthand.”
“I know that.” Jessie finally sighed, resting her head on her knees. “I’m glad, really I am, but…”
The space toy watched her green eyes dart about to find the right invisible answer in her mind. Her mouth opened and closed feebly and she shook her head, a satisfying response still unfounded. Buzz pursed his lips together, but felt no disappointment.
He scooched toward Jessie until he could wrap and arm around her. Pulling the rigid doll closer, he removed her hat and guided her head to his shoulder. Simultaneously, Buzz began to rub her back and her cheek, humming softly in her ear. Slowly, he could feel the tenseness of her body dissipate, beginning to curve and lean its weight against him in a relaxed manner.
“Just relax, Jessie.” Buzz advised calmly. “Let us just hope this is the only day we will be returning. We can get through this.”
Jessie nodded her head against him, taking a long, deep breath. She reached up and took the hand caressing her face, squeezing it firmly.
“I suppose.” She responded, her replies coming more readily. “I guess I’m just worried about the memories…the images that I’ll remember. They’re all horrible, Buzz. I finally got over having nightmares just a month ago. I don’t want them comin’ back again.”
The Caterpillar Room, the abusive toddlers, the gambling game, the lockdown, the loss of two friends, the garbage truck, the TV, the dump, and then the incinerator. No, none of those factors and events had pleasant memories attached. Buzz had only heard tales about most of them, due to his resets, but Jessie experienced all first hand. The recollections always unnerved her, but sometimes they returned to her warped and exaggerated, the images and events worse and more traumatic than what reality had been. Her resulting emotions would have sent her into panic attacks if Buzz or Woody hadn’t been nearby.
“The place itself…is just horrifying to me.” Jessie continued softly. “There’s something about it that won’t leave me alone.”
Buzz issued a sympathetic look. He rubbed the back of her hand gently, looking her over before leaning in to kiss her chastely. The broke apart once they felt Bonnie’s backpack being lifted from the car seat.
“Let’s try to stay in the Butterfly Room as much as possible.” Buzz planned, leaning his forehead against Jessie’s. “No tours, no adventures, just some time with Barbie and Ken. We’ll stay close together.”
A bright smile finally slipped onto Jessie’s lips.
Re: Dispelling Shadows: Prologue
anonymous
June 9 2011, 01:59:58 UTC
OP, here!
If you are wondering how I feel about this... rest assured that I adore it so far. I'm already drawn into the story. I can see it playing out in my head and as you can tell I'm pretty engulfed so far. It's descriptive and it looks like you got the characters down in a good way. I can so imagine Jessie feeling uneasy. I'm a little surprised that Buzz is taking it so well, but then again this is Buzz we are talking about. He always seems to find the good in every situation.
Please continue this soon. I'm anxiously awaiting the next batch of chapters. <3333
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Dispelling Shadows: Prologue
“It’ll be okay, Jessie.”
She didn’t respond, just focused her stiff gaze on the blue, polyester stitching inside of Bonnie’s backpack. Frankly, she didn’t know how to respond, her mind reeling for an answer, but she might as well have tried to grab for air. Pulling her knees against her chest, the cowgirl doll remained silent and distant to the toy sitting beside her.
Buzz sighed as quietly as possible, not wanting to express the notion of defeat and irritation. He couldn’t entirely blame her however. His own stomach lurched when Bonnie decided to take him and Jessie to Sunnyside for the day, giving them no time to discuss the matter before she shoved them into her school backpack earlier that morning. Summer was nearing after all and she didn’t want to miss out showing her classmates two of her favorite toys.
After being placed inside the backpack, Jessie immediately fell quiet, uneasiness plaguing her features. Even after a quick glance, neither toy spoke for the majority of the ride to the daycare. Yet, the space ranger eventually found the silence too stifling.
“Jess, I know how you feel.” Buzz murmured, side glancing the cowgirl. “I don’t want to go back either…it’s the last place I would like to visit. But, it has been almost seven months; things have changed for the better. Woody’s seen it firsthand.”
“I know that.” Jessie finally sighed, resting her head on her knees. “I’m glad, really I am, but…”
The space toy watched her green eyes dart about to find the right invisible answer in her mind. Her mouth opened and closed feebly and she shook her head, a satisfying response still unfounded. Buzz pursed his lips together, but felt no disappointment.
He scooched toward Jessie until he could wrap and arm around her. Pulling the rigid doll closer, he removed her hat and guided her head to his shoulder. Simultaneously, Buzz began to rub her back and her cheek, humming softly in her ear. Slowly, he could feel the tenseness of her body dissipate, beginning to curve and lean its weight against him in a relaxed manner.
“Just relax, Jessie.” Buzz advised calmly. “Let us just hope this is the only day we will be returning. We can get through this.”
Jessie nodded her head against him, taking a long, deep breath. She reached up and took the hand caressing her face, squeezing it firmly.
“I suppose.” She responded, her replies coming more readily. “I guess I’m just worried about the memories…the images that I’ll remember. They’re all horrible, Buzz. I finally got over having nightmares just a month ago. I don’t want them comin’ back again.”
The Caterpillar Room, the abusive toddlers, the gambling game, the lockdown, the loss of two friends, the garbage truck, the TV, the dump, and then the incinerator. No, none of those factors and events had pleasant memories attached. Buzz had only heard tales about most of them, due to his resets, but Jessie experienced all first hand. The recollections always unnerved her, but sometimes they returned to her warped and exaggerated, the images and events worse and more traumatic than what reality had been. Her resulting emotions would have sent her into panic attacks if Buzz or Woody hadn’t been nearby.
“The place itself…is just horrifying to me.” Jessie continued softly. “There’s something about it that won’t leave me alone.”
Buzz issued a sympathetic look. He rubbed the back of her hand gently, looking her over before leaning in to kiss her chastely. The broke apart once they felt Bonnie’s backpack being lifted from the car seat.
“Let’s try to stay in the Butterfly Room as much as possible.” Buzz planned, leaning his forehead against Jessie’s. “No tours, no adventures, just some time with Barbie and Ken. We’ll stay close together.”
A bright smile finally slipped onto Jessie’s lips.
“Sounds good to me, partner.”
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I really like this because I would imagine that damn straight Jessie would be traumatised by the experience at Sunnyside. I look forward to the rest!
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If you are wondering how I feel about this... rest assured that I adore it so far. I'm already drawn into the story. I can see it playing out in my head and as you can tell I'm pretty engulfed so far. It's descriptive and it looks like you got the characters down in a good way. I can so imagine Jessie feeling uneasy. I'm a little surprised that Buzz is taking it so well, but then again this is Buzz we are talking about. He always seems to find the good in every situation.
Please continue this soon. I'm anxiously awaiting the next batch of chapters. <3333
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