The cluster of plushies remained huddled on the bed, the tension almost making the air squishier around them.
Pawlette fiddled with the hem of her little overalls, her stitched brow crinkled.
“Pawlette…” she said, her voice trembling. It didn’t take a translator to hear the fear in her tone. She stared at the closet door looming across the room — a vast, yawning cavern that had swallowed many a toy over the years.
Sonic paced frantically, little blue feet blurring.
“Sonic! Sonic! Sonic!” he repeated, clearly working himself into a frenzy. The thought of being stationary — trapped behind closed doors, away from action — was unbearable.
Judy Hopps stiffened, her ears straight as pencils.
“Judy Hopps,” she said with an urgent edge. She slapped a paw against her chest, then pointed toward the open, free world beyond the bed, as if to say: We belong out here, not locked away!
Bugs Bunny scratched behind his ear and gave a slow shake of his head.
“Bugs Bunny,” he drawled, but even his usual smooth attitude was cracking. His feet shuffled nervously. If Bugs Bunny wasn’t cracking jokes, you knew it was serious.
Snoopy flopped dramatically onto his stomach, head drooping off the edge of the bed like he was already halfway to oblivion.
“Snoopy…” he moaned pitifully, as if envisioning endless days spent tangled among winter boots and forgotten gym bags.
Muchlax, solid as ever, plopped down with a heavy thud, thinking deeply.
“Muchlax,” he said gravely, nodding to himself. He reached over and patted Pawlette’s paw clumsily — a gesture of comfort.
For a long moment, none of them moved. The thought of being tucked away in the dark, stuffed between scratchy coats and shoeboxes, forgotten except maybe once a year during frantic spring cleaning... It was terrifying.
Pawlette sniffled.
“Pawlette,” she whimpered, hugging her knees to her chest.
Sonic stopped pacing and crossed his arms, trying to look tough.
“Sonic.” Short. Clipped. But his quivering legs betrayed him.
Judy stood tall, balling her paws into little fists.
“Judy Hopps!” she barked, determination lighting up her stitched eyes. She was a fighter, and she wouldn’t give up without trying.
Bugs finally smirked, though it was a little shaky.
“Bugs Bunny,” he said, tipping an imaginary hat.
Maybe... maybe they could make a case for themselves? Put on a show? Remind John of how important they were?
Snoopy slowly raised one paw in the air, as if casting a solemn vote: We must resist.
Muchlax gave a tiny, solemn snore.
"Muchlax," he said once more, and they all knew — they'd have to stick together, no matter what.
In the dim light of the bedroom, a plan began to form — simple, risky, and possibly foolish.
They wouldn’t go into the closet quietly.