Toeny and Tube-Uscus continued to be friends, and eventually ended up becoming the best of friends. Tina even became friends with Tube-Uscus' wife, Tuba. They lived in harmony, and inspired other socks to befriend other colored socks as well. Washed Away

Written and Illustrated By: Inaara Charol ia

Clothing

Shop

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Toeny was a handsome and young, white sock. He and his pair, Tina, were recently purchased and were now moving into a human's home. Before they left, Toeny and Tina's friends from the Clothing Shop said their farewells, and informed them of the dangers that would arise when they moved into the human's home.

"Be especially careful of the red colored socks! They're evil—Whites and Reds should never mix! No matter what, stay away from them," they warned Toeny and Tina.

Toeny was very nervous coming to this new home. Things were not going as his friends had told him. Toeny and Tina had just arrived, and before having a chance to meet their new owner, they were thrown into the Washer Machine!

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The speed of the machine was much too fast, and the water swooshed around them rapidly.

"Help me!" Toeny exclaimed as he lost hold of Tina. "Toeny!" she yelled back. But it was too late, the water had pulled him into a dark,

black hole.

Toeny was surrounded by complete darkness. He screamed frantically in fear, "Help, help! Tina! Anybody…”

Suddenly a distant voice was heard."Hold on, I got you," the voice spoke. A torn, red, tube

sock appeared unexpectedly. "Why you frettin’, boy?" the red tube sock asked, as he moved closer to Toeny.

Toeny was stunned, as this was his first encounter with a red colored sock.

He responded with a shaking voice, “I can't find my wife. I was in the Washer Machine a second ago and now I don't know where I am or how I'm supposed to get back… Who are you?"

“Well, I'm Tube-Uscus!" the strange red sock chuckled. "Don't worry boy, I'll get you back. Things like this happen every now and then. Good ole' Washer Machiney gulps us in sometimes thinking we're trash of some sort. Happens all the time. Don't worry, the way back isn't too far. Just follow me, I'll lead the way."

Toeny, remembering the warnings his friends had given him, was unsure. He stumbled to find words as he replied, "I-it's okay, I'll find own way back… Thanks anyway."

"Well hold on there young feller. You don't really think you'll find your way on your own, do ya? I've lived here longer than I can remember and these routes are tricky! Don't be a fool, come with me," Tube-Uscus insisted.

"I can't," Toeny said with a serious voice.

"Why not?" Tube-Uscus replied, confused. "Because, you're…" Toeny stumbled to find words, "You're

a Red." Tube-Uscus was disappointed. Being the friendly Red sock

he was, he never understood the division, and was eager to make Toeny his first White sock friend.

"Oh…I see. Them Whiteys musta filled your head up with ideas. Well, if you really wanna go your own way, no ones stopping ya. I'll just wait here if ya need me," Tube-Uscus said, sadly.

Toeny traveled and searched for a way out, but every turn he took brought him back to where he started. Hours had gone by, and Toeny was still searching and searching for his way back. Finally, feeling tired, scared, and frustrated, he decided there was no hope, and worked his way back to find Tube-Uscus.

Tube-Uscus was in the same spot, since he had been waiting for Toeny’s return.

"Hey…" Toeny said, "You were right, I can't find my way out. I've looked everywhere but they’re all dead ends!"

"Well you're just in time boy, the fresh swirl's about to hit. We can take the short cut now," Tube-Uscus replied, with joy.

Tube-Uscus explained to Toeny that they were actually in the center tube of the Washer Machine, a place where the Machine sometimes mistakenly placed socks, thinking they were trash.

"The only way out now is to jump as soon as Machiney releases his last swirl of water.”

"But, that's a far jump!" yelled Toeny in fear, as he looked down.

"It's our last resort! You have to jump if you ever wanna see your wife again!" Tube-Uscus replied.

Toeny gathered his courage. Tube-Uscus counted down, "5…4…3…2…" A large rumbling

sound was followed by a rush of water released from below. "NOW!" Tube-Uscus yelled. Together they leaped, and

landed just in time.

Toeny, finally reunited with Tina, cried of joy, "Thank you so much Tube-Uscus! I can't believe I ever doubted you."

"So, you don’t care that I’m a Red anymore?" Tube-Uscus asked.

"At first, I was unsure. Then, I realized I had no choice but to trust you, and I'm glad I did, or I would have never found my way back to Tina! I will never understand why my friends said things like that. We're all socks, we should be able to live in peace."

"You're right! I've never understood the difference anyways. I'm glad I was able to help you," Tube-Uscus responded with joy.

Toeny and Tube-Uscus continued to be friends, and eventually ended up becoming the best of friends. Tina even became friends with Tube-Uscus' wife, Tuba. They lived in harmony, and inspired other socks to befriend other colored socks as well.

Toeny, Tina, Tube-Uscus, and Tube-Uscus’ wife, Tuba, all became the best of friends. They lived together in peace, and inspired others to befriend colored socks as well.