Manny will find a way out

But the most mysterious of all was Manny—a slender doll in a hiking raincoat, with the invariable paper lantern in one hand and an old map in the other. In the performances, Manny was a faithful companion of the protagonist: he lit the way and found a way out of the darkest caves. The master especially treasured Manny: sometimes, after performances, he sat with him on the porch for a long time, as if consulting.
 
When the puppeteer was found dead, the chief assistant was lying on the floor away from the rest of the dolls, and his lantern went out. But after the funeral, when the children wanted to take some of his dolls for themselves, Manny disappeared.
 
Now there are the strangest rumors about Manny. Travelers, especially those who spend the night in the forest, say that in the dead of night, when even the stars are not visible, and in the thicket the shield backs begin to growl, lights begin to flicker around the traveler. And neither shushpan, nor shield-back, nor any other creature will ever enter this circle.