Follow Path? Like a chain...

Okay. I'm sorry if this rambles a bit, but I want to try to be as thorough as possible regarding what I'm trying to do. I have "thought clouds" popping out of someone's head. They are four separate layers, each one a little bigger than the previous. I have tracked the movement of the head from which the clouds appear and what I'd like to do is have the last/biggest/content-holding cloud remain stationary while the first cloud from the head tracks with the head and the two middle clouds move between them like they are affixed to a rope or chain connecting the first and last "clouds". If anyone follows what I'm asking and has a n idea of how to accomplish it, I'd be very appreciative if you could pass along the info. I'm thinking a path tool of some kind, but I could be completely off base. Thanks in advance.

-Ryan