Human! Mayhem

On the Road again

Two whole years passed in a blur of music, love, and raising Animal in the Pepper household. But as Dr. Teeth and Floyd grew more restless, the call of the road and the promise of new adventures began to whisper in their ears. The small, comforting world they had built with Komo and Ethan was safe, but it wasn't enough. They needed to take the next step and chase the dream they'd talked about since they were teenagers—playing music on the road, living by their own rules.

They were no longer two boys dreaming of what might be; they were men who had tasted life and its bitter realities. Still, the moment they picked up their instruments, it was as if no time had passed. Music was their way of reclaiming what the world had tried to take from them.

One evening, as the late summer sun dipped below the horizon, they found themselves sitting in the backyard. Animal was tearing through the garden, a bundle of red fur and manic energy, while Komo and Ethan watched with amusement from the porch. Dr. Teeth strummed his guitar absently, lost in thought, while Floyd tapped out a rhythm on his knee.

"We need to go," Dr. Teeth finally said, breaking the comfortable silence.

Floyd looked at him, eyebrow raised. "Go where, man?"

"Out there," Dr. Teeth gestured vaguely. "Wherever the music takes us. We've been here long enough. It's time to hit the road again, for real this time."

Floyd was quiet for a moment, chewing on his lip. He knew Dr. Teeth was right. They'd been hiding, in a way, letting the safety of Floyd's parents' house protect them from the outside world. But they couldn't stay forever. Their dreams weren't here in this quiet suburban life—they were out there, somewhere between the notes of a song and the hum of a crowded bar.

Komo, who had been eavesdropping from the porch, stood up and walked over to them. "I knew this day would come," she said, smiling warmly. "You two have always been meant for something bigger than this."

Ethan joined her, nodding. "You've got the talent and the heart. But most importantly, you've got each other. So, go. We'll take care of things here."

"What about Animal?" Dr. Teeth asked, his eyes flicking to the little fuzzball now chewing on a garden hose.

Komo chuckled. "Take him with you. He belongs with you two. Besides, the house can only take so much more of his... enthusiasm."

They all laughed, though it was tinged with the sadness of goodbye. As much as they knew they needed to leave, it was hard to walk away from the only place that had ever felt like home. But this was their chance to find out who they were when they were out there in the world, just the three of them—Dr. Teeth, Floyd, and Animal.

Dr. Teeth and Floyd spent the next few weeks getting ready. They sold what little they had accumulated during their stay with Floyd's parents, pooled their money, and fix up Teeth's family bus that Ethan helped them fix up. It wasn't much, but it was freedom on wheels. They packed it with their instruments, a few clothes, and the essentials for taking care of Animal, which mostly included snacks and a makeshift drum set to keep him occupied.

The morning they left, Komo packed them a cooler full of food and gave Animal a tight hug, her eyes misty. "You keep these two in line, okay?" she whispered to him. Animal nodded vigorously, though no one was quite sure if he understood. Ethan shook their hands and offered them a final piece of advice. "The road is rough, but it has a way of showing you who you are. Don't lose sight of that."

With hugs, tears, and a chorus of "be safe," they climbed into the bus. Floyd turned the key, and the engine roared to life. Dr. Teeth looked back at the house, at the people who had given them a second chance at life. It was bittersweet, but he knew it was time.

"Ready?" Floyd asked.

"Ready," Dr. Teeth replied, his eyes forward.

Floyd stepped on the gas, and the bus lurched forward. As they pulled away, Animal poked his head out of the window, waving his hands in excitement. They were on the road again, just like they had always dreamed.