#gerbit darling

[mosneakers]

Brick: How...? When...? WHY? Look I'm only smiling because a fairy sold me some happiness potion but don't get it twisted I am HELLA confused.

Rebel: I'm sure there's a lot to unpack for the both of you, so you better make it quick. In case it wasn't clear, I'm challenging you for Alpha. Again. The Wildfangs belong to me. Brick: Bro, chill--nobody cares about that right now. I just need someone to explain what's goin' on before these good vibes wear off.

Sawyer: K so where should I start? Brick: How long has this been goin' on?

Sawyer: Remember when you invited our kids to your Spooky Day party without consulting me first? Brick: Ah shit, here we go. Sawyer: ...Then I told them they absolutely could not go, and that it wasn't safe. I had to work that night, so I hired a sitter. Remember how they then snuck away when the sitter fell asleep?

Brick: They don't need no babysitter. They got a father! Sawyer: And remember how they somehow managed to get themselves to Moonwood Mill, and ended up in the Lake? All while their father partied it up, never knowing his own kids were bathing in the ✨mystical waters✨ of Lake Lunvik?

Brick: You really still mad about that? Look—I didn't know they were gonna do that. I already said it was my bad! Sawyer: Just...listen. Okay? So anyway...

Sawyer: Turns out that lake doesn't just look super mystical. It'd probably be no big deal for normal kids, but it just so happens that our kids? Apparently aren't super normal. They harbor some sort of dormant wolf curse that was awakened by going into that lake on a full moon night...which just so happened to be the night you picked for your little party.

Brick: Shit. Same curse that turned me when I got got by Greg... Rebel:Yep. Courtesy of dear ol’ pops.

Sawyer: The kids got sick. Really sick. Luckily, all those childhood trips to visit my father in Selvadorada really prepared me for what was to come.

Sawyer: When I was little, I remember listening to the old village elders sharing the folklore...tales of the wolf people, and the sickness that made them like that. The way they spoke about it… I knew it wasn’t just a story. And when the kids fell ill, it didn’t take me long to piece it all together.

Young Sawyer: Is it true, Mommy? Are werewolves real? Will they get us if we’re out too late at night?

Sawyer’s mother turns away from her husband and kneels down to give her child a comforting hug.

Meadow: Aww! No baby girl...you heard the lady. Mosquitoes are a much bigger problem around here, no need to worry. Not unless we come down with a sudden case of werebies!

[mosneakers]

--Before Lou discovers hidden holding cell--

Brick thrashes around inside the stone cell like a rabid caged animal, gums and fists raw and bloody from an unequal battle against the impenetrable iron bars — the only barrier that separates him from his captor lingering safely just beyond reach; taunting, with smug indifference, making a mockery of Brick's captive rage.

With a guttural growl, he stalks to the back of the cell, and assumes a crouching position, preparing to charge the bars once again.

Sawyer: Brick... Please stop... you're going to seriously hurt yourself!

Brick: AND? Get out the way! Better than rotting away in here, shit!

Rebel: That's the point. It's useless, genius. Those bars aren't budging.

Greggorius: Heed your friends’ advice. I forged these bars myself, and no amount of thrashing about shall compromise their hold. The barrier will not yield until that egregious father of yours comes to take your place. You can try if you must, but do know it is your children who tremble in the corner of their own cell at your fury.

Brick: Huh? My kids? Bro what do you mean?

Sawyer: WAIT! They're here? In HERE somewhere? With us?

Greg gently sets his tools on the table and without so much a glance or a mutter, leaves the room.

Sawyer: WAIT, please!

From an adjacent corner that could be heard but not seen, a tiny, unmistakable voice called out.

Rosebud: Mommy!

[mosneakers]

Belo: Ms. Eleanoaw? Wake up! Weady to twick-a-tweat!

Eleanor continued snoring like sawing lumber.

Gerbit: She's out. Belo: Whatta we do? Shoowee call Gwamma? Gerbit: No Belo. I have a better idea. Belo... Go pack your backback. I'm gonna go get that Moonwood Mill map that Dad gave us.

[mosneakers]

Gerbit: [Stomping into the water and grumbling] We're never gonna get to Dad's party!

Rosebud: [Squeals] SPARKLES!!!

Gerbit: I... s'pose it is kinda pretty...

Belo: LET'S. GO. SWIMMING!!!

Jak: [Sudden, short whistle] Hey, you folks shouldn't swim in here when it's a full moon. Not if you weren't wolf-kind.

Gerbit: Huh? Well— my Dad's a werewolf. [Forced confidence] Who are you, anyway?

Jak: My name is Jak. J-A-K, Jak. Is Brick your Dad? Gerbit: Yeah... You know him? Jak: [Casually] He's in my pack.

Gerbit: He's in my family. Families are kinda like a pack. Jak: Your name is Gerbit, right? Gerbit: Hey! How did you know my name?! [Laughs]

Jak: Do you think of your mom as part of your pack Gerbit?

Gerbit: Yeah... why...?

Jak: There's a lady running around the woods looking for you folk... You. Rosebud. Belo? She seems pretty worried. I think it's your mom.

[mosneakers]

Gerbit: [Panting, out of breath] ...Everyone okay?

Belo: [Catching breath, between pants] Too… mush… wunning…

Gerbit: I know Belo, but we couldn’t let anyone see us sneaking out of that truck. And besides, you didn’t even have to carry a little sister like I did! Now let’s go, we should be there soon if we hurry.

[Cars and trucks whooshing by]

Gerbit: EW! The woods are stinky! Wait a second, did one of you— Belo: Uh… Guh-bit?

Gerbit: What is it?

Belo: … What happen if we foget to pack a dipey? Foh Wosie.

Rosebud: 😒

Gerbit: For Rosie? Belo: [Nods head sheepishly] Gerbit: Well that would be a big problem b'cause she's 'posed to be potty training so she'd need to take a bath. Rosebud furrows her brow at the unfolding accusations, and points to Belo.

Gerbit: [Facepalm] Don't tell me I have to give you kids a bath. Belo: [Whispers] Foh Wosie...

Gerbit: [Furious sigh] Come on. Dad's party'll have to wait. I guess we have to go find the nearest ocean so you two can take a bath.

[mosneakers]

Sawyer: [Fumbling to adjust belt] Could you kids please quit jumping on my bed?

[Squealing and energetic laughter]

Gerbit: [Giggles] Why? Your bed's already on the floor! If we fall, it won't even barely hurt!

Sawyer pauses to contemplate a stern response, but instead concedes with a shrug. Belo: [Whispers] Guw-bit, ask huwh! Gerbit: Stop! I will, okay?

Sawyer: Ask me what? Gerbit: We... wanted to just go to Dad's cool werewoof party tonight! He said we was invited still.

Sawyer: Well... Dad didn't clear that with Mom, and it's a big fat NO from me, bud. Sorry. It's not safe, especially with the full moon out tonight. Something could— and likely will— go wrong... and I wouldn't be able to get to you right away if I'm at work. But, if you behave for Ms. Eleanor, and I know you will... I'll do everything I can to get off early and meet you for trick-or-treating. Knox even said he'll join us, too. [Smiles] Gerbit: But trick-or-treating is no fun! We do it every time when Spooky Day comes around!

Sawyer: Well, that's kinda how that works, pumpkin. K, babysitter's here. [Plucks fuzz off shirt and scurries to kiss each baby goodbye] I love you all very much! Be good!

Meanwhile, in Moonwood Mill

[mosneakers]

Trucker 1: That's a pretty sweet gig you got there— 250 simoleons a night, just to haul a truck load of sharp and dangerous tools from gas station to gas station. Little strange though, I reckon. Where ya headin' next?

Trucker 2: Yeah, well, I sure ain't complainin'. Headin' on down to Moonwood Mill next.

Trucker 1: [Shudders] Shoot, that place gives me the dang creeps.

Gerbit: [Whispers] Did you hear that? I think we seriously just found our ticket to Moonwood Mill. That truckin' dude is going to the gas station in Dad's town. Now's our chance! Follow me. Come on Rosie, you first, we have to get into the back of their truck without being seen. Belo: Y-you mean... sneak in the twuck? Gerbit: YES BELO SNEAK IN THE TWUCK. We can't just ask them for a ride. They'll tell mom! We'll just get out when he gets to the next stop. It's our only way! Now stay down, and BE VERY QUIET.

[mosneakers]

As months pass, Montgomery's agreement to allow Brick to venture to Brindleton Bay to reunite with his family proves beneficial. While Brick prefers to keep his distance from Montgomery, Montgomery continues communication with Donna and Yellow. Brick maintains a stable manual labor job and is hired by Aunts Clementine and Salem to build a home on his parents' property. While Sawyer now permits contact with the kids, given her focus on work and new dating endeavors, she decides it's best to limit contact with Brick.