The Escape Plan
Just when Bandi thought things couldn't get worse, the family dog trotted into the room. A large, slobbery creature with fur the color of peanut butter and a tail that wagged like a wind turbine.
"Uh-oh," Bandi whispered.
The dog sniffed the air, its nose twitching like a radar locked onto its target. Within seconds, it zeroed in on Bandi.
"Hey, back off, fuzzball!" Bandi shouted, but the dog wasn't listening. With one swift motion, the canine snatched Bandi out of the child's hands and bolted across the room.
Bandi screamed as they were carried away, dangling precariously from the dog's slobber-covered mouth. "This is NOT how heroes are supposed to go out!"
The dog bounded up the stairs, skidding around corners and narrowly avoiding furniture. Bandi flapped helplessly, their once-pristine surface now a mess of crayon marks and drool.
---
A Hairy Situation
The dog finally came to a stop in the parents' bedroom, where it flopped onto its side, dropping Bandi onto the carpet.
"Oh, great," Bandi muttered, trying to peel themselves away from the fibers. "Now I'm stuck. Literally."
But the worst was yet to come. The dog began rolling over, its fur tangling with Bandi's adhesive.
"Help! Someone help!" Bandi cried, but no one was around to hear.
As the dog stood up and trotted out of the room, Bandi found themselves firmly stuck to its back, their view bouncing with each step.
"This is it," Bandi thought. "I'm doomed to spend the rest of my existence as dog fur décor."
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The Rescue
Just when all hope seemed lost, salvation arrived in the form of Tessa the Tape. The shiny, silver dispenser slid into view from a nearby desk.
"Well, well," Tessa said, her voice smooth and confident. "Looks like someone's in a bit of a sticky situation."
"Very funny," Bandi snapped. "Can you get me off this dog or not?"
Tessa chuckled. "Hold tight, rookie." With a deft flick of her tape roll, she snagged onto a loose thread on the dog's fur. As the dog turned, the thread unraveled, pulling Bandi free in one swift motion.
Bandi landed with a soft plop on the carpet, dazed but intact. "You… saved me."
"Don't mention it," Tessa said, smoothing down her tape. "But next time, try not to get yourself stuck to the first slobbery beast you meet."
---
The Return
By the time Bandi made it back to the living room, the child's scrape had been patched up with another band-aid. The parents were busy cleaning up, and the dog had settled onto the couch, oblivious to the chaos it had caused.
Bandi sighed as they lay discarded on the coffee table, their adhesive ruined and their surface covered in crayon. "Well, that could've gone better."
Dr. Disinfecto's voice echoed faintly in their mind: Try not to embarrass the rest of us.
Bandi chuckled. "Guess I still have a lot to learn."
But despite the mishaps, Bandi couldn't help feeling a small sense of pride. They'd been there when it mattered. They'd done their job. And maybe—just maybe—they'd get another chance to prove themselves.
For now, though, they'd earned a rest.
As the house settled into evening calm, Bandi closed their metaphorical eyes, dreaming of their next adventure.