Lightbulb's POV:

I awoke to Painty's voice in my head asking if I was there. I thought I was imagining their voice until I remembered about the camera that was inside of my head. I took it out and pointed it towards myself.

"Oh there you are Lightbulb- wait where did you just take the camera out of-?" Painty asked. I chuckled and told them about everything so they would understand why I had put the camera in my head.

"I see everyone else is still asleep?" Painty says. "Yeah, but probably not for long." I respond.

"Whats that supposed to-" Painty was cut off by the loud buzzing noise. It didnt seem as intense this time. I guess I was starting to get used to it. I shushed Painty before putting the camera back in my head.

I heard Fan mumble under his breath. "Day 4." He whispered.

Is he counting the days?

Eh, never mind.

I waited for Cobs to enter the room, but I was surprised to see that he didnt walk in this time. Instead it was a MePhone. "Good morning everyone." The MePhone spoke. I knew that it was working for Cobs, but it was honestly better seeing the MePhone than seeing the face of

"Cobs is currently searching for the culprits that have been delaying the arrival of the new subject, so he is not present today. He has put me in charge." The MePhone said.

YinYang was about to say something, most likely an insult from Yang, but Yin covered their mouth before Yang could say anything.

"There wont be any procedures during the absence of Cobs today and he will begin the procedures once he returns." The MePhone stated. I heard a multitude of relieved sighs come from around the room.

I let out a relieved sigh as well. The MePhone then left the room almost as quickly as he had entered, and left us to do our own thing.

I pulled the camera back out of my head. "You still there?" I ask waiting for a response. "Yeah, but what was he talking about 'procedures?'" Painty asked.

"Oh, right. Cobs-" "Please dont say his name." Painty interrupts. "Oh sorry," I apologize, "does these weird procedures on our brains or something... he's selecting the 'most intelligent and unintelligent' of us to get taken here." I say.

"Wait..." Painty mumbles. "Oh crap."

"What is it painty?" I ask them slightly concerned.

"Test Tube!" Painty shouts in a sort of whisper tone. I thought about what they said for a moment not getting it at first.

Testy is smart. They take the smartest people.

"OH SH-" I cut myself off. "Oh crud Painty what do we do?!" I began to panic and Fan glanced over at me concerned. I guess he didnt hear what we were talking about.

"You guys ok? Is Test Tube there?" Fan asked. He noticed I was holding the camera. "No she's not here- but about her- we've got a problem." Painty responded. "Y'know how Test Tube is smart right...?"

Fan pondered it for a while before realizing. His face turned pale and he gasped then covered his mouth.

"Nononono you dont mean she's gonna get taken right?!" Fan panicked pacing back and forth in his box. "She can't end up like this!!!"

Then we all heard the intercom from the school turn on from the camera. Fan's face turned even paler than before.

Then we all heard Test Tube's name called to get her picture taken, confirming all of our fears. Fan broke into tears, clearly not wanting Test Tube to have to suffer the same way they've been suffering.

"Wait relax she's not here today! I'll just text her and tell her to stay home." Painty called from the camera.

Fan sniffled. "She isn't there?" "No she Isn't." Painty responded to Fan trying to calm him down. Fan took a deep breath and sat down. "Please dont let the same thing that's been happening to us happen to her, or anyone else there." Fan said wiping his tears.

He was still recovering from panicking, but he was better. "I should probably go before you-know-who comes and threatens me or something." Painty says from the camera, "Talk to you guys later, dont let anything bad happen."

Not really like we have a choice.

I heard the laptop Painty was using click shut. I sighed and put the camera back in my head. I wished Painty didnt have to go, but theres not much I could do about it.

It was lucky that the camera ended up in my box because I could use my energy to charge it when its battery got low.

Im glad I can still use my energy, unfortunately I can't light myself up anymore though, I guess when I fell it damaged the metal wire that emits the light.

I looked around I noticed Balloon was still sleeping.

Shouldnt the buzz have woken him up?

I tap on the glass wall of the box trying to get Balloon's attention. No response. Not even a flinch. My stomach dropped at the thought that he might be dead.

No, dont think like that, even if he did die he would be recovered right? But what if Cobs decides not to???

I tap the box again. Balloon shivers a little, and I sigh with relief that he isnt dead, but he doesn't look too good. He looked pale and sickly, and I just noticed he was shaking a lot.

Does he have a cold or something? It is pretty chilly in here, especially sleeping on a cold metal floor at night.

Poor guy, I wished I could help him. I doubt Cobs would even make the attempt to even give him any medicine or at least a blanket.

But then again what's new from that guy. He doesn't care about anyone here, just this stupid experiment or whatever it is.

Thats when I noticed. Someone else had been brought here.

Right next to Fan, an empty box was no longer empty anymore.

NO! NOT SOMEONE ELSE!

I recognized the person. It was soap. She looked dazed and scared. Fan jumped when she first appeared next to him and he gasped.

"Oh no no no-" Fan mumbled when he saw her.

I thought Painty was going to stop everyone from getting taken!

I was extremely upset to see someone else was here too, but I was also angry. Angry at Cobs, angry at the school, angry at Painty even.

I thought the good guys were always supposed to win.

All the fairytales and stories Ive read, the good guys have always won.

But if the good guys always win, then why are we still here.

Why are we all still here.

I began to cry. I dont know wether it was because of anger or sadness, but I cried. It felt good to let my emotions out, I never cried very often, never in front of people at least.

When I'm upset, I usually find some goofy way to cheer myself up, but this time, I just wanted to let it all out.

I had been holding back so many emotions ever since we got here, wanting to set a good vibe for everyone so they wouldn't be scared. But I'm tired of it, I cant pretend that I'm happy in this situation.

I saw that Fan noticed me crying, he had never seen me cry before so it came as a surprise to him. I wiped my eyes. "I'm ok bud. Don't worry about it." I mumbled to Fan giving him a small grin.

He sighed and looked at the ground not saying a word.

After a while of silence, I heard those metal doors open.

Well look who it is.

I glared as Cobs walked into the room. My eyes still stung a little from the tears but I didnt really care.

Cobs walked over to Balloon's box, noticing that he was still sleeping, and slammed his hand down on the outside of his box.

Balloon Yelped after being startled awake. Cobs just laughed and walked back to the center of the room.

I hate that man so much. Doesn't he know that Balloon is sick?!

I glanced over at Balloon and he was shaking a lot, he was curled into a ball.

"I wasnt able to catch the one who was holding back the proccess, but we finally have our new arrival." Cobs grinned and put his hands behind his back.

Funny thing, I know who's been holding it back, they're too smart for you Cobs.

"Now that we are pretty much back on track, we can start with the next procedure." Cobs stated.

Of course he was already starting up the procedures again, as soon as he gets back from his little "trip."

With that, he began to walk towards Fan's box.

Wait... No... Not Fan!

Cobs opened Fan's box and a look of terror came across Fan's face. Cobs grabbed his arm and took him out of his box.

"YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE!" I shouted. I was filled with rage, fear, sadness, all kinds of emotions. I slammed my fist against the wall when I said that. I didnt care if something would happen to me after standing up to Cobs like that, I just wanted to speak up.

Fan shook his head trying to keep me from saying anything more.

"Excuse me?" Cobs growled as he approached my box, still holding Fan tight in his grip. "You heard me. Leave. Him. Alone." I hissed back.

"You talk to me like that again and-" I cut Cobs off. "And what? What are you gonna do? Cut my arm off?" Balloon frowned at that, and I felt a little bad for being so insensitive, but I was more enraged than guilty.

"L-Lightbulb-" Fan mumbled trying to get me to stop. He didnt want to see me get hurt.

Cobs looked furious, and honestly, I was proud of myself. The worst he could do would be to give me some type of injury and even if he killed me he would have to recover me eventually.

"I'll take care of you later." Cobs snarled as he dragged Fan off. I glared at him as he left the room.

"Lightbulb that was a bad idea..." I heard Balloon mumble. He sounded really sick and he was still shivering, but not as bad as before.

"I-" I hesitated. "I dont really care. I had to say something even if it gets me hurt. Im not going to just sit here in fear of all the time. If anything he should be scared of me!" I jumped up and tried to make myself look tough.

Balloon laughed a little but he still had some concern in his eyes. He then broke into a coughing fit and I thought he was going to cough up his lungs or something, but he was eventually able to stop himself.

"Sorry." He apologized. "No no don't be sorry, I can tell you aren't feeling too great." I respond giving him a sympathetic smile.

Balloon smiled back. "Get some rest for now." I suggest, and he nods and lays down.

Everything was silent.

I hope Fan is doing ok...

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Fan's POV:

Lightbulb made a really stupid move back there... Cobs is probably gonna kill her...

I was dragged into a room and tossed in. "I'm going to try something different with you." Cobs spoke after I sat up to rub my head. "Im going to leave you in this room for a couple hours and see how long your mind can withstand the noise." Cobs smirked, then shut and locked the door.

Wait... What noise-?

With that, a loud buzzing noise, similar to the one that wakes us up every morning, made me jump. I covered my ears but it didnt really help.

At least it's not physical torture...

It was hard to hear my own thoughts over the noise. I just sat there, holding my hands over my ears, not sure what else to do.

Guess I just wait...

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[Just a bit earlier]

Paintbrush's POV:

I shut the laptop Test Tube had let me borrow and sighed. I didnt want to leave Lightbulb there alone like that but i didnt really have much of a choice judging by the fact that the "principal" might be onto us.

I reminded myself to text Test Tube. She wasn't here today because she had a doctors appointment. I pulled out my phone to text her.

"Test Tube, dont come to school after your appointment, in fact dont come for the rest of the week. They called your name to get your picture taken and I found out who the targets may be. Apparently the smartest people (and some of the dumbest i guess) are getting taken. But since you are smart you would probably get taken. So please stay home, I ont want anything else happening to my friends." I type.

It seemed like kind of a rant, which I didnt usually do, but it was better to get it all down in one message. Test Tube didnt respond so she was probably in the middle of her checkup.

I put the laptop in my backpack for safe keeping and stood up to go to my class.

As I was walking, I heard what sounded like someone struggling. I peeked around the corner and saw Soap. She was being dragged along by two MePhones and she was kicking and trying to scream, but her mouth was being covered.

One of the MePhone's glanced up to see if anyone was watching and I quickly ducked behind the wall to avoid being seen.

Crap! I thought I told Soap to stay home!

I ducked behind a trash can as they walked around the corner and dragged Soap to the gym. I already knew what was planned.

I was about to follow her, but it would be too risky with two MePhones there.

Dangit!

I failed to save Soap.

Once the MePhones were completely out of sight, I came out from my hiding place and began to bolt to class, but not before running straight into Cobs himself.

I gasped and scrambled to my feet, picking up my backpack that had fallen.

Crap crap crap...

Cobs got up off of the ground after I had accidentally knocked him over and he brushed himself off.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" He spoke, a small tone of annoyance in his voice.

I stumbled over my words. One wrong move and I could be caught. It would be over for me.

"S-sorry in a rush bye!" I shouted quickly before rushing past Cobs. He looked a little confused at first but shrugged it off.

I turned the corner and pressed my back against the wall breathing heavily. I had just stood face to face with the man who had kidnapped my friends, and almost got caught watching Soap get taken.

That could've been the end of me.

I was still trying to catch my breath and I was shaking uncontrollably. I brushed my hair back a bit with my hand and then just ran the rest of the way to class after calming myself down.

I sat down and stared at my desk. I hoped nobody would notice the worry in my eyes, so I tried to avoid eye contact with anyone. Unfortunately, one of the girls in my class named Microphone noticed.

Out of all the other people in my class, it had to be Mic. Mic was friends with Soap and it would crush her if she found out that Soap had gone missing.

"You good there?" She whispered, leaning over closer to me.

"Yeah... I'm fine, just... stressed ok?" I was trying my best not to make her too worried.

Please dont ask what im stressed about...

"Well... what are you stressed about?" Mic asked.

Dangit.

I sighed. "I dont want to talk about it right now ok? Now isn't a good time." I whispered.

Mic raised an eyebrow at me but then looked back down at her work. Even just looking at her flooded me with guilt.

Should I tell her? What if she doesn't take it well... or what if she doesn't believe me?

Of all people... of course it had to be Mic. Now she's curious and I'll have to tell her eventually.

Class got out after a while. I had missed most of it while talking to Lightbulb earlier. I stood up out of my seat and grabbed my backpack to try and get out of there without having to have a conversation with Mic.

I started walking out the door before I felt someone grab my shoulder. I shut my eyes tight, knowing exactly who it was.

"Yes?" I mumbled awkwardly, turning around to face the person. Yep, it was Mic.

"Hey... um... I need you to tell me whats going on." Mic whispered. "Y'know... about the-" she made a clicking motion with her hands, imitating the action you do to take a picture with a camera.

She knows??? Soap must've told her about it.

I stared at her for a moment before nodding and leading her off to the table in the lunchroom Test Tube and I usually sat at to talk about it.

"So apparently... Soap told me that you saved her from getting 'kidnapped' or something, and told me about how the camera was actually a teleportation device of some sort..." Mic said once we sat down.

I nodded. "Yeahhhh... about Soap by the way... I need to tell you something..." I mumbled. I hated to tell her so quickly, but she needed to know. It was better than keeping this from her.

"Soap... kinda got taken despite me trying to stop it... I saw it happen before I came to class..." A wave of guilt rushed over me and I felt horrible for having to tell her that.

Mic stared for a moment, trying to take it all in. "No.. wait your joking right?" Mic chuckled nervously. I shook my head slowly.

Mic's nervous smile faded to a shocked and dissapointed look. "I-Im sorry Mic- I tried to do something but-..." I couldn't find the words to say.

I saw Mic's eyes begin to well up a bit. "Hey hey dont worry we will get her back!" I tried to reassure her but I wasnt even sure we get everyone back.

"Listen... I lost my best friend the same way... and I'm still trying to get her back... but I have this camera that I can communicate to her with and she was ok when I talked to her earlier, we can see if Soap is ok." I say.

Mic's face changed from sad to a little surprised. "Really?" She asked.

I nodded. We then heard the intercom turn on. We both suspected it was someone else being called to get their "picture" taken, but surprisingly, it wasn't. But it may have even been worse.

Paintbrush, please come up to the principal's office.

Crud...

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