Work Text:
Squirm was wondering in the library past closing hours. The lights were off and the library was almost completely pitch black. As he was wondering he felt his stomach begin to grumble.
Maybe I can see if there’s any food in the diner. As Squirm began walking towards the elevator he felt the grumble in his stomach get bigger and louder. He leaned against a book shelf and looked at the books for a second.
Maybe just one page won’t hurt. He slowly grabbed one of the books and opened it to the acknowledgments. He ripped out a page and stuffed it into his mouth. He shallowed but it wasn’t enough, he ripped another then another then another then another. When he tried again the entire book was gone except for its casing.
No no no nononono. Squirm grabbed his antennas and pulled them down, he felt his breathing hitch and his pulse increase. Then he heard a voice and quickly grabbed the book and ran towards the desk next to the elevator and hid under it.
——————————————-
“Brightney what does the book look like again?” Astro was searching the shelves looking for the clubs book of the week.
”It should have a purple cover with a ladybug on it.” Astro looked through the books again.
”I don’t see it” Brightney and Razzle and Dazzle walked over to Astro.
”What it was right here where’d it go?”
“Maybe someone checked it out?” Dazzle asked.
”I don’t think so. Maybe someone took it when I wasn’t looking.” Brightney was still looking through the selves.
”Maybe me and Razzle and Dazzle could go ask other toons to see if anyone took it.” Astro suggested.
”Yeah that’s a good idea Astro, right Razzle… Razzle!” Dazzle woke up Razzle who was sleeping the entire time.
”Huh oh yea whatever Dazzle says is probably right.” Razzle slumped his head again causing Dazzle to sigh.
“Yea you three do that I’ll check other shelves to see if I placed it in the wrong place.” Brightney walked away deeper into the library while Astro and Razzle and Dazzle walked to the elevator and went down to the toon rooms.
—————————————-
Squirm was still curled up under the desk looking at the cover of the book. It was purple with a ladybug on it. He felt his breath start to hitch again and tears start to well up in his eyes. He ate the book clubs book of the week. When he heard the elevator door close he slowly walked out from under the desk and stood behind it with the book in his arms. Squirm started to think of what he could do. He could put the cover over another book. No, the other cover would give it away. He could make new pages. No,that would take too long. What could he do. When suddenly Squirm remembered a book he saw once. It was more of a guidebook but still he read it and it was for what to do if you ingest something poisonous. The first step was to call authorities, but the second step was what Squirm was thinking of. Once instructed to do so make your self throw up to try and get the poison out of your system, and it listed the steps on how to make yourself throw up. Squirm immediately sat the book cover on the ground, opened it, and positioned himself over it. Before he started the steps he remembered the warning at the bottom of the page, Do not attempt unless instructed to do so by a doctor. This made him hesitate a bit.
But Brightneys going to be so mad. So he ignored the warning. The first step was to drink water and wash your hands but he didn’t have time for that. Slowly Squirm pushed his hand into his mouth, he extended his index and middle finger into his throat. He felt himself gag then he felt the puke come up. He moved his hand and threw up into the book. Squirm wiped his mouth and looked down at the book. There wasn’t enough to fix the book. Slowly he put his hand back into his mouth and extended his fingers again and felt himself gag but before he could throw up again he saw a light in the corner of his eye.
”Oh my god, Squirm what are you doing?!” Before Squirm could stop himself he felt the puke again and threw up into the book again. There was bits of puke stuck in his throat which made him cough.
“I’m sorry Brightney. I ate the book clubs book of the week, but I fixed it. See.” Squirm grabbed the book by the edges and closed it. He stood up and showed the book to Brightney with a weak smile on his face. Brightney grabbed the book and threw it on the ground then wrapped her arms around Squirm. The hug shocked Squirm. Why would she hug him?
”Im sorry Squirm. I’m sorry I made you feel like you needed to do this.” Squirm felt tears fall from Brightneys eyes onto him.
”Please promise me you won’t do this.” Squirm didn’t know if he should promise. He knew how bad the thing he did was, but he also fells cleaner and less disgusting after.
“I promise.” To not do it in the library again.
“Good. Now do you want some water?” Brightney asked as she slowly backed away from the hug. Squirm nodded.
”Okay, I can take you down to the diner right now if you want.” Squirm nodded again. The two walked into the elevator and went down to the diner. When they got there Brightney lead Squirm to the kitchen. He sat on the floor as Brighney filled a cup with water. She walked to him and handed him the cup.
”Thank you” Squirm said as he took a sip from the cup. The initial taste was funny but then it felt hydrating.
“Do you want me to take you back to your room?” Squirm shook his head.
”Okay. Well I should check on the other three. See you Squirm.” Brightney walked into the elevator and disappeared. Squirm just sat there. Maybe he should stop going to the library.
When Squirm walked into his room and shut the door he immediately fell onto his bed and closed his eyes. He tried falling asleep but he just couldn’t. He laid in bed, looking at his ceiling. He started to cry, not for any reason just cause he felt like he needed to cry. He closed his eyes and rolled on his side. He fell asleep.