Picture Day (Inanimate Insanity AU)

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 literally 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 him.

"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, "You-know-who 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.