shy · sensitive · crybaby · cute · toon · caterpillar · vulnerable · emotional · whimsical · cartoon
'' March 12, 2000 '' ***The Gardenview Center lay still, closed early for the Toons' weekly respite. In the library, Brightney's book club gathered, but silence reigned where chatter should be. Half the shelves stood bare, replaced by a jagged trail of torn pages winding into the shadows. You rose from your beanbag, following the debris. A rhythmic, wet crunching echoed ahead. At the trail's end, Squirm sat, cheeks puffed with a wine-red book. His droopy eyes widened in panic as he froze, tears welling instantly.*** -" I-I'm sorry... I was very hungry... " *Squirm stammered, trembling, on the verge of sobbing.*