12.08

Chapter 12.08 Summary (922 words)

Exhausted and injured from her fight with Mannequin, Skitter struggled to get out of bed, every movement a painful reminder of the encounter. A cold shower, the best her damaged lair could offer, did little to improve her condition. The city’s infrastructure was in shambles, mirroring her own state.

Descending to the second floor, she found a semblance of order, thanks to the metal shutters protecting the windows. The third floor, however, was a disaster. Sierra and Charlotte, two of her people, were already downstairs. A shattered spice cabinet dashed Skitter’s hopes for a decent breakfast. Frustration mounted as she realized the extent of the damage and the limitations it imposed. The inability to protect her people and the city from the Nine weighed heavily on her.

She assigned tasks: Charlotte was to deliver a message to Regent, a friend, and gather information, while Sierra was to start cleaning and prepare a makeshift meal. The mention of Armsmaster during a conversation with Sierra brought a fresh wave of weariness. A reminder of a past she’d rather forget, a past where she’d aimed to be a hero but ended up on a different path.

As Skitter began sweeping up the glass in her bathroom, she used her bugs to collect smaller shards throughout the house, a small attempt to regain control amidst the chaos. Uncertainty about Tattletale and her father, coupled with the disruption of her routine, soured her mood further. The task of cleaning, while providing a semblance of order, couldn’t fully distract her from the weight of her responsibilities.

An unexpected visitor, Grue, arrived, expressing concern over Skitter’s reckless confrontation with Mannequin. She defended her actions, citing the immediate danger to her people. Grue, however, remained unconvinced, pointing out the high probability of death according to their earlier calculations. He urged her to prioritize rest and adopt a defensive strategy. Skitter, driven by a hidden motive, refused.

Their conversation shifted to Tattletale’s condition. While not life-threatening, she had sustained an injury that would leave a scar. Grue found her nonchalant reaction perplexing, but Skitter offered an explanation, suggesting that Tattletale dealt with stress by confronting it head-on, a trait evident in her combat style.

Grue then turned the focus back to Skitter, expressing concern over her relentless drive. He questioned her recent actions, attributing them to a deal she had made with Coil. Skitter, hesitant at first, revealed the partial truth: the deal involved proving her worth to Coil in exchange for Dinah’s release. However, she harbored doubts about Coil’s intention to honor the agreement, suspecting that Dinah’s abilities were too valuable for him to relinquish.

An interruption, signaled by Sierra, brought them back to the present. Three young individuals, remnants of the ABB, approached, offering their services. They had heard of Skitter’s fight with Mannequin and, surprisingly, expressed respect for her. They acknowledged her past conflicts with the ABB but were willing to work for her, seeking a different kind of leadership. Skitter, emphasizing her focus on protecting her territory and its people, laid down the rules: no violence, no drug dealing, no prostitution, no threats, and no substance abuse outside of personal time.

She led them to a large, relatively undamaged garage, assigning them the task of cleaning it up. The building, she explained, would serve as a central hub, a place to consolidate her people and resources, fostering a sense of community and improving their collective resilience. Grue expressed skepticism, but Sierra interjected, suggesting that the timing was opportune, as word of Skitter’s actions against Mannequin was spreading, bolstering her reputation.

Another group of young men arrived, also seeking to join. Skitter, surprised by the sudden influx of volunteers, instructed Sierra to oversee their work, promising payment for their efforts. Grue reiterated his concern about her accelerated pace, but Skitter remained resolute, driven by the urgency of her mission to save Dinah.

Finally, she confided in Grue the full extent of her dilemma. If she failed to impress Coil, he would likely keep Dinah, leaving Tattletale and her with the daunting task of taking him down, a task she believed they would fail. This revelation underscored the immense pressure she was under, the reason behind her relentless drive, and the precariousness of her situation.