13.09

Chapter 13.09 Summary (1348 words)

Bonesaw hummed a morbid tune, selecting tools for surgery, while Skitter, paralyzed, could only watch. Her powers were partially suppressed, allowing only crude commands. In a desperate shout, she ordered every bug within blocks to attack, a wild, uncontrolled swarm.

Bonesaw, prepared, unleashed an aerosol, decimating the insects. Skitter’s unfocused command persisted, bugs organizing, attempting to outmaneuver the spray. Unfazed, Bonesaw claimed immunity to venoms and the ability to switch off pain, rendering the attacks a mere annoyance.

She produced test tubes, creating a gaseous barrier that killed approaching bugs. Explaining her interest, she touched Skitter’s head, discussing the Corona Pollentia and Gemma, brain regions unique to parahumans, responsible for power management. She detailed how she could manipulate these areas, disabling or modifying powers. The powder used on Skitter crippled the Gemma, hindering active power use while leaving the powers intact.

Intrigued by Skitter’s continued, albeit limited, control, Bonesaw prepared to dissect her, suspecting a strong “passenger” at work, an entity connected to the brain that facilitated powers. Despite Skitter’s conscious effort to maintain breathing, dizziness and disorientation set in. Bonesaw, making slow progress through Skitter’s mask with a small saw, remarked on her excitement to explore Skitter’s brain, promising to put it back afterward. She sliced Skitter’s forehead, blood stinging her eyes, before fetching a larger saw.

Skitter, helpless, tried to use her “passenger” for aid, but to no avail. Exhausted and demoralized, she contemplated giving up, but a stubborn part of her refused. Noticing movement, she realized Parian was present, her stuffed creations still inflated.

Bonesaw, searching for an outlet, continued her monologue about the planned modifications to Skitter’s body, intending to turn her into a living hive. Skitter, stalling, blinked to communicate, engaging Bonesaw in a conversation about her “art.”

Parian’s stuffed dinosaur attacked, interrupting the surgery. Bonesaw, injured but unfazed, deployed mechanical spiders against the dinosaur, while retrieving chemicals. Parian’s creation, though damaged, continued its assault, throwing Bonesaw into a shelf.

The dinosaur began to deflate, revealing Parian. Bonesaw, her face bloodied, taunted Parian about her family, revealing she had surgically altered hostages to resemble the Nine. Parian, enraged, impaled Bonesaw with needles, lifting her into the air.

Bonesaw, having anticipated this, spat a chemical, burning her own mouth but freeing herself. Parian, blinded, stumbled for water that wasn’t there. Bonesaw, declaring herself merciful, decided to leave Parian to her regrets.

Jack Slash and Burnscar appeared, announcing their departure. Bonesaw, allowed to take only three captives, chose Skitter, Tattletale, and Trickster. She began to kill Imp, but stopped, observing Brian’s reaction.

As Burnscar prepared to torch the remaining captives, Brian’s power manifested, a spreading darkness. Bonesaw, eager to record the event, was stopped by Jack. A monochrome, incomplete version of Brian appeared, seizing Bonesaw and her hard drive. Jack, ineffective against the apparition, severed Bonesaw’s hands.

The floor shattered, and the apparition vanished. Brian’s body began to painfully retract, his wounds slowly healing. The monochrome Brian reappeared, removing the restraints and laying Brian down.

Brian, touching Skitter, initiated a healing process, mending her wounds and restoring her powers, though they remained diminished. He then did the same for the others.

On all fours, weeping, Brian was comforted by Imp, who removed her mask. He stood, a barrier of darkness around him, and they began to leave. Skitter, watching Brian, felt utterly helpless, unable to offer comfort or even speak to him without fear of saying the wrong thing. Despite having just escaped Bonesaw’s clutches, she felt more powerless than ever.