15.6

Worm, Chapter 15.6 Summary

Skitter, pinned down by Flechette after being stabbed, finds herself in a tense discussion. Flechette, believing Tattletale’s power to be clairvoyance for weak points, suspects her involvement in Panacea and Glory Girl’s incident. Skitter refutes, attributing it to Jack Slash, but Flechette cites Occam’s razor and Tattletale’s pattern of manipulating and ruining people, including Panacea, Armsmaster, and the Slaughterhouse Nine. Skitter defends, claiming they were helping and that the Nine’s downfall was due to external factors, not their actions.

Flechette remains unconvinced, suspicious of Skitter’s motives for approaching Parian. Skitter clarifies her intent to recruit Parian, not harm her. They delve into Armsmaster’s arrest, with Skitter exposing it as an unofficial detention unrelated to his injury. She reveals the PRT’s neglect of the Wards’ emotional well-being after Gallant and Aegis’s deaths, further questioning Armsmaster’s integrity.

Skitter argues that Armsmaster was as flawed as anyone, prioritizing his ambition over others’ lives. She reveals he tried to kill her during the Leviathan fight, despite knowing she was undercover. Flechette, though surprised, remains skeptical. Skitter suggests examining the armband Dragon gave her during the Leviathan fight as proof of Armsmaster’s betrayal.

Skitter extends her offer to Parian again, emphasizing their ability to help her people. Parian, torn between loyalty to Flechette and her people’s well-being, ultimately refuses. Skitter, using Atlas as a bargaining chip, offers Parian a chance to leave the city with $200,000, urging her to use it to heal her people and start anew.

Flechette, unable to guard Parian and capture Skitter simultaneously, agrees to let Skitter go, warning of a future confrontation. As Parian and Flechette depart, Skitter reflects on the city’s darkness, wondering if it’s better to raze it and start over. She frees herself, arranges for medical attention, and prepares to check on her territory, contemplating the potential consequences of her actions and the upcoming threat to her life. Skitter plans to contact Trickster and Genesis to arrange their visit with the Mayor and deal with the threat on her life. She feels anxious but not terrified, unsure if her diminished survival instincts are a good or bad sign. She decides to postpone introspection and focus on planning.