18.1

Worm, Chapter 18.1 Summary

The scene opens in the aftermath of a confrontation, with a damaged vault door and a sense of urgency. Skitter, Grue, Dinah, and Regent descend into the vault, where the air is thick with a foul odor. Dinah, a young precognitive, speaks softly, commanding attention despite her small stature. She reports a minimal chance of serious damage before dawn, offering a brief respite.

Tattletale discusses the situation, revealing that Coil had sent the Travelers to her for help with Noelle, who has undergone physical changes. The Travelers believed she was turning into an Endbringer, but Tattletale has two theories: either Noelle is becoming a host for an Endbringer-like entity, or someone is attempting to create their own Endbringer. She lists potential culprits, including the Protectorate, the mysterious group Cauldron, and various megalomaniac tinkers.

Dinah interjects, mentioning her impending withdrawal from the drugs she’s been forced to take. Tattletale and Grue discuss strategies, considering contacting Ballistic for his account of events and regrouping before dawn. They also seek a trustworthy doctor for Skitter and Dinah’s medical needs.

The group splits up, with Skitter, Grue, Rachel, and Dinah heading to a clinic in one of Coil’s trucks. Skitter focuses on scanning the area with her swarm, aware of the threat Noelle poses. Rachel and Dinah have a brief conversation about Bentley, Rachel’s dog. Rachel explains her training methods, and Skitter suggests that dogs need to adapt to people as much as people need to adapt to them.

At the clinic, Dinah reveals that Skitter will be the cause of trouble 80% of the time. The clinic staff, accustomed to treating supervillains, doesn’t react to their arrival. They explain their injuries: gunshots that didn’t penetrate costumes, withdrawal symptoms, and smoke inhalation coupled with chest pain.

Skitter and Dinah share a room, and Dinah discusses the end of the world, a topic Coil had frequently questioned her about. She reveals that the chance of the world ending has increased to 97.79073%. Coil had tried to understand the event but found it difficult due to the many capes with powers that interfered with Dinah’s precognition. She mentions five major groups of capes and armies that gather from around the world, but she can’t provide details on why or how. Coil, initially interested in preventing the catastrophe, shifted his focus to minimizing damage after realizing his efforts had little impact on the numbers.

Skitter removes her costume, revealing a burn. Dinah, despite her impending withdrawal, answers Skitter’s questions about the end of the world. Skitter wonders if killing everyone in her power’s reach would change the chance of the event, but Dinah says it wouldn’t. Skitter admits to killing Coil but assures Dinah she’s not the kind of villain who would kill indiscriminately.

Dr. Brimher enters, explaining that Rachel was uncooperative and her fee will be refunded. She examines Skitter, diagnosing a fractured rib and prescribing treatment for smoke inhalation and eye irritation. She then turns to Dinah, who admits to being undernourished due to involuntary incarceration. Dinah describes her withdrawal symptoms and predicts the timeline, revealing this will be her first and hopefully last time experiencing it. Skitter suggests an induced coma, but Dinah says she has to go through it the hard way to avoid relapse.

The doctor leaves to prepare a room, and Skitter offers to stay with Dinah. Dinah insists Skitter needs to help with Noelle. Skitter asks Dinah if she sees anything related to “Medhall” in the clinic, suspecting a connection to the former white supremacist gang leader, Kaiser. Dinah doesn’t know.

Skitter promises to find another place for Dinah to recuperate after getting instructions from the doctor. Dinah, sounding anxious, asks for only a couple more questions. Skitter asks about their chances of coming out okay, and Dinah gives a 64.2% chance. The chance for the rest of the city is lower, around 18.2258%.

Dinah mentions her chance of getting home is 58.5%, and Skitter realizes Dinah is aware of Skitter’s subconscious thoughts about retaining her help. Skitter assures Dinah that she won’t exploit her and promises to get her home within twenty-four hours, even if it means shouldering more risk. Dinah thanks her, relieved.