18.2

Worm, Chapter 18.2 Summary

Dinah’s voice, tinged with fear, breaks through Skitter’s thoughts, “They won’t take me back.” Skitter, ever the pragmatist, reassures her, despite Dinah’s dread-filled premonition, “They will.” Dinah laments her altered appearance and diminished appetite, a consequence of Coil’s constant drugging. She fears her parents’ rejection, that the fear she once saw in their eyes will solidify into a permanent barrier.

Skitter counters, explaining the meaning of “parahuman,” a term Dinah misinterprets as “half-human.” Skitter shares a personal connection to language, a remnant of her late English teacher mother. This prompts Dinah to suggest Skitter reconnect with her estranged father, underscoring the importance of parents.

The scene shifts, and they are in a car, the aftermath of the clinic visit. Dinah is in the throes of withdrawal, the pain relentless despite painkillers. She repeats her fear like a mantra, “They’re not going to take me.” Skitter, aware of Dinah’s power-induced haze, tries to distract her by offering to comb her hair.

As they arrive at Dinah’s house, Skitter suggests a gentle approach, but Dinah, consumed by fear, asks Skitter to check if her parents want her. Skitter approaches the house, the parents armed and wary. She explains the situation: Coil is dead, Dinah is free but recovering from addiction. Her parents, though initially hesitant, are relieved to have their daughter back.

Dinah’s reunion with her parents is bittersweet. Skitter, having played a part in Dinah’s abduction, feels a complex mix of emotions. She decides to deal with Noelle and the impending apocalypse without exploiting Dinah’s powers, a decision that feels both right and foolishly restrictive.

Back at Tattletale’s headquarters, the Undersiders, along with Ballistic and a new recruit, Parian, prepare for the next move. Parian, a fabric manipulator, is hesitant but agrees to help, taking over a shelter and surrounding territory.

As they travel towards Noelle’s last known location, the discussion turns to strategy. Tattletale is the operational leader, Skitter the field commander. Ballistic, having filled them in on Noelle’s abilities, decides to sit out the fight, fearing she might use him against them. He paints a grim picture of Noelle: a tactical genius fueled by raw emotion, capable of absorbing dead matter and creating monstrous, stronger clones of living beings.

The Undersiders grapple with the moral dilemma of killing Noelle. Skitter advocates for containment, suggesting a combination of her webs, containment foam, and the assistance of heroes like Vista and Clockblocker. Ballistic, however, is skeptical, arguing that Noelle is no longer the person she once was.

Parian, who had joined to protect people, is conflicted. She reveals her reluctance to fight, a promise she made to her younger self to battle Endbringers, but not this. Tattletale interrupts, warning them of the approaching Protectorate and Wards. Parian decides to stay but not fight.

The chapter ends with a tense standoff between the Undersiders and the heroes, led by Miss Militia. She accuses them of the recent destruction and mentions their history of “kidnapping” heroes, including Shadow Stalker, Piggot, Calvert, and, most recently, Vista. Skitter realizes the implications: Dinah’s prediction of no major damage before dawn was wrong. Someone is missing, and the situation is far more dangerous than they anticipated.