23.4

Worm, Chapter 23.4 Summary:

Mrs. Yamada arrives late to her session with Weaver, flustered and apologetic. Weaver notices the office doesn’t suit Mrs. Yamada’s practical demeanor, suspecting it’s borrowed. Mrs. Yamada explains her tardiness was due to a patient reacting badly to recent events, a Ward’s departure.

Shifting the focus to Weaver, Mrs. Yamada begins with a simple “How are you?” Weaver claims to feel better after talking to Glenn and Chevalier, but admits to feeling restless. She describes how her body craves her old routine of running, and how she used to help people, even as a villain, by providing food and planning for the future. Now, she feels like she’s helping less as a Ward.

Mrs. Yamada asks if Weaver thinks society would be better off if everyone acted like her, punishing transgressions harshly. Weaver concedes that it might seem “medieval,” but argues that capes are naturally violent. Mrs. Yamada challenges her on the Brockton Bay Wards, who suffered at Weaver’s hands despite not being like Shadow Stalker. Weaver struggles to explain her past actions, saying it feels like a long time ago.

Moving on, Mrs. Yamada asks what name Weaver prefers. Weaver chooses “Weaver” and declines an offer of tea. Mrs. Yamada explains that this is their “first date,” where she gets a sense of who Weaver is, offering feedback and advice. She asks Weaver if she wants therapy.

Weaver admits it’s obligatory, but Mrs. Yamada clarifies that she can adjust her approach. Weaver says Mrs. Yamada was “pretty decent” to her in Brockton Bay, and Mrs. Yamada asks what Weaver thinks her goal is. Weaver believes it’s to report on her mental state to the PRT and Protectorate, but Mrs. Yamada says her only goal is to help Weaver.

Mrs. Yamada offers two paths: acting as a confidential therapist or as an advocate, setting Weaver up with another therapist and working as a middleman with the PRT and the Warden. Weaver chooses therapy, surprising herself. She admits she’s anxious about not being a good hero and expresses fear that her power isn’t entirely under her control, that a “monster” in her brain is using it without her consent.

Mrs. Yamada asks if Weaver is going to hurt someone, and Weaver denies it, but worries about the possibility. Mrs. Yamada suggests relaxation exercises and meditation, and Weaver proposes using a camera to track her power’s activity.

Weaver expresses a lack of confidence in being a hero, feeling like she’s betraying her past ideals. Mrs. Yamada suggests a walk, and they head to a park where Boston Wards are struggling with a crowd of middle schoolers.

Weaver uses her butterflies to distract the kids, turning it into a game. She explains to the Wards that she used to be a supervillain, allowed to be a jerk. She identifies the stragglers in the crowd and has the Wards interact with them.

Gathering the stragglers at a picnic table, Weaver explains the PRT’s “ploy” to get on their good side in case they get powers. She talks about trigger events, the moment someone gets superpowers, and how parahumans tend to be loners.

Weaver argues that being a villain isn’t worth it, despite the money and power she gained. She asks for paper and pens, getting the kids to write down their worst fears and assigning them powers based on those fears. They then decide whether to be heroes or villains and roll dice to determine their luck.

The exercise reveals that most villains end up dead, maimed, or in jail, while most heroes fare better. Weaver emphasizes that being a cape means beating the odds, and being a villain carries greater risks.

Phones ring, signaling an Endbringer attack. Behemoth is coming to New Delhi. Weaver admits she’s not ready, but Defiant has her old costume, modified. She agrees to go, despite the danger.

Defiant and Dragon arrive in Dragon suits, and Weaver gathers her costume and a jetpack. The kids don’t wish them luck, perhaps understanding the gravity of the situation. As the doors close, Weaver reflects on the meaning of the day, her choice to be a hero, and the uncertain future that lies ahead.