For the first time, I didn't wake up screaming. My eyes opened to my dark room and I just stared silently at the ceiling for a...while. My bed was utterly soaked, awash, and smelled...oh. The feeling of wet sheets and clothes pressing down on me was too much after just a few seconds, and I quickly rose and stripped them off.

I went to the washroom and stepped into the shower. I flinched badly when the warm water began cascading over my skin, but forced myself to stay still. With careful, pointed thoughts I moved my projection around, letting the water wash over me properly. It was a bit of an operation, but just a few minutes later I was clean. I toweled myself until my skin was raw and red before returning to my room and stripping the bed.

After tossing the sheets and pyjamas in the wash, I dressed and made myself a coffee. I sat in the kitchen, staring out the window as it steamed on the counter. Mom came and left without me saying a word in response to her terse 'good morning'. Eventually my coffee grew cold as the sun fully rose and lit the kitchen.

I was late for school. A stupid thing to be concerned about, but even after all that shit it still bothered me. I ignored the clock as best I could, the time would...fuck, time. I didn't have any to waste and here I was fucking moping. I could do that when a monster wasn't about to fucking destroy the city I was stuck in.

I rose and headed straight downstairs. School? Fuck that. Last time I'd gotten within an inch of doing something for real. It felt like I was on the verge of something, a breakthrough...or a breakdown. Hopefully the former first, I could deal with everything else...later. I changed into my leotard and sweatsuit, and grabbed my scarf.

My plan was good. Last time, Tattletale and Skitter had only been suspicious because I approached them like a fucking dumbass. 'Use a code only they know and their names' like they wouldn't freak the fuck out. I headed out the door and began walking towards the Docks. I could use the exercise, and frankly I was getting tired of taking the buses.

So, how to approach them? That silk rope plan would work, I knew it. Something larger, a regular rope, even normal string, would be noticeable. Like I'd heard Legend say three times now, Leviathan was smart. I was starting to get that beaten into my head. So, silk cord plus Clockblocker was still my best bet at killing the Endbringer.

Hell, at this point I'd settle for just wounding him. Lopping off that fucking tail would be a good start to level the playing field. And to get a bit of revenge... My power wouldn't help with that, beyond letting me get close enough for the plan to maybe work. As long as everyone coordinated, something I knew could be done, it would be a cinch.

I just had to pray they had their listening ears on.

The walk was...pretty nice, all things considered. I used it to practice fine control of my projection, things like walking slightly ahead or behind. I didn't know if it would ever be useful, but I figured the more control I had the better. I wasn't sure how I'd died this last time. I remembered that Leviathan got frozen, then had swung his tail, but it somehow hurt? I suddenly gagged, a cloying feeling pressing at my throat. What had--

Oh.

I had to stop in the middle of crossing the road just to not fall the fuck over. I...didn't want to fight Leviathan again. I had to, I knew, but I really didn't want to. Who else would though? Well, almost the entire cape population of Brockton Bay for starters. They wouldn't miss me, they hadn't in canon, but I knew deep down I could make a difference.

Another body on the line was still just that, and that was handy. I could stand in the middle of capes to stop the Endbringer from wiping out whole groups. I was a good distraction since he apparently fucking loved me so much. And what's more, I knew roughly how the fight went, or at least I was slowly learning. And I had to be there because not being there wasn't any better.

I sighed as I passed by a familiar warehouse, a rusted chain sealing a heavy door. I didn't stop though, continuing another block before turning down a sidestreet between two rundown apartments. I ambled along slowly, my eyes roaming. Skitter wouldn't keep all her spiders in one place, and I knew those were the sorts of bugs she paid attention to.

There were plenty of bugs all around though. There was no doubt she could see me right now, the question was how to make her actually look. I started small, pulling up my scarf and hood, then taking a twig and poking a fat black widow sitting in her web. Notably, it didn't react in an instant like a normal one would. Skitter's? Could be a fluke, but I kept going.

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I waved the stick through clouds of flies outside dumpsters, making patterns that were obviously deliberate. Cockroaches that scuttled from under trash bins got prodded this way and that, herded around in circles. I probably looked like a fucking idiot, dancing with insects, but that was fine. A misstep led me to accidentally crushing one of the roaches and I winced. Sorry.

I left that narrow street and walked another block away, finding a couple more widows that I harassed for a minute. I tossed a rock at a hornets nest and kept very still as they tried to assault me. I remained unstung, and after a minute they gave up, returning to their nest. In a perfectly straight line.

My lips twitched with the ghost of a smile. She was trying to be subtle, but now she knew what I was. I made sure to wrap my scarf firmly around my head and face. Tattletale's power was bullshit, but I wanted to give it as little to work with as I could. Plus, I really didn't want them outing me. At least they couldn't really do anything to me physically, if they showed up.

I waited five minutes before leaving the alley and heading back towards their loft. They hadn't come to me, which they should have considering the literal hornets' nest I was poking here. I wandered past Redmond Welding again and across the road, down another street, and then paused. Down a little fork that led to a dead end, I saw...someone. They were standing still, stiffly almost. I'd seen people like that before. I slowly headed down the road until I heard a harsh buzz.

“Far enough,” Skitter said, her words undercut by the sound of her swarm. I stopped moving, raising my hands slowly. “Who are you?”

“I want to buy something off you,” I explained, keeping my voice level. “I knew you guys were around here so...I knocked.” I could practically hear her disapproving frown.

“What makes you think I'm selling?”

“Can't get spider silk anywhere else in this town.” I heard a sharp intake of breath.

“You're awfully well informed.” I gave a minute shrug.

“I don't need much,” I continued. “A couple braided cords, ten feet long roughly. I need them by Friday.”

“Now that's an awfully specific order, young lady,” a gratingly smug voice spoke low in my ear. I barely suppressed a flinch. “I've gotta say, I'm a little curious about it. Aren't you, Skitter?” I heard a thoughtful hum, from Skitter or the swarm I wasn't sure.

“I figured you wouldn't ask questions about business,” I retorted, fighting to keep my voice from quivering. Last time she'd shot me, the bitch. “Let's just say it's life or death. You're smart enough to figure out out.” I winced. That was a little more than I wanted to give her, but she was just so fucking annoying.

“Life or death, you say.” Her voice had an oddly stilted tone. “You seem pretty sure about that. What's your name, little lady?” I narrowed my eyes.

“Inominate,” I replied after a second. Tattletale chuckled.

“Clever.” She didn't sound too happy. “Turn around.” I did. Tattletale looked paler than I recalled, but I didn't pay that much attention. “Now what's a kid like you doing, worrying about 'life and death'?”

“I could ask the same,” I replied smoothly. “But I won't, because I don't care.” Not totally true, but she hadn't exactly endeared herself to me. I was sure the feeling was mutual. “Look me in the eyes and figure it out, Tattletale. You're psychic, right?” The last part was an afterthought. Out-thinking a Thinker was impossible, but I hoped to at least throw her off. Or shut her up.

“Skitter,” Tattletale said, straightening up. Her eyes were wide. “Do it. I'll pay.” My eyes widened.

“No, I will,” I said firmly, despite not having any money. I'd burn that bridge when I came to it.

“Shut up,” she snapped, then pointed at Skitter. “Call Grue and Bitch.” She turned back to me as Skitter left the alley. “You...fuck, I don't have time to figure that out right now. Tell me exactly what's going on on Friday.” I took a deep breath. I didn't really want to tell, but it might give me an in.

“Leviathan,” I replied simply. She scoffed, then paused. The longer she stared at me, the paler she got.

“Ah,” Tattletale said at last. Well, I'd managed to leave her speechless. That was a chip on my shoulder that wasn't going away. “Uh. So these cords are...”

“A plan,” I said. “I don't know if it'll work, but it's better than nothing.” She gulped and nodded.

“Right, right.” She pursed her lips for a moment, then a small smile found its way onto her face. “Well, I'll be the first to say I hope it works.”

“I'll pick it up there,” I said. My eyes flicked briefly to the ground before meeting hers. “Thanks. For offering to pay, I mean.” She nodded.

“Sure, sure.”

Tattletale excused herself and headed the same way Skitter had. Well, she was in the know now. Probably had to make plans with her team. Well if nothing else, I'd probably just made sure all their families got out of the city just fine. And I'd just secured the first part of my plan. Great.

Next I had to talk to Clockblocker, but that wouldn't really be possible til the fight. Running into him would be a matter of chance and, at least here, I wasn't feeling too lucky. I headed for home, a little smile on my face. I'd been killed by Leviathan four times, going in without a good plan. Now though, things were changing. I could feel it.

One more time.