[ TW: ABUSE ]
A PUERILE DISPUTE had erupted among the children in the room; and for a moment, it seemed they had all but forgotten who stood before them. The Provider, uncustomarily, did not harangue them for their impertinence. Rather, he simply regarded them with an empty gaze that chilled and cut to the bone. Despite the children's many years of training and indoctrination, they continued to flout the rules and age-old responsibilities foisted upon them by their betters. These dreamers—they had youthful, fickle hearts. Deep inside, they still believed they could fight their destiny.
There was still much for them to learn. Perhaps it was too long since the Provider had reminded them what exactly became of those who defied him.
The worms twisted faster in anticipation.
There was a loud crash and the sound of splintering wood as the Provider pushed Avery from his seat. He did this with such astonishing force that one wondered how a frail old man such as he found the strength to do so. The poor boy lay on the ground weeping, too overcome by fear to find the will to stand. The Provider spared his fallen grandson a brief sidelong glance, mouth contorting grotesquely into a hostile sneer.
He turned to the others.
"DO NOT THINK THAT BECAUSE I CANNOT KILL YOU I WILL NOT TRY TO HARM YOU." Spittle came flying out of his mouth as he said this, and with each venom-laden word the Provider appeared bigger, like a predator cornering its prey. There was a pause as he let the threat hang in the air. He then lifted his hands to caress the worm that curled upon his head, as though to stir it awake. His eyelids fluttered shut.
"I should not have to remind you this is not a choice—"
From his wrists and fingers, the worms fell and slapped wetly onto the cold floor, several at a time. More of them emerged from within the Provider's sleeves and the hem of his robe. More, more, more. There seemed no end to these foul things. They twisted anxiously upon the ground, spurred by an invisible force. With a speed and ferocity as had never been seen in such tiny creatures, they squirmed towards the children in the room.
If there was one thing the children knew about them, it was that they weren't the ordinary, harmless worms that most people were accustomed with.
These worms could
bite.
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