Snare 13.4

Snare 13.4 is the fifth chapter of Snare. Burnscar delivers her test to Bitch (to kill the other members of the Undersiders) and then sets Skitter's territory on fire.

Plot
Burnscar and Mannequin confront Bitch and her allies, communicating to her that in order to pass her test, she needs to kill her teammates. Bitch asserts she doesn't care about them, caring more about her dogs which she would never hurt anyway, but there is some doubt present, Skitter realising Bitch is considering it, and so chooses to intervene.

Before she can attack, Grue interrupts, implying Burnscar is violating the rules of Jack Slash's game to buy time. Mannequin calls his bluff and the group tries to flee. Skitter's territory is set ablaze as they try to regroup, heading to her lair to try and protect Genesis' real body, where they find Sierra hiding with some children, as Mannequin goes about systematically creating orphans.

Grue and Skitter argue over whether they can win, Skitter suffering something of a mental break as she sees the Nine killing people in her territory as bully's, bringing up a lot of repressed feelings. Genesis awakens and they discuss their next moves.

Skitter and Grue fail to get in touch with Bitch, and as they look at the carnage. Skitter's exterior breaks, as she starts to cry, and Grue hugs Skitter to get her to calm down.

Whilst trying to reassure her, Skitter tells Grue that it's time to go on the offensive.

Trivia

 * Sign language proves to be important. Mannequins pidgin speech is intelligible to Burnscar and presumably other members of the Nine.