Hathaway stared wide-eyed beneath the swamp outside, where the monstrous worm flickered in and out of sight, as though Jenny's fear had taken physical form.
"That worm can only see things that move. They used to grab my brother and me by the arms, cut our fingers, and wave them in front of it. It has enormous mouthparts, and poison glands inside its body-"
"Stop talking!"
Hathaway rushed over and clapped a hand over Jenny's mouth, but her strength was nowhere near that of Jenny, who had already begun Physical Awakening. Jenny broke free at once and seized her arm in a crushing grip.
"Ahh-look outside!"
Hathaway spoke through the pain. Only then did Jenny glance outside, while Marlin, who had also been about to stop Jenny, instinctively looked out as well.
"Hiss-"
Marlin sucked in a sharp breath, while Jenny released Hathaway's arm and stumbled back to the deepest part of the tree hollow.
"A w-worm! It's here? It's here!"
Intense fear made Jenny's body tremble uncontrollably. She could barely get her words out.
"Fear magnifies our weaknesses. Fear draws the malice here toward us. Fear can even create the most horrifying monsters."
Hathaway spoke softly as she rubbed her arm. Jenny's grip had left a distinct mark on her skin, and the Otherworld's heavily muted, grayish colors made it look like a bruise on a corpse.
Marlin looked at the terrified Jenny, then turned to Hathaway and gave a slight shake of her head.
"Crrrk, crrrk-"
The sound of wood being compressed made all three of them stiffen. Then they slowly raised their heads together.
"Crrrk-"
Outside the hollow where they hid, a huge, disgusting worm had coiled around the entire thick, dead tree. Its terrifying mouthparts gaped downward, exposing densely packed teeth and slime.
"Please, don't leave