What if I Was a Worm? - Chapter 4 (Lia)

The earth surrounding Lia was dense and moist, though she was surprised by how much cooler it became, the deeper she dug. She would’ve expected it to grow warmer, but instead, the temperature dropped steadily as she belted out the lyrics to her makeshift digging soundtrack. In fact, she was so occupied by her thoughts, that she completely missed the warning signs and dug straight through a neighboring tunnel.

She paused, then retreated swiftly, only stopping when she became aware of another worm’s presence entering her tunnel.

“Lia? What’s wrong?” Cyrus’s question reached her. The sound of his voice was different. Hearing, in general, was an experience all its own in her wormy body. Every sound was a vibration that echoed through her entire being, causing reactions without any conscious thought.

There’s another worm, she answered mentally, holding her ground as she felt the tremors of the dirt signaling the creature’s approach. Our paths just intersected and . . .

Her words cut off as the worm’s scent assaulted her. Existing without eyes had been a horrifying adaption, but once she’d moved past the initial panic, she’d learned that her sense of smell could be quite colorful, all its own. She could pick up on things her human nose could have never. The scents of decay and death, water, toxins, elementals, safety. Just like with hearing, every smell triggered a different response—an instinct to eat, to hide, to investigate, to flee.

And now . . . with a creature of the same species moving steadily closer, releasing waves of pheromones into the cramped space between them—Lia was hit with a visceral, biological urge to meet them in the middle. She could feel her clitellum moistening in response, her thoughts jumbled against the force of the instinct driving her body.

“LIA,” the familiar vibrations shook the walls of the tunnel around her, making the other worm pause in their advance as well. “DO NOT FUCK THAT WORM.”

Guilt and disgust rose in equal waves, threatening to pull her under as she evaluated the situation with fresh clarity.

“Turn me,” Cyrus’s voice continued, his voice still elevated, but diverted. “Turn me into a worm, right fucking now!”

Calm down, Lia called back, pivoting an abrupt ninety degrees and launching straight into the wall to her left. I wasn’t going to.She huffed, not entirely believing her own shaky thoughts.

“Oh yes you were.”

How would you know?

“Because I can hear your thoughts,” he answered, matter-of-fact.

She slowed, considering. She’d known he was picking up on her words mentally, but . . .

All of them? She asked. His lack of response was clarification enough. That’s such an invasion of privacy.

“It’s not like I have a choice in the matter! Do you think I enjoyed hearing your plans to make little affair worm babies?”

Oh. My— just— shut the hell up, Cyrus. The grotesque image of a half-human, half-worm hybrid baby rose to mind and she tunneled quicker. Fleeing that vision, her instincts, or the strange worm itself, she wasn’t sure, but she pushed her body to the very limits, digging at a relentless pace until the wall before her gave way entirely and she fell forward out of the ceiling and into a much larger tunnel below.

The vibrations of a significantly heavier creature moving about urged her to launch back into the walls, but the chemical scent stilled her. The smell of fur.

Cyrus, She called out mentally. I think I found him.

Nothing. Did telepathy have a range limit?

Cyrus?

She wriggled forward cautiously, making sure to stick close to the wall for an easy escape as she changed her focus, calling out into the dark, Lukas?

Who’s asking? A gritty, withered voice answered.

My name is Lia. Elda sent me to deliver a message. She, uh, she wanted you to know she was sorry. Her words were met with complete and utter silence. It stretched between them, making her draw even closer to the wall as she prepared to dive in once more. Right, well, since that was all I was asked to—

She’s SORRY? The words exploded between them. She’s not sorry. She’s probably got herself into trouble again and needs my help. And I’ll tell you what, you go tell her that I said she can take her sorry and shove it up h—

Your help? Lia interrupted, curiosity winning out. No offense, but what is a gopher meant to do to help?

You think you’re the only person Elda has turned into an animal?

Understanding dawned swiftly. You’re a human.

I am.

So . . . are you like her enemy or something?

Worse. He snorted. I’m her husband.

Then why . . .

Why did she turn me into a gopher? Because she’s a psycho, that’s why. He grumbled, before admitting in a rush, And I ate her funnel cake, alright? She’s got this whole thing about sharing food.

Lia hummed loudly as she worked to cover up her laughter. It wasn’t funny. It wasn’t funny at all. That does sound like a bit of an overreaction.

No shit.

But . . . she wiggled a few inches closer to his voice. How does pouting for, uh, forever in a dark hole underground fix anything?

Well, she hates it, so that’s one good reason. Plus, it’s quiet. And it’s not forever. Just until I get sick of it, a week or two more, maybe, then I’ll dig my way up and she’ll turn me back. This may be your first time, kid, but it ain’t my first rodeo.

Uhh . . . Lia wasn’t sure if her wormy face could make expressions, but internally, at least, she grimaced. About that timeline . . .

You were going to leave me behind!? Lukas shouted ahead as they neared the surface, Lia hanging on by the skin of her teeth. Literally. As soon as they broke free and Lukas lunged up onto the grass, she relaxed her jaw and tumbled from his back with a relieved, and mildly nauseated, sigh.

“Of course not.” Elda huffed. “I sent the child for you, did I not?”

Lia could feel the vibrations of his tiny, furious steps moving away, toward Elda. Maybe if you stopped turning me—

“Lia, baby,” Cyrus’s voice was soft and distracting as the light from his phone flashlight passed over her body. “Are you okay?”

Cyrus. I just dug my way through a dozen layers of earth, hunted down a transfigured gopher, and then rode said gopher like a bucking bronco through underground tunnels. How do you think I am?

“Hmm,” he hummed, scooping her up in his palm, and shifting the light to examine her stamp. “It sounds like you’re a badass.”

She considered his words for a moment, then nodded. I am a badass.

“A badass who could use a little pick-me-up?” He asked, sprinkling a pinch of coffee beside her head.

She sighed. You’re the love of my life, you know that? He laughed softly, his breath ghosting over her skin, causing her to curl protectively around her treat as the grains shifted, threatening to fly free. Watch it, you giant mouth-breather.

Cyrus laughed loudly in response, then turned, directing his words toward Elda, no doubt. “Hey, you two, wait— what the hell? Who are you? Where did the gopher go?”

Lia slowed her chewing, listening intently.

“That’s me,” a familiar voice answered. But instead of sliding through her mind with the ease she’d grown used to with Lukas, it vibrated in the air between them, in the same way Cyrus and Elda’s voices did.

He was human again.

What’s he look like?

“Old,” Cyrus answered at the same time that Elda said, “Handsome.”

“Watch it,” the witch continued, her tone sharp.

“Lia did your task, Elda,” Cyrus said instead, blazing right past the warning. “You said you’d give her body back.”

“Well,” Elda paused, her voice teasing. “It’s not actually something I can do . . . but I can tell you how.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Cyrus sighed, sounding defeated. “I’m ready. Tell me.”

“It’s quite simple actually . . .”

They waited with bated breath as the tension built.

“A kiss will do.”

Cyrus released his breath in a great rush. “Are you serious? Just any kiss?”

Don’t say it, Lia begged the old woman.

“True love’s kiss,” Elda clarified with a cackle, making Lia groan aloud.

“I . . . told you so,” Cyrus hissed, his tone remarkably smug despite the vehemence in which his words were delivered. But then the air was shifting between them as his head moved closer, wasting no time.

Wait. Lia called, turning to direct her question toward Elda. He’s not going to turn into a worm, is he?”

“I guess there’s only one way to find out,” the witch said, a smile in her tone.

But before Lia could question her further, she felt warm lips against her skin, and the world faded away into nothingness.

Lia sat up, her eyes flaring wide as she scanned her surroundings. She was in her bedroom, beneath her covers, warm and comfortable. Her hand flew up and she blinked at the sparkle of the diamond on her finger.

Until the arm that she’d been using as a pillow loped its way around her back, causing her to twist in place, staring down at the glorious sight of Cyrus, sprawled out to her left.

“Stop jumping,” he mumbled, pulling her in closer to his body. But then his eyes snapped opened as well, and he raised up on his elbows, taking in her presence with the eyes of someone who was seeing a ghost. He reached forward, snagging her arms and falling back onto the bed as he pulled her in for a tight hug. “I think— I, uh, I think I might’ve gone overboard with the fair goodies last night. I had some very strange dreams.”

“Same,” Lia answered, her tone muffled against his burly chest. “Very strange.” Dreams of dirt and vibrations and lots and lots and lots of coffee.

They pulled apart, and Lia’s eyes bounced between his, trying to determine exactly what he was thinking. What dreams he had. What he remembered.

But then he pushed to his feet and the sight of his long legs and artfully curved backside distracted her mind. “I think we need coffee before we talk.”

“Right. Yes. Coffee.” Lia nodded, her gaze flitting back up. “Good.”

Cyrus bent forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead before walking away.

She wanted to question him, but he was right—coffee first. She shivered in his absence and stood, pulling off her shirt as she stepped into the closet with the intention to change into something warmer before beginning her interrogation.

Until she paused, her mind second guessing what she’d just seen. She backtracked a step, stopping in front of the floor length mirror. Her shoulders twisted to the side, angling to get a better view as she moved closer, and closer, her eyes zeroed in on the small of her back, where the tiniest mark caught her eye. Nestled in the hollow of her waist—a perfect, pink, tiny little smudge that looked remarkably like a . . . jellyfish.

“Hey, Lia?” Cyrus’s voice called from the other side of the bathroom door, distracting her mind once more.

“Yes?”

“I love you, you know?”

Warmth spread through her body as she smiled at her reflection. “I know.” She opened the door, accepting the mug he offered, and was just about to come out and ask when he continued with a sneaky, crooked smile twisting his lips . . .

“Even if you were a worm.”