PigtailPrincess Posted February 1 Author Report Posted February 1 On 1/31/2026 at 5:57 AM, SquirtleSquad said: Part 1 : Reveal hidden contents Question 1: So here we see the Commodore having the men join on the journey to the island and saying he specifically kept the reason from them to avoid mutiny. What are your thoughts on this? Do they deserve to know or is it all part of the job? ~I always tend to lean in favor of keeping people informed and giving them choices/options. However, it really seems expected when venturing out to sea there’s going to be a certain amount of unknown no matter what. Question 2: Here we meet an abused boy coming to meet the ship crew. Do you think he was left alive on purpose? Or escaped? Something else? If on purpose any guesses why? ~At first, I thought he had escaped. Until his interactions with the crew, which leads me to believe he’s there for a reason. He seems like he’ll be an important character. Question 3: Here Lillias coworker is pregnant and therefore makes her clean the bathrooms. Lillian seems gracious about it, what about you? If you were her and not only terrified of bathrooms but also getting the shitty job how would you react? ~When I was younger I would have reacted similarly to Lillian. I would have been happy to help, and offered it willingly. Even if it was traumatic to me. I’d hope now that I’d advocate for myself and offer to help in a way that isn’t traumatic to me. Question 4: OK another guessing question. I wanna hear all your theories about these worm things. What are they? Why do the people who have them go to water? Why the smell? And anything else you wanna add for guesses. ~ Hear me out, what if the worm things are a part of a hive mind. Where in they are all connected, and to a leader/ queen like thing in the water. That would explain why the people who have them are led to the water and whatever is in the water. Question 5: So here we have Conner (Bees Dad) insisting that her mom had cut her wrists. Do you think this is truly what he saw or knows? If not why do you think he might lie? ~ To me he seems like the blissful ignorance type, or maybe he’s in denial. I don’t seem him lying for ulterior motives. However, I do feel like I still need a lot more information. Question 6: Here Lillia has an altercation with the undeniably gross Conner. Do you think we have seen most of him or do you think he ends up playing a bigger part? Extra points for guesses on his part yet to play. ~I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him, I believe Angelo’s going to continue to use him, knowing Connor’s need for Angelo’s support. Angelo will continue to take advantage of til he’s in to deep. Question 7: Attempted the beginning of the chapter Lillia describes Professor Wilkins office and says it matches his personality perfectly but doesnt go into much detail. From the things she lists what assumptions would you make about him? ~ Just me or anyone else getting book that opens a secret passage vibes from Wilkins? I’m not sure why but this guy leads me to think he’s got secrets about his secrets. I wanna know, but I also don’t 🫣 Question 8: So the worm or Noctisoma seems to trigger aggression and paranoia. While I know we aren’t disease or body specialists, any guesses on the reasoning behind this? ~ Going back to my hive mind idea, if the thing controlling the worms can use them to connect to each host. It could be using their aggression and paranoia to motive them into doing its bidding. Question 9: So here a man is being punished for theft, specifically of research. Any ideas before they tell us on how you think they found out and stopped it before he could complete the sale? We also see that execution is on the table for punishment, for the crime of stealing, is this too much? Justified? ~ There would have to be a mole, how else would they have been in time to stop it. If there wasn’t I imagine they’d have found out after the fact and ended up playing catch up. I personally don’t agree with harm coming to people. Question 10: Attempted the end of the chapter we see the execution performed. Are you suprised at the method chosen? Any other thoughts on the way they choose to dole out death? ~ As far as execution goes, this made me think of pretty little liars “two can keep a secret if one of them is dead”. I can see how someone in an extremely secret situation could think death would be the best way to insure secrets are preserved. I don’t think taking life is a form of justice. Question 11: Another day another run in with Angelo our least favorite creep. Connor still seems oblivious. Do you think he really doesnt realize? If so why? And if not why would he hide his head in the sand that way? ~Connor will continue to stay in his realm of blissful ignorance until he is literally forced out at knife point, in my opinion. His sense of obligation toward Angelo is always gonna be a sting he’s manipulated by until he sees Angelo’s darkest creepy side out right. The first time we met Connor I thought “this guy is the definition of eyes wide shut”. It feels more and more true the more we read about him. Question 12: So our guy in chapter 8 appears to have some SERIOUS issues with sex. He seems to loathe 90% of what it involves. Does it surprise you that he seeks it out so regularly anyways? Any thoughts on future reasons or insight into his touch phobia? Do you think it will cause future issues? ~ it’s not surprising to me he seeks it out, I think part of the scientific mind is largely curiosity. I really like the touch of finding work arounds to explore his curiosity, while not triggering his phobia. I could think of several future problems, what if there’s no longer cadavers? How about if it’s no longer enough? Question 13: So in chapter 10 we have an autopsy being performed. There are two interesting finds: the stench that is described as worse than anything and the striations or markings on the bone. What are your explanation/guesses for the reasoning behind them? ~ I’m guessing the worms dying off causes both. I can’t begin to understand how, and I honestly don’t want to 😅 Question 14: Here we see the worm has evolved, growing teeth. This type of evolution normally takes a very long time. Any guesses on what type of future evolution we may see? ~ I find it so odd that they got teeth. I personally was expecting more of a tadpole to frog type morph. However I guess it makes sense considering they feed off humans. Question 15: So Lippincott really really has it out for the teacher who suggested Lillia to the college Professor Langmore. Any guesses why? It would seem a drunk fail out would be below him after all. ~ I would definitely think it has to do with the secret society ties. Having a in is the most important. Even more so than all the money or even drunkenness. When it comes to the secret society it seems knowledge is power. Especially when that knowledge is life or death. I believe that’s why Bramwell withholds so much information. Question 16: So Lippincott is desperate for human trials to begin with the parasite and pur main man insists it is too early and would be irresponsible. However we know he has already been conducting them on humans in secret. Why do you think he is being so secretive abput it and also rushing the process? ~ I think it started off him redeeming his family’s reputation, then morphed into something much darker. I feel like we’re still missing a hidden part to his true motives. Question 17: So we learn that the boyfriend of the girl who dissapeared splashed acid on Doctor Death and after the incident he only got expelled. Do you find this strange? Any ideas why legal action wasnt taken? Is the story behind the scarring not accurate possibly? ~ I don’t find it strange, especially in a place where people have such extreme power over others. All it takes is one person having a benefit of expelling him and keeping it hush hush. Then it’s done. I don’t think the stories are accurate, how much can you really believe when the story isn’t coming from someone involved first hand? I would said take it with a grain of salt. Question 18: Here we learn that, before it kills, the parasite has some posative affects. From everything we know so far any guesses on how this parasite could be used by society? For good or for bad. ~ If they could find a way to limit it to removing toxins from the body then removing itself, it could cure a lot of ailments. You could also use it to drive the worst parts of people. So it would also have to be closely monitored to not be abused by bad intentions. Question 19: So when it comes to Barletta, Dr Deaths prisoner, does anything So far suprise you about him? Either before or after the parasite. ~ It’s always horrible to see those at there worst kicked while they are down. It’s almost even more traumatic to know this person could have been dynamic, with the positive effects of the parasite. Given hope then it’s snatched away. It’s so sad to know he has no future 😞 Question 20: This one is for fun. Find a picture (real, AI, artwork any will do) of our black moth friend. If you are an artist feel free to craft your own. ~ I don’t know why but I saw this one and now this is the picture I have in my head. To me it screams “Danger! Danger, Will Robinson‼️ “ Question 21: What do you think is the point in discussing somewhat top secret parasite information with students at the university? Why the NDA? What is your guess on what's so important that they must keep it so secret? ~ The NDA seems like a power move to me, they don’t want their secrets getting out. The NDA is the easiest way to keep these somewhat purposefully oblivious students from knowing too much without explaining anything they wish to keep to themselves. Question 22: So here we find out that Angelo has possibly been targeted by the schools cult group. On pure guess so you think this is in relation to Lilia or is it something else altogether. If the latter any guesses on what he did to warrant the attention? ~ I think this dude is the definition of “the ick” and he gave the wrong person that ick. Lilia is just wrapped into it unfortunately. Question 23: So Professor Gilchrist is clearly VERY jealous/threatened by Lilia being in the advanced class with Professor Bramwell. Do you think this a coincidence or do you think, regardless of them claiming not, that he has had relations with students before? ~ He doesn’t give off the “this is my whatever number student in however many years”. He doesn’t seem like the type to create a lot of vulnerability physically or other wise. I think Lilia brings out a lot of insecurities in Gilchrist. Which causes her to spiral more than necessary. Question 24: I know we are meant to be into the aloof professor but if you witnessed the conversation with him and his occasional lover what would your thoughts and attraction level be? ~ Honestly I couldn’t deal with the lack of vulnerability. He’s got walls on walls. Just the thought of it is off putting to me. I need a deep emotional connection before I begin to consider attraction. I don’t think it’s ever get there with him. Question 25: So our parasite is most active around midnight according to the school and Lilias memory. Any guesses on why this might be? ~ If it has anything to do with the host. I’d assume it’s because (usually) around midnight humans are sleeping and their bodies began a reboot cycle of all the organs as we sleep. So the parasite has a unique opportunity to attack and feed. Which it wouldn’t during the day. If it has to do with the parasite it could be that whatever is controlling/ driving them is more powerful during midnight. Or even that it’s intelligent enough to know its prey is weaker in sleep and thus more active then. Question 26: As Bramwell is looking into Lilia he talks about being inmedietly intrigued even before reading about her mother, listing her being valedictorian and lead in track and field as the reasons. However, this does seem odd as this is a school full of students who excell heavily. So what do you think really interestes him? Is it fate? The forbidden? Unusual background and story of how she ended up at the school? Or something else? ~ I think it’s her under dog story. There something about perseverance that form connection between people who share it. Bramwell seems like one of them. Also she makes more out of less, where more than 90% of her peers come from some ridiculous wealth or means. She’s a breath of fresh air in this dusty school. Question 27: Here Gilchrist has gone above Bramwells head to try and remove Lilia from his class. Do you think she will play a major problem in the future or a minor inconvenience? ~ I’m not sure to be honest, she seems set on leaning into the jealously. That being said Bramwell was blunt about her not continuing her jealous obsession with Lilia. She has to know how bad it’s going to end for her continuing to bark up this tree. Some people can’t let things go, Gilchrest for sure seems like one of those people. Question 28: So here we see the professor throwing knives and Lilia is drawn to the danger it seems. Considering how cautious she has had to be in life do you think her lack of self preservation is odd or somewhat justified? ~ It makes perfect sense to me that she has had to be super cautious, now given the chance to explore something dangerous she’s gonna be curious. If anything that’s the opposite of lack of preservation. Learning about the danger keeps you safer from it, right? Was that the right time/place, probably not. I doubt she’s gonna get a lot of others. Question 29: Here the professor has a major headache episode along with a long seizure. Any thoughts on what brings these episodes on or makes them worse? ~ What if the professor intense research on the parasite actually comes from a need to cure an illness/ genetic disease that his family has had. I’ve been wondering what his darker motive is, this could make a lot of sense especially as to why he wouldn’t want anyone else knowing. Question 30: Here we learn that Devrycks brother is now deceased and he seems very upset by it, more so than a normal death. What do you think the circumstances surrounding his death might be? ~ It makes sense Devryck would have guilt surviving their dad while his brother didn’t. I get the feeling that he tried to protect his brother at the expense of his own pain and abuse. Though it clearly wasn’t enough. So many sad situations in this book. The feelings seem to arrive by the boat load for me. Question 31: OK so this is a question about who Devryck is and how much this research means to him. His captive asks him if he will hurt his wife and son and Devryck makes a comment he has no need to and doesn't hurt children unlike him. My question is what if the parasite only grew in children's body's? Do you think he would cross that line for this research? ~ I could not see him crossing that line, the opening up of Devryck’s character made him seem a lot less sinister to me. I know there probably a bunch we still don’t know. I just don’t see him doing that, even to save his own life. I guess I lean toward hoping for the best of people. Question 32: So Jayda seems like a good friend to Lilia but what are your thoughts on her offering this website gig as an option for money? Do you think it crosses the line into bad friend territory or do you think desperate times call for desperate measures? ~ The fact that Jayda has experience with the website gig and can attest it is a safe/good option for a desperate situation. I believe she’s doing it to look out for her friend. If she didn’t know what it would be like for Lilia I think it would be different. Question 33: So we know Devryck needs human subjects for the work he is doing, and obviously feels very dedicated to it, however the conditions and such he keeps the man in are less than stellar and could be easily improved. Any thoughts on why he doesnt? ~ It could be that he feels the deserve to be punished, that his skewed perspective from his upbringing has made them evil villains in his mind. Or it could be beneficial to the parasite and his research. We need more info on the worms still. Question 34: So in some places it is legal for a site like the one Lilia is recording for to exist but in some it is not. What are your thoughts on whether or not these should exist and if so what regulations should be on them? ~ I don’t see it to be bad if the people consent and have the control over their own content. I do believe there should be security on the site for the content of each person not being sharing unwillingly, an age requirement for adults only. Also screening to make sure the people consuming the content aren’t being rude/abusive/etc. to toward the creators of said content. That’s just the bare minimum. I’m sorry Pigtail I’ve been playing catch up on a lot of things, and I only just got a chance to sit down with my thoughts on this read. I have finally had a chance to catch up my questions with my reading though! Hooray 🥳 I’ll post Part 2 later today, and I’ll mark on my calendar to ensure I check in weekly from now on. Hello Squirtle!!! No worries friend we all get busy and over whelmed! I myself have had a week. I am just happy to still have you with us as I love having you reading with the group. Reply to #3 Spoiler Ok I love here that you mentiob advocating for one self. I feel like traumas are often hard for others to understand and its our duty as the person with the trauma to make it known how big if a deal it is. Reply to #33 Spoiler Ok I also think he is punishing them. I think he likes to tell himself he is neutral and jyst using bad people for nessasary research but I think he is being more vindictive than he wants to admit. 1
RoseyLittle Posted February 12 Report Posted February 12 Spoiler Question 47: Here we see Barletta deteriorating to an extreme degree, one that most humans would find hard to even look at, but Devryck seems only mildly irritated that he cannot continue with the research already. What do you think this says about him as a person? Or are there some mental disorders/psychology you think may fit? I definitely see Devryck struggle with a lack of empathy. And a self concept that has him quite separate from and above others. In a lot of ways he reads as antisocial personality disorder 🤣 Like disregard for social norms and laws, high intellect used especially in manipulation. Question 48: Devryck mentions his father knew the worth of the research he was doing and didnt seem much concerned with doing enough to protect his family. Do you think this was just arrogance or could there be a deeper secret to this? I’m still unsure with this one. It’s hard to read and get a sense of his father’s character. But considering so much of this book is constantly uncovering deeper layers, I suspect there may be more to this. Question 49: Devryck hopes that the elixir from Barletta works because he is running out of justifiable subjects. If it doesnt will he take the next step? Do you think he would inflict this torture on someone who didnt deserve it? Or will he just convince himself they do? I am torn with this one too. I’m not sure he would have the capacity to convince himself to inflict it on those he deems innocent. But I do think through psychological transference he could choose new subjects who also “deserve it”. Like other criminals or abusers like those from his own history. Question 50: Lilia ended up poisoned at the party. Any guesses as to who and why? The literary obvious is Spencer, the author has set up past bread crumbs to this so I’m hoping it is not and is a good twist. Question 51: Here we learn Spencer is an actual Rook. Any guesses on Sencer? Is he a decent person? Involved in her stalking? Something deeper? Im not sure with him yet, I feel like his character development can go either way. It is clear there’s hurt with his father so I could see parts of this being aspects of family expectation, tradition or pressure.
SquirtleSquad Posted Thursday at 02:50 AM Report Posted Thursday at 02:50 AM Spoiler Question 47: Here we see Barletta deteriorating to an extreme degree, one that most humans would find hard to even look at, but Devryck seems only mildly irritated that he cannot continue with the research already. What do you think this says about him as a person? Or are there some mental disorders/psychology you think may fit? ~ In my opinion, Devryck shows a lot of signs of having OCD with a strong need for controlled perfection. It seems his trauma has led him to use having control over things to feel safe. Which we see in his; extreme discipline, emotional restriction, self isolation, and safe focus in his research. I’m now thinking his research fixation is less ambition, and more to regulate himself. To reduce the intrusive thoughts, replace emotional processing, create identity, and even provide predictability. I imagine if he can put his focus into his research, he’s going to have a hard time coping. Question 48: Devryck mentions his father knew the worth of the research he was doing and didnt seem much concerned with doing enough to protect his family. Do you think this was just arrogance or could there be a deeper secret to this? ~ Not pure arrogance likely a mix of; legacy science secrecy, withheld knowledge, emotional distance, and intellectual hubris. Question 49: Devryck hopes that the elixir from Barletta works because he is running out of justifiable subjects. If it doesnt will he take the next step? Do you think he would inflict this torture on someone who didnt deserve it? Or will he just convince himself they do? ~ Devryck relies on moral justification to separate himself from his father, so he would resist harming someone he believes is innocent. However, desperation could push him toward rationalizing that someone “deserves “ it, making his greatest risk self justification rather than cruelty. Question 50: Lilia ended up poisoned at the party. Any guesses as to who and why? ~ The poisoning likely served as a warning or attempt to control Lilia’s proximity to the research rather than a random attack. It seems someone with insider knowledge is monitoring her and wants to influence her behavior. I’m not sure who yet. Question 51: Here we learn Spencer is an actual Rook. Any guesses on Sencer? Is he a decent person? Involved in her stalking? Something deeper? ~ Spencer appears morally gray - someone with access to knowledge who may be operating within a larger system rather than leading it. He may be decent but withholding information, possibly connected to surveillance or protection in a complicated way. Question 52: In this chapter Lilia is having her first evening in Devrycks lab. Let's say he had someone down there and she did stumble upon them. What do you think he would do? ~ Devryck would likely prioritize removing Lilia from the situation and containing information, rather than reacting emotionally. His response would be controlled and protective, followed by increased distance to keep her safe or limit exposure. Question 53: Devryck tells the story of the murdered student that she tried to get into the lab, didnt have the code, and left. She then was murdered. Do you think someone knew she had been to the lab and killed her to frame Devryck? ~ I believe someone knew the student tried to access the lab and used that to shift suspicion toward Devryck. Since his secrecy makes him an easy scapegoat. Makes me wonder, who benefits from the suspicion falling on him? Question 54: Seems Gillchrist is a bit jealous with her grading of Lilias paper. Do you think Devryck will get involved? What do you guess will be his reaction? Also how do you think Lilia will react and feel about him getting involved? ~ Devryck would likely intervene quietly and professionally, rather than confront Gilchrist publicly, protecting Lilia without drawing attention. Lilia would probably feel both supported and uncomfortable, worried about favoritism and the implications of his involvement. Question 55: Lilia is regularly seeing dead figures. Any guesses on why? A physical or mental disorder perhaps? ~ At this point I think it’s physiological or environmental and tied to the research somehow. The part that gets me is that they also function symbolically, suggesting Lilia is becoming more aware of hidden truths rather than simply experiencing a mental disorder. 1
RoseyLittle Posted yesterday at 12:46 AM Report Posted yesterday at 12:46 AM Spoiler Question 52: In this chapter Lilia is having her first evening in Devrycks lab. Let's say he had someone down there and she did stumble upon them. What do you think he would do? I had a much harder time trying to plot out what I think would happen with the characters in this scenario. It are me realize huge push pull between his consuming need for his research and his care for her. Which then made me wonder if the author would in fact put that choice dilemma in front of him at some point in his character development. Like his research or her? Question 53: Devryck tells the story of the murdered student that she tried to get into the lab, didnt have the code, and left. She then was murdered. Do you think someone knew she had been to the lab and killed her to frame Devryck? I think that is highly possible. He makes such as easy scapegoat to target just because of how he is and the needs of his research. I wonder if possible someone in the rooks. Question 54: Seems Gillchrist is a bit jealous with her grading of Lilias paper. Do you think Devryck will get involved? What do you guess will be his reaction? Also how do you think Lilia will react and feel about him getting involved? I think his need for control and how he feels about Lilia could led him to get involved. But I could see him doing it in a way that is behind the scenes from Lilia’s knowledge. Like he did with the video. Question 55: Lilia is regularly seeing dead figures. Any guesses on why? A physical or mental disorder perhaps? I’m curious to see if it has something to do with her mother being experimented on while she was pregnant with her.
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