Try to make the tight squeeze through the bars.

You draw a deep breath, knowing you'll need it for the dive about to come - swimming in this water certainly isn't the outcome you wanted, but you don't have time to complain! You plunge into the water before you can change your mind. The brackish water feels bizarre once submerged - fluid like water should be, but also cloying and viscous enough to resist your movements.

Even so, you manage to pull yourself towards the opening in the bars. You tuck your feet under you to slide those in first, quickly followed by your legs and hips. Thankfully the opening is wide enough to admit you - but you need to hurry! As you push yourself through, you can faintly hear the swishing and gurgling of water behind you - the worm is closing in! You barely get your chest through the opening, your clothes catching onto the bars for a few sickening moments before tearing free.