The Hive: Part Four (special preview)

I hear that same repetitive music again and my stomach churns. Rising from the bed, I pinch the bridge of my nose, and groan to try and cover the sound of that music. My mouth and throat both feel dry, and my eyes feel as though they are full of sand. I raise my head, looking up to the window in front of me. I can see Eighty-One and Thirty-Six watching me through the glass.

“She’s awake now,” Thirty-Six announces. “Let’s go.”

Behind them, Forty rises. “Let her wake up some. She’s had a fever for a long time now. Give her a chance to recover.”

“She’s ovulating as we speak!” Thirty-Six hisses impatiently. “Send in the male now! We cannot waist this!”

“No, no,” Forty tuts. “Her body is too weak. She’s been fighting this fever, and she’s probably even more exhausted now than when she fell asleep. I suggest we wait-”

“Wait?” Thirty-Six turns to sneer up at Forty. “We have been waiting! Now is the time for her to be impregnated. If not now, then a month from now and we do not have time for that. She is not your pet, Forty. She is livestock!”

Forty inches away from Thirty-Six. “You still need to see to the health of your livestock. You can’t just force an insemination upon her when she is ill, the stress could make it worse, and then what?”

“Pregnancy is a killer,” Twenty-Two speaks up. Rising from the back and standing beside Forty. “How many of your females have passed away due to their pregnancies?”

Thirty-Six fumes under their breath.

“You want as many offspring as possible, don’t you?” Twenty-Two sounds haughty and gloating. “Then you best treat her like she’s the only miracle you’ve got.”

“Eighty-One,” Thirty-Six snaps. “Send in the male.”

Eighty-One hesitates and clears their throat. “He’s still not well either, Thirty-Six. I hate to admit it, but the lunatics might be right.”

Thirty-Six stiffens then slams their palm upon the glass. “Your female is diseased! She’s rotten! Look what she has done!”

“She was fine until you showed up,” Twenty-Two sneers. “Perfectly healthy and extremely fertile. I say it’s your male who is the disease ridden one.”

“All our stock at the kennel is kept in prime condition.” Thirty-Six jabs their finger into Twenty-Two’s chest. “Perfect diet, exercise, and wellness checks every damn day.”

“Then maybe you’re the one to blame,” Twenty-Two sighs with a dismissive tone. “Maybe this little body of yours is the carrier.”

“How dare you?” Thirty-Six seems fit to burst.

I rise from the bed, dried out, stiff, and sticky. How long have I been asleep? “Forty, I’m thirsty.”

“Coming, Darling!” Forty goes to leave but Eighty-One stops them, grabbing Forty by the shoulder and pulling them back. “She needs me.”

“I’ll take it to her.” Eighty-One growls.

My gut churns and froths again. I don’t want to see them, I can’t stand to be in their presence. They have my father’s face, his body, but everything about them is very much not my father. It makes me sick.

When Eighty-One comes in with the water, I keep my head and down away from them. They set the cup down, and I want to reach for it, but not while they are in the room. I keep my eyes down, almost wanting to close them.

Eighty-One stands there, looking down at me with their arms crossed. “How are you feeling?”

It sounds like him, and it hurts so bad. I clutch my arms tight around my body, curling further into myself. “Tired.”

“How would you like to see your mate?” Eighty-One asks. “Maybe that will make you feel better.”