THE HIVE

Chapter 9

Whenever I wake, the world feels so distant. As if it's a separate entity, and I... am an oddity. Well, that's how I feel. It's as if I am isolated (which I am), but...something seems different this time around.

When I wake, I feel myself much more detached, much more distant than normal.

And there's a certain clarity to my mind. Everything is a lot more fresh. And it's all a lot more empty-

"Wait, what happened here! "

I jolt upright and look at my side.

There's a massive crater on the floor, the depth of which I cannot gauge.

...

Oh gosh, this can't be happening!

Now I understand why everything is so empty and why my mind is so clear.

Inadvertently, I look at my left hand.

"It's back to the 'new normal', huh. "

I scratch my head- with my other arm. "I feel like I did something. But I was asleep wasn't I? Maybe I did something in my dreams... But that's nonsense! Why is it back!" They are gonna kill me now!

I jump off my bed and start to break into a run when I stop. "Wait a second-" I look at my feet, my arms and my body.

"I am back in control! I can move fine!"

Wow...This is amazing.

But-

Inevitably, my hand comes near my neck and-

"Huh, it's still there. Then-" I narrow my eyes in bewilderment.

I got back control over my body. But, the implant is still there.

"This means... " I look at my black hand.

Either, they put it back on me and thought I'd behave this time, which I don't think is possible because, let's be honest. Who'd trust a "heretic" to behave? Then, the only plausible explanation I can think of giving is...

"It came back for me, and overwrote the implant."

I stare in awe at my hand. It squelches like it's Saturday.

...

"Now there you go! You came into some use at last!"

__________

The alien freaks are nowhere to be seen. This is my chance.

With my eyes and ears sharp and movements coordinated, I slip out of the lab. It doesn't help me too much. The sliding doors inevitably make a sound.

My heart starts beating fast. Please let them not catch me. Please.

I wonder how Fiona got away with it. She was in for quite a while and none of them interrupted us. Was she caught aft-

No.

No. She wasn't. That's it. She wouldn't have taken the risk if she didn't know she wasn't going to be caught for sure.

Then, can I who works solely on instinct keep from being caught?

...

Let's see. I have a good feeling. I wonder why.

You have me is why.

-!

I hear a voice. Inside my head.

Holy guacamole! I grew another head!

It's inside! A voice is inside me!

I can hear you loud and fine, kiddo.