THE HIVE

Chapter 17

I jolt awake, sweating all over, my mouth dry, my vision out of focus.

I think I had another bad dream.

Space buddy groans. He has felt it too.

I look around. I spot what I want. Beside me, on the top of the drawer there's a jug and a glass kept. I pour myself some water, then chug it down.

Wiping my face with the back of my palm, I set the glass back down.

"Oof!" I feel refreshed!

... Kind of.

My heightened heartbeats mellow down which allow me to take in my surroundings. I notice my glasses kept right by the side of the jug and put them on.

With my vision clear and distinct, I take in the form of a person right opposite to my bed. In front of me, I see a familiar face waving in my direction. "Had a good sleep, eh, Jordan?"

"Hey now, you can see it on my face." I send a smile in return, a slightly pained expression lingering on to it.

I'm really lucky to wake up to see a friendly face like this. After how long it's been...

"So, are you excited for today?" he asks me, but from his expression, he's the one who's excited. Even more than me.

I wouldn't say I'm excited though. It's more like the dread of what's to come that haunts me. Yeah, I think I am scared.

"Yeah, I guess so," I answer anyway, while I rub my hands and roll my eyes.

Today is a big day after all. It's the day I get to serve them. In the front lines. Lay down my life for their cause, that's meant to be ours.

You won't die on your first day, you idiot.

Maybe. But I can die one day, ahead of my time. I don't particularly have any patriotic feelings right now.

Space buddy erupts in laughter.

"Come on, let's meet up with the others shall we? We'll show you around the station." Rocky hops off and rushes to the side.

"Yeah. I'm coming!" I quickly follow behind him.

Well, you have me. Don't worry too much. I'll lead the way and keep you safe!

That... does little to assure me for some reason.

Hey, what now?

Never mind.

With all the events that have unfolded till now, I won't exactly say my enthusiasm is at an all time high.

But you'll meet with the girls! Show some excitement!

...

It's true, I'd meet with all of the girls, and Kevin. It's been so long.

I blush.

You just had to say it, didn't you?!

He chuckles. There, I have you pumped. Easy-peasy.

____________

The day I pissed in my robe was yesterday. But it feels so distant, now. So long ago. So much happened that I still find troubling that it all happened in a single day. Technically it's still that day, has been since I came here, but if I were to quantify it according to the human scales, it all happened within one sleep cycle.

That's a fancy term.

Isn't it.

After that, as was usual, me borrowing the power of the Eye had drained my energy, and I was fast asleep right after I got the change of clothes. Space buddy had allowed for a counsel but I had ended up using the Eye's time altering powers, thus depleting my stamina. I couldn't even speak properly with the others, after almost a month of being isolated. I was out before they even entered the hive.