Hive

6

Did I really have to kill him? I shouldn't have let myself get attached. But when did I have the time to do it? The park, the bookstore, and the supermarket were all too public or personal.

A sudden realization hit me. Was Erik actually joking when he said he was observing me? Oh gosh, he had known about my father, and he knew that I was planning to kill him. He probably wasn't joking.

He knew. I guess it made sense that my father wanted me to kill him. If Erik were really spying on me and my father, and reporting it to someone, it could cause serious problems. This probably meant a lot to my father, what would happen if I didn't get it done? I had to.

The house was eerily silent, something that doesn't usually bother me. The only sounds were coming from Silver eating and when the cat was done, it was completely quiet. I pulled my mind close to me. Something was off.

A knock on the door sent my heart out of my chest. It was still the afternoon, almost evening, but no one ever came to my door. Something brushed against my legs and I looked down to see Silver there. My head hummed slightly when we made eye contact, his attempt at reassurance. I reached down and ran my hands through his fur, and then walked towards the door.

I opened it to reveal Erik, just as I had thought.

"Let's go on a walk."

"No, thank you."

"We need to talk, can I come in?"

I opened the door further, allowing him to come in. This was my chance.

"Thanks." He said.

I closed the door and picked up Silver. The cat made no attempt at running away.

"That's Silver? He's pretty."

"Yeah, he definitely spends his time making sure of that."

"Did you know that you've lived longer than any of your father's creations?" He asked suddenly.

"I wasn't even fully sure that there were others."

"Why don't you just leave?"

"Huh?"

"Him, I mean. What's stopping you?"

"Well, he'll probably kill me."

Or drive me crazy with a constant humming in my head.

"You're really going to do it huh."

"At least I won't do it with enthusiasm."

"True." He paused. "Would you stop me right now if I just went and left?"

"I'd have to try."

It was then that he started inching towards the door.

"I guess I should probably try too then."

I set down the cat, who ran away immediately.

I made eye contact with Erik, and for a moment there was peace, but then there was a huge crash from the window behind me. It felt like fire was creeping up the back of my head, and then I opened my eyes to see that there was literal fire in front of me where Erik had previously stood. A book case was also tipped over, and also on fire. It was spreading so fast-or was I just thinking slow? Every time I closed my eyes, only seconds past, but the scene was progressing as though it were sped up. How'd I end up on the floor?

And then there was silence.