Honeybee | Wanda Maximoff {AU}

Chapter Eleven: Carnica

Music is "I Believe You" by FLETCHER.

Picture is Claudia Doumit as Sarai.

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Apis Mellifera Carnica

Commonly referred to as the Carniolan honeybee or "grey bee," Apis Mellifera Carnica is a subspecies of the western honeybee, native to Eastern Europe. It is the second most popular among beekeepers, after the Italian bee Apis Mellifera Ligustica due to the fact that it defends itself successfully against insect pests while being extremely gentle towards beekeepers. Their queens are dark and difficult to find in the hive, giving her another layer of protection.

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Chapter Eleven: Carnica

A soft voice brings me out of the dark, one I've heard both in reality and dreams. Then I feel soft hands grasping mine. The two combined together forces me to open my eyes and take a deep breath in.

Wanda sits at the side of the bed, but it's not my bed. The bright, fluorescent lights overhead isn't the soft sunlight that comes through our dorm window. I don't smell patchouli and sage, nor do I hear Wanda's soft humming from the other side of the room. This room is harsh and bright, sterile and white. I'm not home; I'm lying in a hospital bed.

She looks at me with wide eyes as my gaze locks with hers. From what she's wearing, it's still the same day as I last remember. That's a good thing, I guess. Don't need another person in her life slipping into a coma.

Wanda smiles and grasps my hand tighter. "Oh my god, you're awake." She looks over her shoulder, seeing Loki standing in the hallway. "Get the others. She's awake."

Though dazed and confused, with a motherfucker of a headache felt all over my skull, I pull myself up. "How long was I out?" I sign, hoping that my flimsy gestures make any sense.

"A couple hours," she responds. "You collapsed and started seizing. Uncle Max called an ambulance, and we took you to the hospital. That's where you are now." She moves her hands to my face, looking into my eyes as if to search for something. "Are you all right? You really scared me, Sarai."

I lean my head back against the pillows and offer a side-smile, wincing at the bright lights. "Sorry about that. Can you...?" I trail off, gesturing to the lights overhead.

Wanda instantly knows what I mean and moves for the door, turning the lights down by over half. Though I can still see everything clearly, it lessens the headache behind my eyes.

"Thanks," I sign. "Are you okay? You weren't stung or anything?"

She laughs, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're asking about me? You're the one that fainted. But yes, I am fine."

"And the bees?"

"They flew away after you collapsed. I'd never seen bees swarm like that. Uncle Max says that a hive nearby was disrupted and flew into the school. The lecture hall door was cracked, and so they ended up near us. Weird timing, though, and they all swarmed around you." She shrugs. "So strange."

My eyes sweep the room carefully, looking for any signs of a tiny bee hiding in plain sight. Melizza is very good at doing that, but no matter where I look, I don't see her. My heart beats faster in worry. Does she know what happened? Does she know where I am? Is she hurt?

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Have you seen a little bee around here?" I ask. "A little honeybee?"