Related previous posts: Bees Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7

Bees, Pt 8

By the time all the action started the following day, Honey had no energy left to investigate and no emotion left to care. First, she heard voices – two men that sounded like the same ones who’d dismantled her hive. Their voices were muffled and distant, but thought they sounded deferential and apologetic.

Next, Honey heard the soft voice of the woman who owned the house. She sounded tired, which caused Honey to wonder what kind of night she’d had. I’ll bet she didn’t sleep in a cupboard with her friends dying around her!

Honey felt her temper boil. Mad enough to sting someone. Maybe I can attack when they open the jar! She tried to flap her wings but discovered them too bend and painful to move. She’d just given up hope when footsteps sounded in the hallway. Moments later, the door to the pantry flew open. Belle stood in the doorway, her bent and eyes downcast, so Honey couldn’t see her face.

Belle scooped up the jar and carried it out into the kitchen then on to the living room, where she set it down on the coffee table. The woman and the hive killers exchanged more words, but even at close range, Honey couldn’t understand them the way she did Belle.

The taller workman responded but, again, Honey couldn’t understand him. From his tone and body language, Honey got the impression he didn’t agree with Belle at all. Then the workman tucked the jar under his arm and headed for the front door.

“Wait! What’s happening?” asked Honey. “Where are they taking us?”

If Belle or the workmen heard or understood, they gave no reply. Damn invisible wall! She heard doors open and close, then a sudden drop as the jar was unceremoniously deposited in the back a commercial van. The workman climbed in and they drove off.

Just like that, everything in Honey’s prior life was over. No more house, no more garden, and no more hope of ever being reunited with her hive or queen ever again. Honey cried out in shock and pain.

The injured drone grunted. “Good riddance, I say. Anywhere is better than that place.”

Honey buzzed her good wing in frustration, in terror, at the injustice, at the annoying drone, at the cruel world. As always, none of the other bees so much as uttered an acknowledgement of her heartbreaking pain.

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