Hive > Home Anchor : 1 month, 14 days, 9 hours, 12 minutes (10 hours, 37 minutes to present)

I yawned and quickly scrolled through the last of Danielle Thornley’s wikipedia page. I opened a few of the references in new tabs, but as expected, they led to credible, consistent sources. She was who she said she was, for all intents and purposes. I pulled up a youtube clip of her first appearance on Oprah as she presented her first book; an analysis of hazing rituals by siblings across the world.

An aching knot had been forming in the small of my back throughout the day and I had finally had enough. I held up the laptop and quickly swapped bodies, passing myself the computer and switching to the shadier side of the bed. The woman chirped about her book while my eyes glazed over slightly.

Hive > Town Anchor > Worker 33 / 50 : 1 month, 14 days, 9 hours, 14 minutes (10 hours, 35 minutes to present)

I opened my mental pathways to Home Anchor. Rather than wrap around me like the other observing clones, I reached through to meld our minds. I drove a fist into my knee, jolting Home Anchor awake with the sudden pain we shared. As I woke up, I retreated to an observational distance to watch me once more.

Hive > Home Anchor : 1 month, 14 days, 9 hours, 15 minutes (10 hours, 34 minutes to present)

I sat up, rubbing my knee and grumbling. I blinked a few times to clear my vision and split off a body while I focused back in on the video. Dani had launched into accidental drownings, but something kept drawing my attention away, something that felt off.

Hive > Home Anchor > Temporary Clone : 1 month, 14 days, 9 hours, 15 minutes (10 hours, 34 minutes to present)

I carefully stepped away from the bed, over the two artist clones. Both had swapped into bodies that seemed to match their developing artistic aesthetic. Where one had chosen to focus on bright markers with poppy, expressive faces, the other drew only in heavy-metal pencil sketches. In the month and change since this experiment had started they had made incredible progress with their concentrated efforts, a skill that would soon be accessible to anyone of myself in the hive whenever it might be needed.

The digital art clones were making similar progress, though they had both chosen to focus on collecting and fulfilling commissions. Soon, I’d be able to afford some supplies for some really fun experiments...

I stepped out of the door and passed Jay as I went into the kitchen. A glimmer of recognition passed through the hive, a weirdly revenant acknowledgement of a friend from a seemingly long-ago past. He gave me an awkward wave and I gave him a tight nod. After the sudden events that night, things had become strained between us. Not hostile, but not comfortable either.

I started buzzing about the kitchen, preparing myself a cup of coffee, but ruminated on the odd looks he would give me out of the corner of his eye. It wasn’t fear, but it was damn close.

“I’m moving out next week.”

I jumped, nearly dumping the coffee bag down the sink. Jay leaned in the doorway, eyes trained on his bowl of cereal.

“Oh.” was all I could think to say. Over a hundred brains, yet…

“No offence but…” He started.

“It’s weird?”

“It’s really fucking weird!” He agreed, finally making eye contact, fleeting as it was. “It was cool at first! Y’know, my friend, the mutant clone! The next stage of evolution! But…”

“Yeah,” I agree, laughing slightly, “You’d think I’d go all super-group but…”

“Yeah.” He says, and an awkward silence falls over the kitchen, only cut in by the whirr of the machine and the splatter of water.

“I’m kind of doing it.” I finally admit and Jay glances up with interest, a glimmer of excitement cutting through the wariness.

“Yeah?” He prods and a grin crossed my faces.

“This girl I met in New York, she wants to start a group, fight crime, just the two of us. It sounds fun but… but it’s a big risk though!” I finish in a hurry, seeing his eager expression and heading him off before he could apply encouragement. His excitement twisted, his nose wrinkling and his shoulder suddenly filled the doorway.

“Big risk. Big risk!” He laughs, though bitterness seeped through the words. “You have so much fucking power. You can do… no, you can fuck yourself actually. Fuck you.”

I drew my head back, surprised at the sudden venom.

“Hey, woah, wha-” I start, but he sets his empty bowl in the sink and shrugs, setting a hand on my shoulder after a prolonged hesitation.

“Sorry it’s just… You’re wasting it. I’d kill for that power and you’re out here drinking coffee and…” He paused in the doorway, looking out of the patio door. “And… and watching anime all the time and just wasting it.”

“Do you want to? You can kill me right now if you’d like, I won’t be mad.”

Jay glanced back in confusion, then a smile struggled through his grimace. “That’s fucked up.”

“Probably.” I admit, “I can’t really tell anymore, after everything, normal death’s kind of…”

I flipped my hand back and forth noncommittally. Despite himself, Jay turned back, leaning in the doorway once more.

“After everything?” He asked, his tone reluctant but intrigued, then pointed a finger at my chest, “I’m still moving, but... I want to hear this first.”

Hive > Home Anchor > Temporary Clone : 1 month, 14 days, 10 hours, 44 minutes (9 hours, 05 minutes to present)

I leaned against the counter, using my hand to demonstrate as I described the tiny ledge Cam and I had to shimmy along. Jay had moved to take a seat on the counter and the coffee sat cold in the cup.

“And so she puts two fingers to my chest and all of a sudden I feel weightless, like I could lean all the way fo-Ohhhh shit.” I cut myself off as emotions of alarm wavered through the hive. My eyes defocused as I traced the wave of unrest, following the other minds drifting through the hive to do the same. We traced it back to Work Leader, to California Anchor, to Worker four of five. We watched the Thornley woman chatter with the cashier before leaving.

I focused back in to see Jay once more in the doorway, eyeing me closely. I could only shrug in response. I grabbed the coffee and threw it in the microwave for a few seconds, then finally tried to explain.

“I have this weird feeling that someone knows who - or what - I am.”

Jay slowly raised a finger to point at himself and I snorted, adding “No, in California. Some… I don’t know, a manslaughtering therapist.”

“The Hunter’s a therapist?”

“No, different people but… well, I can only hope they aren’t related.”

Jay’s eyebrows shot up and I jumped in once more before I could be drowned in a deluge of questions, giving him a quick overview as I rushed back to my room. I closed the door behind me, though I caught a small wave of farewell in the corner of my eye before it shut.

On the bed, I was fast asleep, curled around the laptop as it blared out some over-edited drama video that the autoplay had landed on in the past hour. I took a deep gulp of coffee and got into the bed.

Hive > Home Anchor : 1 month, 14 days, 10 hours, 50 minutes (8 hours, 59 minutes to present)

I brought up the same sources I’d found before and began to comb through them carefully, energetic and refreshed from the nap, the coffee, and the startle of flaring paranoia. I felt a good number of my clones were intrigued now, especially the laborers under Town Anchor who were always prowling the hive for something interesting to occur. Interestingly, their minds were most like the OG’s, who’s only job was to take everything in and live a nice life.

I sat forward, closely watching the interview once again. The camera turned to pan over the audience and over a wide mirrored wall... and a wire connected in my brain, sending electricity through my spine. I was about to notify California Anchor, but a thought stayed my hand. If she was what I thought she was, there was a chance she had a hold of the minds or heart in her vicinity. I, all of me, would have to display to the California branch that all was well. This would be the first time I ever lie to myself.

Well, besides my early highschool fashion choices.

After a moment of consideration, I reached through the hive and not having to reach far to grasp the minds of Runners C and D.

Hive > Mountain Anchor > Runner C : 1 month, 14 days, 10 hours, 50 minutes (8 hours, 59 minutes to present)

I split and turned around, realizing as soon as I had back at the apartment what was going on. I could hear Runner D beside me speed up and I did the same, the distance between us and the our doubles growing rapidly as we ran in opposite directions. We sprinted back up the highway, swapping anytime there wasn’t a prying eye on us to keep at top speed. Hopefully, we would make it back in time.

Hive > Work Leader > Worker 3 of 5 : 1 month, 14 days, 19 hours, 50 minutes (0 minutes to present)

A bead of sweat dripped down my brow, stinging the corner of my eye. I reached through the hive, searching for advice, but found every tap closed - though every eye was watching. Something was very wrong and only getting worse by the moment. I could face her, I could run, I could even return to ooze and not deal with it at all. For now, running was the best that I had.

I turned quickly as wicker platform shoes clopped closer and began to sprint back up the way I had come. I was only feet further along when the steps stopped, then resumed ahead of me. I froze, trying to calculate, trying to connect with any of my minds but still only found watchful iron walls. I was up to something and I didn’t appreciate it.

I reached the next intersection before her and split, then split three more times each at the following intersection to create a total of six randomized bodies sprinting in different directions. I couldn’t hear her following anyone in my little splinter-hive, but we kept running all the same. Why or for where, I hadn’t yet figured out.

Before I could, a calm washed over the six. I, in each body, slowed to a run, then a walk, then a stop as a warm, sunny elation began to burn it’s way through our minds.

Splinter Hive > Beta : 1 month, 14 days, 20 hours, 07 minutes

I stood limply at the corner of a busy street, comfortably staring at a curiously darker version of myself. The shiny, darkened copy stared back from the window of a closed shop, yet seemed unwilling to come closer unless I did. I waved, and I waved back, perfectly copying my own actions.

It took a long moment for me to realize it was a reflection. When I did, joy began to bubble through my brain and a rolling giggle welled up in my chest. It felt like every positive emotion I could possibly feel had been turned to maximum settings and the negative turned completely off. I felt like I could jump off a cliff and paint my own portrait on the way down, like I could - and must - laugh and sigh and talk and everything at the same time.

Then, a hand grabbed my shoulder, though it didn’t match the me in the mirror. Rather, the hand and the woman attached to it were not in the mirrored image at all.

As quickly as it had overcome me, the bliss abated, though the jumpiness it replaced remained muted. I glanced back, finally looking into the liquidy, gently glowing wine-red of the vampire’s eyes.

“Newblood,” she cooed, “don’t be that way! Come now, I just wish to talk. The Family’s been abuzz with excitement after we heard of you, I simply had to meet you first!”

The way she audibly put capitalization on “The Family” sent a chill down my spine that warmed instantly with a glance from the therapist.

“What do you mean?” I asked cautiously. She began to walk away, then gestured for me to follow. I felt energy rush through me, as though my blood was literally boiling. The six of the splinter-hive rushed back with unmitigated vigor.

Splinter Hive > Gamma : 1 month, 14 days, 20 hours, 22 minutes

I stood outside the darkened therapy office. I paced, waiting with agitation as Delta, then Beta and Thornley, then the last of the clones arrived. She let us in and we each stepped into the doorway at the same time, merging back into a single clone. In that moment there was a break in her hold and a wash of fear and confusion hit me before the cottonwool pressed down once more.

The heavy door rattled as it closed and soon Danielle had the lights on . She got a modern-looking machine sitting on the coffee table to leak out gentle rain audio while it puffed essential oils into the air. She gestured for me to sit on a soft couch wedged into a corner and I complied, seeing no reason not to in my haze.

“First,” She started slowly, settling into her desk chair and raising a finger to point through me and as she did, I felt my faculties slowly return, “I want you, all of you, to listen closely. Our time is limited and we’re already running late, though of course I don’t blame you for your caution. It’s served you well until this point, it only makes sense you’d be nervous... Rest assured, this is a customary appointment extended to all newbloods The Family finds an interest in.”

I opened my mouth, questions rising in a furious boil. I opened my mouth, but found any desire to say anything abating despite myself.

“Apologies, it’s natural you’d be curious,” she smiled cooly and my questions returned to my tongue, “it’d be unfair of me to suppress that at this time.”

“Yeah, okay, starting there, how do you do that? Is that like my cloning?”

“Yes... and no. Our powers - your cloning, the Royal Guard’s destructive prowess, my talents over familial bonds and emotions - these are the blessings and curses we call ‘Aspects’.” I opened my mouth but she politely plowed on, “Aspects are unique, only one in the universe at a time or possibly ever. Your Aspect allows your duplication and your, I assume telepathy? between your bodies.”

“More like a hive mind that can apparently cut off parts.” I said ruefully. She made an interested noise and quickly took a note in a pad on her desk. My cheeks flushed slightly and I tried to move the discussion away once more. I didn’t need any more opportunities for me to give away information again.

“It sounds like you don’t know what my Aspect is?” I asked quickly, “What’s yours?”

She smiled brightly, setting a hand to her chest proudly, “I am an Aspect of Blood.”

I nodded, “That makes sense for a vampi-”

“Dhampir.” She corrected through a tight lipped smile. “My mother’s the proper vampire. When I was born her Aspect split and I inherited my powers… but my connection to blood is not as literal as hers.”

“Is that normal for Aspects?”

“Not… particularly…” she said, seeming to deflate slightly, “Either way, you’ll figure out your Aspect in due time. I have no doubt you’re a Core Aspect, though.”

“Core Aspect?” I asked, but she only nodded in agreement.

“Core Aspect.”

I huffed after a moment and tried a different question. “What’s the Royal Guard?”

“The boor with the toy gun.” she yawned. I quickly leaned in to check for fangs, but a delicately placed hand blocked my view.

I furrowed my brow, then raised it in surprise, quipping “Oh, the Hunter? Texas space ranger? Big Tex with the... Space X… gun?”

She raised her hand, a tight, professional smile on her overlined lips, “Yes, the same. We know him as the Royal Guard, though, any name may well be correct. If you haven’t noticed, he’s not much of a conversationalist.”

I looked down, taking in the sudden illumination on questions that had been brewing for over a month in my heads. I checked once more through the hive but found the taps still resolutely closed. I would have to get out of this alive if the hive were to learn of this. Finally, I spoke up, choosing my words carefully.

“Who’s The Family?”

“Oh, myself, my mother, a few close allies and our various eyes and ears out in the world.” She said cagily, “We’re united by a simple saying - ‘The blood we bleed is not our own’.”

“The blood we bleed?”

“Is not our own.” She agreed, and like with the core aspect question, I realized that line of questioning would lead nowhere.

“How did you find me?” I tried and a glimmer appeared in her eyes.

“Oh, that’s a story that we won’t have time for tonight, I’m afraid. However, I can tell you that all Aspects are attracted to each other.”

I tilted my head, considering, and she gave a short laugh, “No, not as such, though that is common. Rather, we are drawn to each other. Whether by chance or intention, we will find one another.”

I sat back, even more perturbed at the thought of easily being found by a cadre of turbo-therapists with mind-control powers.

“That’s… That’s a lot to think about.” I muttered, then added, “Why is The Family interested in me?”

“It isn’t just you and it isn’t just The Family.” She responded cooly and a shiver raked its fingers down my back, “I, in particular, make it my business to meet newbloods first. Admittedly, even if you don’t end up being a Core Aspect... you’ve made yourself someone to watch. Surviving your first meeting with the Royal Guard is difficult, but assisting another during their first is strongly commended in The Family for newbloods.”

This was far bigger than any of me had thought. Unfortunately, she didn’t give me much time to process. Before I could notice she was on her feet, smiling wanly.

“Alright, well, that’s all the time I have today. It’s been great to meet you, I only wish it was under better conditions. Next time we speak formally it will be at your Blooding.”

“Wait, blooding?”

“Blooding.” She agreed and I got up with a sigh.

“Can I come back next week?”

She smiled, for the first time in a way that reached her eyes.

“That would be unfair to the other newbloods who I have appointments with, unfortunately, though I’m sure we’ll get a chance to talk again when your friend Ms. Williams - ah, Camzilla I believe - is due for her appointment. My next port-of-call is Paris, but I’ll be back in New York for her and another soon enough. We can talk further then.

My ears perked in interest and I could see that she could see that I noticed. There was another newblood in New York. Maybe the Stay Human Supers could actually happen…

“It was pleasant to meet you.” she said, then leaned in the doorway conspiratorially, “A word of advice. Pity the Royal Guard, but never trust him.”

The door closed behind me with the shudder of loose glass panes and a jingle of bells and I exhaled deeply, grabbing at my head and massaging my temples slowly. “Core Aspect? Pity? Family?? Eurgh.”

I had walked nearly a block when, in a rush, I felt myself swallowed in the mind of the original. Like that, the taps reopened. I felt like my mind was flying as I was carried on a torrent of inquisitive minds searching my memories. It felt incredible to once again be part of the whole, like how a piece must feel being placed in a puzzle.

I searched the hive in turn, confirming that the quarantine was in case the mental control could be passed along… but more than that, I discovered the physical quarantine.

My mouth slowly fell open as I felt more and more minds around me like a ring of glittering lights in the darkening valley. Standing no less than five feet apart, I surrounded myself, the city, and the valley itself. For the first time, the hive had prepared to fight rather than flee.

I asked.

Hive > Home Anchor : 1 month, 14 days, 21 hours, 22 minutes

I responded sheepishly,