[ WP ] There is a secret war between the bees , the wasps and the hornets as to control the monopoly over honey . The bees are loosing .

The hum of Ben's wings fell to a whisper as he landed softly next to Sarah. A clean cylindrical hole ran through her chest, just below her shoulder. Her checkerboard-eyes were glazed, but she was still alive. 
 
 `` Sarah,'' Ben whispered, tucking his arm under Sarah's neck and leaning her up. Around them lay the bodies of many hundred bees, punctuated occasionally by the giant husk of dead hornets. Not a single wasp. 
 
 `` Be-ben,'' Sarah said, her mouth curving into a slight smile. 
 
 `` It's going to be okay, sweetheart,'' he said, biting his lip and fighting off tears. 
 
 `` Look after Charlotte. Make sure she gets her honey twice-'' Sarah began coughing, a black-red liquid seeped out of her mouth. She winced as she refocussed. `` Once before bed. Once when the sun is at its highest. 
 
 `` Sarah,'' Ben said, but Sarah's head fell back limply in his arms. 
 
 Ben carried Sarah's body to the pond near HoneySuckle Rock; the pond where they'd first met, and then later, where they had first kissed, as their antennae had wrapped around each other, soaking in their sweet fragrance. 
 
 The distant croak of a frog disturbed him from his memories. He placed her body onto an oak leaf and wrapped her up tightly, as if tucking her into bed for a final time. With a gentle push, he sent the makeshift raft sailing into the sunset. For a long while, he stood and watched and wept. 
 
 -- - 
 
 `` Ah, Ben, you've finally returned,'' said Caliban. `` What news do you bring?'' 
 
 Ben stared at the old Bee, then his head dropped. `` Sarah's dead. They're all dead.'' 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 `` The wasps... they've somehow persuaded hornets to join them. We... They're all dead, Caliban.'' 
 
 `` Then... our honey. Our young-ones - the hornets will kill them all. We have to leave! I must inform the queen.'' 
 
 `` You know she'll go down with the hive! She'll let us all die bef-'' 
 
 `` Silence! You might be Samuel's son, but even you can be imprisoned for treason.'' 
 
 ``... I'm sorry. It's just-'' 
 
 `` Sarah.'' The old bee sighed. `` I understand, Ben. But we must not second guess the Queen's wishes. We can not.'' 
 
 -- - 
 
 `` Daddy, why do n't the wasps like us?'' Charlotte asked. 
 
 `` What makes you ask that?'' Ben asked frowning. The sight of his daughter wrapped up in her little blanket reminded him of the last time he'd seen her mother. He fought back the tears. 
 
 `` My friend Katie says they want to hurt us.'' 
 
 Ben stroked his daughters head. `` You know, they're really very similar to us. In fact, once they were just like us!'' 
 
 `` Just like us?'' It was Charlotte's turn to frown. 
 
 `` Yep. Our ancestors were once one big, happy family.'' 
 
 `` What happened?'' 
 
 `` Well, they became lazy and stopped helping the plants and making honey. Now... they've forgotten how to do those things. `` 
 
 `` So... they want our honey?'' Charlotte asked, her lips trembling. 
 
 Ben nodded. `` But you know what, we're not going to give it to them.'' 
 
 There was a long pause. 
 
 `` Where's mummy,'' Charlotte asked. 
 
 `` She's... she's-'' He could n't bring himself to. Not yet. `` Would you like a story, sweetie?'' 
 
 `` Yes please!'' 
 
 `` Okay then! Well, what would you like to hear?'' 
 
 `` Hmm. The one about the honey factory, and the magical bee!'' she buzzed. 
 
 `` I read that one to you last night!'' Ben smiled softly at his gorgeous daughter. He knew the hornets would n't care she was just a child; he swallowed hard. `` How about something a little more exciting. How about...'' He thought hard of all the stories he'd heard as a kid. `` How about, Queen Beatrice and the Fro-'' Ben's voice drifted off. He remembered the frog that had croaked at him by HoneySuckle Rock. 
 
 `` The fro? What's that daddy?'' Charlotte asked, giggling at the name. 
 
 `` The Frogs. The story of the frogs that attacked beehives for our precious nectar, until eventually, Queen Beatrice and her army stopped them, and pushed them back to the lilies. Sweetheart... I'm so sorry, I ca n't tell you that story tonight. I have to go.'' He leant forward and kissed his daughter on the forehead. Her antenna flicked happily. 
 
 `` Where are you going, daddy?'' 
 
 `` To save the hive,'' he shouted, as his wings began to beat as fast as his heart. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

