[ WP ] Since the Hive Mind was created , more and more people have hooked up . Now its law to be a part of it . You are on the run , because you do n't want to .

I'm treading water. 
 
 Not actually treading water, mind. That would be much less tiring, in my opinion. It's a metaphorical thing. There's just so many times you can stay hidden away in a decrepit house, eating rats for every meal before you really start getting imaginative with your word choice. 
 
 `` Utterly fucked'' was n't very creative. I prefer the words `` Oh god,'' followed by, `` The hivemind is going to get me. The world as I know it is about to end, please, if anyone hears this --'' 
 
 Nobody's going to hear this. Maybe one of the hivemind drones patrolling outside will. Then I'd really be screwed. Not rather creative, I know. 
 
 I check my water canteen for the 4 times in an hour. It's empty. It has been for at least a day. The closest body of water is miles away from here. And with the robots watching every bit of movement outside? It's another 2 days until I get there. There's not much time left to make a move. 
 
... There's not much at all, is there? No time, no mother or father to come home to when this is over. Hell, I think the rats are even drying up. There's just me, the hivemind, and the world crumbling around us. I know every move they can possibly make. Every trick, every snide comment they make. It's a sad echo box. 
 
 But they do n't know my every move. 
 
 I pack my things in my tattered bag, and leave the room I've camped in. Moving down a rotted hallway, I come to a staircase. I go up. 
 
 I continue to climb the stairs, further and further, until I get to the roof. The ground is so far away. I wish I was brave enough to jump. Instead, I open my mouth, screaming my heart out. 
 
 `` I'm right here!'' I yell into the misty, gray cityscape. Within minutes, there's hivemind drones holding on to me. Their luminescent orange eyes stare into the remains of my soul. One of them even speaks to me. 
 
 `` You.'' It rasps, `` Are utterly fucked.'' 
 
 

