Hayfever: a short story

The air was golden and treacherous. Salli paused at the top of a hill to catch her breath and admire the view. Huge blue and purple blooms carpeted the valley, petals gleaming in the hazy sunshine. She was almost tempted to remove her helmet and feel the breeze on her face.

‘Wait for me!’ Caleb’s voice sounded in her earpiece. Salli turned to watch him climb the hill. He was weighed down by the container strapped to his back. ‘I think there’s a fault in the suit’s cooling system,’ he said. ‘It’s boiling in here.’ His gloved fingers moved to the zip around his neck.

‘No!’ Salli warned him. ‘Remember what the Captain said. The pollen is deadly.’

‘I’m not afraid of a bit of hayfever,’ Caleb scoffed.

‘Didn’t you listen to the briefing? It’s not like the pollen on Earth. This stuff can blind and suffocate you. If that’s not enough, it’s also psychoactive! Let’s just get this delivery over with. The sooner we get back to the ship, the better.’

In silence, they continued into the valley. As they brushed past the massive flowers, puffs of yellow powder swirled into the air. The specks were smeared across Salli’s visor. She thought longingly of the decontamination chamber, followed by a shower and a cool drink, which awaited her on the return journey.

‘There it is!’ Caleb exclaimed, pointing west. ‘The research station!’

Salli stopped and scanned the horizon. ‘Wrong direction. Anyway, there’s nothing. We’re only halfway.’

Ignoring her, Caleb was stumbling through the flowers, which released even more pollen.

‘Come back!’ yelled Salli. ‘You’re going the wrong way!’ She had to follow, as he had the cargo on his back. She slipped on crushed petals, trying to catch up. Suddenly, Caleb stopped running and began to flail his arms wildly.

‘What are you doing?’ she cried.

‘I can’t get them off me!’ he screamed. ‘Help!’

Salli could see nothing. ‘What are they?’

‘Snakes! Wrapped around my arms and legs!’

‘Caleb, listen to me. You’re hallucinating. The pollen must have leaked into your air supply. Try to stay calm. Think of the cargo.’

Breathing heavily, Caleb forced himself to calm down. ‘We’d better turn back. Safety first.’

‘You’re right.’ Salli turned to get her bearings. ‘We need to go…’ she trailed off. ‘Can you hear something?’

‘Yes,’ Caleb said, ‘but is it real?’

Salli listened. It was a low, droning sound. As the volume increased, she felt its rumble in her throat. ‘A ship,’ she said.

‘No. It’s something more… organic.’ They stared at each other with dawning horror, then at the sky. A black cloud was spreading. The buzzing filled their skulls. Enormous striped bodies, wings and stings, heading for the two humans.

Giant flowers, Salli thought. She should have realised what this meant.

Giant bees.

Through the beautiful golden air, the swarm descended.