The Honeytrap

“You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Lizzie Combs lived by those words. That was why she went into pharmaceuticals, to help others. Then the company picnic changed everything.

She sat under a tree, jotting down findings from an experiment while the other interns played games. She overheard the doctors mention an escaped specimen, but she wasn’t worried.

A shadow darkened her notebook, and she gazed into Beckett’s eyes. “Come play frisbee with us!”

She shook her head. “I have work to do.”

Beckett laughed. “Such a busy bee! You need to lighten up.”

“Don’t say bee! You know I’m allergic…”

He kissed her cheek, handing her a plate. “Don’t forget to eat. I brought your favorite.”

Lizzie worked, a pencil in one hand and a honey chicken wing in the other. She froze as she saw it: a bee. Her heart pounded and eyes widened. Suddenly Beckett bumped into her, trying to catch the frisbee.

Lizzie felt the stinger pierce her hand. “Epi-pen…” she gasped, her throat already closing up. She reached for her purse, and…

It wasn’t there. Beckett hid it as a joke. The last thing she saw before falling unconscious was his cruel, laughing face.

Lizzie Combs died that day. What came back was something bent on revenge against a world buzzing with injustice. Half bee, half human.

A young woman with black and yellow hair sat at the bar. Honey-colored eyes narrowed as she saw him. Drawn by her sweet smile, he beelined for her. Their eyes locked, just like they used to, and...

Stingers protruded from her long black fingernails, digging into his skin. Beckett fell to the floor dead, victim to The Honeytrap.