========
==== ====
== ==
= =
= =
= THE GLASS FACTORY. =
= =
= =
== ==
==== ====
========
,,.-*=*&## SEVERAL CENTURIES AFTER IT HAD LAST ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# BELONGED TO US, WE WENT ON AN OUTING TO #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& THE GLASS FACTORY THAT BORE OUR FAMILY &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* NAME. IT HAD CHANGED OWNERS MANY TIMES *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= SINCE OUR ANCESTORS DEATH, AND THEN =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* STOOD ABANDONED FOR A LONG WHILE. *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= FINALLY, THE NATURAL END STATION FOR =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* THE BUILDINGS THAT SURVIVE: A MUSEUM, *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& AND A GIFT SHOP. &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## THERE'S A LONG TIME SINCE MY FAMILY ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### MADE ANYTHING. BY MANY, WE WOULD BE ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## CONSIDERED POOR. ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& THERE ARE TWO MAIN FACTORY BUILDINGS, &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* DOMED THINGS OF SEVERAL FLOORS, MADE IN *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= YELLOW BRICK. LARGE BUT NARROW WINDOWS, =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* REMINESCENT OF SOME CATHEDRAL. *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= CUSTOM-MADE GLASS, OF COURSE, LARGE AND =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* LEADED, AND ASHEN. A BIT TOO DARK TO BE *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& PRACTICAL. ON THE EASTERN BUILDING, &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# SOME ARE SHATTERED. #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### THE OTHER ONE IS PUBLICLY OPEN. THERE'S ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## A MUSEUM, WITH WAX FIGURES OF MY GREAT ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, OR SOMETHING. #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& VARIOUS TOOLS (OR REPLICAS) LAID OUT ON &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* TABLES, WITH EXPLAINING TEXTS. A LOT OF *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= GLASS OF VARYING THICKNESS. =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= == =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* == == *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& ------- = = ------- &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# == == #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## == ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## I QUICKLY SNEAK OUT, AND CLIMB INTO THE ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# OTHER BUILDING. THE CONTRAST IS #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& OVERWHELMING. IT MUST HAVE STOOD &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* DERELICT FOR A LONG TIME, WINDOWS *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= BROKEN, METALLIC TRASH AND POOLS OF =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* DARK GLASS ALL OVER THE FLOOR. NO *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= ELECTRIC LIGHTS, BUT I CAN SEE BY THE =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* LIGHT THAT SHINES IN WHEREVER THE DARK *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& WINDOWS ARE MISSING A PANE. &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## HOWEVER, THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE IS THE ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### HIGHER FLOORS: THIS BUILDING HAS NONE. ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## IT IS ONE MASSIVE HALL, STRETCHING AWAY ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# INFINITELY ABOVE ME. SOMEWHERE UP THERE #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& IS SOME GREAT IRON LATTICEWORK, FROM &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* WHERE CHAINS ARE SUSPENDED, AND PARTS *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= OF MACHINERY HAS BEEN FALLING DOWN. =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= THERE IS, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GREAT =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* HALL, A THIN SPIRAL STAIRCASE THAT *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& LEADS UP THERE. I SNEAK OVER THERE, AND &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# TAKE A FEW RELUCTANT STEPS. AFTER JUST #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## A REVOLUTION, I NOTICE THAT FOR EACH ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### STEP THE BUILDING STARTS TO GLOW, THE ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## BRICKS TURNING A DARK RED, AND THEN ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# ORANGE, ALL THE PILED UP DEBREE BEING #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& LIT FROM BEHIND. &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= I STOP READY TO RUN DOWN AND OUT, BUT =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE ON THE STAIRCASE *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= WITH ME NOW, PRESSED CLOSE. HE'S =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* LOOKING LIKE ME, SHORT HAIR AND THIN *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& ARMS, BUT WITH EARS FROM SOME ANIMAL, &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# AND MORE DISTURBINGLY, COMPLETELY MADE #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## OF DARK LIQUID GLASS. ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## == ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# == == #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& ------- = = ------- &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* == == *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= == =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= MY FEAR HOLDS ME IN PLACE WHILE HE =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* STARTS OPERATING LEVERS AND DIALS SET *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& IN THE CENTER OF THE STAIRCASE. SLOWLY, &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# IT STARTS SPINNING, CIRCLING UPWARDS. #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## IT'S AN ELEVATOR! I START TO RUN ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### DOWNWARDS, BUT NOW THE LIQUID BOY ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## CREATURE GRABS HOLD OF ME. I TRY TO ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# SHAKE HIM OFF, BUT HE'S TOO STRONG, AND #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& PULLS ME BACK UP BESIDE HIM. &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= THIS TIME, I TURN ANGRY INSTEAD. WHAT =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* THE HELL? WHO IS THIS GUY, ACTING LIKE *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= THIS? I REACH OUT MY FREE ARM AND SLAM =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* A RANDOM LEVER. SOME METAL BAR IS *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& SUDDENLY RELEASED BETWEEN US, HITTING &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# HIM ON THE ARM, FORCING MY RELEASE. I #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## SHOVE HIM OFF OF ME, AND HE FALLS INTO ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### THE LEVERS, MESSING THEM UP. ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## IMMEDIATELY, A THIN RUSTY CHAINMAIL ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# CURTAIN IS DROPPED AROUND ME. BUT THE #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& ELEVATOR ALSO SPEEDS UP SIGNIFICANTLY. &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= THE WALLS ARE FLARING NOW, YELLOW, =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* WHITE, ALMOST BLUE. I CLOSE MY EYES AND *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= CURL INTO A BALL. BUT THEN, THE GLASS =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* BOY SCREAMS, A PIERCING SOUND THAT *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& FORCES MY EYES BACK OPEN. I WATCH AS HE &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# BECOMES TOO LIQUID, HIS BODY POOLING #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## DOWN IN HIS NOW MASSIVE TAIL, AND THE ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### TIP OF IT SUDDENLY BREAKS OF IN A GLASS ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## DROP THAT FALLS TOWARD THE FACTORY ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# FLOOR. #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* HE'S CRAWLING ON THE STAIRS, UNABLE TO *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= KEEP HIS BODY UPRIGHT. CAN'T REACH THE =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* LEVERS, CLAWS AT MY CHAINMAIL CAGE, *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= WHILE HIS BODY IS TURNING INTO DARK =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* PEARLS. FINALLY, HE'S LOST TOO MUCH OF *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& HIMSELF AND THE SCREAM IS CUT SHORT. &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# THE LAST OF HIM RAINS DOWN. #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### I STILL CAN'T REACH THE LEVERS FROM ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## WITHIN MY CAGE. LOOKING UP, I TRY TO ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# MAKE OUT THE CEILING, BUT IT'S ALL A #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& WHIRLING SEA OF COLOURS. BELOW ME GLOWS &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* THE HELLFIRE OF THE FACTORY WALLS, BUT *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= VERY FAINT. I SIT DOWN, CURL BACK UP, =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* BECOME STILL. *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* == *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& == == &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# ------- = = ------- #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## == == ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### == ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# A LARGE CLUNK SHAKES MY ENTIRE BODY, #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& AND SNAPS ME BACK INTO REALITY. I'M &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* BACK AT THE FACTORY FLOOR, BUT THE *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= STAIRS ARE STILL MOVING SLIGHTLY, =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,,,.-* CLICKING IN PLACE, CARRYING ME THE LAST *-.,,,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= FEW CENTIMETERS. I CAME FROM BELOW, =*-.,,,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* SOMEHOW. THE CHAINMAIL IS RETRACTED, *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,.-*=*& AND I SLOWLY DISMOUNT THE STAIRS. &*=*-.,,,,
,,,.-*=*&# #&*=*-.,,,
,,.-*=*&## SHAKING AND CRYING, I MAKE MY WAY OVER ##&*=*-.,,
,.-*=*&### THE FACTORY FLOOR, WADING THROUGH DARK ###&*=*-.,
,,.-*=*&## GLASS MARBLES. A QUICK GLANCE DOWN, AND ##&*=*-.,,
,,,.-*=*&# I SEE THERE'S SOMETHING FAINT INSIDE #&*=*-.,,,
,,,,.-*=*& THEM. EMBRYOS? ARE THESE EGGS? &*=*-.,,,,
,,,,,.-*=* *=*-.,,,,,
,,,,,,.-*= I SHUDDER, AND CLIMB BACK OUT. =*-.,,,,,,
==
== ==
= =
== ==
==