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= THE GLASS FACTORY. =
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,,,-»\=%&@ 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. @&%=\»-,,,
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