Homesick
Chapter Nineteen - The Line to the Foundry

4702 felt a brief sense of loss when the Brethren started to move. His castle of bricks was not yet finished and it was time to move on to the metal area. He hurriedly tried to clear off one last brick for his pile, scratching wildly at a stubborn piece of mortar with his broken fingernails. The mortar didn’t shift, but was quickly painted red with blood from his raw fingers. He slammed it on the ground, finally cracking the mortar loose. He surveyed the other piles. Some were taller than his, and on his next shift he would have to start all over again. But then he could work faster and build an even bigger tower! He smiled at this thought. He would show them all how much he loved his Masters! He would show them all!

The others in his group were up and moving now, perhaps making similar promises to themselves. He turned with them towards the foundry. They smiled supportively at each other. Any competition they felt was not negative. They were all Brethren and they were all doing their best. As long as the Masters had their new tower, that was all that mattered. Others would come and take their turns, so more bricks would be made. Best of all, the day was not yet over! There would be plenty more fun tasks to perform!

They moved as a unit. He and his brothers and sisters were like one person! They shared everything and they all worked together. Best of all, the Brethren accepted him! He was immersed in them like a bird in a flock! The smell of the others reassured him he was never alone! He felt them brushing against him, walking with him, and sharing his purpose. He loved them and they loved him. It was the only perfect love he had ever known! This was paradise! He walked along to the foundry in love with all that surrounded him.

But then one of his sisters bumped into him, almost falling down. Someone had pushed her from behind. He turned and saw two strange people shoving their way into the line. Odd. They weren’t moving in unison with the Brethren. In fact, they almost appeared to be working against them. Didn’t they understand they were slowing down the line? But these people weren’t trying to join the line. They were trying to push through it. And they were both staring directly at him. Why? They were strangers, but they looked vaguely familiar. Then 4702 remembered something about his conversation with Mistress Obiiilion. Oh, yes! These were the people from his nightmares! He grinned. Mistress Obiiilion must have rescued them just like she promised! Maybe he’d helped by telling the builders what he could remember! But, if that were true, why didn’t they join the line? Something was wrong. Even though they’d found paradise, they looked far from happy. Instead, they seemed worried.

The woman grabbed him by the arm and tried to pull him out of the line. The man reached for his other arm. They tugged him hard! What was this? What were they trying to do? He struggled to remain in line but they were strong. The metal work awaited him. He didn’t have time for this! They were trying to slow down production!

Then they started yelling at him, but their words made no sense. In fact, only one word they said sounded familiar at all. “Kelthy.” What did they mean by that? He struggled to fend them off and rejoin the line.

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