This chapter is still from Julie's perspective.
The carriage takes us to a large building with an iron gate. A large sign reads ‘THE FORK! FACTORY!’ The gate begins to rise and we ride into the gated court. The carriage stops and Mobrik escorts us out of the carriage. The Overseer walks out in front of us and says, “Welcome to the Fork Factory girls! Mobrik untie them.” The ridgerunner cuts our bonds and pushes us forward toward the Overseer. I rub my wrist and glance at Sylvia, whose face is stained with tears. I step closer to her and gently rub her back. Turning to the Overseer, I ask, “What do you want with us?” He looks at me almost disbelievingly and replies, “What did you say?”
I raise my voice and say again, “What do you want with us?” A fist makes contact with my stomach. I double over, gasping for breath. I look up at the Overseer in confusion, and he says, “Mobrik, tell them.”
“Tools don’t speak they nod like this,” he nods his tiny head vigorously, “Or they shake like this,” he shakes his head. The Overseer turns to me and says, “How rude I’ve been let me introduce myself,” He drops to one knee and removes his hat, then runs his fingers through his greasy hair. “I’m the Overseer. You’re a tool in my factory, no different from a hammer or a rake. The difference is, unlike a hammer, I have to feed your greedy face to keep you alive. Do you understand?” I consider responding, but I just nod, still out of breath. The Overseer looks at me and smiles a horrible smile, “She will be perfect for the pairing station, be sure she has no rest till morning.” He turns to Wren and examines her hands, “She’ll be good at forging.” He then looks toward Sylvia and the other girl and says, “Put them in the kitchen.” He makes a dismissive hand gesture to Mobrik and walks away. Mobrik rolls his eyes, turns to us, and says, “Come on!”
We walk through the front doors, down a long hallway and into a very warm room. He leads us down stairs and to a giant furnace. A teenage boy stands at a table hitting a piece of metal with a hammer, Mobrik clears his throat and the boy turns to him.
“Teach her how to forge the metal,” Mobrik tells the boy and shoves Wren forward. Wren lets out a stifled cry and struggles to find her footing. The boy says with some concern, “Are you ok?” Wren looks down and nods. “Let me show you how to do this. First,” Mobrik leads me away and I follow grudgingly. “Knubis! Teach this girl how to pare!” A girl cutting metal looks up and says, “Yes sir.” Mobrik turns to leave and I queitly lean down to Sylvia and say, “Everything will be ok, do what they say, I will get us out of here.” Mobrik turns and says, “Get to the paring Tool!” Mobrik grabs Sylvia and they walk out of the room. I stand defeated for a minute then turn towards the Knubis girl.