Ghostcloud by by Michael Mann

Author:by Michael Mann [Mann, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 2022-09-20T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

The first thing Luke noticed was the lack of shovels. Normally, you took your shovel from a trolley by the door. This morning, however, there were no trolleys, only a raised platform at the front of the hall, near the flames. Guards stood around it, pulling uncomfortably at their sweaty uniforms.

Against his better instincts, Luke led his friends right up to the platform. Front, far left, that’s what the girl had said. He didn’t know why, but he trusted her.

Ravi tapped Luke’s shoulder. “It’s roasting. Can’t we move to the back?”

Luke shook his head.

Jess smiled. “At least my hair is drying.”

Children entered from the canteen, in dribs and drabs, mostly staying near the back of the hall. Over the crackling flames grew a murmur of voices, as children wondered what on earth was happening. Luke couldn’t remember a day when they hadn’t had to shovel. He soaked it all in. All the guards’ boots shone. Even the floor was polished. Tabatha had to be coming.

Next came the kids from the other dorms, with a certain swagger, and finally, the children from the second chimney, rubbing their eyes. Soon the hall was teeming with bodies. Even Bertha, Luke saw, squeezed in near the back, sweaty and scowling.

Out of the darkness stepped Tabatha. She stood on the platform, the flames casting her shadow long across the children. It must be sweltering up there, thought Luke, but if it was, she didn’t show it. She wore a full black lab coat and a black fur stole, holding her pipe in one hand and clipboard in the other. She placed the pipe in her mouth and blew a cloud of smoke over the audience. A hush fell on the hall.

“Everything burns at the right temperature.” She flashed her white teeth in the darkness. “Coal. Wood. Metal. Stone. Even children. All of them become fuel, under the right conditions. In the right furnace.” She breathed out, letting the smoke seep from the corners of her mouth. “The third chimney will be that furnace. It will revolutionize energy, it will bring light to all of London and revive the economy.” She paused, inhaled from her pipe, then spoke.

“Over the next ten days, we will build this chimney. You’ll work double shifts, receiving meals at your stations. Sleep will be limited to four hours a night.” A wave of whispers rolled up the hall. Tabatha clapped her hands, and silence fell. “The top ten percent of workers will earn their freedom. Those who can’t be useful will receive some of this.” She held up a conical glass flask, filled with black liquid.

What was it? The guards looked equally confused. Some children even began to whisper again. Luke knew to keep quiet.

“You.” Tabatha pointed, from her platform. The crowd of children cleared around a blonde broad boy from another dorm. “You have a lot to say for yourself. Come here.”

The boy shook his head and stepped back. Two guards appeared either side of him and shoved him forward.

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