Chapter #7

   It was surprising how much dust there was in Bluren's house. She had been packing most of the afternoon, and that meant going through old boxes. As small as her house was, she could still manage to fit at least 25 boxes of things like old projects, assortments when she was little, and things Bethany used to have.

   It was strange to think that she was leaving The Beach, a thing she had never been allowed to do. That when she finished at the Masters headquarters, she had gone straight to the bakery to resign. Emi looked concerned and asked why, but The Masters had given her instructions to tell no one of her recent employment. "Well, we will miss you Bluren." Emi said, smiling "And thank you for your help." Ciri, who didn't have to worry about his former competitor anymore, wished her the best and waved goodbye with the biggests of grins on his face. Bluren really would miss the bakery, the smells of bread early in the morning, Emi's kindness, and the happy faces of the customers buying goods.

   In two short hours, Bluren had her things packed and ready. She had been told that she would be given cloths, cooking things, and other essentials when she moved into her new quarters. It puzzled her as to why she needed to move houses, when she could just ride her bike to the Masters headquarters, although she hadn't time to ask. The things she had decided to take were several well-loved books, a small stuffed animal called a Tiger that she had won in a school contest when she was little, her pillows and blankets, and of course Bethany's project.

   After her house was cleaned, Bluren just stood for a moment staring around. This was the home she grew up in. Ever since she could remember she had lived here with Bethany. The swept dirt floor was their pen and paper. Bluren had grown up watching Bethany draw abstruse designs and blueprints with thin twigs. Bluren herself had made pictures in the sandy earth and invented stories to go with them. These years of creativity drastically slowed as soon as Bluren graduated school. She had graduated in 2470, the same year that the weather and sun had died for a whole week at a time. It wasn't just a blink in the sun or a drop in the temperature, at all went out at once, without warning. The little electricity rationed in The Beach was all of a sudden non existent.

   Bluren remembered it as being one of the only times in her life where she had actually seen the masters. There was a meeting called at the gate of the Masters headquarters, and one of the Masters had gotten up on a high balcony and announced to everyone that this problem would be over soon, and not to worry. For a week they all had to carry lanterns wherever they went, causing tiny glowing dots to dot the streets.

   A small rap at her door caused Bluren to snap out of her memories. When she opened it the same little girl with the short dark hair cut and white dress was there waiting to escort her to the Masters Headquarters. Gathering her bags under her arms, she took a last look and followed the girl out the door.

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   In the Masters headquarters, the girl lead Bluren through the entry hall, up the tube, past the of purposeful people, and into an entirely different section of the building. It was a quiet corridor, carpeted with a red floral print, and had homogeneous bronze circular doors running down one side of the wall as far as Bluren could see. The walls were dark wood planks, sanded and lacquered until it's was smooth and glossy. They walked down the hall until finally stopping at a door with the number 475 above the door. Bluren wondered if it was a coincidence that that was her own number.

   "This room is yours" the girl said "You can activate the door with your handprint. All you have to do is place your hand on the pad in the wall." So she did, and when she did so, her palm tingled as the pad scanned her hand. The door spiraled out into the wall and the girl motioned for Bluren to step inside. The room was so much bigger than Bluren had expected. It smelled like the cinnamon buns made at Emi's bakery. She happily inhaled the familiar scent.Plush white carpet, not unlike the one in the hall, a huge round bed with fluffy violet cushions, and an armoire made of the same dark oak. She opened it, and inside were several pairs of white dresses, purple blazers, and shin length leather work boots.

   There was one window on the side of the wall. Bluren pushed back the heavy cream colored curtains, and looked out. The window had a breathtakingly high up view of the whole town. She could see the beach, the school with children pouring out of the doors, the grasslands, and even the bakery by the ally.

   The room was wonderful, and a flood of gratitude filled Bluren's mind. She turned around. "Thank you." She said "This is the best place I've ever lived." The girl smiled. "Only the best for the masters." She said. "I have been assigned to be you guide and helper. If you ever need anything, please tell the operator on you telephone in the bathroom through that door." She curtsied and started to leave "Wait!" Bluren called "If your to help me, what should I call you?"

   "Oh, yes I forgot!" The little girl exclaimed "I am called 700."