Gold And Coal (Ryden AU)

1.22 ◇ Chasing Cars

The sun already stood pretty high by the time we got out of the carriage, or let's say I think it did, as it was covered with numerous clouds and I could only estimate it's position.

Brendon's father led the way inside, not the way I was used to, but on the other side of the factory. It didn't look dirty from this side, in the contrary, it looked welcoming.

Flowers decorated the sides of the stairs which led up to the main entrance, two fancy wooden doors with doorknobs coated in gold.

As we walked inside, a joyfully gurgling fountain brought a lively atmosphere into the hall.

I didn't get to look around much, because we quickly walked through a big metal door and I cringed slightly as a wave of noise hit me. The peaceful silence from a moment before had been completed sucked up by the angry sounds of the machines running bellow us.

I made the mistake of looking down, and regretted it immediately, because from up here, the situation looked even worse than from standing down there.

I felt out of place looking down at then, it made me feel guilty even though I hadn't done anything.

Swallowing all of that, I turned my attention back to where we were going; another steel door.

Upon walking through this one, the noise was muffled, but not completely gone, just enough so you could conversate without having to raise your voice.

It was a small office, two desks, and a big shelf with tons of files stacked inside.

Brendon and his father took a seat infront of the desks whilst the other guy and I remained standing at a respectful distance behind them.

Mr. Urie flicked open a file already lying on the desk.

"Now, we have to fix the damage, meaning we need money, meaning workers need to go, cheaper ones need to be hired, preferably children," he instructed.

"Pick out a few who should go."

I saw Brendon nod without protest and tried to quench the flame of rage burning inside my chest. He had enough money. He was just a greedy, self-centered little bitch.

Don't break character, don't break character.

Brendon's words drifted through my mind and I held onto them desperately as I watched him throw aside file after file, destroying people's lives, possibly even ending it.

The pile grew and grew, the longer I stood there, and my heart was hammered deep into the ground by the time Brendon had apparently gathered enough files.

His father nodded in approval, pressing a tiny red button on the wall and I immediately heard the terrible noise break through the walls from outside.

As soon as he turned it off, we walked through the door and Brendon's father walked onto a small platform, from which I had heard him speak so many times before.

"Listen!"

I flinched at how much louder his voice was from up here.

"Those whose names are now read shall no longer come back here and will no longer receive pay!

William Langley

Elizabeth Bristol

Jon Walker

Thomas Staple

James Sutton

Isaac Little

Anne Fletcher

Harry Taylor