"So let me get this straight. You want to look for your father?" He whispered.

"Yeah!" She said quietly.

"But you don't know where he is?"

"No idea."

"And the only clue you have is in that old storybook?"

"That's right..."

"You realize he's probably long gone? If he's even still alive."

"I know that." Amelia groaned

"Look, kid." He gave a weary sigh. "You've been here for three years. Another four and you'll earn your citizenship. It might seem bad now. But when you're free it'll all be worth it."

He gestured towards the man sitting near the door to the workshop. "Besides, I heard the obligate is being moved. I'm sure that things will get better after that."

"I can't wait that long!" She shouted. And immediately clasped her mouth closed with her hands.

The room went silent. The old man sat in front her held his head in his hands, and was staring at his feet.
The other tables did the same. They know what happens when someone makes a scene.

"What's all this noise about?"

The obligate's voice echoed throughout the room. When Amelia heard it, her whole body stiffened.
She looked to the tables around her. And as she looked everyone turned their faces away. She was alone.

Amelia instantly stood up and bowed to the man, who was walking towards her from his desk. The chain around her legs rattled as she did so.

"I'm so sorry! I was out of place, please forgive me!" It came out as a whimper.

The crude, disheveled man stopped in front of her, and grabbed her chin with his fingers.

"How many times have I told you to stay quiet? And now you've stopped everyone from working. How are you going to make up for this?." He said in a low tone.

She froze. Her mind went completely blank. The combination of shock from her outburst and fear of the obligate totally shut her down.

But just after the obligate spoke, the door to the workshop opened.

"Nate! Why arent these people working? Don't you know how to do your damn job?"

"Yes ma'am!" He grabbed Amelia by the neck, and pulled a large metal ring from his belt. "This one is acting out. So im just putting a mute on her."

Amelia's eyes went wide. She knows what that will do. But her body still refused to move.

"You don't need to make a show of it. Hurry up and get everyone back to it."

"Yes ma'am." The woman walked out, and the door closed behind her.

"You little shit. You think you can get me into trouble?" He said angrily

Nate put the metal ring around her head, covering her mouth, and tightly locked it into place.

"Now sit down and finish your tasks." He shoved Amelia to the ground. "If I have to get up again i wont be so nice."

She immediately grabbed her sewing needles, and continued working on in silence.