Birthplace

Right now, I'm sitting on my bed with my knees pulled all up under my chin, watching Grandfather and Uncle walk around. They keep arguing about "the sample" this and "the sample" that, and that means they're talking about me. When they're angry or when something's wrong, they talk like that. But whenever I've done something good, like make my bed or play nice with Fee, they call me Kalas, and I like it better then.

My name is Kalas and I'm almost eight years old. Soon I won't be able to count my age on my fingers anymore. But my Grandfather is really good at making things, so I always say that when I turn eleven he can just make me another finger.

My brother Fee is only three. He's really little, but he can say some things. I like to try teaching him funny words. He can't say his name right yet because he has a "speech development" so he says Pee instead. They get mad at me when I call him that, so I only do it at nighttime when we're alone. Grandfather and Uncle don't sleep in our room anymore because I'm big enough to take care of Fee by myself.

Fee's bed is right next to mine. He uses the same one I did when I was his age, which is a small mat with orange stains on it. He's taking a nap right now. I wonder how much longer he'll sleep because Grandfather keeps talking loudly. Uncle looks at me worriedly.

What? I say and pout. I didn't do it, whatever it is. They sure argue a lot when experiments go wrong. And they complain about research all the time.

Kalas, we didn't say that you did anything. Grandfather's voice tickles my ears.

Then why are you being so mad? I swear I didn't do anything. I am a good boy. I know I am.

That's just fine, isn't it; it shows that you've reached maturity. Well, I think Grandfather is smiling at me now. It's better than all the frowning, but he shouldn't be making fun of me at all. I always look after Fee. I'm a big kid now.

We have a job for you to do, my boy. We didn't think you would be ready for it before, but now that you're a good boy—

Oh, I can do anything! I say.

Splendid, splendid. Now, Uncle and I are going to play a game. It's a very dangerous game, so you'll have to be careful. We're going to play Make Believe, all four of us, alright?

That's just about my favorite game of all. Sometimes I like to make believe that I'm a magician. I also like to make believe that I'm Grandfather, because then I can build anything.

If I were Grandfather, I could make another little brother for Fee and me. We could name him Iron Beetle, like the tanks in my picture book. Then Fee could sleep in my bed and Beetle would sleep on the mat. I think it would be fun to watch Beetle incubating too. I remember when Fee was in a tube, and he looked like rotten celery.

Then I think of all the things that I can do, and I tell Grandfather that I'm really good at Make Believe. I'll go along.

That's great. Do you want to hear about this round of the game? It's going to be very difficult to pull off, so you'll need to concentrate hard for us. First, Uncle and I are going to pretend to blow up the laboratory.

We're pretending, do you understand? Remember the magic tricks from your new book? Just like that, except bigger. You're going to have to be careful, Kalas. Do you think you can do that?

Yes, I reply.

Right, my Uncle says, Just like a magic trick. But you mustn't touch it, or it will go away.

Grandfather nods and continues, Next, we're going to go into Mintaka pretending to be travelers. We can't let anyone find us out, or our game will be finished.

Do I get anything if we win?

Grandfather smiles. Why, I think we'll let you play outside all you want.

Oustide? I can't believe it! Yipee! Outside! Thank you thank you thank you! I jump up off my bed and stick to Grandfather's leg like a big old magnet. I'm so happy to have him. He's probably the nicest Grandfather in the world.

And that's because only the old people get to play in the halls. I've seen Giacomo stomping around out there.

By the way, Giacomo is my other brother. Grandfather says that he made Giacomo before he made me. He's big and tough and he snarls. I've seen dogs before and Giacomo acts like them. I bet that he remembers when I was in the tube just like Fee, but I don't think he likes me now. Maybe I squirted in his eye when I was little. He always calls me "the sample."

Giacomo gets to go outside because he's bigger than me. But after we win I can go play with him! Maybe he'll stop being such a dummy then.

Now Grandfather is telling me about the rest of the plan. Sounds good to me. I'm going to help Fee out. He says that we'll start playing right away, there isn't time, we have to go, so I get up and go over to wake up Fee. But he looks really tired so I just pick him up. I think they were doing tests on him yesterday. Uncle said something about running some examinations on me tomorrow.

I don't really want to. Examinations always hurt. Uncle has to poke me all over and stick his metal instrument into my nose and stuff.

Right now, I'm just excited about the magic show that Grandfather is setting up. Uncle wants to look more like travelers, in case anyone figures out we're playing a game, so he's getting coats for all of us. Fee is curled up against my chest and kind of drooling. I pat him on the head and say "Pee" affectionately. He's a funny baby.

Uncle is getting a lot of things together so that it looks like we're going on a trip. He picks up a stack of paper and asks Grandfather, Should we bring Kalas and Fee's blueprints?

I kind of wonder why they would do that. In case you didn't know, Grandfather and Uncle made me from a pile of Magnus. They wrote an instruction book on it after they finished. Just for if they wanted to make more kids like me and Fee. I don't know why they would bring their plans along. Probably because they want to show off in their traveler disguise.

Anyway, Grandfather shakes his head "no" and puts the papers next to the magic explosives. It looks dangerous, but it will be a fun trick I think.

This is an exciting game... I have butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I can't wait.

Kalas, are you ready?

Sure am, I say.

Remember to be careful, my Grandfather says. I don't want you to get hurt accidentally. Once you hear me give the word, run as fast as you can down the hall.

I nod my head. I don't get many chances to run because they don't let us outside much but I'm good at jumping on one foot. Uncle leaves the room because he's going ahead of me, and I wait in the doorway for Grandfather to give the signal. Fee is still sleeping on my shoulder and I'm pretty sure my shirt is getting wet. Fee is sort of heavy but I can run until we get out of the building.

Grandfather takes out a lighter and clicks it. The thread on the magic explosives catches on fire and Grandfather runs to the doorway with me. He looks out-of-breath. We'll only watch a little bit of it, my boy, and then we have to go finish the game!

Okay. Is it going to turn green like in the book?

It'll be red, and much, much bigger. We put a lot of magic powder out there. Maybe too much, he mutters. Grandfather takes a hold of my shoulders and pulls me away from the door. You should move back so you don't get hurt. We wouldn't want that, now.

But I get to see it, right? I want to be a magician someday.

Yes, but only a little... Uncle is waiting, after all. He's moving backwards again. We're getting even further from the doorway. Grandfather begins to look worried. But I want to see the explosion, so I lean forward. Here it comes, Kalas... Now, why don't you let me hold on to Fee? Keep away from the door!

I give him Fee, who wiggles his arms and legs like a crab in his sleep. The explosives are about to go off. Then it lights.

It starts in a few bursts. I laugh at all the sparking it does. Then it blows up really fast and takes up the whole room. Soon I can't see the inside because it's so red. The walls in the room bulge out and there's a burst of heat that comes at me and Grandfather. I hold my arms up to shield myself but it's like someone's slamming me and throwing a wall at my face.

Kalas, run!