It was a typical evening route. The one he took to get the small packages across to Warsaw ghetto. Inside mostly medicine and fake documents. He dressed in common brown coat, a bit to big to accommodate the extras without raising suspicion.
He looked up to his friends face. Toris saw that and offered a small smile. Always comforting. A few years older and a lot more mature, he was the leader of their squad.
It was a nice May night. Still warm. Quiet. The city of Warsaw was beautiful despite the ongoing war. It got used to it a lot easier then it's inhabitants. The trees planted along the streets were in bloom.
They neared the place, where the packages were left. A small crack at the bottom of the ghetto wall. Toris lighted up a cigarette, probably just to make it a bit less suspicious that two people stood near the ghetto wall with the uprising going on inside. An excuse that wouldn't work anyway, anybody outside after nightfall would be questioned.
Feliks bent down and quickly showed the envelope into the crack. He smiled at the job well done.
Then there was a gunshot, some screaming in German. Feliks found himself lying on the pavement, his arm was burning. Pain was severe. He knew he was shot but couldn't locate the precise place. Obviously not the head, he was still alive.
Next to him Toris was kneeling aiming at the German soldiers or gestapo patrol that walked in on them. They never asked questions first.
He aimed and shot both of them down and helped his friend get up. Feliks winced at the pain, his side was also hit.
They started running, wildly knowing that soon reinforcement will come after them. Few turns and corners later and they were at Feliks' place. Safe.
Feliks was sitting on the bed as Toris slowly bandaged his arm, after disinfecting and putting on some stitches. It was good Toris completed the first two years of medical degree before war broke out. The bleeding mostly stopped.
Feliks' mother stood near the door of the room, arms crossed on her chest, looking over disapprovingly.
"Can you move your fingers?" Toris said, brushing his hand over the bandages gently. The other tried but only winced at the pain. "I take that as a no."
Feliks offered an apologetic smile.
They looked into each others eyes, both gleaming, like two accomplices of a prank. One bad arm for two lives of German soldiers. Not bad.
"Probably you got a torn muscle, it will heal in few months. Your left side is just scratched."
"It's fine" Feliks put up his most brave smile when another bit of pain shot thorough his arm.
"I think this is a good moment for you to visit you aunts in the countryside" His mother started with a decisive tone. The one that made clear that there was no room for argument.
"No" Feliks protested "I have duties here."
"I will not tolerate my son bringing troubles to this household." The woman hissed with anger.
"Troubles? You call this troubles."
"You're visiting your aunts. Tomorrow."
"I can't go. Don't you understand."
Feliks turned to look at Toris, seeking any help. "You will be easily found out if you stay here" he said not meeting the other boys eyes "You'll be risking your life."
"This is war, we are meant to risk our lives" Feliks groaned.
"They'll know when you go to school, teachers will find out sooner or later." Toris squeezed his colleague's hand, eyes asking for forgiveness "and that will also put others in danger. You know that it may only lead to trouble."
Feliks' mother still looked over with a grimace from the corner of the room.
Few hours of bartering later the blond resigned himself and prepared to leave for the countryside.
It was dawn and Feliks was telling the last information to Toris. Now their squad would need to pick a new person in charge of printing the newspapers and fake documents, distributing them in the underground or the ghetto.
Feliks also needed to be assured several times that his classmates from school (the underground one, for the German high school mates he couldn't care less) will get his temporary goodbye. He was just a normal eighteen year old. He planned to pass the maturity exam this June, but that would have to wait, and get to the university. Maybe study history and polish. There was not much choice when you studied in the underground, worked for the underground and fought in Grey Ranks.
"I'll be back soon" He said looking at Toris, his face smiling but eyes conveyed the grim undertone. He wanted to fight not laze around on some farm. He was finally old enough and became a part of assault group.
"I know you'll be back soon" his friend smiled. Toris fought from the beginning of war and you could see the years of stress on his young face.
"Keep my place warm for me"
Toris smiled "Of course" and then put a small revolver in the others hand "You're my dearest friend, please keep yourself safe until you're back. Hope that will help."
Feliks smiled as he moved the item into the pocket of his pants.
"You should worry about yourself first. I'll have lazy holidays on a farm."
"Yep. Hopefully like the one in Pan Tadeusz. But you know the countryside will be not as nice." Toris nudged the other with an elbow.
Feliks rolled his eyes, when would this 'joke' get old. There were some cons about having a Lithuanian in a squad. "Yes, I get it, I get it. There's nothing as beautiful as Lithuania. You can show off."
They left the coziness of the blonds flat and stood outside. The morning greeted them with clear sky.
The hugged, said brief goodbye and went their separate ways.