A/N Another chapter, let me know what you think :)
Sitting cross legged on the neatly made bed, I stared with concentration as I grabbed and assembled what would hopefully be a gun. With much time to myself, I had been practicing relentlessly; studying each and every part and rehearsing where it all goes. With a bit of luck, I think I'll be able to get it this time around.
Brushing a strand of loose hair away, I locked in the last piece of the gun with a light click. Turning it side to side for inspection, it all looked in order. The only thing is to do is test it. Pulling on the barrel of the gun to slide it back and forth, I pushed down the hammer before aiming at the wall in front of me and firing. With no bullets inside, all that sounded was a light click, but it was the exact sound that I needed to tell me I had gotten it right; that the gun would indeed fire if it had a bullet inside.
Smiling with pride, I lowered the gun to run my fingers along the numbers carved into the barrel of the weapon. I had finally done it, and I couldn't believe it. Looking around, I was a bit sad that there was no one here to see my accomplishment – not even the soldier. He's currently out checking the surroundings to make sure where we're still safe, and also to replenish supplies.
Gently tossing the gun onto the bed, I rubbed my swollen belly before getting up to go to the kitchen; which is harder than it sounds with my condition. After being allowed outside, it only took me a week of walking around in order to get my original mobility back into shape, which is fantastic. Now I'm not so restless all the time, and it helps that I've also found some things around the house to keep me busy. First on the list, is to water the plants.
I know the idea of looking after flowers was unnecessary and somewhat stupid considering, but it kept my mind occupied and it also gave me a sense of duty. Turning on the tap to the kitchen sink, surprisingly we're still able to get water here; although we didn't drink it as it all came from the water tank at the back of the house. Filling the small jug I had found in one of the cupboards, I turned off the tap before making my way to the other smaller second bedroom of the house.
Clearing the space a few days ago, I had made enough room to move the plant pots that were originally beside the back steps of the patio, inside this room. This made it safer so that I didn't have to go outside, and the plants had all the sunlight they needed from the bedroom window. It all worked out perfectly.
Kneeling down beside the first pot plant, I trickled a small bit of water along the leaves and into the soil. Originally there were eight in total but I could only manage to save five of them, still, there all very beautiful in colour; ranging from yellow, purple and red. Once I had finished watering them all, I returned to the kitchen, but just as I was about to put away the jug – I heard noise. It was the sound of engines, and more specifically, that of motorbikes.
Feeling my heart leap into my throat as my palms began to sweat, I could hear them coming closer and closer and I didn't know what to do. It's been weeks since we've settled here and there've been no sign of any activity other than ourselves. Getting down low, I placed a hand on my stomach to relieve the pressure as I crawled. Making my way along the floor, I reached the couch where a green duffle bag was located. Unzipping it quickly, I pulled out a simple hand gun and checked to see that it was loaded.
Crawling along the living room, their engines were loud as I made my way into the hallway. Where do I hide? What if they stop and come in side? What do I do if that happens? A million questions ran through my mind, but I couldn't help but also ask myself this – of all times, why now? Why did this have to happen when the soldier is gone? I drew it down to bad luck and timing.
Further listening to the grumbling sounds of the motorbikes, I knew they had to have come from the camp the soldier had told me about; as that was the only logical answer I could come up with. Then there's also the fact that if they're from the camp, then their either S.S or other Nazi soldiers. Both dangerous.
Staying in the hallway so I could keep an ear out, I hoped that they would just pass by, but as the engines rumbled just outside the cottage before cutting out, I knew that wasn't going to be the case. Now listening to the distinct voices of men talking to each other in Russian, I paused quiet and still. Why did they pull over to the house? What could be their reason when there's nothing here? It confused me to no end, and it became even worse when I could probably have found out if I just knew what they were saying.
Listening to the men as they continued to talk to each other, I began to scoot backwards in the hallway when a hand wrapped around my waist to rest on my hip while the other covered my mouth in a tight grip. Scared that I had been caught, my heart pounded "Be very quiet" came the sudden voice of the soldier and he spoke quietly. Breathing out a relaxed sigh, I thanked the Lord that it was just him.
Feeling the soldier pull me back down the hallway and into the master bedroom, he had quietly ushered us into the built in closet. Pushing up against one side, my back was pressed against his chest as his hand continued to cover my mouth. I didn't trust myself not to make a noise and now was most certainly not the time to be killing anyone; the camp would know and they would send even more of their soldiers.
Barely hearing the men's voices through the closet door, their footsteps echoed along the wooden floor as they moved about. Making their way down the hallway, one of them had come into the bedroom as I could see their shadow down the bottom of the door. Creaking about, I knew he was just there – right outside. Suddenly everything became hot and my nerves were rattling my body at all the possible outcomes of this one moment. What if they find us? We'd be in serious trouble. We'll probably have to move again.
Watching the shadow move, the man just outside the closet door spoke before finally leaving the room. Shakily sighing through my nose, we waited another ten minutes before the front door slammed. Still not moving, another five minutes had passed before the soldier released me and opened the closet door.
Turning to me, he ordered "Stay here. I'll make sure they're gone" before leaving to look around the house. Coming back a minute or two later, it was now clear "it's fine. You can come out"
Instantly a rush of question left my mouth "Who are they? Why were they here?" I know the soldier could understand and speak Russian, he had to of have picked up something.
"They were soldiers from the camp looking for a prisoner" replied the soldier as I followed him out into the living room, the gun still in my hand.
"Someone escaped?" I questioned with a furrow to my brow "I thought that was impossible" looking down to the floor, I wondered about it – how he or she managed to do it, and where were they now. It all puzzled me, until I was brought out of my haze by the soldier's fingers taking the gun from my hand.
Placing the gun down on a nearby table, the soldier looked at me "From now on, when I'm away, and if this happens again, you take the gun I put in the draw of the bedroom and you hide in the closet – understand?" nodding my head, I stood somewhat still as my hands were still shaking from the adrenalin rush. Noticing my lack of movement, he asked "are you alright?"
"Y-yes…I'm okay. I just need to sit down" walked toward the couch, I sat before placing my hand on my stomach. Feeling the baby kick inside of me, air had left my lungs as it felt sharp and painful. Too much movement and stress I thought to myself.
"You should lie down and rest" watching the soldier grab a pillow, he handed it to me before picking up a thin blanket nearby. Lying down on the couch, I positioned myself so that I was on my side before he placed the blanket over me. Tucking myself in, I took a deep breath before I closed my eyes.
A fiery furnace I couldn't tell if it was me or just the temperature of the room, but either way I can barely stand it. Adjusting myself on the couch, I kicked the blanket off of my body to hear it drop to the floor. Feeling myself cooling down, I twitched as I fell back into the realm of sleep. After everything that's happened today, it all continued to weigh heavily on my mind and I started to dream of my family.
My mother. My brother. They're right there in front of me – waving with smiles on their faces. I could feel the wind on my face and the soft grass brushing against my ankles. Spinning as I stared up at the bright blue sky, I looked back down to see Garrick and me holding hands as we twisted our way through the empty fields. It's just us – and then mother. I can hear her screaming in the distance.
Suddenly the grass and trees had disappeared to be replaced by mud and barbed wire fences. Standing in one of many lines, I was right in between mother and Garrick; surrounded by a sea of unrecognisable faces. From that moment I knew exactly where we were – in one of the concentration camps, looking up at an S.S officer as he spoke in Russian.
Then one by one, all the people around me began to fade; including my mother and brother. It was as if they were all dying, and soon all that was left was me and a figure in black. Marching towards me slowly, it soon stopped right in front of me; tall and menacing like a looming shadow. Looking up, I realised it to be none other than the soldier himself.
Gasping, I jolted awake at the sensation of something warm and wet being placed over my forehead. Looking around in the dim glow coming from a gas lamp, I found the figure from my dreams, the soldier, kneeling beside the couch. Feeling his hand on my chest, he pressed me back down to lay "What are you doing?" I asked. It's the middle of the night.
"You're sweating and your temperatures high" replied the soldier "I think you might have a fever again" lying on the couch, I could now feel what he was talking about; my skin is boiling and there's a constant pounding in my head. Taking deep breaths, flashes of the nightmare had come across my mind and my hands were starting to shake from the affect. Still kneeling beside me, the soldier looked me up and down "you were muttering in your sleep. Tossing and turning" he stated "what were your dreaming about?"
"It wasn't a dream…" I replied "it was a nightmare, and a terrible one. I don't want to talk about it…" feeling uncomfortable with the silence that my answer had brought, the soldier had gotten up from the floor to walk over to the kitchen. Hearing rustling, he soon returned with water and two white capsules.
"Sit up and take these" doing as he said without question, I took off the towel from my head before shuffling to sit up straight. Taking the tablets from his hand, I put them in my mouth before swallowing with some water; they have a disgusting after taste. Laying back down on my side position, the soldier had taken the towel and was about to leave.
"Do you think my family's in that camp?" I asked out of the blue, the question slipping past my lips quickly.
Pausing as he stood, the soldier turned to look down at me "I don't know where your family is…" he replied "the probability is one in a million"
"Do you think they're even still alive? That they've survived this long?" I don't know where this was all coming from, but I felt as if I needed to ask. To get it all off my chest "it's okay. You don't have to lie to make me feel better…you can tell me the truth" even if I don't want to hear it.
Listening to the soldier sigh, he dropped the towel onto the nearby table "The truth is no…I don't"