Manuela looked anxiously at the clock for the umpteenth time and sighed in frustration. It was already ten past nine, and still, there was no trace of her breakout companion. Had she not been so tormented, Manuela probably would have laughed at the preposterous situation. If, by good fortune, everything went as expected, she would owe her freedom to Eckbert, but conversely, if her attempt to escape tonight failed, she would forever be tied to this man in the cruellest turn of events. Two days ago, during their last meeting before the fateful day, Manuela had all but begged on her knees for Eckbert's help. She had nervously waited for his answer after she had detailed her whole escape plan and had watched in horror as he had left without saying a word, his face grave and impassive. This was when Manuela had realised just how risky this strategy was, to the point of reckless. As far as she knew, Eckbert could have informed her aunt of her intentions by now, or he could have just dismissed the whole idea, knowing very well that Manuela could go nowhere without help.
But she could not miss this chance to leave, not when she had finally made up her mind. In spite of her overwhelming love for Elisabeth, Manuela had felt an uncanny reluctance at the idea of fleeing the country in such a rush without telling anyone. The idea of leaving with the woman she loved was overwhelming, of course, but what of the life she would leave behind? What of Berti? Would she ever see him again? Who would bring flowers to their parents' and Alfred's grave now? And how could she leave without even a goodbye to her dear Yvette? These thoughts had kept Manuela awake for the past few nights, her mind tortured between the guilt of abandoning the few people she had left, and the desire to start a new life with the only person who could bring her true happiness.
She rose from her bed and walked to the window, the precious piece of paper given by Elisabeth clutched tightly in her closed fist. Manuela already knew its short content by heart -'Train to Hamburg at 10.34 pm. Platform B'- but its presence in her palm was comforting somehow, like an invisible thread connecting them. She let her eyes roam over the dark, empty park outside. If she actually managed to leave tonight, at least a few people would undoubtedly miss her. Some would surely be upset or saddened by her unexpected departure; others would be worried, resentful even. But ultimately, everyone would survive. However, if she let Elisabeth leave without her tonight, Manuela was not sure she would survive. Actually if she let herself imagine this eventuality long enough, she knew she would surely die of sorrow. A faint sound at the window interrupted her rumination. She rushed to the balcony and opened the French doors before leaning over the railing to look down.
The feeling of relief upon seeing Eckbert's head full of hair as he started climbing up the balcony was as indescribable as foreign and she felt her heart race uncharacteristically in the presence of the young man. As he finally reached the top, he jumped down next to her with a smug grin and extended his arms as if he expected to receive a well-deserved hug.
"Your Romeo is here, milady."
Manuela looked at the smile she would have found annoying in any other circumstances and burst in laughter, patting his cheek with sibling-like affection.
"I never would have thought I'd say it one day, but I'm glad to see you," she said before motioning for him to come inside. She abruptly stopped though, and glanced at him over her shoulder. "Oh, and by the way; the role is already taken."
He paused for a moment, a disconcerted look on his face.
"Why am I helping you, again?"
"You are helping yourself in the first place, remember. You could never handle a woman like me as your spouse," she explained matter-of-factly and he rolled his eyes, following her inside.
"Here is everything you asked for," Eckbert muttered, dropping the bag that was slung over his shoulder to the ground.
Manuela nodded and opened it; quickly scanning the bag's content before placing it into a bigger one holding only a few precious items she did not have the heart to leave behind.
"Do you have a coach waiting outside as I asked?" she demanded hurriedly, sliding both bags over her own shoulder.
"No…" he said, his tone cryptic, and before Manuela could protest, he quickly added, "I have even better! I thought you might like a ride in one of the most beautiful German cars ever made before you leave for the New World."
Manuela stared at him with wide eyes, effectively speechless. He had mentioned more than once his father's automobile with a certain pride, and she just could not believe he had taken the risk to borrow it for her.
"You know, Eck," she said after a while, shaking her head with a knowing smile. "I have to admit I am impressed with you."
"Are you impressed enough to stay here and marry me so that I don't get disowned by my father?"
"Not a chance," she replied without missing a beat and gave him a playful push on the shoulder. "But… Thank you. I owe you a lot," she stammered, suddenly uncomfortable.
He looked down, embarrassed as well and visibly unprepared for such a display of honesty.
"Don't thank me yet, you still have a long way to go."
She only nodded, her throat suddenly tight with apprehension, and she motioned for him to go first.
"Here goes nothing," Eckbert sighed before stepping over the railing with disconcerting facility.
Manuela followed close behind and they started their careful and overall quite hazardous descent down the wooden trellis. Manuela silently cursed herself for not having changed out of her dress beforehand.
"Careful up there!" the young man below her cried out after she slipped and caught herself at the very last moment for the second time.
"No need to shout! I've got this."
"If you fall on me, you're on your own!"
"Be quiet! You'll wake the whole house with your whining!" she urged through gritted teeth, now positively worried their bickering would be heard at some point.
The sound of Eckbert jumping heavily to the ground made her feel instantly relieved and she climbed down the few last rungs. I am doing it, she thought as her own feet touched the ground. She would take the train to Hamburg, and she and Elisabeth would embark on a boat towards America. They would finally be together and they would never go back. Her face broke into a smile and she did nothing to stop it.
This feeling of elation was, however, short-lived when a light flickered on in the room right above her. Her aunt's bedroom.
"Manuela…" she heard the boy beside her stammer. "We need to run. Now!"