Oh no! Where has my spring break gone? I feel this is a mandatory update (for fear that poor Jordan will hate me forever)...nevertheless, the story continues!

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Chapter 2

"Quickly, Maria, we're nearly late for the train. Platform 7 is just over there, I see." Georg hurriedly ushered his family onward; there was something in the air that he did not like.

Maria looked about her and shivered, "Georg, darling, why are there so few people about? A train just stopped, surely there must be passengers getting on and off."

Georg did not want to stop and think about it, but instead cast a wary look about him and warmly assured his wife, "Probably just the lateness of the hour. We'll be quite safe on the train, it will take us out of Austria, in any case."

He paused; yes it would take them out of Austria. The Austria he so loved and did not know when he would ever see again. They had arrived finally at Platform 7 and, while the train hissed to a stop before them, smoke billowing ominously, Georg happened to look down the length of the train and spot a man leaning out of the window, staring at him, smiling slightly. He froze. He knew that man, what was he doing on a train at this time of night? Then it all clicked. The odd manners of the ticket man, the absence of people about the station...

"Maria! Get the children off the train! Quickly!" He leapt forward and pulled his wife, who was just about to ascend the stairs to the train, back toward him. "Liesl! Friedrich! Get off! Jump off now!"

Liesl looked back. She had been the first to board the train; her parents' warning came too late. Strong hands seized her and she was pushed roughly into a small compartment, into which her brothers and sisters were also unceremoniously thrown. The door was shut and all went black.

"Everyone? Don't be scared! Are we all here?" Liesl strained her ears and was rewarded with six other voices calling back to her. She breathed a sigh of relief, at least they were all together.

Brigitta's small floated out of the darkness, "Liesl? Where do you think they're taking us?"

Little Gretel did not even understand what had happened, "Liesl? Friedrich? Where are Mother and Father? Why is it so dark? I can't see anything."

"Hush Gretel," said Louisa, "We're going to be alright." Her voice wavered, "Aren't we, Liesl?"

Liesl did not know what to say. In truth she was as frightened as any of her siblings, but she knew she must do her utmost to present a calm and strong exterior, especially for the benefit of the younger ones.

"Of course, Louisa. There is no question of that. They must've made some sort of mistake. But don't worry, it'll all soon be sorted out. You'll see..." she tried to smile but, remembering it would be lost in the darkness anyway, replaced it with silent tears.

The train started moving with a sudden lurch. Friedrich felt his way toward Liesl and sat beside her.

"Liesl," he whispered, "What do you suppose happened to Mother and Father? They're safe, I hope."

"Oh of course, there's no question of them being safe. No doubt Father has been apprehended for evasion of duty or something of that sort. You know the Nazis want him for their Navy." She sighed, "No, I'm sure they're safe. It is now just a question of how we shall get back to them. I would imagine it to be very difficult for them to get out of Austria now."

Friedrich frowned, "Where could they be taking us?"

"I don't know. But I think they're taking us out of Austria, the train seems to be moving in that direction."

The train had picked up speed by now and was traveling at a good speed.

"At this rate, we'll be in Switzerland by morning, I imagine," Liesl turned toward Friedrich, "You should try to get some sleep, and...be ready for...whatever happens tomorrow."

Friedrich nodded and, after pressing Liesl's hand, felt his way back to the other side of the compartment and settled down to sleep.

Liesl rested her head against the wall. She had never felt more afraid in her life. Nothing could have prepared her for this journey, for she had always had the protection of a parent or the safety of the walls of her home. Now she had nothing and six brothers and sisters to look after. Feeling too tired for further thought, she allowed the moving train to lull her to sleep.

Several hours had passed when the compartment door was suddenly jerked open. A man stood in the doorway, blocking most of the morning light that came from behind him.

"Good morning, children. I hope you had a restful sleep. You must be very hungry so I've had some food brought up."

A maid entered the compartment and set down several trays of food, and promptly left again.

The man smiled falsely, "Eat up! Eat up! We're about three hours away from our destination. I want you to be well rested, watered and fed, before we get there," he boomed heartily. "Not to worry, children, you're quite safe with me."

Liesl blinked in the harsh light and plucked up enough courage to shout, "Please sir! Where are you taking us? And where are our parents?"

The man laughed, then peered down at her, "So many questions! Didn't I tell you not to worry? Both you and your parents are quite safe. Yes, indeed, quite safe. But no more talk! Eat!"

And with that their door was closed once more, though someone had obligingly turn on the light in their compartment.

The seven children blinked awkwardly at each other. They were in what seemed to be a windowless cupboard. Liesl surveyed the plates set before them, "Well, everyone, there's not much to it now. I don't about you lot but I'm famished." Hungry enough to eat this without knowing what's been put in it, she thought to herself, and picked up a piece of toast. "Come on, let's eat. No use moping now, at least we won't be hungry later on."

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More to come later!