And just like that, they were hiding behind the gates of the Abbey, running from the men who meant to take her husband away from their family. It happened in a flash, really. She felt like only an hour before she was nestled safely in her husband's arms, making love in the seclusion of their honeymoon suite. When they decided to return home immediately, she never imagined they would only stay there for an afternoon before abandoning everything she was so excited to call home.
But, she had to remind herself, her family was in her arms, and soon they would be safe. As much as she was ready to share her first home with them at the villa, they could make home anywhere. She probably wouldn't know much different, she reminded herself. The children were adaptable. They certainly wouldn't mind the change, she hoped.
The rattling of the fencing startled her, and she felt Gretl jump and hold tighter to her in response. Her heart ached that the children were experiencing such fear; she knew how afraid she felt, and couldn't imagine what it must be like for them. It felt like the gates were going to be pulled off their hinges, the echos of the metal reverberating off the walls. The minutes felt like hours before they finally stopped, footsteps retreating. When silence was heard, then began to flee, rushing out into the open.
Seeing a gun pointed at her husband was the single most terrifying thing she could have imagined, but as they exited their hiding place, that was exactly what she saw. Rushing the children to the car, she knew she would have to act quickly if she heard gunfire. If he was shot, would she really have the ability to drive away with the children? He would absolutely expect her to, but she doubted she was strong enough to do that. She prayed passionately while they waited in the car, the older children obviously aware of the situation. She left the drivers door open, but was afraid to turn on the car in case it drew attention.
"Hold on tight." Georg entered the car at lightening speed, and she felt herself sigh in relief, not knowing she was holding her breath until that moment. He whipped the car into gear, and they were flying. She had never been in a car that was going to fast, and she held Gretl and Marta close to her in the front seat to keep them calm.
"Why aren't the following, Father?" Friedrich asked, keeping watch out the back window of the car. Georg looked in the rear view mirror, puzzled as well.
"I don't know." He was hesitant to slow down, but ultimately did so they would not draw attention. The streets were bare, and suddenly they were driving in the pitch-dark night, only the headlights and the half moon to light their way.
Maria estimated that they had been on the road for about an hour before the car began sputtering, obviously running out of gas. Georg muttered a few swear words, which gained amused smiles from a couple of the children. He pulled off onto the side of the road, doing his best to drive deeply into a little wooded area to hide the car the best he could, just in case. They sat there in silence, unsure what the next course of action would be.
"Mother, I'm scared of the dark." Marta looked to Maria with worry in her eyes, and Maria hugged her close.
"It's alright, darling. Look how beautiful the moon is tonight. It's bright enough that we can see each other, at least." She smiled, trying to ease their minds. In reality she knew there were wolves and possibly bears in the mountains, not to mention snakes and other animals that could potentially give them trouble if they weren't careful. She also knew that they would need to press onward for a while before they could rest. They would surely be found if they stayed in the car for very long.
"Alright everyone, listen up." Maria noticed immediately that Georg sounded like the Captain she met on her first day at the villa. She supposed it was only to command attention, but it felt strange to hear after so long. "This is going to be a difficult journey. We did not make it as far as I would have liked in the car, so we are going to have to walk. And we are going to have to start now to get ahead. Help each other as much as you can, do not complain unless you are unwell, and please do not argue."
"Yes, Father." Was heard all around, and he opened the car door, heading toward the trunk to see what he could find. Maria followed, opening her door as well and helping the children out. They gathered at the trunk of the car, finding two flashlights, a couple of picnic blankets, but nothing more. He handed a flashlight to Maria and took one for himself, wrapping one of the blankets around Gretl and lifting her onto his back. Maria took the other blanket and wrapped it around Marta, who took her hand and was ready to brave the mountains.
They began walking into the darkness, the moon guiding them toward the top of the mountains. Having grown up in the mountains, Maria knew the feeling of the climb very well. However, she knew that the children did not. She was not looking forward to dragging or carrying anyone along with the group, but was at least thankful that for the moment they had enough adrenaline left to begin the trek. Georg was right; she feared it would be a long journey ahead.