Chapter 7: Escape into the night
Basta's heart stopped beating, and he found it nearly impossible to breathe.
I'm locked outside my cell. I'm locked outside my cell. Oh my god... I'm locked outside my cell!
Basta's mind swam. He was utterly terrified of being caught outside of where he was supposed to be. He needed to get back inside, before he was caught, before he was punished...
A cold shiver ran down Basta's spine as he thought of all the punishments Capricorn had bestowed upon him when he'd done something relatively bad. And this... this was terrible. He was clearly disobeying rules and the punishments, he figured, would be severe. He quickly made a decision to follow Fräulein Ehrlichmann and Colonel Landa and somehow steal the keys. He would do anything- anything- to avoid punishment. Capricorn's abuse had left too many scars, both physical and emotional, to be healed. Basta didn't want any more scars; especially since he had the chance to start over, away from his former master. With a start, Basta took a few deep breaths, and jogged away from his cell. In the lobby, he found a window left propped open with a fountain pen. With a grin, he hauled himself up to the sill, and climbed through, bumping it shut with his head by accident. He cursed to himself before landing on his feet on the sidewalk below. The night was cold and moist, filling Basta's lungs. He felt his nostrils widen as a low breeze whispered up the street, ruffling his damp hair. He jogged up the street and around the corner, straining his eyes in the dark to see Ehrlichmann and Landa. When he couldn't see them, he felt his heart pound. He looked up and down the street, and as his eyes began adjusting to the dark, he became startled by the strangeness of the new city. Buildings several stories tall huddled together along the clean street. Golden lights illuminated some windows. Basta's head snapped from left to right as he looked up and down the street. The cool air tickled his skin, and he felt his stomach fill with butterflies. Should I turn right or left? But the sound of laughter caught his attention. Anna's laugh was faint and distant, lost in the night, but most definitely coming from Basta's left. He began running up the sidewalk, his socks soaking through from the dampness on the sidewalks. He ran past a few street lights, illuminating part of the street in a faint orange-y light. And as he continued to run, he could see two figures walking hand in hand up the street. The woman wearing the man's long leather over coat. Landa's long leather over coat. Bingo! Basta kept fifty meters behind them, as he skulked up the sidewalk. The thought of Landa turning and noticing him made Basta's heart patter too quickly. He kept his breathing level and followed silently. The couple turned right, crossing the empty street, and onto another sidewalk. Basta followed swiftly, walking as close to the buildings as he could, to keep out of sight in case Landa turned suddenly. As he became more comfortable, following the two block to block, he had time to let his mind wander. Of course he thought of the incident in Landa's office. Before, he had wondered if he'd liked what he'd seen. He realised, as the couple turned right, that he didn't like it, not one bit. Basta was every bit jealous. His mind briefly flicked back to Roxanne, the woman he fancied back at home. She was an entertainer from Ombra, a singer, dancer, and courtesan. He thought of Roxanne's black hair. In Ombra, her hair was considered luscious. It was thick, and extremely voluminous. Black and hanging down past her shoulders. In comparison to Anna's espresso loops, Roxanne's hair may as well have been a mangy wolf pelt stuck to her head. And the body types... Basta felt himself roll his eyes. Roxanne's body type was desirable in Ombra and Lombrica. Men would ogle at the enormous bust she carried over her soft belly. Basta himself had been guilty of desiring to touch her soft skin and squeeze her body... but after seeing Anna's trim and fit body, he realised that he really didn't like the extra fat on Roxanne, not at all. Instead, he wanted to explore Anna's body.
"Damn!" He'd lost sight of them. Basta scolded himself for not paying attention. He jogged forth, until he saw a taller building with fine glass doors. Bright, golden light spilled from inside. Anna and Landa were inside, hand in hand. Basta grit his teeth. The couple walked towards a strange looking closet, with numbers on top. Just before the door closed, Basta peered into the door, catching Anna's eye. He knew she saw him, because suddenly she jumped and stood rigidly. The doors closed. Basta barged into the lobby, and saw the number on top of the odd closet change to 2. There were buttons beside the strange closet doors. Basta pressed the button, and jumped in horror when the doors opened. But Anna and Hans weren't in it! Basta walked inside the strange cupboard, and the doors closed. His breathing quickened as he peered around inside the small room. He didn't see another door... where the hell did the couple go? There was a panel of buttons with numbers on them. Nervously, Basta pressed the number 2. Suddenly the strange room lurched upwards. Basta's knees buckled and he fell on his ass. He let out a little scream as he felt extremely nauseous. The strange closet continued to rise, and just when Basta thought he would puke, he heard a Bing! And the doors opened. Before him was another hallway.
Have I time traveled again? He wondered, nervously stepping out of the closet. He walked, very slowly down the hallway. He looked at all the doors, wondering which one Anna was in. Room number 212 had a paper sign on the handle that said: Bitte Nicht stören/ Do Not Disturb. Basta didn't understand the words, but it was the only sign written in red. All the other rooms either didn't have a sign or said something different. Basta remembered how the windows looked on the outside of the building. He tried to open the door next to Anna's room, and grumbled when he realised it was locked. After sighing, he kicked the door handle. He heard something break, and tried to open the door again. It opened up without resistance. He crept through the dark room, inching towards the window at the back. He peered at the bed, when there was no one sleeping in it; he opened the window and peered outside. Anna's window was quite a distance away, but soft light came from it. Then he made a risky decision. He hopped up on the window sill, and with his heart in his throat, took a leap. For a moment, Basta felt as though he was caught in suspended animation. The world around him stood still, and the cool air whipped past his face. Then he felt the next window sill under his stocking feet. He almost yelled out in terror before he pressed himself against the window. His heart pounded and he thanked the lord that the curtain was closed.
Now what? He thought, looking down at the narrow window sill. The window was slightly open, and the curtains rustled. He dropped into a crouch, and peered inside. Landa was nowhere inside, but Anna was spread out on the bed, wearing her undergarments... only her undergarments. Without really thinking, Basta slipped into the room through the crack in the window. He was so quiet, that Anna didn't stir. Basta was rooted to the spot, staring at his skinny, perfect body. Her hips swelled over her thong, and her breasts were full in her bra. Finally, though, she sensed his presence. She nearly screamed, but stopped herself. Her head snapped to the left, then back to Basta. She leapt to her feet, and ran over to Basta.
"What are you doing?" she hissed under her breath. "Landa will be here any moment!"
"I need the key!" He whispered, his eyes involuntarily looking down at her body. She slapped his cheek, lightly, but it still got his attention.
"I put it in my makeup case in the washroom" she whispered fiercely. Basta made a move to go in that direction, but she held onto his arm "Landa is in the washroom!"
"What do I do?" he hissed, frowning.
"Hide in the closet, you idiot!"
"Anna" called Landa from the adjacent room.
"Yes, Lieben?" She called, her voice wavering.
"Are you talking to someone?"
"No, Darling. Just humming."
"What's he doing?" asked Basta, frowning in disgust.
"He's shaving!" hissed Anna. She looked terribly angry. Basta had no idea why Landa was shaving at midnight, but he knew he had to get out of there fast. Anna thrust her pointed finger in the direction of the closet. She leaned into him, her skin touching his clothes, and hissed in his ear: "I am terribly sick of this! This is embarrassing to me" she seemed very flustered, so Basta began moving towards the window. But Landa's footsteps made him hesitate. Anna kicked his ass, sending him running to the closet. She closed the door behind him, and he was momentarily bathed in darkness. Light shone through the slats of the closet door, and he was able to see through. He felt angry that he would have the temptation to watch again. He chose not to, in case he got too jealous. Anna returned to the bed, laying down, stretching out her body. Basta turned his head away, hugged his knees to his chest. He heard Landa approach, so he buried his face in his knees. Time passed. He heard the rustle of clothing, moaning... it drove him insane. He stole a peek through the slats, saw two naked bodies. Landa moving rhythmically over Anna's. He wanted to cry out in frustration when he heard Anna's moans and cried. Landa was silent for the longest while, not uttering a sound, but he eventually burst out yelling. Basta ground his face into his knees, the pressure so strong on his eyes he thought they would pop into his head. He wanted to scream at Landa to stop climaxing so loudly. Several minutes later, the lights flicked off. Basta was bathed in complete darkness. It took even longer for him to hear the soft snores of someone sleeping. By then his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and the room outside was dim blue. He saw someone roll over in bed, and then Anna hopped out... stark naked. She jogged over to the end of the bed and pulled on a housecoat. Basta's eyes followed her as she came to the closet, and opened it. He looked up at the woman, his mouth open and hair messy. She pressed a finger to her lips then motioned for him to exit the closet. Her hair was a mess, and Basta found her even more attractive. He wanted her... that much more... She led him to the bathroom. He stood in the doorway as she rummaged frantically through a small case. She reappeared in front of him, standing close.
"Here is your key" she whispered. "We need to have a chat" she pressed the key into his hand. Basta just nodded, feeling dejected, and left the hotel room. Basta padded down the hallway, putting the key in his pocket. His heart pounded in slow, hard beats. His stomach felt as if someone had placed a great deal of heavy rocks in it, as it sank heavily. Damn that Landa! Basta grumbled to himself as he walked back to the strange teleportation closets (which he later learned were called elevators, or in German: Aufzug). He got in one, took a deep breath, and pressed the button that said: 1. the elevator dropped, and Basta felt his stomach fly up into his chest. When the doors opened, Basta gasped in shock when he realised that he wasn't looking at the lobby, but another hallway with doors! Frantically, Basta looked back down at the control pad. Terror set in when he realised that he was completely lost! Where in the world was he? Had he time traveled? After hyperventilating, Basta managed to compose himself somewhat. He decided to press every button, and walk out when he saw the lobby. Shakily, he pressed every button, then lay on his belly on the floor of the elevator. As the elevator rose, he did a spread eagle, hoping to avoid nausea. The elevator doors opened at several different hallways, but none of which were the lobby. When the elevator made it's decent, though, Basta saw the lobby ahead. He quickly jumped out of the elevator, and ran like a mad man from the hotel. When he exited the building, though, and found himself outside, a sinking feeling came over him once again. Holy shit, I'm lost.
"What have I done?" He asked himself, glancing up and down the street. His body shook as he shivered. The warm sweat on his skin suddenly cooled and dried, and his skin prickled. He just realised how sweaty he'd been in that closet, and now that his tee-shirt had stuck to his skin, he was feeling very cold and miserable. And he just stood there, for a very long time. Staring up the street and holding his arms against his chest, shivering violently. And then it almost happened... a sob! Yes, a sob almost, almost escaped his throat. He felt his nose tickling and a lump rising in his throat. Oh how lost he felt, alone in this big new world, with nothing familiar. He didn't even see any horses! Just as a tear was ready to escape his eye, the door to the hotel opened behind him, and Anna's soft voice caught his attention.
"Basta?" She sounded distressed and apologetic. A strange mix, one that Basta had never heard before. He turned, slowly, after wiping the tear from his eyelashes.
"Anna?"
"Oh, I'm sorry for leaving you" she said, jogging towards him. "That was wrong of me to do, and I apologize." Her hair was still a mess, and rustled in the breeze. She clutched her fur coat around her body, and swept a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Don't be sorry" murmured Basta, resuming his self-hug position. He was still very cold.
"Oh you poor thing, you look freezing." Anna frowned gravely. "I'll show you back to your building." Basta just nodded and followed his shorter companion up the street. They walked in silence for several minutes, before Anna finally spoke. "I read that document in Landa's office" she said timidly, glancing at Basta's profile. "It says that you... traveled through time..." Her tone was incredulous.
"I told you I have no clue what's going on" he murmured, his teeth chattering. He pulled the collar of his shirt away from his throat, hoping to peel the stuck fabric away from his skin.
"Is it true?" She asked.
"That I time traveled?" He glanced down at her, and she nodded. "Yes, it's true."
"How did you do it?"
"I have no idea. To be honest with you, I think... I think I came out of a book."
"That's ridiculous" murmured Anna. "I mean... it's impossible!"
"I suppose" Basta closed his mouth and allowed himself to stew in his own misery. Anna spoke again.
"What book?"
"I have no idea, I can't read."
Silence.
"So you really aren't British?"
"No. And what's the big deal with that anyways?"
"Basta, Germany is at war with most of the world."
"With the British?"
"Yes and many more countries."
"Is that why Landa gave me all those atlases?"
"Yes... he's going to try to brainwash you" she added under her breath. "I need to teach you what is really going on. Landa will tell you nothing but lies or variations of the truth..."
"Why would he do that?"
"Because! Germany is the bad guy here, and Landa doesn't want you to know that."
"But you're German, why would talk poorly about your country?" Basta couldn't fathom what he was being told. None of it made sense. When Anna didn't answer, Basta thought about the whole British thing again. "Why British? Why does everyone I talk to ask if I'm British? I don't even know what British is!"
"You speak with a British accent" she said.
"Do I?" Basta raised an eyebrow. He'd been told that before- by the Germans- but Anna saying so made it a fact.
"Yes, a northern British accent, to my knowledge."
"But I'm not-"
"I know, I know." Anna shook her head. "We'll talk tomorrow night." Basta resisted a grin. Yes! She doesn't completely hate me!
"Same time?" He asked, remembering the clock on the wall. "Eleven?"
"Maybe. I'll come out when I can." Anna sighed. "Oh, I'm shaking like a leaf." She stopped at a corner, and pulled something out of her purse. Basta watched curiously as she pulled a paper package from her bag. "Smoke?" she asked.
"Err... sure?" Basta frowned. What did she mean? Anna popped a long white stick into her mouth, and held one out for him. He nervously took it, and put it in his mouth like Anna did. She struck a match, making Basta retreat in terror.
"What's wrong?" She asked, frowning at him. Basta glared at her. She hadn't commented on his burn scars. Maybe she hadn't seen them?
"Fire" he said, backing away.
"Yeah?" Anna frowned, then lit the end of her stick. "Sorry to surprise you. Here." She brought the flickering match towards his face. Basta stiffened and closed his eyes. The end of the white paper stick was on fire! Anna coughed a little, but sucked back the smoke then exhaled. She wasn't watching Basta, her eyes were elsewhere. So... he inhaled. Basta coughed and sputtered. He buckled over as he coughed, but when his convulsions subsided, he heard Anna's laughter. "You've never smoked before?" She asked, chuckling.
"No!" He coughed.
"I don't usually smoke" she said, exhaling a little cloud of smoke "only about three times before." She shrugged and took another long breath in. "It helps me to relax." The way she said relax made Basta shiver. He took in a mouthful of smoke, and didn't cough. He felt his fingertip and arms detach almost. He felt calm. And then he smiled. Smoking was...nice... "I see that smile" she said, her voice teasing and nice. Basta smiled bigger, and took in another breath.
"I like it" he said, though his voice was a bit husky. "What is this?"
"A cigarette" she said. And he didn't feel cold anymore.
"I uh... I didn't watch..." he said awkwardly, after taking a drag. He coughed a little.
"Me and... me and Landa?"
"Yeah, I didn't watch." He felt his cheeks heating up.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that... twice." Anna coughed too.
"You're very smooth. I mean, you handled it smoothly. Very smoothly. Good for you." Basta watched his toes as the cigarette burned down. Anna made a little sound- almost a squeak- before speaking.
"I don't love him" she said.
"Then why do you..."
"We'll talk about it later" she said. "It's been a long day. Let's get your home." She took one last drag on her cigarette before dropping it to the concrete, and snubbing it with her shoe. Basta copied her, then followed her back to the building where he was being held prisoner. "I'll come by later tomorrow. Or whenever I can" she murmured, unlocking his cell for him. Basta just nodded, and plodded across to his bed, which was stuffed with the pillow and a number of text books. "Good night" said Anna, closing the gate.
"Good Night" replied Basta.
A/N: I owe all of you patient readers a big apology! After a hint from "Basta's Girl", I checked the last couple chapters I wrote, and to my horror noticed a great deal of spelling mistakes, typos and poor sentence structure. AARGG! I'm sorry, guys! I type my chapters a mile a minute in the middle of the night, usually while eating a McCain thin crust pizza or while texting my not boyfriend. So you can imagine how a few errors can squeak through. I've even written part of a chapter while I was drunk, which was really only an improvement after the time I did a Mathematics Assignment while I was smashed (100percent for the win!). Anyways, "Basta's Girl", you're the best! Thanks for the reviews! Keep 'em coming! Review, Liebens!