Chapter 18
Georg's POV
"Maria?"
We've all been waiting for about five minutes outside, and I was starting to grow worried. She doesn't answer… I open a few closed doors, but she isn't there. I was about to leave, thinking she may have already gone out, when I hear a few muffled sobs.
"Maria?"
When she cried, there was something strange about. There was a rawness to it, like the grief was an open wound. She was knelt on the floor of the tiny room, clutching the small chair nearby for support, with her other hand over her mouth. Immediately, I swiftly glided over to her like I was air, and knelt beside her, pulling her into a hug for support.
In her hand was a simple, white, beautiful edelweiss, missing two of its petals. I searched the deep parts of my mind, trying to recollect why this was so important to her. To us. Then it came back to me, and oh, how it made my heart melt like goo… There is Brigitta, laughing, smiling, the edelweiss just below her nose. I closed my eyes, but the image was still there. Liesl and Brigitta… Liesl and Brigitta… still there… they won't go. I don't want them to go…
If I had any walls left, they would've surely crumbled. But I don't, so there is nothing to stop me from crying hysterically, or letting my anger consume me. This is my loop. This is exactly how it started… I feel like I've just lost my wife all over again, but this time it's with my two children in her place. They're not dead, I'm sure of that, but it's my worst nightmare, and many fathers across the country, if their children go missing, or are taken against their will…
"We must bring this edelweiss along…" I heard Maria whimper softly.
"Yes, my love, we will. If it reminds you so much of her… then it's a treasure to us all. I just wish we had something from Liesl…" I sighed in reply.
"So, do I…" she sniffed.
"Come, let's go and get them back. And I promise you, we will. I will never rest until we do so, not in a million years. These aren't just my children anymore, they're yours too. I also promise you this, Maria, if any harm comes to our children, the man responsible will never live to tell the tale…" I reassured her confidently, brutally spitting the last part.
She didn't mind. In fact, she smiled. My little speech had lightened her mood, no matter how dark or menacing. She'll be back on her feet, with the reassurance that she will see her children. Why? Because I will take care of it… even if it means sacrificing my own life…