THE FESTIVAL

chapter 3

Pulling down the brake of the car, both Maria and Georg opened the side doors to free the seven squeezed up children and poor Max, the last one to exit since the two little girls were piled up on his now aching knees.

Maria raised her hands on the girls' shoulders, literally needing to push them to walk inside the tall stone door of the auditorium to follow the others. All the children seemed to be petrified with fear of the moustached man, but Gretl ad Martha were particularly frightened, their little bodies slightly trembling, and their eyes never taken off him.

The only relief to Maria, was that once they got to the backstage, he would have left them finally alone. Not much for the credibility of their performance but most importantly because she wouldn't have been able to stand the utter fear in her family's eyes for another minute.

Little did she know that the mousy faced man would follow them there, too.

"Why don't we start with Do-Re-Mi, children?" she spoke up before directing her gaze to the man, "Her Zeller" she bowed her head, politely yet clearing inviting him to leave the place.

Georg's eyes immediately fell on him, ready to stop any unappropriated reaction out of him. She certainly hadn't realized the subtle irritability her latest action could have aroused, but somehow the innocent tone of her voice made the trick and Zeller seemed to believe she was being genuine and had no other purpose.

"Charming in the ways as charming in the looks. A choice worth the scandal, Captain", the man stated, a challenging grin under his moustache

"Herr Zeller!" Georg snapped, "I was under the impression our contacts were merely professional!" the tone of his voice rose quickly as rage began to run through his veins.

Max had been observing the scene from behind Zeller's shoulder and the sight of Georg clenching his hands into fists was a clear enough sign of further reaction that was unnecessary if not even potentially dangerous.

"Hum, Herr Zeller, I'll show you to your seat. Front row" he hurried to gesture with his hand and break the eye contact between the two men

"Of course" Zeller replied, that disturbing grin never leaving his lips.

Once he had walked him a few steps ahead, Max was sure he couldn't be heard so he didn't lose the chance to reassure the family before quickening the pace of his steps to match Zeller's.

"You're last on the bill, it'll give you about another twenty minutes. He won't be coming here, I'll make sure of that".

Max's words, as well as his gaze, were directed at Georg but he didn't move a muscle, it was up to Maria to mouth a silent thank you and see him leave the backstage.

Despite of it, though, it was only when Zeller was out of sight, covered by the rest of the audience taking seats that she relaxed her body, for what was allowed. Georg instead was still tense, his fists still tight, ready to punch Zeller in the face with their full strength.

His eyes had been on her.

His viscid, languid, disgusting looks had roamed over her body, touching a weak spot of his. It seemed even more disturbing than having his hands on her, after all, hands could move slower and only reach one place at a time while under his eyes she was in full display, defensless at such a subtle, not-so merely mental assault.

Georg had hated him from the very day they had met at one of his first military events; he had hated him when he showed up at his house, the idea of welcoming him as any other guest troubling him beyond words; and he hated him now for what he was forcing his family into, and even more so after what he had just done to Maria.

He was pulled away from his thoughts only when the delicate touch of her familiar hand reached for his shoulder, causing him to turn on his toes and meet her eyes, worried not for herself but for him. As it had always been.

"Don't let it rattle you, darling, that's exactly what they want" she reasoned

"Maria, you've seen the way he was looking at you".

While talking, he had kept his gaze sideways, not really concentrated in what the children were doing but definitely into their reaction. This hadn't made him realize that the expression on her face had changed, from worried to amused.

It was only when he wasn't asnwered that he noticed it, lifting the focus of his eyes up to hers, he wondered how possible it was for her to hint at a smile in such circumstances. What was she thinking?

Then, after taking in once again the beautiful features of her face, the realization came.

It was not so far away in time, but it seemed like an eternity ago.

Their honeymoon had started a little more than a month ago, but they were so far away from all the troubles those Nazis were causing them now, with nothing to worry about during their days. Nothing except for one thing.

They certainly stood out as a couple, in the small intimacy of Salzburg as well as the extensive vastness of the Parisian avenues. He, older, yet unmistakably charming and handsome; she, clearly younger than him, at least of a decade, beautiful and fresh as the morning dew on roses petals. Charismatic, innocent yet attractive, an easy target to the eyes of the countless young lads that crowded the streets as he strolled her through.

Who stared for a little too long, who just couldn't help but remain impressed, it bothered Georg to share her with someone else, no matter if those people were complete strangers.

She was so unaccustomed to be considered as an actual woman, so adorably innocent in everything she did that she didn't realize anything until one day, towards the end of their honeymoon, Georg had to speak to her about it and voice his feelings.

That's what that gentle arm squeeze he would give her while walking hand in hand was. How silly of her to think it was just meant to confirm the excitement of what they were seeing, she should have actually noticed it the times he would do it when there was really nothing to be enthusiastic about.

And even after the day she became aware of that, whenever it would happen, she would tighten the grip of his hand into hers and offer him such a look that made him wish the sun could dawn in a matter of minutes for night to climb in and for him to make love to her.

That's what that cheeky grin on her pink lips was. That's what she was referring to.

"Zeller is no exception. If I can't stand others looking at you, let alone him" Georg spoke up

The memory of that distantly felt moment made him smile too and when she inhaled, it felt like a breath of fresh air. So relieving.

Yet so painful at the same time, when his eyes became somber, and he lost the focus on her again.

"I have all the valid reasons to punch him"

"No, you have all the reasons to start rehearsing your songs" both her hands cupped his cheeks and brought his head up, in order for him to look at her, "and sing as beautifully as you did for me the night we arrived at the hotel".

It was then that she dropped her hands and his gaze, turned on her back and made her way to the children, whistling all along the beautiful Always.

Days may not be fair, always

That's when I'll be there, always

Not just for an hour,

Not just for a day,

Not just for a year,

But always.

I'll be loving you always.

A soft frown lined his pensive face.

She knew?

He was convinced she was showering and wouldn't hear his singing, little did he knew her love for him was so strong that she wouldn't have missed not even the softest of his breaths.

Then his head shook a couple of times, she had been able to soothe his rage and changed it for an inebriating memory that he, unfortunately, couldn't cherish or remember as it deserved, having now less than fifteen minutes to do all he needed to for his family to be safe.

In a few steps Georg reached his family, standing in a circle and harmonizing their voices under the relentless direction of Maria, a proud smile displayed on her lips at the result that soon caught his own too.

"Well done, children. I am so, so proud of you all" he opened.

Aware of his presence, Kurt handed him the papers with the lyrics of their songs but instead of grabbing it, he gestured with his hands to put it down. After all, the children had been singing those songs on end during Maria's absence and, whether he liked it or not, he knew them by heart now.

This came in as a full advantage to the family, it took them no more than three attempts before the numbers they were about to perform became perfect, as if they had been rehearsing and singing together for years. Being a military man and a disciplinarian, he was a fairly quick learner and his children, more accustomed at singing together, found it quite easy to tune with their father. And, of course, their mother's voice was what it brought everything close to perfection, clean, bright, reassuring.

It really convinced them everything would work out fine.

At Max's voice announcing the penultimate competitor at the microphone on the stage, Georg went into a bit of panic at the thought that five minutes weren't enough to devise an unfailing plan, but he couldn't waste such precious time worrying if he wanted to achieve at least a safe one.

He peered through the stone door out on the street. Their car was parked in front of it, a few feet away, right under the stairs that lead to the upper floor of seats. There certainly were many other cars occupying the space, including some Nazi ones as Zeller's, but there was no sign of officials. He assumed they must be all inside, permeating the place and making sure anything happened inside the theatre.

Good. It meant that by the time hif family too was performing, they would have been too busy to worry about what happened inside and, being the festival such an important event for the city, people either woud be enjoying it inside or at home alone. No one could have noticed them leaving if things went as he was planning.

Then, fully back inside - mind and body - Georg carefully slid the map he had brought with himself out of the pocket of his travel coat. He gave a quick, casual look around himself and over his shoulders to make sure anyone was suspicious and finally dedicated to study the map.

The drive to the Swiss border would have lasted several hours so he certainly had to conceive a trip with several stops along the way. Back at home, when he had first planned Switzerland as a destination, the mental map he had done in his mind told him that Hallstatt was the easier destination to stop at but now, the actual map he was looking at proved him wrong. The village was a drive just over an hour but the arrangement in the car wouldn't have worked for such an extended period of time.

The children were squeezed too tight against each other, even in the already considered option where Gretel would be seated on Maria's lap. After all, a five seats car couldn't certainly contain nine people, the double with Max. He almost felt guilty for the way he constricted his friend and the rest of his family back there without any empathy, being so focused on driving and Zeller's irritational words.

No, that arrangement would have never worked unless they disponed of another car.

Some minutes before, Maria had demonstrated opened and willing for him to teach her how to drive. She had suggested for them to make a quick stop at the Abbey first, in the hope of borrowing another car and then head to Hallstatt. Georg's heart had swelled with gratitude for her restless energy, her capacity to spare herself nothing and open mind but despite all that, for how much he admired her gesture, there was too little time to even teach her the basics of driving.

With so little time left it was a matter of priorities: better to travel uncomfortably than fail their escape and pay even more bitter consequences.

Another careful look at the map and Georg finally found the perfect destination: Werfen. It wouldn't have taken them more than half an hour to reach but there they would be safe and could afford to use some time in finding a more comfortable arrangement.

Yes, that was the plan. After singing So Long, Farewell, an extra act to their performance previously accorded with Max, all the children would exit the stage in little groups to be found by their parents all gathered at the benched wall. They would then sneak out of the auditorium, quickly, as not to arouse suspicion, and while the names of the winners were announced Georg would speed through the streets and lead them to the safe, close destination.

A sudden round of mild applauses pulled him from his thoughts and when he turned, the rest of his family was already standing behind the stage wings, in a neat row and ready to make their entrance. He hurried to get the map back into his pocket again and join them, his heart aching a bit at the thought that this wouldn't have been a debut to cherish as he would have now loved for his children.

Once there, Georg positioned himself at the lead, side by side with his wife and found enormous relief hearing that Max hadn't already introduced them.

This would allow them a couple of seconds to focus on the performance alone and try to remain so as long as needed to convince the audience; it certainly wasn't the amount of time needed for that, but he had to believe it would be.

He caught Maria's hand into his and it seemed to be cold and sweaty, he wasn't able to hide how bad he felt about seeing her so tense. On the other hand, as soon as they were reunited both of them seemed to find peace: the hectic shaking of her leg that she had kept up for the past minutes stopped immediately and Georg's heartbeat stopped to loudly pound into his ears to return normal, almost calm.

Maria turned her head to him and smiled, not whit a happy smile but with an anxious one, he could tell, and this alone caused another squeeze of his heart. So, as a response, his thumb began to brush soft caresses over her knuckles.

"And now ladies and gentlemen, the last performance before the winners will be announced …".

The couple heard Max's distinguished voice from the stage, feeling grateful for the precious time he had offered them and for the far more precious friendship that had blessed and brightened both Georg's years and Maria's months in his amusing company.

They would have missed him and be grateful for his effort to no extent, but it wasn't the appropriate time to think of that, no. Without noticing, the couple turned to offer a gentle, reassuring look at their beloved children, fear and excitement mixed in their glimmering eyes. Then Georg squeezed Maria's hand, gaining from her to look into his eyes again.

"Ready?" he asked.

What a silly question it was. Who could be ready in such a situation?

Well, he certainly wasn't. From the moment they would get on that stage each one of their actions would have been observed and studied and if just one thing didn't happen to work as planned, a life of despair would be the only thing left from their failed escape.

She needed no words to answer, she simply kept soothing his eyes with her love and widened her smile, the way only she could do, aware that it would calm him down at once.

As it did.

"… a singing group all in one family. Here singing for you tonight are the Von Trapp Family Singers" Max's voice finally announced.

The children walked onto the stage with such ease that left their parents almost struck by how familiar they were with it, even Maria, despite her being the most easy-going person, remained positively impressed.

Then from the pit, the small orchestra tuned their instruments and the music take off. As well as this new chapter of their life.

Do-Re-Mi, the moment of realization.

Georg didn't have much to do in that song so the long time occupied by the harmony of his family's beautiful voices gave him time to become aware of many things he wished he hadn't noticed – the officials standing everywhere in the theatre, their serious and unsensitive faces and most of all, Zeller's seat in the front row.

Of course he expected them to be there but for a brief moment, it felt as if all the blood had drained from his face and he had lost every focus. That compelled him to do the one thing he knew would give him back his capacity to reason, search for Maria's eyes.

Her face too was unmistakably preoccupied, spotting the awful Nazi uniforms between the darkness of the auditorium, but almost as if feeling the same need deep inside of herself, she turned her head to him as well and the magic happened.

As soon as her eyes were mirrored into his, a reassuring smile climbed onto his lips and soon affected hers, in the most mesmerizing of ways.

That woman, his woman, his only lifeline in the stormiest sea.

She carried them through the song better than he had ever done with any of his ship's crew and at the end, hit the higher note he had ever heard, much as if releasing all the tension her body had been concentrating in her clasped hands.

Edelweiss, the moment of perdition.

"My fellows, Austrians, I shall not be seeing you again perhaps for a very long time. I would like to sing for you now a love song, I know you share this love and I pray that you will never let it die".

Standing alone in the spotlight made Georg aware on new things, pleasant things considering those countless eyes looking at him with pride and filling him with some sort of amusement at the image of Zeller startled at his hidden talent; yet uncomfortable things when that spotlight felt like a magnifying glass and those same eyes like heartless observers. The fear that they could see not only his outside performance but also the thoughts of the plan occupying his mind began to settle.

Then he remembered the first time he sang that song again after the longest time. Back into the cosy sitting room of what once had been their home, the real muse and inspiration behind his singing being no one else but Maria.

If they were truly inquiring into his mind, then they would be able to catch only fond thoughts about her. This boosted his confidence a little and a smile hinted on his singing lips.

That night he had wanted to promise her the moon and the stars, to love her and cherish her as she deserved to be and now … now that possibility was taken abruptly away from him.

His heart sunk at the thought, a lump came in his throat trapping what was left of his voice, those eyes inquired, and he crumbled inside while his body became paralyzed with fear.

Small and white, clean, and bright, you look happy to meet me …

Maria's angelical voice filled the void his own had left. She approached him calmly but quickly, immediately clinging to his arm and offering him a gentle hand that he held into his, squeezing it tight, trembling with a mixture of fear and relief. Her smile made him find his voice back and before he could even realize it had been under his own invitation, the vast audience in the auditorium began to sing along, making his heart swell.

His people, his children, his wife, all surrounding him in the warmest hug.

The earth wasn't cracking anymore, it was solid again.

Another yet bigger round of applause filled the place and postponed their last number:

So Long, Farwell, the moment of action.

Max blew them a fond kiss and the next thing Georg knew were two hands hanging on his hips and Louisa, Brigitta and Gretel popping their heads from behind his back.

While positioning herself at his other side to start the new number, Maria had smiled at him in an attempt to calm the hectic shaking of his hand. It had worked, making him oblivious to whatever was happening around him as he got lost into her gaze, so he then held her hand and brought her in the background, leaving the stage to their children's talent.

They stood there behind, watching them perform, holding each other as they had done since the first of their long walks around the gardens during their engagement – holding each other's hands, Georg covering hers with his and she doing the same, occasionally uncovering it only to hold his arm, instead.

That was exactly what she was doing now reassuring him when the sight of his children leaving the stage made his hands slicker with sweat. She just knew he was repeating the plan over and over again into his mind and she trusted him fully, as his children did too.

Martha and Kurt exiting first, Liesl and Friedrich shortly after to reassure and gather them in the right place, Louisa and Brigitta for last, joining the others while waiting for little Gretl. Her sweet face singing like a just-as-sweet angel made the audience's hearts melt, the confirm arriving when a long and loud applause rejoiced between the walls as the last three of them left the stage.

Pity that they couldn't enjoy it as they would have loved to.

As soon Maria and Georg made it backstage with Gretl, they found the rest of the children ready to go so they quickly slipped into their coats and rushed to the other end of the street where the car was. The children got into the car, not even paying the slightest attention to their arrangement inside as the ride would have given them enough time to settle more comfortably, for what was allowed. Georg pulled down the handbrake and pushed on the gas, starting the car as fast as he could while Maria managed to close the door when the engine was already moving.

They managed to hear the sound of applauses becoming more and more distant, meaning that the final prize hadn't probably been announced yet. This made the tight contraction in Georg's face muscles relax the slightest bit when they took the turn that led to the main street.

And then, suddenly, in striking contrast with the merry cheering, the spine-chilling sound of sirens approached them. They hadn't even reached Huber's photographic workshop yet.

The hunt had begun.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello everyone! Thank you for taking some time to read this chapter, I do hope you enjoyed it. It was one of my absolute favourites to write, it was just hard to stop writing but I'm happy with how it came to be. I thank you again for all your lovely reviews and I'll see you next week!

P.S. the song mentioned is the song Always by Irving Berlin.