The Last Chance
chapter 18
The first hour following the hospital's departure gave Georg reason to hope that their return home would have been smoother than expected.
The ordeal Maria had been though that morning had left her drained enough to steal a few moments of respite during the car journey. Georg was reluctant to disturb her slumber, but soon he realized he had to, a big issue had to be fixed before they could board on the train: they needed to dispose of the Nazi car.
It would not have been an easy task. Zeller and his men might not be the brightest bunch, but they wouldn't have overlooked a missing vehicle, and they certainly wouldn't have sat idly by while they escaped them.
No, it was already a miracle that they hadn't been caught during their hospital stay, he knew they'd dodged a bullet already. Risking another confrontation with the Nazis was out of the question.
As the meticulous observer that he was, Georg thought it best to leave the car far away from the train station, or at least far enough to avoid raising suspicion when they made their departure. A careless mistake could unravel their carefully laid plans. Spotting a secluded alley just outside the city center, Georg was forced to arouse Maria from her slumber with a gentle touch.
- "Darling, wake up" he softly murmured, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her knee. She stirred, her voice heavy with sleep. There was no doubt she sounded deeply asleep, but apparently her rest was still being extremely light.
- "Hmm - mmh" she moaned groggily, "are we at the station already?" she mumbled
- "Not quite" Georg replied, his focus elsewhere.
It was then that Maria blinked awake and took in their surroundings: the alley stretched before them for miles, narrow and shadowy, choked with withered shrubs and debris. Waste and scraps of all kinds could be clearly seen between the branches and sticks scattered on the rough and damaged asphalt, the air thick with the stench of decay, making her hesitate to step out of the car while Georg eased her and Max out.
- "Keep an eye on her" Georg instructed his friend with a firm tone, "and watch out from any intruder. We should be far from civilians, but whistle if you see anything suspicious" he concluded and got back to the drivers' seat. Max nodded, his senses on high alert as Georg maneuvred the car deeper into the alley as silently as possible.
His eyes were squinted and careful, it wouldn't have been Maria's soft breathing to hinder his attention to any possible step or threatening sound, especially now that the car was out of sight. Deprived of each of his personal belongings in the Nazi basement, he couldn't use the help of his wrist watch to check the time, but as time stretched on, each minute began to feel like an eternity to Maria and Max.
Georg was only supposed to return promptly after hiding the car. It could not have taken this long.
As moments ticked by a sense of unease crept over them, but just when their minds were on the edge of a consuming worry, a walking figure emerged from the displeasant mess displayed in front of their eyes, revealing Georg holding some of their belongings in tow.
- "Darling!" Maria slipped from Max's arm and fell between Georg's, her shoes carrying a trail of withered leaves as she slipped over a small cliff of dirt. Georg held her close to him, his forehead damp with sweat not an obstacle for her to lean her fringe against it in gratefulness.
- "Did you hear anything?" his eyes glanced back to Max that shook his head in negative confirm. "Did you?" he then asked
- "Nothing that we have to worry about" Georg reassured
- "Well what took you so long then?" concern etched his features for a moment, "you got your lady here quite worried"
- "Only my lady?" Georg teased, a playful glint in his eyes, "I'm disappointed with you, Max".
His friend chuckled, wrapping his arm around Maria to gently pull her closer to him, then he declared:
- "With a sweet lady like this, I had way more important matters to attend, Georg".
In that fleeting moment of camaraderie, Georg, Maria and Max found solace in each other's company, laughing together with bright smiles on their lips. But as the sun started to beat down warmer upon them, they realized it was time to move on.
- "We should get going. Here, I got you a blanket, thought you might be cold" Georg's voice softened as he spoke to his wife, thoughtfully draping the heavy blanket around her shoulders and securing an arm around her waist. "The later we arrive, the more crowded it'll be".
With shared resolve, they trudged up the slippery slope that separaed the alley from the main street, their shoes leaving behind only faint traces of their presece in the wet terrain, quickly dried and blown away by the sharp wind, particularly rowdy in that area.
Weeks had passed slow and painful, yet the shadow of Zeller and his men loomed over Georg's thoughts like a persistent storm cloud. He couldn't shake the gnawning fear that they were still being hunted. What had become of Zeller after their daring escape remained a mystery to Georg - he honestly didn't care either - but he knew one thing for certain: the danger was far from over.
Zeller had remained unconscious for quite a few minutes, a fleeting opportunity that Max seized upon to escape shortly after the couple. Yet conceeding enough time to arise suspicion on his men, prompting them to scour the area once more, their cars returning back to the basement as Max heard from a distance standind at the foot of the hill. When they found him, Zeller was just regaining consciousness, needing help to lift his dazed round body from the floor - his gruff demeanor returning with a vengeance as soon as his consciousness returned.
- "What are you doing here you idiots? Go get them!" his command sliced through the air like a whip, driving his men into a frenzy of activity.
They followed his order at once, understanding that their prisoners had escaped, yet not knowing the exact dynamics of it. They couldn't have gone too far they suspected, so their cars roared back into action, engines throbbing with determination as they resumed the chase.
- "Not you, Rolf" the mousy faced man spoke firmly while gripping his bloody wound and leaning against the nearest wall, his voice surprisingly firm despite the pain pulsing through his head.
Rolf hesitated, torn between fear and a surge of adrenaline cursing through his veins. He approached Zeller tentatively, like a lamb led to slaughter.
- "It was you, wasn't it?" Zeller's accusing gaze bore into him, stripping away any pretence of innocence, "moved by that woman's plight. Pathetic"
- "Sir I-" Rolf began, but Zeller's fury cut him off
- "Shut up! I do't want to hear a single word from you" he pushed himself away from the wall, marching menacingly towards the young boy, his every step forward mirrored by a step back from him. Until he was trapped between the wall and his superior.
- "You came here crawling, begging me for mercy, to help you raise yourself. And this is how you thank me? Helping Von Trapp and his doll escape?!"
- "But Herr Zeller, I didn't-"
- "Shut up I said!" Zeller's fist slammed against the wall with a force that made Rolf flinch, hitting right next to the young man's pale face. Gripping him by the knot of his tie, Zeller yanked him close, nearly lifting him off the floor, his breath hot with anger.
- "You will find my prisoners and bring them back to me" Zeller growled, his grip tightening like a vise, "that's your only chance to regain my trust, or I'll kill you with my two hands, understood?!".
Rolf's world spun, the threat of Zeller's wrath suffocating him like a noose around his neck - he knew what he was capable of. The young man nodded frantically, desperate for reprieve as Zeller released him and stalked away and exited the corridor.
- "I'll take care of it personally, Herr Zeller. I know how to get them" Rolf declared, trembling, yet in a tone that seemed to be sure of what he was saying.
Zeller paused, a glimmer of interest flickering in his eyes even if he didn't turn.
- "You better" he muttered, his gun shooriting a shot in the dark void of the basement to make his point, before disappearing into the darkness.
Alone in the echoing corridors, Rolf felt the weight of Zeller's expectations pressing down on him like a tombstone. Zeller's was a solemn promise of death on him, and this was his last chance to prove himself, a most personal affair to him. And failure was not an option.
After leaving the private dump-like alley, in the golden glow of that sunny morning the streets were a canvas of tranquility painted with the hues of blossoming trees, flourishing meadows and quaint homes, indicating their proximity to the city center. It was a stroke of luck that such a picturesque scene was devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of merchants and early morning strollers. Yet, their journey to the train station was anything but smooth sailing.
Although it was only a sprained ankle, Max's pace was one of the elements hampering their progress, forcing them to maintain a pace that seemed agonizingly slow but that strangely synchronized with Maria's rhythms and tentative steps. It was her first venture into the world beyond the hospital walls, but her endurance faltered, far from her usual one - she was walked ahead several times almost at regular intervals, often found panting with a hand to her chest, gasping to catch her breath as quick as possible. Each time they halted, Georg's heart ached to witness her struggle, longing to shield her from further exertion. Despite her attempts to hide it, he could read it into her eyes that she needed to stop. And he would run at her side in an instant, securing an arm around her with eyes alert to scan for any danger whilst allowing her and his injured friend a moment of rest before resuming their expectedly long walk.
At one point, an elderly shepherd with a thick white moustache, his wagon laden with wheels of cheese, kindly offered them a ride - an offer they were forced to regretfully decline out of fear of attracting unwanted attention.
- "I'm sorry, darling" Maria apologized during one of the frequent rests her body demanded, cheeks flushed with exertion and forehead damp with sweat.
Georg looked at her with thoughtful concern in his eyes, his palm cupping her cheek to soothe a caress on her soft skin. A reassuring smile on his tightly pursed lips, one of compassion tinged with love.
Her laboured breaths and the strain etched upon her features spurred Georg into action. He realized that even though they were more than halfway there, he would have needed her to save her energies for later when they got into the station. Having her walk and exhaust herself like this for any longer was of no use.
Despite protests, the strong arm supporting her back swept her off her feet in a swift motion, making her yelp at the sudden unbalance and then immediately settle into place when Georg gathered her in his arms.
- "You can't do this Georg, we're not even close to the station yet" Maria protested weakly, looking up at him with genuine concern in her eyes while fiddling with the buttons of his shirt, as she always used to do when she got a little nervous or insecure about something
- "Let me carry you darling, just rest your head on my chest and relax" Georg murmured, his voice a soothing balm as he cradled her cheek into his shoulder, her strawberry fringe tickling his chin when he tucked her head under it. The tenderness of his gestures melting her heart.
And with that they continued their journey, Georg bearing the weight of his beloved bride with a steadfast determination. Though it hindered his vigilance for potential threats, he reveled in the opportunity to carry Maria, relishing the chance to set a pace that would see them to the train station in good time while also affording her some much needed rest as she lightly dozed off in his arms.
As they trudged onward, Max finally broached the question that had been gnawing at him.
- "I was serious before, what took you so long to hide the car?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity while he limped on his crutches, his legs beginning to feel tired.
Georg explained his meticulous efforts to disguise the car, from burning the Nazi flags to removing the license plate from the car to eliminate as many clues as possible.
- "What for Georg, a car without a licence plate is the first thing to be noticed"
- "In a place like that? It's unlikely that anyone will notice, Max" Georg sighed as he adjusted Maria into his arms, "besides, I was lucky to find a damaged licence plate on my way back to you, so I swapped it. The car is hidden well, it will blend with the rest of the detris and won't be found until we're safe ... but I can't shake the worry that we might have missed something" another deep sigh left his lips, his brow furrowed with concern.
Max offered a reassuring pat on his friend's back with his free hand, injecting a glimmer of hope into Georg's troubled thoughts.
- "I'm almost certain, Georg" he declared in quiet convinction several minutes later.
Their conversation ebbed away as Widnau's train station loomed into view at the other end of the street like a vision, a beacon of promise at the end of their arduous journey. Maria stirred from her light slumber, meeting Georg's gaze with a silent understanding. It was time for her to stand on her own two feet to take the next step forward, the rest in her husband's arms conceeding great restoration.
- "Let's avoid drawing attention" Georg cautioned as they navigated the bustling station, blending seaminlessly into the throng of travellers.
Inside, the station exuded an air of elegance, fancy and classy, its pale pink stained-glass windows casted a rosy glow upon the polished floors. Clocks and signs providing all the necessary information stood at the side of each of the tracks, overlooked by tall arches that echoed the voices of the several tens of elegantly dressed travellers. On one side, a small row of wooden-carved cabines displayed the writing Ticket Office, Georg approaching it with slightly trembling hands as he purchased their tickets. He yearned to book a higher-class cabin for everyone's comfort, but the risk was too great. He'd seen several controllers getting off a recently arrived train, they must have surely been pacing around the wagon corridors, inspecting for identification and tickets, a control that wouldn't have been just as strict if the three of them - two of which visibly injured - travelled in a third class old and rackety cabin.
With tickets in hand, they made their way to the platform, where their train awaited. As soon as it stopped in front of their eyes, the sight of the narrow steps leading to their third-class cabin almost seemed a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. Maria was only able to climb them supported by Max and guided by Georg, and once inside, they only had to walk sideways along a very narrow corridor that joined all the third-class cabines, a luck that theirs was only the second in the row from the entrance of their train coach.
And with that they embarked on the final leg of their journey, their hearts brimming with hope and trepidation.
Max was the first to gingerly made his way into the cramped cabin, his injured leg a constant reminder of the trials they faced. With a sigh, he settled his crutches beside him, his movements careful and deliberate as he stretched the leg forward in the narrow space. Georg followed suit, gently guiding Maria to her seat before turning to stow their small suitcase on the train hatbox.
Before he could even settle into his own seat, a voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Tickets, please".
Those two words were enough to make Maria's heart leap into her throat at the sound, her eyes widening with fear. The risk of being discovered in their pretence looming over them like a dark cloud, theatening to shatter their fragile facade.
As Georg retrieved the tickets from his coat pocket and handed them to the tall uniformed inspector, Maria held her breath while staring at him, her pulse thundering in her ears. The inspector scrutinized the tickets with a practiced eye and careful attention, his gaze piercing as he assessed each passenger, alert to catch any sign of falter. Only when the tickets were returned and the inspector had moved on exiting the cabin did the tension dissipate, leaving Georg, Maria, and Max with a palpable sense of relief. At last they were able to release the breath they didn't realize they'd been holding.
Georg slid onto the bench beside Maria, enveloping her in his protective embrace. Looking down at her, he noticed her chest raising and falling at a fast pace and felt the tremors coursing through her body, a testament to the strain of their ordeal.
- "You're alright?" he murmured, his fingers tracing soothing patterns up and down on her shivering arm
- Maria nodded wearily, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "I'm fine" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, "just a bit shaken"
Georg's heart ached at the sight of her exhaustion.
- "Why don't you try and get some rest?" he suggested, sweet concern in the icy blue of his eyes
- "I've rested enough" Maria promptly protested, her resolve unwavering, "I want to stay with you".
He could read it into her eyes that what was weighting down on her was the fear for further inspections, but he was determined to allay her concerns. Always her captain.
- "Darling, this journey will be long" he said, cupping her dazed face between the palms of his hands, "no one will bother us again. Besides, once we reach Raphael's, the children will keep you so busy you won't have a moment to spare".
It was true, the children would have been beyond excited to see their beloved mother again and Georg was well aware that his hardest efforts needed to be doubled if he wanted to achieve just as much as walking her over the entrance door. And his words seemed to work their trick as they drew her mind on more pleasant thoughts.
Maria's eyes bightened at the thought of seeing her children again, the thought of their laughter and hugs chasing away her worries.
- "I can't wait" she admitted, a smile playing at her lips as she savoured the anticipated joy that lay ahead of them
- "Then rest" Georg urged her softly, his voice like a gentle lullaby.
She needed to get that rest, for a journey as arduous as that one could have easily drained her reserves, unleashing unforeseen consequences that not even Doctor Lehmann could have predicted.
With a contented sigh, Maria closed her eyes, surrendering to the embrace of sleep. In the cocoon of her husband's arms, she found solace, her dreams filled with visions of the warmth of her family. And as the train rattled on towards their destination in a framework of rich green meadows so distant from the shallow white of the hospital, she drifted into a peaceful slumber, her breaths steady and serene.
Author's Note: Hello everyone and thank you again for all the love you're showing for this story. The chapters you're reading now come from a new writing of my old drafts, your reviews prompted me to come back to it and rediscover this story with a new love. I hope you're enjoying reading them as much as I'm loving adding up and writing from the original concepts!
