Chasing Colours

9. The Boy Back Then

Two chapters together as promised! :)

Hope you like it!

(Edith)

It had almost been two years since Eva's notorious murder. I had no clue about where Arno and his family might be. I heard Arno's whistles from the forests in weeks' gap letting me know if he was alright. Nevertheless, that hadn't stopped me from worrying. The Jewish population in the state had decreased dramatically. Even though there weren't many public executions, I had a clear idea to what extent the SA and SS forces could go.

Last I had met Arno was almost three months back when I had decided to take a stroll in the forest and he had just happened to be there. I had lurched forward, wrapping my arms around him afraid he would be lost again. He had let me be. He had wrapped his bony arms around me, protectively, rubbing my back as I had cried soundly into his chest. We hadn't talked much about the scathing condition of the state. Rather, both of us had taken our time absorbing each other's features in wonder. After Eva's death, I had not seen him in a year but just his melodious voice. Just being there with him was enough for the moment.

Hans had not been doing so well. He was acting more vengeful and occasionally sulking in a corner. Peter was still trying to run his bakery but no success. Rosa had become grimmer than ever. And well, Arno was just Arno. He never talked about himself.

I had caressed his cheeks and had begged him to come back to me no matter what. After a few minutes of reunion, it was time to bid goodbyes. Arno had placed his chapped lips against mine, almost urgently yet reluctant to let go. As soon as we parted I missed the feeling of his warm lips against mine. He had tears in his eyes when he left. I knew he was suffering. His heart was throbbing and I couldn't do anything.

One day, I just happened to be sitting near my bedroom's window looking at the street children laughing to their heart's content; giggled as a little girl tripped on her feet onto the stone ground when Ingrid had rushed into the room.

I had looked at her panting form, questioningly.

She spoke between her breaths, "I saw him. Hans. In a ghetto on my way back from school. Heinz insisted we take that route today. I am sure the rest are in the same place."

I had abruptly gotten up and had picked up my little sister, twirling her in the air.

"Ingrid! You are a genius!" I had exclaimed.

"I know! Now put me down and let me complete." She said with a cheeky grin plastered to her face.

I put her down as she continued, "Be near the river bank in the south east of the second street. Heinz and I will meet you there as soon as school gets over. The ghetto will fall in the way if we enter our street from the east of the second street. It is a long way back home."

I nodded in agreement when a sudden question popped into my mind.

"Why did you take the long route then with Heinz?"

Ingrid's face turned a shade of red as she stuttered, "Oh nothing! We just wanted to have a little adventure."

Seeing her flustered, I had smirked and then shrugged at her.

The next day afternoon, I was sitting at the banks of the river she had earlier mentioned. The sun gave a prickly warm feeling. Cotton white clouds flew across the sky making their mysterious voyage to a far off land. A light breeze blew past me, kissing me compassionately.

Greenery of the landscape was heartwarming. I closed my eyes to listen to sound of the flowing river.

There were a few little children nearby, playing football. I glanced towards them and smiled at their innocence.