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✲꘏ ꘏ ꘏ ꘏✲
The young man slipped gracefully through the half-shattered window. The jagged shards still clinging to the frame did not leave so much as a scratch on his exposed skin.
Unlike him, I struggled awkwardly through the narrow opening. By the time I had managed to climb out, my arms, stomach, and legs were covered in cuts, while the clothes the soldier had given me were already torn in several places where the fabric had caught on the razor-sharp edges of the broken glass.
There was no time to complain.
Every second mattered if I wanted to stay alive.
Besides, if the Germans discovered that one of their own soldiers was helping an enemy nurse escape the front lines, they would execute him without hesitation.
He was risking his life far more than anyone else.
"All right," he said, pointing straight ahead with his gloved hand. "You'll run in that direction."
Before us stretched what had once been a beautiful city, now reduced to ruins.
Crumbling buildings stood beside burning or blackened tanks and military trucks.
The ground itself had become a river of blood.
The German Axis forces had established their position atop a low hill, allowing them to spot any enemy approaching from the west.
"I'll catch up with you as soon as I can," he said. "But if I were you, I wouldn't expect miracles."
He reached into his backpack and pulled out a radio, fastening it to the pocket of my shirt.
"I have one just like it. Don't try to contact me until I signal you through this device. When I know it's safe, I'll reach out first."
He removed his own backpack and attached it to the one already hanging from my shoulders.
Only then did I realize it was a two-part military pack of the kind soldiers from every army carried on long marches.
"You'll find everything you need in here."
"But ration it carefully."
"There's no telling how long it'll take you to reach that red wooden house I mentioned."
"You still haven't told me your name," I reminded him, searching his brown eyes.
After a few seconds of silence, he finally answered.
"Tobias."
He paused.
"Tobias Saltzman."
"I'm Elizabeth."
I reached out and shook his hand.
Then I nodded and turned toward the ruined city.
Before I could take another step, Tobias caught me by the elbow and gently pulled me back.
