The Price We Pay

Chapter 46

We packed light, carrying only an empty backpack, our walkie talkies and a flashlight. I loaded my gun, and put it into my pocket. We would need the space in our bags for the medicine, or whatever else we found.

"Please let me come Poppy!" Schmul was spread across the bed, holding a wad of blankets. His hair was a matted mess, but he refused to let anyone brush it.

For the fourth time, I shook my head, "You can't come. It's not safe for you." I tried to be gentle, but his nagging was really starting to drive me insane.

Schmul sat up and folded his arms. "What am I supposed to do then?"

"You could help organize the supplies?" Peter offered, as he bent down to tie his shoe. I smiled, "That's a great idea Phoenix. I bet they'll need a lot of help."

Schmul shrugged it off, and passively agreed to help.

"Thank you." I said softly. My attention shifted back to Peter, I had waited until we were alone to talk to him, but this was probably the most alone we would get. I sat next to him on the bed, with my back to Schmul. "Peter." I whispered. "What if we could tell them? Adri and Jakob, I mean. What if we could tell them to be on the last train? Adri could easily get in because she's sick, and Jakob could try to sneak on with her?" From the very second Wolf announced his plan, my mind had been toying with every possible way to get them out.

The plan definitely wasn't fool proof, but it was the best I had. Any plan is better than no plan.

Peter put a hand through his hair, "I think it's too dangerous. What if they end up in the wrong cart? Plus, we don't have a way to get a message to them."

I clutched the straps of my bag, he spoke softly, trying not to crush my hopes, but I didn't want his sympathy. He was right about the risk, but it was a risk I was more than ready to take. "We have to try! They'll die either way. We really aren't risking much!"

Shmul whimpered from the bed behind us, "Who's going to die?" He asked.

Peter shot me a glare, "Keep your voice down, you'll scare him." He turned to Schmul, "No one is going to die, buddy."

I tossed up my arms, ready to march away when Peter took my hand, "I know how hard this is, but we have no way to get them the message. I don't want to risk them getting on the wrong train. I feel like they'd have a better chance if they waited."

There was truth in his words, we couldn't guarantee that they'd end up in the right train cart, or that they would end up free, instead of inside a gas chamber. You can't cheat death. Instead, we would have to let things play out, which made my stomach knot. My lack of control over the entire situation sent my head into a nervous breakdown.

"Your friends, they're in the Ghetto?" Shmul asked.

I sighed, regretting having brought this up around him. "Yes, but they're okay." I responded.

"And you want them to get on the train you're saving?"

I glanced at Peter nervously, "Yes, that would be nice," I took his little hand, "but it's okay, they're smart, they'll find a way out." I wanted to believe myself just as badly as I wanted him to believe me.

He pressed his lips into a thin line, thinking over my words, " Well, what if I told them?"

I shook my head, "Absolutely not." I said firmly. "No one is going inside of there. You got that?"

He didn't seem to process my words, "I used to sneak in food for my friend, I can get in. I know how to! And I can tell your friends, Adri and Jakob!" He jumped from the bed, "I can do it." He said confidently.

I hated myself for the split second I considered his offer, "Shmul, that is very thoughtful and brave of you to offer. But I told you no. So you're going to stay here. Okay?"

From the other bed, Peter checked his watch, he stood and grabbed his backpack "We have to go Schmul, be good." He ruffled his already matted hair before following me to the door, "We'll be back in a few hours. I'll bring something cool back for you okay?"

We left him sitting on the bed, his face a twisted blend of emotions. I felt awful leaving him, especially since I understood how badly he wanted to help. But I couldn't risk losing another person that I loved.

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I should have seen this coming.

We had met behind the hospital with our empty bags, and after a quick rundown of the plan, I had been assigned lookout. Which was just as boring as it sounded. Echo and Delta went in through the back, in hopes of finding useful things within the hospital. Meanwhile, Peter was to search through the crates of recent shipments.

I had Peter take my backpack. It would be useless with me, hopefully he would fill it with bandages, medicine and anything else he could find.

I decided to stay near the back wall of the hospital, near the stairs that lead to the back door from the alley. If anything were to happen, I would just let Peter know through the walkie talkies and then he would warn the others.

So I just stood there. Waiting for something to happen.

And I didn't have to wait long.

I started mindlessly flipping a coin in my hand when the back door to the hospital squeaked open. I pushed myself back into the wall, hoping I would be consumed in the moon's shadows. My eye caught a dumpster, down further down the alley, I momentarily considered hiding in it instead, but It was too late to move.

Someone gasped as they stepped out into the crisp night air, I pressed harder against the wall, praying they wouldn't turn and look in my direction.

The person took a step down one of the stairs, "Hello?"

The air felt as though it was knocked out of my lungs. I reminded myself to breathe.

Chances were, it was all in my head, I refused to let myself believe it.

"Hello?" The person called louder this time.

It's impossible. It can't be...Unless..I put a hand over my mouth, stopping the gasp that threatened to escape. What if the Nazi had upheld his end of the deal? Maybe he did save her. Maybe he brought her here.

My heart hammered against my chest.

I found my heart pleading that it was her, while my brain prayed it wasn't.

The gun in my pocket grew heavy, reminding me of its presence as the person turned around in my direction

The girl's silhouette against the dark night, was exactly what I had expected--including the sling wrapped tightly around her arm and shoulder.

Despite my best efforts, I groaned.

This would change things. I thought I'd forgiven her, but seeing her now would probably change that.

Would I look into her eyes and see a traitor?

Or my best friend's killer?

What would I do when I finally got a good look at her? I honestly wasn't sure if I'd throttle her or embrace her...and that uncertainty scared me.

The girl lowered her voice to a whisper, obviously trying to avoid outside attention. "Ada, Please. I know you're there, please come out."

I took a deep breath, praying that I'd have a respectable amount of self control during whatever was about to go down.

And then I stepped out of the shadows, my eyes glaring into hers.

"Anna. It's been a while."