The Price We Pay

Chapter 50

I held the map out in front of me, "This is it." I mumbled, slowly lowering the map. The resistance wasn't here, but I wasn't surprised, we had expected them to move further away from the Ghetto. "Let's keep walking further down." I suggested.

We moved on, keeping to the shadows that the trees offered. I continually peered over the bushes, watching for any sign of the resistance.

Peter trailed behind me, the blue backpack hung over his body backwards. He shifted through the papers, organizing them into neat stacks. Once he had finished, the backpack laid a lot flatter, papers no longer angrily sticking out. "What time do you think they'll come?" Peter asked.

I glanced down the train track, imagining the angry train racing down it. "I have no idea," I answered, "But hopefully we can find the resistance before."

Peter took my hand, "Are you nervous?"

I gave him a half hearted shrug, "I think rightfully so." He slowly nodded, an idea clearing forming in his mind, "Okay then, let's play a game." He said.

"Only if I go first." I replied.

He smirked, "Whatever you want." He dug in his pocket, and retrieved the same American coin we had flipped weeks before. I had forgotten about it, and was admittedly impressed he had saved it for so long.

"No coin this time." I stubbornly said. "We'll just go back and forth." Peter waved the coin in the air in front of me, "Why? You afraid you'll lose again?" he taunted.

I held up my chin, "What's your favorite color?" Peter shook his head, "I haven't flipped yet. You can't do that." I stared him down, refusing to look away.

"Fine," he said, finally giving in. "My favorite color is green."

I knitted my brows together, "Green? Why green?"

He gave me a triumphant look, "Because your favorite color is green."

My stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies and color rushed to my cheeks. I had forgotten that's what I had told him last time we played.

"My turn." Peter announced. He looked up at the trees above us while he thought.

He asked a question, but I only half processed it. Instead, I was leaning forward in the bushes, watching for a bit of movement, "I think that's them." I mused, still staring across the track.

In another grouping of trees, I thought I had seen movement. "Let's go check it out." I said, while jumping over a bush. We had seen a few Nazis closer back by the ghetto, and I didn't want to risk being out in the open for too long. We bolted across the open space, and over the track, ducking back under the trees on the other side.

Everything was silent for a minute, maybe they aren't here? I wondered. Then as if on cue, the bushes rustled and Wolf stepped out, he opened his arms, "We were getting worried. I'm glad you found us." he reached out and Peter stepped forward handing him the blue backpack. Wolf pulled open the bag and a smile tugged at his lips, "Wow. Phoenix, Poppy, I'm impressed. You've done well."

He turned back into the bushes and Peter and I followed behind, practically beaming. "We have some lookouts further ahead, they'll alert us when the train is coming." Wolf explained as he led us through their makeshift camp. Devorah ran up to me, pulling me into a tight hug, "It's been so long!" she cried. "Can you believe we're actually doing this?" I chuckled as I hugged her back. Unable to believe what I was seeing.

Twenty people sat around, some had their heads back with caps over their eyes, while others reloaded weapons. A large wagon sat further back with two horses attached. A man groomed the horses, nodding to us as we passed. The tension in the air was thick, as each person quietly attended to his or her duties.

We weaved through the crowd, before taking a seat with Edelweiss, who was quietly filling small bags with nuts. Her eyes barely noticed us as we joined her, offering to help fill bags.

"We actually have a different job for you two." Wolf lowered himself to the ground, taking a moment to cautiously glance at Edelweiss. "I'm assuming you two are fast." he asked.

We both nodded.

Wolf let out a long sigh, "I know this is a dangerous ask, but we have no other choice. We need to catch the train and once we do, we must disconnect the last cattle cart from the rest of the train."

My fingers suddenly grew sweaty, "And you want us to do that?"

Wolf nodded solemnly, motioning to Devoah, "Arrow will go too. As the train approaches, begin to run, and when the time is right, you must jump in between the last two carts."

A bag of nuts hit the ground, rolling away in every direction. Edelweiss stood and shot a fiery glare at Wolf, "You know how I feel about all this." she sneered, before storming away.

Wolf rubbed the back of his neck, looking for words to fill the silence, "You can probably tell she isn't the most fond of the idea." he said.

I put a hand through my hair, "To be honest Wolf, I'm not either."

Wolf began picking up the nuts, sliding them back into the small bag Edelweiss had dropped, "Do you have a better idea Poppy?" Peter and Devorah's eyes shot to me, both practically begging with me to come up with something. After a long pause, I gave in and lowered my eyes, "No sir."

"Very well then." Wolf stood. "You three know what you must do. Once you stop the train, the rest of us will run out to help." He walked off, leaving us to our wild imaginations.

"Well we're dead." Devorah stated matter of factly. She dropped her head hopelessly into her hands.

"Not yet we aren't" Peter grabbed a stick and began drawing in the dirt. "This is the railroad." He explained while drawing a curved figure. "The railroad curves right here, so we won't see the train until it comes around the bend, however once the first few carts pass, start running." We leaned over his map, envisioning ourselves running beside the train. "Arrow, Poppy, you run on the left, I'll take the right, if you have the chance to jump, take it. It's ideal for all three of us to make it, however, if not, the carts can be disconnected by one person."

Devorah slid a hand down her face, "And then what?" she mumbled to no one in particular.

Peter crossed his arms as he laid back, "And then we figure it out." he replied.

We let those words float in the empty air. Except for the sound of the horses, everyone was silent, feeling the tension of the moments ahead.

I kicked at the dirt, as I tried to chase away my panicked thoughts. Peter dropped his hand next to mine and his fingers pressed a round, cool piece of metal onto my skin. My eyes met his instantly knowing what it was. "But this was your Grandpa's coin." I whispered. He nodded as something sparkled in his eyes, "It's a lucky coin." he said proudly.

I tried to look away, but his eyes locked on mine, capturing my attention. I felt myself leaning in. I didn't know what the next hour would bring, but I felt myself wanting to kiss him one last time.

And that's when I heard it.

It was quiet at first, like a small hum in the distance, but it slowly grew louder. Footsteps crushed though the dead leaves and a man approached, his jet black hair was wet with sweat, stuck down to his face. His hands were on his knees as he gasped for air, "They're coming." he panted, "The train is coming."