Illuminate

Chapter 18

The truck shuddered to a stop, and my heart hammered in my chest. Luckily, it was just a false alarm of what was to come. It was inevitable that I would have a difficult time of navigation once I got to wherever this truck was going, but I chose not to think about it.

I was so hungry. I realized I hadn't eaten since last night. Positive I had at least some snacks left over, I rummaged through my suitcase frantically. My fingers hit a napkin, and I pulled a wrapped sandwich out. More Dmitri magic? My mouth curled into a smile. It obviously was.

Satiated, I relaxed back on my valise. I had no plans to speak of. I didn't even know what direction I was going. I only hoped Dmitri knew what he was doing one last time.

•••

After a long time of driving, the truck stopped. I heard yells outside and a door opening. I figured that meant a stopping point, so I obscured myself behind empty boxes as well as I could.

The back door burst open, and I was instantly blinded by the abundance of light.

"What you got in here?" a gruff voice proclaimed in poor German.

"Some boxes is all that's in here. We delivered them to an army relief camp, and we're on our way back to headquarters," another replied.

I could tell they were lying. Why couldn't they say they were delivering supplies to a mastermind compound of which I still didn't know the real purpose?

"Just making sure. Be on your way," the first said.

The back door remained open and I peeked my head around slightly. All I saw was a dirt road and grass, which I hadn't seen in months. I leaned out even further and looked to the right. A quaint smattering of cottages dotted a large hill. I smiled. It had been so long.

I risked climbing out from behind entirely and looking. I decided, in a split-second's decision, to get out here. I made sure nobody was around (the driver was at a small security building up ahead), grabbed my bag, and hopped off.

Wasting no time, I sprinted to the cottages. I slid behind a small rock wall and peered over to observe. The truck driver and security person seemed oblivious to my little stunt.

I waited them out, with a sigh of relief when they checked the back entry of the truck. Once again, I'd miraculously escaped a touch with fate.

I ended up falling asleep for an hour or so, and awoke to a child staring down at me.

I was sure to use German when I said, "Who are you?"

The child smiled. "My name doesn't matter. What matters is, why are you here?"

I played confused. "I fell asleep and now I'm here." For some reason, she hastily turned and ran away. I stood up, confused.

Realizing I needed to find some shelter with night approaching, I reluctantly got up and walked in the direction of the houses. I needed an ally and fast.

She returned with a woman. They hauled me to my feet and took me back to their cottage.

They told me to sit at a table. "Why?" I asked, sure to be questioned.

"We're going to feed you," the woman murmured, and set a bowl of thick soup in front of me.

"Thanks, but you didn't have to," I replied, but my stomach appreciated the heartiness of the soup.

The woman smiled. "Let us know when you're finished, and we'll fix up a bed for you." She turned and was aout to walk away when I called. "Wait!"

She frowned slightly. "Do you need something?"

"Not really, I just had a question." I paused for her to acknowledge if I could ask. "Who are you, and why is your city so barricaded? Are you a Nazi?"

The woman smiled softly. "You may be able to answer those questions for yourself in a little time."

I shrugged and wondered what she meant by that as I finished my meal.

•••

The family had already prepared a comfortable-looking bed for me in the back room. I shook my head in amazement. "You're too kind."

"We try to be hospita-hospa-ble to everyone," the little girl said, making me smile because of her pronunciation of the word.

I changed into my nightdress and climbed into the bed, sinking into the soft mattress. They pulled layers of warm blankets overtop of me and left.

I didn't fall right asleep; my mind was still going strong. Who are there people? What side are they on? echoed in my head. Then also Why had the truck driver lied?

It took a full thirty minutes to realize what the answers were.

If the driver had to lie against his side, that must mean that these people aren't Nazis. Sympathizers maybe? Rebels? I thought long and hard, but those were the only explanations I could come up with. I decided to leave it at that and try to get some rest.

•••

I opened my eyes with a sinking feeling in my stomach early the next morning. I knew I was forgetting something. Getting up out of bed, I crawled to my suitcase and opened it. I rummaged through its contents, making sure everything was there. Nothing seemed to be missing or out of place until my hand ran over a piece of paper. I pulled it out and squinted to read it. It was a blank envelope. I slid my finger under the opening and inverted it. Empty. I sighed and tried to think of where I got it. When I remembered, I almost fainted. It was from Aya! I knew she wouldn't give me a blank envelope, so I carefully pored over every inch of the outside. Blank. I tore the paper at its seams on either side and inspected the inside. In the corner, almost unnoticeable, was a line of writing one would need a magnifying glass to read.

I sighed in frustration and tossed it back in my bag. It would have to wait for another time.

•••

I groaned as light flooded over me. I lifted my head to see feet and realized I'd fallen asleep on the floor. Hopping to my feet, I looked from the woman to her daughter. They were holding trays of food in their arms and had smiles on their faces. I ate my breakfast, and they were silent.

I moved my napkin and found a train ticket. "For your trip," the girl explained. "But how do you know where I'm going?" I asked. "I never told you."

"We have our ways," she said mysteriously. I left it at that.

•••

Our goodbyes were brief; there wasn't much to say except thank them profusely, really.

I boarded the train, which would take me to a nondescript town in France, where I would hopefully get off and take a ferry over the channel. I didn't know what to do once I got back (or what my consequences would be), but I figured, at any rate, safe and punished was better than being in potential danger. I could deal with what was to come.

•••
A|N
1207 WORDS! I KNOW THIS IS REALLY LATE AND NOT THAT GOOD, but it was the best I could do, so enjoy it 😊😊😊

NEW COVER: I decided it was time for a change 😃