A Partisan's Fight - COMPLETED!

Chapter Eighteen

The hurt in Aldrik's eyes was too much to stare at. Mina had known that he wouldn't like her words, but she was hurting too. There was no way he couldn't think that what she said she meant completely. She didn't have time to think about that.

Storming away, she continued her search for the general. He was still gone and out of view. Her only assumption was that he was doing more planning no doubt.

"Mina, wait! What is your plan?" Aldrik's voice had been drowned out by the blood pumping through her ears. Her mind had transfixed on one person, and one person only.

Thoughts pounded her brain. Thoughts of what needed to be done. Thoughts of new plans being decided. She needed to think fast. She couldn't dwell on her pain and loss right now. She couldn't keep her mind transfixed on the steely eyes of the man who'd shot her papa. Neither thought got her anywhere, yet both fueled her rage and desire to see change. To stop what was happening to people. Especially people whom didn't deserve to die.

Ignoring Aldrik's question, she hurried away faster. Finding the general was at the top of her priorities. She didn't dare break into a run, but her feet carried her just as fast. Swiping away the tears stinging her eyes, Mina pulled herself back into perspective.

Steeliness encased her pain and brought her an emptiness that was needed to guard her emotions. She had to think clearly.

Reaching out, she whooshed the canvas flap back with a force unmatched by anyone. She was owed that motion. Undeniably. Within moments she was standing face to face with the general once again. Hands on the desk. Fire in her eyes. And a motivation that couldn't be extinguished.

"Let me see him." She demanded to be obeyed.

"I don't think..." The general started but was immediately cut off.

"I have to talk to him." She refused to allow her voice to break or the desperation to be seen. She needed the closure. She had a plan.

"Mina, you cannot be serious." Aldrik had snuck into the tent unnoticed. The dog by his side as usual.

She hadn't taken her bold gaze from the general. Her nostrils flared. "I am dead serious."

"He just killed your father. You are in no condition...."

"Do not say it!" She spun around and glared at her friend. "I am the one who lost my papa. I will be the one to say what condition I am in. Do not berate me. Support me on this. I have to talk to him. I cannot complete our part of this deal without speaking to him."

"Okay." The general's voice gruffly responded behind her.

"General, she should not be talking to this man." Aldrik pushed passed Mina and stood in front of the man who had spoken.

"I fully support my men facing their demons if it means that they will perform one hundred and ten percent. If this is the closure that she needs to get her head on straight, then so be it." A steely determination filled the general's eyes.

"She is just a girl. She cannot go head to head with a full grown man capable of murder." Aldrik's words were harsh. His lack of support was evident.

Mina's jaw clenched. "You have seen the things that I have went through, Aldrik, and you still see me as a girl. Would a girl try to stop a German guard in a containment camp? Would a girl retaliate against her rapist and stop him from doing it again to someone else? Would a girl travel hundreds of miles through dangerous terrain, pregnant no less, to make a deal with an enemy general to save those that she loved? Tell me, Aldrik, what do I have to do to prove that I am no longer a girl?"