A Partisan's Fight - COMPLETED!

Chapter Fifty-Five

"How much has the plan changed?" Armina kept a watchful eye out.

Mina had been able to sneak the woman out of view. It was enough privacy to be able to speak openly with her. A privilege she'd desired for a long time. "Aldrik has been transferred to the camp Markus was at. He no longer has the access to the smaller camp. At least, not easily."

"Where is Markus now?" Armina eyed Mina up; sipping the water Mina had snuck her.

Swallowing hard, Mina hadn't had a chance to tell her friend about the incident. "He is healing. Some of the other guards in Buchenwald guessed he was not really German. They decided to make an example out of him."

Armina studied Mina. She waited a few moments before responding. "How are you doing with it?"

Mina couldn't stop her chin from quivering. She looked away, trying to blink away the tears filling her eyes. "I do not feel strong, Armina. How do I expect to protect you and everyone in this camp if I cannot even protect my friend?

"Who found him?"

"I did.

"Did you stay rational? Or did you let your heart lead you?"

Allowing herself to think back to the moment, Mina wasn't completely sure which she did. "I... I did both."

"Because you have feelings for him?"

Her eyes snapped up to her friend. "I think I may, but I cannot, Armina."

"You are young, child. Why can you not have feelings for this man?"

Swallowing hard before letting out a heavy breath. "We have a job we have to do. I cannot be distracted. He cannot be distracted."

"Oh dear girl, you both are all ready distracted with each other. And you know it. Tell me the real reason." Armina crossed her arms, peeking around the corner to make sure they still had the privacy needed before returning her focus to Mina.

"He killed my father, Armina. I watched him gun him down."

She was silent for a moment. "As I recall, he was doing his job, Mina. You would not be working this well with him if you had not forgiven him. Clearly, that is not the issue."

"I am scared, Armina. I cannot get into a relationship with this man. I have a child to think about. I have a job to do. People are counting on me."

"Wilhelmina, there will always be a job to do. There will always be risks that are taken. You need to be able to be happy before you can begin to risk a job that may end your life. Do you really want to risk dying unhappy and before not living life to the fullest? Do not make the same mistakes that I have made and put a job before love."

The last comment made Mina think about Decker. He'd do anything for Armina. She could see it in his eyes when she saw him. When they talked about the fearless woman. "I have not heard anything from Decker yet. He should be back any day now."

"Assuming all went well." Armina let herself fall back against the building, just enjoying the ability to relax a bit and think of her love.

"I am sure everything is all right. He will come back just fine, Armina. Aldrik sent Albtraum with him. That dog had saved us many times. He will not fail your love."

"My love." Armina laughed. "I have not heard him referred to like that in quite some time. Decker is a big boy. He can handle himself just fine. He is cunning, Mina. Of all the men I have had a chance to know and learn about with my work, Decker is the one that I would never underestimate. He is resourceful."

"More reason to believe that he is coming back to us." Mina squeezed the woman's shoulder encouragingly.

"Oh dear girl, it is not a matter of if he is coming back to us. It is simply a matter of when. He can fight or talk his way out of anything. I would be more worried about your friends at this point. You all have a lot of planning left to do. I have Dinah rallying the people here. We will be ready when you need us."

"Dinah?"

"She is young like you, as well as determined. She will be my backup here to get things ready. Focus on your job, Mina, and the plan. I have things taken care of here." The woman gave Mina a warm embrace before sneaking back to the camp that might well kill her. She paused just before being out in the open. Turning to fully take in Mina, she gave her a stern look. "Remember what I said about love."

All Mina could do was nod. She watched how careful Armina was as she weaved her way through the darkening shadows to the barracks. It was time she went home. Her shift was nearly up, and she was missing Hans more than ever today. Seeing how easily someone could be taken away from her made her realize just how special the little life she created was.

Walking through the camp, she watched for any form of weaknesses. She needed to know what they could use in their favor. Having the rank she had provided some form of safety in her exploration. She wouldn't be questioned as she moved through the camp. She nodded casually at a few of the other female guards huddled nearby each other, talking. She kept moving, not desiring to make idle conversation with people who might end up dead soon enough.

A few yards further she stepped on something hard with her boot. It was unlike the firm dirt she walked through daily. She was used to that, but this was something completely different. Pausing, she tapped on the spot and listened. A metallic clang echoed back to her. Glancing over her shoulder, she checked to see if anyone was watching her. Nobody was. She reached down to unbury the spot, brushing away the dirt and dried grass.

Peeking back over her shoulder, Mina made sure there were no curious eyes on her. She looked back down, feeling for any opening to the large manhole in the ground. A metal ring was attached to the heavy cover. She grabbed it and pulled with all of her might. The cover was barged hard in the ground. Releasing the loop, she sighed. Standing up, she looked back at the mingling guards. They'd dissipated from their spots; probably going home for the night.

Pulling the bar she had to hit people with from her belt loop, she got back level with the ground. Shoving the bar through the loop, she tried to pry the manhole open. A few grunts and some muscling later, Mina had pried the cover open. It was dark and damp. A ladder had been screwed to the wall going down. Taking one last quick look around, she crawled into the pit and down the ladder. Carefully pulling the cover back in place as she made her descent.

Reaching for the flashlight on her belt, she flicked it on as soon as she found the tunnel floor. The air was damp and cool, lending an eerie feel to the space. Twisting back and forth, she eyed up both directions. This may be what she was looking for. The escape that they needed. Hidden in the open for the world to see, yet nobody had paid attention to. It was purely by chance that she had stumbled across it, or perhaps someone up high was looking out for her after all. There had to be some benefit to Lotte's continual prayers, perhaps this was it.