A Partisan's Fight - COMPLETED!

Chapter Seventy-Six

Content Warning: Life threatening situations and violence.

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Markus paused at the ladder again. He sighed. "Mina and I fought before she left this morning."

"What?" Lotte stared at him. "Why? You should not have left things on bad terms, Markus."

He spun around, brows knit together. "You think I do not know that?"

Lotte looked down at Hans, refusing to utter a word.

Sighing, Markus rubbed the back of his neck. "After the attack was done, when we were supposed to be getting away, I wanted us to abandon Germany and go to South America. I just... I just wanted us to have a chance at being together. Safe."

Lotte's gaze met his. He expected to see betrayal, hurt, anger. None of that was there though. She looked sympathetic. "I take it she did not agree."

He shook his head, snorting at the thought. "To say the least."

"This is her home, Markus. The place where she believes she belongs." She tried to give him a reason, a justification.

"Being with me is where she belongs. I just want her to give me a chance to keep her and Hans safe. We could be a family. I love her. You would think that would mean something to her." It felt like a heavy weight of bricks still compacted his chest. He knew he loved her, but how could she possibly feel the same way if she was willing to turn him down so quickly, to argue with him on what could possibly be their last day together.

"She believes that she is doing the right thing, Markus." Lotte replied quietly. Something more lingered in her gaze, but she didn't elaborate and he didn't push.

"Maybe. But her version of the right thing sure as hell isn't lining up with my version." He shook his head, reaching for the ladder again. Glancing back at her, he stared for a moment. "You are not mad at me for wanting to leave?"

Giving him a small smile, she shook her head. "No. I will help Aldrik with the people. We both need that. But you... you should convince Mina to leave with Hans. You are right. All of you should be somewhere safe. Be a family."

Swallowing, Markus gave her a grim smile, nodding his head to her response. "I will do what I have to to protect her, but she might hate me for pulling her away from here."

"I do not think so. It just may take her some time to realize what is best for her." Lotte looked up at the tunnel cover. "Just do not get killed up there before she has a chance at finding that you are what is best for her."

Markus snorted, beginning his ascent. "They have all ready tried to kill me. And I would wager that they gave it their best shot. I think I can survive whatever curve ball they throw my way."

"Cockiness gets people killed." She retorted, glaring at his brutal positivity.

Chuckling, he kept climbing the ladder; pain spiraled through his sore body. Putting pressure on his good leg, he avoided his other giving out on him. He thought back to earlier that morning. In spite of her fuming at his attempt at offering her a way away from all the pain, violence, and tragedy she had still told him that she loved him. He would wait for her to change her mind. He would stay right here with her even if it proved to be the end of them. That's what love did after all, right? Love held true no matter the hardships that came at them. If it really were love, he would not leave her no matter the consequences.

His heart pounded louder than he thought was possible. Reaching for the manhole leading to freedom, he hesitated. Grasping his bearings, he pushed it open. First peek, he could see the truck tires. They were only yards away from it. It wasn't really complete safety, but it felt pretty damn close.