From Darkness

Chapter 14: Oath

The road to Berlin was winding and long. It unraveled through forests and hills. Not much too see, it all went by in a green blur. Father spoke of the Autobahn and how it would, upon completion, make the trip half as long by cutting through straight, having several lanes, and a smoother surface.

Ivy wasn't listening though. By noon she had stopped crying and although she craved it, she couldn't fall asleep. She lay back and closed her eyes, feeling the fresh wind on her face.

"We'll be there soon," Peter said to her and Mother.

Part of the reason Ivy had been crying was that her best friend, Julia, hadn't come as promised. Not saying goodbye to her felt strange, like something was wrong. Then again, everything is wrong right now, Ivy thought.

Slowly, the forest began disappearing behind country houses. The road was bumpy there, it was made of very old stones. Soon enough, the houses grew taller and closer, until the city of Berlin engulfed her. Wherever she looked, she was surrounded by tall buildings and row houses that looked several centuries old.

It was a beautiful place, Ivy couldn't deny it. Dark grey and beige buildings beautifully decorated with Nazi flags. The bright red, black and white contrasted the surroundings stunningly.

Berlin was a loud place, cars and people everywhere. It reminded Ivy of a beehive, and she could tell it was just as productive.

"And we're here, ladies," Father said as he pulled over in front of a set of row houses that were all identical, except for the doors. The truck behind them pulled up as well and right away the soldiers began to open the truck doors, no time wasted.

 "Are you coming out, Ivy?" Mother asked her. Sighing, Ivy stepped out and looked at her new house.

"Is all of it ours?" Ivy turned to Simone. "This one, yes. All three stories, and there's a cellar as well," she pointed at the black door mid-row.
"Are we near my grandparents and Kristian?" Ivy asked.
"No, thank God. Berlin is very large, you'll see," Simone replied.
"Why thank God?" she asked.
"Because... well, my mother and I don't get along too well at times," Simone told her.
"But grandma's always so nice to us," Ivy said.
"Yes, to you and Kristian. It doesn't matter now, go on in," Simone pointed at the house.

Ivy went inside after the soldiers carefully brought in a wooden glass cabinet. The interior was nice, although she wasn't a fan of the flooring. Instead of the dark oak flooring she was used to, the floors here were white marble. The walls were a cream color, with a brocade pattern that turned into a luxurious texture at the white ceiling.

 There was a grand marble staircase at the entrance, with golden railings. "Go pick your room, Ivy. Ours is the last one on the right, top floor. You have three to choose from," Peter told her.

 Ivy didn't care much about her room, but she decided to explore the house nonetheless. She wondered how her parents had been able to afford this house, she didn't think they had that much money. That was a question that would earn her at least a frown from Father, and an ear tug from Mother, so for then it could wait.

This house was very narrow yet spacious. It seemed comfortable, if one didn't mind taking the stairs all the time. Ivy wished Uli was there to play hide and seek with her, there were many excellent hiding spots throughout. She picked the room that was underneath her parents' room, because it was the only other bedroom with a view of the street.

The cellar was dark and cold, not a place Ivy ever wanted to spend much time in. There was no backyard, at least not compared to what she used to have in Kiel. It was a tall-fenced green patch of grass, a few bushes and an apple tree.