Red-Cross and Redder Lips

It's Human To Cry

The housing they all stay in grows tiresome and casual; everyone knows everybody and no one wants to move. It's now November, and snow has teased the area with thin sheets of thick frost and warped streaks on windows of ice and water. From where Miss Amélie Dejean is sitting upright, in her bed with Dolly at her side, she can hear the muffled radio from the next room over. Her eyes are closed with her head pressed against the wall, she listens with her eyes closed as Dolly is too busy wildling away at some wood. It's the French Broadcasting Channel, which has now gone full time into war-politics and opinionated outlooks, and they're currently recapping. The people that are in the room must be asleep, if anyone's in here for that matter, and the whole house must be resting.
    ".....Yes that's right, Mister Claes, very right indeed. Hello listeners, today is November 17th, happy Friday!- Well maybe happy isn't the best wording to use, either way- we have some interesting news coming from our Eastern neighbors. Nazis have reportedly moved over 20,000 Jewish men, women and children out of the land they have seized. All men over 17 are sent to work in labor camps, but they won't say what to do with the other.....
...And coming from our own government, Blackouts are now mandated by the law at hours five at night until seven in the morning. Any lights too bright may be punishable, and it is best if you keep your neighbors in mind, you never know when one of those damn Germans will drop us a gift..."
    "I'm tired of listening to this, Ethel, it's driving me cra-" Amélie starts before she sees that Dolly has fallen asleep with her head and back against the wall. "...Ethel?" she gives her a small shake. No response. "Dammit, I wonder what Ingrid's doin- wait no, she's doing prep..." Amélie gets up and slips her boots on, getting ready to wander aimlessly. She turns the doorknob to open it, but there is a voice from behind her, "mmmh, going without me?~" Amélie turns around startled and smiles, "Ethel can I use you for your bicycle?" Ethel chuckles happily and stretches, "if that means getting out of here, hell yes." "Then get up, we're going through that window."