Behind Enemy Lines

Eleventh Entry

December 31, 1943

The New Year is just around the corner. The German soldiers and officers were all inside the main building, all drinking and laughing while we stood outside and worked in this harsh cold weather. There were a few German soldiers on rounds but they were too busy talking about the New Year’s party that they weren’t paying any attention to us. a few of us were talking, whispering to each other as we worked.

“Pssst.” I heard someone say. I looked to find Ivanka, Lukas’s sister working next to me. I haven’t even notice her until now. “My name is Ivanka Derolvi, I’m looking for my younger brother Lukas Derolvi, have you seen him?” she whispered as she continued to dig.

“Yes, he’s in my cabin.” I answered swiftly as I watched a German guard pass by us. “He’s doing fine.” I added quickly.

I heard Ivanka let out a sigh of relief as we both continued to dig. “What is your name?” she asked.

“I’m Mika Struvolski.” I said.

“Struvolski? Do you have a sister by the name of Druka?” she asked.

I nearly dropped my shovel as I heard my sister’s name. I couldn’t believe she was here, I couldn’t believe my sister was alive. “Yes that’s my sister, is my mother with her?” I asked as I pushed aside a big pile of dirt.

Ivanka took a moment to answer due to a group of soldiers walking past us with large guns. It looked like they were heading out of camp, possibly somewhere into town. “Yes, your mother is with us. They wanted to know how you and your father are?” she asked.

“Tell them I’m doing well.” I said. “And Papa…he’s not himself.” I added.

“Alright I’ll tell them that, but I want you to tell my brother I’m doing well. Tell him I miss him and I need him to be strong for me.” She whispered. “How old are you Mika?” she asked.

“I’m eighteen.” I said quietly. I felt Ivanka’s eyes on me and I looked over to her she held a slight blush to her cracked cheeks.

“I’m eighteen too.” She replied softly. I felt my cheeks flush with a strange feeling.

“Can your brother talk?” I asked as I changed the subject and went back to digging.

“Yes, he can but when he’s frightened he doesn’t. I’m sure you must think of him as a mute but I assure you my brother is no such thing.” She informed.

“He writes down in a piece of paper, that’s how he communicates with me.” I said.

“Then he must like you. He would always do that with me when our parents used to fight a lot.” She said as she moved aside a large rock. “But it would be helpful if you can get him to talk.” She added.

“I’ll try but I don’t want to force him.” I said. “Ivanka, where are your parents?” I asked.

Ivanka stood silent right then and there. I had felt as if I had insulted her. She stood silent for a few more moments then spoke. “They are dead.” She said stiffly.

I felt the cold chill of anger and animosity radiate off her body. It looked like that was a touchy subject on her part.

“Torren Comrade, you need to relax, its New Year’s eve!” I heard someone say. I looked up to the name Torren and saw him walking our way with that monster called Valtren. “We have plenty of wine, women and food! So put your work aside and come join us!” he said.

Torren let out a sigh as he kept his face forward. “No Valtren, as much as it sounds comforting, I have a lot of work to do in the furnace.” He said as he looked around.