Countyhumans | Astrantia English Version (RusGer)

-16-

- End of July 1941 -

After crossing the border, he struggled through the first burned out villages and peasantry. The sight had been terrible and disturbing and he could still smell the fiery smoke in the fabric of his clothes. Except for the dead bodies that crossed his path, there was nothing left in these places. The houses were burned to the ground and no human soul was visible. He could perceive destroyed horse carts on the roadside in further rubble. Occasionally he saw traces in the dirt, of which he did not know whether they came from the fleeing population or from the invading enemy soldiers. In any case, Russia decided to continue on his way into a densely overgrown and dark forest. He knew the area and also that he could walk through this forest for weeks to reach his family's estate. It was a detour, but it was still better than running into the soldier's arms in the open field. Or to be shot from behind by hidden troops in occupied houses. The forest offered some protection at least. But of course, the troops of the Third Reich would also be here. But complete safety was never certain. The troops of the Third Reich would also comb through this forest.

He didn't have much choice.

~

The little bird in Russia's hands panicked and flapped its fine wings against his palms several times. He had caught the bird with his hands 5 minutes ago, but the animal didn't want to calm down. Again and again he felt the wing flapping on his skin. Russia had hardly slept in the past two days, because he had never felt safe. One day he climbed a tree and hid in the branches and dozed there for a few hours. But the fear of falling down or being discovered asleep was just too great. In the forest it always crunched and cracked from some suspicious corners. So he got up again and continued to walk, although everything in him cried out for a rest.

And then the damn hunger fell upon him greedily and mercilessly, like an animal.

A hunger, so horrible that his stomach ached while walking. And because of this, he immediately had to take breaks to face this gruesome pain.

The rations (two hard-boiled eggs and half a loaf of bread) that the old codger had put in the deep pockets of his cloak had long been used up.

Russia had been happy when he caught the careless animal between his hands. In this case, Russia had more luck than brains.

And now, he just sat on the wooden ground and waited. He wasn't sure what he was waiting for. His stomach let out a loud, desperate growl, and Russia bent forward slightly.

Damn hunger!

Just bite its head off - he thought to himself.

Then you have something to eat. The berries you have eaten cannot fill your empty stomach.

He closed his eyes briefly and pulled up the corner of his mouth.

He had to eat something.

He was so hungry.

There were no other options left.

He had already tried to eat plants that he knew were not poisonous. But they tasted horrible and he had cut his tongue at the sharp edges of the plants.

Would the little animal fill him up at all? Certainly not. But his stomach would be thankful. And maybe then he would feel less pain.

A frightened chirp sounded from the hollow of his clenched hands.