Page 4 of Hearts of Resistance
She’d glanced at the identity papers so she’d have enough information in case they were stopped, but she always preferred to know as little as possible. If she was found out, taken and tortured, she didn’t want to know anything that she might be forced to share.
‘We have a new arrangement,’ Horse said. ‘This boy is the first one I’ve bought from the Nazis. It seems some of the guards will do anything if you offer them enough American cigarettes.’
Sophia swallowed. ‘And you trust this man? ThisNazi?’ She turned, strained her eyes into the dark. Wasn’t bribing a guard putting her,all ofthem, in even more danger? ‘It could have been a trap. Are you certain you weren’t followed?’
Panic was rising within her, the hot taste of bile in her throat making her want to be sick. The urge to flee surged through her body, but she forced her feet to stay rooted to the spot.
‘I’ve had him in hiding for days,’ Horse said. ‘No one followed us here.’
‘So will we have more to help? How often will you be negotiating?’
He made a low grunting sound. ‘Wait for the phone to ring. The less you know...’
She nodded.The better.
‘Come on, let’s go,’ she whispered, holding out her hand to the young man.
He grasped it, and she could feel how thin he was, his freezing, bony skin against her palm.
‘Safe passage,’ Horse murmured as he disappeared into the night.
‘Follow me, move when I move, and don’t say anything unless you have to,’ she whispered. ‘If anyone asks, we’ve been to see my mother’s grave, and you’re...’ Sophia paused, seeking out his features, wishing she could see his face properly. ‘You’re my cousin, and you’re terribly sick.’ It was the only thing she could come up with. Why else would a German boy be this painfully thin? ‘You’ve been sick for months, and I’m scared of losing you now that Mother has gone.’
She kept hold of his hand as they rushed back the same way she’d come. The frigid air was chilling her right to the bone, but she was thankful not to be as thin as her new friend. Tonight she would feed him, tuck him safely away for the night and hope and pray that by some miracle he would be safely smuggled out of the city to Sweden before anyone found out what she was doing.
There were some Jews living in Berlin – the roundups had temporarily ceased – but it was still so dangerous for him to be here. She moved faster, desperate to reach home. She would do anything she could to stand against Hitler, but there was nothing that she liked about being in charge of another person’s life and safety. Gambling with her own life was one thing; anyone else’s was another matter completely.
‘Thank you.’
The words were so low they were barely audible, but they brought tears to Sophia’s eyes. ‘You’re welcome,’ she murmured back.
This young man might have lost his entire family. He might have been certain he’d die before the week or month or year was out. At least now he had hope, even if it was just a glimmer.
‘You’ll have to hide in here.’ Sophia had downed a glass of gin, and her hands were shaking less now than when she and the boy had first burst into the apartment. It always took a few drinks to settle her nerves after a rescue.
‘If we’re searched,’ Alex said, giving her a worried look. ‘She means you’ll have to hide thereifwe’re searched.’
The young man nodded. ‘How long will I be here?’
‘A night, maybe two,’ Sophia replied, finding her voice. ‘Any longer and the chance of you being discovered is...’ She didn’t finish her sentence. The truth was that he’d probably be safer staying here long-term, but if she did that then she couldn’t help another.
‘You’ll be moved soon. Sophia will wait for her signal and then you’ll be transported quickly,’ Alex explained.
She nodded, thankful that Alex had spoken for her even though he knew little about the logistics. The rescues were starting to affect her more and more, the terror of being caught starting to weigh heavier each time. Even though she didn’t tell Alex much, he’d figured out a lot of what she did.
‘Would you like something to eat, or do you want to go straight to bed?’ Sophia asked, clenching her fists to stop the trembling.
‘Food, please,’ he said. ‘I can hardly keep my eyes open, but I’d do anything for something to eat.’
She warmed soup for him and sliced a piece of bread and some cheese. She and Alex didn’t have a lot, but the extra she’d bought on the black market had given them enough to share this week.
‘Tell me about your family,’ she asked. ‘How are they faring?’
He took the food she passed him and started eating, snatching mouthful after mouthful.
‘Whoa,’ Alex said, taking the bowl from him. ‘Slow down or you’ll bring it all back up.’
The boy nodded, eyes still fixed on the food that had been whisked away, as if he thought he’d never get it back.
