“Charlie, that will take us almost a full day of driving if we don't stop, and we’re in a stolen car,” I remindedhim.
“I know, Amelia, but what other choice do wehave?”
“We need to find a different car,” I toldhim.
“I agree. I’m just not fond of theft,” hesaid.
“You won't be fond of prison or execution either,” Iargued.
Charlie continued peering into the mirror with a frightened look in his eyes as we continued heading away from the more populatedarea.
After we had driven for hours, the tank of gas was nearing empty, and it was hard to tell how far away from the Austrian border we were. “We're going to have to start walking,” Charliesaid.
“We should drive until the car runs out of gas,” I toldhim.
“I just don’t want to get too close to the border with thiscar.”
I peered down at Lucie, who was still sound asleep, and began to imagine how hard things were about to become. It wasn’t long before an increased frequency of cars started to pass by us, and we knew that was our cue to get rid of the evidence, never mind running out of gas. Charlie pulled off into a field of tall grass that nearly covered the car, though I suspected it would still be obvious in the daylight. However, I had hoped we would be long gone bythen.
With Lucie cradled in my arms, I shimmied out of the back door and into the tangled grass. Charlie’s hand looped gently around mine as he helped us climb up to the main road where a pair of headlights unexpectedly caught us as we crossed the road. Without a word exchanged, we began to run, heading into the densewoods.
We hadn't gotten far when a man began to shout in the distance. “Hey! Youthere!”
Charlie grabbed me and pulled us along faster as we moved further into the woods. We ran until we couldn't run any further. My legs collapsed, and Charlie tried to lift me back up, but I couldn’t stand any longer, especially while carryingLucie.
There was no path within the woods, and I had hope that with the darkness covering our trails, it would be difficult for anyone to find us. The possibility of the passing car being a Nazi who may have been aware of our escape wasn’t as likely as we imagined it to be, but we couldn’t take anychances.
“Hey!” a voice shoutedagain.
“Dammit,” Charlie whispered. “He’s after us.” Charlie dragged us toward a wide tree, pinning our backs to it as he towered over us. “Don’t say a word.” I knew not tospeak.
Lucie didn't understand, though, and a soft cry escaped her lips. It was the first noise I had heard from her since we left the camp. “Shh,” I tried to soothe her. “Hushnow.”
I bounced her gently on my lap, and Charlie combed his fingers softly through her fine hair. “Shh,” he repeated after me. “It's okay, baby girl. We’re going to take good care of you. Ipromise.”
“Where did you go now?” the voice sounded again, but with so many trees for the sound to bounce off of, it was hard to pinpoint a source ofdirection.
Lucie’s cries grew louder as she reached for my neck. She must be hungry or have a wet bottom, so I carefully cupped my hand around her mouth, avoiding her nose. “Shhh, shhh.” Our efforts wererelentless.
“You’re a soldier,” the man said. “And you have a prisoner. Is that a stolen car you got there,too?”
I looked into Charlie's eyes, and he looked into mine. I don't know if we were thinking the same thought, but one thing was certain…the man didn't want to give up, and daylight would be comingsoon.
