Page 40 of The Storyteller of Krakow

‘All okay here?’ he asked, looking from Janek to Wojtek, who was now standing on his hind legs.

‘Get that thing away from her!’ Janek yelled at the man. ‘He’s damned dangerous, and you just let him wander wherever he wants to go.’

The soldier, confused, looked at Wojtek then at me.

‘I was fine,’ I started.

‘You were not!’

The soldier patted Wojtek. ‘All right, boy. Let’s go and get you some food, eh? You hungry?’

Upon hearing those words, Wojtek fell onto his four paws and walked away with the man, turning his head now and then to look back at Janek and me.

‘You scared him!’ I said. ‘He was absolutely fine, then you come over here and start all your yelling and pulling at my arm. He was trying to protect me.’

Janek’s face suddenly changed. His eyes darkened, and his lips curled. He gripped my wrists tighter, forcing me back until the rough bark of the tree pressed into my spine.

‘You embarrassed me the last time I came to see you,’ he hissed. ‘I thought you’d have learned some manners by now. I left you alone so you could think about how much you hurt me – how much you owe me, Lena. For everything. Do you think you can just toss me aside after I’ve done so much?’

His other hand darted to my waist, pulling me closer, his fingers digging in through the fabric of my overalls. ‘I’ve been waiting months for you to finally say you were sorry. I’d come to see Zosia and look out for you, thinking that at any minute, you’d come up to me and say what needed to be said. But no, you used me all that time, didn’t you? This pitiful creature that barely even looked human, less even a woman. Needed food? I got it for you. Needed supplies? I found them. Wanted me to look after Zosia too? I did it.’

‘Apologise?’ I tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened, his face inches from mine.

‘You were mine,’ Janek growled, his hand snaking around my wrist, trapping me. ‘But I don’t want you any more. You’ve become nothing – look at you. You hide yourself away in those filthy overalls, cut your hair shorter, drive trucks and act like a man. You think that makes you strong?’

His voice then took on an edge – an edge I hadn’t heard before, and it made me flinch. ‘You know, Zosia’s been keeping my bed warm while you play your little games. She’s soft and eager, but you – I was just waiting for you to come to your senses. And now I’m tired of waiting.’

‘You leave Zosia alone,’ I tried, struggling. But Janek only laughed, one hand starting to slide up my side.

‘Zosia’s a real woman. Works as a nurse, wears skirts, and she knows how to please a man. She’s been begging me to keep her, but I told her you’d come round in the end. Now I’m not so sure.’ He grinned, his fingers bruising against my skin. ‘Maybe I should show you what you’ve been missing all this time.’

I tried to shake my hand free, but his grasp was strong.

Janek’s grip shifted suddenly, rough and determined, as he began to drag me towards the tangled bushes nearby. My heart hammered in my chest. I felt his hand shove beneath my jacket, searching, his intentions unmistakable. The panic rising inside me was suffocating; I knew all too well what he meant to do.

My vision blurred for a moment, ears ringing. The ground seemed to slip from beneath my feet as he pulled me deeper into the shadows, branches scratching against my skin, each step harder to fight. I clawed at his hand, desperate, but his hold only tightened. I could smell the damp earth, feel the cold wind stinging my cheeks, and the utter certainty of what was coming settled over me like a weight I could not lift. Helplessness and shame tangled together, making it almost impossible to cry out, but inside, I screamed for someone, anyone, to find me.

Just as his hand started to move further down, a low, guttural growl cut through the air.

Wojtek, massive and furious, crashed through the bushes, teeth bared. He reared on his hind legs, roaring, towering over us both. Janek’s hands dropped from me instantly as the bear lunged between us, forcing him back. Wojtek’s eyes never left Janek’s as he let out another deafening roar, sending him stumbling.

I slumped to the ground, shaking, as Wojtek stood protectively over me, his huge body shielding me from Janek’s retreating figure. The bear’s presence alone was enough; Janek turned and fled, not daring to look back.

‘It’s okay,’ I said as he sat back on his haunches, holding out my hand for him to sniff.

He gave my palm a quick lick.

I sat next to him, stroking him and whispering a thank you to him.

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Janek’s fingers still seemed to cling to my arms, ghost-grips I could not rub away. I buried my hand in Wojtek’s fur, stroking him, feeling his warmth.

He huffed and moved closer, his flank solid against my side. I pressed my forehead briefly to his neck, breathing in the sour-sweet smell of him, and felt my heartbeat start to slow. The panic was leaving me, the fear disappearing. But as soon as those feelings left, something was rising up to replace them.

Anger.

It came hot and clear, cutting through the fear, the knowing of what could have just happened if it hadn’t been for Wojtek.

‘Good boy,’ I whispered into Wojtek’s fur. ‘Thank you.’