War Girls Complete Collection Chapter 232

Chapter 10

“D

on’t! Wait!” Katrina screamed and shot up from the couch, her eyes getting used to the dim twilight at dawn. She fell back, angry sobs shaking her body.

“Are you alright?” Barbara left her bed to walk over and look after Katrina.

“I’m not! How can I ever be alright again? They’ve taken what I love most!” Katrina spat out, wanting to slam her fist against something hard.

“You need to calm down, or you’ll endanger all of us.” Edmund hovered over her. “Nobody is to know that you feel sympathy for a German.”

Katrina couldn’t help but glare daggers at him, although she knew he meant well. They had to ensure their own survival.

“I’ll make tea,” Barbara offered and hurried into the communal kitchen.

Katrina got up and dressed, her thoughts going in circles, trying to come up with a way to rescue Richard. She had to do something. Anything. She couldn’t just let him die alone.

When she entered the kitchen, the two families from upstairs sat at the table, giving her a suspicious glance.

“I sure hope they teach those German pigs we don’t want them here,” one man said with a calculating grin.

“We’re as shocked as anyone,” Edmund quickly said. “He had all of us convinced he was a distant cousin from up North, one we hadn’t seen since he was a baby.”

The man sneered, apparently only half-believing, but not wanting to openly fight with fellow Poles. “He’ll wish he could cross hell barefoot, when he finds out what we have in store for him.”

Katrina’s stomach squeezed and she felt the blood rushing from her face. In an effort not to give away her turmoil, she stepped to the stove, taking the ladle from Barbara’s hand and saying, “Let me help you.”

Barbara gave her a knowing wink and wiped her hands with her apron, before she walked away to get the cups from their room.

“My Anton is a guard at the camp, he’ll see that none of the pigs feel cozy there,” a brunette woman said with a wicked smile. “Shooting is too easy. They have to suffer first. Long and slow. I’ve heard some of the men have perfected the art of inducing excruciating pain for days without killing the victim.”

Katrina couldn’t believe her ears. How could this woman say something so cruel? How could she wish torture upon a fellow human being? Driven by pure rage she flew forward, grabbed the woman by the hair and screamed, “It was you! You betrayed him, you ugly bitch!”

“Bitch? You’re the bitch here. German whore. If I were you, I’d be careful, or you’ll soon be reunited with the bastards you love so much,“ the brunette yelled, defending herself against Katrina’s attack.

In a whirlwind of scratching, biting and kicking, the two women formed a tangle of limbs. Katrina couldn’t see or hear anything apart from the red in front of her eyes and the rushing in her ears. An overwhelming need to knock the smug grin of inhumanity right off that woman’s face drove her forward with all her strength.

Suddenly she felt herself gripped by two big hands, tearing her away from the other woman. Half in the air, she continued to kick her feet until she heard Edmund’s stern voice. “Calm down. Now.”

With his fingers digging deep into the flesh of her shoulders while his other arm confined her at the waist, there wasn’t much she could do. She went limp as Edmund carried her out of the kitchen and into their private room. After settling on the sofa, still shaking with fury, Katrina murmured, “I’m sorry for losing my temper.”

“I’m afraid being sorry is not enough.” Edmund said, as an exasperated Barbara rushed into the room, locking the door behind her and gazing at them with a mixture of sorrow and trepidation. “That woman will seek revenge. I’m almost certain she’ll call the cops to come for you.”

Katrina swallowed hard. How could she have let her emotions get the better of her? She should have known that attacking an informer would have consequences.

“What shall I do?” she asked with a feeble voice.

“Leave this house. Now,” Edmund said.

“You can’t kick her out onto the street,” Barbara objected.

“It’s not safe for you here anymore. The faster you leave, the greater your chances at survival.”

“I’m…” Katrina had no idea what to say. Because he was right. When the cops arrived, they’d take her to the same camp they’d taken Richard.

Barbara only shook her head in sorrow. Again, it was Edmund who raised his voice, “Gather your things and leave through the back door. Now!”

With a dejected nod, Katrina rose from the sofa to stuff all of her and Richard’s things into the rucksack she’d organized the day before. Her heart ached. If not for the betrayal of that woman, she and Richard would already be on their way to Berlin.

Katrina had never hated someone so much in her life.

In complete turmoil, she had no idea what to do next or where to go. Without him, it didn’t make sense to embark on the dangerous trek, but neither could she stay in Wroclaw. She shouldered the rucksack and grimaced at the heavy weight of the food she’d bartered for the silver frame.

For a moment, she hesitated. Should she leave half of it with Barbara and Edmund? Despite their dislike for the Nazis, they’d sheltered Richard in their home, exposing themselves to danger.

But then she scolded herself.

Have you already given up on him? Good partner you are!

A newfound determination flushed her body and she straightened her shoulders. She would find Richard and rescue him, so help her God.

Barbara stood and watched her, a very solemn expression on her face.

“Thank you for everything,” Katrina said and gave her a hug.

“Godspeed, my child. Let us know when you’re safe.” Barbara pressed a few ruble notes into her hand. “It’s not much, but it will help. Now go to the back door; Edmund is waiting for you.”

The kindness and generosity of her mother’s cousin brought tears to Katrina’s eyes and she blinked them away. Unable to speak, she only nodded her head and gave Barbara another hug – not knowing whether she’d ever see her again.

Katrina peered out of their room into the empty hallway and then tiptoed to the back door. It wouldn’t do to alert the vile neighbors of her escape. She opened the door slowly and scanned the small garden until she saw the gate leading to a path between the houses. The rusty metal hung ajar and since she didn’t see Edmund anywhere, she crossed the garden in some haste and slunk out through the gate.

“Shush,” a voice whispered. When she turned she saw a big man standing half-covered by the hedge. He waved her over and she recognized Edmund, holding something.

“This will help you get around easier.” He stepped aside and revealed an old black bicycle leaning against the hedge.

“I can’t possibly accept this,” Katrina protested.

“You can and you will. Listen, I know you’re planning to rescue your boyfriend. I think it’s a suicide mission and absolutely irresponsible. And while I don’t approve of it, I would probably attempt the same if I were still your age.”

Katrina’s jaw fell. Edmund usually didn’t talk that much, and she’d always had the feeling that he’d never completely approved of his wife’s taking Katrina and Richard into their home.

Edmund didn’t wait for her to say anything and continued, “They are taking the Germans to the former football field right outside the city walls. You know where that is?”

Katrina nodded.

“Not all of the Poles agree with the brutalities committed, and there’s one guard, he used to be a friend of mine long before the war. We don’t talk much these days, but despite everything I know he has a good heart. He might be able to help.”

“Do you really think he will help me to free Richard?” Katrina asked with a pounding heart, the glimmer of hope taking possession of her soul.

“I can’t guarantee it, but he’s your best chance – maybe your only one.”

“How do I recognize him?”

“His name is Jozef and he’s lost his left arm.”

“Thank you. And I’m sorry if we caused you problems.” Katrina gave him a handshake.

“Don’t worry about us. I have some connections to the new city administration. Nothing will happen to us. Now, go.“

Katrina climbed onto the bicycle. It was a big, black monster of iron and she had to stretch her toes to reach the pedals. But Edmund was right, they’d be much faster pedaling than walking. Now she only had to find the guard, get to Richard, free him and escape to Germany.

She scoffed at the sheer impossibility of her undertaking, and hopelessness threatened to sweep away her determination. Gritting her teeth, she pedaled harder, leaving the dirt path behind and taking a turn onto the main street that would lead her to the football field.

And Richard.

I hope he’s still there

. Her heart froze in agony as she considered the possibility that he was already dead.

No. He can’t be dead. Dear God, please, let Richard still be alive

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