Safe, page 14
His story was a familiar one. He and his sister had escaped from the Nazis when their parents had hidden them on their farm. The Nazis had killed their parents when they’d found them helping prisoners of war to escape. He and his sister had hidden and survived, but his sister had died shortly afterwards from a cough.
He looked across at them both. ‘I couldn’t save her!’ Kizzy saw the same haunted look in his eyes as she’d seen in so many people who had seen too much and felt too much in this war.
‘You did your best, Damek. It’s not easy.’ Jakob touched the younger boy’s arm as they rode side by side.
Damek told them that Anna had heard about his parents’ murders and had gone to the farm to see if she could find anyone alive. She’d found him still in hiding and brought him back to join the Gerfunden Kinder.
‘Anna saved me,’ said Damek. ‘She’s so kind.’
Behind his glasses, Kizzy could see his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. He looked away. She was amazed again at how special and brave Anna was. How brave all these children were.
A silence hung between the three as they rode on, all lost in their own stories. Kizzy thought how different all their lives could have been if people hadn’t been there for them.
The trees across the valley were a patchwork of greens and the birds serenaded them as they descended, with the clatter of the hooves creating a rhythmic soundtrack for their journey.
The silence was shattered when Strom shouted, ‘Look, I can see Anna and the herd down there.’ He pointed to her. ‘She’s waving.’
Kizzy felt a wayward tear trickle down her cheek. She rubbed it away. She’d never been so relieved to see anyone.
Chapter 31
‘I was beginning to worry that you weren’t coming!’ said Anna. ‘I kept hearing gunshots in the distance. I thought you were in trouble.’
‘Like we’d leave you alone with all these horses.’ Jakob smiled at her. ‘Hopefully, the gunshots are far away. The sound can echo around the mountains.’
Kizzy looked around. Gunshots frightened her. The herd appeared to be quite spread out. It would be hard work to bring them all together. She said nothing, though. Anna had done a good job to get them all into the clearing on her own.
‘I think we’re all shattered. Shall we look at the map and see if we can risk staying here tonight?’ she suggested to the others.
Conveniently, a stream tumbled off the mountain, but she knew it was no accident. Strom and Jakob had planned the route carefully to make sure the horses were catered for all the way. Many of them stood drinking in it now.
Everyone jumped down from their horses and the cart. The younger children ran to the stream, splashing in the water, giggling, and drinking at the same time.
Kizzy put the map flat on the floor.
Strom and Jakob both pointed at the clearing. ‘This is where we are.’ Jakob glanced up at them all. ‘The plan had been to get here.’ He moved his fingers to another clearing.
Kizzy tried to get a sense of how everyone else felt. ‘I think we’re all too tired to go further today, and the horses are too. That journey was so stressful. I may be wrong, but I think it’d be a good idea to rest here tonight and leave extra early tomorrow?’ Glancing down at the map, she asked the boys, ‘Where do we have to get to tomorrow?’
Jakob showed her. ‘This looks like it is going to be a checkpoint. Ideally, we should get through that tomorrow.’ He glanced around. ‘We don’t want to hang around.’
As if to reinforce his fears, the sound of more gunshots ricocheted around the mountains. Everyone stopped. The smaller children’s panic-stricken faces turned to the older ones for reassurance.
Jakob and Kizzy both looked up at the mountains. ‘They are not as close as they sound. In the mountains, the sound travels further,’ Jakob said, putting his hand to his eyes as he searched for any signs of danger.
‘Jakob’s right, you don’t need to be scared, but we can’t be complacent,’ Kizzy added. ‘You must keep quiet and stay within the camp. No wandering off. And we can’t use the guns to hunt with, in case the sound attracts attention.’
All the small children nodded, moving back to their game in the stream, but all unnaturally quiet.
The older ones focused back on the map.
Anna sighed. ‘Do you think we can go that far?’
Strom stepped in. ‘There’s another possibility. Jakob and I found a different route, but it’s slightly more dangerous. It’s nearer roads and there is more chance of being seen, but it’s a bit shorter. As Jakob said, it would give us the potential for a different crossing too.’
Zuzu hung around his neck, peering over his shoulder at the map.
Kizzy could see the marks and scrapes on his arms from where he’d saved his sister were turning into purple bruises. A vivid reminder of what they’d just been through.
‘We’re all so tired. I don’t think we should decide until tomorrow morning. Let’s gather up the horses, eat something and get some sleep,’ said Kizzy.
Anna stood with her hands on her hips, dark smudges under her eyes. ‘I think that’s a great idea,’ she said, trying to stifle a yawn.
Jakob moved over to his horse, gathering up the reins. ‘Why don’t Damek and I gather up the horses? Kizzy, do you want to come too, or do you need a rest?’
Kizzy thought about this. Every bone in her body ached, but she wasn’t ready to sit down yet. ‘I’ll come with you. Strom, would you get the ropes ready and start the fire up?’
Strom kicked hard at a loose stone. ‘We’ve got a problem, though,’ he said. ‘I think I lost my matches when I rescued Zu. Look!’ As if to prove the point, he dragged both his pockets out of his trousers to show they were empty. ‘Now what are we going to do?’ he snapped.
Everyone else checked their pockets. Nothing.
‘What are we going to do?’ said Anna.
‘Mine got wet when I fell in the water. I know I’m stupid,’ said Jakob.
‘You can say that again.’ Kizzy heard Strom mutter under his breath. Not loud enough for anyone else other than her to hear. He seemed very unhappy about something.
‘I used the last of mine last night because I thought we had plenty,’ she sighed before looking up, smiling. ‘I think I’ve got an idea.’ Kizzy stood up.
‘Of course, she would have!’ Strom looked irritated again.
Kizzy sighed, too tired to deal with this. She shrugged her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry I had an idea. If you’d rather I didn’t, we’ll just go and get the horses.’ She turned away, her head down.
Jakob stopped her. ‘Don’t feel like that, Kiz. I think we’ve all been stressed today with what happened and some of us may have read that map wrongly, adding to the stress. I for one am certain we need your help; I think someone needs to remember that you survived on your own in the woods for a very long time and that’s why you know these things. You’re not showing off. Just trying to help us all.’
Anna pushed Strom. ‘I also think someone needs to apologise.’
Strom muttered, ‘Sorry.’
Kizzy tried to stand tall. She didn’t want Strom knowing how much he’d hurt her. ‘While I’m gone, could you build the fire in the tepee style? You know the way,’ she said to Jakob, who nodded back.
She disappeared into the wood at a run. When she was far enough away from the camp, she let the tears flow in great gulping sobs. She vowed to herself that she would keep quiet from now onwards. Why did people have to be like that? Why couldn’t they be like Jakob and Heinz? When would she see Heinz again?
Pulling herself together, she wiped her face again with her handkerchief, smelling the distinct scent of the countess still on the cotton. Stuffing it roughly in her pocket, she said to herself, ‘Come on, you need to get sorted.’
Looking around, she soon saw what she was looking for − a bird’s nest. Climbing up carefully, Kizzy checked it was an old, disused one. Then, carrying it very gently, she headed back to the camp.
Jakob ran to meet her. He saw her face. ‘Are you all right?’
‘I am now.’
‘Don’t let him get to you.’ He looked at the nest. ‘Kizzy?’
‘Don’t look like that. Of course, it’s a disused nest. Who do you think I am? I checked to see if it had eggs or chicks in. It hasn’t been used for quite a while. You’re almost as bad as him.’
Jakob looked hurt.
Kizzy nudged him. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I think we’re all tired and short-tempered. Come on, let’s do some magic.’
They walked into the centre of the camp.
Strom stood and planted his feet apart. ‘It’s great tinder, but you still can’t light it … can you?’
Jakob faced up to him. ‘Really, Strom? Just be patient and watch. How about a little support? Who helped you save your sister earlier today?’
Kizzy sighed, conscious that this could blow up into a real argument and she didn’t want that. ‘Damek, can you lend me your glasses?’
The boy looked surprised but handed them over.
Jakob grinned at Kizzy. He’d clearly worked out what she intended to do. ‘I remember this. Heinz showed us in one of his classes.’ Jakob looked at everyone. ‘We couldn’t go to school but Heinz made me and then both of us do classes every day. He is big on education. Somebody was obviously paying attention,’ he laughed.
Kizzy raised her eyebrows at Jakob. However, she could feel Strom’s eyes boring into her, waiting for her to fail.
Kneeling on the floor, her hands shaking slightly, she placed the bird’s nest in a gap under the tepee of twigs. Kizzy then carefully angled the glasses, so she focused the sunlight onto the bird’s nest. Slowly, smoke and a glowing ember appeared. She leant forward and began to blow gently on the nest. The sparks from the ember caught alight. Small flames licked at the fragile framework of the nest. Kizzy kept blowing gently until certain the nest was fully alight. Wisps of smoke drifted upward.
‘Go Kizzy!’ shouted Jakob.
Kizzy cringed, worried this would annoy Strom more. She carried on blowing at the flames until the twigs caught too. It wasn’t long before they had a fire burning well enough for them to cook on and to keep them warm. Everyone clapped, except Strom, who walked away.
Kizzy handed Damek his glasses back. ‘Thank you for lending them to me.’
She turned to Anna. ‘Sorry to ask you again, but do you mind going through what food we’ve got left in the cart and seeing if there is enough to feed us? If not, I’ll go out to see what I can find or…’ she shouted to Strom, ‘you could catch something for us if you like?’
Strom blustered a little. ‘Let’s see what we’ve got first, then I’ll see what I can catch.’
Kizzy smiled at him. ‘That sounds like a plan.’
Strom and Anna headed off. The remainder of the children still played quietly, seemingly oblivious of the festering mood in the camp. Kizzy was too tired to cope with it all. As she walked towards Jakob, she told herself nothing else could possibly go wrong tonight.
‘Oh no!’ Just as she thought that, she spotted Eda standing slightly awkwardly with her near fore hoof resting on its tip. Kizzy ran over to her. ‘Have you got a problem?’ She ran her hand down the mare’s leg, and to her relief she could feel no heat. ‘That’s good, no infection. Let’s look at this hoof.’
Leaning slightly against the mare, Kizzy lifted Eda’s leg and gently pulled it between her two legs, cupping the hoof in one hand and supporting the leg with her knees. Gently she brushed away the mud, exposing the soft flesh by the hoof.
‘I see the problem. You’ve got a bruise. It’s not bad. I bet you got it when you trod on the rock earlier.’ Kizzy lowered the hoof down before patting Eda. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get you a soothing poultice sorted.’
Kizzy walked back to Jakob and Damek. She half-smiled before pulling herself up onto Margita’s back. ‘Ready? I’ve some extra bits I need while we’re out. I need to create a poultice.’
Jakob raised his eyebrows and Damek said, ‘Yes, let’s go.’
Chapter 32
The three children rode their horses through the trees at a walk, slowly encouraging all the other horses back into the corral that Strom had created with the ropes. Kizzy then set off on her own to gather up the herbs and plants she needed for the poultice.
Having found them, Kizzy manoeuvred between the trees, using her legs and the reins to guide Margita. Catching Jakob’s eye as they met up again, tucking themselves behind the trees, out of earshot of Damek, she said, ‘This feels a little familiar, doesn’t it?’
Jakob grinned. ‘It certainly does. At least Heinz isn’t shouting at us this time.’
She pulled a face. ‘No, just Strom! Jakob, are we going make it? I need to see Heinz again.’
He met her gaze, equally serious. ‘Ignore Strom. It’s the pressure. You want an honest answer to your question?’
‘Yes.’
Margita danced around, snatching at her bit.
Jakob sighed. ‘I’m not sure. We can but try, Kiz. We’ll do our best to get back.’ He looked sad. ‘Heinz is going to be devastated when he hears what Faber did.’
That wasn’t the answer she wanted to hear but knew he was right. ‘Poor Heinz, we must make sure he knows it wasn’t his fault.’
Damek trotted up. ‘Nearly done! Just those two over there.’
He pointed at two chestnut geldings grazing. Kizzy knew they mustn’t startle them because that could panic the entire group. Jakob and Damek placed themselves behind and on one side of the horses. Kizzy moved alongside, not within touching distance but near enough to make them want to look at Margita.
She stood there waiting, waiting for them to lift their heads. Heinz and John had always told her to be patient with horses. It felt like a lifetime, but eventually, the chestnuts looked up, glancing around before focusing on Margita. The mare stared back at them. Kizzy pushed Margita on. The mare moved off slowly, still maintaining eye contact.
The chestnuts didn’t budge. Kizzy let out a deep sigh and slumped in her saddle. She was about to look back when she heard movement behind her. There they were. The chestnuts were following her, with Jakob on one side and Damek with a huge grin on his face on the other. She led the small troop back into the corral. Once they were all in, Jakob jumped down and tied the ropes across.
Kizzy slipped her feet out of the irons. She let her legs hang down, leaning forward till she lay on the mare’s neck. ‘Margita, I’m so tired. Thank you for helping me.’ Patting her soft mane, Kizzy jumped down and started to untack her, settling her down.
Strom stood waiting for her. He appeared quite uncomfortable, pulling at his jumper. ‘Kizzy … look … I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I didn’t mean to be such an idiot. I don’t know what I was thinking, let alone saying.’
Kizzy turned to him. She could see how mortified he was. ‘Strom, we’re all so tired, don’t worry. It’s normally me being the idiot.’
Strom didn’t seem willing to let it go that easily. He pushed at the ground with his toe. ‘I could say that my dad brought me up to think it’s always the men who do everything, but it wasn’t that.’
He sat on a nearby log with a thump and put his head in his hands.
Kizzy stopped unbuckling the bridle. She had a feeling he needed to get something off his chest. It soon came.
‘Ever since Zuzu became ill, I’ve tried to be strong and in charge. I want her to think I can do everything and always look after her.’ He looked up. ‘Kizzy, she became so ill so quickly. I know it wasn’t my fault. That I didn’t give her polio. But Kizzy … she was playing with me just before she got ill.’ He took a big gulp. ‘Before the fever started. What if…?’
The pain in his eyes made Kizzy’s heart ache. He rubbed his eyes. ‘I promised I would make sure I look after her. I must protect her. Then today I nearly killed her because I misread the map.’ He pushed his hand through his hair. ‘What if she’d fallen?’
Kizzy knew he was hurting and blaming himself for everything, but this wasn’t helping anyone. ‘But Strom, she didn’t, and as Jakob said, it wasn’t just you that thought that was the right path.’
She could see that Strom wasn’t listening to her. He tore a piece of bark off the log. Everything that had worried him for years came tumbling out.
‘It doesn’t help that Jakob’s right. You two come along and you’re so in control. You know everything and have done so much.’ His head drooped again. ‘I’ve done nothing. I felt jealous. I’m so sorry.’ Strom looked heartbroken and embarrassed. ‘Anna’s given me a right telling off. She’s never been that angry with me before.’
Kizzy’s heart crunched. She knew exactly how Strom felt.
She said, ‘I want to say “please don’t feel like that”, but I get it. When I first met Heinz and Jakob, I was a bit jealous of Jakob.’ Kizzy piled the tack together and patted Margita’s rump. She sat on the log near Strom.
‘He seemed to know everything too.’ She picked up a stick. ‘But do you know what, Strom?’ She pointed the stick at him before digging it into the ground. ‘I found out he was jealous of me because he thought I knew everything. Daft, isn’t it? It seems to be a natural thing.’ She peeled some of the bark off the stick. ‘Listen, I think you’re doing an amazing job with Zuzu and Helenka. You’re an incredible brother. You’ve kept your family together. You should be proud of what you’ve done, instead of being so hard on yourself.’
Snapping the stick in two, she looked at him. ‘I’m lucky to have found Jakob and Heinz. I only know the things I do because I had to survive. That’s all. The same way you’ve learnt stuff to make sure you and your sisters survive. We’re no different, you and I.’ She briefly touched his shoulder.
Strom nodded.
She grinned at him. ‘Let’s be friends and you try to remember how brilliant you are.’ Kizzy smiled. ‘Right, I’m starving, so can we eat? And I’ve a poultice to make.’
