“GABI, WAKE UP,” Max whispered in her ear. It was very late at night and Gabi struggled to open her eyes. The endless days had pushed her into a tedious routine. She often slept in the daylight hours to pass the time, waking only to take a bite of a cracker or some bread before trying to sleep some more. Evenings in the house provided the only relief and entertainment. Then, she and Max would talk with Eva or play a quiet game.
“What do you want, Max? Go back to sleep.” Gabi rolled over and pulled the blankets higher over her shoulders.
Max shook her once more. “I can’t sleep and I don’t want to be in here anymore. I’m going outside. Come with me.
Gabi’s eyes jolted open as she twisted quickly to face Max who already had his glasses on, ready to go. “You can’t go outside. It’s the middle of the night. Don’t be crazy.”
“I have to go outside. I’ll go crazy if I stay in here one minute longer. I won’t be gone for long.” Max started to move aside the loose bale of hay.
“Max, wait,” said Gabi, reaching out to block Max’s exit. “Read one of your books or I’ll read something to you. Just stay here.”
“No one’s going to see me. I’ll be very quiet. I just need to get outside for a few minutes. Then I’ll come back in and go to sleep. Move aside, Gabi, so I can get out.”
“No, Max. You can’t go!” Gabi was frantic. She felt responsible for Max. And she also knew that Max could put them all in danger by going outside. What if someone saw him? At least he had known enough to wake her first. “Don’t you remember the soldiers we saw on the day we arrived? And remember what Mrs. Kos said about staying quiet.”
“I don’t care about any of that. I just want to go outside,” declared Max, stubbornly. “You can’t stop me. Don’t make a fuss. You’ll wake your mother. That would cause a real scene.” The children looked over at Mama, breathing deeply in the hay. Max was right. Gabi wasn’t about to wake Mama and she wasn’t going to abandon Max. There was only one thing to do.
“Wait,” Gabi insisted, as Max bent his head to crawl through the tunnel. She took a deep breath. “I’m coming with you.” This was madness, but she couldn’t let Max leave by himself. Max grinned and nodded as the two of them crept through the opening in the hay. This was what he had wanted. He knew Gabi would come with him, if he woke her up.
Gabi and Max moved quickly and quietly down the ladder into the barn. The cows shifted slightly, swishing their tails, but remained quiet. The fat yellow cat that always greeted Gabi opened one sleepy eye, before dropping its head back into the hay. How clever you are to sleep through this, thought Gabi, as she followed Max out the barn door and into the cold night air. Silently, Max jumped up and down gleefully. Gabi stared anxiously into the night, peering from side to side for any signs of soldiers. It was good to be outside, Gabi had to admit. But she could hardly allow her-self to enjoy the fresh air. She was too afraid. So, she stood quietly in the small yard, her back pressed up against the barn door and watched as Max ran back and forth in the fenced-in space.
“Alright, Max,” Gabi whispered, minutes later. “That’s enough. Let’s go back inside.” Gabi motioned Max to follow her into the barn. But Max paid no attention. He had other ideas.
“Come on, Gabi. Let’s go into the woods. Let’s go for a real walk.” Max moved toward the end of the yard, unlatching the gate.
“Max, stop!” ordered Gabi, trying to keep her voice at a whisper. Again, Max ignored her. He was already past the gate and walking on the village road that led to a narrow path into the forest. Gabi had no choice but to follow him. Stumbling in the deep snow, Gabi plowed forward to catch up with her cousin. She grabbed him by the arm and swung him around to face her.
“What is the matter with you?” she demanded. “Have you completely lost your mind? We aren’t allowed to be out here. We have to go back.”
Max stared back at her, his eyes glinting in the moon-light. “Gabi, isn’t it great to be free outside the gate? Stop worrying. No one’s going to see us.”
Gabi sighed, defeated. She wasn’t going to convince Max to return to the safety of the barn. And perhaps he was right. It was dark and quiet. What harm would there be in taking a short walk? She suddenly felt the thrill of being out-side.
“Okay, Max. But just a few minutes. When I say it’s time, promise me you’ll go back.”
Max nodded and the two of them continued on the path leading into the woods. Gabi was still worried, but determined not to let Max out of her sight. Even among the dense trees, the brightness of the white snow under their feet, mixed with the glow of the moon and stars above, cast just enough light for the two young people to follow the path. The night air was refreshing and even though it was bitterly cold outside, Gabi soon felt a trickle of sweat work its way down the center of her back. Her body felt weak from lack of exercise. She hadn’t moved her young legs like this in a long time. And now, they burned with the effort of walking swiftly. But still, for the first time in a long time, she felt glad to be alive.
Further and deeper into the woods they walked, dodging bushes and jumping over downed logs. Before them lay a dark unknown that felt strangely inviting, as if the freedom Gabi longed for was somewhere up ahead. Behind them was the Kos farm and the safety of the barn. Gabi prayed that Mama would continue sleeping. If her mother awoke and discovered they were gone, she would be frantic. It was the thought of Mama that finally prompted Gabi to pull Max by the arm and turn him around to face her. By now, they had been walking for about fifteen minutes, following the path deep into the woods.
“Okay, Max,” she said, puffing heavily. She felt hot from walking so fast, but cold from fear. “That’s enough. It’s time to go back. You promised you’d turn around when I said so.”
“Quiet!” whispered Max. “Listen to that noise.”
Gabi listened intently for a moment. Mixed with the noise of her own breathing, she heard the sound of a faint blast, followed by the roar of a motor.
“It’s coming from over that ridge,” said Max, moving off the path toward the noise.
“No!” whispered Gabi, grabbing Max harshly. “We have to go back, now.”
Max pulled free. “Come on, Gabi. Let’s just see what it is. I promise, after we take a look, I’ll go back with you.”
Max was already moving ahead and Gabi had to follow. Together, she and Max moved toward the hill, slower this time, pausing periodically to listen for sounds. Now she could hear men’s voices intermingled with banging and occasional blasts. The voices were unmistakably German. Quickly, Gabi pulled Max to the ground as they crawled closer to the ridge of the hill and looked over the top.