THE OPPORTUNITY FOR a night walk finally came two weeks later. The day began like any other. Gabi, Mama, and Max awoke around noon and spent the rest of the day resting, reading, and playing word games. It felt warmer that day, as if spring had finally reached the mountain village. In the late afternoon, Max crawled over to where Gabi lay in the hayloft. Glancing cautiously back at Mama, he mouthed to her, “Tonight, Gabi. I want to go out tonight. What do you think?”
Gabi looked over his shoulder at Mama who was resting in the corner of their hiding place. She took a deep breath and nodded at Max. Later that evening, while the two girls were clearing the table of dishes, she had the chance to speak to Eva.
“If you’re going to come with us, then tonight’s the night,” whispered Gabi.
Eva’s face brightened and she nodded enthusiastically. “Yes,” she replied. “I’ll come to the yard after my grandparents are asleep and meet you there. Wait for me.”
Gabi didn’t sleep at all that night. And she knew from the movement next to her that Max wasn’t sleeping either. Silently, the children waited with anticipation for Mama’s breathing to become deep and even. Even then, they waited until the darkest part of the night. Then they rose together and moved through the hay tunnel, down the barn ladder, past the sleeping animals, and into the yard.
“I’m over here,” a voice called from the corner of the house. Eva moved out from the shadows to join Gabi and Max. “I couldn’t sleep, so I’ve been waiting for you.” Gabi and Max nodded. “I brought this for you, Gabi.” Eva reached around her and pulled out a pair of heavy woolen overalls. “You can’t go roaming in the woods dressed like that.” She pointed to Gabi’s long peasant skirt.
Gabi reached out to take the clothes and then moved behind the barn to change, grateful for Eva’s thoughtfulness. The overalls would make trekking through the woods so much easier. When she emerged several minutes later, Eva nodded with approval at her appearance.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” said Eva. “Let’s go.”
“Wait,” said Gabi, feeling responsible. “Let’s be clear about a few things. First of all, when I say it’s time to go back, we go. Understand? No discussion and no arguments.” Eva nodded. “Secondly, we don’t take any chances. We must stay together and we must be careful.” Gabi was still nervous about having Eva along.
“I understand, Gabi,” said Eva. “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything stupid.”
“It’s this way, Eva. Follow me.” Ignoring Gabi’s stern warning, Max took off through the gate, pulling Eva behind him. Gabi followed, whispering in the night air for Max to stay close and not get too far ahead.
Through the woods they moved, Max in front, directing the way, followed by Eva and Gabi, who continued to glance behind for any sign of trouble. Several times, the children dove for the cover of trees and fallen stumps when they thought they heard unfamiliar noises. They waited in silent anticipation. Max kept his gun out, pointed into the darkness as if he really would be able to protect them in the event of real danger. But each time the noise passed and the children eventually resumed their walk. It’s probably a fox or some other night animal out prowling just like we are, thought Gabi. Their night walks were becoming strangely familiar and comfortable.
Finally, sounds of the laborers working on the road began to reach them. Gabi motioned for Max and Eva to crouch down as they approached the final ridge and peered over the hill at the road. In the past few weeks, the road construction had not progressed with any great speed. Yet the Nazis seemed intent on working through the night to complete the road. Gabi, Max, and Eva looked on silently as the workers pounded the ground with their spades, digging steadily in a drum-like beat. Soldiers and guard dogs stood nearby, patrolling the perimeter of the construction site. Gabi tapped Eva on the shoulder and silently motioned toward the guards. Eva nodded and instinctively lowered her head.
After some time, Gabi signaled to Max and Eva that it was time to leave. The three children backed away from their observation hill and crawled to safety some distance away. Then, they began to run, not looking back for a moment. Finally, Gabi raised her hand to indicate that they could stop running. Now Eva took over, leading them to a clearing, deep in the forest. Here the three children fell onto the ground, breathing heavily.
“That was incredible,” said Eva. “Did you see all the soldiers? I counted about twenty of them, and maybe fifty or sixty workers. I recognized some of the men from my village. But the others must be from other villages around here.” Eva paused to catch her breath. “My grandparents would never let me come out here.”
Gabi raised herself on one arm and looked over at Eva. “Remember, you promised you’d keep all of this a secret.”
“Why do you sometimes act as though you don’t trust me?” asked Eva.
How could Gabi explain how hard it was for her to trust anyone these days. “I don’t know,” she began. “You ask so many questions.”
Eva sighed. “I’m trying to understand what’s happening all around us — why there’s a war, why you have to hide, why being Jewish matters so much. My grandfather says no one deserves to be treated like the Jews are being treated. I stare at you because I can’t imagine being in your shoes, hiding the way you have to hide. Don’t you understand, Gabi? I think you’re so brave.”
Gabi floundered. Eva’s boldness was actually admiration.
“What about me?” interrupted Max. “Don’t you think I’m brave too?”
Eva smiled and reached over to ruffle Max’s hair. “Oh, you’re the bravest one of all,” she said. “You led the way. We wouldn’t be out here if it weren’t for you.” Eva turned back to face Gabi. “So, can you stop worrying now? I’d never tell anyone about this. Besides, if I said anything, then I wouldn’t be able to come back with you.”
“It’s like we’re spies,” said Max. “We can watch the building of the road and look out for trouble. And I can shoot anyone who gets in our way.” He waved his gun dramatically.
Gabi ignored her cousin and glanced around. “Where are we, Eva?” Eva had lead them to a small opening deep in the forest. A few fallen logs lay scattered on the ground and one large tree stump stood like a throne in the center of the clearing. A thick forest wall surrounded the area.
“I come here in the summertime with my grandfather,” said Eva. “He sits on that tree stump and tells me stories about what it was like on the farm when he was a young boy. This is our secret place. No one knows about it and my grandmother can never find us here.” Eva smiled. “She means well, but sometimes I need a break from her.”
Gabi nodded. “What do you think will happen when the road is finished?”
“I guess more Nazi soldiers will come up here,” said Eva. “I heard on my grandfather’s radio that the Russians are moving closer to us from the east. They’ve already taken back parts of the Ukraine and Poland that were captured by the Nazis earlier in the war. My grandfather says the Nazis are scared. They need to bring more troops into this area to defend themselves.”
“If there were a big battle here,” said Max with growing excitement, “we could be a part of it.”
“Stop it, Max,” said Gabi, annoyed. “We’re not going to be in any battle. But if we don’t get back to the barn, we’re going to have a big battle with Mama.” She started to rise from the ground and then froze at the new sounds of movement in the forest.
“What was that?” Gabi heard a noise from behind the trees.
“Oh, probably just another fox or rabbit,” said Max, confidently.
A branch broke off behind the children, while up ahead came the swishing noise of several people moving through the woods.
“Max, Eva, get up. Run!” screamed Gabi, as several men, armed with rifles, broke through the trees to surround the children.