Berlin blood

Moritz admired the town: it really turned out to be simply beautiful, and most importantly, as small as his boss said. If Paul could have gone anywhere, it was certainly not to large cities, where the number of soldiers was much larger and he could have been discovered. In such cities people are usually angrier. In small coastal towns, similar to a large village, life goes on as usual, and people all know each other and sometimes recognize by their eyes what happened to a person, they have many stories and one is sure to be heard by everyone. In such places, Moritz forgot for a while that he was a soldier, and remembered his childhood, about exactly the same town, where the sun made every person happy, and he stood far from the world. People lived there and sometimes didn’t even read newspapers; they had their own worries: driving out sheep, baking bread and many other little things. They did not care about news about politics and the war; they did not get involved and did not discuss it, with rare exceptions. Young people who were interested in such things rarely stayed here: they mostly went to big cities, preferring clubs to peace and solitude. But it didn’t last long: by the age of thirty or thirty-five, they always returned and regretted that they had ever left. In such towns, only the old generation remained, which invariably ensured that no dirty tricks entered the city and disturbed its peace. Only after arriving in the city did Moritz push away the memories and, looking around, began to think about the task. Where could Paul have gone first? He’s not stupid, so he won’t be in the public eye, he’ll want to pretend to be an ordinary person and leave as soon as possible. But to do this, he will probably go for a ticket and will not want to go just like that — his upbringing will not allow it — accordingly, he must earn extra money somewhere. But where? In any city, even a small one, there is work that is performed only by newcomers. Outsiders always do easy work: they need a little money for a ticket and a little savings to get used to a new place. Where could he be? Moritz walked and, looking around, thought. Local drunks appeared around the corner. Maybe they’ll lead him to Paul. But what is the connection? Trying to catch the train of his thoughts, which desperately told him about the need to go with people whose way of life leaves much to be desired, Moritz guessed. Well, of course! Like foreigners, they are not engaged in hard work, they never have a regular income, which means you need to ask them. Moritz walked towards one, who stood with his back to the sidewalk. Such people lead a solitary life, bordering on exile. They are the eyes and ears of the city. They watch the life that now flows past them, and do not participate in it. They are spectators who can tell you about the simplest meanings of life, so ignored by people who are busy with work. Children can do this too, but they look at life more through the prism of dreams and fantasies. They have no reason to lie: for some, life has already ended, for others it is just beginning. Moritz said hello and asked if the tramp had seen anyone new in the town. He, realizing that in front of him was a person in authority, replied that he had not seen anything, but had heard that there were a lot of visitors now, and communists were walking the streets, so if he didn’t want to get caught, let him leave the city or at least say not German. Moritz took note of this and henceforth moved along small streets to remain unnoticed. Nobody needs problems now. Moritz did not think that the Germans could begin surveillance and searches so quickly and in an organized manner. Usually they are lazy, but here, apparently, the boss is right: not everything is so clean. The race has now begun not only for Paul, but also between them. Who will be more cunning? *** Paul woke up at sunrise. Laura, who slept with half an eye, was able to fall asleep only in the morning and finally fell into a deep sleep for a short time. Paul looked around the room. He didn’t spend much time here, but enough time to be sad when parting. May. The sun was scorching hot, and the cry of seagulls, heard at such a distance, woke us up better than any alarm clock. Paul felt that during all the time spent in this town, he became softer, and also began to sleep better, nervousness disappeared — his main fear. He looked at Laura, stood up and unfolded the map, once again plotting the path, wondering who else could start hunting him, except for the Italians, who would pursue him only within the country. Maybe Americans? No, they don’t care about anyone but themselves. And they took sides against the Germans because, like them, they had too big an ego. They dreamed of world domination, but for now this was and will be their unrealizable dream. The British? Perhaps they are looking for him for information about the submarine. But who are they working with? If they are alone, then it won’t be difficult to remove them, but if they are with the same Italians? Although… No, this is nonsense. Paul dismissed the thought. Who else? Their? May be. But he definitely didn’t want to return to his own people. Why? In his last conversation with his superiors, he clearly stated his position. And going to them is the same as going to your own death. In the end, his thoughts never led him anywhere. He suggested that Spain would most likely be a safe place for them, although… Perhaps it would be safer to hide under the enemy’s nose? But these were only his guesses, so he leaned back on the bed and looked at the girl. Yes, now he is responsible not only for himself. Will he be able to bear such responsibility? Yes, he will do everything in his power. Every time he thought that she was the only girl for whom he would give up everything and forget who he was. She is special, with her own character, and the blood that flowed in her made Paul look at her with special interest and unravel himself: why her? Maybe she was the missing part of him? Sometimes she would pick up on his conversation and respond with the same reaction as his. One day they had a small conflict in a cafe, which, as it turned out later, was trivial. — Laura, I’m saying that you don’t need to carry heavy boxes. I can bring them to you myself. “But I don’t want to be such a weak girl that I pull you every five minutes, and besides, girls are not weak.” From such phrases, Paul lost his temper within five minutes, however, seeing her eyes, which reflected his own essence and the same stubbornness, he raised a white flag. Today they were supposed to take a train and go to Spain on a direct flight. He hoped that the train would not be stopped: he didn’t really want to ruin the plan he had come up with yesterday. It was not only his feelings that complicated his life now, but also his secrets, which were now turned against him, as well as his old enemies, whom he had made for himself when he was still very young and just starting his service. “Good morning,” the girl got out of bed and smiled. Paul turned to her and also greeted her, said that today they would have breakfast and immediately leave the city. The girl agreed. Laura went downstairs, her father and grandmother were sitting at the table and, apparently, were waiting only for her. She sat down at the table. The sun’s rays danced on the table, and the curtains were picked up by a light breeze that played its own melody. “Laura, I want to tell you this,” the grandmother took her hand. “I know that you fell in love with him, and don’t try to hide it, I know how dangerous your path will be, and I know that you will go through a lot.” Remember: under no circumstances let go of his hand or move away from him. I know that now it sounds a little far-fetched and like a dream, like an illusion that I want to cloud your brain with, but it is so. He will give up without you. Don’t let him die from his own feelings. Don’t let him die in the darkness from which he emerged. — Grandma, but he… “It doesn’t matter who he is, just know: he will help you, and you will help him.” Believe me, sometimes people pretend to be angry just so as not to appear weak. You don’t know his fate, and he doesn’t know yours. So just be together. “Okay…” Before Laura had time to say this, Paul came down from above. — Italians. They’re here. Father and grandmother looked at each other and, hearing voices outside the doors, quickly realized what to do. They gave Laura a spare dress and pushed her and Paul out into the backyard, while they themselves assumed a calm expression. Paul and Laura, once in the backyard, sat down behind the boxes and began to listen. Paul, as an older man, and therefore more experienced, looked a little behind the boxes and saw a bunch of people. “Damn, we need to run before they shoot us here,” Paul was just thinking about this when unknown people burst into the cafe and the sounds of gunfire were heard. Laura wanted to jerk and run to her father and grandmother, but Paul held her back and pressed her to him. — Fool, where are you going to run now? Do you want to die? As soon as the voices above them died down, Paul got out of the shelter and, taking Laura tightly by the hand, rushed. The girl struggled and cried, she was in pain, but Paul took her away from there, and she was very grateful for this, although she did not realize it. Having run behind the alley, they decided to catch their breath. — Let go, it hurts! — You can hear resentment and pain in the girl’s voice. — No, I won’t let you go, you won’t leave me a single step! “Let me go, damn it,” the girl struggled, but Paul held her hand and continued. — No, I won’t let you go. We now need to get there and take the train, so look me in the eyes. “He took Laura’s face and looked into her eyes, from which tears flowed. — Forgive me, but I promised myself that I would not let you go, so we will have to hold on to each other, besides, where will you return now? There’s nothing else there. From the surge of emotions, the girl buried her eyes on the floor, and Paul, in order to calm her down a little, stroked her back. A little later, the girl calmed down, assumed a calm expression, and they carefully walked through the streets. At home they were escorted to the exit. The railway station was a little further from the city and seemed to be in the distance, but before passing it, you still need to cross a small section of abandoned houses. Once upon a time people lived here, but after the robberies that the newcomers carried out here, nothing remained of them. They walked past them and each thought about his own. They had almost reached the station when someone’s voice called out to Paul. He turned around and saw a man whom he had considered dead a long time ago, but his eyes proved him wrong. — Paul, don’t you recognize me? — Moritz stood with a machine gun at the ready, which he stole from the Italians when they entered the cafe. — Paul, who is this? — The girl looked at the man. The distance between them was reduced to half a meter. — No one, Laura, no one. — He spoke to her quietly. — Now, on the count of three, go sharply to the right and hide in the houses. I’ll find you later. “Paul,” the girl looked at him in horror. — Everything is fine. This is one of my friends, we will talk to him. They looked at Moritz, who was lighting a cigarette. He wanted to kill Paul right away, but his superiors told him to deliver him alive. — What are you discussing with her? — Moritz! — Paul turned and now looked only at him. — Long time no see. What are you doing here? And what is this lovely gift you have on your shoulder for me? — Paul spoke with irony, and counted “three” with his fingers. — Oh, are you talking about this? — He pointed to the weapon. — Yes, this is your last gift from me. — What do you need, Moritz? Our last conversation was not as rosy as it is now. — Well, you see, now I’m working for the enemy. Therefore, I am obliged to bring you to him. Or kill. Isn’t it ironic? “You were always a traitor, that’s why I left you to die.” — And I remained alive. Funny, is not it? I will make you die. “I’m even luckier,” Paul counted to three. “Run,” he shouted to Laura, and the girl ran towards the houses. Paul himself ran towards Moritz. He didn’t know who to shoot at, he preferred the girl, but before he even had time to fire a bullet, he was laid on the ground. A fight broke out between him and Paul. The girl hid in the nearest houses, sat down and hugged herself with her arms in order to feel alive, to feel that she was still breathing. She was so choked by the feeling of sticky death, she was so afraid that now it was her turn. Paul stood before his eyes, and shots intended for his father and grandmother rang in his ears. All she could do now was sit and wait for him. With fear, which she did her best not to let out. Paul found her only closer to night. They did not finish their battle with Moritz. Paul disoriented him and, while Moritz was coming to his senses, he ran away to Laura. They both sat in the moonlight and looked at the disk and how its rays penetrated into the houses, calming the soul. There was an aesthetic to it.