Berlin blood

The next morning, both explained to Edda what to do, what the plan was, and why she had to leave this city for a while. She listened attentively and didn’t ask a single question until the end, looking into her eyes the whole time. — Well, let’s assume I agree, but I have a question: how will we live there, even if only for a short time, while you figure it out? The question turned out to be very relevant, Paul paused, and the thought did not take long to arrive: — Don’t worry, I have an apartment. True, they are not very lived-in, but this can be fixed. In addition, they have a beautiful view, and everything you need for life is there. I’ll try to figure it out faster. — Where is the key? I don’t see that you have it,” Laura also decided to take her sister’s example and ask questions with a smart look. “It is kept by the servants, who clean it every day so that one day I can come and not breathe dust. This, one might say, is my country house for holidays. I bought it when… When I was still in the service. “Okay, I’ll take Laura and we’ll go with her to Austria.” Where is the likelihood that they won’t chase us? — The probability is huge, because I will go to meet them. I will send a letter to both the British and the Germans saying that I am ready to surrender, and then I will knock them together. Although no: I’ll just look at it, and they themselves will start a showdown. — Somehow all this is unreliable… I don’t really want to participate in this, but there’s no point in dissuading my sister. Okay, you’re right, and I hope you know what you’re doing. But please, don’t be too heroic. I don’t want to watch my sister cry. Paul nodded, and all three began to eat breakfast, which was starting to get cold. There was no work today, and after eating everyone went about their business. Paul first of all unfolded the map and asked Edda which trains ran from Spain to France and whether they ran at all. Alarming news came from France, and Paul was afraid of ending up with the wrong people. Looking at Laura lying in the yard, he again buried his face in the cards. Mid-July, time of heat and sun. Laura lay in the shade and dozed, a light wind blowing through her hair. Quick steps were heard, and, seeing that her sister was approaching, Laura reached out to talk to her. — I… I want to ask you. Tell me, how did it happen that you got involved in this whole story? “I found him at…” the girl was cut off. “I’m not asking you how you found him.” I asked you about how you got involved in this story. I know about your feelings for him, but a little more, and they will take over and lead you, if this has not already happened. And it’s not clear where these feelings of yours will lead you. It’s good if it’s on the road of life. It’s bad if it’s for her. I’m serious! He is in huge trouble and is trying with all his might not to involve you in this, but I am afraid that he will not succeed. Look: he killed his grandmother and father. I will not participate in this, period. “Edda, you are well aware that I will not back down and abandon him.” And where will I go? Now I have no home, and I have nowhere to return. It became my home. Besides, there is no need to involve my grandmother and father in this now. You know very well: Paul has nothing to do with this. It’s about my mother, who miraculously didn’t have the police set on her before my birth. I know that you are worried about me, I know that you are worried and, as the eldest, you don’t want me to make mistakes, but Edda, I decided everything, and that’s the point. Live here and enjoy life, but I ask you, don’t go overboard: if I said that I would go with Paul, then so it will be. Here, time really feels different: it slows down, everyone knows everything, and half of the planet’s inhabitants are not even aware of its existence. But Edda, why should I be afraid of what life offers me? - Refuse and stay here. If he dies, you will remain under my protection and supervision. You will be lost in Austria, understand, this country is not for you, it is too iron and strict! “Don’t even try to persuade or utter these words.” I decided everything and I know what I’m doing, I’ll go after him. If you want, stay here, and tomorrow I’ll sit down and go. I won’t leave him alone. He has been alone for too long — a little more, and he will turn into a monster, like all his relatives. — Laura! “Edda stood up to bring her sister to her senses a little, who did not understand at all what this thing was — life. — Edda, no, period. I said everything! The girl left the street. Paul, who was watching this from the side, sadly noted to himself that he had already taken so much from the girl, and now also his last relative. The girl slammed the door and went, apparently, to read. A good activity for putting your thoughts in order. Taking the book, Laura tried to concentrate on the text, but it spread out like leaves in puddles; thoughts and memories of deceased relatives constantly entered her head. About grandmother, about father. She remembered her grandmother’s hands, her words: she always taught Laura kindness and the fact that, despite the fact that the female sex is considered weak, this is far from the case. Their meetings were rare, but remained in her memory as the most vivid pictures and colors, and now, sitting here, she can take them out of her memory and again feel the smell of grapes and good bread that her grandmother made herself, the kindness with which she was always filled. Her father was always kind to her. He talked a lot about his mother, and in his strong arms the little girl flew to the most fabulous lands. He taught her everything: to read, to ride a bike. He also taught impartiality and always said: “It doesn’t matter what kind of person is on the outside, look into the eyes: only by looking at them can you tell what kind of person he really is.” This is what the girl remembered about him forever. She leaned back and looked at the sky. Clouds came over the city, slowly sliding down from the mountains and covering the sun, driven by the wind, which still appeared unexpectedly. Residents tightly closed their windows and doors. Soon a real downpour began. Edda collected her clothes that were drying outside and went into the house. The sisters were sitting and drinking tea when Paul came down to refresh himself. The situation was gloomy, and it seemed to him that a little more and they would fight. We urgently need to do something or relax them with conversation. “You shouldn’t have come here, Paul.” Take what you need and leave,” Edda turned out to be more sarcastic today than ever. — Okay, can I then find out the reason for such sharp negativity in my direction? “No, you don’t need to know this, go away,” Edda looked at her sister, who looked at her. Paul hesitated: he felt that Laura needed him now. She needs support, at least moral. “He will stay,” Laura gave the same chilling voice. “No, this is a private conversation, and we are talking about family,” Edda insisted. “That’s why he will stay,” Laura motioned for Paul to sit down on the chair between them. The man sat down without hesitation. — This is about family, he has nothing to do here… “He’s also a member of the family now.” The fact that you are not satisfied with this is purely your own business. If you want, accept it, if you want, don’t accept it, but this is the truth that no one will change. — Laura, this is my home! You can’t call the shots here. “This is my house too, or have you forgotten that we are now the only ones left with each other?” Edda understood what Laura wanted to say by this and fell silent for a few minutes, then continued: — Laura, you won’t go with him! — It’s not up to you to decide! Edda, calm down. I said I won’t leave him. What else do you want to hear from me? — A little of your prudence! Damn it, England and Germany are chasing him, and he serves in their army, and you just want to go, not knowing where, and sit and wait for him?! — This is not your life. All my life I couldn’t say a word to you, no one gave me freedom. You decided for me all the time. Can I now think for myself where I should go and who I should go with? It’s not your concern. Thank you for sheltering us, and goodbye! — With these words Laura stood up and went into the room to pack her things. Edda and Paul sat opposite each other. The silence was oppressive, and no one dared to say anything first. — It’s all you. You’re the one who messed with her head. — I? Don’t you think you’re going a little overboard? She is an adult and maybe she can decide for herself? — What can she decide when the most dangerous drug in the world is in her head? “Edda, you won’t be able to decide for her for the rest of your life.” Yes, I’m not perfect and I warned her about the dangers, but she herself took my hand and said that she wouldn’t leave me. This is her conscious choice: not mine and not yours. I understand the danger I put her in and am putting her in, but she’s ready. I promise nothing will happen to her. — Tell me, you didn’t just join the army? I’m just trying to understand at what point in your life you decided to become strong. At what point in your life did you decide that this particular force would protect you? Paul became sad: to tell the truth, he himself did not know when this happened. When did he realize that all he could do was run from his own desires? Help people. He wanted to become a doctor. Things didn’t work out right away with his studies, and he joined the army. When did he start killing? When did you leave Moritz to die on that submarine? When did the force take over his mind and drive him to the bottom? He honestly wanted to row, but it was all to no avail. He swam too far, and the force that gave him confidence began to pull him to the bottom. — I don’t know, honestly. Too much time has passed, and too many things I have already forgotten on purpose, I promised myself not to remember. But I can tell you one thing: your sister really saved me. I promise nothing will happen to her. — I will believe you. If you don’t keep your word, you’ll have to go with her anywhere, even to the next world,” with these words she stood up and, going to the kitchen cabinet, took out an envelope from there and placed it in front of him. There was some money inside. Paul understood everything, thanked him and went to collect his things. *** They decided to take the evening train. Having said goodbye to Edda, who accompanied them to the station, Laura glanced at her sister, who had been looking after them both for a long time. At the station, Paul said goodbye to Laura, and they boarded different trains: he to Paris, she to Vienna. He sat down much later than her. He hoped that he was doing everything right, but he himself sat on the train and replayed his whole life in his head, pondering the future in Paris. Rudolf. How is he? He would be here now: he would definitely answer the question of what to do. It’s a shame, but he’s gone. And is he alive? They are three. Moritz, Rudolf and Paul. The best cadets of the academy and best friends. How he would like to return to that time and bring Moritz to reason, but he understood that this was pointless: he would take revenge. Maybe so. Mature, but stupid. The wind howled outside the train window. Dark night and moon. He wanted to close his eyes a little, but he couldn’t: too many memories were rushing around in his head like snowflakes that they couldn’t calm down. *** Laura, having boarded the train, looked around: there was no one next to her, the carriage was half empty. Looking at the ladies traveling to Austria, the girl noticed that she was distinguished by her softness and almost complete absence of makeup, but, taking on a serious look, she decided to follow their example. She had no need to stand out.