Berlin blood

Berlin was engulfed in a fire of panic. Summer was ending, and autumn was about to come, but this was not felt in the air. As soon as they descended to the ground, they immediately had to avoid the beggars and beggars, of whom there were always many here anyway. The rain poured down before they had time to find themselves under the canopy. Paul again felt responsible for his actions, for his actions, for his words. Now you need to think not only for yourself, but also for Nora. — Nora, listen, now, when we approach the main building, where I will pick up the documents, don’t even think about helping me in any way, okay? The girl nodded. “I’ll leave you about ten meters away on a bench.” You don’t need to wait for me. If I don’t show up within an hour, leave. — Paul, but where will I go? I’m a complete stranger here. “Here,” he handed her a piece of paper with the address. There lived people whom Paul had once helped, and who promised to return the favor. — Paul, don’t you dare leave me. I deserved this least of all,” Nora looked into his eyes, and Paul smiled softly and took her hand. He couldn’t promise her anything, but he knew that he needed to return. Paul didn’t want to tell anyone anything, and who can you explain anything to? The whole country is drowning in blood, and everyone’s hands carry the corpse of their own soul. How much has been lost and how much more will be? And for what? To prove your truth, which only you believe in. Why do people continue to prove their opinion and teach everyone about life, why do people so persistently give advice and instruct them to follow them like rules? Freedom. People talk about it all the time, but don’t know what it is. They talk about love, but they confuse it with its twins — madness and sacrifice. Society thinks about death as a misfortune, not realizing that death is peace from everything that burdened you here before, that which pulled you down. You die, and with it all your unfinished business and everything you haven’t done dies. Only regrets remain. People talk about eternal life, but they do not know how to properly manage the time that they have. Humanity is so paradoxical that its days are too long. It confuses the concepts of boredom and stability, not always distinguishing what it is. It builds tanks and bombs for the world and imposes its political beliefs supposedly in the name of good on earth. What kind of world can we talk about when even in nature animals fight for territory and survival? Oh, animals live according to their own principles and do not invent anything unnecessary: ​​only the basis that nature and evolution gave them. These thoughts fill Paul only until he approaches the building from which he once graduated, where he received his first assignment and where he waited to be presented with an award or given a title. But everything has now been erased from memory. Now it’s all a dream. Like the flap of a wing. He is overcome by sadness. — Do you remember what I told you? “Of course, if you’re not there in an hour, I’ll run to the address and put on a black robe, if, of course, I live without you for at least a day, knowing that you won’t be found in this world.” “Nora, I ask you, don’t speak too gloomily and too blackly, it doesn’t suit you to be as German as all those women we met on the street.” “But now I’m yours, so I have to be at least a little like them, otherwise they’ll think you fell in love with a crazy woman.” — I will go. “Yes, of course,” Nora kissed him one last time, watching him leave. She wanted at that very moment to take his hand and run anywhere, as long as she could get away from this building. But all she could do was wait. And she waited, carefully peering into the distance. Approaching the building, he decided how best to get inside. Going through the back door is not an option. Peering through the windows, he notices that it will not be possible to steal the documents: there are too many people, and besides, the commodore is in place, which means he will have to go to him and talk. Paul hoped for the man’s prudence. Paul climbed onto the first floor and caught his breath. To his surprise, the window was open. It was the captain’s office; his memory could not fail him. It will not be possible to enter the commodore’s office on the third floor and take documents from him in simple clothes, so he takes the uniform that was in the office and changes clothes. He looks in the mirror and notes to himself that he is the same Paul on the outside, but different on the inside. And he leaves the office, for the first few minutes he gets used to the bustle around him and the rhythm and, joining the crowd, goes straight to the office. His heart was beating wildly. He didn’t know what he would tell him and what the general’s reaction would be, but the matter was worth resolving. He stops, knocks on the door and, having received a positive answer, enters. — What you need? — The commodore is still sitting in his chair, without raising his eyes. Next to him is a man in uniform with gray eyes and dark hair. He is beautiful, but Paul does not pay the slightest attention to him. My heart is about to stop from excitement. Paul is silent. He doesn’t want to introduce himself first. “I repeat: what…” the man’s eyes widened, he was shocked and unable to say a word. He stood up and walked over to Paul to check if he had really arrived. — Paul, is that you? — Yes, Mister Commodore. — Why are you here? — I came to take my business from you. The Commodore stands up, and with him the man who was next to him. They come up to Paul and shake his hand in turn. — Paul, meet me, this is the head of security — August Scholz. He came to tell me about the plans of those from above. “Hello,” Paul hesitantly shakes August’s hand, he smiles and also shakes back. — Yes, Paul, the whole top leadership has heard about your escape and about you. I didn’t think that you would be saved. “It seems to me that Germany has more important things to do,” Paul looks out the window. — Yes, you are right. Okay, gentlemen, I’ll go. I gave you everything you need, Commodore, now it’s up to you. — Yes, sure. The man hastily says goodbye and leaves, they are left alone in the office.