We grow

We leave the barn early in the morning after a poor night of sleep in the cold. Nobody is around to see us leave, and we head back for the road.

We grow hungry and tired as time goes on. The two of us keep going, wanting to get as far away from the scene as we can. I am constantly on edge, knowing that we are behind enemy lines.

We spend another miserable night, this time hiding in a ditch after failing to find a better place to stay. I sleep for maybe an hour. The next day we pick ourselves up and set out again.

Late in the afternoon the sky darkens as storm clouds blanket the countryside.

“Tatya, is it going to rain?” Sasha asks me.

“I hope not.” I say, looking up.

After only a moment I can feel that telltale shift in the wind. I feel a big raindrop hit the top of my head, and another on my shoulder.

“At least it’s light.” I comment.

That’s the moment we hear thunder crack in the distance. The rain immediately picks up, now falling harder and harder until it’s almost a downpour. I’m already cold. The prospect of being soaking wet on top of that is terrifying to me.

“We’ve got to find a place to get out of the rain! Come on!” I say, giving Sasha a tug.

The only problem is that we’re on a rural stretch of road in the middle of nowhere. There isn’t a house in sight. Panic sets in and we begin to run, burning what little energy we have left. Neither of us has had a good meal or a good night of sleep in the last two days.

We’re both soaking wet and exhausted by the time we come upon a small house. I’m shivering under my clothes. I don’t remember ever being this cold. I feel like I could die and Sasha looks about the same. I can see her lower lip quivering as she shakes. Drops of water fall from the front of her scarf.

I get ready to knock on the door.