Explosive field
City of New York, 1942
Main edition “Time and Years”.
Holly went with the new newspaper to Headmaster Grey’s office. She opened the door and threw the newspaper on his desk.
“What are you doing?” Gray got up from the table, almost choking on his tea.
Holly put her hands on her belt and answered loudly:
“Did you see this? Our main enemies interviewed the most famous writer of our time. While we are doing all sorts of unnecessary things here, our opponents are becoming famous every day, and everyone will soon forget about our publishing house.”
Gray sat back at the table straightening his striped tie and also answered:
“Holly, you understand that everything in this life is not infinite...”
“Send me to France! You can get a lot of information about the war and interview soldiers there, and that way we can prevent our failure,” Holly interrupted Gray’s words.
“All right, if you want, go to France,” he replied.
“I’ll take Christopher and Yumiko with me,” she said as she left the office.
Three days later
Ship, Coast of France.
Holly, Christopher and Yumiko landed on the shores of France, near a small town.
“We need to find somewhere to sleep,” Christopher said.
“Let’s ask the people of this town if there’s a Gothelf somewhere,” Holly replied.
They went to one of the residents. A young guy, about 15 years old, stood near the counter and sold dried fish. The guys approached him.
“Dried fish is the most delicious, what do you want?” said the boy.
“We’re not out for the fish. Do you happen to know where you can sleep over here, boy? We’re literally just a few days away,” Christopher said.
“No, there’s nothing like that here. A year ago, tourists here robbed us, so we don’t let anyone home anymore. But I heard that in the neighboring city there are many options where to spend the night, but this city is dangerous. There are a lot of Germans there,” said the boy.
“Do you know how to get there, to that city?” said Christopher.
“It’s best to go with the man at the water stand. He knows this city like the back of his hand and can take you there,” he replied.
“Thanks for your help,” said Christopher.
Everyone went to the man. Blot was tall, his face was wrinkled, and he was wearing a military uniform.
“I’m sorry,” said Christopher.
“I’m listening. So I haven’t seen you here before, are you new or tourists,” the man asked.
“We are from New York. We are journalists,” Yumiko replied.
The man examined them carefully and replied:
“What do you want from me?”
“We need to head to the next town,” Holly replied.
“Okay, I was just going there. Only it will cost money,” he replied.
“How many do you need?” Holly asked.
The man thought for a moment and said:
“Fifteen dollars”.
They agreed as there was no other choice. Everyone went to the man’s car. The car looked terrible, there was a lot of rust, the windows were broken, and the wheels were dirty.
“Don’t pay attention, this machine will live another hundred years,” he said.
As soon as they fit in the car and hit the road. The car was making different sounds all the time. They drove slowly.
As soon as they reached the forest, they heard sounds.
“What is this?” asked Holly.
Sharp and loud sounds drowned out hearing for a few seconds. The man ordered everyone to get out of the car. Everything around was cowardly, the earth was flying. Christopher grabbed Holly and Yumiko, they ran behind a tree where there was a big hole and lay down there. The sounds did not stop, everything around seemed to explode. After a few minutes, everything calmed down. Christopher got up and looked around. Everything around was in fresh earth, some trees were broken, the car was covered in mud.
“It seems everything is fine, we can get up,” said Christopher.
They got up and walked towards the car. The man who drove them in another city was gone, as if he was evaporating.
“Where did he go?” asked Yumiko.
“When all this started, he kind of ran straight ahead. Shall we go and check?” Holly said.
They headed straight for the woods, along the path. Wrapping behind a large stone, they saw the blood, heading even further, the blood became even more. All the blood began to lead into the bushes of the forest. They went down a little and heard words of help behind a large bush. Christopher went down and saw that man laying on a rock.
“Run, there are mines here,” these were the last words of the man.
Christopher felt his pulse and let his friends know that the man was dead. They climbed back up the path.
“The Germans started laying mines here, we need to get away from here as soon as possible,” said Yumiko.
“I agree, but we also need to get to the city, it will be dark in three hours,” answered Christopher.
“Perhaps if we carefully follow this path we will reach the city. We should also report that this man has died and that there are mines in the forest,” Holly said.
“I also think it would be a better idea than going back. We don’t know exactly where the mines are, and in that city we don’t even have a place to sleep,” Yumiko replied.
Everyone moved forward along the path. Time passed quickly and after a few hours they reached the end of the forest. It was starting to get dark, the sun was setting faster and getting colder. They continued down that road.
They went to a small mountain from which the city was visible, according to their calculations, it would take several more hours to reach that city. Along the way, they went down to the river, by that time it was already dark. They heard footsteps towards them, but it was dark in the darkness.
“Hey, who’s there?” the stranger asked in a male voice.
“We’re journalists, we’re here to find temporary accommodation,” Christopher replied.
“Did you come from the shore?” asked the stranger.
“Yes, we came to the shore from New York,” Yumiko replied.
“Okay, come with me. I have a main house-hotel here. I’ll give you a place to spend the night,” said the stranger.
They were arguing for strangers. Bypassed the river and headed to the big house. There was light from the windows. They entered the house. A sharp heat penetrated their bodies, a slightly bright light blinded them for a few seconds. Then they heard:
“Hey, Ben, you’re back,” a young girl in her 20s came out of the room wearing an apron. Her hair was tied back, slightly unruly. She held a spoon in her hands. It was obvious that she was preparing something.
“I brought journalists from New York. Let them spend the night with us for a few days,” Ben answered.
“Okay, I’ll prepare rooms for them,” the girl went to the stairs that led to the second floor.
Ben took off his hat and passed away.
“I’m Ben, as you might have guessed by now. It was my wife Zoe. What’s your name?” asked Ben.
“I’m Christopher, this is Yumiko and Holly,” Christopher introduced everyone.
“I see that you should wash up. There is a bathroom near the kitchen, you can clean yourself up there. My wife will prepare your rooms and you can sleep. If you want to eat, also contact my wife. If you need me, I will be in my office, first room on the second floor,” Ben said.
Ben was a confident man, it is evident that he is rich and smart.
Holly cleaned herself up, changed her clothes, and while Yumiko and Christopher also cleaned themselves up, looked around the house. The house was with beautiful stones, rare paintings and a large fireplace warmed the house. Holly wanted water and went to the kitchen. Taking water, she drank. She turned to see Zoya. Holly got a little scared and accidentally hit a plate of apples and they all fell down.
“Oh sorry, I accidentally,” Holly lowered herself to pick everything up.
“It’s okay, I’m sorry I scared you,” Zoya also began to collect everything from the floor.
Zoya’s and Holly’s eyes met in the same clumsy gaze. Zoe’s cheeks flushed, and a slight smile appeared on Holly’s face. Their hands began to take on a life of their own and each time their breathing becomes deeper and deeper.
Their momentary sympathy was interrupted by Christopher. The girls got up, Holly put the plate on the table.
“Your rooms are ready. They are on the second floor,” Zoya said this and moved away from Holly.
Holly, Christopher and Yumiko go to their rooms and immediately go to bed after a hard day.
