On the Run

Konstantin looked at the map in his lap.  He had to memorize the layout in order to find the best way to reach his sister's home without alerting the Germans to anything suspicious.  Folded in his pocket was a torn sheet of yellow paper, a telegram from Poland.  He had the messaged memorized as it had been emblazoned on his eyes since he first received it three weeks ago:

1941  NOV 30                                                                                                AM 9 01

ATTN: SR LT K RAZUMOV

KATYA AND VIKTOR DISAPPEARED.  GONE FOR THREE WEEKS.  FEAR WORST.    

It didn't say who it was from.  He was surprised someone had sent anything at all.  He knew where his sister and her husband lived in the city so he would start with their neighbor's and if there was a synagogue left, that would be his next stop.  He hoped that his prematurely gray locks and lanky frame would help disguise him from looking like the strong and austere Red Army soldier he really was, and make him appear more like an harmless old man.  He had been MIA for nearly three weeks.  Even the harsh winter cold of Russia could not keep his pursuers at bay.  Yes, they were fighting Nazis, but even in his own land there was conflict brewing behind smiles worn as masks and now that he was gone they would find him and he would end up in a Gulag.  He wanted a drink but his officer's pension had been cut off some time ago and he was now living off of the money he had sewn into the inside of his jacket.  He might have to sell off the gold on his uniform, but he had to keep the wool coat or he would freeze.  It was the memorabilia and the bar that signified his rank as a Senior Lieutenant that would out him as an enemy soldier to the Germans in Poland.  Right now the offending items of his uniform were stuffed in the bottom of a duffel bag with a few photographs and other belongings.  He kept his pistol at his side for a quick draw.    

He heard the whistle of the train as it began to slow down.  His pale grey eyes looked out the window on the city of Warsaw.  He had arrived.