Rick crouched in the low brush and checked his map.
This next hub was significant. Which meant it would be heavily guarded by now.
He checked his backpack. Only four sticks of dynamite left. Itwouldn’t do a lot, but it could be enough if he hit the right spot. But then he’d have to make it out in time.
Without getting caught.
He leaned up against a tree and let his mind wander back to Chaisley. If only they’d met at a different time. When the world wasn’t in the tumultuous state it was in now. Perhaps they’d be living back in London with a couple of kids.
That thought put a smile on his face.
Noise from the road a hundred meters below him caused his senses to go on high alert. Who was coming?
He pulled out the binoculars and studied the officers in the German vehicle. The one in the back appeared to be high-ranking.
Rick glanced back at the dynamite.
His timing would have to be perfect.
But was he ready to kill?
With a shake of his head, he gathered his things and made his way closer to the target. They had to stop this growing threat. Which meant he had to do his part.
Twenty meters to the target.
He tried to stay hidden in the trees. So far, so good.
Click.
The unmistakable sound of the hammer of a revolver.
“Halt!Wer bist du?” Whoever was behind him sounded young. Way too young to be wielding a weapon.
Rick slowly turned around with his hands up.
The hatred in the young Nazi’s eyes in front of him made him want to be sick. How had they hardened this young man? He couldn’t be more than sixteen.
The soldier put the gun to Rick’s forehead and narrowed his eyes.
In that split second, Rick watched as the boy’s finger on the trigger began to pull. He ducked right before the shot rang out and punched the young man in the gut, grabbing for the gun with his other hand.
They fell to the ground, wrestling with the gun between them. Rick’s experience, strength, and age gave him an upper hand. The kid was underneath him but held onto the gun with both hands.
Rick slammed his opponent into the ground hoping to knock the wind out of him, but the wiry boy was stronger than he looked as he yelled obscenities at him and screamed for help.
It wouldn’t be long before other soldiers descended upon them.
With everything in him, Rick wrenched the gun from the Nazi’s hands.
But the kid pulled out a knife.
Rick didn’t have a choice. He slammed the butt of the gun into the young soldier’s head.
The kid’s head hit the ground hard. Blood pooled underneath. His eyes went blank.
“Halt!”
Voices came from the station.
