Page 69 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

‘The flower bed, the flower bed!’ Frau Schneider cried. ‘I watered it only this evening!’ I let go of the sill with my left arm and swung freely, so that I could look below. Even though it was dark, the white and blue flowers acted like landing lights. If I could just propel myself slightly and land in the soft mud, I predicted I had a chance. There was a loud creak from within my bedroom, and I accepted that it was now or never. Grippingback onto the sill with my arm, I used the momentum to swing my body to the right, then the left, and let go.

My landing, although imperfect, was pretty good, all things considered. My feet hit the flower bed as I hoped they would, and on impact I bent my knees and rolled. I only felt the true force of the fall as my right arm hit the stone pavement by the flowers, followed promptly by my face.

‘Argh!’ I cried out in pain.

‘My boy, my boy!’ Frau Schneider cried, appearing over me. ‘Where are you injured? Can you feel your legs? Can you wiggle your toes?’

‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘It’s my arm that’s hurt.’ I rolled up my sleeve with my good arm, and was met by a pretty ugly sight. Clearly my elbow had been dislocated, and the effect was eye-watering.

‘We must move him away from the building. Help me!’ Frau Schneider was immediately joined by a couple of the other boys from the lodgings, who, in an attempt to pull me away from the house, grabbed my arms.

‘No!’ I cried, but it was too late. The boys heaved me, and my right arm produced a sickening crunch. This was followed by a wave of hot pain that started at my elbow but somehow managed to travel around my entire body. I screamed, but the boys were resolute in moving me away from the flames. When they let go, I huddled myself into a ball as the shockwaves of pain continued.

‘Breathe, young man. Courage,’ said Frau Schneider, who was by my side once again and stroking my hair. ‘You have survived.’

‘Did... everyone... get out?’ I eventually managed to ask.

‘All are accounted for. Thankfully there weren’t many in the lodgings, most are still out in the town centre after theperformance tonight... though I cannot speak for the other houses.’

‘Other houses?’ I uttered.

‘I’m afraid so, young man. It really has begun. I’m so sorry. None of this would have happened without me. It was I who they were after.’

I furrowed my brow in confusion. ‘I don’t understand, Frau Schneider.’

‘I am Jewish. They torched the building to take my business from me and show that I am not welcome here. Regrettably, tonight, they have succeeded.’

Cogs began to whir in my head. ‘I’m sorry, Frau Schneider.’

‘There is certainly no need for an apology. You could have been killed tonight, and I would have been responsible.’ She bowed her head.

‘No, Frau Schneider,’ I replied. ‘You most certainly would not have been.’ A rock formed in the pit of my stomach. ‘You said “other houses”. So the SS have visited other premises housing Jews?’

‘I’m afraid so, yes.’ I staggered to my feet, renewed bolts of pain shooting down my arm. I winced and inhaled sharply. ‘Be careful! I will send for a doctor,’ Frau Schneider insisted.

I ran towards the coffee shop, and Elle’s intact lodgings came into view. The relief that washed over me was a more effective antidote to pain than morphine. ‘There is no need for a doctor, Frau Schneider. I will be fine, thank you. I just have to find Elle.’

Frau Schneider nodded. ‘I have not seen her. Perhaps if you ask around, then...’ She put her hand to her mouth and began to cry, suddenly overcome by the night’s events.

I raised my good arm, and placed it on her shoulder. ‘It is so very unfair, Frau Schneider. I am truly sorry for your loss.’

‘Thank you,’ she sniffed. ‘But I wonder why they decidedto target me? My religion is hardly well advertised, unlike many others in the city.’

A pang of guilt ran through me. I knew that tonight, Frau Schneider was not the target. It had been me.

‘Bo!’ Over Frau Schneider’s shoulder, I saw Elle running towards me, accompanied by Karine. As I went to embrace her, another surge of pain rushed through my arm, and I couldn’t hold in my grimace. ‘My love... what on earth happened? Are you all right?’

‘Oh Bo,’ Karine added.

I gestured to the smouldering building. ‘I had to jump. They’re torching Jewish residences. But, Elle... it was him. He knows. We have to go, tonight if possible.’

‘What do you meanhim?’ Karine asked.

Elle turned to her friend. ‘He means this... particularly nasty SS officer we’ve seen around the city. Isn’t that right, Bo?’

‘Yes,’ I replied, grateful that Elle’s brain was functioning better than my own. ‘He just has a very aggressive aura. Frau Schneider, who runs my lodgings, is Jewish, so we were on the list for tonight’s torchings. Where is Pip?’

‘Still out on the town, enjoying his success,’ Karine said. ‘Was everyone able to make it out?’