It was only a few hours past dawn when Maria woke up. She had been dreaming about the beach where her family used to vacation when she was a girl. In the dream she was very young and was picking up shells with a boy about the same age as her. Looking at him, she realised that he was her unborn child, and was about to speak to him when she suddenly woke up. It was a bit disappointing. She wondered what she would have said.

Knowing she should probably get up now that she was awake, Maria sat up, stretched and, with some difficulty, got to her feet. She was well into her third trimester and hoped to come to the end of it soon. She felt like one of the hippos people hunted on safari, and was pretty sure she could pass for one.

She turned to go to the dresser and stopped short. "What in the world -"

The top of the dresser was completely cleared of her jewelry box, perfume and pill bottles. Her luggage was lined up in front of it, and on inspection Maria discovered each piece was full of her clothes and other belongings, all folded and organised tidily. On the tallest suitcase there lay a manilla envelope. She opened it with growing curiousity.

Inside the envelope were a passport, several identification papers, a significant fistful of cash, and a folded piece of notepaper. Maria unfolded the note and saw that it was a letter:
 

Liebschen,

It is too dangerous for us to stay here any longer. Britain and America are approaching from the west and Russia from the east. As I am a well-known scientist, my work is of great interest and use to each of them. However, also being a German and therefore an enemy, they would most likely imprison or execute me before proceeding to take my work for themselves. I have no doubt that this puts you, as my wife and the mother of my child, at a great risk as well.

I have put together a plan to ensure our safety. As you read this, in fact, Krumens and I are already carrying it out. Using the passport and papers in this envelope, you will travel by train at night through the Bavarian mountains and the Alps. We will meet at the Swiss border where we can travel together in safety. It is likely at this time that you will begin to have contractions, and I will take you to a Swiss hospital to have the baby. I realize that this may be inconvenient and stressful for you, but there really is no other choice. After "Josef" is born, I will explain to you the rest of my plan and with luck we will quickly continue on our way.

I have gone ahead of you and have taken measures to ensure that your journey will be as easy and efficient as possible. I have made all the reservations and the train stations are expecting you. The money should cover any other expenses. This afternoon, two soldiers will arrive at the house in an army vehicle to take you to the first station. Remember to go by the name on your papers and you should have no problems.

-Max

By the time Maria finished reading, she was frustrated to tears. Night-time train rides? False I.D..s? Switzerland? Why the hell did he think she would do all that, after the way he had treated her? She just wouldn’t do it. She could stay here and...

No, I can’t stay, she realised. If I don’t end up getting killed, I’ll have to find somewhere to live. I can’t burden Lonia and her family. I can’t stay with my parents or Max’s - they’ll be furious that I left him. If they’re still alive. If Berlin is still standing, oh my God...and I can’t pay rent and take care of Josef on my own; where could a woman get a job now that the war’s ending? It’ll be like the 1920’s all over again.

She had to go with Max, and he knew she did. He might be a bastard to her, but he could afford to take care of her baby, and that was all that mattered now.

Then there’s one last thing I have to do, Maria concluded, and began to look through the luggage for her stationary.

Things were slow at the train station and the man in the box office was having a conversation with the conductor. They both looked up as an army jeep rumbled into the parking lot.

"Those are our guys, right?" asked the man in the office, leaning closer to the glass window and squinting. "It’s getting to dark out to see much from in here."

"Yup. German soldiers, German truck. Haven’t seen too many of them lately."

"Where’ve they gone?"

His friend shrugged. "Whenever the Yanks aren’t, I guess. So what’s the story on this guy again?"

"Oh yeah. He’s a doctor who came through here on his way to Switzerland the other day with his assistant or something. He wanted to make another reservation for today for his wife. Now, normally I can do a job like that without even thinking, but the way this guy was talking down to me, I almost couldn’t do it at all! Right from the start, he was treating me as if I was wasting his time with my stupidity. You wouldn’t believe how intense this guy was!"

"Shit, sounds like a real people person."

"You’re telling me! Anyway, that wasn’t the end of the show. After that he was in the waiting room with this assistant of his who was following him around like a dog, and I could hear him going on about ‘not being respected enough’ and how he was so insulted by people who don’t understand his ‘incredible advances,’ whatever the hell that means. And his lackey was eating it up! I couldn’t help but listen in, it was insane!"

"Friggin’ mental case! So this is his wife getting out of the truck, then?" The conductor indicated her with a nod.

"Bride of Frankenstein, I’d call her," smirked the other. He craned his neck to get a closer look through the dying light and was surprised by what he saw. "Well, I’ll be damned..."

The sight of a very pretty and very pregnant woman, followed by two hulking soldiers carrying three suitcases and a dog carrier, was quite a spectacle. The two men and the handful of other people waiting on the platform watched curiously as the precession approached.

"Um, Frau Planck?" asked the man in the box office.

"Yes?"

He met her gaze, went pink, and tried to avoid it. "Uh, your seat has been reserved...um, may I see yours papers, please?" He went pinker as he wondered if that had sounded at all suggestive. The conductor was leaning against the opposite wall for support, shaking with silent laughter at his friend.

The papers were stamped with the bold image of an eagle, clutching a swastika in its talons. The woman thanked him and made her way to the waiting room, soldiers following behind.

After the train arrived, and all the passengers and luggage were aboard, the soldiers returned to their truck and disappeared down the road. The box office man and the conductor watched the train chug away thoughtfully.

"Poor kid," said the conductor, resuming their conversation. "Having to go all the way to Switzerland alone with a baby coming. Just to follow her nutcase husband."

His friend exhaled through his lips, making a noise of agreement. "How does a nice girl like that end up with a guy like him?" he mused.

Lonia’s hands trembled as she finished reading the letter. Concerned, her husband and parents approached.

"Honey, what’s wrong?" asked her husband, putting his hand on her shoulder. Lonia stared down at the piece of paper, trying to stop the tears she felt welling in her eyes from falling.

"Oh Stan, it’s terrible. I just can’t believe it," she replied softly.

"What’s terrible? What happened?" he held her more closely, feeling a sense of dread.

Lonia slowly began to read aloud:
 

Dearest Lonia,

Your friendship and kindness these past years have been such priceless gifts to me. I can’t thank you enough for being so wonderful and so generous. No one could ask for a better friend.

I am so sorry to tell you the news, but you must know. By the time you receive this letter, I will be far away from Poland. Max is wanted by the allies, and is taking me with him to safety. I don’t know where we are going, or for how long. All I know is that with him, my baby will always have food and clothing. I can’t raise him on my own, and I could never impose on you and your husband. I have to go with Max.

I wish you and your family all the best.

"We’ll meet again..."

Love, your friend Maria

I’m sorry, Lonia, thought Maria, sadness filling her heart at the memory of the letter she had written. She ran her hand across the maternity dress draped over her round stomach. I still have your clothes, too, she added ruefully.

Josef suddenly kicked and turned over, reminding his mother of happier things, of having a family. She would raise her son to be open-minded and tolerant, Maria promised herself. She would encourage him to learn and to explore all the opportunities around him. Even though the world he was about to be born into was confusing and often harsh, Maria would try her hardest to give Josef the best life she could.

In the barren train station at the border, Max impatiently smoked one cigarette after another. He knew Maria would come, but he was anxious to get started. That damned dog had better not be slowing her up. It was so annoying lately, growling whenever he came near. If it didn’t have to follow Maria everywhere he’d like to kick it.

Never mind, Max decided, flicking the ashes off his coat. The baby was much more important than her spoiled dachshund. Max was excited, and hoped that it really was a boy. He would raise his son to be a model Aryan man, strong, smart and proud of his German roots. With the intelligence of the von Reichters and the beauty of the Schweitzers, little Josef couldn’t help but be remarkable.

And someday, Max thought, he will join me in my work.

The doctor could not have known about the two men hiding in the snowy thicket several yards back down the railroad line. They could not have known about him, either. They were here on a mission, knowing that these nocturnal trains were sure to be carrying fugitive war criminals. Justice had to be carried out.

The men had seen their country destroyed by the Reich, and their loved ones murdered. It had only been a week since they had broken away from a deathmarch and they still could not be sure that no one would catch them. But since hearing about the escaping Nazi leaders, both decided to take a risk and seek a little revenge for those who hadn’t been as lucky as themselves.

The equipment was crude, but all the effort spent collecting and putting it together would be worth it, the men told each other. Everything was set to go.

The sound of a distant train whistle made the two of them perk up like rabbits. Their hearts began to pound as they burrowed back further into the bushes. The man with the bandage on his forehead fished in his pocket and produced a matchbook while the other watched him anxiously.

"This is it," the bandaged man said in a low voice. The train was coming into view. He followed the fuse with his eyes up to the tracks, making sure for the hundredth time that it had a clear path. It was the big moment. He struck the match and held it to the end of the fuse with a shaking hand. It took.

His friend began to count down. Ten, nine, eight...the flame hissed along the fuse. Seven, six...at five, emotion overcoming him, the man stopped counting and addressed the fast-approaching train in a growl, tears forming in his tired eyes.

"This is for the children, you bastards!" The flame reached the explosives just as the first car rolled over top.

Max and Krumens instinctively hit the floor as a huge explosion suddenly rocked the train station. They turned to see thick smoke billowing from the fiery shell of the train just down the track. Ordering Krumens to get help, Max raced towards the wreckage in a panic.

The two men had already fled the scene as he came to the first car. He peered through the smoke and made a path into the charred wood and twisted metal. If he could only find her...he saw a rigid, shredded hand rising out of the debris and froze. Oh God, don’t let that be her, please don’t let that -

There was a small noise from the left and something moved. Max threw himself towards it and started digging frantically. He saw part of a familiar dress! He dug further and suddenly felt a limb. It moved!

He finally was able to lift the body out of the rubble and cried out with relief as he saw that it was Maria. He carried her away from the wreck and onto a patch of soggy grass, exposed from the heat of the explosion. She was dirty, burned and bleeding, but still alive. Max held her to him and called her name softly.

Maria slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him, trying to focus. Her lips moved a little, but nothing came out but laboured breaths and a few pink bubbles.

"It’s all right now Maria, it’s all right. I’ve got you," Max assured her. His eyes were wet, but he was smiling. "You’re going to be fine, you and the baby, my sweet darling Maria, it’s going to all right!" He held her closer and stroked her hair. "My angel..."

She gave a weak laugh. "Such insanity..."

Max looked at her face in confusion. She smiled sadly.

"He - created Man," she murmured and closed her eyes, too weak to keep them open any more. "And Man - destroys himself." She cringed as a spasm of pain gripped her, then let out a ragged breath and was still.

Eyes wide, Max felt her neck for a pulse. Nothing. Terrified, he put his trembling hand on her stomach and slid it all around, searching for movement. The baby which normally was so busy kicking and turning was motionless. He looked down at the blood-soaked hem of Maria’s skirt and felt his heart finally break.

"NOOOO!"

Krumens looked up at the sound of the doctor’s yell. He and the group of police took off towards the railroad.

They found Max on the wet grass, holding the ruined body of his wife close and crying hysterically. He was too overcome even to push Krumens away when the man knelt down and put a hand on his master’s back. A sad silence descended over the group as the policemen removed their hats in respect for the latest victims of the war.

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