Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18 THREE DAYS LATER JUNE 9, 1944 CASTLE LE ROC 3:00 P.M. Paul and Maman were alone in the radio room, listening to the news on the radio. "This is the BBC, London, reporting from the Allied invasion of France. Our landings have been

successful and more troops and supplies are on the way. Fighting continues, but Allied forces continue to take control…" In the distance they could hear the sounds of Allied planes, and bombs falling farther to the south. But for now they felt safe in the castle. Victor was asleep. He was feeling stronger, but it was still a struggle for him to stand for more than a few minutes at a time. Of course Ellie was watching over him, sitting at the edge of the mattress. Pierre and Mrs. Bernard had gone home. So now it was just Maman and Paul, alone. Like it used to be. Except not exactly. Now they had no secrets between them. They listened to the radio a while longer. But then Maman turned the radio off. "I think we need a little quiet," she said. Paul agreed. The silence helped soothe his head, which still ached from when he got hit on the night of the invasion.

He got up and looked out the window. He wasn't looking for paratroopers anymore. Now he was looking for Mr. Leon. His teacher had never returned from the cliffs that night. Nobody knew what had happened. Maman came up behind him. They both stood there a moment, looking out into the gray afternoon. "Help me get some water," she said, waving for Paul to follow her outside. They kept buckets placed outside the walls to catch rainwater to drink and wash with. The afternoon was chilly, raining on and off. But it felt good to be out in the fresh air. He and Maman each picked up a wooden bucket. Suddenly they heard running footsteps. Paul turned and saw three Nazi soldiers heading toward them. In front was Stroop. Paul and Maman froze, but then Maman put down her bucket. She stood up very straight, and

managed to hide the fear that must have been gripping her by the throat. "Search the castle," Stroop ordered the men, who strode through the castle door. He walked over and stood very close to Maman. His eyes flicked across her face. "Where is he?" he asked in an icy voice. "I'm sorry, sir," Maman said calmly. "Who are you looking for?" Mr. Leon, of course. "You know who," Stroop answered. "The resistance leader who somehow rose from the dead." Paul's mind was swirling. How did Stroop find them? How did he know Mr. Leon hadn't died in the river that day? Maman stepped back. "I have no idea who you are speaking of." Without a blink, Stroop gave Maman a vicious smack across the face. And there it was, that cruel smile.

Paul gripped his bucket. And with all the strength he could muster, he lifted it up, and slammed it against Stroop's head. The Nazi fell to the ground, dripping wet and bleeding. Paul and Maman took off around the side of the castle. Stroop shouted after them, and bullets flew through the air. Paul looked around, searching for a hedgerow to hide in, a secret path that would lead them to safety. But he didn't know the land on this side of the castle very well. It was Maman who gripped his hand and led him around a corner, then through a doorway. They heard gunshots echoing from inside the castle, and Paul's knees went weak as he thought of Victor. But he and Maman kept running. They rushed up a narrow stone staircase, higher and higher, higher and higher, their boots echoing on the stones. They ran until they could go no higher. They had reached the castle tower.

It was small and dark. Paul and Maman huddled together. Seconds later Stroop appeared, panting. He stared at them, gripping his gun. His face was smeared with blood. But again, there was that smile, jagged like a crack in a frozen puddle. "Why are you doing this?" Maman said, stepping in front of Paul. "The Allies are here. The war will soon be over. Haven't you caused enough misery? Enough suffering? When will you stop?" Maman's voice was clear and strong. For a split second, Paul thought he might have glimpsed the tiniest flicker of doubt on Stroop's face. But then Stroop lifted his gun. Maman grabbed hold of Paul. And at that same moment, a great winged creature swooped into the tower. With a piercing shriek it attacked the Nazi. "What is this?" Stroop screamed. "Help me! Help me!"