Jakob gave the girl back to Ulrike and scooped the boy up in his arms. They were running now, through the back door and onto the porch.

The air was filled with more than screeching tires. The sounds of car engines roared only a block or two away.

Headlights shone around and over the buildings through the night! The sounds grew louder. Just as he had sleepily imagined, the lights seemed to be searching the darkness for them!

With an eerie feeling of somnolent déjà vu, Jakob Kropf hurried his little band out, not into the field of his nightmare but into their own little yard!

The young Jewish parents, arms already wearying with their loads, now prepared for the dash across the open space behind their home, sweating, terrified, and knowing they were running for their lives.

This was no dream!

As terrifying as his nightmare had been, Jakob now knew its fear for the counterfeit it was.

Ulrike stumbled as she stepped off the porch and cried out. Managing to keep a grip on the bundle in her arms, she fell to one knee, stifling a cry of pain.

Jakob stopped, helped her up with his free hand, then continued, half running across the thick, uneven grass and dirt.

The cars screeched to a stop in front of the house.

There were voices now—loud, angry voices. Another car roared around back. Headlights shone through the night!

Sounds and voices and stomping feet echoed behind him. Jakob glanced back, still running. Lights shone throughout the house. Men were moving about, storm troopers with guns.

Another car emptied in back, not far from them. Three men ran inside the door Jakob had just closed behind them less than a minute ago. The headlights of the car still pierced the darkness like two evil, menacing eyes, reflecting brightly off their neighbor’s house only twenty meters from them.

Now he heard angry sounds of shouts and orders. Men ran outside again, shouting that the house was empty. Jakob’s head was swimming, lights and sounds fading into blurry confusion.

Still they ran… it wasn’t supposed to be so far… why was it taking so long to reach it… if only they could make the hiding place… lights and voices… headlights and lanterns… more shouts… all looking for them!

The nightmare had suddenly become all too real! Was he dreaming all over again…?

63 Savage Search

63

Savage Search

The Gestapo section chief had sent the men on ahead in two cars. He had followed in his own. This was one night of arrests he determined to be part of himself. He wanted to look into their faces and see the terror of knowing they were at last in the power of the Gestapo! Then he would question each one until he found out the information he wanted.