Irena’s feeble twitches ceased, then she strained against her captor while her chest heaved faster, faster. He kicked her behind the knees, suppressing her rebellion, and when her knees hit the ground the other soldier stepped closer. She flinched and turned aside before he captured her jaw and twisted her head up.

I retreated deeper into my hiding place. Home, I needed to go home. Irena told me to put the resistance work first, not the members, so I wasn’t obligated to intervene. I had to leave.

But I didn’t. I had a plan.

Gathering my courage, I stepped around the corner and let out a startled cry. “Marta?”

The soldier released Irena’s face and whirled toward the sound of my voice while I rushed down the street toward them. When he drew his gun, I skidded to a halt. For a fleeting moment, I regretted everything I’d just done, but, if I could focus, this could work. It had to work.

I’m just a child. A silly girl who has been wandering aimlessly, alone and scared. Not a resistance member acutely aware of the gun pointed at her.

I turned to the man holding Irena, who remained on her knees. “Please stop, that’s my cousin. I’m sorry, Marta, I didn’t mean to—”

“What are you doing out after curfew?” the soldier with the gun asked. The weapon remained steady in his hand, but his eyes flickered to it. The brief gesture led me to believe my age had taken him by surprise. He was pointing his gun at a girl.

“I didn’t mean to be out this long. I was visiting a friend, and I left her apartment before curfew, honest I did, but I got lost going home. When I didn’t come back on time, I knew my parents would ask my cousin to find me.” I indicated Irena with a nod, though she looked as if she’d shoot me herself if I didn’t shut up. “Please don’t hurt her. She was trying to help me.”

The soldier turned to Irena. “If she’s telling the truth, why did you lie?”

Irena took a moment to pull her eyes away from the gun. All I needed her to do was corroborate my story. A tense silence hovered in the air as I waited for her to speak.

Please, Irena, make him believe the story.

“Of course she’s telling the truth, but I didn’t think you’d believe I broke the law just to look for her. Once I take this idiot back to my aunt and uncle’s, I will make damn sure this never happens again.” She directed a dark look my way. The threat wasn’t for the soldier’s benefit.

I took a cautious step closer. “I’m sorry, I really am. Please don’t arrest us.”