The Wolves at My Shadow by The Wolves at My Shadow (epub)

Author:The Wolves at My Shadow (epub)
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Athabasca University Press
Published: 2017-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

A Token of Friendship

June 1936

When our train came to a stop at the next station Paps and Mutsch looked at each other sorrowfully. We said nothing as we exited the railcar to begin the search for our next train. I was saddened by my goodbye with Katya and I couldn’t stop thinking of her. The arrow in my heart from our farewell that day is still with me.

There were people everywhere. Paps directed us to a train bound for the Russian border city, our last stop before we crossed into Manchuria. There were no police, so we entered the train swiftly. We were about to board when I noticed the two couples with the jewellery approaching us.

“We meet again,” one of the women said.

“Good day to all of you,” Paps offered politely.

The taller of the two men directed three railway employees to bring their cartfuls of luggage to the train. There must have been two-dozen pieces in all. As the employees struggled with the valises and packages fumbling their way onto the train, the tall man looked at me. “We had quite an enjoyable time at your party,” he said, “right about now I would enjoy another piece of your cake.”

“Thank you again for attending,” I said.

He was sleek in his appearance with his dark gray topcoat and his coal-coloured trousers. His derby was tilted on his head. He had smoky blue eyes. Although he was handsome, his countenance was one of disdain, persisting even when he smiled. For who or for what does he hold such contempt, I wondered.

“Let us be formal for now. Herr Schrader, at your service,” he said to my father, touching his index finger to the brim of his hat.

Paps said, “Our pleasure, Herr Schrader.” Then, turning to Mutsch and me, “My wife, Frau Völker and our daughter, Fraülein Erna.”

“I present my wife, Frau Schrader,” he said. As she extended her hand I heard the clatter of her bracelets and saw the sparkle of gemstones on her lapel. Her beauty was rather unremarkable other than her tight-knit curls that burst from beneath the brim of her cloche hat.

Just then the whistle sounded. Without formally meeting the other couple, the seven of us hastened to board through the rear doorway of the car. A railway employee signalled for Herr Schrader and the couple travelling with him. Their compartment was at the front of the car while ours was aft.

“Please join us for supper,” Herr Schrader said as he and his companions passed us.

“Yes, of course,” Paps said.

No sooner had we opened the door to our compartment than the train lurched out of the station. We were on our way. Although we were looking forward to completing another leg of our journey we were also somewhat dispirited. With every departure came more goodbyes.

The accommodations were very nice. The compartment was tidy, not as large as the last one but with enough room for a bed for Paps and Mutsch, a cot for me, a chest of drawers too large for our meagre belongings, and a bench seat beneath its only window.

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