The Room on Rue Amélie(92)

“Death, I think.”

“Dear God,” he murmured, raking a hand through his hair. She could see a storm of indecision in his eyes, and for the first time, she realized how unfair this was. She was asking him to do something that would put his own life in danger. And what obligation did he have to help her? “Ruby,” he said at long last, “you must leave today. There’s no other choice.”

His tone was so firm that she almost wanted to laugh. As if it were that easy to simply walk away! “But how?” she whispered.

He thought for a moment. “Meet me here at four o’clock. I’ll have an answer then.” He strode away before Ruby could reply.

The next few hours ticked by, and as Ruby had told Nadia about Herr Hartmann’s words, they were both wondering about what he could be planning. It wasn’t as if a woman in prison could simply stroll out into the afternoon sunshine and make a home for herself in the German countryside. And while the primary concern was getting out of the factory unnoticed, Ruby would still have to deal with her raging fever.

“I will come with you to talk to him,” Nadia said firmly as the hands on the wall clock inched toward four. “Someone must protect you. Let us see what Herr Hartmann is planning, and I will do what I can to help.”

Ruby was too weak to protest, although she was terribly afraid that Nadia would be putting herself in unnecessary danger. She hoped, of course, that Herr Hartmann would talk Nadia into going back to work. After all, Ruby had nothing to lose; death was a certainty if she stayed. But surely the camp would be liberated soon, and Nadia was strong, brave. She would survive. Hope, Ruby thought.

Together, just before four, the two women slipped away when the guards’ backs were turned and headed toward the corner. Herr Hartmann was already there, and he looked surprised to see Nadia. “You must return to your station,” he said.

“Ruby is my friend.” Her reply was immediate and firm. “I must do all that I can to help her.”

Herr Hartmann looked at her for a moment, as if trying to decide something. “Yes. All right.”

Nadia nodded. “What is the plan?”

He held up a cloth sack. “You will take this with you, Ruby. It is some clothing from my twelve-year-old daughter.”

“You have a daughter?” Ruby asked.

“And a wife and a son.”

Ruby stared at the cloth sack and then shook her head. “No. No, I can’t do anything that would endanger you or your family.”

“My mind is made up. As is my family’s. We all know the risks. Here. Gisela’s clothes should fit you; you’re so very small. They’ll help you to blend in. There is a place to the southeast corner of the complex where a gap is being repaired, just large enough perhaps for a prisoner to make her way out if no one is watching. You must head to the woods to the east and move as quickly as you can. You won’t be safe until you’re far away from Ravensbrück. Once you’ve walked for a few miles, begin looking for Red Cross trucks on the roads. It’s impossible to know which Germans you can trust, but you should be able to trust the Red Cross to nurse you back to health without turning you over to the Gestapo.”

“But . . . what if I don’t find one?”

“You will. I know you will. They are everywhere. You will find the Red Cross, and they will help with your fever, and they will safely deliver your baby. We have to believe in that, because there’s no other way.” He handed her the sack. “There are a few potatoes and some bread in there, as well as an empty bottle. There are plenty of creeks in the woods where you can stop for water. Now, quickly, Ruby, you must go before the guards notice us talking.”

“Why are you helping me?”

Herr Hartmann sighed. “Because everyone deserves a chance to live, Ruby. And because this is not the Germany I know and love. There are good German people too, you know.”

“I know,” Ruby whispered. Of course she knew. In every place evil dwelled, good could also be found. It was a truth that kept the world moving forward, through all the wars, through all the terrible machinations of mankind. “Thank you.”

“You must go now.”

“How will I get out without the guards seeing me?”

Herr Hartmann glanced at Nadia. “We will create a distraction. I will reprimand her loudly, which should make the guards pay attention to us.”

Ruby glanced over at Nadia, who nodded and took her hands. “Yes. It is a good idea. But you must run as fast as you can, Ruby. Your life depends on it.”

“Thank you,” Ruby whispered, looking into her friend’s eyes.

Nadia smiled. “No matter what happens, Ruby, remember I am with you. As long as you have Nadia, you have hope.”

Ruby blinked a few times. “Nadia—”

“Go,” Nadia said firmly, glancing at Ruby’s belly. “If we cannot make the world a better place for the next generation, what is the point?”

She kissed Ruby on the cheek, and before Ruby could respond, Nadia had begun to scream, hurling a string of Russian obscenities at Herr Hartmann.

“Nadia!” Ruby exclaimed, knowing that her friend wasn’t just creating a diversion; she was initiating a situation for which she would surely be beaten.

“Go!” Nadia hissed. “I accept the risk. Go and be free, Ruby!”