Under Occupation

The young woman moves swiftly, her footsteps muffled by the cobbled street as she makes her way through the dark alleyways. She's out past curfew, and the sound of German soldiers' boots echoes in the distance. She pauses, listening intently, before darting down a narrow alley, the buildings on either side looming over her.

She hears the crunch of gravel and looks up to see a group of soldiers approaching. Panic sets in as she ducks into the nearest doorway, trying to make herself as small as possible. She holds her breath, waiting for them to pass, the cold metal of a pistol pressing against her thigh.

The soldiers draw closer, their boots thudding against the pavement. They're speaking in German, their voices harsh and clipped. She can feel her heart pounding in her chest, her body trembling with fear. She presses her back against the wall, praying they won't see her.

The soldiers come closer, their boots stopping just outside the doorway. She can hear their breathing, feel the heat of their bodies. She closes her eyes, willing herself to disappear. The seconds tick by, each one feeling like an eternity, until finally, the soldiers move on.

She lets out a shuddering breath, her hands shaking as she tucks the pistol back into her coat. She waits a few more moments, listening for any sign of the soldiers, before slipping out of the doorway and disappearing into the night.