CURSE THE MOON by Lee Jackson Read Free Book Online

dress and pinafore, played outside. As she ran through tall grass after a red ball, her dark hair swirled about her shoulders. Seeing again how much she looked like her mother, Atcho felt fresh anguish. A crash of thunder shook him from his reverie. Despite the urge to rush down and embrace his daughter, he restrained himself. Dusk now seemed the best time to approach the house.
    His mind wandered. For the past two weeks, he had carefully overseen the resistance organization’s planning and training, yet even now, he worried about its preparedness. He recalled his last conversation with Juan. “They’re not even close to ready,” Atcho had said.
    “We knew that would be the case when we started,” Juan had replied. “They’ll do what they can, and conduct themselves well. And they’ll be more effective because of your help.”
    Atcho had given Juan a long, respectful look. “Thank you, my friend, for everything. I would not have survived without you.”
    “The privilege is mine, Atcho. Take care of yourself and your daughter. I’ll see you in a week.” With a warm handshake, they had bear-hugged and bid each other farewell.
    Atcho scanned the horizon. Dark clouds had gathered and were gaining size and altitude. A steady breeze blew dust over open fields, and a few scattered showers were visible across the landscape. Moments later, heavy rain hit the ground, and Isabel ran into the house.
    In his hiding place, Atcho felt for the pistol in his coat pocket. He stepped out where he could see one of his fighters, waved, and received a return signal. His men were ready. He looked at the sky again. Lightning shot out of angry clouds. Thunder rumbled as darkness descended.
    Still disguised as a peasant, Atcho stepped onto the road. His heart beat faster as he came within twenty yards of the house. Through a window, he saw Raissa working over the kitchen sink. She looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes. Atcho remembered the sparkle they had once had. She looked up and saw him, and a horrified expression crossed her face.
    Alarmed, Atcho increased his speed, but moved into shadows. His men followed.
    Raissa disappeared from the window and reappeared momentarily, carrying Isabel. Her husband joined her. She squinted into the shadows, and catching his movement, pointed out Atcho. Behind them loomed a fourth, unfamiliar figure. Then they left the window.
    Atcho’s senses sharpened. He heard a Jeep’s engine. The other figure must have been from G-2! Pulling the pistol from his jacket, he ran for cover, away from the house.
    Moments later, from his vantage point behind low bushes, Atcho watched in disbelief as a Jeep sped from around the house and down the road. A cold wind struck him. Ominous, rolling thunder echoed across open fields.
    One of Atcho’s men crept up beside him. “What happened?” he asked.
    Atcho shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said. “My sister saw me, and then someone I don’t know appeared. Did you see who was in the Jeep?”
    “No, it was too dark. I’ll take a couple of guys and check out the house. We’ll signal when it’s safe.”
    A few minutes later, the man waved an all-clear sign. Atcho left his position and walked around the house, up the front steps and into the sitting room. The place was empty.
    An envelope lay on the kitchen table, one single word scrawled on its surface in an unfamiliar hand: ‘Atcho’. He tore it open.
    The invasion will fail, the note read. Planning and coordination are incredibly poor, and the United States does not have the political will to win. This island belongs to the Soviet Union. And you, Atcho, belong to me.
    Captain Govorov
    6
    With a roar, Atcho splintered a wooden chair across the kitchen table. Watching from the dining room, his men exchanged nervous glances. They had never seen their leader like this. He stood in the middle of the room, head and shoulders drooping, arms and hands limp at his side. Finally, he leaned against the