Women and Other Monsters by Bernard Schaffer Read Free Book Online Page A

getting out.”
     
    The cab driver looked back at him, “But there is nothing out here, monsieur.”  
     
    Price put several francs in the driver’s hand and said, “Do it now.” 
     
    The driver muttered to himself but he braked and brought the car to a stop, shaking his head while his passengers disembarked.  “You are in the middle of nowhere, my friend.”
     
    Price grabbed Amelie’s hand and pulled her out of the backseat.  He shut the door quietly and patted the rear fender, signaling the driver to get going.  Amelie wrapped her arms around herself and said, “It’s freezing out here.  What are you doing?”
     
    “Be quiet and listen,” he whispered. 
     
    The taxi’s brake lights came on ahead in the darkness, less than a hundred yards away.  Amelie heard a car’s doors open and saw the silhouettes of two German soldiers crossing the beams from the taxi’s headlights.  One of the Germans spoke sharply, saying, “Why are you out so late?  What are you doing out here?”
     
    The driver’s response was quick and nervous, “A man and woman.  Very suspicious!  They can’t have gotten far.” 
     
    The Germans looked at one another and one said, “Keep moving.” 
     
    The driver threw his car into gear and said, “Au revoir and Sieg Heil!” as he drove off.   
     
    One of the soldiers activated high-power spotlight, suddenly bathing the woods in harsh white light, scanning the area as they walked toward Price and Amelie. 
     
    Price pulled her behind a tree and pushed her to the ground, waiting for the spotlight to move before he peeked around the side of the trunk.  The soldiers were coming directly toward them.  “Stay here.  I will handle this.”
     
    She grabbed his sleeve, but he pushed her hand away and slid into the darkness.  Amelie rolled onto her belly, trying to keep sight of him, but the light passed over her and she dropped her face into her hands and tried not to breathe. 
     
    There was a long, terrifying silence that broke when one of the guards yelped in fear and the spotlight went out.  
     
    “Stop playing around!” the other guard shouted. 
     
    The spotlight came back on, sweeping the woods in the direction of the guard.  The guard shielded his eyes and said, “Get that off of me.  This is no time for games.”          
     
    Amelie raised her head in time to see the guard raise his weapon and shout, “Who are you?”  The light went out then, and all she heard was the sickening crunch of human bones snapping and the guard squealing in pain.  It went quiet then, and Amelie got to her feet, staying behind the tree until she heard someone rummaging through the leaves.  “Omega?” she whispered.  “Is that you?”
     
    “Stay put for a minute, Miss Brevot,” Price said in the darkness.  “The spotlight’s broken and I can’t find my clothes.” 
     
    ***
     
    They drove the soldiers black Mercedes along the Moselle River until they reached the French German border.  Two bored looking men in uniform stood guard near a small gatehouse.  Price admired the Zundapp motorcycle propped against the wall by the gate as he pulled the car in front of the men and rolled down his window.  “ Guten tag, parteigenosse .  Thank you for keeping these horrid snail-eaters out of the Fatherland.”
     
    The gatehouse door burst open and an angry looking Leutnant emerged with a chart in his hand.  He looked at the Mercedes and said, “Get out of that car.”
     
    “Of course,” Price said amicably.  “Forgive me, kamerad , but is it all right if my wife stays inside?  She is not feeling well.” 
     
    “No.  Both of you, out.”  The Leutnant watched Amelie and Price get out of the car and rested his hand on the butt end of the stick grenade thrust in his belt, tapping his fingers impatiently on its long wooden handle.  “What is your name?”
     
    “Hans Vogel and this is my wife, Lena.” 
     
    “And where did you get this