The War that Never Was » Places

         When no one emerged from the forest after what felt like ages of nothing but holding their breath and waiting, it became apparent a decision had to be made. While Maria wasn't exactly keen on the idea of risking their lives any more than they already had been, there was a chance here that they might not get in the future, and there was only one way to find out if it would work in their favor.

"Why don't we just go out there?" The others looked at her like she was crazy, and she shrugged. "We've got nothing better to do, and nothing left to lose at this point."

"Yeah, except our lives." A few others voiced their agreement, and there was a lull.

"Look, either we go out there and risk getting shot, or we hang back and definitely get killed by Russians or Germans. At least out there," She gestured with a hand, "We have a chance."

They all shared looks, not one of them willing to make that potentially life-ending decision. Finally, as one, they dissented. "What do we even do? They have a whole army, we're just...us."

"Don't go out there holding your guns, for one." The boy to her left spoke up, and she nodded in agreement.

"He's right. I guess we just go out with our hands up and hope for the best?" Another round of looks was shared, but at this point they'd warmed up to the idea. It was time to make allies, or die trying.

One by one each of them stood, holstering pistols or slinging rifles across their backs. With hands raised high above their heads, they broke from the treeline, taking careful steps towards the American entrenchment. From a distance one would guess them to be German soldiers, but as they approached it became evident any semblance of a uniform was mismatched and ill-fitting at best. It was difficult to tell who they were.

They barely knew themselves, anymore.