A Great Escape

by Felice Arena

  It’s Felix!

  ‘What? How?’ Peter says.

  Elke shrugs. ‘He came back.’ She hands the arrow to her Uncle Hans, who begins tying a fishing line to the end of it. ‘I couldn’t leave him there. Now that Otto’s gone and we’re leaving, there’s no one to look after him.’

  ‘Elke, enough chatting. We need you to focus now,’ Uncle Hans says gruffly. ‘Your father should be switching the light on any moment. When he does he’ll open the window and step aside. That’ll be your cue to take your shot.’

  Elke winks at Peter. Peter smiles nervously. He’s anxious for her, for all of them.

  ‘There’s the light,’ Elke’s mother announces. ‘Elke, this is it. Take your time. I have faith in you.’

  Peter sees a man’s silhouette in the window, then he’s gone. Elke steps up to the open window with the bow in her hand. Uncle Hans gives her back the arrow, now with a fishing line attached to it.

  She points the bow towards the ground and attaches the back of the arrow to the centre of the bowstring. And just as Peter saw her do in the courtyard of the abandoned theatre, she places the arrow on the string with three fingers, raises the bow and pulls back on the string.

  She points the arrow at the open apartment window in the building on the West side.

  Peter holds his breath and Elke releases her grip.

  Familie

  FAMILY

  The arrow whooshes over the Wall and right through the open window. A perfect shot!

  ‘YES! YES!’ Uncle Hans says excitedly. ‘Du hast es geschafft! You did it! You did it!’

  ‘Good girl,’ cries Elke’s mother. ‘I’m so proud of you.’

  Peter exhales. Elke is incredible.

  But Elke’s mother says that the most dangerous part of the escape is coming up. In the other window the figure in silhouette moves around, and the fishing line tightens and goes loose as something is attached to the other end.

  Minutes later Uncle Hans tugs on the line and reels it back inside. Now joined to it is a thick cable.

  Uncle Hans secures the cable onto an iron bar bolted to the living room wall. He picks up something that looks like a steel wheel with a rim, about the size of a small dinner plate.

  ‘This is the pulley that will take us across – I made it,’ he says proudly, as he begins to rig it up to the cable. Attached to the pulley is a bar handle and harness straps.

  ‘Will that be able to hold our weight?’ Peter says nervously.

  ‘It should,’ says Uncle Hans. He shrugs. ‘If it doesn’t, we fall to our deaths.’

  ‘What are you worried about?’ Elke teases. ‘You were going to fly over the border.’

  ‘All right, I’ll go first,’ says Uncle Hans, tying the fishing line to the back of the harness and securing the straps under his arms. ‘If I can get across safely, then we know it will be secure for all of you. If not … well, remember me fondly. Here goes!’

  Uncle Hans climbs onto the windowsill. It’s a long drop down to the ground. He checks that there are no police or border guards on the street below. ‘I can’t see anyone,’ he says.

  He takes a deep breath and, tightening his grip on the handle, he drops out of the window.

  Elke and her mother watch Hans travel down the cable. They gasp in unison as he whizzes over the Wall and, putting his feet up, vanishes through the window into the apartment building in the West.

  ‘Wow! He did it! It works! It works!’ cries Elke, hugging her mother.

  Peter is in awe. His heart is racing. Soon it will be his turn and in no time at all he’ll be reunited with his parents and sister.

  ‘Okay, Elke, you’re next,’ her mother says as she tugs at the line and reels the pulley and harness back to them with the fishing line.

  Elke grabs her backpack – with Felix cooing inside.

  ‘I’ll see you over there,’ she smiles, slapping Peter’s shoulder.

  Elke’s mother fits the harness straps. Elke steps up to the windowsill and her mother kisses her.

  ‘Eins, zwei …’ Elke begins to count down quietly, her voice trembling.

  ‘It’s all right, my love,’ says her mother. ‘Deep breath. Du schaffst es. You can do this.’

  ‘Drei!’ Elke whispers. And she jumps.

  Peter and Elke’s mother watch Elke soar across the border, flying like an angel, her red hair flying wildly behind her.

  ‘Yes! She made it!’ Peter whispers.

  Elke’s mother starts reeling the pulley and harness back to them.

  ‘You must be so excited to see your family again,’ she says, as she tugs at the line. ‘They’re lucky they’re all over there together, supporting each other. My husband has been on his own. But we’ll be all together again soon. Yes, a new life, a new start. Right, here we go.’

  Elke’s mother bends to lift the harness inside. ‘It’s your turn, Peter. Put the straps on.’

  But Peter’s thoughts are back with his grandparents. He remembers with a wince Elke’s words from the other night. He’s picturing them asleep back home – cuddled into each other. Picturing them waking up and discovering he has gone. Not knowing where he is. He thinks of his parents and what Elke’s mother just said – that they’re lucky to have one another, to support each other. But who will support Opa and Oma when he’s not around? He thinks about Hubert, dealing with his brother’s death. Doing everything on his own without his best friend.

  ‘Peter?’ Elke’s mother says. ‘Is everything all right?’

  Peter looks up at Elke’s mother, his vision blurred by tears.

  ‘I … I can’t go,’ he cries. ‘I have to stay. For Oma. For Opa. And for Hubert.’

  Tears race down Peter’s cheeks.

  ‘Please, find my parents and tell them I love them,’ he says. ‘And hug my sister for me. My father works as a concierge at a cinema on the Ku’damm. Tell them I miss them, and that they have nothing to worry about because I will take good care of Oma and Opa. Could you please tell them that?’

  Peter wipes away the tears with the back of his hand. Elke’s mother hugs him.

  ‘And tell Elke … tell her that I’ll miss her. And I’ll never forget her.’

  ‘I will, dear boy,’ she says. ‘I will.’

  Hoffnung

  HOPE

  A week later Peter is pulling Hubert’s recycling cart along the street where Otto and Elke used to live. Hubert is walking beside him. He looks up at the building that used to mean so much to him, but now he doesn’t have any reason to go there.

  ‘With all these bottles we’ve collected, I think we have around eight Marks worth,’ Hubert says.

  ‘I think more like ten Marks, if you include all the scrap metal we found at the abandoned theatre,’ Peter adds. ‘If we keep going this way, we …’

  Something catches Peter’s eye. A bird is circling above. It’s flying in a certain, familiar pattern.

  ‘What? What are you looking at?’ asks Hubert, following Peter’s gaze. ‘Its just a pigeon. Why are you interested in a pigeon?’

  The bird flies towards them.

  ‘Quick!’ Peter cries, pulling on the recycling cart.

  When Peter reaches Elke’s and Otto’s building, he stops to catch his breath before entering.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Hubert asks, as Peter leaves the cart by the door.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Peter says. He steps inside the foyer and makes his way up the stairs to the rooftop.

  He bursts through the door and onto the roof, and there he is – a little grey pigeon, toddling about on the coop.

  ‘Felix?’ Peter whispers, moving towards him. ‘It is really you?’

  He puts his hand out, and Felix flies up to land on his wrist. Peter strokes his soft feathers and Felix turns his head to look up at him, making quiet cooing noises. Peter wishes he had some seed to give him.

  Then Peter notices something attached to Felix’s leg. It’s a small folded piece of paper secured by a band. Peter gently picks Felix u
p, unties the strap from his leg, places him in the coop and unfolds the paper.

  It’s a letter, written in tiny script.

  Dear Peter,

  I’m not sure if you will ever read this but, if you do, know my heart aches for you, my beautiful boy. Your father, sister and I miss you more than words could ever express. We met your friend Elke and her parents, and when they told us about your decision to stay with Oma and Opa, I cried and cried. But I am also so proud of you.

  This Wall will not be here forever. And true love, the love of a family, can never really be divided. When that day comes, when the barrier between us falls, I will get to hug you again.

  Be strong, my dear heart. Kiss Oma and Opa for me, for us all. Tell them that we love them and miss them every minute of the day.

  All my love,

  Mutti.

  Peter flips the letter over. On the reverse side of the paper there’s a small illustration drawn by his little sister. It’s his mother, his father, Margrit, Opa, Oma and him, all stick figures, smiling and holding hands.

  Tears stream down Peter’s face.

  ‘Hey! What are you doing?’ Hubert calls, stepping out onto the rooftop. ‘We can’t leave our cart down there in the street.’

  Peter quickly wipes his eyes, shoves the note in his pocket and turns to his friend.

  ‘Come and meet Felix,’ he says. ‘I used to help look after him. Then he went to the West. Now he’s back, but I’m not sure who will look after him now his owner is gone.’

  ‘Why can’t it be you? On the rooftop of your building?’ asks Hubert.

  ‘He’s a homing pigeon,’ says Peter, wishing he really could take Felix home. ‘He’ll just keep flying back here.’

  ‘I’ve read that some homing pigeons can be relocated – it’s not easy, but they used to do it in the war all the time,’ Hubert says enthusiastically, leaning forward to pat Felix. ‘We could set up a coop and raise pigeons together. It could be like our own pigeon club. Of course, I’ll name one after Ralf – he loved birds.’

  Peter smiles for the first time since Elke and her family left for the West. He knows there will be hard times ahead, but at least he and Hubert will have each other.

  ‘Let’s do it!’ he says.

  As Hubert makes his way down the stairs, Peter picks up Felix and holds him gently in his hands. He looks back at the empty coop and the rooftop. He thinks of Otto and Elke, and his mother’s words: True love, the love of a family, can never really be divided.

  Peter cradles Felix close to his chest and walks after his friend.

  Felice Arena is one of Australia’s best-loved children’s writers. He is the author and creator of many popular and award-winning children’s books for all ages, including the acclaimed historical adventures The Boy and the Spy and Fearless Frederic, as well as the bestselling Specky Magee books and the popular Andy Roid and Sporty Kids series.

  FROM THE AUTHOR

  Ideas strike you at the oddest times and places. Many of my stories have come to me while I’ve been travelling or on the move when I can allow my mind to drift and let my imagination run. And my stories are so often born out of curiosity and asking questions.

  A few years ago I visited Germany and went to Berlin. I did all the touristy tours and, like millions of visitors to that incredible city, I learnt a bit about its fascinating history. I was particularly taken by the Berlin Wall and the idea that someone would cut a city down the middle and stop families from seeing each other, stop people going to work or to visit their friends. I asked my local friends a lot of questions. Why did the government do that? How did they do that? And then I asked myself: What if this were to happen today? How would I react? What would I do?

  I wondered what I would be willing to sacrifice to see my family again. Or to be with my friends. Would I risk living in a refugee camp? Would I live in poverty? Would I leave the people I cared about who wanted to stay? Would I even risk or sacrifice my life like so many East Germans did to get to the West?

  One thing I knew – I would do anything to be with my family.

  After the wall went up, East Germany became an increasingly dangerous place to be. The terrifying Stasi, the secret police, helped by people like Max who turned on their friends, made East Germany a very scary place to live.

  There have been lots of movies and books about the Wall and the Cold War between the Soviets and America and its allies. I had a moment of doubt – thinking perhaps it wasn’t my place, especially as an Australian, to write a story centred around this famous episode in European history.

  Even though the East German refugees’ dangerous quest for freedom and escape appealed to my sense of adventure, I put the story aside for a while.

  Then one day I was talking to my neighbour in my building. He’s a German Australian in his seventies who loves to walk his Labrador. One day we were talking about books, and I said I was thinking of writing a story set in Berlin. ‘Oh, Berlin,’ he said. ‘I’m from Berlin. Did you know I was a guard on the Wall?’

  I couldn’t believe it! What are the chances? I took this as a sign that I should start writing this story. I threw myself into researching more about the escapes and watching videos of people who shared their harrowing experiences. And, of course, along the way I was able to knock on my neighbour’s door to ask him questions.

  The escapes mentioned in this story are based on real-life events (successful and unsuccessful). I have taken liberties with the timeline and the details – not all of them occurred within the two weeks covered in Peter’s story. I hope you will be curious to do your own research on the actual people who risked their lives to be safe or to be with their loved ones, and learn more about refugees everywhere who take those risks today.

  The saddest thing for me about Peter’s story is that I knew when I was writing it that it would take twenty-eight years before he would be able to cross the border again.

  Like millions watching around the world, I saw the Wall come down live on television in 1989. I clearly remember the elation and tears of families and friends being reunited after so many years apart.

  I like to think that Peter was among them, rushing to embrace his family. Perhaps he would have children of his own, who would be meeting Margrit’s kids for the first time. I imagine Sabine, Elke and Otto there too. Or perhaps one of them had migrated to a country like Australia to start a new life like my neighbour did. I would love to know their stories! Maybe you can write them.

  I hope that you will come away from this book with hope in your heart, knowing that goodwill and kindness will eventually find a way to break through any barriers that divide us. We all want a life in which we can be free to grow, play, laugh and love.

  And, by the way, my German neighbour’s name is Peter and his Labrador is Otto. Thanks, Peter. They sounded like pretty good names to me!

  Alles Gute! (All the best!)

  PRAISE FOR THE BOY AND THE SPY

  ‘It’s sure to be a hit amongst those who love edge of the seat drama and junior heroes …’

  Magpies

  ‘A thrilling Second World War adventure …’

  Fraser Coast Chronicle

  ‘A rollicking read, with a great setting and action aplenty. The tension is maintained throughout and the ending is very satisfying … accessible history for kids told via a fabulous tale. Highly recommended.’

  Children’s Books Daily

  ‘All the makings of a classic children’s book!’

  Book of the Month, Lamont Books

  PRAISE FOR FEARLESS FREDERIC

  ‘Historical fiction at its exciting best.’

  Sunday Telegraph, Sydney

  ‘A wonderful book for younger readers, recreating a fascinating moment in French history.’

  Daily Telegraph

  ‘An amazing book for fans of historical fiction.’

  Herald Sun

  ‘A story of intrigue and adventure, reminding me of some of the classic junior adventures of old. A fine pie
ce of eye-opening historical fiction …’

  CBCA Reading Time

  ‘High adventure, fast paced and hard to put down. Dealing with courage, loyalty, integrity and true friendship … offers many valuable lessons for kids to take away while enjoying the entertaining, fast-moving plot.’

  Better Reading

  Also by Felice Arena

  The Boy and the Spy

  Fearless Frederic

  The Specky Magee series

  Specky Magee

  Specky Magee and the Great Footy Contest

  Specky Magee and the Season of Champions

  Specky Magee and the Boots of Glory

  Specky Magee and a Legend in the Making

  Specky Magee and the Spirit of the Game

  Specky Magee and the Battle of the Young Guns

  Specky Magee and the Best of Oz

  The Andy Roid series

  The Sporty Kids series

  and

  Whippersnapper

  Find out more at felicearena.com

  A thrilling wartime story from the bestselling author of the Specky Magee series.

  Life has never been easy for Antonio, but since the war began there are German soldiers on every corner, fearsome gangsters and the fascist police everywhere, and no one ever has enough to eat. But when Antonio decides to trust a man who has literally fallen from the sky, he leaps into an adventure that will change his life and maybe even the future of Sicily …

  A story of friendship and heart-racing adventure – a perfect follow-up to the acclaimed The Boy and the Spy.

  When the river rises and the city of Paris begins to disappear under water, Frederic decides to help those who can’t help themselves. But as his heroic acts escalate, so does the danger. Frederic will have to battle an escaped zoo animal and fight off pickpockets and looters but, as the waters subside, can he find justice for his father and find out what courage really means?