Chapter: Two Another Home Sweet Home

The dutiful tick-tock of the clock on the living room wall was enough to rouse Jan from the tranquil moments just before dawn. His mind had not drifted from the shallow end of sleep all night. Waking on the couch after a restless night of tossing and turning was an uncomfortable reminder that the balance of his life had been upset by two young visitors. Immediately his thoughts went to them while his eyes and ears searched for their presence as he sat up. Though he was not alone in his home he was the only one stirring.

Just a handful of hours earlier his private haven had been full of a liveliness that was foreign to him yet not unwelcome. He could not deny the pleasure of company, even the company of children on the run. The last time he had the role of host was almost beyond his recollection so he wanted to be a good one. Erik had wolfed down the sandwiches he made him while Eli politely refused any food and drink, insisting that she had eaten before they arrived. A bit of casual conversation followed the meal then Jan suggested bringing the night to a close. He offered his guests the comfort and seclusion of his own bed while he resigned himself contently to the couch. He had hoped that the mask he wore as host would keep his doubts and fears hidden, especially from himself.

Now a full bladder along with the need to prepare for work were pushing Jan towards his bedroom and a return to normalcy. He made his way to the bedroom door, paused and listened for any sign of activity from the other side of the door. Nothing. Slowly he turned the door handle then eased the door open, hoping not to disturb his guests. Jan stopped the door when it reached the halfway point and stuck his head inside to take a peek. A peculiar sight trapped Jan's peering eyes. Lying on the bed was a fully clothed Erik, save for shoes and coat, curled up around and hugging tightly a bundle of covers that he realized was Eli, all wrapped up. Surely she must be suffocating, he thought. Jan stared for a moment then entered the room, noticing instantly that the curtains had been drawn closed on the single bedroom window. He eased around the bed and into the adjoining bathroom.

After relieving himself Jan washed his face at the sink then glared into the reflection of his own eyes as he looked into the mirror above the sink. Once again his rationale flooded his mind with defensive thoughts. "What are you doing? You're putting your neck on the line for two kids that you don't even know. It's not too late, you can wake them up and send them on their way. You don't owe them anything. They're not your problem." Jan wiped away the unwanted conflict as he dried his face with a towel. He left the bathroom, gathered the clothes he needed for work from the bedroom closet discreetly and went into the kitchen to get dressed. He could easily take a day off without any suspicion but getting back into the methodical routine of life would help him to focus his mind on the situation at hand.

When lunch time came Jan grabbed a soda and candy bar from the vending machines at the garage. He consumed them during his trip to the managers office at the apartment complex. Jan considered the manager an acquaintance after the many shallow conversations with him during the times he had worked on the man's vehicles, but besides the work done and favors owed they had little in common. To Jan's relief the exchange between them was brief. His story of out of town friends was accepted without any probing. "Here you go Jan, good ole number fifty-three.",the manager said as he tossed Jan a key to a partially furnished second floor unit in the building next to his. He seemed delighted to be cashing in some of those favors.

Jan went to his apartment expecting to find two kids up and about. He was suprised to find them still sleeping and aside from a slight shift in Erik's position still the way he had found them earlier. Jan figured they probably hadn't had a good nights rest in a while so he chose again to leave them undisturbed. He placed the key from the manager along with a note on the dining room table. In the note he told them the location of their apartment and assured them that he would check on them when he returned from work.

Oskar awoke not long after Jan's departure. He pushed down gently on the mound of bed covers rumpled up next to him until he felt proof that Eli was safe and sound within. After verifying that the covers were still securely tucked in around her he left the bedroom and wandered the small apartment until his groggy state faded. A glance at the clock told Oskar that a few hours of daylight remained. He looked out of the living room window to inspect their new surroundings. All he could see were other apartment buildings and the snow dressed courtyard between them. Trails of footprints crisscrossed the courtyard but no one was in sight. He left the window to inspect the carburetors on the table then noticed the note being held in place by the key.

After reading the note Oskar put the key in his pocket then slipped on his shoes and coat. A more thorough study of the courtyard through the window reassured him that no one was around so he left the apartment and trotted down the stairs. Throwing quick and careful glances in all directions he went up the stairs to the adjacent building, found the door with the unit number mentioned in Jan's note and used the key to quickly enter the apartment.

Oskar investigated the apartment room by room. He was pleased to find curtains on the windows which he pulled to as he went to each one. There was a table with chairs in the dining room and a bare mattress resting on a bed frame in the bedroom, nothing else. He entered the bathroom, stepped on the toilet then to the sink and unscrewed the light bulb from the fixture on the ceiling. Everything was just right. He made a stealthy retreat to Jan's apartment.

Oskar went into the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed and shook the bundle of covers.

"Eli. Eli wake up."

The wrinkled mass of covers began to squirm slowly.

"Eli, Jan did it. He got us a place to stay." Oskar said happily. "I've already checked it out and got it ready for us but it's still daytime."

"Oskar...", Eli's voice was muffled by the covers,"...let's go now, in case Jan comes back before dark."

"Are you sure Eli?"

"Yeah. We'll just have to be careful."

Eli cautiously slinked her way out from under the pile of covers, smiling at Oskar as soon as her eyes found him in the room.

Oskar brought Eli her shoes then gave her his hooded coat and gloves to ensure everything was covered except her face. He pulled the hood as far forward as Eli's thick hair would allow.

"Hmm...we still need something to cover your face. Oh! I know..." Oskar ran into the bathroom and found a thick, dark blue towel. "This will do just fine."

He wrapped the towel around Eli's hooded head concealing it completely. Standing back and looking at her he began to laugh.

"You look like some kind of towel-headed eskimo."he said chuckling.

Eli responded by raising a clenched, gloved fist and shaking it at Oskar.

"Alright, alright. Let's go. It's not very far so don't worry." he said as his laughter tapered off.

Eli kept the towel pressed against her face with her hands as Oskar guided her from Jan's apartment to their new residence. With Eli's well being in his hands Oskar was intensely alert and vigilant. The ominous presence of sunlight coupled with the threat of discovery filled the short distance between buildings with heavy anxiety. The slow pace required by Eli's towel induced blindness was agonizing to them both. When they finally entered their apartment Oskar closed the door with a huge sigh of relief.

"Whew! We made it Eli."

Eli removed the towel, took off the gloves and coat and explored their new environment while Oskar returned to Jan's place and retrieved their suitcases.