Outside Enemy Lines

Getting into another place like a hideout seemed a dungeon for Damian, the boy's new name given by the couple Magee and George. Interestingly, Magee introduced him new approaches in order to survive. But he was more amazed of the secret rooms and most especially at room number seven.

" Mama, what is this room for?" Damian asked to Magee.

" Just stay here and grow up faster as much as possible, read the books, and if you do not like the children's books we will tell Papa to send us more books stock in the tunnel. What do you think?" Magee smilingly asked him.

" I'd like to know if what are you going to do with me around, am I a prisoner...I can be a hostage too." Then the boy was teary eyed and bowed his head.

" Oh no Damian...we have reasons not to return you this early, we're at war with your clan, they've been looking for us and...we do not like you to experience the dangers we've been into. Likewise, we're afraid that we can be traced if we release you this time. Damian, I'm so sorry, just help us survive just as we'll protect you with all our might. Hope you can help our countries to be on their own ways, back home with their beautiful people. No one from us is bad. We just need to protect the people of this land. Absolutely, this ground belongs to God , and we're tenants here for centuries. Its how I can explain to you some difficult things but you ought nothing, yes, you don't need to be afraid over us. You are just a boy and you're loved here, understand? So now, make that room number seven as your own, you play there and we'll treat you a family regardless if you will hate or betray us. Do you get what I mean." Magee smiled at him.

" But I don't have playmates here, its very lonely. Back in the bunk house, the soldiers played with me, hmm...but hoping I could have a playmate soon." Damian sighed.

" Haha! we'll find a way to look for a playmate. Just help us pray." Magee then said.

Meanwhile at barrio Makasido, Amado and Isagani lifted their handguns when they have heard a couple of noise.

" N...no! Calm..down...its me, Elmar. I just tried to verify if all of you are still around, I brought some food, packed with banana leaves for your journey back to your place. Here..." Elmar handed to Amado the food pack. Albrecht and the Captain just moved in and greeted him.

" Elmar, thank you. This is all enough. We thank you so much. But are you sure no one has followed you going here, you were called by the Japs before we left." The Captain said.

" Ah, their head asked me for ducks and chicken they'd use for a certain celebration, I don't know what and when." Elmar smirked.

" Hmm, its good you have poultry and swine here too." Baldur commented.

" Yes. Ah, do you want some chicken to raise? I will estimate a few that you may farm with; wait here, it wouldn't take long for me to return here." Then Elmar left them and scouted for chicken for his guests. While waiting for him to get back, they were chatting about him.

" He's so relaxed while I'm a bit nervous, thinking of his safety." Albrecht murmured.

" He's just excited that we existed and jumped inside in the enemy line. Seldom that they see like us around so they feel an overflowing hope." Baldur said.

" That's true." The Captain smirked.

Its almost sundown when Elmar returned and brought 6 chicken with 1 chick.

" There's a chick that followed me when I was on my way going here so its the only one among the adult ones, haha!"

" Wow...thank you Elmar. This is going to be a great farming soon." Amado whispered while everyone started to pack up again to take their exit out of Makasido. With great support from the benefactor they tapped Elmar's shoulder then one by one left as Elmar shed tears and waved a hand on them. Moments later, they've already crossed the road and suddenly heard gunfires, twice; and was coming from Elmar's place.

" Huh! what's that creepy sound coming from Elmar's place!" Albrecht uttered in dismay.

" Peace be with that soul grind with anger, whosoever that be, may he rest in peace, huh! this war is getting worst day by day, c'mon boys! let's get movin'!" The Captain ordered while they were approaching to the border of Makasido and Gabok. Makasido was a bit smaller than Gabok, so basically, if they could reach Gabok, they have to travel almost a day to get across its area. Around hours of traveling and have rested flat their backs on big trees. After some moments of silence, they have heard some noise running towards them. Of course, it made them so alarmed and the Captain signaled them to be on their respective emergency assignments while Isagani climbed so fast to urgently reach the treetop in order to locate the coming entity. Somehow they thought it could be a predator hunting for humans.

" If we fire on that and turn it down! the usual! we have to leave this hunting ground, let's quickly head to Makasido border without traces, okay men! its almost here, one! two!..." The Captain stopped from whispering and from signaling his men when Isagani shouted from above and said.

" Its Elmar! please put your weapons down! its Elmar. No one's with him, he's on a field we've passed by a while ago and is getting too close to us." Then Isagani moved down and they all waited for him.

" Its me! Elmar! Elmar! its me!" then he reached the jungle entrance and collapsed."

" Oh my! he'd ran all the way here! what's the matter with him! Okay Henry, remove that parchment-like thing from his hand. Albrecht, c'mon here!" Baldur instructed while Amado checked his vitals and the Captain pressed his head while walking to and fro under the century trees around.

" Hmm...what's the matter with Elmar. So..who was killed on that gunfire we've heard from a distance?" The Captain thought.