THE URN, chapter 12, August 22, 2025

THE URN

Chapter 12

April 1942

Written and illustrated by

Elaine Troisi

Max did his best to navigate the shadows, with the Steins glued to his side. He was relieved at how spry they were for their years, but the urgency of their plight left Max no room for hesitation. Avoiding Gestapo patrols was paramount, and the clandestine rendezvous might give the Steins their only chance to escape the city. There they would soon find Le Chambon-sur -Lignon, a Catholic village committed to providing a safe haven for Jewish refugees.

The journey was agonizingly slow, the winding streets like a maze. For two miles they walked in silence until they reached Place Denfert-Rochereau at two a.m. There they entered the hidden entrance of the Resistance, far below the city in the catacombs, a full hour behind schedule.

If only he knew more about Hugo, the Steins’ assigned guide through the labyrinthine tunnels. He knew only that Hugo was the newest courier guide for the Resistance. Max's anxiety spiked when he looked at his watch, worried HQ would have told Hugo not to wait beyond the appointed hour.

As they descended into the dimly lit tunnels, a booming voice echoed off the stone walls. "Ah, the young Cougar !” Hugo exclaimed, shoving a wad of bills into his pocket. It was a smooth enough greeting, but Max detected a flicker of something else beneath the surface. "Glad you made it, boy. I was expecting the Fox. Told you were replacing him tonight. Who've you brought me ?”

Hugo
by Elaine

Max hesitated, his eyes locking onto Hugo’s before introducing him to the Steins. "Lily and Nathan Stein, this is Freedom, your guide." With a subtle emphasis, he added, "I've decided to stick with you until we reach the city limits, if that's alright with you, Freedom."

Hugo’s gaze flickered to the Steins before returning to Max, a hint of something ominous darkened his eyes. "That's fine, Max. Though it's not necessary, and it certainly deviates from protocol."

Max searched for a plausible reason for breaking protocol, unwilling to reveal his growing unease about Hugo. "I need to learn the route myself," he said finally. "What if you hadn't been able to wait for us ?"

“Got it, son,” he said, nodding his assent. “We must get moving. The sun will rise in another hour, though the hardest travel will be underground.’

For an hour, they walked in silence through unfamiliar tunnels and sewer drains. Max wanted to ensure they were still heading south, so he reached for the compass he always kept in his left breast pocket. But it was gone. After checking all his pockets and finding them empty, Max realized Hugo must have taken it during their awkward, manly greeting earlier.

Max’s compass
by Elaine

Mrs. Stein was sounding out of breath. Max, who was bringing up the rear, shouted to Hugo, “It’s time to take a break, give Lily and Nathan water and rest a minute,” Max said.

Hugo ignored him and kept walking. Max replied, “Mr.and Mrs.Stein,” he said softly, “you must be exhausted. Please sit down. I have more water for you.” He pulled a flask of water, some bread and cheese from his knapsack. His mother thought of everything. Again he called to Hugo to hold up a minute.

But suddenly Hugo was in his face, rage etched in his body language. Gritting his teeth, “Who do you think you are, little boy, telling me what to do? I’ve got plans for you three.” He spat the words out like bullets ricocheting through the tunnel. Lily and Nathan huddled together in the corner, fear gripping them in a vice.

“Don’t underestimate me, Hugo!” Max struggled to remain in control, but Hugo grabbed his collar.

Max wrenched free. “The gestapo lining your pockets, eh, Hugo? Well, as soon as you turn us over, you are as good as dead yourself!” Max’s voice was a rasp, “Traitor!”

With that, Hugo aimed a meaty fist at Max’s jaw. But Max was agile and dodged the blow. He moved swiftly and brought his foot to the back of Hugo’s knee, felling him like a tree. The two men grappled on the ground. Hugo was bulkier while Max’s advantage was agility and energy. Soon Max had a strong chokehold when he thrust his forearm across Hugo’s neck, successfully pinning him down.

Max pins Hugo down in a death grip,
the gun just within Hugo’s reach
by Elaine

Both men were breathing hard, but Hugo’s face was turning purple. Spittle formed at the corners of his mouth. Max continued the chokehold. “You ready to give up, old man,” he urged hoarsely.

Just then a shot rang out. No one moved.

Then Nathan sprang into action, as if young again. He saw Hugo’s gun in his outstretched arm, and he stomped his foot hard on Hugo’s wrist til he screamed and released the gun. Lily cried out in alarm.

Nathan told Lilly to carefully roll Max off Hugo, which she did with surprising alacrity as well. She feared he was mortally wounded. “Please God,” she cried out. She was relieved when she heard a soft moan.

Nathan slowly released his foot from Hugo. “Get up slowly now, mister,” he ordered sternly. “No fooling around. I was a sniper in WWI,” he added defiantly. “I promise I will not miss!”

Hugo slowly stood. He was about to challenge the old man, but lightening fast, Nathan twisted his arm behind him and the gun was at his temple. Hugo got the message

“That’s it, run like the coward you are!” Nathan Stein aimed the weapon at the fleeing figure, adrenalin flowing. He cried out in turmoil, “God, help me!” Realization came … he couldn’t do it. Saved, he fired a shot into the air. His arm went slack, and he breathed again.

Nathan cries out to God for guidance, realizing that he cannot shoot Hugo in the back
by Elaine

Max stood, a bit wobbly, his hand to his head. A slow trickle of blood dripped onto his cheek. Lily’s face read concern. “Let me look. Nathan, your handkerchief, please.”

Max sat while Lily checked the damage. In the end, she said, “You’ll live another hundred years, my boy!” she announced. “It’s little more than a graze.” She wiped the blood from his cheek and hair, smiling.

Max’s gratefulness to Nathan and Lily was effusive, for their bravery and their care. He stood and carefully removed the gun from his friend’s trembling hand. "I was a soldier in the Great War," Nathan said, tears welling.

But Max's grip on his shoulder was reassuring. "You're still a soldier," he said softly.

Lily's smile was radiant as she wiped away Nathan's tears. "You're still my hero," she said, her voice filled with warmth. Turning to Max, she asked, "What's next?"

“Well, I admit to being turned around a bit. I don’t suppose either of you has a compass.” It was really a statement, not a question.

“Actually,” Nathan began, reaching into his trouser pocket, “I do. But, even better, I have this. He handed a folded paper to Max. “That fakakta ‘freedom fighter’”… he spat on the floor for emphasis … “dropped it during the fight, so I snatched it.”

Max unfolded the paper and immediately recognized it as a map of the main routes in the tunnel system. The deviation they had taken was marked in red.

“Look,” he said, “this is about where we are.”

“But we can’t continue on in that direction …” Lily said.

“And we won’t!” Nathan interjected. “That would lead us directly to the Gestapo.”

Max nodded, “but this path,” he said, holding the compass and studying the map, “will take us several miles west of where they are expecting us. See?” he said, showing them the map. Max withdrew his pencil to mark the alternate route.

“Here, let me,” Nathan said, taking charge of their destiny.

“I will go with you to the end of the tunnel at the city limits.”

“That won’t be necessary, my boy. We are good to continue on our own.”

Lily turned to Max and took his face in her hands and kissed him gently on the lips, like Jewish friends do. Stepping back, she said, understanding him,” I know, Max, we aren’t ready to say goodbye either.”

The men shook hands and shared a long embrace. Then they were gone, just like that. Max watched them until they were mere shadows, dancing on the walls of a dimly lit tunnel. He pictured them walking outside into a blue sky day, and he smiled. He turned toward home.