The following snippet details a small part of Malinka’s life before my (soon to be published) YA adult novel “Panther’s Head.”
In break neck speed they cut through the forest. Malinka is running first, Victtor is at her heals. She can hear the barking. The dogs are maybe 10 minutes behind them. Chip, the biggest of the German Shepards runs first. Malinka knows from painful experience, that he is the leader of the pack and his bites are the meanest.
Hot pain sears her cheek when the low hanging branch of a tree whips into her face. Victtor gasps behind her; obviously hit too.
“Let’s climb a tree, Mal.” He pants.
“Save your breath.” She answers but she knows he is right. They need a hideout. She takes her eyes from the bumpy trail to search for a tree that they can use. To their right she spies a huge chestnut tree that looks easy to climb.
“Over there,“ pointing the tree out to Victtor, her foot catches on a root and she falls, rolling herself into a ball and tumbling into the bushes. Victtor reacts quickly. He jumps over her, and saves them both from further bruises. He turns and pulls her up. Then he grabs her hand and takes the lead. The sound of the barks grows louder. Birds fly off the trees as the pack of hounds come closer.
Malinka knows they lost valuable seconds. She should have been more careful.
Holding hands, they leave the trail and fight their way through the bushes. Five yards before they reach the tree, Victtor lets her hand go. In huge steps he dashes towards the tree and with a huge leap he jumps up and catches a branch. He flings himself up like a sporting ace. Finding a hold on the tree trunk he reaches his hand down. Malinka jumps. As soon as they get a grip on each other’s forearm Victtor pulls her up with a strength nobody would except in this skinny boy. He takes a deep breath and blows out air. His thin blond hair flies up, reveals the sweat dripping from his forehead. Malinka wipes her own sweat down with her arm.
“Let’s get a little higher, they might catch us if we stay on this branch,” she says.
Nodding, Victtor climbs onto the next branch, Malinka follows.
For now they are secure. They outran the dogs. This time.
Malinka and Victtor belong to a group of kids and teens that is trained to be spies, thieves and killers. Real Life Simulations are every other Saturday and include such fun activities like being chased by vicious dogs, without any protection. There are no security wests or padding materials to protect their behinds, nothing to help against the bites. Sometimes they’re not even allowed to wear a jacket or long pants, nothing to protect their bare arms and legs. Training is every day, no matter what the weather conditions are. Spring, summer, fall and in the ice cold Russian winter. Their commander is merciless. Malinka fears him but she also learned to rely on him, his wisdom and his expertise. She hates herself for being so dependent on him. Every day she looks for something she can do to not feel so helpless and controlled. Every day she rebels against him, at least on the inside. On the outside, she strives to be the best, because that gives her privileges.
“Get down!”
Malinka shivers as she hears his voice. “Only if you hold the dogs back.”
“Get down! Now!”
Hot anger rises inside her. Sometimes he lets the dogs lose and bite them. Malinka just hopes this is not one of these days. Victtor looks into her eyes, squeezes her hand and then jumps. If this is one of these days, he will take the bites for her.
Luckily, it is not. The Commander whistles and the dogs run to him, sitting down next to his feet. They know just as well as Victtor and Malinka what happens if they don’t obey.
Malinka jumps, too. Landing on both feet, she straightens herself and takes a soldier’s stand. Feet slightly apart and both hands interlocked behind her back, she stands next to Victtor.
“Sir!” they both shout. Meeting the commanders eyes, Malinka sees approval there, just for a second.
“Soldiers.” He barks, “that was part one. Now you run back, you have five min advance this time.”
What? He shortens the time even more. This gives them no more time to catch their breath and they need to run another five miles back to the barracks. Despite Malinka’s anger boiling even more, she displays a poker face. Never let him see your emotions! Victtor taught her well.
The commander checks his watch. “Go!”