“We used to snuggle and touch each other all the time and think nothing of it. Then, slowly over time, whenever we would touch, I would feel this electric shock through my whole body.” Hale said.
Maki poked fun at Hale, “I’m sure you were feeling warmth in places you didn’t realize were there up to that point in your life.”
Hale’s pale cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson, “Yes. I began to see here differently. She was still my friend, but something more too. These feelings were fleeting at first and we continued much as we had the previous several years. Every once in a while, when looking upon Nea, I would feel this unexplained warmth in my loins.”
“When did the dreams come?” Maki asked.
Hale lowered his eyes, “About the time I turned thirteen.”
“What did you think about it when you first awoke? Maki asked.
Hale drew in a deep breath, “I was a cornucopia of emotions, horror, embarrassment, shame. I thought I had pissed myself that first time.”
“How did things evolve with Nea after that?” Maki asked.
“I think we were both feeling much the same thing. Every so often, I would catch her looking at me intently.” Hale paused and looked up at the stars, “Then I noticed that she would brush my hand with hers more and more often.”
Maki grinned, “She was trying to make it easier for you to hold her hand.”
Hale returned the Maki’s smile and nodded slowly, “Yeah, and I was too stupid to realize what was going on.”
Maki placed a reassuring hand on Hale’s good shoulder, “Not stupid, just inexperienced and full of nerves. So, what happened to change the stalemate?”
Hale shivered at the growing cold, “We were sitting on the bank of the creek just gazing at the water as it flowed by. The sun was high in the sky and reflecting the light on both of us. I looked over at Nea and she looked up from the stream and smiled at me. I could see the waters of the stream and the sunlight in her emerald orbs. A cascade of feelings erupted inside me and I couldn’t control myself. I got this overwhelming urge to kiss her.”
“Did you?” Maki asked.
“I did.” Hale replied.
“How did that go?”
Hale’s face crinkled as it took on a happier countenance, “Better than I thought. It was very fast and over before we both knew it.”
“So just a peck then?” Maki inquired.
Hale nodded, “I was totally shocked by what happened next.” Hale paused for a moment to rub his gloved hands over his numbing face, “She kissed me back!”
Maki leaned back and laughed heartily. Quickly realizing how much noise he was making, he lowered his volume and said, “Sorry I got so much into the story, that I forgot the Soviets were nearby.”
Hale nodded and held up a hand to silence the conversation. The low thrum from idling engines off in the distance filled his ears, “I doubt they heard you with all the racket their metal monstrosities are making.”
“They are making less noise than earlier. It seems like they’ve stopped moving.” Maki said.
Hale nodded, “They probably are keeping the engines running to stay warm.”
The Lieutenant said, “Let’s get some sleep. We’ll wake early so we can cause some mayhem while they still slumber.”
“I’m too cold to sleep sir.” Hale replied.
Maki sighed, “I am too. Let’s dig ourselves a chamber in this snow and squeeze together in it. Our body warmth should help.” The Lieutenant said.
“Yes sir.” Hale said.
The two men pulled their pukkos out and started chipping away at the top layer of the snow. Before long they had created a dug-out chamber that was just large enough for both of them to squeeze into. The close proximity to Maki in the small chamber began to warm Hale back up. Thanks to the increased warmth, the two men’s breathing became even as they drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 6
Hale was jostled awake by a hand. He groaned, tried to roll away from it, and said, “Dad just a few more minutes. It’s too early to go hunting.”
“Hale.” Came the voice of Lieutenant Maki.
Hale opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness. Startled, he tried to sit up and his head struck the top of the dugout. Awareness of where he was filled him as he groaned and rubbed the spot on his head that had struck the ceiling.
“Are you with me now?” The Lieutenant asked.
Hale nodded and replied, “Yes.”
Maki smiled, “You’re not much of a morning person, are you?”
Hale’s eyes narrowed as they glared at Maki’s back, “No.”
“Let’s get out there, stow our bags, and go hunting.” The Lieutenant said.
They emerged into the bitterly cold darkness. Looking for a place to store their packs, the two men looked about for possibilities. The moonlight revealed a promising looking birch tree with thick branches nearby.
Maki, approached the tree. The Lieutenant brushed the snow off a thick lower branch of the tree and then hoisted himself upward. Once he was standing on the thick branch, he located a smaller counterpart jutting from the trunk and hung his pack from it. Spotting another, similar in size to the one that he hung his own back from attached to the trunk nearby, he gestured for Hale to pass his pack upward.
Maki hung Hale’s pack and then lowered himself to the ground. Turning to Hale he asked, “How should we approach?”
“Straight at them at first. Stay low and try to keep as quiet as possible. We need to get close enough to figure out how they are laid out.” Hale replied.
Maki gestured in the direction of the Russians, “Lead the way.”
Without replying Hale turned toward the east and slowly began creeping toward the road. Based on the thrum and rumble of the idling engines, he figured was about half mile distant. About every fifty feet or so he would pause and listen. Maki was careful to follow in his exact footsteps as quietly as he could manage.
Hale paused, turned toward Maki and whispered tersely, “You sound like fat moose in a glass factory.”
Maki’s face turned crimson from his embarrassment, “Sorry. What am I doing wrong?”
“You’re leading with your heel when you take a step. Try leading with your toes instead.” Hale suggested.
Maki frowned, “How am I supposed to manage that in these thick boots?”
“Just do it! It’s not the most comfortable way to walk, but it helps with the noise.
Hale turned and continued toward the road. The noise Maki was creating diminished considerably. They took about half an hour to cover a quarter of a mile. Hale, like he had done so many times before, paused and listened. This time he heard movement up ahead.
Turning to the Lieutenant he whispered, “Do you hear that?”
Maki listened intently and nodded, “I hear noise, but I’m not sure what I’m hearing. It’s very faint.”
“That’s the sound of someone trying to stay warm while standing guard. I think he keeps shifting his feet in place causing that faint crunching noises in the snow.” Hale said.
“What can we do?” Maki asked.
“You stay here. I don’t think you’re ready to sneak up on someone without being detected. Those city legs of yours need more practice out here first. Get your gun ready and come running if I get into trouble.” Hale said.
Maki nodded as he quietly pulled his PPD 34 from his shoulder, “I’ll be ready.”
Without replying, Hale turned and began moving toward the sound. As he made his way slowly forward the sound increased as the man standing guard grew colder and therefore increased his movement.
About fifty feet out Hale paused. He looked through the trees trying to see the man he knew lay ahead. As he sat in silence, he heard the tell-tale crunching noise of someone approaching. Somewhere near the guard a voice called out, “Kak delishki.”