Field of Blackbirds - Clayton Jeppsen & Lindsey Jeppsen (me reader txt) 📗

he knew it was his injury that attracted Milla’s heart of gold.
Lazar couldn’t help but ask about Sofi and where her parents might be. Milla promised she would share the details with him soon, when they had more time by themselves. She did, however, introduce Sofi as her very best friend, someone who had been there for her in the darkest times. Lazar was happy to hear that Sofi provided comfort for Milla. She was so full of life. Lazar noticed she had a contagious brightness around her. He feared that her family wouldn’t be coming back. He knew Milla was all she had. Her innocence was heart-settling.
Sofi was already in the driver’s seat turning the wheel from side to side. Her next discovery was the CB radio. She began twisting the knobs, mimicking all the squelching noises.
Lazar walked over to Milla. She had found a tree stump alongside some dried sunflowers. Lazar sat next to her. It was a revitalizing feeling. A place he thought he’d never find again. She found his hand and took it in hers. A cool breeze met them. It caused Milla’s honey-blond hair to wisp back and forth around her face. She tucked it behind her ear and gazed questioningly into Lazar’s eyes. Lazar returned the gaze. It was like looking into the brightness of the sun, it almost hurt. Lazar had forgotten how beautiful she was. Her brown eyes glistened with emerald splinters. Her sun-golden skin was smooth and warm to the touch, almost hard to believe that it was tragedy weathered. And her lips, red like ripened cherry blossoms. Lazar thought about it, but he didn’t dare. He hadn’t yet earned that right.
Milla turned her body a little toward Lazar’s as if to say something. A few seconds later she found the courage.
“Lazar, I want you to know how I feel. I’ve learned a lot about myself over the past few months. And believe me; I’ve had time to think about these things. I was trying so hard to think what was worth living for here in the camp. Why don’t people just give up the fight? The world they are fighting to hang onto is full of disappointment, full of hate, full of fear, full of blood and full of doubt. The end would certainly be easier. It would certainly be clearer.”
Lazar hated to hear Milla speak this way, that it had gone that far. He reached for her. He wanted to touch her face, but he felt awkward and laid his hand on her shoulder.
“Lazar I finally discovered what makes people keep pushing farther, what causes them to do amazing things under amazing pressure. I found it in the last breath of a drowning mother, parting with her daughter. I saw it in an old man’s face when it was brutally beaten away from him, and in what he accomplished to prove that it was still there. And Lazar, I saw it again this morning, when you came to me. Perfect or imperfect, strong or battered, common or deranged as it might be, love is the one thing worth fighting for. Love is the one thing that has the power to crush everything negative. It’s the light that guided you here.”
Milla cupped Lazars chin with both hands and brought it slowly upward, “I love you Lazar.” And then, she kissed him.
This was beyond all Lazar’s expectations. Milla must have ached for him the way he ached for her. She’s right, he thought. It was broken and battered, but it was there and it had brought them together. In his heart, Lazar felt he wasn’t deserving of what Milla was offering.

As Sofi continued to twist the knobs on the CB, under the static, Radenko could hear someone from their unit trying to communicate with them. He walked over and fixed the antenna. Sofi hopped in the back with Josif.
“Corporal Katich, Private Gavrillo, do you copy?”
Radenko motioned Lazar over and picked up the hand held mic. They had already discussed their plans.
“This is Private Gavrillo, I copy.”
The voice changed on the other end. It was Nikola. “Radenko, I’m glad to see you’re still alive.” Radenko sensed his sarcasm. “How’s it looking over there? We’re headed your way.”
Radenko remembered what they promised Ibrahim. And the truth really was that there was no resistance. Radenko keyed the mic, “Zvornik is clear. Srebrenica is clear.” Radenko paused a moment, “No Resistance.”
“Good, I knew they didn’t have it in them.” Nikola’s voice sounded even more disturbing over the radio. “Corporal Katich, are you listening?” asked Nikola.
“Yes sir, I’m here.” replied Lazar.
“I have another assignment for you two. We’ve gotten word from a Muslim rat that there is a group of five to ten men east of the refugee camp in Srebrenica in a bombed out house. There is no information if they are armed or whether they are civilian or military. They’ve been watching the refugees for two days now. Find them and detain them until I get there. I want to know who they work for.”
“Yes sir, we’ll attempt to locate them.” Lazar looked at Radenko, who was shaking his head.
“Good! Don’t get yourselves hurt!” added Nikola, clicking off.
“That’s exactly what he wants.” Radenko announced. “This is another suicide mission, five to ten men?”
Lazar glanced in Milla’s direction. He was glad to see she didn’t hear Radenko’s comments. Radenko removed some extra weapons and a portable radio from a compartment in the back of the jeep. Lazar left a handgun under the seat for Milla. He showed her how to click off the safety and gave her a few pointers.
Lazar showed Milla the basics in operating the jeep. “You have a full tank of gas. It should take you all the way to Sarajevo where you can get some rest and something to eat. Don’t spend too much time there. Get to Split as soon as you can.” Lazar grabbed Milla’s hand, “Here.” Lazar turned her hand over and placed a crinkled wad of money in it. “It’s not much, but you will need it more than we will.”
“I wish you could come with us.” said Milla.
“Me too.” admitted Lazar. “Now that I’ve found you, I don’t want to let you go. But if I go with you now I’ll be considered AWOL. I could be tried for treason and shot. As it stands, they’ll think our jeep was wrecked, abandoned and scrapped for parts by refugees. I might get a Court Marshall out of it or at least latrine duty. But I will stay alive to see you again.” Lazar took her hand and kissed it.
“I understand Lazar. I know you can’t come with us. I just hope to see you soon. I want you to be careful.” Tears filled Milla’s eyes.
Lazar tried to assure her of their future together. “Stay with your aunt in Split. I have her address. I will come for you there. If you’re not there, she will know where you are. Milla nothing will ever keep us apart again, I promise.”
Lazar then took Milla into his arms and kissed her passionately, trying to fill all the empty spaces he knew would come in the months ahead.
He and Milla then said their goodbyes. Lazar walked back and patted Sofi on the head, knowing it was her mother that Milla spoke of.
Sofi smiled and tugged on Lazar’s arm. She pulled him downward and whispered into his ear, “I saw you and Milla kissing.”
Lazar looked at her almost embarrassed. “But I won’t tell anybody!” she announced out loud.
Lazar laughed. “Thank you!” he said, reaching out and rubbing her baby fine hair with his hand.
Lazar shook Josif’s hand, also knowing he was the old man Milla spoke of.
“Take care of them, Josif.” said Lazar.
Josif nodded his head and gripped his crutch with both hands, giving it a little shake.

The engine choked a little and then kicked over. She began moving away from him. He heard the gears shifting and the rocks that kicked up in the undercarriage. Now, on the other side of dust, she was gone. Lazar prayed to the same God who led him to her, that she would make it to Split safely.

Lazar and Radenko had orders, but they kept their promise to Ibrahim. They spent hours warning the Refugees. Only a quarter of them started packing their things and less than that, actually started south toward Croatia. They had contacts in Srebrenica working on shelters for the women and children, but nothing could be promised.
Radenko gave Ibrahim two AK-47’s, a CZ and a couple hand grenades. It was a start for his four-man resistance, and he was grateful.

The two soldiers went east of the camp in search of their five to ten-man audience. They found a group of homes that had been bombed out. Tall thistles and wild sunflowers had grown up around the homes. It was obvious they had been abandoned for some time now. Two of the structures were two-story, quad homes. The north walls were completely blown open. Then there were four, single-story homes. Three, were nearly all rubble. The one closest to the city, had been burnt, but had faired considerably next to the others. In that home, they noted movement, even a faint spark of light. They decided to wait until dark. Then they would make their attack. Radenko made sure their weapons were loaded. He divided the last of the grenades; three apiece. Still, behind a thicket of trees, Radenko raised his binoculars and watched. Over the next two hours he counted five men. All five appeared to be in fairly good shape, military type. One of them, Radenko thought, had to be a Westerner. It was the way he looked, the way he moved. He was different from the others. He looked American, like someone Radenko had seen in the movies.

The day yawned. The night stretched.
“Are you ready?”
“Ready!”
Quietly, Lazar and Radenko moved in toward the house.
Chapter 31 – The Color Red


The small flicker of light was enough to worry Reed. Otto nearly vanished in a costume of smoke, revealing only his hand and part of his arm as he passed the lighter to Angelo.
“Meistergeiger fur das Staenderat.” Otto whispered with his nose in the