THE JOURNEY 

By Tessa Harvey

    Alice was very nervous, still unsure she was doing the right thing. To be honest, she was just plain scared.
    However, she had made very discreet inquiries to people she valued and trusted. Tonight she was to go to Jean-Paul and Marie Closier's house. The colonel was still out, but she felt she had to take the risk. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," she murmured softly - then repeated it as she crept to the front door. The children were not left alone.
    A nurse and two maids lived in. They had bedrooms near the children or up in the attics. The latter were quite comfortable and kept warm when the weather was cold. The house was quiet and still.
    Suddenly Alice froze. Someone was outside fumbling quietly, turning the doorknob. Mesmerised, the young girl watched, too afraid to move.
    Guilt swept over her. She herself had just unlocked the door to go out. The door opened and Colonel Keller half-fell into the hallway. His face was white and strained. Blood dripped from his arm.

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