Civilian's Exodus

January last week, 1942

Early at dawn Baldur led the way for the newly-retrieved locals to climb at the top using the three long big ropes, tied with small slabs which serve as surfaces they could sit on. Through it, they could get inside yet its terribly tedious and hazardous. Nevertheless, when living at warzone, simple subterfuge in such a way could make the existing entrance door safer. Prior to this local migration, Albrecht and Baldur gave this bird's eye view to George, teling him that for quite some time in the past, they have learned from grandpa Sibal that one of the leads why areas are suspected of being inhabited are due to the grasses fronting secret doorways or gates. These flattened grasses tend to copiously bend on the ground and usually the reason of people's traceability for hiding inside the area. It was a very natural and practical way of tracing, thus, if the current migrants would enter the entrance, definitely, the way of locating and finding out is easier. This, then was part of their hard-earned decision, considering there were younger ones, women and individuals on their 40's and a few elderly. As per Baldur's record, they reached to 50. These 50 heads will all go for that steepest hill. Otherwise, they will use the old entrance with several slaying dogs.

" Henry, Michael and Gador you go up with me first and we'll take all these ropes on the other side and tie it firmly there. Similarly, Bruno, Narciso, Jacob and Elias, the four of you will catch the opposite end of the ropes right on this spot and keep looking upward with extra care." Baldur instructed.

After a while, Edmund hurriedly ran towards him and whispered.

" The Japanese soldiers are coming and there's around 50 of them in front of the river, fronting this mountain." Baldur signaled all the locals to back off and gather in one place while the soldiers and guerillas had to cover up.

Despite oozing tension of the locals dealt with trauma they experienced in the opponents' prison hubs, they stayed trembling and waited for Baldur's orders.

However, their silence was disrupted by the sound of a vehicle machine gun on the opposite side and noise of grenades and recoilless rifles in separate dimensions. Out of curiosity, Jacob moved closer and whispered to Baldur.

" There's a smoke."

" Those are flamethrowers. Why they used it? So we are not the target. Let's just be extra careful. Hmm...I suspected that they sued the slaying dogs and revenged their comrades' death. Okay, men! let's draw back, check any traces and leave the grounds. Let's get back when its clear and bring everyone in between this mountain and station three." Baldur whispered facing everyone.

Most of the soldiers accompany the 50 locals and only 9 soldiers and 5 guerillas were left. The gunshots and grenade blasts were slowing down."

" They seemed have launched their equipment and weapons in that area." Anthony murmured.

" Yeah, I almost can't count the different shooting echoes and powder blasts. They're powerful and outnumbered too. But we are more blessed if we can keep the locals alive, even after war. Hmm, they're moving out. But let's wait the golden minutes to drive our grounds safe." Baldur slowly said.

The sun has risen and they noticed George was on his way towards them.

" What happened?"

" They destroyed the slaying dogs' den, but they just moved out."

" Okay, men! kindly gather around.

" Baldur moved closer to him and whispered.

" George, don't! I reserved that for my sister's safety. Everyone from the locals might kill or hurt her anytime, give her a safer haven to survive from this war. We even give up what's inside. With just two pieces of this mountain were left for her. Remember that."

Their comrades felt they needed space so they left the two officials talking.

" But look! she's safe there, she's my responsibility already, so listen! Relax."

" The locals will climb to this rocky mountain, there are eldelry and women, they've been into tortures and terrible captivity, do you think they can still go on with their grit and endurance? No. Brother, you can't expect them all alive to get inside. Let's go for plan B which could surely support our primary goal in facing this war. The preservation of lives we are protecting while we fight. She'll be fine. Don't overthink. Leave her to me. We can still preserve our family's safety while we look after the welfare of these people. Please." George sought his permission to open the secret entrance.

Baldur bowed down his head and sighed, "As long as you keep her tightly safe. The war has just started."

George tapped his shoulder as George called everyone in front.

" Okay, men! We'll have a mission. Come, closer." George told him to breath in and out and chill with the morning while he gave instructions.

He was looking at the sunrise and still worried of everything. Magee's safety, the Captain's whereabouts and his wife he had left alone.

" I missed my wife, I must see her again. Yes, George, we'll preserve lives for the people we are protecting." Baldur thought.

George motioned towards him.

" We're done."

" Ows! you go on with that plan B. Oh, ho, no! why are they slashing that black blanket?"

" We'll cover tightly the eyes of all entrants, turn their entire body two times before they could enter the secret door. Only these nine soldiers and trusted guerillas must know where this passage is. Good that these are six American soldiers and three guerillas without any family members in Tikaban. They could never be a threat to Magee. I told them that cave and entrance secret door is at the same time the nook of the lieutenant and his wife ( just a sweeping statement). I also informed them in advance that we'll reopen the old entrance soon, if not, make wooden stairs going up, the safest. How is it?"

Baldur smiled and gave him a hand. Your plan B still looks like much better and safer than plan A, its great! Thanks!"