at three o'clock in the morning alex got up from a bed looked out of the window. olivia opened her eyes 'are you ... are you leaving now?' she asked 'yes, ' alex said' i can't stay longer. perhaps the police are you there now. they're watching all our friends' houses, pauli told me. 'he put on his shoes and coat, then looked at his wife
'olivia. listen. be very careful and live very quietly. the police are going to watch you for some time. wait for a year, then take the children and leave the country secretly. our friends can help you, find a new home in a new country and make a new life.'
olivia began to cry. but alex! you're going to be there with us.'
alex smiled.' yes, perhaps.' he look his wife's face in his hands and looked into her unhappy eyes. don't cry, my love,' he said quietly. give me a smile before i go.'
oh alex! i'm afraid!' olivia could not stop crying. 'i love you, i love you,' she whispered. 'go quickly. and be careful. please.
alex smiled sadly. 'goodbye, my love.'
he left the house quickly and went out into the dark night. he waited for ten minutes at the door and listened, but he heard nothing and saw nothing. he came out into the road very carefully. again he waited. from an upstairs window in his house, a white face watched him. then alex began to walk quickly along the road. he stayed near the houses and looked behind him again and again. two hundred metres along the road there was a car, alex stared at it, but there was nobody in the car, and he walked quickly past.
suddenly there were noises and lights - and soldiers with guns. alex began to run, but he did not run far. there was a shot ... two, three, four, five shot ... and alex did not move again.