Ficlets

Secrets of the Underground

Miklos hurried down the street, his footsteps spattering the cobblestones with urgency.

At this hour, silence hung over the whole of Koshmar Rajon save for the trickle of distant rainwater and Miklos’ own frantic breaths in the dark. A sudden chill and the boy pulled his overcoat tighter, careful for the prize concealed beneath it.

At the sound of an auto behind him, Miklos vanished into the safe shadow of a narrow alleyway and crouched. Presently the vehicle appeared. It drove slowly, waving a spotlight, peering into every cranny.

On the door Miklos could just make out the insignia of the policii.

He backed cautiously through the alley shadows and into a footpath behind the building. He could continue undetected off the street, but he would be late for tonight’s rendezvous.

An hour later, Miklos entered the Pytka Gardens with trepidation. “Ochen’ pozdno,” spoke a voice, irritated. “Do you have the Charter?” Miklos nodded and reached into his overcoat. He felt only his sweater.

The Charter was gone.

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