A Bed for the Wretched – Chapter 20

A Bed for the Wretched – Chapter 20

Numo and Pando met after sunset. They sat under the eaves of the horse stables and stared up at the bare and rocky hill. From there they could hear the shouting of people running after the trucks. This was the first time they stayed away from the road. “You said you are going?” Pando said, breaking the silence. “Well, I wasn’t joking, if that’s what you mean? I am going... What other choices are there for me? There at least I know what I will be doing. I spent my entire afternoon with Kosta and I learned a lot of things. What are we doing sitting around here Pando? Nothing! Kosta said if they don’t destroy us after this Gramos offensive they will launch another one. Then they will also attack Vicho. This is because those up high on our side decided to fight on fronts. Now they need more fighters. That is why they plastered all those posters everywhere. They say, “The enemy will never take Vicho!” But what if the enemy does take Vicho? You know that that will mean the end for us Macedonians, Pando…” concluded Numo. Pando kept silent while he puffed on his cigarette and looked high in the sky, turning his head to look at the mountains. Above them shone a pale, sliver of the moon. As he looked at the hill where the road curves, he noticed beams of lights appear. A column of trucks was approaching. Pando counted the lights as they passed. “What number was the last one?” Pando quietly asked. “What did you say?” inquired Numo. “Look up at the curve... How many times have we counted these trucks by their lights? And always at the same curve in the road... Now I am beginning to question on what kind of curve in the road are we finding ourselves? And, as you said, if they take Vicho then on what kind of curve in the road will we be standing? And where will this road lead us?” said Pando, putting down his cigarette on a stone and asking: “Isn’t it time for you to prepare for the road?” “What is there to prepare? I just have to strap and tighten the belts on my leg, grab my crutch under my arm and I will be ready to go. I don’t need a coat, a hat, or a blanket...” replied Numo. “I have two coats and some undergarments. Take something,” offered Pando. “Where did you get them?” asked Numo. “They were left behind by those lying up there.” pointing to the cemetery, “I took them before others had a chance to snap them up. I will go get them and bring them here. You wait here,” said Pando, leaving. A few minutes later Pando was back with a bag in his hand. He put the bag down and after he sat down, he said: “Here I have two coats and some undergarments. I also have some clothes belonging to my son who died in the hospital in Elbasan. Take them, Numo, you will need them.” “Thank you, Pando, but I will not be taking anything with me. Didn’t I tell you I won’t need anything other than a bunker, a machine gun, two or three boxes of ammunition, some bread and a pitcher of water? And now you are giving me clothes. Why?...” asked Numo. “At least take the sweater. It’s made of wool and it belonged to my son. Take it!” replied Pando, removing the sweater from the bag and holding it in his trembling hands while looking at it. “Take it... as if you were my own son... it will keep you warm and it will ease my pain, maybe. Every time I look at it I am reminded of my son not coming back... and I know he will not be coming back, so please take it... If you don’t need it then give it to someone who does. I have seen so many in the Elbasan hospital walking around barefoot and naked. Some of the young fighters used to tell me that they went to battle in winter like that.., barefoot and naked… Take it.”