Hidden in The Hay

The sun crested the hill behind the Big House, its rays bearing down on the farmyard. Della lifted her head and closed her eyes, breathing in the morning. A loud popping sound erupted from the sky, causing her to flinch and snap her eyes open. A massive iron bird shot across the blue sky, screeching as it passed by. Della scrambled to her feet, letting out a low of fear before shuffling quickly towards the Barn. The iron birds had become more frequent in the last few months, and they made Della uneasy. Heinrich and Liesel had certainly appeared more harried when they came to the Barn to look after Della and the pigs. Della could sense the tension in Liesel’s fingers as she pulled on Della’s udders, draining her milk into a pail. She had overheard Liesel’s hushed conversation with Heinrich about hiding the little girl, and Heinrich’s brow had furrowed in anxiety. Hiding the girl would bring danger to the farm, Della could tell.

Della clipped her hoof on the step into the Barn and let out a startled moo. She hurried over to her stall and curled up in the hay in the darkest corner to lick her hoof. The screeches from the iron birds were muted by the Barn’s roof, making the Barn the only safe space on the Farm. Well, perhaps the Big House was safe too, but Della was never allowed inside the Big House. Della’s breathing slowed, evening into a shallow slumber, her heavy head sinking further into the hay. The shadows crept slowly through the Barn’s door, sliding across her sleeping form. A small figure appeared in the doorway, casting a new, child shaped shadow into the Barn.

“Go on now. Get inside!” The figure turned its head at the voice coming from outside the Barn.

“Why can’t I stay in the house? Must I really live with the animals?” The child’s voice was pleading as it spoke.

“You may as well be an animal for all they care.” Spat the figure from outside the Barn, and the child was pushed roughly into the Barn. The giant wooden door clanged closed behind the child as it stepped forward into the moonlight, revealing a small girl. Her features were hard and dark, her coat was torn on one sleeve, and her hands clutched a tattered suitcase. Della lifted her head to peer over the stall at the girl.

The girl looked directly at Della and began running towards her stall. She stopped suddenly in front of the door, her eyes boring into Della’s. “What’s your name? Are you friendly?” she reached a tentative hand into the stall, her fingers hovering in front of Della’s nose. Della snuffled and nuzzled her hand. “You ARE friendly!” the girl shouted. Della pulled her head back sharply at the outburst. She had never like loud noises and this child was far too shrill for her taste. She backed quickly away and returned to the farthest corner. The girl’s fingers were still reaching into the stall, and when Della turned her back to the child she heard the hitch of the girl’s breath as she began to cry. “Not even the cows like me!” she wailed. “I just want to go home.” She sat down on the Barn floor, drawing her knees into her chest and rocking., shoulders heaving. Della closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. This girl was none of her concern. Many hours passed with Della dozing in and out of consciousness. The girl had quieted and slept restlessly in front of Della’s stall, her head resting on a feed bag.

Just before dawn the Barn door screeched open and Liesel tiptoed inside carrying a tray of food. She gently shook the girl awake and placed the tray on the ground beside her. “Amelie you must eat, and as I told you yesterday you must stay hidden now. If they find you they will hurt all of us”.

The girl reached for a piece pf bread and stuffed it hungrily into her mouth. “What about my family? Where is Papa? Did they take him?”

Liesel’s face softened in the moonlight. “You must not think about you Papa now. I am sorry for my shortness yesterday. I know that this must be a frightening time for you. But for now, you MUST stay hidden. An officer will be coming to the farm this afternoon and ha cannot see you.”

The girl chewed thoughtfully. “Why is he coming here?” she asked. “Do they know that I am here?”.

Liesel sighed. “They know that you escaped when the trains were being loaded. They believe that you came this direction, but they have no reason to suspect us. Now, there is a loft above Della’s stall and I believe that they will look there first. You may move there tonight, but for now I have made a hiding space beside the pig pen.” She gestured at a mound of hay piled behind a wheelbarrow beside the pig pen. “You will stay there today, and tonight you will sleep in the loft.”

The girl stood up, handing the now empty tray back to Liesel. “How long will I be here for?” she asked.

Liesel reached out a hand to tuck a piece of hair behind the girl’s ear. “Until the war is over, I’m afraid. Now go hide Amelie. She gave the girl a small push towards the wheelbarrow and watched as she settled behind it in the shadows before slipping out of the Barn and closing the door.

The morning passed uneventfully, with Della being let out of the Barn by Heinrich and stepping into the field to munch on the soft green grass. She was laying in the grass when she spotted the truck coming up the driveway. It stopped a ways from the Big House and an officer stepped out, his uniform crisp and clean. He held himself stiffly as he walked and he seemed to Della to be the opposite of Heinrich, with his lolloping gait and easy smile. Della watched as the officer approached the Big House, Liesel and Heinrich greeting him at the door. All three of them began walking towards the Barn. Della stood up and began the slow plod towards the Barn as well. She did not like this man. He made her uneasy, and after hearing the exchange between Liesel and Amelie the night before she felt a strange desire to protect the girl. She walked past her stall in the Barn and laid down in front of the wheelbarrow, completely shielding it from view. She had barely laid down when the officer entered the Barn, followed by Liesel and Hienrich.

The officer’s nose scrunched up at the scent of the animals the moment that he entered the barn, and Della’s detestation intensified. He immediately spotted the loft and swiftly made his way towards it. Della let out a loud moo, and he jumped backwards, startled. “Does your cow always sleep outside it’s pen?” He sneered. “Livestock. Disgusting.” He muttered this so low that only Della could hear. “We received an anonymous tip that there is a criminal living in the area. We are searching every household and barn for her. Is there any such person living here?”

Heinrich stepped forward. “It is only my wife and I here. Our sons were enlisted in Hitler’s army.”

The officer clicked his tongue. “No need to sound so resentful. It is an honour to serve the Fuhrer.”

Della mooed again, and spit into the hay directly beside the officer. He leapt backwards, disgust plain on his face. “I see nothing out of place, apart from an insolent beast. Contact us if you see the girl, she is quite dangerous. I will be on my way”. He swung around and walked quickly back out into the afternoon.

Liesel and Heinrich exchanged a quick glance of relief before following him. Della snuffled to herself and closed her eyes, luxuriating in the small hand petting her back. “Maybe you like me after all.” She whispered and laid down against Della’s back.

For now she was safe.