The Underground

by Michelle E Lowe

  Frederica switched on the bulbs. One electric knob burned bright pink, and the other an electric green. The still image of the bat showed in shades of pink on one disc, and the woman, smoldering in green, on the other. Both images were enlarged by the lenses. Wires, surging energy into the bulbs, were connected to the same voltaic pile that sat between the Illusion Wheels and the heating lamp.

  “Unbelievable.”

  “Go sit over there,” she commanded gently, pointing to a cluster of chairs nearby.

  Pierce did so. Frederica shut the heating lamp off, leaving the room a two-toned color. She turned both cranks simultaneously, spinning the wheels. Pierce’s jaw dropped and he just about fell right off his chair. The images were set into motion! The bat flew, its wings flapping. The dancing woman leaped high, landing with a twirl, her frilly skirt moving like thin cuts of paper with her every move. Five seconds in, and the motion pictures started all over again when the wheels had fully rotated. In no way did they move effortlessly. There was a bit of lag with each half second of the fame that passed, but bloody hell, they moved!

  Frederica let loose the cranks, allowing them to turn on their own. Pierce had no idea how they did so, nor did he care. He was utterly captivated by what he saw. She took a seat next to him.

  “Mr. Hofer says this sort of thing will replace plays.”

  Pierce blinked, realizing he hadn’t done so in a while, and then turned to her. “As fascinating as this is, I highly doubt it.”

  She looked at him, her face aglow in pink and green. “I feel so comfortable when I act around you. I hope I’m just as relaxed in front of an entire audience.”

  He sensed the fear in her. It was as easy to read her as it was for her to read him. Pierce wouldn’t call it love, exactly, but there was no denying there was some sort of cosmic connection binding them together.

  “When I was a lad, I used to perform short, one-man plays to earn money for the troupe. Once, I was absolutely terrified to go on stage, and you know what I did?”

  “What?” she demanded.

  He turned away a moment, then returned his gaze with a mischievous grin. “I imagined everyone naked.”

  “Naked?”

  “Yip. And wearing silly hats.”

  Frederica laughed so hard it echoed throughout the tiring-room. She even let out a snort and slapped her hands over her mouth until she could contain herself.

  “That is one of the most amusing things I have ever heard.”

  “And that’s why it works. Viewing the audience in a ridiculous light will help keep you from feeling so vulnerable.”

  She smiled broadly at him.

  “I’m calmer already.”

  He felt an intense heat radiating off her. It made his own temperature rise. In the past week, he had experienced times of extreme difficulty in which he found it hard not to indicate his desire to be with her, especially when sharing the same bed. She hadn’t offered any sign of wanting him except when they were drunk and playing that silly truth or dare game. Frederica was simply the loveliest person he’d ever been around. She was ambitious, and she possessed a pure, natural beauty that ought to be immortalized in portraits. Looking at her as he did caused the moving images to vanish.

  “I think I’ve figured out why I helped you,” she confessed softly.

  The heat turned into white fire when her silver eyes pierced him.

  “Why?” he asked just above a whisper. His throat was suddenly dry.

  “I told you my instincts urged me to do so. In a way, it’s almost as though I’ve been waiting for you.”

  He could no longer bear it. Pierce threw caution to the wind and kissed her. The move caught her off-guard, but she opened her mouth and kissed him in return.

  “Let’s go to the basement,” she suggested with a heavy breath.

  He never thought he would want to return so badly.

  They nearly raced each other to the bed and practically tore off each other’s clothing. She was reaching for his scarf when he gently grabbed her wrist.

  “It’s all right,” Frederica assured soothingly. “I know about the scar.”

  He reckoned she must’ve seen it at some point when he’d been careless, or maybe she had had a look while he was asleep. Either way, her awareness of the unsightly thing relieved him. He allowed her to remove the scarf, and shuddered when she kissed his neck.

  They fell upon the bed, kissing each other everywhere. Her body was marble white and firm, a form that charmed him. Pierce couldn’t touch her enough. When they could no longer stand it, Frederica mounted him. Her breath became heavier with anticipation, as did his, nearly driving him mad. He grabbed her by the hips as she directed him inside her. She moved her body while easing down, and when that intense, and unmistakable feel of sex, rushed through him, she let out a pleasurable moan and started working him as he had never experienced before. This was nothing like what he had had with the Gypsy girl, Narcisa, who had been a virgin the same as he. Theirs had been a clumsy experience, more awkward than enjoyable. By the time they had gotten the gist of it, Pierce was run off by the girl’s father.

  What he had now was pure pleasure. A gluttony of lust!

  The strange connection they shared boosted their sexual drive, and for hours on end, they could not get enough of each other.

  * * *

  In the week that followed, Frederica and Pierce were at each other every chance they got. He was very good despite his lack of experience, Frederica thought, and yet, it gave her the creative advantage to introduce him to other sexual pleasures, such as melted candle wax.

  If she wasn’t upstairs rehearsing for the upcoming show on Friday, or tending to her other duties, she was enjoying herself with him. What was it about Pierce that brought such intense passion out in her that it left her unable to walk at times afterwards? She didn’t exactly quantify what they had as love. He was a beautiful boy, intelligent and kind, but he was also young and very wild. She doubted there could ever be a life with such a person, and despite their connection, they were simply two comets on a collision course. Besides, she was unwilling to toss her dream away to be with a fugitive.

  One day, he would need to leave.

  After hours of enjoying all the pleasures their bodies could give, Frederica left for the roof to fetch water for a bath. She had placed many buckets on the rooftop in order to collect rain water. It was far cleaner than any city water. She brought four pails down one by one, and as she returned from her final trip, Oskar appeared.

  “Oskar,” she said as she climbed down the spiral stairs from the rooftop. “You’re here early.”

  Oskar Brune was the theater’s stagehand as well as the maintenance man. He was also the theater owner’s nephew. He had helped her obtain a stable job by convincing his uncle that they needed someone to maintain the costumes. Oskar had also persuaded his uncle to allow her to stay in the basement if she worked for little wages. Without Oskar, Frederica might not have established what she had.

  “I wanted to make sure everything was in working order for your grand performance tomorrow night. Perhaps I could watch you rehearse this afternoon, if that is all right?”

  “Of course.” She smiled at him while carrying the bucket out into the hall. “And thank you for the added attention. Every little bit will be of great help.”

  “May I carry that for you?” he offered, reaching for the handle.

  Her exhaustion prevented her from refusing. The walk from the spiral staircase to the basement wasn’t far, but it would give her weary arms some rest.

  “Ja. Danke,” she said with gratitude.

  They walked together.

  “Are you nervous?” he asked.

  Frederica’s thoughts were on the young man waiting for her downstairs.

  “Am I what . . .? Nervous? I was, but I think I can handle myself.”

  Even during short trips, she took no chances of letting anyone else enter the basement. When they arrived at the door, she reached for h
er keys. She always wore simple work gowns and aprons with pockets she sewed on herself.

  “It has stopped raining,” Oskar pointed out as if she wasn’t already aware. “Would you care to go for a walk with me through the park? After your bath, of course.”

  “I’d love too, but I got little sleep last night. I should really try to rest before rehearsal.”

  “Were you cold?”

  She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.

  “No. Not in the least.”

  “You should let me install another heating lamp down there. Perhaps convince my uncle to bring the one down from the old tiring-room.”

  “I will before winter.”

  She turned the key and took the bucket from him.

  “I can carry this down for you,” he insisted.

  Oskar was such a sweet young man, kindhearted and willing to please. She also found him attractive in his own charming way.

  “Danke, Oskar. I can manage from here. Besides, I do not wish to keep you from your work.”

  She quickly slipped inside, and as she closed the door, he said, “You won’t be keeping me.”

  After securing the lock, Frederica went downstairs with the heavy bucket since Pierce was not waiting at the top of the stairs to collect it as he was with the others. She figured he had overheard her and Oskar speaking. When she reached the basement, she was pleasantly surprised to find him naked and inside the brass tub, surrounded by many lit candles. She found it fortunate to be in a place with a generous supply of stage props to use. The cold water didn’t seem to bother him, and he looked so beautiful in the firelight.

  “What took you so long?” he quipped playfully.

  She couldn’t wait to join him.

  * * *

  After rehearsal and tending to her chores, Frederica hurried off to the general store for food. The extra funds Pierce had offered were helping her plenty. Granted, she didn’t particularly enjoy spending stolen money, but eating something other than crackers and rice was a pleasant change. She bought hot soup to eat and a bottle of whiskey so she and Pierce could play another drinking game. When she returned, Oskar was waiting for her.

  “Guten Abend, Frederica.”

  “Guten Abend,” she greeted, stopping by the door so she could bring out her keys.

  “You have no reason to lock up when I’m here. I’d never let anyone go down there while you are gone.”

  She looked at him fondly.

  “I know you wouldn’t. You’re such a good man.”

  His cheeks reddened.

  “I appreciate the compliment.” He noted the bag she carried. “Oh, you bought food?”

  “I did. I’m absolutely famished.”

  She twisted the key in the lock.

  “I was kind of hoping I could take you out to dinner. You’ve done well in rehearsal today. The director thinks you have true talent.”

  She snapped her head around to face him. “He said that?”

  “He did, and if you are as captivating tomorrow night, he’ll see to it personally that you receive more roles in other plays.”

  This was the news she had been dreaming of hearing.

  “Oh, Oskar!” she exclaimed excitedly, hugging him tightly.

  As she embraced him, she saw her wonderful future, one of many great performances that would wow audiences around the globe. She envisioned a home—a real home—with fireplaces to sit by on cold winter nights, wide rooms to have soirees in, and a lush spring garden. She envisioned her life as she had always wanted it to be. Frederica was so caught up in her dreamland that she hardly felt Oskar’s arms embracing her.

  She withdrew and asked, “There’s going to be a party after the play. Will you join me?”

  He seemed stunned.

  “You would want me by your side?”

  She shrugged. “Why not? I’m only here because you got me this job.”

  The glee in his eyes sparkled. “I’d be honored, Miss Frederica Katz.”

  She smiled widely. She really did appreciate everything Oskar had done for her. Such a handsome, wonderful young man as he . . . she wondered why he hadn’t already obtained a woman.

  “Grand!” she said in English, imitating Pierce. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  With that, she twisted the key and went into the basement.

  She and Pierce never made it to the game before they undressed. This time, it was a tender slow lovemaking that nearly caused her to weep. She was so happy.

  Pierce’s moans grew louder, and he was about to raise himself up as he always did when he was about to reach his peak. This time, however, she clutched the back of his head and tightened her thighs around his waist. She didn’t know why. Perhaps the good news made her want him a little more. It was too much for him to resist. As he climaxed, Pierce grunted loudly, leaving him breathless and trembling.

  They kissed, and she cried.

  Chapter Nine

  The Dress

  “It has been two weeks, General Jäger,” Commander Keegan Durr said. “And you have failed to deliver the highwayman. Mayor Abendroth is furious.”

  Volker had hoped to find the outlaw. Several young men, somewhat fitting the footmen’s description, had been brought in, but none were him. The quest to find the thief had become an added annoyance that was keeping him awake at night. The hunt was constantly on Volker’s mind as if it were a disease inside his brain. It was growing to be an obsession.

  “How am I going to explain that he escaped?” Commander Durr asked him sternly.

  “Sir, I believe the boy is still somewhere in Hamburg.”

  His commander knitted his eyebrows. “Do you?”

  “The widespread search has covered miles of ground fairly quickly. And the undercover soldiers I assigned have turned up nothing. I think he has gone underground.”

  “For the past two weeks?”

  “Ja, sir. I suspect our heavy-handed presence has kept him from coming up for air. If he has been getting any help, it would make it easy for him to wait out the storm.”

  The commander gave this serious consideration.

  “It’s not entirely unlikely. All right, General, do a thorough sweep of the city. If the fugitive isn’t brought in by the end of this week, you’re done here. Understood?”

  Volker left his commander’s office. He didn’t particularly like taking orders, but that was the way things needed to be at the moment. He wanted to climb the ranks and obtain something his murderous mother would’ve taken from him, had she succeeded in killing him as she had done his father. He needed to find the vagrant, for the only thing he had in this world was his military life. No wife, no children, and no other family or friends. If he failed, he’d lose everything.

  General Jäger, and every soldier at his disposal, fanned out throughout Hamburg, searching through building after building, knocking on apartment doors, and searching them. They questioned and continued their hunt.

  After a fruitless sweep through a cathedral, Volker was beginning to doubt his instincts.

  “The thief may not have gone far from where the footmen located him, sir,” an officer suggested.

  Volker mulled it over and revisited the interview he had had with Geisler Hirsch’s footmen.

  We pursued him into the Imperial Theater, where we lost him.

  I stayed behind until I was told the thief had run out of the building. When I went outside, I found no one.

  Was it possible someone at the theater had lied to the footman?

  * * *

  Pierce lay on his side with the sheet over his naked waist. Seeing him like that made Frederica want to take off her clothes and jump on top of him.

  “I’m proud of you,” he said. “You’re actually living out your dream.”

  “What about you?” she asked, sitting at the vanity table and combing her hair. “Don’t you care to do something else besides thieving?”

  “I’ve never given it much thought. I used to want to be a toymaker w
hen I stayed with a tinkerer as a child.”

  “And now?”

  He sat up and rubbed behind his neck.

  “If I had to choose, I think I’d teach.”

  His answer surprised her.

  “Teach?”

  “Aye,” he said in his own language. “I reckon I could be an English professor.”

  Frederica snorted. “Well, if you’re going to teach English, it would help if you used proper grammar.”

  He laughed.

  “Aye. I’m afraid I am a bit of a hick.”

  She began applying her makeup. “I hate to say this, but you should dress. The stagehands will be down here shortly to retrieve props for the play.”

  Pierce huffed and turned away. “S’pose I could hide inside the cello case again.”

  “Or you can go out,” she suggested. “I’ll bring a disguise good enough for you to walk around in. I’ll leave the rear exit door unlocked when you return.” A cold fear washed over her. “You will come back, won’t you?”

  In truth, it would be best if he tried fleeing the city altogether. She needed to let him go at some point. They lived on two separate plains. Her bad judgment, however, wanted him to stay.

  Pierce grinned at her. “I’ll come back, love.”

  She brought down an oversized prosthetic nose and bushy eyebrows from upstairs. She also gave him an out of style suit to wear. When he put the whole outfit on, even Frederica thought it looked ridiculous.

  “At least it’s a night out,” she said.

  * * *

  Pierce had a lovely stroll. He didn’t wander too far, but it was nice being able to stretch his legs. The smell of the night air—even though it was smoggy urban air—was a pleasant change.

  He pondered on what to do about him and Frederica. Could they have some sort of life together? Would he be willing to change his ways to do so? He wasn’t sure if he was ready to settle down. He had been traveling his whole life. Staying tethered to one place seemed so dull. Maybe it wouldn’t be that way with Freddie. If they left Germany and lived in some other country where she could still pursue her dream, like France or Rome, he could study to become an English professor. It just might work.