Heroes of the Secret Underground Chapter Sampler

The soldiers study the walls filled with paintings of mythical Greek gods, fields of honey and gold, generations of portraits. One soldier picks up the golden candelabra with its seven lamps of wisdom. ‘No … not … our candelabra … the light …’ Mamma cries . The professor grabs her hands. ‘Leave it. You must leave it.’ Verushka whispers, ‘Shush, Mamma. They may take the candelabra, but they can’t take the light. That is always ours.’ Mamma leans back in her armchair. Her eyes cloud over as the soldier steals the candelabra. The silence is lead as the Lieutenant continues to write his inventory. He writes the list of all the precious things that make up their home. He threatens, ‘ Do not think of hiding anything. Otherwise …’ He points to a soldier. ‘We will be back with a truck. He’ll wait at the front door.’ The Lieutenant snaps his notebook shut. He looks over at Verushka, with her soft hair tied into a waterfall of white satin ribbons. He walks towards her. The boy leans over Verushka’s chair. The Lieutenant laughs. ‘Hey, boy, so you’re protecting her?’ The Lieutenant bends down so close that his hot, sticky breath clings to Verushka like paste. As he reaches for Verushka, she jerks backwards. The boy jumps in front of her. The Lieutenant shoves him to

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