The Six Escapes - Finding Lost Civilizations

was to no avail, and they told me again notto worry. Then they asked me, "Can youget us two bicycles, and the 15,000 dinarsfor our expenses, so that we can buysomething?" I gave them the money (mysix months’ wages) and borrowed twobikes for them. I asked my company for twodays’ leave by pretending I had to attendthe funeral of a close relative.The next morning we were off, cyclingthrough Maribor with no problems. But justas we were on the other side of the city, alady approached us on a bicycle, and myfriend said, “It’s my wife!" She recognizedhim and stopped, got off the bike, andangrily said, "What the hell are you doinghere?" He was perplexed, anduncomfortable, and all of us were worriedas we stepped off the bikes. He said, "Icame to see my children." From across thebusy street, she continued sayingsomething about the children. She then goton back on the bike and left. And so did we— in the opposite direction.Once again I asked my friends not to goon, but instead to let me make thearrangements so they could see theirfamilies and friends." Both said, “We’ll becareful; after all, we're experts in hide andseek." In few minutes we came to anintersection and agreed that we all wouldreturn to my aunt's house by nightfall. I left,taking a road to where my brother waspresently working with our relatives on afarm, to inform him of our escape plan intwo days’ time while my friends continuedwith their families. My brother was ecstaticto hear the news, and said, "I'll be ready."