Page 318 - The Book Thief

Liesel didnt come.

There was no decision to be made. Shed lugged that rusty bike all the way up
there and she wasnt leaving without a book. She placed the handlebars in the
gutter, looked out for any neighbors, and walked to the window. There was good
speed but no hurry. She took her shoes off using her feet, treading on the heels
with her toes.

Her fingers tightened on the wood and she made her way inside.

This time, if only slightly, she felt more at ease. In a few precious moments, she
circled the room, looking for a title that grabbed her. On three or four occasions,
she nearly reached out. She even considered taking more than one, but again, she
didnt want to abuse what was a kind of system. For now, only one book was
necessary. She studied the shelves and waited.

An extra darkness climbed through the window behind her. The smell of dust

and theft loitered in the background, and she saw it.

The book was red, with black writing on the spine. Der Traumtrger. The Dream
Carrier. She thought of Max Vandenburg and his dreams. Of guilt. Surviving.
Leaving his family. Fighting the Fhrer. She also thought of her own dreamher
brother, dead on the train, and his appearance on the steps just around the corner
from this very room. The book thief watched his bloodied knee from the shove
of her own hand.

She slid the book from the shelf, tucked it under her arm, climbed to the window
ledge, and jumped out, all in one motion.

Rudy had her shoes. He had her bike ready. Once the shoes were on, they rode.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Meminger. Hed never called her Meminger before.
Youre an absolute lunatic. Do you know that?

Liesel agreed as she pedaled like hell. I know it.

At the bridge, Rudy summed up the afternoons proceedings. Those people are
either completely crazy, he said, or they just like their fresh air.