Page 361 - The Book Thief

THE SOUND OF SIRENS

With the small collection of money Hans had earned in the summer, he brought
home a secondhand radio. This way, he said, we can hear when the raids are
coming even before the sirens start. They make a cuckoo sound and then
announce the regions at risk.

He placed it on the kitchen table and switched it on. They also tried to make it
work in the basement, for Max, but there was nothing but static and severed
voices in the speakers.

In September, they did not hear it as they slept.

Either the radio was already half broken, or it was swallowed immediately by the
crying sound of sirens.

A hand was shoved gently at Liesels shoulder as she slept.

Papas voice followed it in, afraid.

Liesel, wake up. We have to go.

There was the disorientation of interrupted sleep, and Liesel could barely

decipher the outline of Papas face. The only thing truly visible was his voice.

In the hallway, they stopped.

Wait, said Rosa.

Through the dark, they rushed to the basement.

The lamp was lit.

Max edged out from behind the paint cans and drop sheets. His face was tired
and he hitched his thumbs nervously into his pants. Time to go, huh?