Words on Fire

Audra stays at Milda’s for three months with no contact from Ben or Lukas. No one delivers any new books, so Milda’s book inventory dwindles. During these months, Audra observes Milda’s classes and studies some books on her own until she teaches herself to read. 

The more she reads, the more she understands the significance of the smuggled books. She even begins writing her own stories, continuing Rue’s adventures and aspiring to be brave like her (149). Milda encourages Audra’s storytelling, believing that Audra is “meant to create with words, not simply absorb them” (150).

Audra convinces Milda to let her start carrying books again, but she only delivers books to drop sites, as this is a safer alternative. Milda sends Audra to deliver a book hidden in a quilt as a wedding gift to a nearby church. She watches the family partake in wedding rituals, and Lukas surprises her there. They are about to dance when soldiers suddenly interrupt the wedding. Audra hears Officer Rusakov announce that they will be conducting a search.

Lukas and Audra hide behind a barrel before sneaking off to the barn. Rusakov finds the book hidden in the quilt and demands that the guests confess who brought it.