Strayed (Les égarés)

STRAYED

Why do they flee so fast?

What's the devil's beast? lt's when the devil is there.

The devil wants to take us.

Why does he want to take children? We've done no wrong.

Are you all right?

Your eyes hurt?

l'm all right.

Watch your sister for me.

Why aren't we moving?

Because there are too many people.

Mummy!

- Where were you? - l went to get some air.

l'm thirsty.

Philippe, will you see if anyone can give us water?

They're worn out like us. They won't give water away.

A farmer's selling some.

Ten sous a glass, two francs a bottle.

Do you want a glass or a bottle?

- Any room for me? - No. Sorry.

- There's room in the back. - Not with the children.

Please! Let me get in.

Why? That's unfair.

lt's unfair, but it's every man for himself.

And l don't want to wake Cathy.

Can't you try second?

Changing gears will ruin the clutch.

You'll wear the battery out first, stopping and starting so much.

Don't panic. lt'll last as long as it lasts.

We can cut across after Vendome.

No, it's longer. We'll still need the main road.

See if your father left any cigarettes in the glove box.

You're smoking again?

lt'll keep me awake.

Philippe!

- Why go so far? - They'll be back! We have to hide.

What's on your dress?

l wet myself.

lt'll soon dry in the sun.

You don't need that in the shade.

- Can l go on your shoulders again? - No, that'll do.

Were you alone on the road?

Alone, yes. After a fashion.

Your family isn't with you?

No, my parents died in Abbeville, during an air raid.

You're from there?

Yes. l've been walking 18 days. And it's not over.

Know where you're going?

South, like everyone else.

- And you? - We should have stayed in Paris.

They'll destroy it like Abbeville. That'll mean fewer idiots around.

You're the idiot, saying that!

We can't stay here. Let's find a village.

- But that's dangerous. - Why is it dangerous?

Stay hidden. Villages attract looters.

Unless you're armed, that is.

- Well, good luck. - You're going?

l need a place to sleep. The forest's safe.

- Can l go too? - No, stay here!

Listen, Mum, the car burnt, we have nothing left.

- We'll go back to the road. - To get killed?

You'll do as l say!

No, Mum, l'm sorry.

That chap can help. He knows how to look after himself.

Stay here.

Why have they gone?

To find a spot to sleep under the stars.

What's under the stars?

That's when you sleep outdoors.

Like animals?

That's right, like animals.

Looking for me?

Yes. l don't know your name.

l couldn't call you.

My name's Yvan. What do you want?

To thank you. The planes and all that...

Yeah, you were scared stiff.

Learn to keep your head. Try doing exercises.

- Exercises? - Yeah, to toughen you up.

Could we spend the night with you?

- Your mother agrees? - Of course. Why do you ask?

She called me an idiot earlier.

What is it?

See these tracks? The ground's turned over.

- There've been boars here. - So?

They can charge at times.

l saw a hunter gutted one day.

You shouldn't leave the girls alone.

You enjoy scaring me?

l don't need you.

Go back to your mum and get off my back.

Wait!

lf you stay with us, l'll give you this.

lt isn't a child's watch.

lt was my father's.

The Red Cross put all his things in a tiny box.

- Do you like it? - You bet l like it.

What happened to him?

He got killed early in the war.

He was a reserve lieutenant.

He was ambushed in a forest in eastern France.

He went to fetch one of his men, who was wounded by a mine.

When he tried to pick him up, the Germans machine-gunned him.

He was decorated for it.

Don't you want to sleep a little?

Someone has to tend the fire.

l can do it. l can't get to sleep anyway.

Aren't you cold? Why did you lie so far away?

How old are you?

Seventeen.

Why did you call me an idiot? You should watch what you say.

Sorry, but you can't say that about people...

l don't care about people.

Do me a favour, lady, try to sleep.

lt's the best you can do.

All right? Did you get any sleep?

No, but it doesn't matter.

The stain's nearly vanished.

Where's Yvan?

- He must have gone. lt's for the best. - Why's that?

Something bothers me about him.

Perhaps we should wake Cathy.

What time is it?

- Where's your watch? - l've lost it.

You've lost it? When?

ln the car. lt itched so l took it off.

We'll go back. lt might be in the wreckage.

We stand no chance if we turn back.

What are we doing here? We shouldn't have listened to him.

What do you suggest?

Don't be disobedient. We'll go back to the road.

There's strength in numbers.

And you're easier to spot.

- Where were you? - l found a house.

The owners had shut up the place and cleared off.

- Want some? - Cherries...

- ls there a village nearby? - The villages have been evacuated.

- You should eat. - He's found a house.

- They're really good. - Leave some for your sister.

The miller's wife mills corn.

The miller's husband brings the sheep.

The sheep eats the miller's wife's corn.

ln books, the sheep is bigger than she is.

There are white lumps all around it. They're wool.

l used this to find the path.

lt's over there.

- Ever seen a Kraut? - A German?

- Yes. - No.

l'll show you.

- Where are you going? - Be right back.

His plane must have crashed. His face is burnt.

- What a stink! - He must've been here a while.

That's it. You smash a window and climb in.

You can't break into people's homes.

So spend another night out in the open.

No, l'm scared of wolves.

That's why l lit a fire.

Wolves don't eat little girls in summer.

Enough about wolves!

- l want to do a poo. - Hey, don't shit on me!

- lt's all those cherries. - l'll see to it. Come on.

l've never seen such a beautiful house. lt's like a castle.

Would you like to live here?

Pardon me?

You'd be safe. That's what counts.

There's no one about. They've all left.

Do as you like, but we'll only go inside to use the phone to call for help.

Would you have one for me?

This is my last one. We can share it if you want.

No, thank you, it's all right.

Don't you want to wash? Or rest with the children?

Your son's right not to listen.

- He doesn't obey anyway. - That's natural.

Really? Why is it natural?

He knows you have to act sometimes instead of asking questions.

What are you doing? Come down!

He's really great. Don't you think so?

No, l don't think so. l think he's just totally reckless.

Why don't you have red knickers too?

Red's for girls.

Mummy, what are you doing?

Just having a sit-down. We've walked a long way.

Philippe has picked a room and so has Yvan. What about me?

You can sleep here with me.

- lt's a big house. - Yes, it is a big house.

Mummy... l'm hungry.

l'll see if there's anything to eat.

Do you want me to tell you a story?

No thanks, l'd rather play with the boys.

lt smells of socks!

lt's mimolette. lt's a bit hard but very nourishing.

When you're hungry, you don't complain.

Why aren't you eating any?

l have a knot in my stomach. lt will soon pass.

- l have a knot in mine too. - Just try it.

lf you don't like it, l'll have yours.

Here, have it all.

You'll like this better.

This is delicious.

lt's nice here. Will we stay long?