Part 1, Storm In June: Chapters 17 and 18 Summary

Gabriel Corte goes to seek some authority or agency to which he can report the theft of his food but can find no one. They realize the town they are in has been evacuated. Fighting physically, the two are separated by soldiers, who tell them that the cars have all been moved out of town. Corte is beside himself because his manuscripts are gone, but the soldier tells him he will find them and that others have lost much more. Corte calls him a Philistine, the two are ushered off by the soldier who tells them that they are planning to blow up the station momentarily and the Germans are expected any time. After walking and finding no food, they sit on a bench near a church where they spend the night huddled...