⬆Above is Krista.

Dedicated to CodeRed_MountainDew for being my proof-reader and good friend.

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The freezing water pounding me felt like waves from the Arctic circle against my body. I shivered from its freezing touch, turning the knob to the hot section, but none came. Breath escaped my lungs when the water got even colder. Goosebumps covered my body and my little hairs stuck up on all ends. All of us women shivered while naked, cold, and disgusted with the treatment we were given and by the ice water we were forced to shower in. We were given barely any supplies, except what's left over from the Nazi's showers and scraps of rags.

I washed my long, filthy hair with the little amount of soap the Nazi's gave me, scrubbing at it. Even though I ripped hard at my dirt-caked hair for what seems like hours, I didn't feel clean. I watched the dirt flow from my body, but I still scrubbed like Lady Macbeth scrubbed the spot. The soap shrunk more, barely even a sliver left. Not enough to wash my body with.

Next to me, Krista attempted to wash herself despite her blindness. Her hands slid over to the scrap of rag that was given to her, missing it with the soap. I leaned over and helped her, applying the soap onto the rag myself.

"Danke," she said softly, starting to clean her body.

"It's alright. No need to thank," I replied. Water ran down my head, dripping down my body with the remaining soap suds. I closed my eyes, my mind wondering to a different time. I didn't hear anything else.

~

Alois smiled at me, leaning down and brushing my hair away from my face. "Mother is going to be mad when she sees this mess, Alisz," he said, trying to scold me.

I just laughed at him. "No she won't. She will never know."

"You got flour all over the place. You know that's hard to come by these days."

"I just wanted cake. She will understand."

"We're too broke for cake," Alois said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Go wash up. I'll clean this before Mother sees."

I nodded once. "Yes, Alois." I went on my way to the bathroom, leaving a trail of flower in my wake—"

~

"Hör mir zu!" a voice boomed, breaking the thoughts of my memory. Opening my eyes, I spotted the commander by the door, holding the arm of the sad mother. Her face completely covered in black and blue bruises, hidden mostly by her hair which was matted with blood. She stood like the rest of us, naked and cold.

He shoved her into the room, marching her my way. His footsteps sounded through the deadness in the building. Everyone froze in place and watched with their eyes.

He stopped in front of me, looking me up and down before cracking a smile. I covered my bare chest with my arms and crossed my legs. I looked him straight in the eye, not giving him any satisfaction.

He turned his head away, shoving the woman next to me and handing her a dirty piece of towel. "Wash," he said abruptly. Taking one more glance at me, he walked away, disappearing from where he came.

I glanced at the beaten woman. She shivered, holding the rag tightly before turning around. My eyes looked over her for any injuries. They widened at the sight of red liquid running down the backs of her legs, dripping onto the concrete floor.

Blood. Those monsters.

Her hand blocked my view and she began to scrub the blood away. She never turned her face to see where she was scrubbing, or to see who was watching. She kept her face, her expression, covered with her hair. I frowned, leaving the last bit of my soap for her. I stepped out of the shower stall.

Looking around at each disturbing shower, a chill slivered down my spine. The cracking walls, the rusty shower heads, and the cold, concrete floor fueled that chill. Each shower held up to two of us each. Each one of us stood naked to the skin in front of the soldiers who didn't seem to mind. Each man smiled like he was in a strip bar. Not one of us objected. We covered our most secret places, but nothing could block out their eyes.

We couldn't even conceal ourselves with curtains. None hung on the lone bars on the shadows.

Sturmbannführer Reinhardt walked up and down the hall, watching each one of us like a hawk. Krista dropped her piece of soap on the floor. She listened to the sound then bent to pick it up where it feel. A hand slapped her hard on the butt, causing her to flinch. Reinhardt stood in front of the two of us, looking down with hard, cold eyes. His look ravished out bodies and privacy. He smirked.

Krista stood straight, pulling her hair back. A prayer went though my mind, thankful Krista couldn't see what he was doing. I huffed, grabbing her arm.

He stepped closer. His rough hand grabbed my chin and lifted it up. My eyes met his, sending daggers.

"Niedlich," he said softly, running his hand through my hair. My stomach twisted into a knot. I push edhis hand away, but he just brought it back. Bile rose in my throat with each touch.

He killed a child. Now, he's touching me with blood-stained hands. Blood I cannot see.

"Mörderische man," I spat.

His smirk disappeared from his face. replaced with a scowl. "Stupid bitch." He snatched his hand away, pulling my hair in the process. Hissing in pain, I pulled and scratched at his hand. After a few moments, the grip on my hair disappeared.

The schütze stood behind him, holding back Reinhardt's arm. Krista hummed. Her voice relieved the tension in my muscles. Her smooth and relaxing voice also caused Reinhardt's shoulders to slump.

The schütze loosened his grip on Ryder. "Enough," he said.

Reinhardt's glared up at the man. "You're only protecting your friend's sister. I can choose what I want with her."

"Not if you want to lose your rank, Sturmbannführer." The schütze's voice turned harsh.

Ryder snarled and walked off into a different direction. I looked up at the schütze, widening my eyes when getting a good look at him for the first time.

Short blond hair covered his head, barely longer than a stubble. Blue eyes speckled with green peeked out from behind those blond curtains. Eyes I knew all too well, almost as well as my brother's eyes.

"Adalbert."

He glanced down at me with those amazing eyes. "Yes."

"You're a soldier? We trusted you. How could you put us through something like this. My brother trusted you!"

He tilted his head down. "I'm sorry for putting you through this, but I had no choice. My father is high in ranks, and he made me join the army. I tried to get them to leave you alone, but they wouldn't." He paused, wiping sweat from his face. "Your brother is going into training, like I was. I visited the truck he was in when it stopped here."

My mind cracked, shattering into pieces, as well as my heart. "Alois is training...to be a...killer?"

"Nazi," he corrected.

"Same thing."

"No."

"Why am I even talking to you? You're one of them. You're a killer. Nazis killed a young girl."

"I did not choose this, Alisz. I was taken from my family, forced to join my father in his sick, new ways with the Nazis," he said, smoothly breaking my statement. His eyes closed and his mouth slackened. "I didn't choose this fate."

A breath I did not realize I was holding escaped my mouth. I turned my eyes towards him, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Adalbert."

"Don't pity me, Alisz." He tossed a bag towards me and Krista, who stood silent the entire time, frozen and listening. "Get dressed," he ordered, stomping away from us like a soldier would.

I stared at him, unable to break my gaze away.

"Alisz."

I blinked and turned to Krista, blinded by the sudden appearance of cloth. A white and black dress held to her body filled my sight. The color made her hair stand out, but most of it touched the ground. I opened my mouth to tell her it was too big, but my eyes caught something on the dress which made me stop. I gulped. On the breast of the dress, in bright red cloth, was a swastika.

"You don't have to wear it, Krista. Just put your old clothes on," I stated. "It's too big for you anyway."

Her pale eyes blinked. She lifted her head, hearing the origin of my voice, and turned in my direction. "It's not mine. It's yours, Alisz."

My stomach dropped to the ground. I stated at the Devil's mark, making no move to grab it. "I am not wearing that! I might as well sell my soul to the Devil if I do!"

The young mother looked over at us due to the commotion, her face expressionless like a broken doll's. She wore a plain gray dress with no swastika on the sleeve or breast. Looking down, the other dress on the ground near Krista's feet was plain as well. When I looked up, I saw only one swastika.

Mother walked up to me with her dry blonde hair tied up out of her face. On her breast, a swastika laid perfectly as if it was meant to be there. She placed her hand under my chin, lifting my head up.

"Alisz, just put the clothes on. They were nice enough to bring you something that wasn't a rag."

"I won't wear it, Mother," I said assertively. "I'm not one of them. That mark is a killer's mark."

"Nein! Stop being a stubborn bitch and just put it on. Do you wish to get in trouble like that woman? Do you know what they did to her?"

"I know what they did! I'm not as stupid as you think I am." I placed my foot down. "They are monsters and you're giving into them but I won't. Not yet. Like a rose, I still have my thorns."

Mother's face distorted from a forced smile to a scowl. She clenched her fist, moving each finger toward her palm and pressing hard. She raised her other hand, swiping it—

Ow!

A sharp pain stung my cheek. Putting a hand to it, I watched her with glaring eyes. I felt heat creeping up my neck and cheeks. Hand back at her side, Mother frowned.

"I didn't want to do this to you. Now, just get those damn clothes on before I slap you again." She turned on her heal, walking away, swaying big hips as she goes.

A little sensation shot through me, staring at the hip. I look down to see Krista on the floor, holding onto my hip. Her cloudy eyes locked onto mine, despite the blackness she must see.

She spoke, her voice like a stream running over pebbles, "I heard her...are you ok?" She reached up, patting around for my face.

I gently grabbed her hand, brining it to my cheek, and let her feel the heat. "I'm fine. It doesn't hurt, just stings."

"The sound. I could hear it."

"Was it that loud?"

"No. I don't think anyone else heard it. Just me."

I sighed in relief. "Alright." I turned away, picking up the clothes. The hellish mark seemed to glow, but I slid it over my head anyway. The fabric of the skirt extended to my knees, and the chest didn't show unwanted parts.

At least it covered my body.

I felt around, patting the fabric. Its smooth and soft layers cupped my fingers, sending shivers through me when I brushed over the folds. It's not that bad...

I patted a spot on the dress. A sharp something poked my hand, causing me to pull my hand back, surprised. Tilting my head, I hand dug under my dress where I felt the sharp thing.

A letter slipped out of the folds, gliding onto the floor. I picked it up, feeling around the edges. The letter had no stamp, only my name written neatly on the front.

My hands tore the envelope open, revealing the letter from inside. Unfolding it, I stared at the familiar handwriting I have known for most of my life.

August 22nd, 1934

Dear Alisz,

If you're reading this, then Adalbert has done his job. Don't worry for me. I can't imagine such a beautiful face contorted by sadness. I'm in no danger. I'm fine, and so is Father.

I'm being taken to one of their camps. They said I will be training. Dad is no going with me. He will be at another camp. He will be all right. I promise.

As for me? I'll be fine too. I imagine you in tears now, hearing I'm training to be a monster. I will not be like them. I will never be like them. One day, I will come get you. We will be free. One day.

I will keep writing to you, so you know I'm still alive. Haha, don't get worried now. I'm just joking about the alive part. But, I will keep writing to you, my sister. If you need to comment back, just give a note to Adalbert. He will find a way to get it to me.

One thing, never show Mother these letters. Don't ask why, just never show her. I love you, Alisz.

Your faithful, loving brother,

Alois.

P.S. Don't trust her.

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Another chapter, finally. I'm a bit weary about this chapter, so please tell me your opinions. I'm always up to hear feedback. :) Just don't be rude ok?

How was the pacing? Did this fit ok? What do you think about Warren? And that ending?

Vote, comment, and share if you liked it. Thanks!

Vocabulary

Danke: Thank you.

Hör mir zu!: Listen!

Niedlich: Cute

Mörderische: Murderous