The Shadow

Chapter 11

   (Hello Rosalies! New chapter time! I hope you guys will enjoy this)!

   ~ 1942 ~

   It's been a year now. Crazy isn't it? I honestly can't remember how my life was like last year before my family was killed. All I can recall is all the killing that I've done with the Basterds. Recently, it was my birthday and I turned 12. Can't say that I care really. I used to look forward to my birthday before. But after Maman, Papa, and Philippe died, I stopped caring.

   The Basterds didn't know about my birthday until two days later. They apologized for not knowing and felt guilty about it, but I told them it was fine. I didn't care. I don't know if I ever will. I thought about my aunt and uncle. They don't know if I'm still alive. We haven't spoken in a year, which makes me feel insanely guilty.

   The German Army still didn't suspect me as being the Shadow even though they had a clear description of me. Which meant that I could walk around without any fear. Well, maybe a little. The dumbasses probably thought the Shadow was a girl in her 20s. Maybe that's why they haven't caught me yet.

   I make a call, praying that it works. Considering I'm in France and my uncle and aunt are in America, I don't know whether it'll go through or not. I have no idea if transatlantic calls are possible. I try my hardest but the operator isn't able to connect me to their phone. I hang up, upset that I can't call my uncle and aunt.

   The only way to keep in contact with them is a telegram. They were more cheaper than the transatlantic landlines anyway. I just didn't know where they'd send it to. Then I remembered. Amelie. I knew where she lived. I could tell them to send it there. I knew she'd take it for me.

   I made a short message that basically said "Oncle and Tante, I'm alright. I hope you both are doing well. Love you both." I couldn't put all of that so I summarized it in a few words and put Amelie's address. After I was done, I visited the cafe. Amelie was shocked to see me. "Frances?" Amelie gasped. She hasn't seen me in a year. I smiled at her.

   "Bonjour amour. How have you been?" I asked. "Better now that you're here." Amelie answered with a bright smile. I felt extremely grateful that she was alright. The Nazis haven't done anything to her. "What are you doing here?" She asked. "I'm just letting you know that I sent a telegram to my Oncle and Tante in America. I put down your address. Do you mind keeping the telegram for me if they respond?" I asked. "Of course I don't mind Frances!" Amelie responded. I smiled. I knew she wouldn't mind.

   We spoke for a little until I eventually left. I waited for about a week before heading to Amelie's apartment on her day off. She handed me the telegram. "Thank you so much." I expressed. "No problem Frances. It was my pleasure." She voiced. We bid our farewells and I walked away back to the Basterds.

   I opened the telegram when I was away from them. My heart collapsed reading the contents in the telegram. My Oncle and Tante passed away a few months ago due to the flu. A friend of theirs was the one who responded. Regret, guilt, and devastation began to form inside of me all at once. I began to wish that I would've contacted them before. To let them know I was fine. They died without knowing if I was alive and well.

   My Oncle Jacques Mitchell and my Tante Élise Beaumont were amazing people. They were devastated when Maman, Papa, and Philippe died. My Papa was Oncle Jacques' brother. And Tante Élise was Maman's best friend. They were extremely grateful that I was alive once I made it to their doorstep. They became suspicious when I began learning German and how to kill. When I went back to France and told them my plan, they were worried sick. That's why they wrote my name on Donny's bat, something I didn't know until later. They must've thought I was dead. If I knew then what I know now, I would've contacted them earlier.

   Guilt enveloped me and tears escaped my eyes. I really hope and pray they didn't suffer. I really hope to God that they're alright. For the first time in a year, I started praying. The last time I went to synagogue was in Boston, before I left to France. It all seems like so long ago. I recited the Mourner's Kaddish. A prayer for the dead. I recited this after my family was murdered. Here I am doing it again.

   "Yisgadal, veyiskadash, shmey raba." I whispered. I can't believe I knew this prayer so well. I only recited it once in my life. I finished the prayer and looked up at the sky. I never knew how much I missed Shabbat services. I lost my faith this entire year. I don't want that to happen again. "Oh God. Please don't make me lose my faith again."

   (This was pretty sad. I hope you guys enjoyed this though! I hope this is accurate to Jewish prayers. I did some research but please let me know if it's accurate guys! See you soon)!