The Shadow

Chapter 19

   (In a few chapters, this book will be over. That is making me lowkey sad. I hope you guys will enjoy this one)!

   We made our way down the theater and looked around at the two opera boxes. We saw a few different members of Hitler's Third Reich, including Joseph Goebbels. I felt sick looking at them. We got to our seats and widened our eyes, realizing we would be sitting with different military men. We went over to our seats, saying "excuse me" in Italian accents.

   Once we finally got to our seats, I sat in between Donny and Omar and put my black purse under my seat. It contained explosives in there. They'd for sure go off soon. We waited for a few minutes before the curtains went up and the film began playing. I'm the only one who understands German so Donny and Omar would have to sit here in boredom without knowing what is going on.

   In a way, I admired Fredrick Zoller's acting, but at the same time, I could give a fuck less about him since he's a Nazi. All that was heard throughout the film was just gunshots with a bit of talking in between. How much people did this guy kill?! I was too focused on the film that I didn't notice Donny get up.

   I was brought back to reality after hearing a "psst." Omar and I looked away from the screen and noticed Donny signaling us over. We got up and once again kept saying "excuse me" in Italian accents to the military men. Omar ended up tripping and falling, so I dragged him out and slapped his arm, apologizing to the men before making our way out.

   We ran up the stairs and stopped before doing anything. Donny and Omar looked down at me with sadness presenf in their eyes. It was time. We all agreed that they'd go to Hitler's opera box and they'd kill him while I kept watch if I saw any guards so that I would kill them. At the same time, I'd go inside the theater room and shoot at everyone who tried to escape. We'd still be separated by the time the explosives went off. That meant that this would be the last time we'd see each other alive.

   I began to cry, thinking about how I'd never see these guys, who saved my life the past three years and watched me grow, ever again. "Thank you guys. For everything." I uttered. Donny gave me a small smile before hugging me tightly. After he reluctantly let go, it was Omar's turn. "Good luck Paris." Omar whispered after letting go. "You guys too. Make me proud. I'll see you on the other side" I cried. Donny and Omar smiled and nodded, walking away. I stood there for a few moments, trying to recollect myself, before heading downstairs while wiping away my tears.

   As I was about to make my way to one of the doors, I felt myself getting shoved to the ground. "What the fuck?! Get off of me! Who the fuck are you?!" I shouted. A black bag was put on my head, blocking my vision. I felt my hands being bound together. I began to feel pain in my abdominal area due to the force of the people on top of me, causing me to scream. I was forced to stand and was being dragged away while I screamed for them to let me go. I wanted Donny and Omar to hear me, but I knew they couldn't. I guess the Shadow has finally been caught.

   I didn't even know what was happening. All I can feel is movement alongside the pain of my wound. From the external movement, I knew I was in a car or truck. Either or. Loads of thoughts began going through my mind. Was I being sent to get executed? Was I being sent to a concentration camp? I was ready to die so I'd rather take the execution. I didn't wanna suffer in a concentration camp and have no one to save me. Aldo, Donny, and Omar would be dead by that time and most likely Utivich as well. He was our driver. The rest of the Basterds can't do a mission without Aldo commanding them. I'd just be helpless.

   After what felt like an eternity, the movement finally stopped. I was dragged out and shoved. I didn't know where I was. I was stopped and the bag was removed from my head. I squinted, seeing light after being surrounded by darkness for awhile. "Welcome Frances Mitchell." A voice greeted. "No fucking way."

   I widened my eyes, seeing my worst enemy in front of me. Colonel Hans Landa. I looked behind him and saw Aldo and Utivich, alive. "What the?" I began to ask. "We'll explain later." Aldo responded. "Well, it's great to finally meet the German Army's worst fear, the Shadow." Landa began. I glared at him. I can feel the people that were holding me tense up when they realized who they captured. They were sent by Landa, no doubt.

   "Hey! Löse mich! Jetzt!¹" I demanded. They looked at Landa, who nodded in confirmation. They quickly uncuffed me and ran off. "Pussies." I scoffed under my breath. I stared at Landa, anger evident in my eyes.

   "I'm very surprised about the Shadow. I didn't think she'd be a young girl. They said you were roughly 20." Landa explained, in a conniving tone. "Well, they lied. I'm 14." I responded sarcastically. "Frances you don't have to speak German. We're all speaking English here." Landa said. "Nein nein nein nein. I wanna speak German to you. You don't deserve for me to speak to you in English." I seethed. There was no way I was gonna have him hear my French and newly formed Tennessee accent after what he did to me.

   Aldo and Utivich looked at each other. They didn't know German but they could tell I was angry. "I could see you were present at the 'La Louisiane' tavern last night." Landa chuckled, gazing at my abdomen. I looked down and saw a patch of blood forming on my dress. Aldo and Utivich looked at me worriedly. The blood made its way through my bandages. "Nevermind that. Blame your men for applying force onto it and making it worse. But it doesn't matter. Killing those Nazi bastards at the tavern was worth it." I let out a low chuckle. Landa remained silent. "You made me like this. You made me into who I am. You, the Jew Hunter, made me into the Shadow." I explained, through gritted teeth. This is the angriest I've ever been, and Aldo and Utivich noticed. "Is that so?" Landa asked.

   "Do you remember, back in 1941, you went to a farm? You walked in and spoke to a woman, a man, and an older boy? Then you ordered your men to shoot all three of them? Then the boy looked up and said 'Frances, run?' Then a little girl on top of the stairs escaped after you shot the boy dead?" I asked, harshly. "I have a brief memory of that." Landa answered after a moment. "Well, that was my family. You killed my family in cold blood without a care in the world! Did you even know their names?! Their names were Olivier, Marie-Anne, and Philippe Mitchell! They were people! Not animals like how they and many other Jewish people were treated in their final moments! They died and my innocent 11-year-old self died with them! I became the Shadow because of you! You fucking murderer!" I screamed, crying as I did so. I've waited three years for this moment. I wasn't backing down now.

   It was silent for a moment as I continued to sob. "The deaths of all these soldiers are all on you. Their blood is in your hands. I hope you live with that for the rest of your life. Go to fucking Hell where you belong you scumbag." I muttered quietly, fuming with every word I said. I rushed towards him, wanting to strike him. "Frances! No." Aldo ordered, sternly. I looked at him and saw as he intensly stared at me. I groaned, turning away. I put my back against the wall and sobbed. I could feel arms around me after a moment. I knew it was Aldo.

   I wanted Landa dead. I wanted revenge. He will get it. He will.

   (Landa's a dickhead isn't he? I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I think there will be two more chapters until the end, which is kinda sad to think about. Stay tuned for that guys! See you soon)!

¹ = "Hey! Uncuff me! Now!"