Daniel Pov Prisoner Of Night And Fog

Chapter 43

Torchlight flickered over the men in the square, turning them into reddish shadow. The SA men along the back of the square watched us, most likely waiting for a signal to attack. The brownshirts clustered around the Feldherrnhalle's base weren't paying any attention, they must've not heard the news yet. It was some luck in our favour.

We went into the square. The nearest Communists marched past shouting "Death to National Socialism!" in a group of four, arms linked, their eyes darting towards the brownshirts surrounding the Odensplatz. The SA said nothing, but looked like they wanting to start a fight at a moment notice.

Gretchen let my hand go, putting her plan in motion "Stick close" I muttered "If we lose each other in this crowd, we may never find each other again" I warned.
Gretchen nodded, letting herself stumble into the closet line of brownshirts. Awkwardly, they caught her in a tangle of limbs, she quickly pushed herself away "One of them pinched me!" she shouted as loud as she could "One of those loathsome boys laid his hands in me!" she shouted again.
So this was her plan, it could work, but it could also give us lots of attention "No!" some of the men said "She fell into us--" they tried to say, but the crowd had a sudden uproar. It's common knowledge to insult or touch a girl or woman is very disrespectful and can easily cause a fight.

People started punching almost right away, you could hear the sound if fist meting flesh. I was close to grabbing Gretchens hand when someone pushed into her, separating us, before I felt someone start punching my shoulder, making me bite back a scream. There was a wall of bodies blocking me from Gretchen. I tried to go into her direction when someone pulled on my left shoulder, the same one that someone had punched seconds before.

Among the yells of the chaos that had now started, I heard a somewhat familiar voice say Gretchens name. I could see two blonde heads, one male, the other female, one of them had to be Gretchen, the other could be her brother, but something seemed off about the fellow. I could hear bit's of their conversation "I.. find the Jew... else... reporter... him... fight... Communists" the male said, it had to Gretchen and someone she knew, oh God, this isn't going to end well. I got elbowed in the head, I gained my balance again, my eyes blurring for a second, but the pain didn't process, I was too worried about Gretchen, at least who I think is Gretchen.

I started to panic, "redeem...sin...Röhm" I hadn't a clue on what was getting said, I was worried on what could happen. I tried to get there, but got elbowed in the ribs and back. I saw Gretchens blonde hair rush off before meeting with Röhm. I could see something shining in the torch light, it had to be a gun, and it seemed it was pressed against Gretchens chest.

I saw Gretchen try to sprint away, and I heard the gun shot. Within seconds, people stilled. I tried to get to them in the second. Through the bodies I could see a dead body, but I was too far to see who it could be. Gretchen was crouched by the fellows body. Suddenly she looked around, seeing how still and quiet everyone was.

Gretchen jumped up, her eyes looking to Röhm's hand, there was a gun, she turned on her heels and started to run when the pistol was raised, I tried to get her, thankfully we weren't too far apart, so made my way in her direction the best I could "He has a gun!" Someone shouted.

The chaos started again, I got a punch to the shoulder again, but I followed Gretchen, if we lose each other now, we won't see each other again. I was getting pushed forward from the fighting bodies, I could Röhm shouting Gretchens name.

I was just behind Gretchen when she tripped over, but managed to gain her balance again "Gretchen Müller! Someone, stop her" Röhm shouted.
Thankfully no one tried to stop her. Gretchen kept getting pushed and shoved around, she was much lighter than I am, so she was probably finding it harder to gain balance. Suddenly I saw her fall, shit, if she falls over, it's over. I reached out and grabbed her arm with my hand "Sorry" I said when I saw pain cover her face "But you mustn't fall or you'll be trampled" I said, trying to keep my pain out of my voice.
I stumbled beside her, getting pushed in the process, she said my name. We grabbed hands and rushed out of the square. Once we were out, it was like a breath of fresh air.