1957

 It was much too dark. He would already be there when she got back. Liesel shakily buttoned the top button of her coat, warding off any cold that might have made it under her clothes. At this point in winter the temperature was rarely above 1°C. Her toes were already freezing in her pumps and she was sure if she didn't get home soon they would be susceptible to frostbite.

Finally she turned onto her street and hurriedly trekked to her house, ignoring the car that was parked on the street in front of her house. She unlocked her door and rushed inside, locking the door behind her. Maybe he would go away now that he saw how distressed she was.

Before Liesel had even had a chance to hang up her coat a sharp rapping on the door grabbed her attention. She solemnly trudged to the door and unlocked it, not even bothering to look through the peephole. He stood at the door, smiling sickeningly.

"Heil Hitler." he saluted.

"Heil Hitler." She mustered.

"Guten Abend, Fräulein." he said, tipping his hat at her. She forced a smile. Richter knew English better than half the people in this horrid town, he only ever used German when he wanted to exert his power.

"Good evening Captain." She said, trying to bite back her disgust. "I don't really think that I'm up for it tonight, I'm very tired, and it is very cold. You'd do well to get home." She said.

"Oh nonsense Liesel! My conversation will surely make you feel better!" He jokingly nudged her with his elbow. "And if not, my alcohol will, no?" He laughed at his own joke and she concealed her flinch at his touch.

"I'm not really up for it Captain..."

"Felix, Liesel, call me Felix." He interrupted.

"I'm not really up for it, you should leave." His eyes darkened and chills went down Liesel's spine.

"Now Liesel, I really hope you are not restricting an esteemed officer of the SS. That would not be very wise of you Fräulein." His lip curled up on one side, he knew he had won.

She begrudgingly opened the door and allowed him inside. She closed the door behind him and motioned for him to sit down at her table. He smiled and obliged her.

"Ah see, wasn't that easy, meine Lieben?"

"Please don't call me..." She started, but trailed off as his gaze grew dangerous again. "Would you like me to pour you a glass Captain?" He smiled again and nodded. She opened the bottle of schnapps that Richter had brought. He only ever drank German alcohol, just like he only ever drove German cars and only ever wore German clothes. Liesel happened to be German herself, but she did not have the same ethnic pride that Richter had.

"So Liesel..." she cringed at his informal use of her first name. "...how was work today?" She cautiously sat down and took a small sip of her own glass of schnapps, she'd have to keep her wits about her when he was here.

"It was very busy today, Herr Richter, I hardly even had time to eat my lunch, what with all of the decrease in workers, I've been holding three people's responsibilities." She realized her mistake and quickly tried to remedy it. "Of course, this is a sacrifice I am willing to make for the good of the nation, we are better with fewer workers than more Jews." She said, trying to get through the whole sentence without getting nauseous.

He smiled at her assertion. "Liesel, have I ever told you how much I adore that you can speak German? It is so very...attractive." he said, his voice low and sultry. He reached his hand over to her knee and rested it softly on her thigh. She pulled away quickly, slapping his hand off of her.

"Captain, you must not touch me! I am an unmarried woman, just having drinks with you this late is improper for me!" She said standing up and backing away from him.