EXILE.a wwii novel

ACT 1

Hayden's POV 

I was walking down the streets of Berlin, one of the few times I wasn't in my full SS blazer. Even without it, though, the emblem on my tie was enough to draw looks. The streets were filled with people who averted their gazes the moment they saw me, and I hated it that way.

Then, out of nowhere, a man shoved into me, sending me sprawling onto the ground.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, you dummkopf!" I shouted, brushing the dirt off my uniform. I watched as the man just kept running, no apology, no second glance. "Idiot" i muttered

Before I could even get up, a girl ran up, completely out of breath. She looked at me, eyes pleading.

"Please, officer! That man stole my bag!" she said, panting. "You have to help me!"

" oh will you please–fine" i said as i looked at the direction of where the man ran.. Nothing pissed me off more than someone disturbing my peace, and if this guy thought he could get away with robbing someone here, he had another thing coming. Without a word, I took off after him.

My shoes slammed against the pavement as I picked up speed. Just as he glanced over his shoulder, I reached out and tackled him, taking him down hard against the stone. I twisted his arm behind his back, pressing my knee into his spine as he struggled.

"You filthy, rat!" I growled, pinning him tighter. My eyes landed on the Star of David armband he wore. Typical. "You piece of shit," I spat, clenching my jaw as fury surged through me. "Stealing from a girl in the Führer's city? Pathetic."

I tightened my hold, wanting to hear him beg, wanting him to know he wasn't going to get away with this. But just as I was about to deliver another blow, a voice cut through my anger.

"Stop! You're going too far!" The girl's voice was filled with outrage, and before I knew it, she was right there, her eyes blazing as she glared at me.

"You think he doesn't deserve it?" I shot back, not letting go of the man. "He's a thief. Who stole from you." I twisted the man's arm even harder, ignoring his whimpers.

But Sasha stood her ground, crossing her arms and looking like she had every intention of fighting me on this. "Yes, he deserves punishment, but not a beating like this! He's already down!"

»↠ ≈☆≈ ↞«

I snorted, barely glancing up at her. "You're just a civilian. You don't know what the hell you're talking about."

She bristled, her hands going to her hips. "I know what's right and wrong. And this?" She gestured to the man pinned beneath me. "This is just you throwing around your power."

"Oh, you think you're so clever, do you?" I sneered, anger bubbling up as she challenged me. "Maybe if you'd done a better job of watching your stuff, you wouldn't be here asking me for help!"

Sasha's eyes narrowed, and she looked like she was about to say something back when another voice joined us.

"Hayden, stop it!"

I looked up to see Anya, stepping into view, watching the whole scene with a mix of anger and disgust. She was still in her SS uniform, but there was a glint in her eye that told me she wasn't here to support me. Anya was a loose cannon, one of the most rebellious officers I'd ever met.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped.

But she didn't answer me. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a few Reichsmarks, bending down and offering them to the man beneath me. "Here," she said, her tone surprisingly gentle. "For food, clothes—so you don't have to steal again."