The Touch of Germany

*1*

The landscape and architecture that surrounded her were astounding. She knew they were beautiful but didn't realize this much. The bass of Love is a Battlefield echoed the small car as she made her way to the UN building. Finally, she was in Germany. Over a year of getting all the paper works, records and cards; plus, the ensuing war was putting a lot of countries on edge as it got worse by the months that passed.

The drive to Bonn wouldn't have been bad if it wasn't nearly five hours away from Berlin and her hotel. She didn't realize that she'd be traveling so much, well until she found the place she was supposed to go to first. The company had told her she was boarding with others and yet she still hadn't found the place. Seems they kept themselves quite quiet to the world.

The GPS gave its command to her as she approached the intersection. Of course, it'd want her to take the good world famous Autobahn. As much as she wanted to taste the speed that her car could deliver, she turned the other way.

"Not confident enough for that yet." she muttered as the device gave her a new route through the quieter half of the city.

Her mind wandered aimlessly as she continued her way to the building, praying she really was equipped for something like this. Not that she hadn't done well before in Boston, but things in other countries were much different on multiple scales. The only real advantage she has was being able to speak the language, thank god for school and her Uroma. That woman was a godsend for her back then, deep down she still wished she was around.

The burning sting to her nose and eyes attacked her, forcing her to pull to the side as her skin began to burn.

"Fuck not again." she rubbed her eyes and nose in failed attempt to rid the pain, but she knew better.

It intensified, the bullets ringing out as screams filled her head. She tried to blink away but all she could see where the bodies. Thousands and thousands of bodies lying upon the ground. One standing out with the sweet red coat, covered in mud and death. The lifeless eyes staring into a void of nothing as the cries of one person came out loud and clear.

"I didn't know." they sobbed, "I didn't know!"

And then, silence. As quick as it came it went away leaving Marie gasping for air and trembling at the wheel. Years this had happened to her, years of unknown answers, doctors and specialist and other remedies to remove it yet no matter what she did, they were always there. Pulling out a cigarette, she lit the thing and took a long pull, filling her lungs with the needed release of pain and desire.

"Fuck those things suck." she said throwing the car in gear and continuing her way.

Not long after the attack, the large UN building came to view as a relaxed sigh escaped her. Finally, she made it to the damn thing. Once settled, she went into the vast building and awed at the uniqueness of it. Historical figures here and there, giving the cultural flair you would expect from it.

"Entschuldigen Sie mich, wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?" someone asked her.

"Oh, ja." she said opening her file and showing the woman the paper, "Wo ist das Zimmer?"

The woman smiled and pointed her in the direction she needed. With curt nod and thanks, Marie made her way into the building, turning where she needed and followed the numbers like she said. As she got closer, she could hear arguing. Loud arguing to be exact. She came up to a viewing point to a large room, slowly she peered in only to see multiple men and women yelling at each other. Languages thrown around and accusations pinpointing at others. Marie backed away, shocked by the sight. She had to counsel people like that of war?

"Hey." someone said.

Marie turned to see a young woman coming her way, a stray Indian feather gracing her ebony hair, "Are you the new counselor?"