The Split

Chapter 47

Berlin, 1945

It took several seconds for Gisela to open the door. When it swung open and I saw her, my heart started pounding. There she stood in the doorway, wearing a light blue silk maternity gown, her hair in curlers, a worried expression on her face. She was as beautiful as the day Gerhard had met her, maybe even more.

"Gerhard? What's wrong? Is everything okay I--"

Before she could finish her sentence I pulled her close and kissed her. She was caught off guard but soon melted into my arms as our lips moved together. I could feel her heartbeat, I could feel the heat from her tiny pregnant belly as I pulled her in even closer. We stopped kissing, but I held on to her for a few more seconds, holding her tight, knowing this might be the last time I would get the chance.

"That was nice," she smiled, her eyes sparkling with happiness, "But what are you doing here? I thought your unit was stationed in Wilmersdorf?"

"They are," I replied, "I left to come get you. We need to leave Gisela, the city is falling."

She looked confused, "But I just heard on the radio that the city would be getting more soldiers from the North and that the Russians were still miles away. Minister Goebbels said the battle shouldn't reach us for days and--"

"Goebbels is lying," I interrupted, trying to keep a gentle and patient tone, "He knows that if the city knew the truth, there would be panic and chaos. Since I last left yesterday morning the situation has deteriorated. There are no reinforcements coming, all of the men to our North have deserted us and head west. I imagine they are going to the Americans to surrender out of fear of what the Russians will do to them. We number less than 100,000 in the city, the Soviet army that surround us is reported to have as many as a million. Our men are mostly old men and boys Gisela, if the Russians have really broken our lines, Berlin won't last past sundown."

Her eyes widened as she heard the grave news. When I was done speaking she turned and looked out the window thinking. I gave her a few seconds to process what I had told her.

Looking around the apartment, I felt a nostalgic sort of sadness as Gerhard showed me memories of his life here through the years. There were parties and meals filled with laughter; drinks with friends and deep conversations about the meaning of life lasting late into the night. I had just stepped foot inside, but already it felt like I had been here my whole life.

Gisela turned to me, her face resilient and strong. Gerhard had always loved her for that. Living through this war had been hell, but she had done it with the poise and grace of a queen.

"Gerhard... What are we going to do?"

"We're going to get you out of the city."

Her face grew concerned at this, "And what of you my love? Will you not be coming with me?"

I paused, I didn't want to lie to her but I knew what she needed to hear, "If I can darling, if I can."

"Where can we even go? If the city is surrounded, and there is no way out by rail, what options do we have?"

"There is one station still operating," I replied, glad I had overheard this the day before, "Lehrter Station still has trains running. They're medical trains, carrying the wounded and children out to the East. The allies have prohibited the Russians from bombing them, so it's our safest bet."

"Lehrter Station?" She replied doubtfully, "That's in the middle of the city, just north of all the shelling."

"I know, we're going to have to take the long way around."

She thought about this for a minute and nodded. As she opened her mouth to speak, the blaring noise of sirens cut her off. We both looked up, I could hear them coming from multiple areas in the city. It could mean only one thing, the Russians had breached the outer city limits and were on their way to the center.