My Story: World War II - German [COMPLETED]

3: Change

I looked through the crack of the bookcase to see what was going on in the office. Through the window, I could see the Gestapo standing there. Mr Kornfeld opened the door and the Gestapo stormed in.

"Is there anyone else with you?" a Gestapo asked. Mr Kornfeld, who was a proud man, stood up straighter and nodded.

"My family is upstairs," he said. I knew that his family lived there but we tried to avoid each other. Deniability was key those days in a situation like we were in.

"Go," the Gestapo said as he look at two others. I took a deep breath as they stomped upstairs.

"What is this all about?" Mr Kornfeld asked. A Gestapo slapped him and I felt my eyes widen in shock.

"Shut up, you Jew! What makes you think that you can talk to an Aryan like he is your equal?" the main Gestapo said as Mr Kornfeld rubbed his cheek.

"Daddy!" a young girl exclaimed as she ran to Mr Kornfeld. A woman and a boy about my age walked into my view as well. I knew the boy. Zach. The boy that I gave my pocket square to.

"Let's go," the main Gestapo said as he nodded towards the door. None of the Kornfelds moved which made the Gestapo angrier and pull the youngest Kornfeld forward.

"Why are you doing this?" Zach asked as they pushed him away from his sister. Mr Kornfeld put his hand on Zach's shoulder.

"Just go," the Gestapo stated and Mr Kornfeld brought forward Zach and his wife as Zach grabbed his little sister.

I sat in a shocked silence. Every single muscle in my body was tense and I wanted nothing more than to run after them but I knew that it would cause more problems than there already was.

After an hour, I moved the bookcase and found the office pulled apart. I considered myself lucky that they left the bookcase alone. I walked to the center of the room and shook my head as I looked around. How are could this happen?

I walked home and put my hands in my coat as I started walking home with my head stuck in the idea that I didn't know where the hell that the Gestapo took the Kornfeld family.

When I got home, I found my family just sitting in a circle and not saying a word. I didn't know why they we were like that until Adeline ran and hugged me as tears rolled down her round, pale cheeks.

"My draft papers were delivered, weren't they?" I asked. My father nodded and I stood up straight.

"Then I will serve Germany to the best of my ability," I said. Adalwolf ran over and hugged me as well.

"We can find a way to get you out and make sure that-" my mother started. I shook my head.

"I will serve my country and you cannot stop me. If I don't then it will just be someone else's. Plus Grandfather and Grandpa served for Germany and I will make them proud," I said as I let my siblings go.

***

I laid awake in bed that night staring at the ceiling. Bed. I mean the floor so my siblings could have the couch and table and sleep well. I couldn't find myself able to sleep due to everything that had happened during the day.

"Alaric? Are you still awake?" Adalwolf asked from the table. I sat up and looked at him. He was propped up on his elbows.

"I am. What's wrong?" I asked. He sighed and looked at he table.

"Must you go to war?" he asked. I cocked my head at him.

"I have to. Maybe I get enough money that you can get your own room," I told him. He smiled and laughed a little but it disappeared quickly.

"I don't care about that. I rather see you everyday," he said and I sighed.

"I'll write you everyday and tell you about the war," I said. He swung his feet so he was sitting on the table like a normal person.

"I read All Quiet on the Western Front," he told me. I stared at him.

"That is a banned book! What the hell were you thinking?" I whisper-shouted at my younger brother.

"The book burning ceremony last month, it was so tempting. I grabbed it when no one was watching. I read every word. War is horrible," he said.

"What did you do with the book? Tell me you got rid of it," I demanded. He shook his head.

"I took it to my hiding place," he said. I sighed until he continued, "Along with other books I saved." I stared at him.

"Are you insane?" I asked. He stared at me.

"Just as insane as you are for working for a Jewish man," he said. We looked at our parents' room and then back each other.

"Tomorrow, we are talking in your hiding spot," I said. He nodded and laid back down. I really had to protect my brother.