Concentration

Chaper eight

"Whoa, whoa, Harry you're speaking nonsense! You don't even know this girl and now you're willing to risk anything in order to keep her safe?" Liam looks at me with his mouth agape. I know he must find me insane, hell, even I find myself insane. It is true that I don't know her, but that doesn't mean I can't help her. Even if just helping her means sneaking her some water here and there, any little thing helps.

"Yes." I simply reply and Liam shakes his head in disbelief. He leans on his elbows as they rest on the table, his head hangs low while it lay in his hands. I sit across from him, my hands folded in my lap while I await for his response. Minutes pass before he leans his head up and finally opens his mouth.

"Why," is all he seems to be able to spit out.

"Excuse me?" I lean closer to him, narrowing my gaze while doing so and causing a crease to form between my brows. "What the fuck do you mean, why? Why not?"

"Well I don't know Harry, how about the fact that you could be killed for aiding a prisoner, or even worse, you could become a prisoner." He scoffs, rolling his eyes at me. If it wasn't for other civilians in the pub I would reach over the table, grab Liam by the back of the neck, and slam his head against the wooden slab that divides us. Instead I take a few calming breaths, simmering my boiling anger.

"Don't talk down to me or else I'll kick your ass." I pause to let my words sink in and then continue. "I may not be able to save every person in the goddamn camp, but if I at least make a difference in one of their lives by making their stay there a little less shitty then I'll be fucked if I don't attempt it." I slump down in my booth and slide my large, worn hands down the length of my face. Physical and mental exhaustion engulfs my being, though I don't succumb to it. "Look, Liam--"

"Another refill on your beer?"

I am cutoff by our waitress, Sophia I think she said her name was, smiling down to us.

"No, thank you." Liam throws some money down to cover his half of the check while smiling at Sophia. He turns to me and his smile fades just as quick as it had arrived and a look I've never see Liam wear arises on his features. "We're done here." He says to Sophia while keeping his eyes on me.

"O-okay." She stammers, evidentially sensing the tension between Liam and I. "Well would you like a take out box? You barely--"

"No." I don't allow her to finish her sentence. I don't give a shit about this cheap pub food and that I barely touched it. "Like my good friend here said," I stand and throw my part of the money on the table, "We're finished here." I exit the pub angrier that I was when I arrived.

***

I tossed and turned all night, my body never being able to settle on the mattress enough for me to fall into the abyss of unconsciousness. Too many things kept my brain on full alert, such as, Liam being a dick and how I would even get to Eden to help her in anyway I can. I didn't expect Liam to exactly be thrilled with the situation, as it is dangerous and he is my partner, but still, never did I expect the reaction he had given me. He acted as if I asked for his help when that is something I would never do! I would never get Liam in the middle of this and risk him experiencing the wrath of the Nazis if we was ever to be caught. I did, however, think Liam would at least understand my reasoning behind my madness. But, I thought wrong.

My body aches from the lack of proper rest it needed as I drag myself through the camp. Bags droop under my eyes and my shoulders slouch over as if the weight of the world was resting on them. Truthfully, though, that's what it seems like nowadays. It feels like the world is teetering on my shoulders and if I lean to far to the left or right it will fall off and shatter, as if it was made from glass instead of matter.