The Impossible ||| l.h

★彡Kapital 1

Sie/Her

Frankfurt, Germany

April 27, 1938

"Slow down you betrüger" I called after my best friend. We were currently running down the streets of Frankfurt nearby our school. We were racing to see who would get back to school first before Frau Herman caught us. You see, here in Germany, the way our school is run is by our "great" Fürhrer: Adolf Hitler. The reason why I put the quotations around great is because he has some good ideas about Germany, but the majority are bad; in my opinion. But I'm a little young to be thinking about such things. After all I'm only 13 years old.

"I beat you again" I yelled out as I tried to breath normally again. "No fair, you cut thru Herr Zimmerman's store" He exclaimed. " Well you pushed me, and you tripped me in front of the Bürgermeister's house!" I backfired.

"Children!" Frau Herman calls after us in an angry tone. We stare at her in shock, for she is the meanest school teacher in the entire city! She was a plump lady, with fading blonde hair. She wore her hair high into a tight bun.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to be late for class?!" She yelled as she yanked our ears, pulling us inside the old school building.

She pulled us through the whole school by our ears, until we reached the head administrators office. "We'll see what Herr Steiner has to say about your behavior!" she yelled.

We gulped a she knocked on his door. His secretary opened it moments later and allowed us in after Frau Herman explained why we were there.

Herr Steiner was a big man, at least 6 foot 5. His blond hair was pushed back and slightly shaved on the sides. He was wearing a black suit with black, glossy leather shoes.

"So, what do we have here?" Herr Steiner said. Even when talking his voice boomed. "These... children, have been late for their Mathematics class everyday for 2 weeks in a row. I tell them everyday to be on time, but they do not listen!" Frau Herman exclaimed.

"What do you have to say for yourselves, children?" Herr Steiner asked. He stared at us with his cold, ice blue eyes. I was so scared of this man, you have no idea.

Thankfully, Luke knew that and answered for the both of us. "We're sorry, Herr Steiner" Luke said. Herr Steiner abruptly slammed his hand on his table and yelled, "You're sorry? That's all you have to say?". Luke seemed to be shivering in his shoes, as was I, but it was my turn to "take a stand".

"Sir, w-we are t-truly sorry a-and we won't let it h-happen again." I stuttered.

Herr Steiner looked both of us over, a stern look on his face. After a few moments he finally spoke. "Luke" He said as he got up from his chair. "Are you in the Hitler Youth?" He asked. "No, sir. I don't see any good reason to join a camp that makes you run laps around a muddy field all day." Luke replied.

Herr Steiner gave him a hard look, he quickly raised his hand as if to slap him. Luke flinched. But before he brought his hand down, his face turned into an awkward smile. He put both his hands on Luke's shoulder and began to brush the dirt off them.

"Oh it isn't like that at all, Luke." He began. "You learn a great deal more. You learn how to survive in the wilderness with only a few items. You play games, such as capture the flag. It's a great deal of fun! I'm sure you would enjoy it, Luke." He said to Luke as he put on a fake smile.

Luke looked at him for a moment, then to me. He looked slightly confused at Herr Steiner's odd actions, which I was confused as well. Luke opened his mouth to speak but Herr Steiner cut him off. " Luke, you just like about it." He turned to Frau Herman who's mouth was open, and told her to take Luke and I to our class.

♥♦♣♠

After class day was over, Luke began our usual walk back home. It was very convenient that his house was right across the street from mine.

As we were walking, we ate apples that out mothers packed us for lunch, we began to talk about Herr Steiner. I began the conversation first.

"That was quite strange the way Herr Steiner acted today."

"No kidding. Can you believe that they actually do more than run at Hitler Youth?" Luke asked.

I stopped walking and turned to him. "Luke, you aren't actually thinking about joining, are you?" I asked in disbelief.

"Well why not? Doesn't it sound like fun? Camping, games. Anything wrong with that?"

"Well... Why would Herr Steiner ask and tell about it? Doesn't it sound kind of suspicious to you?" I asked as a I took a bite of my apple.

Luke simply shrugged and took a bite of his apple, juice slightly spraying out.

We walked in silence for the rest of the way home. As we reached our street and we were about to go into our homes, Luke yelled across the street.

"I think I'm gonna join" He said.

I just shrugged and smiled. If he wanted to join that was his decision. To be honest, it did sound like a lot of fun.

He waved as we walked into our homes.

As I closed the old, wooden door, I began to notice how dark it was in my small home. All the curtains drawn, all the shudders closed, the doors to the sitting room as well. I walked into the center of the house, which happened to be the kitchen, and called out to my family.

"Mama? Papa? Opa?" Those words echoed into what seemed to be an empty house. Maybe they were sleeping, or at the market.

I decided to go upstairs and see if they were there. The old, wooden steps creaked louder with each step I climbed. Once I got to the top, I checked Opa's room first. He wasn't there. Mine was right next to his, so I checked there next. No one there.

Suddenly I hear weeping coming from the next room. My parents room. I quickly rushed out of my room, and pushed my parents door open. What I have been dreading to see, I saw.

My father, with his eyes closed, laying on the bed. My weeping mother holding his hand, which she supported, as she sat on a chair. Finally Opa, standing at the foot of the bed, his hands holding the railing. His old legs barely being able to support him.

I turn to Opa. "Is he..." I couldn't finish. I knew the answer, Opa just confirmed it with a small, single nod.

I ran to Opa , hugging him as I cried onto his chest. We all knew this day was coming. Father had been ill for almost a year. No one really knows how he became ill, it just happened.

Opa looked at me with his old, kind blue eyes and said,

"The funeral will be the day after tomorrow."