Deception - WWII Resistance / Holocaust Novel

chapter 48: confessions

'Anneke informed me that you had been arrested,' he doesn't look at me, his eyes are fixed down.

'How long has it been?'

'Five days,' he confirms.

It had felt longer.

Lieutenant Winter fidgets with the front of his uniform, unbuttoning the top and reaches inside his pocket. He pulls out a brown envelope and slowly steps towards me. For the first time since he entered the cell, he looks me in the eye and hands me the bulky envelope. 'She wanted me to give you this.'

I open the flap and reach inside, my fingertips graze against something soft and fluffy.

A sandwich.

It was such a simple gesture and yet it meant so much.

'You must give her my thanks,' I said sincerely.

Looking at the two slices of bread alone reminded me of the burning sensation in my stomach caused by a prolonged lack of food.

I closed my eyes and took the time to digest every flavour.

A moment of bliss.

I considered saving some of it for later but decided against it.

We stood in silence as I hungrily devoured my meal, licking the crumbs from my fingers.

'You know what they do people who help the resistance...' he wasn't ready to say the word execute.

'I know it all too well.'

'Then why did you do it?'

'We all want to stand for something we believe in. I'm here for the same reason as you Winter, to fight for my country.'

Lieutenant Winter shook his head, 'Is it worth your life?'

'I could have asked you the same question.'

'I had no choice,' he doesn't offer any sort of explanation and I don't wait for it either.

'Then perhaps I was fortunate to have made that decision for myself.'

'I can try to vouch for your life, perhaps—'

I cut him off, 'I'd rather die with honour than die a traitor Lieutenant Winter.'

Why would he want to help me anyway?

'Being shot by a firing squad is not an honourable death Mieke,' he stated firmly. 'Listen to me carefully,' he lowered his voice and his tone become more serious. 'If you don't speak... they'll find someone else to do the talking for you. There's talk of a roundup—'

'Why are you telling me this Lieutenant Winter?'

He sighed, 'Because too many lives have already been lost to this damn war.'

'Why do you of all people suddenly care?'

Lieutenant Winter drew a shaky breath in, 'We're losing the war Mieke. Last night, we caught three Brits in a Dutch farmhouse – their plane crashed far from the Allied lines. One of them said the Canadians have crossed the Belgium border. It's only a matter of time before the Allies arrive in the Netherlands.'

Freedom – was it that close?

I desperately wanted to believe him.

'How can I be sure that what you're telling me is the truth?'

'I could be killed for what I'm saying.'

'If the war has truly come close to the end, then how could I betray my people at this time?'

'If I told you I could take you to the Allied lines, would you come with me?'

'What?' I laughed, a sad hopeless laugh, 'Do you take me for some sort of fool? If this is another one of your mind games, I can assure you that it will not work on me Lieutenant Winter.'

'I'm serious,' he said sternly. 'Come with me.'

'Do you hear yourself?' I asked in disbelief. 'Do you realise how crazy you sound? Why would you want to help me Lieutenant Winter after everything I have done... after everything you have stood for. Look at you,' I pointed at his uniform then pointed at myself. 'Look at me! If you think I'll vouch for your life to be spared by the Canadians, God... you best think again.'

'It would be hard for me to go on living knowing that I did not at least try and help you.'

'What difference is my life to the millions already taken?'

'Because despite everything, I care about you... and in one way or another, I think you care... or once cared for me too.'

'What does it matter anyway?'

'Please, at least tell me one thing. Did you ever have any affection in your heart for me?'

I sighed, perhaps I at least owed him that, 'You were always good to me Lieutenant Winter...Wilhelm. I would be lying if I said I hated you with all my heart.'

His next question catches me off guard, 'Did you know Obergruppenführer Schmidt would die that night?'

'You, said it was only that one thing,' I frowned. 'I refuse to answer anything more.'

'Did you?' he persisted.

'If this was your attempt to elicit a confession from me, Lieutenant Winter, I am afraid to inform you that I will not co-operate.'

'I think you knew.'

A/N I kept going back-and-forth with how I wanted this chapter to pane out, there was so many other things that could have been said in their dialogue, but I am satisfied with how it turned out. I think Winter's character may still be a bit confusing at this stage. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I don't think you guys will expect what will happen next! [insert big eyes emoji]. Please don't forget to Vote <3