Author's Note: I would just like to say first off I do not in anyway support Nazis. This is simply a work of fiction. For all intents and purposes of the story we're going to pretend that women and men were equal in Germany during WW2 ok?

Berlin, Germany September 1, 1939

"Whoever, however, thinks he can oppose this national command, whether directly of indirectly, shall fall. We have nothing to do with traitors. We are all faithful to our old principle. It is quite unimportant whether we ourselves live, but it is essential that our people shall live, that Germany shall live. The sacrifice that is demanded of us is not greater than the sacrifice that many generations have made. If we form a community closely bound together by vows, ready for anything, resolved never to surrender, then our will master every hardship and difficulty. And I would like to close with the declaration that I once made when I began the struggle for power in the Reich. I then said: "If our will is so strong that no hardship and suffering can subdue it, then our will and our German might shall prevail." -Adolf Hitler

The radio is drowned out by my mother's shrill voice, "Oh Quinnie! You look so dashing!"

Her hands busily work at tailoring my coat as I smile and stand upright for all the proper adjustments, "Mom it doesn't matter what I look like, I'm just proud in helping our country". "Dear that is just nonsense even if one is saving the world or heading to the market, it does not hurt to look good while doing it''.

Before I could retort my father stepped in with a small, black, square box a small smile on his face, "Now Judy let the poor girl breathe, after all tonight is her last night of relaxation. Tomorrow she will be on her way to Poland to help the Führer's cause in redeeming our great motherland Germany." My father's face turns into a slight scowl as he inhales and begins again, "Of course our daughter wouldn't need if it weren't for those dirty, rotten Jews! If it weren't for them Germany would still be great! We would not be the laughing stock of the world, our people suffering in the streets!" His hands shake with whitening knuckles as his face turns to a crimson shade,

"Papa what is in the box?" His scowl is instantly gone and it makes me wonder if I ever saw it to begin with, "Just a small present my little princess before she leaves." I smile and take the box, "Papa I am not little anymore'' he waves his hand in the air, "Nonsense you will always be my little girl now open the box''. My hands shake as open the box and let out a slight gasp, "Daddy it's beautiful…but are you sure we can afford it in a time like this?" "Don't you worry about that, this is a symbol for great things to come because of people like you".

I smile as I clasp the necklace around my neck and stare at myself in the mirror, "It completes the outfit". My parents beam proudly behind me in the mirror as I stand up straight in my grey uniform, adjusting my red tie; I smile as the light reflects off the silver swastika that hangs around my neck, "We will be great again I promise".

My father nods, ''let's give Quinn some time alone Judy she has a big day tomorrow", they walk out and close the door behind them.

I wait until I can no longer hear their footsteps and reach under my pillow for the one thing that has brought me comfort since I was thirteen; I pull out the crinkled photo and smile.

My father would skin me alive if he had found out about my little secret. I have always adored my dad; I was always his "little girl". In order to stay in his good graces I have always molded myself into the things he has wanted me to be, never questioning, never straying, and I have never minded. After all, my father is the reason I was in Hitler's youth since the tender age of twelve; he is the reason I am in a uniform today.

My father has only wanted the best for me, and in order to have the best things in life, one must realize that there are sacrifices to be made, and these are the things he has taught me since the day I was born.

In order to receive his adoration I have had to sacrifice the things that may have made me happy. Tonight though all those words, all of his praise seems to weigh upon me and his adoration no longer seems worth the sacrifice.

I'm not sure if my father loves me for me or the fact that he loves me because I am willing to do whatever he says. I sigh and shake my head at such thoughts that seem to only appear when I look at this photo.

I look back at the figure in the photo and wonder if they would be disappointed if they saw me today, and I can't help but wonder if my father's praise is worth their disappointment.

I feel the stinging in my eyes as I think of the notion, and I shake my head to rid myself of such thoughts. I inhale and remind myself that it doesn't matter. I must do this for my family. I must do this for my country. I must do this because it is the right thing. I have learned that in this world in order for great things to come people will have to be stepped on, because if you're not careful you will be the one who is crushed. I nod my head swiftly and repeat this mantra over and over again, but it does nothing to ease the small ache in my chest as I stare at the lone figure in the photograph.

I sit on my bed and just stare at the photo in my lap. The creases don't mar the picture's beauty but rather enhance it, my fingers lightly tracing over the image again and again.

I whisper the one word that is my salvation from the ugly world that I live in, "Rachel".