Skye: Hey! This was a freewrite I started for a creative writing class, and then it turned into this. This is the shortest first chapter I've ever posted. I don't know where I'm going with this, but I hope you enjoy it! German words are bolded once; their translation and explanation is at the bottom of the page.
"Please, don't ask me to do this!" The mother clutched her sleeping child to her chest.
"I sympathize, but orders are orders." The soldier stepped closer. "We have to take him. The tests came out positive; he will be the ultimate contribution to the Fuhrer's dream and efforts against the Allies."
"Herr Obersturmbannfurer, I am a good German citizen. My husband died in the war, my brother's in the SS, and my daughter was a Stammfuhrer in the Hitler Youth before she was chosen to go to Lesbensborn. Surely the Fuhrer would have mercy and not take the only loved one that I have left!"
"Frau Gunsche, there is no possible way that we can avoid this. His fate will be decided by the father of Deutschland, for he will bring prosperity and bliss to this land, a bright future for all of Deutschland!"
"But my little Hansi…" She wept bitterly, smoothing the boy's white-blonde curls.
"He goes to a good cause and a glorious future. We will take good care of him."
Through her tears, she shook her head. "He's almost mute; what use would he be to you?"
The lieutenant colonel furtively glanced from side to side. "Frau Gunsche, I cannot publicly reveal this information to you. All I can say is that he may grow up to be the trump card of the German army." His expression softened. "He will be fed and his secret will be kept. If the villagers were to find out…"
Frau Gunsche resigned herself. "You will look after him well, Herr Obersturmbannfuhrer?"
"As if he were my own son."
"Mutti?" The little boy murmured, half-awake.
"Hansi, don't worry." She stroked his back. "The Obersturmbannfuhrer is taking you somewhere special. You'll go to school and learn with other children, just as your father wanted you to. When the war is over, you'll come home to me. So be good and work hard, ja? I'll write to you every day of the week."
"Ja, Mutti." He kissed her and smiled softly as she handed him over to the officer who took him away. After their departure, she fell to her knees and reached up to touch her cheek, a single tear running down her face.
"Ich liebe dich…Hansi."
Fuhrer- Lit. translation 'Father', refers to Hitler
Herr-Mister or Sir
Obersturmbannfuhrer- Lieutenant colonel of the German paramilitary
SS-Hitler's personal guard
Stammfuhrer-leader in the Hitler Youth
Lesbensborn- A eugenics camp where breeding programs were practiced between German women and German army officers
Frau-Mrs. or Madame
Mutti-Mommy, Mummy
Ja-yes
Ich liebe dich-I love you
So far, this seems cliché. I'm sure that the writing will get better as it goes on.
Please review! Confectionaries and baked goods abound if you do!