Somewhere
Chapter 1- Rachel 1939
Rachel scurried along behind Yana, her nanny as they ran up the main staircase.
Usually, they would get in a large amount of trouble (Shelby had many rules, one of them being 'no one runs around the house': it was not proper), but no one was around to see so they had nothing to worry about.
"Quicker Rachel!" Yana said. Even for her old age, Yana was faster.
Rachel gave out an over dramatic groan.
"You knew I needed you by three at the latest! That awful swing music that you seem to always be listening to is much too distracting! It is nearly four thirty Rachel!" Rachel giggled "Yana, I know I'm late but time passes by so quickly when the music plays in my ears!"
They had reached Rachel's room. Yana swung the door open impatiently and tossed Rachel inside. Rachel flopped onto her big comfy king size bed with a 'thump'. Leaning back on her elbows, Rachel gave an annoyed Yana a cheeky grin.
"Yana, you know that getting ready will not take more than an hour, so what is the rush for? Tonight is no different from other parties" Rachel teased.
But her smile faded as Yana's face froze cold.
A small spark of fear raced down Rachel's back as Yana walked slowly over. Soon, their faces were inches apart. Yana's hand rose up, and before Rachel had any time to react, a sharp slap whipped her face. A high shriek escaped Rachel's lips. Another whip sent Rachel to the cold wooden floor. Intense pain filled her forehead, as thick red blood oozed down her face, in over her lips, and down her neck. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her sight as the pain worsened.
"No different?" Yana screamed down at Rachel as she got down on the floor. "No different?" she repeated as she shook Rachel back and fourth, ignoring the cracking of Rachel's neck "You stupid girl! Look at me Rachel! You are sixteen years old! Open your eyes and listen to what is happening all around you! Do you not understand how much danger you and your fathers are in? A hungry tank of sharks is beneath your feet!"
Rachel's loud sobs filled the silence as Yana released her painful grip.
"Rachel. Tonight is like none of the other parties you have had! You must look and be your best! You know that boy your fathers told you was coming tonight? The American? Well if he likes you he can take you away from here! He may be the path for either survival or death!" Louder sobs. "But he will not like you if you act like a six year old, and look like a slob!"
Silence filled the air. Rachel's face was now completely covered in blood, mixed with the salty tears.
"The Nazis won't come to Poland, Yana…We-we have nothing to worry about. He is just some new trend-."
"No Rachel! People agree with his ideas! They'll follow anyone who promises them a better life!" Yana took a breath. "He is real, Rachel. He has already taken over Austria and Czechoslovakia. People want him. People here want him. He is very strong and very dangerous…Please just work with me. It is life or a possible death."
Rachel's face had turned white under the bloody stains. It felt like someone had just set her whole body on fire. A new set of tears started to fill her eyes.
Yana got to her feet, pulling a broken Rachel with her.
"Now we must clean you up"