(A/N) During World War II a series of camps would be set up across Germany and other occupied countries where forced labour and death would occur frequently, some camps were designed only to kill, this is their story, they shall be remembered.
(A/N) no disrespect was intended in the making of this Fan Fiction. Only the story is fictional, but the details of what they went through is not. You have been Warned.
(A/N) due to the amazing response on AO3 i have decided to post the first chapter.
Dachau concentration camp
Upper Bavaria, Southern Germany
September 1942 - Three Years Into World War II
Rain slowly started to splatter upon the ground, Eighteen Year old Mike glanced down and sighed, his boots were going to become muddy after this downpour of rain, he stood at the entrance to Dachau, this was his first week here after being recently drafted from the Hitler Youth. Of course this allowed other troops to be freed up for the Russian front.
Mike Wheeler kept his MP40 submachine gun close to him, glad that he himself was not on the Russian front, he heard the stories, stories of Wehrmacht troops slowly freezing to death due to the bitter cold that had now settled in for the Russian winter. The conditions on the Eastern Front were rapidly deteriorating despite the Blitzkrieg that was initiated, the country was simply too big for it to be fully effective.
However secretly, Mike hated this, hated being here, being part of the Wehrmacht, being part of the Hitler youth, being taught how to kill and bomb, being taught of racial purity and Germania was superior to all others amongst other things, throughout his time there he kept his head down and drew no attention to himself, although he couldn't help it after seeing that his hands were effectively made for war, excelling on mathematics although it in reality it was Military training.
Being taught that Germany must live even if they were to die to accomplish this, Sacrifice for the cause his teacher would say, point is Mike didn't believe in any of this, didn't believe in Germany or The Nazi Party. Except he had no choice, none of the boy's his age had a choice, it was terrifying.
Mike felt the uncomfortable press of the Hitler Youth Knife on his side, reminding him of what was expected, of what he was taught and of what and who he really was. Mike guilty looked to the ground, he could never tell anyone what he truly felt lest the Gestapo found out and he would either end up in a place like this of to be summarily executed for treason.
He wonders silently how his friend William was, being forced to flee several years back as he was Gay and they were rounding up people of all types that did not fit their world view, he had fled to Neutral Switzerland, he hoped that his friend had made it. Although will was forced to fled along with Lucas who also suffered the stigma of racial hatred.
However his other friend Dustin was also in the Hitler Youth with him, Dustin had been his only confidant, the only one who he knew shared the same views as he did, but he was currently serving in occupied France whilst Mike was forced to serve here at one of the camps under direct SS control. Mike felt like they would in time see right through is façade of compliance.
The sounds of marching could be heard in the distance, Mike glanced down to his watch, they were running a little late but that was to be expected, a new shipment of Prisoners were due today, some one thousand Russian and Polish prisoners to be effectively forced to work here or die.
Soon they came into view and Mike tried not to let it effect him. Waffen-SS troops marched forward and between them In a fairly large group of poorly dressed people that were the Russian and Polish prisoners, Mike held his MP40 nervously as the Waffen-SS approached, the two lighting bolts on their collar stood out. They approached the gate somewhat at a fast pace.
"Halt!" One Waffen-SS Soldier ordered and the crowd of Prisoners had complied immediately afraid of suffering punishment for even the slightest misdemeanour. They shuffled slightly in the cold and Mike tried to avoid eye contact with any of them, not because of disgust or hate but because of Regret and Shame in himself.
But his eyes remained focused as he watched them closely.
And that is when he saw her. Big vibrant brown eyes.
Mike could not help but stare at them, so bright and beautiful, he was simply captivated by them, he looked around himself nervously before looking back only to find her starring right back at him, something stirred within him, he examined her much more closely.
Pale with slight tinges of red on her cheeks, she was thin but not in the unhealthy sense, she was seemed small but her eyes spoke of some fierce determination within her, Mike felt a spark within himself like a fire in a furnace he felt himself growing hot under her gaze, she too glanced around herself before relocking her gaze with him, he gulped nervously.
Her eyes flitted slightly side to side as she too examined him under her gaze. However she was snapped out of concentration as the gates opened and the order to march was given, they began to slowly troop into the camp, she grew ever closer to him.
As she passed she looked to him once more, their eyes locked before she moved passed him Mike heard the faintest echo in his head as her eyes broke away from his
"Hello, Mike Wheeler" the voice whispered to him.
She looked back to him as he shuffled nervously again upon hearing the voice in his head. Upon her face was the smallest hint of a smile. Before she was marched through the gate and out of sight.
Terms you may be unfamiliar with
Waffen-SS - the armed division of the SS, an elite division of soldiers loyal exclusively to Hitler
Wehrmacht - the armed forces of Germany.
Gestapo - The Nazi Secret Police
(A/N) please review, i was really, really nervous in posting this due to the serious nature of where and when this story is set, i mean no disrespect to anyone.
Thank you.
