Waving flag

Arthur didn't know what he did to deserve any of this. He understood that fighting for his country came with a price, but this was something he never expected, this seemed to be his worst nightmare. He had heard how the Nazis had captured any Jews they could get their sin coated hands on, but that was only in Germany….well that's what he told himself.

He still remembered the hammering of his heart as the enemy edged closer, his breath coming out in short, harsh pants. He was with four other soldiers at the time, there was nothing they could do about what was to happen, no matter how many times Arthur convinced himself otherwise. The fear was the worst thing he could remember from that day, the feeling of not knowing where he was going to end up was the most horrific thing he had ever experienced.

Being a prisoner of war didn't seem too bad compared to all the other scenarios that could have occurred. Despite the rumours that spread about the Nazis, it was quite well known that they didn't treat their prisoners of war too badly. No matter how much Arthur regretted opening his stupid mouth after first arriving to the German base, he still had that tiny ounce of pride from saving another man's skin. Even if it could've cost him his own life. Which it probably has, considering the circumstances. It all started when the German soldiers lined the five British soldiers up along with the others that were captured, every one of them seemed to be French, much to Arthur's disdain. The general, a tall man who seemed to wear a permanent frown, surveyed them with dark calculating eyes. Arthur could feel the lad next to him shake under his gaze, and Arthur could see way. His name was Ben, and he looked very Jewish, with his tanned skin, dark brown eyes and a long crooked nose. Arthur couldn't help but feel second hand fear for him, that's if the Germans recognised the distinguishable features. Oh, but the general already seemed to know.

"I know Jew is here. Jew must step forward, now." His voice was gruff and his accent made it hard for Arthur to decipher what he was saying. The French seemed to have no clue whatsoever judging by the confused glances they shared. Ben was trembling beside him. Arthur swallowed a lump in his throat; he wasn't much younger than himself, but he was young. He couldn't imagine what they would do to him if he was found out. He didn't want to imagine what they'd do.

"Somebody must step forward, or we find out ourselves. It will be easier to step forward now, less punishment later." His eyes flickered toward Ben for a moment before going back to the rest of the men. Arthur's heart was thumping wildly in his chest, this wasn't right; Ben didn't want to be in this bloody war in the first place! He had told Arthur this countless of times. Now the Germans will….he didn't want to think about it. He sneaked a glance back at Ben who seemed to be having an inner battle with himself.

"I will count to ten, yes? If Jew does not reveal, we make sure they pay the price." Arthur felt sick to the stomach, Ben was so innocent….

"One…" The frantic look Ben sent him was something the blonde man will never forget.

"Two…" What was going to happen? What would they do to poor Ben from Lancaster?

"Three…" His fists clenched and the tension in the room increased. Ben looked on the verge of tears. Arthur didn't know what to do.

"Four…" This was cutting it quite close; it was like the German knew that Ben wouldn't step forward, as if he wanted an excuse for him to 'pay the price'.

"Five…" A small malicious smile slowly formed on his usually blank face. Just like when they were captured, Arthur's breath was short and ragged.

"Six…"

"Seven…." This was getting too much. Arthur almost could not bear it. The general was toying with them and he knew exactly what he was doing.

"Eight…no Jew is at my feet yet." This caused many of the men to shoot him glares of defiance; it would seem that they didn't take lightly to that snide comment.

"Nine…" Ben was practically hyperventilating when the next number came around. Arthur took a deep breath and he did something either very brave or very stupid. He would go with the latter for this one.

"Ten…" Arthur rushed forward, startling his fellow soldiers at his sudden appearance. He heard a surprised squeak erupt from Ben's mouth but the words were out before he could stop them.

"I-it's me! I'm the Jew!" He breathed out. Murmurs echoed around the room, everyone was clearly shocked. It was fairly obvious that it wasn't this blonde haired, green eyed man that was the Jew. But the German General didn't seem to care, as long as he had his victim. His menacing eyes gleamed in the low lamp light.

"Jew, yes? I did not expect you to come forward. I suppose we cannot do anything to you then. That is pity." He motioned the two guards by the door and they both seized him by the arms roughly.

"Sie wissen wo sie ihn nehmen. Gehen!" There was silence as Arthur was pulled from the room. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the empty hallway, the eerie quietness did not help Arthur in the slightest. Dragged down seemingly endless stairs, pushed through never ending corridors, the torture of not knowing was eating at Arthur. After a sharp turn one of the guards released his hold on him to unlock the heavy iron door before them. He cast an apologetic look at the Brit before reluctantly opening the door and helping the other guard to toss him inside, slamming the door behind them.

Just great, Arthur couldn't help but think irritably. It was only at that moment when the reality of what he'd just done crashed down on him. It was if he had been winded, he backed up against the wall and slowly slid down it in defeat. There were no windows in this small compact space, no light to give Arthur the faintest bit of hope. So instead he just sat motionlessly on the cold stone floor, the loneliness did not take long to take its toll. Arthur was alone and Arthur was terrified.