It hurt to run.
Their whole body hurt.
The ruins of the once grand city passed by as they stumbled through, desperate to get somewhere safe.
They had to hide or they would be taken away.
They already lost their brother, land, and freedom; they weren't going to let them take this last precious gift to use against them.
"Please, just a little longer, soon we will be safe then you can come just please be patient"they pleaded, a hand resting on their stomach.
Pain answered them, so all-consuming that they almost dropped to the ground then and there.
It took all of their remaining will power to get to a nearby storm cellar, almost tumbling down the stairs in their hurry.
Their body was no longer able to stand as the sharpest wave of pain yet washed through them.
With a small cry they dropped to the ground.
There was no time left, they couldn't wait any longer.
….
A young woman, no older than 17, looked around herself sadly at the ruins of the once beautiful country.
The war had been pointless, they all knew so now, too late to stop the destruction.
Now all they could do was simply rebuild. A movement in the shadows caught her eyes.
They landed upon a cloaked figure who leaned wearily against a demolished wall.
"Hello?" They woman called uncertainly, wary that the person was simply acting.
A hooded head lifted slowly, tired blue eyes peeking out from below the cover.
She gasped in surprise as she realized who she was looking at as she rushed over to them.
"Are you-" she started to ask but was cut off as they shook their head and opened their mouth.
In a raspy voice they spoke "please, I need your help".
The girl froze, they wanted her help? She was but a child, barely a woman; how could she help such a being?
"How?" Was all she could say.
The figure shifted their cloak aside to reveal what lay beneath.
The girl gasped as the sight as the figure spoke "please, hide them, keep them safe; if they were to be found... Please".
The girl was quiet for several long moments as she studied the bundles and the person that held them.
Those blue eyes, once so bright and powerful, were dull from exhaustion, pain, fear; it made her heart clench.
Slowly she reached out and relieved him of the bundles "I will keep them safe for you".
She did not hesitate, there was no reason to, she would protect them with her life.
"Thank you" the figure whispered as a tear fell down their cheek.
They turned away and stumbled off to some unknown location as the girl watched them go.
"I will protect them... Deutschland" the girl whispered as she held the bundles close to her bosom.
Turning she too hurried away before what had transpired could be stumbled upon.