Hidden Memories

Note: I like it when they're younger, so I kind of made them twelve in this story. You can imagine them whatever age you want but I'm imagining in this story they're twelve to make it more dramatic and it's easier to flow.

Chapter 1

Liesel held the boy's body. She passionately kissed his dusted and dirty lips. Her's were now soiled. Oh how she cried for him. Her first love had left the world just like that. It was all too quick for the poor girl. She was still a kid at heart after all. The boy, who she believed was dead, was in fact in a coma. How he survived the bombing is still unknown. But for know, let's take Liesel's feelings into consideration. She scurried around Himmel Street in worry. She searched for survivors, what she didn't know was, she had found one. Rudy wasn't really breathing, his breaths were faint, but weren't clear enough to make out.

Liesel was sobbing over her dead family in the distance. Rudy, was still 'playing dead'. His coma wasn't very serious but he was asleep. I couldn't take him. No, not yet. Liesel must say her goodbyes, and Rudy must die for me to take him away. His soul was still inside him. It was resting. The poor boy. Poor Liesel. Poor Rudy. Liesel didn't know about the coma. As Liesel played the final note on her foster dad's accordion, she walked away from the lifeless bodies. She gave Rudy's a second look.

I think I saw her mouth the words, 'Bye Rudy. Wait for me.'

~An Important Note~

Her words brought Death to tears.

Death only shed one. That was it.

As the soldiers shoved Liesel onto the truck that would take them away, she watched her home vanish before her eyes. Oh poor Liesel, only if it was that easy. She was crying, she was weeping. Her sobs weren't audible and the other soldiers didn't notice it. "Ich kann nicht glauben, es war ein Überlebender. Glückliches Kind. I can't believe there was a survivor. Lucky kid." A soldier muttered to another.

Liesel felt all and completely alone. She couldn't hold in the quick emotions they were all too quick for her. Everything was moving too quickly and she was being left behind by the world. How she wished she could understand the way the world works. Liesel was taken away at quick pace. Where she would end up in an orphanage. As for Rudy, well, he was still there. Waiting for her to return one day.

I made sure to watch over the boy. It wouldn't do much good, but oh well. I just wanted to do something for the girl, knowing he was alive. Numerous medics and soldiers came rushing in right after the truck containing Liesel left. The medics scurried and spread out. They checked everyone's pulse, and the likeliness of a survivor was small. No one had survived, no one, but Rudy. One of the medics felt the lemon haired boy's pulse.

"Kommen Sie schnell! Dieser Junge ist in Schwierigkeiten! Come quick! This boy's in trouble!" One of the medics cried.

Numerous soldiers came to the boy's aid. He didn't notice them though. I knew he would've shooed them away if he was awake, but for now, he needed help.

One of the soldiers, the one who told Liesel about the bombing, felt the boy's pulse. "He's alive." The soldier muttered.

"So? What are you saying? That there are two? Two survivors! God pities the youth these days." Another muttered.

The man nodded. "Nehmen Sie ihn ins Krankenhaus! Take him to the hospital!"

The medic nodded and she pulled him to one of the medic trucks. She gave him some wet towels to keep his body heat low. "So, there are two? I wonder what that girl's reaction will be when she finds out." She smiled as she stroked the boy's hair.

"Patient's name?" One of the medics asked.

"Rudy Steiner." She replied.

The nurse wrote the name down. "Okay."

"That's my daughter Lisette Craige. She's married and has three children. They're all studying medics." She said.

The medic left the back of the truck when it stopped for a while. She went outside to go inform the drivers of something.

What she didn't know, was Rudy's eyes were beginning to open and his body was regaining conciseness. I guess I wouldn't have to worry about his soul today.

~What Death Never Knew~

He should have stayed and watched the boy

Maybe if he did, the boy wouldn't

have lost his memory…

Meanwhile, in an orphanage, Liesel is still sobbing her eyes out. She had nothing left. The room was filthy and dirty panties were scattered on the floor. A girl who was little came in the room and gave me a flower. It was dusty and dirty but yet it was beautiful. It was a pale lemon colour and it reminded her of him. Of Rudy.

"Cheer up lady. There's no point in crying. We'll all find a home eventually." The young girl said.

Liesel smiled and the girl ran out. The flower soiled her hands and she loved it. She didn't cry, but she smiled.

"In here Frau Herman. The girl you are looking for is inside this room." A woman's voice sounded.

Liesel's head jolted a bit and she looked up to see the woman who would always let her into the library and the person who shared the same passion of words with her. Frau Herman was smiling at the young girl which made Liesel very pleased. Frau Herman wrapped Liesel in her arms and the two happily left the orphanage together. Of course, Liesel never left the flower behind. She could never. Not when it reminded her of her best friend.

At Frau Herman's home on Grand Strasse, Liesel indulged herself in the new surroundings, although, it wasn't the same. The house was bigger and it was well looked after just like Liesel remembered, but it wasn't quite like home. She could never come to love it like her previous home. The young twelve year old sighed.

"If anyone needs me, I'll be in the library." Liesel spoke her words and wondered to the library. She memorized the way to the room already.

Liesel was absorbed in a book about a young girl whose parents had died and her brother had been kidnapped. She read how the young girl had wondered into a street and met two people who were nice enough to let her stay with them. The girl in the book had made friends with a boy who was her neighbour. The two talked to each other through the window and they shared everything they knew, eventually, the two grow very close and the boy grows a love for the young girl. Liesel closed the book, thinking it was a bit too close to her previous life. It was sort of a twist but it was similar.

Liesel couldn't help but feel alone again. There was a knock on the library door and in walked Frau Herman. "Liesel, I must tell you, starting tomorrow, you'll be going to Wegrand School (Wayside School). I've already prepared your uniform and your school enrolment. Everything is prepared. Have a good day tomorrow." The mayor's wife left the room which left Liesel in a daze. She wasn't prepared to make new friends. She couldn't get over Rudy or her home. She groaned. She especially wasn't prepared for the new curriculum.

Back to Rudy, the boy was currently in a bed with medicine around him and a glass of water with something to eat. He began groaning as he dreamt of his home. He fidgeted and rolled and finally his eyes blinked open. He found himself in a room with closed space. He sat up as he winced in pain. Rudy scanned the room while rubbing his head.

"Where am I?" the boy asked.

"You're at my home. I'm glad to see you've woken up."

Rudy's head shot to look at the young girl at the door frame. She was blonde and had pretty blue eyes. Her frame was skinny but still healthy.

"Owww. What happened?" he asked.

The girl placed a jug of water on the bedside table. "Your home was bombed. Himmel Street. Does that name somewhat ring a bell?"

Rudy thought for a while. He looked down at the bed sheets then shook his head. "I can't remember anything about Heaven Street. Is it my home?" he asked as the girl moved to open the curtains.

When the rays of sunlight shot in, Rudy quickly blocked his eyes until he managed to open them again. "So? Who are you? Why can't I remember anything? Why don't I remember my name?" Rudy asked, beginning to panic.

The girl shook her head. "One at a time. My name is Lisette Craige. I believe something had happened to you to make you forget everything. Mother knew this would happen." Lisette said sitting down on the bed.

Rudy grew impatient. "Well?"

Lisette sighed. "For now, your name is Joey Craige. You'll be my temporary brother."

The poor boy was still confused. "Excuse me? I don't know anything right now. Can someone please explain to me?"

"Listen to me Joey (I'm going to start calling Rudy, Joey since it's his temporary name for now). Your home was in flames. You were in a coma and my mother took you here. Okay?" Lisette tried to reason with him.

Joey nodded. "Okay?"

"You won't remember anything. You hit your head pretty hard. For now, just remember you're name is Joey Craige. Your mother is Frau Craige, my mama. Okay?" Lisette asked before continuing.

Joey nodded. "Sure. And?"

"You had a tragic back story that you barely remember. That's all. Mama will come in to talk to you. Get prepared." Lisette commanded.

Joey obeyed and Lisette left the room.

"My name's Joey Craige, huh?" Joey thought while getting undressed. "I don't remember any of it."

After Joey changed into suitable clothing, Frau Craige walked in. "Joey? I see Lisette has already given you a name. Are the clothes fitting enough?" she asked, worried.

Joey nodded. "I can't remember anything. Why?" He was saddened. He didn't want to live a life without his memory.

Frau Craige walked to Joey and held him in her arms. "Joey, maybe, maybe she will be able to unlock your memories." She whispered in his ears.

Joey released from her grasp. "Who will?" he was excited and wanted to find this person immediately.

She laughed. "Only time will tell. Speaking of which, you need to go to school tomorrow. Do you remember academics, literature?"

Joey looked to the side. He nodded vigorously. "I remember all those things."

"Good. Prepare. You're going to school tomorrow." She giggled and patted him on the head as she exited.

"Tomorrow. I need to start searching." He vowed. But eventually, Joey parted from his need to recover his memories. Thinking they were too painful to remember.

The next day, Liesel was dressed in a white shirt, and red plated skirt. The shirt was thin and was made of thin material. It wasn't see through but enough cold air could freeze you to death. As for the skirt, it was only a bit thicker than the shirt and a tie made of the same material was included.

Liesel tied up her dirt blonde hair and she smiled at Frau Herman. "Beautiful." Frau Herman complimented.

Liesel just wished she could hear that from Rudy. "Well, I'm off. Don't wanna be late! Bye Frau Herman!" she waved goodbye.

Liesel walked down the street to Grande Avenue. The school was located there. When she arrived, students were pouring in and out of the school. It was a new year of school here and the school itself was huge. Stairs led to other buildings of the school and a garden that led to several dormitories for those studying abroad. She noticed students wearing the same attire as her and she held tightly to her books. They only contained math questions, literacy notes and science terms. She sighed. So far, she wasn't really liking this new school. She missed her old school and friends. It would be hard for her to move on. She entered the building. It was clean and windows were everywhere. She found it bigger than her previous school. She didn't like the feeling the school gave off and she especially didn't like how people were staring at her.

"Oh crap. I can't find 6A anywhere. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I'm lost."

Liesel couldn't find her way to her class which was troublesome. The poor girl sighed. "It's going to be a long day."

Liesel then accidentally ran into a boy she didn't see. "Ow, ow, ow." She rubbed her head and stood up. The boy picked up her books and handed them to her. When Liesel saw his face, she was more than surprised. He wore the boys' uniform. The same thin shirt with a thick tie but instead wore red pants. He also wore black leather shoes. Liesel was shocked to find hr dead friend in front of her eyes.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to hit you." He rubbed the back of his head and walked away.

Liesel broke out of her trance and tried to chase after him. "Wait!"

But, by then, the boy was gone. "Am I going crazy?" she slumped against the wall but picked up to her feet and made her way to her class.

After getting some directions from a member of the student council, she surprisingly made it to class 6A. She was seated in front of the class. A boy was asleep on her left and the desk on her right was currently empty. The girl sighed and skimmed through her maths book. She grew bored of it and went through her literacy book. She found a few interesting short stories that she could read. The boy beside her didn't make movement which made it easier for her. He wouldn't annoy her while she read.

A young girl, the same age as Liesel took her seat on the right of the girl. She was very pretty and looked intelligent. Once the girl placed her books in the desk, she turned to Liesel to greet her. "Hi! I'm Juliet! I'll be sitting beside you okay?" the girl chimed. She seemed nice enough.

"Hi Juliet, I'm Liesel! I hope we can become friends." Liesel hoped the girl would accept her friendship proposal.

"Sure! You seem like a great person!" Juliet chimed.

Liesel liked Juliet. She was cheerful, pretty and friendly.

"Hey, Liesel," Juliet whispered. Liesel looked at the girl. "Yeah?"

Juliet giggled. "Are you into racing? By racing, I mean track. Sprinting? Running?" Juliet asked.

Liesel found the question interesting. It was something two random people could ask each other, but it was interesting to Liesel. It was something Rudy would ask her. She nodded. "Me and my previous friend love it."

Juliet 'yay'ed. She was overjoyed to see that Liesel liked racing. "We'll be best friends I promise you!" Juliet chimed.

Liesel laughed. The girl who couldn't make friends made one in less than an hour. Liesel was just thinking about how weird Juliet was. And she was.

~A Note About Juliet~

She was obsessed with racing

She was well known for her wild races

She was a little crazy

But that's what made Liesel

Meminger smile.

When a nun walked in the room, everyone woke up but the boy on Liesel's left. "Okay. Everyone, please introduce yourselves. Starting with the boy here on my right." The nun pointed at the boy who was asleep. Liesel knew he would get in trouble, so she shook him awake. "Hey, you have to introduce yourself." Liesel said.

When the boy woke up, she saw Rudy's face. "R-Rudy!" she cried as she stood up. She hugged the boy. "I thought I lost you forever." She murmured.

The boy threw her off him. "I don't know who the hell this Rudy kid is, but my name's Joey Craige. You have to be mistaking me with someone else." Joey said. He rubbed his head and shot Liesel a glare.

"Okay, Mr Craige, swearing is forbidden in this class. I must say, please refrain from speaking inappropriate language." The nun tried hard not to hiss.

"Yeah, yeah, who cares. Get back to your introduction." He waved his hand signalling 'whatever'.

There is no way this is my Rudy. Liesel thought.

"Okay, continuing." The nun said.

End of Chapter 1…