Here is the second chapter everyone, I have not gotten any reviews but I have been monitoring the progress of my readers. Anyway here is the next chapter. Please Read and Review!
Chapter Two
The Colonel didn't come back for another couple of hours. Needless to say that I had plenty of time to think things over and prepare myself for interrogation. Not that I had anything to be interrogated for…I was the victim after all. God, I have never referred to myself as a victim before! Did this make me weak…I felt weak! And the Colonel, he probably only respected strength and power. That was what a man of his stature admired; that was what I had to show him. That I was a strong, twenty, year old woman!
I shifted my weight to my wrists as I lifted my upper body from the bed to get a better look around. This had to be Landa's room. It smelled like a man's room; not that his room smelled bad…it actually smelled quite good. It just reeked of cologne and mint... why was it that most men of higher rank smelled like mint? Maybe that was just something I thought; no one probably agreed with me.
His bed, which was now probably filthy because he allowed me to lay my blood drenched body in it, had a deep red comforter draped over it and cream colored pillows as well as satin sheets. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stepped away. Unfortunately I did not get very far; my knees practically buckled under the weight and I collapsed on the hardwood floor. It hurt, but while on the ground I was able to admire the lovely rug he had set in the middle of the bedroom.
"Mein armes Mädchen," (My poor girl!) my head shot up and I looked to see Hans Landa kneeling down in front of me. "Sie sollten aus Bett nicht sein." (You should not be out of bed)
Well I couldn't stay in bed all day…I really needed a bath and I could not stand to laze around twenty-four seven while other people worked.
"Es tut mir Leidoberst, aber ich habe nur gewollt…ich kann nicht nur- (I'm sorry Colonel, but I just wanted…I can't just-)
He reached out a hand, which I gratefully took, and he led me back to bed. With his one arm placed under me he scooped me up like I was some sort of princess and placed me back on the bed.
"Ich weiß, dass es schwierig für Sie ist, zu laufen, aber das ist, weil Sie nicht gegessen haben, da Sie gekommen sind." (I know that it is difficult for you to walk, but that is because you have not eaten since you came.) he paused briefly to smile at me and then continued. "Ich werde Ihnen eine leichte Suppe bringen und dann Sie werden baden. Es tut mir Leid, dass ich keine Kleider für Sie habe, aber ich bedenke nicht Erlauben Sie der Gebrauch von einem von meinen Hemden, bis ich Sie einige Kleider erhalten kann." (I will bring you a light soup and then you will take a bath. I am sorry that I have no clothes for you, but I do not mind allowing you the use of one of my shirts until I can get you some clothes.)
Was I allowed to even refuse that offer? Probably not, but it did not matter, I wanted to take a bath anyway and I really didn't mind having that light soup that he mentioned either…or clothes considering all I really had on was…a sheet…Good lord I was practically naked!
"Ist das klar?" (Is that clear?) I nodded obediently and Colonel Landa set off to get me my food.
"Ist das klar?" I mocked.
I knew that he was only trying to help, but I was old enough to make my own decisions and not be talked down upon like a mere child. Ist das klar? Not even my father spoke to me like that…given the fact that he was a drunkard and didn't really give a damn what I did in the first place…ah, but again I digress. I would choose to do whatever I pleased…and it just so happened that at the moment I was pleased with lying in bed until my food came. Which it did not to long after.
"Bedenken Sie, wenn wir zu Englisch schalten?" (Do you mind if we switch to English?)
I shook my head and sat up as he carried in a large tray of food. On the silver platter was a bowl of French onion soup, a small plate of crackers and butter bread, and a tall glass of white milk. I really did not want to offend him but I could not stand plain milk. The very smell made me nauseous as did the taste.
"Please, after you!" he said gesturing to my bowl.
With a shaky hand I took the silver spoon between my fingers and scooped a small bite into my mouth. The onions were absolutely wonderful and from the taste of the broth I could tell that this had to of been made fresh.
"Thank you," I said taking a cracker from the tray. "It is magnificent."
"I am so glad you like it."
As I continued to eat I couldn't help but feel horribly uncomfortable as the Colonel just sat the edge of my bed and watched me. I set my spoon down and picked up a slice of the buttered bread.
"Would you care to join me?" I asked gently. "I cannot finish this all on my own and there is more then enough to share."
"Nein!" he said with a shake of his head. "But I thank you for the offer…even after your traumatic event you still manage to be this lovely, polite, lady."
"Manners are important." I confirmed. "My mama always told me that people will look up to a woman who spoke well and behaved accordingly."
I watched as he nodded in agreement. Apparently he understood what my mother had been talking about; I personally did not. I knew how to behave around others, but I did not understand what she had meant by "behaving accordingly", to me every situation required a different behavior. So how did you know what it was to "behave accordingly"?
"She is right of course," Colonel Landa said. "and because manners are so important I think we should start our introductions over."
"Yes." I said in agreement. "Shall I start then?"
He looked at me somewhat startled that I had decided to begin this conversation. There was a reason my name was Gabby; I had a difficulty remaining silent when brought into a conversation.
"Yes…if you wish!" Colonel Landa said, the warmth in his voice increasing.
"My name is Gabrielle Blanc," I held out my scarred hand and he shook it without hesitation. "And I already know who you are."
"Do you really?" he asked coyly.
Tease, he just wanted me to say his name so he felt good about himself. Well I suppose any man in real power was the same.
"You are Colonel Hans Landa, head of the SS, and known around France as the Jew Hunter."
Colonel Landa smirked at him and folded his hands in his lap. This was not a normal smirk, this was one of pride. He was proud that he had hunted down Jewish people and killed them. It gave his life meaning and purpose…this was not something I approved of. However given the certain circumstances I knew that I had to be grateful; after all the Jew Hunter did save my life.
"Ah Jew Hunter," he chuckled. "How I love the little nicknames the enemy bestows upon my head."
Sarcasm…I had a third sense for it.
"I prefer detective, but the public seems that this title fits my persona a tad better."
"It is catchy." I chuckled, cocking my one eyebrow.
He narrowed his eyes a bit and shrugged his shoulders.
"You should finish your milk." He said sternly.
I looked to the tall glass and then turned back to Landa.
"I'm sorry Colonel-
-oh, please call me Hans, Gabrielle."
"Sorry…Hans, I do not like milk."
His eyes widened slightly but he took the glass from my tray and brought it to his lips.
"You wouldn't mind if finished this off for you?"
"No, be my guest."
I watched in amusement as he tipped the glass back and chugged the cold milk in three large gulps. I had never seen somebody drink so much milk and enjoy it so much! I just could not believe it!
"Ah," he gasped placing the glass down, "Wunderbar!"
"I'm sorry you went through all the trouble-
-my dear it was no trouble at all!" Hans said patting my knee gently with his palm. "I am just concerned for your well being; how do you get your source of calcium if you do not drink milk?"
"I never said I didn't drink milk…I am fine if it is chocolate milk."
Hans through his head back and laughed. It was good to hear him laugh; it made him seem far more human.
"Now, I do recall saying that you would have a bath as soon as you finished lunch."
I nodded in agreement, and gratitude. This bath was something I yearned for…I had never felt so filthy in my entire life! My pale skin was dark and caked with blood and dirt. How could the Colonel stand to be so close to me; I smelled like a common beggar. Blushing furiously I turned away from him.
"I am sorry…" I apologized. "I made your bed dirty and…I stink…"
He placed a finger under my chin and very, carefully, he turned my face towards him.
"My bed can be cleaned as can you; and do you not for a minute think that what happened to you is in anyway shape or form your fault."
I felt the sudden urge to cry as it overcame me and it was a very severe urge. My throat became tight and I bit my lip in an attempt to remain strong and in control of the situation.
"Now, I will run you a bath."
His warm hand released my chin and Hans walked to the other side of the room where a white door, majestically, sat. Everything in this room was beautifully made, well except for the bed. Stupid, stupid, me for walking home so late! I listened as a small creak sounded in the room; and then the familiar hum of water splashing into a white porcelain tub. Oh dear God, what if I left a ring in the bath?! That would be utterly humiliating!
He came back, only this time rather then in his SS uniform he was in a simply white dress shirt and a pair of grey slacks. The man was definitely a soldier, he could undress and redress in less the five minutes time.
"Come dear," he said extending his arms out to me.
"I can walk…" I said swinging my legs over the side of the mattress. "And I don't want you to get your nice shirt dirty, Col- I mean Hans."
"Ah well I thank you for your concern, but at the moment my main interest is you," despite my protests he pulled me up into his arms. "And as I said before my things can be cleaned."
"Are you going to wash your whole house?" I asked.
"Haha," he chuckled pushing the bathroom door open. "If I must then I will."
Did he have a rebuttal for absolutely everything I said?! Could I never just have the last word?! In a way I hated him for it, but on the other hand I had to admire him for it! He was smart and witty, able to come back at a person with absolutely anything!
"Because I want to respect your personal space," he said setting me on the toilet seat. "I will leave you to undress and wash yourself."
"Yes," I said laughing. "That would be nice."
He smiled once more (he sure did like to do that a lot) and left the bathroom. I turned to the tub which, to my great dislike, was whiter than snow! I did not want to ruin the porcelain, but as he said it could be cleaned. Not to mention he was head of the SS, surely they could always replace the tub!
I pulled my stained dress from my body and tossed it to the floor. That had been a very lovely gown, and they had ruined it! The beautiful blue fabric was dark and brown and it had many missing threads. Holes and rips, from where they sliced my skin like it was a tender piece of meat.
I closed my eyes; I couldn't even look at myself in the reflection of the crystal clear water. Slowly I dipped my body into the hot bath. Hissing in pain, as the liquid burned my cuts; I slid down until my back touched the bottom of the tub. I stroked my hair and scrubbed my scalp with the balls of my fingers. It was so matted and clumped together from the blood and grime that I was sure the only way to remedy it would be to cut it all off, and start over! I pulled myself from under the water and looked around. Surely Hans had soap somewhere in here.
Turning I found that he in fact had laid out several cleaning products. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, shaving cream, and several washcloths and razors. The man had prepared everything for me…how would I repay him? I took the shampoo into my hand and squeezed a lovely glob into my palm. So this was why his pillow had smelled like mint. Smirking slightly I lathered my hair and scrubbed until the skin threatened to fall from my head.
So dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty! I turned to the bar of white soap and rubbed it directly against my skin. There was no washcloth on God's green earth that could remove this filth…I had to do it myself! The bar turned a disgusting shade of brown, as did the water. My skin was starting to become red from how hard my fingers worked on the pale flesh.
But none the less I scrubbed, I scrubbed every last speck of dirt from my body. I washed away all the blood and washed away the mud, but no matter how hard I rubbed I could still feel them inside of me. I could still feel those horrible pigs! Holding my breath I dunked myself under the mucky, swamp, water once more. My hair was clean now and because of Hans's expensive shampoo and conditioner I was able to pull my hand through the strawberry-blond curls once more.
Okay, I was clean…and the water was cold…time to get out. Only, there were no towels waiting for me.
"Baise!" (Fuck!)
Great, nothing to wrap up in…and the only other person here that could help me was probably at some other end of the house.
"Hans?" I called from the tub.
"Ja?" (Yes?)
Thank God, I was starting to shiver because of how cool the water had gotten.
"I need a towel…please?"
"Ah, of course, I am sorry Gabrielle." He said turning the door knob. Quickly as I could I ducked my body under the water. "I have one right here for you."
Had he deliberately forgotten my towel…no, he has a lot on his mind. It probably just didn't occur to him to place one in here.
"Here you are, Liebster." (dear)
He placed a white, towel on the toilet seat and then disappeared into the bedroom. Sighing I pulled myself up and stepped out of the bath. I turned to the tub, which was now, probably, horribly discolored.
"Oh…" I cried sinking to the ground. "Look at this mess."
I buried my face into my hands and began to sob. I didn't know why I was sobbing…so the water was brown, what was the big deal? Hans had told me he didn't care…but I did! I cared that because of my own stupidity three men had taken my…my-
"Gabrielle?" Hans called. "Are you alright?"
Wiping my eyes clear I wrapped the towel around my torso.
"Y-Yes." I sniffled. "Can I come out now?"
Why did I ask that…like I was some type of scared three year old?
"Of course, you didn't have need my permission."
Nodding I pulled myself up from the cool tile floor. I pushed the door open and as I did so a gust of cool air slapped my in the face. Involuntarily I shivered violently. Hans stepped forward and placed his large SS jacket around my moist shoulders. This also smelled just like him, and I snuggled into it hoping to just be hidden in the dark fabric.
"Let me get you that shirt."
Nodding I sat down on the bed, which was stripped and had been remade. He had replaced the bright red comforter with a deep green one. His color choices were similar to mine in many ways; I too loved the color green.
"It is not the best, but until I can get you more clothes it will have to do." He sighed coming back.
He handed me one of his black dress shirts and a pair of men's underwear to me. The underwear…at first I did not understand, but then it hit me like a ton of bricks; my underwear had been taken from me…when those men had raped me.
"Danke." (Thank you) I gasped.
He patted my shoulder with his hand and stepped out. I stripped the towel from my body and looked down at my legs. They were black and blue…and I could read every letter that had been sliced into me. Strange, it wasn't any language I had recognized…it was just some gibberish or other. I walked from the bed still clutching the shirt in my hands. Padding across the hard wooden floor I stepped infront of a mirror that Hans had sitting in a random corner.
My arms from the wrist up were multi-colored and battered. My stomach and sides mutilated! I looked hideous…they hadn't touched my face but my body…my body would always bear the scars of what those horrible bastards did to me. I turned from the mirror, never again would I look at myself in one. I would never look at my body…never EVER let anyone see it ever again! This was a promise!
I shook in anger and angst as I dressed myself. I was not going to cry, I would not give them the satisfaction of knowing that I had lost the battle. That I had let my emotions get the better of me! My fingers worked nimbly as I worked on the last few buttons of the top. When I finished I went to the door and thrust it open.
"Ah, all dressed I see!" Hans said eyeing me up and down.
"Yes, sir."
Hans held his hand up in an effort to silence me, and at first I had thought I had done something wrong…but his face shined with good spirit and warmth.
"Now, let us not talk so formally Gabrielle…as I have said I would prefer it if you called me Hans."
"Sorry Hans." I said bowing my head slightly.
I could still fill him looking down at me and slowly I brought my gaze back up to him. His eyes stared at me earnestly and I felt my heart skip a beat. Those eyes were so fierce, but not in the bad way…I would have given anything to know what they yearned for…anything.
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