YES! I did it - finally. Sorry for the delay, but here's the new one. Quite dramatic, I think. And I plan on posting another one soon. I have changed the system for the translations once again, now it's with numbers, and the translations are below. Please tell me if you like it that way.
Also, a new chapter for my VD-fanfic Crooked Hearts is in the making as well... to be published tomorrow or the day after. thanks so much for hanging around, and I hope you'll enjoy!
Not even the Gestapo was able to keep the story of Josef's murder hidden, and it was reported on the front page of next day's newspaper. Clara was slightly panicking. Her name was not mentioned in the newspaper, but there were many SS-officers who knew that she was with him when he was murdered. Next thing in the morning, she sent Wicki and Utivich home, because she feared that the Nazis would search her house. She was right indeed, because at 9 AM sharp, they kicked down her front door and a bunch of soldiers stormed into her home. Prepared for that event, Clara had hidden all her English books and armoury. She managed to look shocked and anxious while their boss paraded through her shop. She had never seen such a person, and when he looked at her, she didn't have to fake the anxiety anymore. With slow steps, the grey-haired, somewhat handsome looking man came over to her counter. She could instantly detect that his prim and proper looks were just another weapon, along with his smug grin. His speciality was to deceive his victims. He tricked them into false security, and when they made one false step, he would eat them alive if possible.
1 "Fräulein Zotter, wie ich annehme?" he asked non-chalant, and when Clara nodded, he grabbed her hand and kissed it softly. 2 "Nun wird mir klar, warum meine Kollegen so von Ihnen schwärmen. Sie sind zauberhaft schön."
3 "Dankeschön, Herr Oberst. Sie werden mein Haus doch hoffentlich nicht komplett auf den Kopf stellen?" she thanked him and asked about her home.
4 „Aber nein, nein. Meine Männer sehen sich nur ein bisschen um. Ihre Papiere sind makellos, und sie haben einen sehr guten Ruf. Das hier ist nur Routine," he tried to soothe her nerves, all the while still holding her hand. 5 "Oh, wie unfreundlich von mir, ich habe mich ja noch gar nicht vorgestellt – Oberst Hans Landa, zu Ihren Diensten," he introduced himself, made a gracious bow and kissed her hand again. Clara was becoming more jittery with every second. He was more than scary.
6 "Herr Oberst, Durchsuchung abgeschlossen, wir haben nichts Verdächtiges gefunden," a young soldier suddenly came up to them and reported that they haven't found anything suspicious.
7 "Ach, wie schade, ich habe so gehofft, noch etwas mit Ihnen zu tratschen, Fräulein Zotter. Wie wär's, wenn wir das heute abend bei einem netten Essen nachholen? Ich habe ohnehin noch ein paar Fragen an Sie," the Colonel expressed his regret and immeditately invited her to dine with him this evening, not really leaving her any other choice but to say yes.
8 "Sie sind zu gütig, Herr Oberst. Es wäre mir eine Ehre," she agreed.
9 „Sehr gut, ich schicke Ihnen um 19 Uhr einen Wagen vorbei. Ich freue mich sehr. Auf Wiedersehen, Fräulein Zotter," he kissed her hand again and left along with his men. As soon as he was out of sight, Clara crouched down against her counter and hugged herself tightly, her breath going fast. He didn't seem like the kind of man who was easily deceived. He would find out about her secret. Only now, she had two. What should she do?
"Donny! My tent! Now!" Aldo shouted through the whole clearing after talking to Wicki and Utivich, who had just returned from Clara's. They had lingered around her house long enough to see the SS search it. Donny looked surprised. What was Aldo that pissed about? He should know that Donny would sneak out to see Clara, so why all the fuss? He quickly strode over to the tent and got in. Also was smoking a large pipe and was draining a glass of clear brown Whisky when Donny entered.
"What's up, boss?" he asked.
"Wicki told me that it was you who beat Clara up last night. And Utivich saw you crawling out her window after she got home. What were you thinking?" he asked angrily.
"There was no way Wicki could've beaten her convincingly. I saved our asses. Why are you so pissed about that?"
"Because someone saw you get out of her window! You can't just go off like that whenever you feel like it! This is my troop, and you follow my orders or you're out! You're my second, Donny, but that girl… she's getting the best of you. From now on, you'll only see her when I tell you to, understand?" Aldo shouted at him. Donny could see that this was not just about him being seen, there had to be something more.
"Understood. Is everything alright with her?" he asked.
"None of your fucking business!" Aldo gave back.
"Yes, it is. And you know that we would be good together. Tell me, is everything okay?" Donny gave back calmly. He knew when to take Aldo's commands and when not to. His boss let out a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead.
"That girl… damn it, Donny, I keep worrying about her. The SS are searching her house as we speak, but she suspected it, so everything's hidden. Somehow, though, I'm still anxious. They have her on their radar now, and she can't afford to lose her fake identity. I'm thinking about taking her out of the city."
Donny's eyes grew wide. "You mean, taking her in with us?"
"Not necessarily. Maybe I'll send her to these refugees we came across yesterday. Or maybe she should hide in a village. I don't know, Donny," Aldo said. The two men looked at each other for a few moments, before a distinct noise suddenly filled the air. Shock crawled onto their faces.
"Airstrike," Donny muttered and they were out of the tent in a flash. All of the Basterds were hiding under trees, everything that was visible from above was removed and they listened anxiously while the roaring of the machines came nearer. There had been several air raids during the last few months, but none came from that direction. The first planes appeared over their heads and they inhaled sharply when they saw how much and how big they were. All had the red communist hammer on their sides.
"Fucking Russians," Aldo muttered. Even though they were allies, he was never a big fan of air attacks. Too many civilians got killed. Donny on his side stiffened. Clara lived in a part of town that had been relatively spared by the attacks so far, making it a perfect target now. He needed to get to her. Fast.
Clara was just chatting with Simon, a nice little boy from the neighbourhood, who often came to talk to her, when she heard the planes.
"Get home, Simon! Hurry!" she shouted and the boy ran towards the door in a flash. She prayed he would make it down the three houses before the first bombs dropped. She quickly grabbed a few things and crossed the room to reach her cellar-door. On the way, she passed her big shop window and a scream almost escaped her lips. These planes were bigger than the ones who bombed Vienna before, and they were directly heading in her direction. She could hear the first explosions now, and the ground beneath her feet began to shake. Quickly, she hurried down into her basement and retreated into a corner. She lit an oil lamp and wrapped herself into a blanket she brought with. The explosions were getting louder and the earth quivered more and more. Dirt was slowly rippling from the ceiling and Clara started fearing for her life. These planes were just too big and too many. They would destroy the whole city, and she would die. Tears were running down her cheeks and she thought of her beloved grandfather. If he could see her right now, hiding in a basement, he would not be proud. But it was hard being all alone. She wiped her nose and Donny came to her mind. She would never see him again. Even though he scared her a bit, she had seen a soft side in him yesterday, a side that she so wanted to explore. Not anymore. Clara screamed when suddenly, the whole house seemed to shake and her lamp went out. The air was filled with a banging noise and Clara could feel dirt and stones falling on top of her. She could feel blood running down the side of her head, but before she could do anything, another explosion went off and everything around her went pitch-black.
Translations:
1. Ms Zotter, I Presume?
2. Now I know why my colleagues fall for you. You are breathtakingly beautiful.
3. Thank you, Colonel. I hope you won't turn my house completely upside down?
4. Oh, no, my men are just taking a look around. Your papers are alright, and you have a good reputation. This is just routine.
5. How rude of me! I haven't introduced myself. Colonel Hans Landa, at your service.
6. Colonel, we have finished the search. Nothing suspicious has been found.
7. Too bad, I was so looking forward to spending more time with you, Ms Zotter. How about we continue our conversation over dinner this evening? I still have a few more questions, you know.
8. You are too kind, Colonel. I would be very pleased.
9. Excellent. I'll send a car round at 7PM. I can't wait. Goodbye, Ms Zotter.