Snow started falling the next morning. More darkness to match darkness. Everything was white. Skin, bones, snow, walls, more snow. Everything was snow except our black uniforms, and our red swatstika badges. My fingers itched to rip it off. Then again, I didn't want to go into the gas chambers any more than the Jews did.

I noticed James was even more unrestless today. He would walk closer and closer to me, his eyes more hollow than I'd ever seen then. A few officers noticed, shoving him away, knocking him to the ground. They kicked him and slapped him. They even drug him towards the gas chambers, but I managed to get him out of it. I angrily whispered in his ear when we were walking back to stay away from me. Deep down, I knew he wouldn't.

I carried on throughout the day. Only, I was summoned later on to the Major's room. Carefully entering, I sat down in the seat before him, of course saluting without thought. "You've been working very diligently, as I have told you before."

I nodded. I only wanted to get out of there.

"There's been a few reports however about a certain prisoner." He stopped short, looking up from his paper to inspect my face. I tried my hardest to stay neutral. I think it worked. "I'm not sure what you have to say on the matter, but I've heard he's been following you." The Major gave out a short chuckle. "It's strange. I've never heard of such a thing before."

"He's a homosexual," I explained carefully. "I assumed he was merely fascinated."

Another low laugh. "I expect so too." He leaned forward on his desk. I felt my palms begin to sweat, but I didn't move an inch. "Does he bother you? Does he make you sweat?" My eyes grew wide. He was interrogating me. "Do I make you sweat?"

"Sir, I would like you to get rid of him," I rushed out quickly. My mind was congratulating me on making myself look and act more like a man, but my heart was wilting. I could feel it falling over in my chest. "He has been coming too close to me. I wanted to tell you first hand before they sent him to the gas chambers." There was a slight pause as I tried to gather myself for what I was going to say next. "I want you to make him learn his lesson."

The Major's eyebrows were shot up, but he wore a grin on his face. He stood up, saluting Hitler. He uttered more words. He shook my hands. More words. The whole time a buzzing noise was ringing in my head. He was going to beat him, maybe even to death. Then after than, he would die, or die again in the chambers. It was all my fault.

But what could I do about it? This was war. Nothing was fair in war. Nothing was fair. Either way, he would die. Whether it was sickness, hunger, brutality or gas- he would die. And no matter what, I would die with him.

~.~.~.~

That night I wasn't assigned to bunker duty. The men decided to keep me away from James. Of course, it was the furthest thing from what I wanted. I stood on the edge of the gate, leaning against it, my gun heavily weighing in both of my hands. I tossed it around, polishing it, staring at it… wanting to throw it over the gate.

I was shivering as snow fell onto my black suit. I watched it carefully. Everything was so quiet.

Out of nowhere, a gun shot rang through the forest. I looked slowly towards the woods, wrapping my jacket furthur around me. It was going to be a long night.