Rain from early in the morning had soaked the roads and filled the air with a sweet, earthy smell. Carter walked alongside Veidt down an empty road between Stalag 13 and the old cabin Reiger used to hide out in. They didn't say anything to each other for the first mile or so of the walk, despite agreeing the night before to do this so they could talk about Veidt's recurring nightmares and self-loathing. Veidt had arrived outside the tree stump, got Carter after morning roll call, and promised Hogan that they would be back within a couple of hours.

So far, nothing had been said. Veidt's hands were buried in his pockets and he was looking down at the wet pavement. Carter's hands were also in his pockets, but he was looking ahead with a thoughtful expression on his face, trying to figure out how to start this conversation. He remembered his talk with Veidt shortly after receiving his "Dear John" letter from Mary Jane. There was indeed silence for some time before either of them actually said anything, but it didn't start with talking; it started with Carter struggling to resist the urge to cry, until he couldn't hold back anymore and started sobbing, still in disbelief over the fact that someone he loved deeply decided to call it quits. He wondered if that was how this conversation would start, with Veidt trying not to cry.

Carter had the impression that Veidt had already done his fair share of crying over the last couple of years. Perhaps that wouldn't be how it started. Either way, Carter wasn't sure if he wanted to prompt Veidt to talk, or let him talk when he was ready. Do we have time, though? he thought.

They took a turn down a path heading west. The path was overgrown and tangled with old bushes and shrubs. Abandoned entrances to badger setts lined the path, and for part of the walk, Carter wondered if that part of the forest was so unruly that even animals didn't want to live there. He couldn't even sense the presence of deer.

"I doubt anyone would be able to find us here," Veidt said, breaking the long silence.

Better than nothing. At least he's talking. Carter shrugged. "There is a path. Not a very good one, but it's still a path."

"If we strayed off the path, I mean." Veidt glanced at him. "It would not be easy for us to be found."

Carter nodded. "Nope. Not really." He took a breath. "So… how did you sleep last night?"

"Well, if I had dreamed at all, I do not remember it. I usually remember all of my dreams." Veidt fell silent again, then gave a heavy sigh. "I should stop dancing around this. It is not… an easy thing to open up about."

"We've talked about your fears and nightmares before, though."

"We have, but this time will be different. This time, we are trying to fix them, so to say."

"I don't even know if that's possible. I mean, I think what we're really doing is trying to make them… less crippling for you. I don't think we can get rid of them permanently."

Veidt nodded. "I cannot erase what I did. I cannot say that I was forced into doing this. I did what I did willingly." He kept looking at the ground. "I took people away for the Sorcery Division."

"And you realized what you were doing was wrong. I'm not saying you should forget what happened, but… you do need to forgive yourself."

Veidt gave Carter a stunned look. "I… doubt that is possible. I have been trying to forgive myself for the last two years, and somehow, I always return to being angry and feeling like I have never really changed."

"You have changed, though."

"Carter, you never met me back when I was still loyal to the SS. I was a nasty person. I was lonely and desperate for validation. I was… more like Kaschel. I firmly believed in my work. Unlike Kaschel, though, I did not have much of a life outside of work. He has his family. I was cast out from my family. In many ways, I have not changed. I am still lonely. I still do not have much of a life outside of work—even outside of my work with the League."

"You're not a nasty person, though. You know I consider you to be a friend, right?"

"I do." The conversation died for a few moments, then Veidt said, "I have not changed my mind about the mission."

Carter sighed. "I'm not expecting you to change your mind right this minute. I know this is going to take time."

"The problem is that we do not have time. We need to get Reiger to Stalag VII C soon."

Up until then, Carter had felt that the part of the forest they were walking through was completely devoid of life aside from the trees and bushes and shrubs around them. A chill suddenly shot down his spine, and he felt as though they were no longer alone.

Veidt had paused along with him. "I feel it, too," he whispered.

"Yeah," Carter said. "Someone else is in here with us."

They could hear twigs snapping and leaves rustling some distance away. Veidt motioned for Carter to get behind him. In the darkness of the forest, Carter spotted a face. It was familiar, but he had never seen it in person, only in pictures. "Veidt—"

"I see him," Veidt whispered breathlessly. "Steichen."

Blood drained from Carter's face. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Time to play pretend." Veidt wrapped his arms around Carter, then pulled his gun from its holster.

Carter had known Veidt long enough to know the German always kept a round chambered. Another chill moved through him when he heard the click of Veidt taking the gun's safety off before the cold muzzle of the gun was pressed against the side of his head. He opened his mouth to ask if this was really a good idea when Steichen approached them. His uniform was torn and scratched from where he had once tangled with thorns.

Veidt kept Carter pressed against his chest. From the corner of his eye, Carter could see Veidt's index finger was on the trigger. If he so much as twitches, he's going to blow my brains out. Carter squeezed his eyes shut, praying for Veidt to have strength. It didn't help that he could feel Veidt's heart beating faster and faster against his back. I trust you, buddy. Just stay calm. It'll be okay. Carter took a deep breath, trying to prompt Veidt to do the same. I know you can do it. Stay calm and we'll get through this.

"What are you doing out here, Hauptsturmführer?" Steichen asked.

"Chasing this man," Veidt replied. "He was following me while I was searching for Reiger."

"Let me guess, Kaschel ordered you to look for Reiger?" Steichen took his own gun out of its holster.

"My orders are none of your business, Sturmbannführer," Veidt replied. "Leave me be while I interrogate this man."

"You really think this worthless civilian holds more importance than a vampire capable of changing the course of the war?" Steichen aimed his gun at Carter's forehead.

A strange rushing feeling suddenly pulsed in Carter's chest as he panicked and silently begged for someone to help him. He opened his eyes, looking up at Steichen.

"If you shoot him, you will kill me, too!" Veidt snarled.

"And why should I care? You operate as Kaschel's henchman and nothing more. You live to kiss his boots. You have no desire to use magic to further Germany's progress. You just want to keep doing Kaschel's bidding, like the good little servant you are. You are a disappointment to the Third Reich."

"If anything, you are the disappointment, Steichen. You wanted the vampiric curse for yourself, so you can take Kaschel's position. Then what? You take over the entire SS? How about the entire Wehrmacht next? Why, you may have even considered taking the role of Führer as well. Was that your plan? Show Germany how little respect you have for Hitler?"

"Oh, like how Kaschel has so little respect for Standartenführer Wahler's vision? If you want to tout respect, Veidt, look no further than Kaschel to see a glaring example of disrespect. Otherwise, you are nothing more than a hypocrite."

"Kaschel is not misguided. Wahler's vision was not to take control of Germany, unlike yours."

Steichen's blue eyes blazed with fury. Carter tried not to squirm, even as the rushing feeling persisted. Veidt's grip on him tightened.

"Kaschel is not going to give me a second chance," Steichen said. "I am either going to find Reiger and finish what I have started, or die trying."

Carter wasn't sure he could see a way out of this, but the pulsing in his chest was getting more and more intense. It wasn't his own heartbeat. It felt like it belonged to someone—or something else.

The three turned when the sound of something galloping came running toward them. A huge red deer, antlers lowered, came charging from the tangled brush. Carter watched it in awe until Veidt pulled him down into the grass, while Steichen remained where he was. Another cold feeling enveloped Carter when he heard the sickening sound of the buck's antlers driving forcefully into Steichen's body, followed by the German screaming in dying terror.

Veidt kept Carter's head covered until they both heard something heavy land in the dirt nearby. Sitting up, they saw the deer standing a few feet away, antlers painted red with blood. On the ground was a shocked and profusely bleeding Steichen.

Carter got out from under Veidt and crawled over to Steichen, feeling as though he was going to throw up at the sight of all the blood. Steichen was staring blankly into the overcast sky, struggling to breathe. He looked at Carter, who turned back to Veidt. "We gotta get him to a hospital, now!"

"No," Steichen said, coughing. "I… will not make it."

"Damn it, we gotta try!"

"He is right. He will not survive the trip," Veidt replied, kneeling by Steichen.

"This one—" Steichen weakly moved his head in Carter's direction, "speaks English. Is there something you would like to say, Veidt?"

"Yes. I am no longer loyal to the SS, or Kaschel, or the Nazis in general," Veidt replied.

Steichen grinned. "So, you can think for yourself. You played us all very well, Veidt. I never would have suspected someone with such a cowardly disposition as yourself would have decided to become a traitor."

Veidt nodded. "Well, you were wrong, and I am not a coward. For the record, I know exactly where Reiger is, and I am going to help him as best I can so he can live a normal life. Your work is a failure."

"My work is not a complete failure," Steichen said. "I still created Reiger's vampirism." He went back to staring at the sky, breathing shallowly. "How will you handle Kaschel when he finds out the truth about you, Veidt?"

"I have not thought about that at all. Hopefully, he will not find out until after the war."

"Do you have any idea how much this is going to hurt him? In case you have not noticed, Veidt, he does care about you." Steichen looked Veidt in the eye. "Did he ever tell you he had a younger brother?"

"No. I thought it was only him and his sister."

Steichen slowly shook his head. "There was a brother, named Lucas. He died of illness when he was only ten. Lucas was quite shy and inquisitive, much like you. Kaschel has many subordinates, but he values you above all others, because you remind him so much of Lucas. When the truth comes out about you turning traitor, it will break his heart."

"I will deal with it when the time comes."

"Oh, feel free to do that—" Steichen turned his head to spit blood on the ground, "but the time will come sooner or later."

"Is any of this even true?"

"I know I am going to die. I may as well tell you before you find out the hard way."

Veidt was quiet for a moment. "Did you love anyone, Lutz?"

"There is a secretary at the SS office in Augsburg who… I had feelings for. She has the softest touch any woman could have, and such a lovely smile. Her name is Odette Hauswald."

"Do you want me to tell her?"

"Give her the ring I have been keeping in my office. It is in my desk, top drawer." Steichen looked up at the sky again. He began whispering something, and Carter wasn't sure if it was directed at him and Veidt, or to someone else entirely. "Please… forgive me."

Once more, silence filled the forest. Steichen's chest ceased rising and falling, and Carter found it difficult to look into his now-lifeless eyes. He still felt sick, and the metallic stench of blood had dominated the light scent of old rain. Nearby, the deer was still standing and watching them.

Veidt closed Steichen's eyes. "I forgive you," he whispered back. "Well, it will take a while before I truly feel that I have forgiven you, but… it is a start."

Carter swallowed past the growing urge to vomit. He saw the deer in the corner of his eye. "I-I-I didn't summon the deer. I didn't want this to happen. I-I know he wasn't a good person, but—" Tears were streaming down his face, and he sat against a tree trunk. His hands were shaking as he brought them to his face. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Veidt stood up. He looked at the deer as well, which had turned and started walking away. "I do not blame you for this. Honestly, I am not angry. Steichen was too dangerous to live, and this was probably better than whatever Kaschel had in store for him."

"That—" Carter pointed in the direction of the deer, "is not something I should be able to do."

"You did not consciously summon the deer, did you?"

"No, but—"

"Then there is no need to blame yourself for Steichen's death. Why are you even assuming you had something to do with this? This could have been a coincidence."

"You yourself told me people who have the ability to sense magic are often connected to a specific animal."

"That does not mean that you can control animals."

"I was threatened. The deer attacked. There has to be a connection."

"Maybe there is—"

"That can't happen every time I'm threatened." Carter covered his head. "It's not… normal."

"I know." Veidt held out his hand. "We should head back to camp. I will tell Kaschel about this."

"How are you going to explain this?"

"Well, the wounds are there, and puncture wounds like those are vastly different to gunshot wounds. I can easily say this was some kind of unprovoked deer attack."

Carter took Veidt's hand. He glanced at Steichen's corpse, and tears choked him. What have I done? What am I capable of? This isn't right at all. Without warning, he put his arms around Veidt, sobbing into his shoulder.

Reiger was full of newfound vigor after receiving blood the previous night. Best of all, he didn't have to bite anyone for it. It was provided in a bottle, almost like water, and drinking it felt like he finally got a drink of water after wandering around the hottest parts of the Sahara for days on end. He slept well for the first time in a while, and didn't rouse until after the prisoners returning from morning roll call, when Kinchloe came down to say that LeBeau had made breakfast if he wanted any. With blood in his system, Reiger wouldn't need to eat regular food for at least a week, but he still took some breakfast to be polite to LeBeau.

"You look like you've found the fountain of youth, mate," Newkirk said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"In many ways, I certainly feel that way," Reiger replied. He looked over at Hogan and Kinchloe. "Is there any way I can thank you for getting that blood for me?"

"After the war," Hogan said. "You're certainly looking a lot better."

"Colonel, there must be something I can do."

"Well—" Hogan looked at Kinchloe, "Wilson did appreciate your help in the infirmary yesterday, but we'd like to keep incidents like that to a minimum. You're lucky you only ran into Schultz yesterday."

"I understand, Colonel. I would still like to help people. There is not much I can do, but I can try."

"We appreciate the offer, but we're going to be heading to the Maybach complex soon and it wouldn't do you any good to get attached to Stalag 13." Hogan gave Reiger a reassuring smile. "Besides, I'm sure Westheimer will let you help out at Stalag VII C."

Reiger nodded. "How soon is 'soon?'"

"Once Veidt comes back with uniforms and a vehicle that we can take to Zossen."

"Alright. May I ask what the plan is for how you are going to get the new documents into the complex?"

"We're going in disguised as Sorcery Division officers. We'll order everyone in the complex to line up while we inspect them for any magic users. While we're 'checking' them, Newkirk and Carter are going to meet up with our League contact and slip the papers into their correct folders."

"Veidt hates the plan, because this is the kind of thing he used to do while he was loyal to the SS," Kinchloe said.

"I take it there is no other way that this could be undertaken?" Reiger asked.

Hogan shook his head. "No. We need everyone out of their offices. Carter and I already tried going over other options. This is the only one that'll work."

"I see."

"Carter is with Veidt now, trying to convince him that this is the best option," Kinchloe added.

Reiger nodded again. "So, we are waiting for Veidt to agree to this. What if he does not?"

"He'll come around to it," Hogan replied. "It's the only way to save you, and he cares about that more than anything else. In the meantime, try to stay out of trouble, Captain."

"Could I at least visit Atkins?"

"We can bring Atkins to you. Wait here."

Reiger stayed at the table when Hogan left the barracks. He looked around at the other prisoners, taking note of Carter's bunk being empty. Most of the bunks were empty, as several of the prisoners tried to go outside and do something despite the skies threatening rain. Reiger wished he was out with them, instead of cooped up inside the barracks.

"Would you like a coffee, Captain?" Newkirk asked.

"Sure, thank you," Reiger replied.

"Do you play cards at all, mate?"

"It has been a while since I have played any card game."

"Well, get comfortable. Olsen and I will show you how to play bridge."

About halfway through their lesson, Hogan returned to the barracks with Atkins in tow. The young corporal was looking at the floor, and stared down at the table when he sat across from Reiger, who tried giving him a warm smile. "How are you feeling, Corporal?"

Atkins glanced up at him, then went back to looking at the table. "I can't go on missions or work details now. Klink thinks I'm just an extra unproductive mouth to feed. I'm inclined to agree."

"That is not true," Reiger said. He reached out to touch Atkins's arm, but the corporal pulled his arm away.

"It is true," Atkins muttered. "I wanted to actually contribute in the war again. That's why I tried to escape so many times at my previous camp. I knew they'd send me to Stalag 13, and then I could join the Underground."

"You can't contribute much if you're not healthy, bud," Kinchloe said, squeezing Atkins's shoulder. "We can't have someone passing out or getting exhausted easily when we're out on assignment."

"I also mentioned yesterday that I will send a gift of iron supplements when I get to Stalag VII C," Reiger added. "You will be able to participate in good time."

Atkins didn't respond. "Why exactly did you want to see me?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing."

"This is as good as I'm going to get for a while. I'm a dead weight for everyone here."

"Please, there is no need to feel that way." Reiger held out his hand. "I understand you feel obligated to help, but Kinchloe is right—you need your health before you can do anything. It does not make you useless."

Atkins was quiet for a moment, then sighed while taking Reiger's hand. "Fine. Do you promise that you'll send those supplements?"

"Promise. It will be the first thing I do after settling in."

"Alright. I will hold you to that. Don't forget."

Reiger was smiling on the outside, but on the inside, he wondered if he had already gotten attached to the people of Stalag 13.

Veidt maintained caution as he and Carter returned to Stalag 13. Carter was still distraught over what had happened in the woods, but he listened to Veidt's instructions and didn't put himself in any unnecessary danger as they approached the tree stump outside the camp. Once the coast was clear, Veidt opened the tree stump and let Carter in first. He glanced around one last time before climbing in and closing the stump once he was heading down the ladder.

Carter looked unsure of what to do next once they were both safe in the tunnel. He didn't say anything as Kinchloe approached them. "That took longer than expected. Everything okay?"

Carter shook his head. "No. No, nothing's okay."

"Could you get Colonel Hogan, Sergeant?" Veidt asked. "We will explain everything."

Once Hogan was down in the tunnels with them, Veidt told him and Kinchloe about their encounter with Steichen in the woods. He said nothing about Steichen's last words, feeling as though that was a discussion for another time. There was silence from the two Americans when Veidt finished his and Carter's tale. Hogan looked at the hard-packed ground with his arms folded over his chest, while Kinchloe seemed to be trying to find the right words to say. Eventually, he said, "Damn. That's… quite a gruesome way to go."

"At least we don't have to worry about Steichen anymore," Hogan replied.

"It shouldn't have happened this way," Carter said. "I didn't summon the deer. I didn't want that to happen."

"No one's blaming you, Carter. Don't worry about it."

"'Don't worry?' Sir, that deer attacked because of my connection to them. That deer attacked because I was threatened. What's going to happen if someone threatens me in camp? Is a deer going to charge in and gore one of the guards? Or Hochstetter? Or any other visiting Gestapo agent? All I did was think 'please, someone help me' when Steichen had his gun pointed at my head." Carter looked at Veidt. "I don't want that kind of power."

"There is no way of getting rid of it," Veidt said.

"I shouldn't have it. How am I supposed to even begin to control it?"

"Carter." Hogan rose his voice, sounding firm, but not angry. "Go get some rest. We'll talk about this when you've calmed down."

Carter looked defeated, but he turned and headed up to the barracks anyway. "Yes, sir."

Once Carter had left, Hogan turned back to Veidt. "Steichen really is dead?"

Veidt nodded. "I left his body in the woods. I will inform Kaschel, and then it will be up to him to decide what to do next. He wants Reiger destroyed. I doubt Kaschel will let this go easily. Are you not worried he will find the new records and search Stalag VII C?"

"He won't know unless he physically goes to Maybach and sees the records for himself," Hogan said.

"Right." Veidt sighed. "I still do not like this. I… will help, but I do not want to be involved in the actual interrogations. I would rather help with planting the new documents."

"You know the interrogation process better than anyone. I'm going to need your help with that."

"Colonel, please—"

"If we're going to pull this off, we need it to look as legitimate as possible."

Veidt nodded again. "Fine. I will help. May I… May I speak to Carter?"

"Later. He needs to rest. I'm sorry." Hogan adjusted his posture. "When can we expect those uniforms?"

"Tomorrow morning. I can also bring a staff car, but I will need you to provide a truck. You know, for 'potential subjects.'"

"We can do that. Might be best you get some rest as well, Veidt."

"Yes. Perhaps." Veidt sighed, turning to the ladder. "I will see you tomorrow, Colonel."

His thoughts ran rampant as he made his way back into Hammelburg. Tired, horrified, and anxious, Veidt eventually found Kaschel sitting outside of a café on one of Hammelburg's higher streets, overlooking much of the town and the expansive farm fields and forests surrounding it. Kaschel appeared to be deep in thought, and paid no attention to Veidt as he approached.

"Hello, Standartenführer," Veidt said, breaking the silence.

Kaschel looked up at him. "Veidt. Have a seat, order some coffee. What brings you here?"

"Well, sir, I… have news regarding Steichen."

"What sort of news?"

"Steichen is dead."

The silence returned. Kaschel stirred his coffee for a moment. "Are you telling me the truth?"

"Yes, sir. I encountered him in the woods near Stalag 13 while I was conducting my own search for Reiger. We got into an argument and a deer must have gotten annoyed with us, because it charged Steichen and impaled him with its antlers."

"Deer are not usually aggressive like that. It is not even rutting season."

Veidt shrugged. "I cannot find an explanation for why the deer attacked, but Steichen died of his injuries. I tried to bring him to a hospital, but… he knew he was not going to survive, so he told me to just let him be. His only instructions were to give one of the secretaries at the Augsburg office—Odette Hauswald—a ring that he was keeping in his desk."

"Did you move his body at all?"

"No, sir. I came to find you in order to receive instructions."

Kaschel took a sip of his coffee. "Steichen will get a proper burial. I will send a team out to collect his remains before the end of the day."

"What about Reiger? Do you still want him found?"

"The full moon is in a few days. I have been keeping an eye on local papers for anything out of the ordinary, but I have found nothing so far. I suspect that means Reiger has left this area entirely, or he is planning on simply lying down and dying. We have other things to worry about."

"So… call off the search?"

Kaschel nodded. "If anything comes up, we will take care of it. For now, we have a multitude of other projects that need to be handled."

A feeling of relief washed over Veidt, but he didn't let it show on his face. He took a seat across from Kaschel, observing the taller man as he continued to gaze out at the landscape. Steichen's words from earlier surfaced in his mind. "When the truth comes out about you turning traitor, it will break his heart."

Part of Veidt still wondered if what Steichen had said was even true. If it was, it certainly would make telling the truth quite difficult. On one hand, Veidt was afraid that Kaschel was simply going to execute him outright. On the other, perhaps Kaschel would take his anger out on Veidt by torturing him.

Or, maybe neither would happen. Kaschel was always so guarded when it came to his emotions and personal life that it was impossible to tell what his reaction would be. At the end of the day, what mattered more to him? His loved ones or his loyalty to the Nazis? Veidt didn't dare ask if it was true about Kaschel having a dead younger brother. Kaschel would want to know where he learned that. Then again, where did Steichen learn that? If Kaschel cared more about Veidt, how come he didn't know, but Steichen did? The only reasonable explanation Veidt could come up with was that perhaps Kaschel had told Wahler long before the latter's assassination. They did trust each other, enough so that Wahler named Kaschel his successor in the event of his death. It seemed plausible that Wahler would tell Steichen, but why? If Wahler valued his relationship with Kaschel, why bring up something so sensitive with someone Kaschel didn't trust. Unless Wahler really was not as trustworthy as Kaschel hoped, Veidt thought. That kind of backstabbing was one of the many reasons he turned against the SS.

He wondered, if his theory was true, if Kaschel was aware of Wahler having told Steichen about his brother. He knew Kaschel was going to have to face punishment for all that he did over the last few years, but he also knew if Kaschel came to see the severe error of his ways, the ever-present torment of guilt would be far worse than any length of a prison sentence.