Chapter 5- Terrorized

They sat me back in the same spot on the couch, with the gun still pressed to my stomach.

I stare straight ahead as the hands of time tick away the last few minutes of the hour time limit set by the Nazis.

Every few minutes I glance over at the children, and they too, sit motionless as they intently watch the clock. Their faces blank, almost trance like as they wait…

Herr Zeller stands just barely in my sight. He's waiting; watching the door like a hawk that's waiting for his prey. He hasn't given any orders, or even spoken in the last half hour.

His silence terrifies me more then his earlier threats…

The clock ticks to two minutes before the hour, and I suddenly find myself overcome with an intense feeling of dread. I know Georg will be here, that I have no doubt of; it's what will happen after that scares the life out of me.

I'm ripped from my thoughts when I hear the front door slam shut. I release the breath that was caught in the back of my throat, and cast my eyes up to heaven to pray on last time for my family.

" Just in time, Captain." I hear Herr Zeller growl.

Georg wastes no time, as he immediately confronts Herr Zeller. " What have you done to my family?" I close my eyes, as the gun is shoved harder into my stomach, " Where are they?" Georg's voice is full of the same anger and hatred as Herr Zeller's.

" Relax Captain, they're perfectly fine." Herr Zeller says smugly, " I took VERY good care of them."

Kobb tells the children to stand, and follow him. They cast me a quick glance, tears welling in their eyes. I nod slowly, as they begin to follow Kobb out of my sight.

" Like I said Captain, they're fine." Herr Zeller's voice has a chill to it that makes me tremble.

" Children?" I hear Georg say to them calmly.

" No further." Herr Zeller tells Kobb, " They stay right there until we have what we want."

" Where's Maria?" This time, the anger in his voice is dimmed by a hint of fear.

The Nazi motions for me to stand, I nod, and slowly stand.

" One thing at a time Captain. I've already let you see your children, now I need something from you."

" First show me that Maria is all right." Georg commands his tone filled with the same hatred.

" Not yet." Herr Zeller growls maliciously.

I see Georg's hands go to Herr Zeller's collar. " Where is Maria?"

Herr Zeller laughs his evil laugh, his eyes meeting Georg's. " She's right there." He sneers as Georg turns to look in my direction.

He hesitantly releases Herr Zeller, as his eyes meet mine. I suddenly find myself fighting off tears. I want to run into his arms, I want him to hold me and never let go…

" Maria?" He says softly, fighting off his own tears.

The Nazi pulls the gun back slightly so that Georg can see it, " Now Captain, are you ready to do business?" I cringe at the evil in his voice.

" This is between me and you Herr Zeller, let her go." Georg growls as eyes leave mine.

" All in good time, Captain." I watch tearfully as Kobb leads the children back into the family room. " Shall we get down to business?" I close my eyes, trying to will my tears away.

" All right Herr Zeller, whatever you want."

I gasp utterly stunned by Georg's willingness to comply with the Nazis. Herr Zeller snaps his fingers, and I again feel the gun move, signaling me to start walking.

A half an hour has passed by, and Georg and Herr Zeller have yet to reach any terms. I can only make out bits and pieces of their conversation, but my gut instincts tell me that all isn't, as it seems…

A few more minutes pass before Herr Zeller comes back into sight, Georg not far behind him. Herr Zeller nods to Kobb, and Kobb then tells the children to stand, that they are free to go.

I breathe a sigh of release as I tearfully watch, the children run into Georg's arms. He pulls them close, as he fights off his tears. The children sob in his arms, as the events of the last few hours begin to settle in. Georg takes Ellie into his arms, and she buries her head in his shoulder. He hugs her tight and tells her that he loves her before placing her back in Liesl's arms.

" Is everyone all right?" He asks gently, Gretl and Marta still clinging to him.

They nod in response, " Make them go away father, please." Gretl begs tearfully, as he pulls her closer.

The Nazi motions for me to stand, and do as I'm told. He begins to slowly pull the gun back, and I realize that he is finally going to let me free. I hold my breath as I wait…

" Not so fast." I hear Herr Zeller growl as he heads towards us, " I think it's best if we keep the baroness with us."

I watch as Georg looks up from the children, " We had a deal Herr Zeller, let her go."

" I've changed my mind. We wouldn't want you to attempt a daring escape on our way back to Austria. Your wife is merely…collateral."

Georg tells the children to stay where they are, as he steps to Herr Zeller. " Let her go." He growls back at Herr Zeller.

" I suggest that you do as I say, Captain." Herr Zeller sneers, as he turns his attention to me.

I feel the gun move away from my stomach but don't have time to move as the Nazi moves to stand in front of me, the gun a few inches from my chest.

I see Georg lung towards Herr Zeller, as he pushes him against the wall. " You hurt a hair on her head, Herr Zeller, and I will kill you with my bare hands." I know by the tone in his voice that he means it with every breath in his body.

Herr Zeller answers back by laughing his evil laugh, " You lay a hand on me, Captain, and your wife won't live long enough to give birth." I close my eyes again, trying one last time to keep my tears from falling.

Georg does the only thing he can, and lets Herr Zeller go.

" I thought you would see it my way Captain." He snaps his fingers, and the Nazi moves back to stand by my right side, as he immediately places the gun back against my stomach. " After you, Captain." Herr Zeller snarls.

Georg looks back at the children, offering them a quick nod, before he heads towards the front door.

The gun moves yet again, and the Nazi and I begin our walk to the front door. I glance back at the children, their blank stares have returned, and tears stain their cheeks. I stop fighting my own tears fall, as I nod to them.

We get to the front door at the same time, and Herr Zeller opens the door for the Nazi and me.

" After you, Baroness." He sneers as I step out the door.

Silent tears cascade down my cheek as we take the first few steps out of the door. I take a step down the first step, and it's like déjà vu , as a man steps in front of me…

To be continued…

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Notes:

** Sorry for the delay. I had a slight case of writers block, when I started this chapter. And then this site went down.

*** Sine you had to wait so long for this chapter, I'll be nice and won't put a ransom on it!!

***** I know a lot of you want something steamy to happen, but Maria is going to have the baby at anytime, so I don't think I could write anything to steamy! LOL! But I can write some sweet, pure fluff!! LOL!! I promise you won't be disappointed...