12: Emergency Room
There was always something unsettling about the sterile smells and spaces that made up the Hammelburg hospital, but Kielholz wasn't sure what was worse—the scents, his overall worry about Langenscheidt as he was under the knife having his appendix out, or the fact that Colonel Klink was sitting there and watching him pace anxiously.
I may as well be walking around naked. I don't want him seeing me like this, Kielholz thought.
"Why don't you sit down, Kielholz?" Klink said, breaking the silence.
"I can't, Colonel," Kielholz muttered.
A nurse entered the room. Kielholz rushed over to her. "Is he—"
"Corporal Langenscheidt is still in surgery. I will let you know when he is out." The nurse continued past him to go down another hallway.
Kielholz collapsed into a chair across from Klink, rubbing his face. His heart was beating rapidly, and he felt there was no way to slow it down. "I don't want him to die in there."
"I don't think Langenscheidt is going to die," Klink replied. "I had my appendix out a few months ago and I'm still here."
Kielholz continued to wring his hands. "What if something goes wrong? Something could go wrong. Maybe you just got lucky."
"He will be just fine. You need to relax."
"I can't relax, sir."
Klink sighed, and stayed quiet for a moment. "Is there anything I could do to help?"
Kielholz glanced at him, surprised Klink was asking that. Had he really just said that? "What, sir?"
"Is there anything I can do to help you relax?"
Kielholz didn't respond at first. He drew his legs up, resting his chin on his knees. "I just want to know that Karl will be alright."
"I am sure he will be."
"That doesn't help much."
"No, but it is the best I can do. Whatever does happen, you know that there are plenty of people in Stalag 13 willing to help you. Even the prisoners."
Kielholz gave Klink a confused look. This was a side to the commandant he had never seen before. Then again, he couldn't be sure if Klink was being genuine. His worry-clouded mind wouldn't let him dwell on it for long. He hugged his legs tighter, feeling his vulnerability reach a peak. His throat closed, and tears stung his eyes. He looked up once, and through the tears blurring his vision, he noticed Klink giving him a genuinely sympathetic look.
He pondered what it could mean for quite a while, then sat upright when the nurse returned almost an hour later. "Corporal Langenscheidt is out of surgery," she said.
"Is he alright?" Kielholz asked, standing.
"He needs time to recover, but he will be good as new when he wakes up."
"Can I see him?"
"He is not awake yet, Corporal."
"Nurse," Klink spoke up. "I think he should be let in to see his friend. As long as you promise not to wake him up, Corporal."
"I promise, Colonel," Kielholz said.
The nurse sighed. "Alright. Come along." She led Kielholz down a hallway and into a room, where Langenscheidt was laying asleep.
Not wanting to be thrown out early, Kielholz dragged a chair over to the bed, and rested his head in his arms, next to Langenscheidt's pillow. Seeing the gentle rise and fall of his friend's chest reassured him instantly. He was flooded with relief, and closed his eyes, hoping neither of them would be disturbed. Instinctively, he felt around for Langenscheidt's hand, and grasped it gently, squeezing a little tighter when he felt Langenscheidt's hand close around his.
Kielholz was completely unaware of Klink looking on from the doorway, smiling at them.
