15: Fainting
It was far too early, far too dark, and far too cold to be standing outside in formation, but Stalag 13's latest inspector demanded it, wanting to see just how tough the guards were, and how well they could respond to orders. Frankly, none of the guards could understand how this inspector in particular could get up at four in the morning, without coffee, and be fully capable of yelling and barking at them to stand at attention.
Kielholz hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, after being on a late patrol. He struggled to keep his eyes open, trying to stare straight ahead as the inspector prowled around the guards.
Even the stricter guards like Corporal Fleischer were becoming nervous around the inspector. The man hadn't even given his name, and through his exhaustion, Kielholz could feel sorry for him.
His thoughts were melted together in a mush that likely resembled some British desserts that he had heard Newkirk talk about. One moment, he was pitying the inspector. The next, he was thinking about sleep, or a cup of coffee, or the cold. The thoughts flowed together and blended incoherently, and made no sense.
Kielholz became aware of the somewhat weak scent of the inspector's aftershave as he stalked up to him. "Stand with your back straight, Corporal!" he hissed. Grunting, the inspector roughly tried forcing Kielholz to stand straight, which resulted in a number of rather satisfying pops and cracks from Kielholz's slightly misaligned vertebrae.
"That felt good," Kielholz murmured.
"Do not speak unless spoken to," the inspector said. "And stop smiling!"
Kielholz tried not to smile, but the fact that he had been told not to smile was just making him do it more. His head was getting lighter and lighter. "I do enjoy a smile," he babbled. "Perhaps… you should smile more, sir. It would do your health good."
The inspector raised his hand to swat Kielholz across the face, but found he didn't have to do anything as Kielholz promptly toppled over.
It was as though a voice in his head kept telling him that fainting was the only way out, the only way to get some proper sleep, even if he wasn't in a proper bed. Kielholz wasn't sure how long he had been passed out, but the dingy interior of the infirmary was coming into view, and a familiar presence was by his side. He turned his head, seeing Langenscheidt was sitting with his head in his arms. "Karl?"
Langenscheidt lifted his head, revealing a sizable bruise around his left eye. "Erich. How are you?"
"What happened?" Kielholz moved to get a better look at Langenscheidt's eye.
"When you fainted, I immediately went to you. The inspector was quite upset, but I stood firm. That was when I was punched in the face."
"Well, I'll go punch him next." Kielholz moved to get out of bed, but Langenscheidt took his arm, gently motioning for him to get back in.
"Don't. He already left."
"He had better not come back."
"He probably will, but you need to be the better person and don't hurt him if you see him again."
"I can't let anyone get away with hurting you."
"It is fine, Erich. I defended you. You have helped me countless times over the last several months. I have a lot of repay you for."
"True, but…" Kielholz trailed off, sighing. "I don't want you to be putting yourself in harm's way for me."
"Too late. I already did." Langenscheidt grinned a little. "I will be right here if you need anything. Get some sleep."
Author's Note: This inspector may show up in a later story. He's got to really earn his redemption arc.
