A/N: I'm pleased to see that people are enjoying the story. Thank you to all who have reviewed so far. I know it may seem a bit slow right now, but the story will pick up soon, I promise.

I just wanted to clarify something quickly. When the Nazis invaded Poland, they changed the name of Oswiecim to Auschwitz. However, to avoid confusion between the ten and he camp, I'll refer to the town as its Polish name.

Oswiecim, Poland 1942

"Two days to get here? This is ridiculous!" Big Bob complained as the Pataki family, along with their Asian companion, left the train station. Indeed it took two days to arrive in the small town of Oswiecim. They had to switch trains in Warsaw and Krakow before arriving to their new town. During the ride, Big Bob grumbled about everything. The ride was too bumpy. It was too hot. It was too cold. The food was terrible. The sun was too bright. The snow frosted up the windows. Helga's dress was too pink. The longer the journey, the more preposterous the complaints. Miriam, on the other hand, was passed out nearly the entire time. The only time she woke up was when the drink cart came around. Helga and Phoebe would just stare at each other, embarrassed by such actions from adults. The two young ladies were relieved when the final train arrived at its destination.

"Well, it's not like your complaints made the trip any quicker," Helga replied sarcastically.

"Hey, hey, hey! Watch your mouth, little lady," Bob scolded before directing his attention to the outside of the station. "Now, where is that driver? Ah, there he is." Just then, a brand new Volkswagen appeared in front of them. Big Bob received it as a gift for transferring. The four piled into the car and were driven down the streets of Oswiecim.

Helga and Phoebe gazed out the windows to view the quaint town. It was not so different from Berlin. There were houses, a church, and stores. The most notable exception, aside from it being much smaller, was the sky was filled with smoke. "Is it always smoky here?" Helga inquired to her father.

"You'll get used to it, Olga," Bob mumbled from behind his papers. Helga glanced over at Phoebe who just shrugged. Helga rolled her eyes in response.

The car came to a stop in front of a white opulent house. The girls' jaws dropped. While they have seen many extravagant houses before, never have they lived in one before. Their house back in Berlin was about a third of the size of the house that stands before them. It was a simple house with little decoration.

"Criminy, Bob!" exclaimed Helga as she stepped out of the car. "How can you afford this?" Bob and Phoebe also exited the car.

"You don't need to concern yourself with that, Olga. Let's just say that I was given a good deal."

"It is quite beautiful, Herr Pataki," Phoebe chimed in. "May I suggest we go inside and take a look?"

"Yeah, yeah, go ahead," Bob waved them away while turning his attention to his unconscious wife. The girls could hear him say "for Christ's sake, Miriam" before they entered the house. Their eyes wandered all over, trying to decide what to focus on first.

"Oh, my," Phoebe whispered. "I have never seen a place more stunning."

"Meh, it's okay," Helga shrugged, trying not to appear too excited to be living here. Phoebe knew better, of course, but did not push the subject.

"I guess we better find our rooms." They ascended the winding iron staircase to the second floor and they each quickly chose a bedroom. Helga placed her suitcases on the furnished bed and begun to unpack. She pulled out her journal and pulled out the sheet of paper that contains the address of Stinky's friend, Sid. Sid resides in Krakow, which is an hour train ride from Oswiecim. It would be difficult to get there without her parent's knowledge, despite their neglect. With many SS guards around beneath her Father's rank, they would do all they can to get on his good side.

"Helga, can you come here?" Phoebe asked from inside her room. Helga placed the address back into her journal and hid it under her mattress before heading to her friend.

"What is it, Pheebs?" Helga wondered as she entered the room. Before her was Phoebe sitting on the ground surrounded by open floorboards. Next to the boards were many treasures. Necklaces and rings with diamonds encrusted in them. Enough silver cutlery for a family of twelve. But the most shocking valuable was a large silver candelabra that holds nine candles. Helga pointed to it. "Is that what I think it is?"

"If you are thinking a menorah, they yes, it is." Helga sat next to her friend. "I guess we now have an idea of used to live here."

"Yeah, I guess," Helga spoke softly. It made her sick knowing the previous tenants were most likely kicked out of their house and now suffering in some desolate ghetto, or worse. She couldn't do anything to help them now, but perhaps these treasures could still be of some use. Helga started piling the trinkets together.

"Helga, what are you doing?" Phoebe asked.

"Gathering up currency," Helga replied, not slowing her pace. Phoebe furrowed her eyebrows before realizing what she meant.

"To barter with if you need information," Phoebe finished.

"Exactly. Stinky said Sid has informants all over Poland. Perhaps they will know something," Helga sniffled. Phoebe nodded and patted her friend's back. She knew exactly what that something, or rather, someone is. Helga swiped her nose. "We need to figure out how to get to Krakow,"

"We will figure it out," reassured Phoebe. The floor rumbled beneath them. The girls looked at each other. Bob was coming upstairs. They scrambled out the door and shut it behind them, smiling innocently. Bob eyed them as he reached the top.

"I don't even want to know," he said. "Oh, and by the way, I have to go to Krakow next week to meet with some officials. You two will come along and get some food from the market. And no funny business, either." He walked to his bedroom. Helga and Phoebe looked at each other.

"Finally, Bob is useful for something."

Krakow, Poland

Big Bob entered the building where his meeting was being held, leaving he two nineteen year olds to their own devices until three in the afternoon. As soon as he disappeared from their sight, they made their way towards Sid's. They wandered the streets of Krakow. They got lost along the way. They made a wrong turn that led them to a small neighborhood. It was gated, with the Star of David above it. Hoards of people stood on the other side of the gate, wearing the same star on a band wrapped around their arm. They look tired and weak. It appeared that they haven't eaten in weeks. It was the Krakow ghetto. Phoebe grabbed Helga's hand. "Oh, dear," she whispered. The gate opened and the Jews walked out, many waving a piece of paper in their hands.

"Hey, Phoebe," Helga whispered, "what do you think those papers are?"

"I'm not entirely certain. If I had to guess, those would be work papers."

"Who in Poland would hire Jews?"

"I don't know. Maybe Sid will know."

"Maybe. Come on, I think we should head back."

Eventually they found the correct street. They approached the correct door and knocked on it. "Come in," a voice called from inside. Helga and Phoebe entered the home. It was small and simple, much like Helga's Berlin home. Standing in the hallway was a medium sized man staring at them. He had stringy black hair that was mostly covered by a green hat. He wore all black clothing with the exception of his white boots. "Hello, ladies," his scratchy voice said. "How can I help you?"

Helga approached him. "We are looking for Sid Gafaldi. I'm Helga Pataki and this is my friend, Phoebe Hyerdahl." Phoebe nodded.

The man stared at them cautiously. "What do you want with Sid," he asked.

"We just moved to Oswiecim from Berlin. Stinky Peterson said that Sid would be helpful," Phoebe mentioned.

"I see," he stated. He motioned them into the sitting room. They all sat. "Just out of curiosity, how do you know Stinky Peterson?"

"We went to school together," Helga stated. "Now are you going to tell us where Sid is?"

The man laughed. "You mean to tell me that you haven't figured it out?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Helga snarled.

"Calm down." The man extended his hand out. "I'm Sid. Sorry to have made it difficult, but I had to make sure your story matched up with what I've been told. I have to keep my business safe, you know."

Helga stared down at his hand. She didn't like that she was being tested, but she had to respect him for being thorough. She shook his hand. "So how did you know about me?" she asked.

"One of my guys met up with Stinky last week and informed me," Sid answered. "He mentioned that your father is an SS officer, but you disagree with the policies. Is that correct?"

Helga nodded. "Yes, he's an administrator at Auschwitz."

"The original of the one at Birkenau?"

"Birkenau."

"Interesting," Sid pondered. He stood up to a tray with a pitcher of water and glasses. He began pouring the glasses. "How are you ladies enjoying Krakow? See anything interesting?"

"Actually," Phoebe spoke, "we passed by the ghetto on our way here and noticed that some of the Jews were leaving the area. They appeared to have work papers. What we were wondering is who would be hiring Jews in Poland?"

Sid chuckled. "Out of everything, that is what you want to know?" Phoebe nodded as Sid gave her a glass, and another to Helga before sitting down with his own. "He's a German industrialist. He hires Jews because they're cheaper than Poles. He owns an enamelware factory in town."

"I see," said Phoebe, taking a sip.

"Now that's out of the way," Helga said, annoyed, "are we able to have a relationship settled here? We have plenty of ways to pay you for your help." Helga opened a small bag she brought with her and showed Sid the treasures from the floorboards.

"I see monetarily, we can work together," Sid said. "However, there is something else I'm interested in."

Helga bolted up and grabbed him by his shirt. "Listen up, bucko. Helga G. Pataki does not give her body up for anything. And I'll be damned if you take advantage of me or Phoebe!"

Sid waved his hands frantically. "That's not what I meant! I was talking about information!" Helga threw him down in his chair and crossed her arms. Sid straightened his shirt. "You mentioned your father works at Auschwitz."

"We've already established that," Helga said impatiently.

"Right. Well, I was hoping that you two can go to the camp and find if a certain person is there."

Helga sat down. "You want us to go there? To the concentration camp that kills?"

"I know it will be difficult, but a friend of mine may be there. He went into hiding several years ago, but we kept in touch until recently. He's Jewish, which basically means that he would be sent to Auschwitz. I've tried to get people inside to find out, but it's a stronghold. If you can convince your father to let you in, we may be able to find him. Also, it could help to know the inner workings of the camp. Maybe something could help us to get him out if he's still alive."

Helga's eyes bugged out of her sockets. "An escape plan? Are you insane? This is a suicide mission. If we're caught, we'll be thrown in Auschwitz!"

"Helga!" a soft voice shrieked. The blonde looked over to the owner of the voice: her petite friend. "Calm down! There is no need to be so irrational right now!" Helga stared in shock at Phoebe's outburst. She couldn't believe what she saw.

"I'm sorry," Helga whispered.

Phoebe sighed. "He just wants us to get an understanding of the land and find out if his friend is there. He isn't asking us to take part in the escape." She turned her attention to Sid. "Am I correct?" Sid nodded, also surprised by this tiny girl's shouts. "See? We don't have to do anything illegal. And if you won't do it, I will. Now, if you don't mind telling me, who is your friend that you need to find?"

"Harold Berman," Sid said.

Once again, Helga was in shock. She couldn't fathom the thought of Harold being in that godforsaken prison. She had to find out. She owed at least that much to Arnold. Her heart ached at the thought of disappointing him. "I know him," she squeaked. "We also went to school together. I can't imagine how it must be if he is in there." She stood up. "I'll do it."

Sid grinned and stood up as well. "Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"I'm sure I somewhat do," replied Helga. She glanced at the clock. "We better get going. We still need to get food before Bob's meeting ends."

"What do you need?" Helga showed him the list. "I have all of this in my stockroom. Consider it a thank you present."

"You know what, Sid?" Helga began, smirking. "I think we're going to get along very well."

Three o'clock came and Bob exited from the building, seeing both his daughter and her friend waiting with food. "Let's go," he said, heading towards the car. "You better have not forgotten anything, Olga."

"It's Helga, Dad."

"Right, Olga." Helga sighed. "Hey, Dad? Can Phoebe and I visit Auschwitz? We want to see how you are helping with the destruction of the Jews."

Bob beamed. "That's my girl! I'll take you two later on this week. How about that?"

"Sounds great, Dad." Helga feigned a smile. Inside, her stomach was in knots. She didn't know what to expect at Auschwitz, and she wasn't sure if she would ever be prepared for what awaits her.

A/N: Bonus points if you can guess what industrialist Sid and Phoebe were talking about that hired Jews.

Also, the next chapter may take a while to upload. It will be with Helga and Phoebe in the camp and I want to make sure all the facts are straight.