Chapter 23:

Christian was silent as the last lock of his hair fell. They had completely shave his head. The man pushed him away, and called the next person. His clothes had been taken and he wore clothes too loose.

He now knew why Marcus hadn't given the owl any letters. Fleur had gotten them, and told the soldiers where he was. He hadn't see Elysia since the day they had pulled them apart. He had realized it was now October 25th, and he feared she was dead. He had not seen her in seven months.

But Elysia was not dead. She as servant to one of the generals, General Viktor Czechanie. Because she was not Jew, she had not yet been harmed in any way. Except by Czechanie's cruel words.

Elysia entered the kitchen fixing Czechanie's plate. She took it to the table sitting it down, as Czechanie entered. "Hello pet," he said, running a hand through her hair. Elysia shivered, edging away. "Come my dear," he said, "You must have had you a man once." She shook her head. He grabbed her hand turning her around and touching her cheek. "I can show you what a real man can do." Elysia turned leaving and brushed away from other servants. Czechanie grinned.

Elysia leaned against the pole outside tears falling. She used it to hold herself up, as she wept. She looked out, seeing the wooden fence, and going to it. She peeked through the hole, seeing her Christian. She knew he couldn't see her, he probably thought her to be dead. She turned away her heart aching,

There's so much life

I've left to live

And this fire's burning still

When I watched you look at me

I though I could find

The will…

To stand for every

Dream

And foresake the solid

Ground

And give up this fear

Within

Of what would happen if

they ever knew

I'm in love with you

Elysia's feet gave in and she fell to the soot covered ground.

Cause I'd surrender

Everything

To feel the chance

To live again

I reach to you…

I know you can feel

It too

We'd make it through

A thousand dreams I still

Believe

I'd make you give them all

To me

I'd hold you in my arms

And never let go

I surrender

Elysia drew a small heart in the ground, writing their initials in the dirt with her finger.

I know I can't survive

Another night without you

You're the reason I go on

And now I need to live the truth

Right now, there's no better time

From this fear I will break

Free

And I'll live again with

Love

And no they can take that away

From me

And they will see

I'd surrender everything

To feel the chance to live again

I reach to you

I know you can feel

It too

We'd make it through

A thousand dreams I still

Believe

I'd make you give them

All to me

I'd hold you in my arms

And never let

Go

I surrender!

Every night's getting longer

And this fire's getting stronger babe

I'll swallow my pride…

And I'll be alive

Can't you hear

My call?

I surrender

All

I surrender everything, to feel the chance

To live again

I reach to you

I know you can feel it too, we'd make it through

A thousand dreams

I still believe

I'd make you give them all

To me

I'd hold you in my arms

And never let go

I surrender

Right here, right now

I give my life to live

Again

I'll break free, take me

My everything I surrender all

To you

Right now

I give my life to live again

I'll break free, take me

My everything

I surrender all to you

Elysia looked around for something to stand on. She found a small bucket but that was useless. She got a chair, standing in it so she could see above the fence. She looked down, seeing him immediately. She tried to think of a way to get his attention suddenly , it cam to her.

If I never knew you

If I'd never felt this love

I would have no inkling of

How precious life can be

Christian looked up, seeing her. He smiled, "You're alive!" Elysia smiled, "Yes, so are you." he smiled kindly, "We can get away one day, we will. Are you safe? No one has touched you have they?" "No, I'm safe," she said, "servant to that horrid General." "Czechanie," he said, "I'm just happy to see you." "Me, too," she said, "I'll try to visit you tonight."

Christian smiled, "You promise?" "Yes," she said, kissing him lightly, "I love you." "I love you more," he said, "Stay well." Elysia nodded letting go of his hand, getting back down. Christian smiled,

If I never held you

I would never have a clue

How at last I found you

The missing part of me

Christian went back to work, quickly. Unknowns to him, a soldier saw his and Elysia's meeting.