Liesel opened her heavy eyes to catch a ray of light that peaked through the curtains. She reached up to close them quickly, remembering there was a hiding Jew in the next bed.
Still half asleep, she tip-toed over to Max who was lying peacefully. His face was soft and a few strands of his ebony hair fell over his eyes. Liesel brushed them away gently, hearing his soft breathing fill the loud silence. She noticed the flannel was now placed on the bed side table and the water had been drunk, confirming he had woken up during the night.
Liesel rushed to get dressed in case he woke up again, throwing on tights and a green dress and clipping her long curly hair at the sides. It was Sunday so she had no work. Usually her Sunday's would be dedicated entirely to catching up on reading, it was her favourite thing to do after all, her favourite means of escape from reality.
Just as Liesel picked up a brown covered book from under her bed, she heard Max wake. She threw the book on her bed and rushed to his side, helping him sit up as he started to cough.
"Max? Max are you okay? My name is Liesel." She placed the pillows behind his back and sat by him, handing him a sip of water. Once he came around he lifted his dark eyes to hers.
"Is this Hans Vanderberg's house?" His voice was hoarse and he winced at the sound.
"Yes. I am his daughter, Liesel. Can you remember coming here last night? You fainted so we carried you up to bed. You'll be safe here, Max." Max looked around the small, dark room. He was just so happy to be alive after hiding anywhere he could for so long. He was thankful for there still being some kind people in the world.
"It's nice to meet you, Liesel. Thank you for taking me in." They shared a smile that lingered on both their mouths, Liesel looked away first.
"So where were you before here? Have you been on the run for a while?"
"Not long actually. Just a couple of weeks. I had a friend who helped me get away but I had to leave my mother behind. I will never forgive myself for it."
"You can't blame yourself for that. We're in the middle of a tragedy you are lucky to be alive yourself. The only people to blame is Hitler and his evil followers."
"You hate Hitler?" Max seemed surprised.
"Of course I do. I have to keep up appearances with everyone I know. How could I possibly ever want to be a part of genocide? It's evil." There was that silence again. Max looked tired and probably hungry, last night's food was now stale and would need replacing.
"I'll let you get back to sleep, have a good rest Max. I'll bring fresh food up." He nodded and leant back in to the pillows and closed his eyes. Liesel took the tray and left the room feeling incredibly saddened for what Max had been through, for what he's still going through.
Liesel got down stairs and was met with her parents, they immediately stopped what they were doing and rushed to her. They asked her a million questions about Max's health, if he has woken up, if he survived the night, if he's said anything, if he wants anything. Liesel hushed them and sat down then told them how he was. Hans went up with food to check on him and have a talk then left him to rest.
Almost three weeks went by and Max was still getting well from a fever, cooped up in bed. He had said very little and slept a lot, exchanging words here and there but nothing worth a conversation. Rosa was worried he would die but Liesel and Hans kept strong faith in his healing. He had survived this long there was no way he could die from a fever.
Work was not any easier for Liesel but the Mayor's wife would bring her tea and cake – some to take home without her husband knowing – and even give her a book from her vast collection. Liesel had to be extremely careful after the burning of the books made it dangerous for her to be seen with any.
It was Sunday evening, Liesel's day off and it was dark early during these winter months. Liesel changed for bed outside the room as Max was awake inside. Her cheeks flushed as she climbed in to bed, well aware that Max was trying not to look at her and failing. She smirked as she pulled the blanket to her neck then pulled a book out.
"Have you had a nice day?" Liesel was surprised to hear Max talk. It was the most he said to her since their first meeting.
"It's been okay. How are you feeling?"
"Much better. I think I'll come downstairs tomorrow for breakfast."
"That's wonderful." She could see in the dim candle light that colour had returned to his face and his eyes looked like life had come back to him, she couldn't help but admire him, her eyes lingering a second too long.
"Do you like to read?" She asked him, holding her book up.
"Yes, I love to. Books are truly magical. What have you got there?"
"It's a fairy-tale, magical indeed." She smiled. "I have some books under the bed if you want to try one. The lady I work for she gives me them, she doesn't agree with what's going on either and her husband is in the party."
"Oh, you must be careful. But I would very much appreciate one." Liesel reached under her bed for two books she read a while ago but enjoyed so much she kept them. She stretched to give them to Max who was smiling cheerfully for the first time since being here. Her heart fluttered as she found his smile to be beautiful, dimples piercing his thin cheeks. They read for the next few hours in silence before Liesel started to yawn. Max noticed and put his book down, urging the pretty girl with blonde curly hair to go to sleep like the princess in her book.
Two more weeks had passed. Max was well and walking about, reading every book that Liesel brought home. Max and Liesel had grown closer, she would chose books from the mayor's house that she thought he would like and they would talk about them at night until they fell asleep. They painted the walls of the basement of the world outside, trees, flowers, the sun… they were fast best friends and neither had laughed so much.
However, in the last few days the mood of the house had slumped and Liesel wasn't eating much. She was sick with terror of the new that Hans had been drafted for war and was to leave in the morning. Rosa never showed her true emotions and kept silent on the matter, but Liesel could see she was hurting. Also there was the Mayor who cut Liesel's hours in half and also her wages as he had found out about the books, but with pleading from his wife he would take no serious action.
Hans, Rosa, Liesel and Max sat around the table in the basement on the last night of Han's freedom. No one expected he would come back from the war and it was left unspoken of. Hans played the accordion that once belonged to Max's father, bringing a smile to everyone's face. Hans gave Liesel a kiss and a hug and left to go to bed for what might be the last time in his own home. Liesel and Max were left alone with a candle each to light their faces.
"What is it Liesel?" Max whispered to her.
"Where do I start? We're living in a war, Max. I doubt we'll ever see papa again." Max took her hand in his and tried to comfort her but it was hard to reassure her when the odds of Hans coming home were poor.
Liesel blushed in the darkness at his touch, lifting her face to his. He looked so beautiful to her with eyes so dark she could fall in to them.
"One day there will be light again, Liesel. We will all walk in the sunlight with our freedom." She gave him a weak smile and leant her head on his shoulder, thankful for a friend considering the situation. Max tensed at first but then relaxed, sharing his blanket so they both were wrapped under together. It was strange how much he enjoyed Liesel's company. Maybe it was because she was the only person he saw on a daily basis, because he lived with her, or maybe because they got on so well, because they were close in age. Whatever the reason, he was really fond of her.
The next night everyone was too emotional to do anything. Rosa and Liesel had watched the truck full of young soldiers drive off with Hans and had retired to bed early. Liesel cried and cried, thankful Max was down the basement painting to cure his boredom and stress. It was late and she had no work for three days as the Mayor said he would be giving her a different job. She didn't care anymore, her papa was gone and there was people dying in her country, she just wanted to smile for once, to see her mama smile.
Max came in the bedroom a while later, ready to go to sleep. He wanted to give Liesel space as he knew she probably wanted to cry. He came in to see her curled up on the bed, not under the covers, wiping her eyes.
"Liesel?" She patted her hair and brushed the tears from her eyes, not wanting to be seen as weak in front of Max.
"I know it's been a horrible time for you, but if you want to talk I'm a very good listener." Liesel smiled feebly and sat up. Max sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to lean in to him.
"Your father is an amazing man, he took me in when he really didn't have to and I couldn't be more grateful for that. He'll return to you, I'm sure of it."
"How are you so strong, Max? You've lost so much and I'm the one crying." She looked up to him as more tears fell from her eyes.
"I'm not strong at all, Liesel. I feel like crying all the time, but then I see you and you always make me smile. When you describe the weather to me in the most beautiful of words or bring me a new book, I feel lucky to have made a wonderful friend in you."
Liesel laughed as Max dried her tears with his sleeve. She felt terrible but yet he made her smile. He always made her smile when she needed it.
"Now go to sleep, come on." He helped her in bed and tucked her in, he even kissed her forehead. She felt his warm lips leave a mark on her skin, burning a single touch that she swear reached her soul.
"Max?"
"Yes?" He had blown out the last candle and stood in the darkness.
"Could you stay with me tonight? I don't want to be alone." Max wasn't quite sure what she meant, they were already in the same room.
But when he looked at her sorrowful eyes in the glow of the moonlight creeping through he knew right away that she needed someone to hold her. She needed warmth to comfort her and arms to wrap around her.
Max climbed in next to her, spooning her cold body so his arm wrapped around her frame and found her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. His head buried in her beautiful hair and she nuzzled in to him. They had hugged many time before but nothing like this, this was something special.
"Thank you, Max." He heard her sniffle, the remaining tears of the day drying on her damp cheeks.
"Anything for you, Liesel. Good night." They lay in an embrace that sent them both feelings of content and the utmost comfort, sending them in to a blissful sleep.