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Four days of endless packing of ornaments, more books, clothes and furniture had passed for Liesel. Each day she'd leave Max's side as he slept and kiss him and her mama goodbye. She would be greeted by Frau Hermann who would give her tea and biscuits and leave her alone to neatly pack the entire contents of a room in to boxes. At the end of each day she would take her envelope of money and return home to freshly made dinner and a happy mama.
Her and Max grew closer. He would greet her with warm, tender kisses along her mouth and down her neck, humming a soft tune in to her hair during their gentle embrace. Max was looking better than ever now that he was eating proper food. His energy had picked up and he was sleeping better. Liesel insisted it was because she was sleeping next to him.
On the eighth day of packing Isla Hermann interrupted Liesel as she threw dust cloths over the bedroom furniture.
"Liesel. I want to let you know that my husband and I are leaving tomorrow evening."
"So soon?" She couldn't help but feel saddened, not that she wanted the mayor to stay but she would very much miss Isla. She had treated her so kindly over the years.
"Yes. Our new house is ready. I shall miss you. Here's your final envelope, you should head home now." Liesel took the thick envelope, noticing it was bulkier than her last few.
"Danke, Frau Hermann. I shall miss you too. I wish you the very best wherever you're going." Isla smiled and pulled a piece of paper from her cardigan pocket. It had an address on it.
"Please, get in contact with me at any time. If you need anything… just don't be afraid to ask."
"I will, I promise." Ignoring how awkward Isla would feel, Liesel wrapped her arms around her tiny frame and hugged her. Isla stiffened, she probably hadn't had a hug from anyone since her son was alive, but then she relaxed and patted Liesel's back.
"Farewell, sweet Liesel. May this war spare you and your father return home safe." Liesel ducked her head and a single tear drop fell on to her dusty brown shoes. She walked to the bedroom door almost dragging her heavy feet.
"Don't forget these." She turned around to be handed a box of books she had packed on her first day. Her face stretched to a gleaming smile, happily taking the box off her.
"Wow, this is too much, really."
"I know how you like to read, it's the least I can do." The least she can do, Liesel thought.
"Frau Hermann, forgive me but why have you given me so much money?" Isla blushed and turned her head to the window, the light catching her virtually white hair.
"I know my husband can be difficult at times and hasn't treated your family with the respect they deserve, or anyone for that matter. Don't repeat this Liesel but I don't approve of the Nazi regime. I love my husband and will support him but if I can help others without him knowing I will."
Liesel nodded, not at all willing to tell her about Max, it still wasn't worth the risk. "Auf wiedersehen." And then she left. Through the bare hallway, down the hollow stairs and out the silent Hermann house for the last time.
At home, Rosa was next door at Frau Holtzapfel's leaving the house empty to Max and Liesel. He was overjoyed with the new delivery of books and together they sat in the quiet reading for some time. It is only with the ones you cared for the most where you can be comfortable in the silence together.
That night, Rosa came down to the basement to tell Liesel and Max everyone in Himmel Street and the surrounding streets were gathering in the local church for a service. She said she understood if Liesel didn't want to go but encouraged her as everyone else was.
"No, mama. You go. If people ask just say I've gone to bed early."
When Rosa had left and the voices of the parade of people had died away Max had an idea.
"Liesel, you're going to call me crazy but I'm going to do something."
"What?" Her stomach turned as she heard the seriousness in Max's voice, she saw sweat form on his head as he looked around shifty.
"I'm going outside, just for a few minutes." Liesel jumped up, the book she was reading fell to the floor with outrage.
"What are you talking about? You know how dangerous it is."
"Believe me I know. I've spent too long in here wasting away not being able to breathe in fresh air or feel the heat of the sun on my skin. Now is my only chance, Liesel. Right now." His sad eyes pleaded with her to understand and grant him this one chance of freedom. The silence was deafening.
"What if someone sees you?"
"I still have my documents I'll pretend I'm passing through, though I pray there is no one about." Liesel cupped his cheek and he leant in to her touch, he sighed and closed his eyes.
"If we do this then we have to make it quick."
"We?"
"Of course, I'm not letting you do this alone." Inside, Max was soaring with joy. He would get to feel the outside air and see the black sky for the first time in what felt like a lifetime.
"Then we must hurry." Max pulled on his shoes and big trench coat, catching Hans' hat that Liesel threw him from the top of the stairs. Liesel turned off the lights to make it looked like no one was home, even though she prayed with all her might that everyone was at the church service.
Max took hold of Liesel's hand, squeezing it in reassurance. They looked at each other as they stood at the door, nervously breathing as Liesel opened it. This was it, this was the moment that would liberate them or kill them and yet they were willing to take the chance.
It was like the world was in slow motion as they ran out in to the street. Like in a dream when the destination seemed almost impossible to reach. But they were running, running fast with the breeze whipping through their hair and tingling their skin.
Fortunately, there was no one around. Liesel pulled them to an area of thick trees not too far from the house and they stopped, panting for breath.
"We made it. My god, we made it." Before Max even took a look at the glittery night sky he pulled Liesel to his body tightly and kissed her with all the strength he had in him. She was left gasping for even more air, sucking in the coldness with fear.
"Max, look." He followed her gaze to the top of the world, a thick ebony blanket dotted with shimmery diamonds. Max was in awe, he spun around trying to take in every inch of the sky he could in the little time they had. This is what he had been dreaming about every night when he shut his eyes, being in the open with Liesel and no one around for miles.
"This is perfect, you are perfect. I couldn't imagine a better place to be than right now."
"Well I could think of a few. Like a thousand miles away."
"Liesel, thank you." His arms wound around her waist and hers around his neck. They stood there for a few short minutes soaking up the situation, it would make a fine memory someday.
"No, thank you. You've given me hope, Max. Hope that we can actually be together in the real world when this mess of a war is over, hope that papa will come home and hope that we'll all survive. Thank you for knocking on our door that night."
"Do you think it was fate or destiny? That we found each other?"
"I've never thought of it that way. It sounds nice though."
"Liesel, I love you." Her breath hitched in her throat. She knew how she felt about him the day they kissed but she never once even thought the words in her mind.
"And I love you." Until now. And there, under the specks of silver and soft glow of the moon Liesel and Max shared their love like lovers clutching before an oncoming tidal wave.
Two weeks later Max was still beaming from his outside adventure. He began to put it down in words describing every detail of the night including how Liesel had given him a new passion for life.
Liesel took a walk up to the old Hermann house to view it at its current abandoned state. The plants were already growing out of control and the windows were boarded up. She still had their new address in her pocket, pulling it out to look at every so often.
Liesel walked down Himmel Street casually, taking in the sight around her. The sun was a dull glow behind pale clouds. It was reasonably chipper out today. Kids kicked tin cans and played hopscotch, people chatted on doorsteps, a dog snoozed beside a trashcan. And then, there was a sound.
A low scuffling was heard in the distance behind her, it gradually got louder and the noise was now a shuffling. She couldn't pick out the sound but stopped to look along with the people on the street.
Approaching, like something from a nightmare, a crowd of people were being led down the street. No, not led, marched. There was up to twenty people, men and women, dragging their tired and beaten bodies in front of a green army van. They were Jews. Jews that look like zombies who hadn't eaten or slept or washed in weeks.
Liesel panicked. She was outraged and scared out of her wits. That could be Max, she thought. The march of innocents continued past her, broken bodies barely standing upright.
She saw an officer come out of a house followed by a woman wiping sweat from her head with a handkerchief. He went next door and knocked. This was it, this was the moment they had all been fearing.
After the parade of prisoners had passed Liesel scurried home with her heart jumping out of her chest and tears threatening to spill over her eyes. She had to hide Max.
She burst through the door and called out for Rosa.
"What is all this shouting, saukrel? Get in and wash up for dinner."
"Mama! Mama there is no time, there are officers and they're doing checks." Her feet carried her downstairs with Rosa behind in frantic worry realising what must be done quick.
"Max!" He was in the corner of the basement in the dark, he had been trying to imagine a perfect day with Liesel but memories of his mother kept creeping in his mind. No matter how much he tried he couldn't get her out of his head.
"Max, you must hide. They're coming to check!" Liesel heaved Max from the damp floor and pushed him in to the hollow under the stairs before he could utter a word.
"They're here? Liesel, I'm so sorry."
"Hush! Put this over you." Rosa pulled a black dust sheet from where Hans' paint supplies lay unattended and tossed it over Max. It was pitch black and thankfully the light bulb didn't work anymore.
Max froze with shock. He couldn't sweat or shake or apologise for causing such trouble, he just clenched his fists and kept completely still, not even allowing himself to breathe. His mind went blank, his dear mother abandoning him like he had abandoned her that fateful night.
Rosa looked around the basement, almost shrieking in terror when she saw his bed and collection of books, notes, pencils and today's apple stumps before scooping them up and slipping them behind a loose brick in the wall.
"Max. Max I love you so much, just don't make a sound and don't move. I promise this will be over in a flash." Liesel reached to pull the sheet away from his face to reveal his frozen expression.
"Max, you will be fine. We will all be just fine." She took his face and kissed him long and hard. His face relaxed as he melted in to her and kissed her back with everything he had in him. He was convinced this was the last time he would ever see her, ever kiss her, ever feel the warmth of her skin against his, the softness of her hair in his hands.
"Whatever happens, know that I will love you forever. You gave me life, Liesel. I can't be more thankful for these past few months with you."
"Don't talk like that, Max." Rosa called her from upstairs, her voice shook. Again, Liesel kissed Max and then covered him back up, running upstairs to join Rosa.
Rosa was in the window staring down the street, watching the officer enter a nearer house. He was there a whole two minutes before he came out and entered next door.
"Mama, what are we going to do?" Liesel paced the kitchen floor.
"Nothing. We will do nothing. Max is hid, we will act normal and let the officer do whatever he wants and greet him with nothing but kindness. Do you hear me, Liesel?" Rosa gripped her shoulders and shook her.
"Well? Do you understand?"
"Yes." She did not understand. But she promised herself to keep quiet and calm.
A shadow passed the window, then there was knocking. Liesel blinked away the tears and sat at the table with a newspaper in front of her, hands clenched tightly on her lap.
"Frau Hubermann? I'm here to take a look around." The officer barged in to the house without waiting for a welcome. Rosa followed him as he opened doors and whacked curtains with his cane. He was on a mission.
"May I ask what you're looking for?"
"There is rumour of Jews sneaking in to houses late at night, we have already found two in separate houses today." He was upstairs now looking under beds and opening wardrobes.
"Have you heard any noises you can't place, Frau Hubermann? Any food gone missing?"
"N-no, nothing of the sorts. The house is never empty - either I or my daughter is here."
"You can't be too careful, these dirty Jews are clever. They could break in and kill you in your sleep without making a sound." He was back downstairs, so far happy with the lack of Jew sightings.
"Oh." Rosa murmured. "I appreciate you coming here, no stinking Jew will get over my doorstep if I can help it."
Liesel was still at the table listening to the conversation between her mother and the man that stood between their life and death. He was aiming at the basement where a desperate Jew was crammed under the stairs, holding on to a kiss off the girl of his dreams.
He was four steps down, five, six, then he stopped to pull the light on. But it was broke. He clicked his tongue and proceeded down, seven, eight, nine and finally ten. For twelve seconds he stood and listened out for anything peculiar, almost hoping there was a Jew to catch so he could boast about his hard work and Jew capturing expertise.
Still playing the part Rosa questioned the officer. "Anything down there, officer?"
"Nothing at all. You are safe Frau Hubermann. Good Day." He trotted back up and out the door, nodding his head to Liesel as he left. Liesel thanked God that he was a terrible officer who couldn't find an elephant if it was standing before him.
"Wait a few minutes until they are all gone and then go check on Max." Rosa slumped on the chair opposite Liesel, shook to bits at the recent event.
Liesel was itching to go to him, her muscles dying to push her up from her seat. But there was another knock.
This time it was Fritz Goldenhaan and he was smiling from ear to ear. "Frau Hubermann! So good to see you, how are you?"
"Oh, Fritz it is wonderful to see you too. I am good, please come in." The tall, blonde haired blue eyed Nazi stepped inside and took off his hat.
"I have come to see Liesel, I was passing and thought it would be nice to stop by." Liesel jumped up from her seat startling the people before her.
"How wonderful! It is nice to see a friend on spontaneous occasions. Shall we go for a walk?" She needed to get him out of the house.
Fritz smiled that devious grin again and accepted her offer, exiting the door first. Liesel bulged her eyes at Rosa, signalling her to go reassure Max and followed Fritz outside.
"So, Fritz, what can I do for you?"
"Oh, I can't stay long Liesel I have houses to check, but I was wondering if you would accompany me to the NPA ball next Friday."
"Excuse me?" She was stunned. She would never go anywhere with him.
"The party holds a ball every so often to raise funds and show our continued allegiance and well, who else could I ask but you? Please say you'll come. I know it would do great for your father's reputation." Was he blackmailing her? Everyone knew Hans didn't want to be part of the Nazi party and once gave bread to a marching Jew but he was serving his time in the war now.
"I'm sorry but I don't think I can make it. I-"
"I see your mother has a lovely home there, it would be a shame if it got wrecked during a raid." Liesel scowled. So the meanness of Fritz Goldenhann has finally revealed itself.
"I'll pick you up at seven. Be sure to wear something lovely." He winked and turned away, making his way down Himmel Street along with other guards who were doing their duty.
Liesel's feet were stuck to the ground. Is this the price for hiding a Jew? For falling in love with one?
Back at the house, all was quiet. Rosa had retired to bed early feeling worn out after their near miss of being found out. Max was sat on his bed with his head pressed against his knees, he was shook up like Rosa and all he wanted was to curl up next to Liesel's warm body and bury his face in her chest.
However, Liesel was too scared to see him. How could she tell him she had to be a Nazi officer's date? That she had to go mingle with a room full of poisonous people and pretend to be one of them?
She needed some time alone to dwell over the thought. Surely if she were any other girl from any other family and wasn't in love with a Jew then this would be a wonderful thing. Something to be proud of. She could marry a Nazi officer and climb up the social ranks to become a rich, Jew-hating wife with a big house and four children and skip off in to the sunset. But this is the life she has and she wouldn't trade it for anything as long as Max was with her.
An hour she sat at the table with her hands clutched together under her chin. An hour went by and she hadn't seen Max since their proclamation of undying love. An hour Max wondered where Liesel had got to, for a split second he worried that she had been taken away but then he heard a chair scrape against the wood floor and footsteps approach him.
"Liesel?"
"I'm here." She walked in to the soft glow of the candle light, her face dull and pained.
"What is wrong?" He knew right away, of course, that something was up. She couldn't hide from Max if she tried.
"I'm sorry about earlier." She said, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Don't be. It was not anyone's fault but my own."
"Are you okay?"
"For now. But this can't happen again. They will be back and it's only a matter of time."
"We'll just find a better place to hide you-"
"No. No I won't allow you or your mother to go through that again. I see how much it pained her. I won't be here for the next inspection."
"W-what? Max, no."
"I have to. I have to go somewhere that won't affect you."
"The only place you can go that will hurt me is away from me. Don't you see? I love you."
"And I love you, more than anything, you know that."
"Then stay!" She raised her voice a fraction, enough to startle him.
"I will stay until the end of the week, then I must leave. I'm sorry, Liesel." Liesel felt her cheeks redden and warm tears rolled down her face. Max kissed her head and pulled her close, blinking away his own tears.
She felt as if her world was crashing in on her. Her papa was gone, dead for all she knew, she was being forced to attend a party of lies and deceit by someone who could so easily make her life a living hell, and now the one person in the entire world she felt safe with, who she wanted to spend her life with, was leaving in to the unknown dangers of the world. He could be captured and killed within a week and she would never know. She would spend the rest of her life searching for the boy with hair like feathers and not know he's dead.