1994

"Hey wit! Look at this!"

Whitney stood in the bathroom the next morning brushing her teeth when she heard Philip call from the bedroom. It was early morning and she didn't have any classes today. Instead she planned on catching up with her research and then try to call Lucy again. Staring at her reflection she spit before wiping her hands on the towels that were hanging beside her. Walking out, her bare feet touching the floor she saw Philip all ready dressed for work and looking at something near the closet.

"What?"

She walked up behind him and looked.

Muddy footprints.

There were several, dried and flaking. It looked as though somebody had just stood in the middle of the room a few feet away from the bed. The tracks didn't lead anything, instead they were just in the center of the room. Philip looked confused as he pointed down at them.

"What the hell is that?"

Whitney raised an eyebrow before kneeling down. Her silk plum colored nightgown barley going down to her upper thighs. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear she squinted and looked closer at the mud.

"Are those footprints?"

Philip shrugged.

"Can't really tell, you didn't track that in did you?"

Whitney looked up.

"Of course not, look at how big they are. It must have been you."

Philip shook his head.

"Wait a second, I know what happened…"

"What?"

"Max, he must have been digging at the plants again and got his paws wet, stupid fricking cat…"

Philip went over to the closet to get his blazer out. Whitney shrugged.

"Why aren't there any prints on the floor other than here?"

"Must of jumped out the window and onto the deck. How many times have I told you we should gas that thing."

Whitney snorted as she stood up.

"Nice, real nice."

Philip grabbed his jacket before looking at his watch.

"Shit I'm running late, do you mind getting that hon?"

Whitney wrinkled her nose.

"Of course not, have a good day."

Philip rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah, listening to a bunch of stuck up snobs bitch about their problems while I do crosswords."

"Hey somebody has to bring home the money."

Philip laughed before kissing her quickly.

"I'll be back at six, you gonna be home?"

"Yeah I might have Lucy over for coffee. How about we go out for dinner?"

"All right I'll bring home the wine."

Whitney smiled again kissing him before he grabbed his briefcase and headed down the hall. A minute later she heard the door and stared down at the dried mud.

She could of swore she let Max out last night. Shrugging, she went down to the kitchen to grab the broom. Sunlight was filling the kitchen, and Whitney saw that Philip had made a pot of coffee. Smiling to herself, she went to the closet beside the fridge and opened it. A full length mirror hung on the side of the door and staring at it for a brief second she saw something laying of the kitchen table.

A baseball bat?

Turning, she saw nothing. The kitchen table was bare. Looking back into the closet at the mirror she saw nothing either. Laughing to herself she shook her head and grabbed the broom.

That's when the phone rang.

Walking over, she answered it.

"Hello?"

It was Lucy. Smiling, Whitney leaned against the counter.

"Oh hey Lucy! Oh my God you're not going to believe it…"

As she continued to talk to her friend just outside on the back deck behind some of the potted plants was Max the cat…or at least what was left of it.

It looked as though somebody with a baseball bat had killed it.

1941

Donny wet the washcloth in the basin of lukewarm water before gently beginning to slowly rub it down Regan's sore and healing back. His eyes were intense and closely washed away the filth that had gathered on her for the last week or so. Constantly being on the move meant there really wasn't a chance to wash and clean up. Usually it wasn't a big deal for the men, but watching her day after day sleep curled up in the back of the truck began to make Donny nervous. He hadn't been at her for the last few days, but he saw the blood on her thighs were now smeared and dried on her skin. Her cuts and scrapes were getting infected and the filth of the forest and outdoors was turning her beautiful red hair now almost turn a dark brown. Circles were underneath her blank bloodshot eyes and she seemed to have sunken into a deep catatonic state. She was unresponsive and usually had to be carried whenever she wasn't asleep in the truck. She no longer struggled, or tried to escape. Instead she sat night after night dressed in Donny's oversized shirts and his jacket that seemed to swallow up her thin and failing body.

Within the week they had traveled nearly fifty miles. Just yesterday they ran into a squad of nine Germans on the border. Opening fire with their machine guns, they killed every single one. Walking to the back of the truck, he looked in and saw Regan slowly rocking herself back and forth. Her hands slapped over her ears. Aldo wanted Donny to drag her out by the hair and shove her face in the corpses but Donny was beginning to get worried.

Within the week they had taken her Donny had raped her fourteen times. Having left her alone the last several days, he saw she was getting a fever and seemed almost like an empty shell. She wasn't eating and he had to force her to drink from his canteen. Every day she slept curled up, not saying a word. The men paid her no mind other than Utivich and Wicki.

Aldo told them to stay away from her, she was Donny's responsibility.

Just a few days ago Wicki knelt by her shivering body and gently rubbed her arms. Feeling a horrible overwhelming jealously overtake him Donny screamed to get away from her. Scooping her up, he carried her away as Wicki watched.

Dressed in his suspenders, wife beater, and slacks. His hair was combed back as he gently washed her up in an old abandoned factory. The rest of the men were downstairs. Wicki hadn't spoken to him since the first night he had his way with her.

Pushing back her choppy red hair, he ran the cloth over the healing wound Stiglitz had made in-between her shoulder blades.

Donny then paused, the lantern sitting on a pile of crumbling bricks made the light faint and dim.

"How old are you?"

She didn't say anything.

Frowning, he knew she would talk for Wicki. Just a few days ago while they all sat camped out in the forest. It was early morning and the autumn chill was freezing. The sky was overcast and gray and Regan sat beside Donny dressed in his jacket and staring blankly at the small fire the men were circled around. Donny was trying to force her to eat a piece of bread. She hadn't had anything to eat since they took her. Donny kept attempting to make her have it but she simply stared off into space. Donny snapped his fingers in front of her, even shook her shoulders but there was nothing.

He looked up at Aldo.

"She ain't eating."

Aldo carried a tin cup of instant coffee which carried steam in the early morning air. Aldo shrugged.

"So?"

Donny nervously eyed her.

"It's been nearly a week now…maybe more. She don't look right."

The others pretended not to be listening. Omar was trying to pass out the last of the fruit while Utivich headed up the coffee over the fire. Wicki meanwhile sat across from them having a smoke. His lip much like Donny's was swelled and bleeding.

Aldo walked over, waving his hand in front of Regan's blank eyes. A grin then appeared on his face.

"Jesus Donny what the hell did you do to her?"

Donny didn't say anything. Instead he looked at Regan closely.

"She might be sick."

Aldo took a sip of his coffee.

"Maybe. If she don't eat than she don't eat. No skin off our backs. But I would try to keep her alive at least until we can send Hands that message."

Donny sighed, looking at her.

"I don't know lieutenant…"

Aldo spit some of his coffee out and made a face before looking over his shoulder at Utivich.

"Utivich you need to make sure the coffee beans are cooked first. My God what a horrible taste!"

A few of the men laughed while Utivich looked embarrassed. Turning back Aldo looked Regan up and down.

"You think you knocked her up yet?"

Donny shook his head.

"I don't think that's gonna happen. Sounded like a good idea when we thought of it, but do you really think we can haul her around for this long?"

"Listen Donny if you don't wanna do this nor want the responsibility I'll be happy enough to hand her over to one of the others…"

Donny shook his head, his voice lowered so Wicki who was closely watching them across from the fire couldn't hear.

"Listen, I think she's too young. She hadn't said shit. I honestly think she wasn't lying…sure she might have been engaged to Hans, but…"

"Do I hear the Bear Jew sticking up for a German slut?"

Donny shook his head.

"Of course not…"

"Yeah well think of the hundreds of Jewish women who were raped before getting killed by these same exact men."

"I understand that, but she's just a kid. I mean her own people took and had their way with her. Besides she's so young she probably doesn't understand what's going on with the war."

"If I have to repeat myself one more time I'm going to lose my fucking mind."

Aldo snapped back before pointing at Regan.

"I told all of you this the first day in German. We're not going to show these Nazis humanity…because Nazis don't get humanity. In the last few months we've been here we've killed and taken enough lives and you've been in the lead with that bat of yours. I see that look in your eyes whenever you're about to kill someone. I know that look because it's right. This little thing is the bride to be of one of the biggest monsters on the German side. More than likely she'll bare his children and make a new breed of Nazis. Now we both agreed that the plan was that you get her pregnant. I'm not asking you to marry the fucking whore, just knock her up and we'll leave her safe and sound over her people's lines. Good old Hans will snatch her up and know we mean business."

Donny eyed Wicki as Aldo spoke.

"I know Aldo, it's just…how does this make us better than them?"

"Donny I'm beginning to sense you might be having second thoughts. I'll be more than happy to hand her over to Stiglitz."

Donny shook his head.

"No it's okay…"

"Then stop your bitching. Take care of her and when the deed is done we'll get rid of her. Until then if she doesn't want to eat then don't fucking force her…she'll get the hint."

Donny nodded, partly ashamed. The last few days had been a complete blur. He had never forced himself on a woman before and now as his thoughts settled he was beginning to see what Wicki meant.

He regretted it.

Once Aldo walked away Donny slipped his arm around Regan's thin and shivering body. Again he offered her to bread but she ignored him.

He honestly didn't know what to do.

Just then Wicki walked over, a piece of bread in his own hand. Tossing his smoke to the side he sat down. Donny and Wicki hadn't really spoken since the fight. Both glared at each other before Wicki looked at Regan. A small gentle smile going across his face as he slowly offered her the bread.

"Come on love, you need to eat."

Regan blinked before looking down at the bread, uncertain before Wicki smiled.

"Come on."

Regan's thin hands slowly took the bread and began to eat it. She was hungry. Wicki smiled watching her before offering her another piece.

"That's good, keep eating love."

Regan ate three pieces of bread in total and even a small slice of fruit from Wicki. Donny didn't say a word, instead he just watched. Once she finished her eyes drifted up to Wicki.

"Thank…you…"

Her voice said barley above a whisper. Wicki smiled, placing his hand on hers before Donny shot him a look.

Now approaching the end of the week, Donny found himself remembering as he washed her up late one evening in the old factory. He hated the fact she responded to Wicki…and the fact he had been right.

He continued to wash her.

"How old are you?"

He repeated, this time his grip on Regan's arm tighten.

"I…just turned sixteen."

She softly said. This was really the first thing she had said to him besides her helpless cries while she struggled.

Donny nodded.

"How long have you been engaged to Landa?"

"Only a few months…my father and he were good friends."

"Was your father in the military?"

Regan shook her head as Donny rang out the washcloth again in the basin.

"No, he was a famer. He had dealt business with Hans before. My family knew him very well."

"When did you two meet?"

Regan stared at the dirty floorboards.

"Last spring. I had met him a few times when I was younger. He came to visit and my father informed me that he wanted to propose."

"That's it?"

Regan turned around, shooting Donny a look.

"What, did you expect him to throw me on my family's kitchen table and have his way with me simply because he's a man."

Donny looked at her before cupping her chin with his huge hand.

"Watch it lady."

Regan pulled back from him looking disgusted.

"Hans is a gentlemen, much like your friend Wicki. Something you'll never be."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah I've heard it all before. So you in love with Landa?"

"How can I be in love with a man I've only talked to a few times?"

"Oh, no dates or anything?"

"Like I said he only came to visit my family. He planned on taking me to Paris before the holiday. The wedding was set for next spring."

"Ah, so you were forced into it."

"What?"

"You're father wanted to stay in good graces with the German military so he offers his only daughter. Wow, you must have been pretty excited…"

Donny teased, now no longer feeling so bad that she was talking. Regan pulled away again, reaching down and grabbing the dirty shirt of his she had been wearing. Pulling it over her head she slapped his hand when he attempted to grab her.

"I don't want to talk to you anymore. You're filth…you're no better than the men who kidnapped me."

Donny grabbed her by her shoulder, throwing the dripping wet washcloth across the room. Bringing her in close he shook her.

"Listen I was under orders! I don't care this whole song and dance that you're family was innocent. That poor little you was forced into some arranged marriage. I can see right through you. You're whole family was for killing the Jews, I know it! I bet you couldn't wait to marry Landa, get away from your poor family that lived in some small farm house on the countryside. Move to Paris, become one of those German whores who think their money can make them step over anyone. I bet you're just as bloodthirsty as the rest of them!"

"You don't know anything about me!"

"You're just a little fuck who's luck turned bad. You're bring strong powerful fiancé pissed off some of his men and killed you're family…excuse me while I go cry."

Regan's face crumpled up before she slapped Donny hard across the face. His 5 o'clock shadow reddened by her hand as he held onto her all ready bruised shoulders tighter.

"And you know what? You're just as horrible as they were. When I woke up on that river bank and saw you I had a tiny bit of hope inside me. I know exactly what's going on in the war but I tried to ignore it. That's the real reason I didn't want to marry Hans, because I know what he did! You Americans thinking all us Germans are alike! You're worst than the men who took me and killed my brothers…my two seven year old brothers! I bet you couldn't have a woman if you didn't force yourself on them!"

Donny used all his strength to throw her on the ground with a loud thud. Dust and plaster jumped up as he climbed on top of her. Staring down, his breathing began to get heavy as he straddled her and stared down at her hate filled face. Holding her down tight he gritted his teeth.

"You know shit you bitch!"

"Just like you! I hope you go to hell for what you did!"

"I had orders!"

"You have your own free will! You're friend Wicki told you that! If you're boss wanted this to happen to me why didn't he do it himself? I know why! Because you're the muscle! Because he doesn't want to live with the guilt! You're a monster!"

"Speaking pretty good English now honey! I knew you were a fake!

"Go to hell!"

"I'll see you there you bitch!"

Both were inches away from their faces.

Regan then leaned her head over and sank her teeth into Donny's hand as hard as she could. Blood filled her mouth as Donny screamed and used his free hand to punch her. Regan screamed before both rolled together. Regan struggled, kicking Donny between the legs. Donny moaned, shutting his eyes as he grabbed himself. Regan struggled to sit up, praying the men below weren't hearing this.

"I hope it was good every time you had me you bastard!"

She kicked him again, making Donny hunch over. Regan stood, her mouth bleeding.

"I rather die before you have me again."

She spit blood on him as he jumped up, trying to grab her. Regan ran the length of the creaking floorboards and saw the stairs was on the other side. Quickly she saw her only way out was the dirty and cracked window.

They were three stories up.

Donny charged at her like an animal but Regan saw her chance. Thinking one last time of her family, those men laughing as they smiled down at her, and then how she kept thinking of that kind man named Wicki whenever she laid beside Donny at night. Praying, she hoped the fall would kill her. Running, she threw herself through the glass at full force.

"NO!"

Donny screamed as glass shattered.

Everyone on the floor down below froze. Wicki stood up quickly as Aldo grabbed his gun.

"What was that?"

Donny raced over to the broken window and looked down below. He saw Regan laying motionless. Glass was shattered everywhere as the full moon above shinned down. Donny's eyes widened before he turned around and ran towards the stairs. On his way down he ran into the others. Aldo right away wanted to know what had happened. Ignoring him, Donny ran down the flight before reaching the main floor. Wicki right away got a horrible feeling and ran after him.

Donny threw open the wooden floor that was hanging off its hinges. Outside it was freezing and a bird in the distance was crying. Donny's heart raced before his booths crunched down on the glass that seemed to be everywhere. Falling to his knees he looked at Regan.

She was dead.

Right away a horrible feeling overcame him.

What had he done?

Reaching over, he touched his pale and cut cheek.

The others ran over, stopping dead in their tracks. Utivich's eyes bugged out before he quickly turned away. Wicki ran forward and knelt on the other side of her. Looking down he couldn't believe his eyes.

"What did you do?"

He looked at Donny.

Before Donny could say anything Regan coughed up blood. Both men jumped back, their hearts in their throats. Stiglitz got his pistol ready as Aldo blinked.

"How in the hell did she survive that?!"

Donny leaned over as Regan's eyes cleared, she seemed almost in a daze. Right away Donny saw her arm was broken.

Regan blinked before looking up at Wicki and Donny. Her voice was strained as blood dribbled down her chin.

"What happened?"

Wicki and Donny eyed each other before Regan blinked away, looking up at Donny as her eyes fluttered open and close.

"Who are you?"

Donny looked over at Wicki before looking back down at her.

"Regan?"

"How do you know my name? Where's my family?"

She went to say something else when she blacked out. Wicki felt her purse before staring up at Donny. All color washed out of his face.

"She's still alive."

Donny bit his bottom lip before carefully lifting her. The sound of broken bones seemed to echo through the dark still night. Donny stood up before Aldo began to laugh.

"She's gonna be pissed when she wakes up!"

"Yeah if she lives."

Wicki mumbled.

Inside an hour later, Regan was laid out on the blankets. Believe it nor her arm wasn't broken but most of her ribs were. Wicki looked her over and gave a disgusted look to Donny at her state.

"What have you done to her?"

Donny said nothing; dressed in his leather jacket he stood back not saying a word. Wicki got a cloth and washed her up before grabbing some bandages and wrapped her ribs tightly. Covering her with a wool blanket he pushed back her hair before sighing.

"I'm so sorry Regan."

Turning, he saw the others watching closely.

"Will she live?"

Donny said softly. Wicki shot him a look.

"What, can't stand that fact you'll never touch her again?"

Aldo stepped forward.

"Enough, now Wicki is she gonna live or not?"

"She's hurt bad. Can't tell if she cracked her skull or not but she's lucky she didn't die instantly from the fall. She might make it until the morning but I really don't think so."

Aldo stared down at her before sighing.

"All right, we'll just dump her body at the nearest village. Utivich you got nice handwriting, we'll tuck a letter in her hands informing Landa exactly what happened. Damn shame…"

He mumbled before walking away. Wicki stared at the men like they were crazy.

Donny stepped forward, his eyes looking down at Regan. Wicki grabbed his arm.

"Don't go near her."

Donny glared at him.

"Get your fucking hand off me Wicki."

Wicki stared at him.

"She tried to kill herself to get away from you. To think…I was proud to enlist in this team. Now I'm ashamed."

"This is coming from a man who turned and killed his own people?"

"People who deserved it. Not her."

Donny yanked out of his grip before kneeling down beside her. He felt horrible.

That's when her eyes opened.

"Donny?"

Her voice croaked. Wicki stiffened watching.

Donny looked unsure as he stared down at her. Regan's thin hand reached up and gently touched his stubble covered cheek.

"Donny?"

Donny smiled.

"Yeah?"

"Why do I know your name…have we met before?"

Donny looked up at Wicki who seemed stunned. Donny smiled before touching her cheek.

"Yeah love, we know each other. I'm your husband."

Before Wicki could say anything Aldo's hand was on his shoulder.

Present

A few hours later Whitney found herself sitting at a coffee shop downtown. Lucy, her good friend who she had known from college spotted her and waved. Whitney smiled, motioning her over smiling ear to ear.

Lucy came over, dropping her huge bright blue purse down before sliding into her chair. Plastic bracelets jingling, she leaned over laughing as Whitney took another sip from her coffee mug.

"So that Jewish guy wrote back?"

Whitney laughed before digging into her own purse and handed it over.

"Read for yourself."

Lucy's eyes scanned the letter before looking up.

"You're meeting him this month?"

"Well I'm contacting him; his number is right at the bottom. We'll set up a time to talk probably before I give my final."

"Wouldn't it be mind-blowing if he came in to your class."

"He's in his seventies, I don't think he'll be up to it. Besides I just want to meet him, you have no idea how long I've been reaching this team. By the time the war ended there were only a few survivors."

"You really think he'll tell the truth?"

"I hope so. Besides I'm sure whatever he says will be interesting. Just think I'll be able to meet one of them in person."

"Smithson Utivich…"

Lucy said looking at the letter.

"Wanna see a photo of him?"

Whitney dug into her purse again and took out a printed black and white photo of Utivich in his twenties. Lucy looked at it and smiled.

"Cute."

"Yeah I'm sure he's still a real looker still."

Lucy cracked up before ordering her own coffee.

A half an hour later both women walked down past the different shops heading towards the park. Lucy was talking a mile a minute while Whitney listened and enjoyed the nice weather. Just then somebody knocked right into her. Right away she dropped her purse and a few of her things scattered out.

"Whoa!"

It was a man, much taller than her and wearing a brown leather jacket.

"Excuse me I'm sorry."

Both knelt down at the same time as Lucy stopped and watched. Whitney's bangs hung in her face as she quickly grabbed her things and stuffed them into the purse. The man who knocked into her had jeans on and helped her. Handing her car keys, a makeup brush, and her address book.

"Thanks…"

"I'm really sorry, should of looked where I was going."

"No problem, I was spacing myself."

Both stood at the same exact time where Whitney got a better look at him. He towered over her. Just as Whitney swung the strap of her purse on her shoulder her eyes focused and she looked up at him.

She could of swore she had seen him before.

The man smiled.

"Sorry again."

He began walking back into the crowd and within seconds disappeared. Whitney had the finniest feeling she had seen him before. She spotted the top of his head for a second, thick black hair combed back…then nothing.

Lucy elbowed her.

"Hey you okay?"

Whitney blinked snapping out of it.

"Huh?"

"Come on."

"Oh…yeah right."

Whitney began walking beside Lucy again, looking over her shoulder one last time. There were tons of people on the street and she didn't see any sign of the guy.

"Wit?"

Whitney looked back.

"Sorry…just thought I had seen the guy before."

"He was cute."

Lucy said a sly smile on her face.

"Really? I didn't get a good look."

Lucy rolled her eyes smiling.

"Of course, a handsome guy goes knocking into you and you don't even see. Man you must really be wrapped up with Philip."

Whitney laughed as they kept walking, still in the back of her mind she knew she had seen him before.

But from where?