"WAR DECLARED!"
The newspaper headline screamed out at the German nation. His jaw tightened as he stared at the bold print:
"Germany attacks Poland, England and France declare war."
Another war, thought the German nation, his heart hammering in his chest like a brass drum, maybe Hitler was right, I should have sent Israel into protective custody. What am I going to do for him? How can he deal with a war? While I get sent away from him? Who is going to watch over him, Prussia? No, that's not a good idea...
He groaned and smacked his forehead with the newspaper. He regretted the decision to obey his fuehrer and invade the Polish nation, Hitler had insisted it was necessary for more living space for his people but Germany hadn't exactly been sure. Poland had put up his best fight but he was easily dispatched by the German nation. Honestly Germany had expected England and France to cower in the background once more like they had each other time he had violated the Versailles treaty, but this time they hadn't and it was war. While Germany was grateful for the opportunity to really get back at France and England for what they had done to him in the Great War he was hesitant to expose his boy to the horrors of war. They had just had a Great War, he didn't need another one.
I'm strong enough to win, thought the German nation determinedly, but I'm not sure about how Aviel will deal with this...dear God this is bad.
"Papa?"
Germany looked over his shoulder at the boy and when he saw the state the boy was in he dropped his newspaper and immediately forgot about the war, Poland, England, France, and everything else. Israel had often, especially since the Nazis had taken over, come home with the occasional bruise or bloodied nose but now he was completely beaten up, bleeding from cuts on his head, his face nearly purple from bruises, his clothing ripped and looking like he was going to collapse.
"AVIEL!" cried Germany, running to his son and scooping him into his arms. the boy let out a pitiful whimper and Germany laid him down on the couth and quickly started to clean and dress his wounds.
"What happened?" he whispered, resisting the urge to cry as he used a towel to clean the dried blood from his child's face. Israel cringed and responded as expected: "Nazis...I...I wanted to join the Hitler Youth because every other kid is in the Hitler youth...and they beat me up and they stole my bike, Papa! They stole it! And when I tried to report them to the cops they just laughed at me and hit me again and called me a dirty Jew!"
The boy started to weep and Germany, by reflex, yanked the boy into a hug, stroking his curly black hair and urging him to be calm.
"Shhh, shhh, it's okay, I can get you a new bike when the war is over..."
"War?" whispered the child, looking up at him with surprise and horror. Germany cringed and nodded sadly.
"It will be okay, son, all will be well, I'll get you a new bike when the war is over, whatever color or kind you want, I can even get you one from France if you want, you want to be in the tour de France when you grow up, don't you? As soon as I win I'll get you a bike and I'll help you train and I'll make sure France lets you participate, I promise."
The boy looked up at his father with teary-eyed trust and sobbed into his shoulder. Germany hugged his son and continued to assure him that all would be well. Germany sung him a song to put him to sleep:
"Guten Abend, gute Nacht, Mit Rosen bedacht,
Mit Naeglein besteckt, schlupf unter die Deck'
Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt
Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt
Guten Abend, gute Nacht, Von Englein bewacht
Die zeigen im Traum, dir Christkindleins Baum
Schlaf nun selig und suess, Schau im Traum's Paradies
Schlaf nun selig und suess, Schau im Traum's Paradies"
The boy, in spite of his pain, almost immediately fell asleep. Germany carried him to bed and after tucking him in his eyes blazed with anger and he his Fuhrer had gone too far. He needed to talk to him.