JUDE
That was what the 6 pointed piece of cloth that was sewn on to Israel's coat said in bold letters, screaming out what he was, practically a sign that said to Nazis 'abuse me.'
And abuse him they did, despite the fact that Germany was right beside him holding his hand and guiding him through the streets of Berlin the Nazis all took time to laugh, point, jeer and insult him.
"Dirty Jew!"
"Filthy little brat!"
"You all deserve to be shot!"
"Ignore them, Aviel, keep moving," Germany ordered and Israel obeyed, keeping his head bowed and shaking with fear. He let out a small whimper as one of the Nazis cast a rock at him.
"Papa," he whimpered, "why do I have to wear this?"
Germany didn't answer but stiffened.
"Did I do something wrong? Is that why I have to wear this?" queried the young Jew innocently, "please, Papa, tell the Fuhrer that whatever I did wrong I'm sorry, I promise not to do it again whatever it is..."
"You didn't do anything wrong, Israel," sighed Germany and Israel looked up at him curiously, his golden eyes swimming in tears.
"Then why...?"
"I don't know!" cried Germany finally, "I just don't know, Israel! Just stay close, whatever you do don't leave my sight."
"Papa, where are we going?" asked Israel.
"Paris," said Germany and Israel's eyes widened.
"But Papa! You're at war with France!"
"I know, that's the point," sighed Germany but before Israel could ask any further questions there was a cry of, "Doitsu!"
Germany looked over his shoulder to see none other than Italy running up to him. The Italian nation panted and then looked up at Germany in a mixture of fear and sympathy.
"Prussia just told me everything!" he cried and Germany's eyes went icy.
"Did he tell you that he tried to send Israel to a work camp?" he growled and Israel's golden eyes widened.
"What?" he cried in surprise, "why would a Uncle Gilbert do that?"
He didn't get an answer this time as Italy looked at Germany with a soft and sad eyes as he said, "he also said you were going to take Israel with you to the war."
"I don't have a choice, if I leave him behind he'll be sent to a camp," said Germany and Aviel didn't say anything but whimpered and clutched his father's hand. Italy bit his lip and said, "Germany, you cant send him to a war zone, he's just a little boy! You need to send him somewhere else, somewhere safe...Doitsu I think you should send him to another country..."
"No!" cried Germany immediately, grabbing the boy and holding him protectively to his chest, "I've never been separated from Israel and I don't plan to be! I'm his father! I cant send him somewhere else, you expect me to just give him up?"
"Not permanently, just until this war is over and the threat of a camp goes away!" cried Italy, "isn't there a friend who could watch over him for you?"
Germany bit his lip, "there's America, he offered to watch Israel and he said he could come over to his house at any time...but...but..."
He looked down at his son and the boy desperately grabbed his father's hand and cried, "P-Papa! I don't want to be separated from you! Please don't send me away!"
Germany felt tears prick his eyes and sighed. He didn't want to send the boy away, but for his own safety he might not have a choice.
"I'm sorry, Aviel, I promise I'll pick you up soon, it wont be for long, it'll be just like a vacation..." promised Germany and Aviel immediately burst into tears. Germany took a minute to comfort the boy and then left him crying in Italy's arms to go make a phone call.
The American nation answered, "hello?"
"America," said Germany, holding in a sob, "this is Germany, listen, I need a favor. My boss is insane, he wants to send Aviel to a work camp and if I leave him alone he'll be sent away. But there's a war going on and I cant just take him, you said before that you would be willing to watch him, please America I need you to keep your eyes on him until the war is over and it's safe!"
There was a pause on the other end and then in a sad, regretful tone America said, " I'm sorry, Germany, I'd love to have him over but... I cant, my boss doesn't want any more people coming over, I'm not allowed to take in any other countries. I'm isolated...I'm sorry..."
Germany felt half relieved and the other half of him felt his stomach clench up in fear as he realized that his son now didn't have a safe haven to go to. He said goodbye to America and then hung up, then went back over to his son and hugged him saying, "the good news is you're staying with me, the bad news is you're staying with me."