Warning: AU –Second World War
M-Rated!Contains coarse language, violent imaginary related to the context of war, and sex.
I do not own South Park. I do not own anything. I wish I was that f* genius!
Kyle was wrapped in a dark gray woolen coat and stood firmly against a white background.
His red hair, softly brushed by a northern breeze, was the only warm color in this monochrome world. The air was chilly, the sky was heavy and grey. It would surely snow later on. There was a short moment, though, when the sunrays managed to pierce the dark clouds. A yellow happy light brightened the sad cold world for just a few moments. Snow glittered under a thousand diamantes under the touch of warm sun. Trees stood elegantly frozen in an almost magical world. It was truly a beautiful moment. And its beauty resided in its fleetingness. Kyle took a deep breath when the skies closed themselves again. He started pacing slowly. The Jew held a brown briefcase on his right hand, which contained the documents that granted passage from Dachau. Documents signed by Herr Cartman himself.
Kyle headed to a long train that was going to transport 82 Jews to safety. Green eyes were fixed on the dark cargo train. It was identical to the one he traveled to Dachau. His lips drew a soft smile. He knew this time these 82 Jews would have a happier destination. Kyle walked over to a soldier and gave him a paper, just like Herr Cartman had instructed him. The soldier quickly read the document and guided him to one of the wagons, where he was ordered to wait outside for the prisoners. Kyle sighed heavily from anticipation, while he waited. His stomach revolted at the idea he would see his family for the first time in ages. They would be momentarily reunited just to be separated right away again. Kyle couldn't help feeling guilty for having insisted in handing the travel passes to the Jews himself, so he could have a brief encounter with his family. Because this would be a bittersweet meeting. A fleeting bright moment followed by sad farewell. He wondered if this made him a sadomasochistic person. He wondered if this made him insane. Because, this time, it was all his own choice.
Kyle sighed heavily, knowing it would be particularly difficult to explain his mother he didn't want to go with them. She would never understand. Just like his father and Ike would never understand the reasons for him to choose to stay with the monster of Dachau. After all, Herr Cartman had made his life a hell during long months. He knew Stan couldn't understand either, but he somehow had learned to accept this idea during his short stay in Dachau. All Kyle could hope for, was that his family would eventually come into acceptance too. While he dwelled in these thoughts, his eyes focused on a car parking nearby one of the train's ends. He saw Stan and Herr Cartman step out of the vehicle. He knew they saw him, for their eyes met, despite the distance. But both Nazis pretended not to see him. They pretended not to be worried or anxious and instead chatted while they too waited for the Jews. The last thing they needed was any kind of suspicions to rise.
Kyle's attention was soon directed to the image of a group of people walking in the far distance, in his direction. Tall and strong built SS-officers leaded a small mass of shorter and skinny Jews. They were dressed in dark old travel clothes that accentuated their bony and paled features. Kyle felt a chill go down his spine, for this vision was very similar to his dream with the march of the dead. But he shook away these thoughts, reminding himself these weren't the same ghostly faces he had envisioned in that horrible dream. So, the redhead straightened his back and readied himself to receive his family and another 79 Jews.
Kyle forced himself to shake away the tense feeling weighting on his back. Soon he would see his family and this gave him mixed feelings. His heart was filled of joy, because his family would finally be safe. Just like the days of hell were counted for this small group of Jews. Stan had promised him to protect each one of them and admitted his mission was far from being over. There were more factories he could build and more camps he could buy Jews from. For all this, Kyle felt happy. But his heart was filled with sadness too. He hated goodbyes. Especially when he didn't know if he would ever see his loved ones again. The outcome of the war was unpredictable. The destiny of Germany unsure. And so it remained a mystery for when he would be reunited with them again. The group marched closer and closer in his direction. By now, Kyle could already discern the Jews' tired and defeated faces. And questioned if his people would ever be free again. He wondered if the Nazi regime would ever fall. And if it did, what was to happen to Hitler and his men? What was to happen to Herr Cartman? What was to happen to him?
Kyle took another deep breath and shook these troubled thoughts away. He needed to focus in his important task, because the first Nazi was already approaching him. The soldier gave him the last instructions and stood in his closeness, overshadowing him in size and brawn. The blond man was there to supervise the transference and make sure everything went on smoothly. And Kyle had no plans in disappointing him.
The moment came and his heart stopped. An unmistakable mass of red curls was already moving between the group of Jews, fighting its way to reach him. Of course his family had already spotted him, and Kyle wished (like he often did already as a small child) he had the same boring hair color as the rest of the world.
"Kyle! My sweet bubbalah!" His mother shouted while she elbowed a couple Jews to finally throw herself on her son, her arms open wide. She hugged him tightly, laughing and crying at the same time.
Kyle was overwhelmed by a wave of powerful emotions. He shared the same fulfilled joy as his mother. It was heaven, being able to hold her again, breathe her love and feel protected by the warmth her body emanated. He was blissful to see his father's kind face appear from between the small mass of Jews. A face full of love and pride. Kyle was delighted to watch his brother's small figure emerge from behind the adults. His brother still irradiated innocent happiness. Kyle was jubilant, but sad at the same time. This was the moment to say goodbye.
His heart was breaking from this notion. He was overwhelmed by joy, love, sense of security when his mother hugged him and kissed his cheeks, when his father brushed his fingers in his red curls, when his brother pressed his smaller hand on his. Kyle felt temped to give up the whole idea and follow them. Follow Stan. But then, his eyes saw Herr Cartman in the distance. He was already heading in his direction. And suddenly his heart desperately cried out for the fat Nazi, his soul burned insanely for him, his body longed intensely for his touch. And Kyle realized, he could never leave the SS-officer. As much as he hated him and as much as he revolted him. As much as he drove him insane, it had become a necessity to stay with Herr Cartman. Because something too great had developed between them, one single feeling that overshadowed all other sentiments.
Suddenly, there was a command coming from the blond Nazi next to him and Kyle practically panicked. The cold voice brought him back to reality, reminding him of his mission today. He needed to proceed with his task without any further interruptions or distractions. He had to focus in his work and put all his emotions aside. He had to hand over the travel passes to his family and pay them goodbye. But most of all, he had to do this without the soldier suspecting anything. So he softly pushed his mother away, who stared at him a bit confused. Kyle's eyes darted nervously at the Nazi standing not so far from them, who was watching the scene with wariness and despise. Gerald followed his son's gaze and understood the reason for his distress. So he rested his hand on his wife's shoulder and whispered her to calm down. But when Gerald lifted his eyes to meet his son's, a dreadful feeling filled his heart. Despite the smile on the boy's lips, his eyes were saddened and filled of pain. He watched silently his son open a brown briefcase and take out some papers.
"Stan is behind this. You'll be safe from now on. I promise." Kyle whispered while he handled the travel passes over to his father. Gerald noticed his son's trembling hands and grew worried.
"Stan? Stan Marsh?" His mother uttered low. Kyle nodded and she smiled. "I always knew that boy had a golden heart. Just like you, my son." Sheila proudly said, while she caressed her boy's check. But her brow furrowed in confusion when she saw sadness sweep over his eyes. "What's the matter, Kyle?"
"There are only three travel passes." Gerald announced already guessing what was going on. "Kyle, you're not coming, are you?"
"What? WhAt? WHAT?" Sheila shouted horrified. All the joy in her eyes died right away when she saw her son struggle to hide the sadness that invaded his soul. A piercing pain filled her heart at the notion this short reunion was nothing but a new separation and truly believed her legs would give away. She was about to say something next, when a voice startled her.
"Ay! What's taking so long?" Herr Cartman's voice was heard behind her. Kyle felt simultaneously relieve and dread invade his body. He knew the fat Nazi was there to back him up, to make sure he and his family remained safe. But his presence unnerved him. Kyle was afraid he or the fat Nazi would somehow denounce their relationship. He was afraid Herr Cartman would clash with his desperate mother. Afraid all the accumulated tension from all sides would burst open in one great catastrophic explosion of insults and screams.
"Herr Cartman, these Jews are apparently family and …" The blond Nazi started, but Herr Cartman interrupted him.
"Nobody asked you anything!" The SS shouted furious, startling the soldier. "You think I don't know that? Fuck! I can't leave anything over to others, can I? Get out of here! I'll handle this myself!" Herr Cartman scolded enraged. The soldier, offended but very frightened, quickly obeyed his superior and exited his post. "Get on with it, Jew. And fast!" He ordered with his teeth clenched but Kyle could read the anxiety in this eyes. Herr Cartman was as nervous as he was. So he nodded and faced his family paled.
"I'm really sorry, but I'm not coming. I cannot…I…" Kyle sighed defeated, knowing his family would never understand. Suddenly he regretted his brilliant idea in being the one handing over the travel passes. Because there was no time now for making any kind of explanations. He also realized he didn't want to explain anything to his parents and brother, especially in Herr Cartman's presence. "Look, I'm fine and I'll continue being fine. And that's the truth."
Gerald stared open mouthed from his son to Herr Cartman. He knew his son was telling him the truth. He knew Kyle too well. He also could see the tension around the Nazi, the nervousness in his eyes. Besides, he knew very well Ike had brought Kyle half-dead to Herr Cartman (much to his horror, back then). The Nazi clearly had taken him under his wing. Why, he did not know. All he knew was that Kyle hadn't looked this well and healthy in a very long time. Gerald also knew it was Kyle who was behind their transference to the kitchens. A change that brought quite an improvement in their daily survival, not to mention, they got to reunite with Sheila. He understood, somehow, Kyle had a hold on the Nazi. Herr Cartman did important favors for him and Gerald wondered why. Wondered for what cost. And realized he preferred not to know. He looked over to Ike and knew his younger son was drawing the same kind of conclusions. Sheila was the only one that was too heartbroken and confused to think properly. All she did was cry softly and murmur some kind of lament. Gerald rested his hands on her shoulders and looked into his son's eyes.
"I believe you, son. Just make sure you keep safe. We will meet again." Gerald promised, while he gently forced his heartbroken wife (who was by now howling miserably) to accompany him to the wagon, whispering her soft words of comfort.
"Will you promise to protect my brother?" Ike asked Herr Cartman. The fat Nazi stared shocked at the child, just like Kyle. He swallowed dry and nodded. Ike smiled and waved goodbye at his brother. "I'll miss you, Kyle. Stay put!" And then, he ran after his parents, hiding the tears that wanted to escape his eyes.
"Little bastard." Kyle said shocked at the realization Ike had probably figured out what was going on between the two of them. Herr Cartman's lips drew a grin at the comment.
"Your little brother might be young, but is far from being stupid." The fat Nazi wisely said. "Now, get on with the work, before the soldiers start wondering what the hell is going on!"
Kyle nodded and gestured for the next family to approach. A man walked promptly to him, staring warily, not really understanding what had just happened a minute ago. Kyle stared at this Jew and was almost shocked with how thin, weak and sick he looked. His eyes were tired and filled of fear. The fear of uncertainty. The fear for having lost all strength to fight one more battle. The fear for loss and death. Kyle opened the file and smiled softly at the defeated man.
"Shalom*" Kyle spoke low. During the first seconds, the man stared confused at Kyle. Then he realized this young man standing opposite him had just outspoken the Jewish most sacred greeting. His eyes widened in surprise and his suspicions that the redhead was Jewish were immediately confirmed. "May I have your name?" The man's eyes, which seconds ago were dull and empty, seemed to be invaded by a new light. Dark orbs seemed be woken up from a strange dormant state by the sound of the teenager's voice. It was like if something already dead was reborn. Hope. The man stared marveled at Kyle's young and kind features.
"I am Jamiel Vandsburg" He hesitantly said, his name tasting strange in his mouth.
"Mr. Vandsburg This is your travel pass." Kyle said while he handed over his and his wife's travel document. The man almost smiled painfully. How odd his family name had sounded in the lips of this young man. For Kyle had outspoken his name with same reverence people once did, in a distant past. His voice presented the same respect his family name had carried for centuries. This name that was once used with great pride and dignity. A name that translated the reputation of a good and honest civilian. A name that meant everything. Individuality and identity. Mr. Vandsburg stared a few seconds at the documents. Kyle smiled knowing it was this couple's ticket to a new life. To a better life. One of safety and dignity. "Everything will be alright." Kyle reassured and the man looked up at him with hopeful awe. He nodded in understanding and gestured his wife to follow him. They turned to the wagon. The woman entered the wagon but suddenly halted, just before stepping inside. He turned to face Kyle one last time.
"May God's grace shine upon you, at all times." He said in a low voice and bowed his head ever so slightly, in greeting. He then turned his back and entered the wagon's compartment joining his wife and Kyle's family. To the eyes of the SS-officers, this man's face was impassive. But his eyes shone bright and smiled of happiness. And this all Nazis in the area failed to read. All except Herr Cartman.
…
While Kyle did his work, Herr Cartman's eyes darted from the wagon (making sure Sheila wouldn't make a stupid move) to the soldiers surrounding the area and to Stan in the distance. His hand rested on a gun and his fingers caressed the cold metal once in a while. He was ready to open fire at any moment. He would do anything to save his skin. But above all, he was ready to protect this redhead Jew at all costs. So he stood silent, in an intimidating pose, his look concentrated and angered, impelling any soldier from staring at him longer than two seconds. He listened to Kyle's friendly words, phrases of hope and love. He wondered how it was possible for somebody to care for strangers this much. How could Kyle be so altruistic to people he never met before, people he had no kind of connection with? He could never be like this unless he had some profit with it, right?
No. Kyle was not like him. He cared. And so Kyle repeated the greeting while he handled over the travel pass to every single Jew. Most of the Jews looked at him warily, but failed in hiding the hint of hope they kept in their hearts. Many stared confused, others surprised. Some with wonder and awe. And gratitude. Lots of gratitude. And this made Kyle feel blessed. To know that, however his role in Stan's plan was diminutive, his impact in this whole war was insignificant; he still was contributing to the safety of these people. And for this, his heart was filled with joy. Because he knew these faces would never be seen by the body's fetcher. These bodies would never be consumed by the fires of the camp's ovens. These faces would live on, grow old and who knows, live to tell the world they survived a war that many believed would never end.
It was enough fulfillment to know he had helped to save at least one life.
A/N
*Shalom (shah-LOHM), Hebrew: Peace. A way of saying "hello" or "goodbye.