Chapter 9

"Say goodbye, as we dance with the devil tonight?"

September ended in the blink of an eye, of course that was only after Tweek came back to the barracks fully recovered from the whipping; "full recovered" was putting it lightly because Kyle knew he walked away with many scars, mentally and physically. Tweek had only been gone a week, but to Kyle it felt much longer. The Jew didn't realize how much he had come to rely on Tweek in the camp as more than a friend, but as an anchor. Kyle had been doing so much to keep his own family going over these months in the camp that he, without realizing it, counted on Tweek to keep him going. Tweek had become a kind of escape from the brutal reality that was around them every day; they would try to make the best out of any dismal situations by joking and laughing, even making fun of the guards and soldiers. They had become best friends, friends who could keep the happiness going between them even in the darkest times in this war.

The first night without Tweek, Kyle was restless and could not for the life of him get any sleep. He became so used to having the twitchy boy next to him that it just felt wrong sleeping alone. Kyle also felt more vulnerable and exposed, as if his body and mind were more aware that the demons of the camp could now reach him. Without Tweek, he felt alone. He had his brother and father, but he took care of them himself. Tweek and Kyle took care of each other.

Ike had offered to sleep with Kyle each night that Tweek was away, but Kyle denied him. Ike slept with their father and he knew it was comforting for the both of them, and if Kyle were being honest, he didn't want to seem weak in his families eyes. For all they knew, he didn't need Tweek when in fact he did and missed him deeply. Tweek had only been Kyle's friend for several months, yet he missed Tweek more in one week than he missed his friend Stan all that year in hiding; guess fighting for your life everyday in a war would bring people close together more than others.

Something else that bothered Kyle, well it didn't exactly bother Kyle, it was just something he noticed and it was different. The entire week that Tweek had been recovering, Commandant Cartman was also missing in action. Everyday that week there was no Cartman griping at him, no Commandant messing up his work to make him start over, no "fatass" watching his every move. Kyle was supposed to feel thankful wasn't he? Then why didn't he? Why was it every time he looked over his shoulder he was disappointed that he didn't see Commandant Cartman? Disappointment? What was wrong with him? Clearly all those days in the blistering sun was getting to him.

Tweek had returned to the barracks after lights out and had a prisoner not announced "Oh good, the freak is back" Kyle would have never heard him come in that night. Kyle had never flown so fast out of any bed in his life to run up to his friend and embrace him as if they spent years apart. "Gah! Kyle! St-still hurt s-some!" Kyle jumped back so fast as if he had been electrocuted and immediately started to apologize to Tweek, but told him how happy he had been that he was back; even more happy that he was alive.

Over the days that followed Tweek had told him that Craig had nursed him back to health, treated his wounds and kept him medicated properly. Tweek had even confided in Kyle about what went on between him and Craig at the Villa, after swearing over a pinky promise to never tell. But Kyle had drawn his own conclusions when he saw the "love bites" at the base of Tweek's neck and on his shoulder when his oversized shirt would show his skin. Tweek tried to hide them as best he could, not from Kyle, but from the other prisoners; he didn't want conclusions made negatively or rumors starting. Only Kyle knew the truth about what really happened between Tweek and Craig, and Kyle would never reveal their secret reunion.

With Tweek's return, someone else finally showed their fat face again. The Commandant. It took everything in Kyle the first day he saw Cartman back to not charge over and slug him in his fat jaw. He had the balls to do that to Tweek, but then doesn't show his face for a full week? Was he ashamed? Too ashamed to return to the camp and dish out more orders? What a coward! But deep down he wasn't sure that Tweek was really the reason he wanted to deck Cartman and that really messed with his anxiety.

October brought more death than the previous month. Each morning that Kyle awoke there was another dead body in the barracks. He wanted to help carry the dead out to roll call, but his father wouldn't allow it. Gerald and an older man that slept near them would always be the ones to carry out the dead; Kyle just prayed his father wouldn't be made a body retriever. During these months he had never seen so much death, granted he had never seen death before the camp, but this was still too much for any human being to handle. No one should be subjected to this much tyranny, despair and death. Kyle suspected that the reaper took up permanent residence in this camp and constantly worked over time.

If someone asked Kyle when the nightmares started, he could give no absolute date. He had them so much that he felt like they had always been there, so much that he couldn't remember not having them before his family went into hiding. His father and brother had offered to listen to Kyle talk about his nightmares, but Kyle saw no point. Talking about them wouldn't make them stop and he knew for damn certain countless others in the barracks were plagued by them as well; Kyle wouldn't see himself as a special case. Nowadays Kyle had no idea what it was like to have normal dreams. Normal. Even his definition of normal had drastically changed. Things he used to find terrifying, was now his normal. Seeing a man being beaten to death, frequent whippings on public display so everyone had to watch, death by a gunshot to the head, people dying from exhaustion and lack of proper meals; all death sentences were ordered by the Commandant, many even carried out by him. All of this was normal now to Kyle. But what was the most normal to the Jew, was going to sleep hearing another man's screams, it happened almost every night now that instead of scaring Kyle, it almost soothed him like a lullaby. He would fall asleep and wake up to screams, it was just normal.

October slipped into November, it was the middle of autumn and Kyle found himself daydreaming frequently of the changes in color the leaves took this time of year. There were no trees around the camp, he knew there was a forest miles away, he had seen it in the distance when they dug in the trenches just outside the camp, but from behind the high walls the outside world was a far off dream. The memory of the bright and vibrant leaves in autumn was the only thing that brought color to this dismal black and grey prison.

"Have you ever dove in a pile of leaves, Tweek?" Kyle asked him with a small laugh. The two were sitting by themselves off in a corner of the barracks after their long day of labor.

"Gah! Wh-why would I want t-to? That sounds d-dangerous. What if I get im-impaled by a stick? Or what if I f-fall through to another universe?" Kyle's first instinct was to laugh at his mindset, but he knew these were legit fears his anxiety made up so he quickly caught himself and smiled.

"The possibilities of that happening are a million to one." Tweek's eye twitched.

"Those odds are still too h-high. Knowing my bad luck I w-would be that one percent." The two shared a laugh and Kyle rolled his eyes.

"My point is, it's fun. When this war ends I'm gonna make you the biggest leaf pile and we're diving in." Before Tweek could even open his mouth to retaliate, Kyle added. "And I pinky promise I won't let you fall into another dimension," they both did this very often. They would both make promises of things they would do together when the war was over, it gave them something to look forward to, it also helped keep their hope alive knowing there was something they were reaching for down the line. Tweek even promised Kyle free coffee for life at his family's coffee shop that he had worked at.

"Alright Kyle, y-you make the leaf pile a-and I'll make the coffee."

"Deal." Before they even had a chance to laugh, a familiar voice echoed through the barracks.

"916509!" It was Craig, standing at the entrance to the barracks, calling out Kyle's number. Kyle's heart dropped and both him and Tweek went stiff. Why was Craig calling for Kyle and at this late hour? Soldiers try to avoid the prisoners after light out as much as possible because naturally they want to sleep. "I will repeat myself only once, prisoner 916509!" Kyle began to stand but Tweek grabbed his hand in panic. Kyle smiled and squeezed it to assure him that he would be okay, that he wasn't afraid for whatever was about to happen. After Tweek let him go he stood and started for Craig, he saw his brother and father in his peripheral vision looking very worried; he knew Tweek would put them at ease after he left. He reached Craig who immediately turned to leave. "Follow me."

/

Just after evening roll call the Commandant and Craig retired to the sitting room at the Villa to play a game of chess. Some other guy in charge of another camp sent Cartman the chess set for his birthday back in October. He didn't care for the game but it was something to do to pass the time and keep his mind busy. Cartman and Craig spent several evenings playing chess, Cartman winning some, Craig winning some. Craig never threw any games, never went easy on Cartman and he would never admit to it, but he respected that about Craig. "Check sir," Craig said moving his knight in line of his king. Cartman huffed and moved his king out of the way, taking out one of Craig's rooks in the process. Just as Craig was making his move, Clyde came into the room.

"Sir, a letter came from the Fuhrer." Cartman took his gaze away from the board to look at the letter in Clyde's hand.

"Probably late birthday wishes, I bet he was too busy to send them." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Craig roll his eyes. "I saw that, Lieutenant." Cartman took the envelope from Clyde and opened it. "I saw that too, you asshole," Cartman said to Craig, who huffed and put back Cartman's chess piece he moved. Cartman unfolded the letter and as his eyes scanned it he realized Clyde was still standing over his shoulder. "Can I help you with something Clyde?"

"Oh, no sir. Is there anything you need?" Cartman waved him off.

"No, now get out." Clyde nodded and took his leave, rolling his eyes as he went. Cartman turned his attention back to the letter in his hand. "Well what do you know, it's an invitation," Craig raised an eyebrow and looked at Cartman questioningly.

"He's not seriously throwing you a party."

"Ay! I deserve a party," but he didn't care if he had one or not, he hadn't had a party since he was a kid. They weren't important to him anymore like when he was a child. Cartman cleared his throat and began to read the letter aloud. "Commandant Eric Theodore Cartman, and First Officer Craig Tucker, your attendance is required on the 31st of December. Only the highest ranking officers will be in attendance and all will be meeting to hear an important announcement from our Fuhrer. To celebrate the success of our beloved Fuhrer we will all be-Oh you gotta be fucking kidding me?" Cartman snapped and then turned his lip up in a snarl.

"What's the problem?" Cartman rubbed his temple and let out a heavy sigh to continue to read the invitation.

"We will all be dancing the Fuhrer's favorite dance, the Viennese Waltz," Cartman leaned back in his seat and tilted his head up, groaning the whole time.

"You can't be serious?" Craig moaned snatching the letter away from Cartman's fingers.

"Oh I'm seriously, Craig,"

"We have to dance at this party? I don't know how to dance. Do you know how to dance?" Craig asked him in small panic.

"Oh yeah, let me just get my tutu out of my closet, of courseI don't know how to fucking dance you asshole." Cartman was saying a million unpleasant things inside his head right now.

"What if we don't dance at this party and just attend?" Craig suggested and Cartman shot him a glare so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash.

"Don't be stupid, Craig. It said the dance is the Fuhrer's favorite so that means it's a requirement." Besides, when something was required from the Fuhrer you either do said action or it was punishable by death; Cartman wasn't ignorant to that fact. "To not dance at the Fuhrer's party would be an embarrassment and very disrespectful, Craig. The letter also said only the most important of us are attending to hear an announcement from the Fuhrer, which means this is top secret."

Cartman knew he should feel honored about being part of a secret meeting of Elite with the Fuhrer, but right now he was more nauseated than anything. "Please tell me you know someone who dances?"

Craig didn't even answer him, he only gave him a look that read 'You're kidding right' and Cartman sighed. "I am not about to ask one of my men, that would be embarrassing. Uh! Shit!" Cartman was trying to wrack his brain but nothing was coming to him. He couldn't embarrass himself by telling his men he couldn't dance, but he also couldn't just up and leave the camp to learn. What the hell were they going to do?

"What about that Jew?"

"The fuck are you talking about Craaaig?" Craig winced when he drug his name out.

"The Jew, sir. If you remember when we captured him he was dancing with his brother, wasn't he? You could clearly see he knew what he was doing, am I wrong?" Cartman thought back to the day Craig mentioned. No he was not wrong, Kyle definitely knew what he was doing when his brother had no idea. It was obvious Kyle came from a dancing background from his straight lines in his arms and his legs, yet his movements had fluidity to them.

"You're not wrong, Lieutenant," Cartman said quietly, considering the situation. He wouldn't have to pay Kyle because of his status, and he wouldn't be ridiculed by his fellow soldiers. "This would have to be done in secret," Cartman ordered.

"Of course sir," Craig said plainly. Cartman thoughts for a bit longer and until he made his decision.

"Go get the Jew, now."

/

Kyle was livid, fuming with anger, but he couldn't say anything within the presence of the Commandant. "Are you gonna answer me Jew?" Cartman asked after he told Kyle of his plan to have him teach him and Craig how to dance, Cartman more so than Craig. Kyle wanted to answer, oh hell yes he wanted to answer, but he knew his mouth would run away with him so he quietly seethed, on the verge of exploding any minute as he glared at Cartman. "How about, while you're here I give you permission to speak freely, if you have something to say you may do so without punishment." This shocked and paralyzed Kyle for a moment. Was he serious? No, obviously this was some test or some trick. There was no way Commandant Cartman would allow him to speak his mind without repercussions, there had to be a catch. As if hearing Kyle's thoughts, Cartman spoke again. "I'm seriously Kyle, no strings, no catch. Speak freely." with a deep breath, Kyle did.

"You've got to be kidding me right?! You think I'll just agree to teach you how to dance because you ordered me too? Do you seriously think I'll teach you after what you did to Tweek? After everything you've done since we've been here? After the lives you took?!" Cartman definitely shouldn't have given Kyle such leniency because now he was just spewing from boiling anger over the past few months and even though Cartman said he wouldn't be punished his anger would probably have Cartman taking back his words. "Why would I ever help a monster like you?" He didn't yell it, but the words still held venom as if he did.

For a brief moment Cartman had let his guard down and Kyle saw it. His words actually stung Cartman, but that didn't make sense. He has to be aware of what a monster he is, surely this wasn't news to him? For that brief moment Kyle saw a flicker of pain in Cartman's amber eyes, but just like that it was gone and Kyle could tell Cartman wanted to strike him, but he didn't. Cartman took a deep breath and stood straight. "You will agree to my demands Kahl, because if you remember I am the Commandant of this camp. I can personally make anyone's life a living hell here, I can even kill who I want to." Kyle glared at him.

"What does my life matter? Maybe I'd rather die than help you." Again he could see the pain in Cartman's eyes from his words. Why were his words affecting him so? He was a Nazi, he didn't have feelings. They were all monsters, weren't they? A long time ago Kyle would have said they were just lost human beings, misguided and following orders blindly, but after the horrors he had witnessed in the camp there was no way they were normal human beings. Why did Cartman seem to feel? But like earlier, the pain was gone in a flash and the monster was back.

"Your life may not matter Kahl, but I'm sure your families lives do. Your father, your brother, and even your mother," Kyle's face paled. Shit. "Should you choose not to agree to teach me, I can make their lives a living hell, maybe they even meet their untimely end." This got Kyle's blood boiling.

"Don't you lay a hand on them, I swear to God-"

"But, do what I say and I can assure you they will not be harmed." Kyle's eyes widened.

"Even my mother?"

"Even your mother." This still did not prove that Cartman was human at all, he was just desperate, and desperation made you do things you normally wouldn't do. There was no more to it. Kyle was now actually considering it. He would do anything to keep his family safe, even teach the Commandant how to dance. "Tell you want Kahl, I'll give you something else as an insensitive," Cartman pointed to his own face. "I'll let you have one free swing, again no strings. I'm sure you-" Kyle didn't even take time out to think, he punched Cartman right in the side of his face. "God dammit mother bitch! God! I didn't actually think you'd do it, Jesus Christ!" Cartman stumbled from the impact of his right hook and held his cheek in pain. "Ah! That's gonna bruise you fucking Jew!" But Kyle didn't feel guilty at all, he didn't even feel worried that Cartman would take back his word and punish him. He didn't care. That felt damn good. The fatass deserved a punch to the face and more.

"Alright sir, if I have your word my family will be safe I will teach you how to dance," Kyle offered his hand to the Commandant to shake it.

"You have my word," and Cartman took Kyle's hand, Kyle didn't expect it to feel so warm…