Chapter 9

Hey Everyone! I'm back with another chapter! I apologize for the delay as I've been busy with work. Thank you so much for all your reviews! You guys are so sweet! :) PLEASE REVIEW and let me know what you think of this chapter! God Bless. :)

-Innocentia999

Lilla's POV:

The first thing I noticed before I opened my eyes was that my head was pounding. I groaned and slowly opened my eyes, closing them slightly again after the sunlight filtering through the window blinded me. I groaned again and slowly sat up and I realized that I was on a bed, with my head having lain against fluffy white pillows.

The room consisted of a desk on the left side of the room with a lamp and several sheets of blank paper stacked upon it and a capped red fountain pen lay neatly beside them. To the right was a closet full of men's shirts that I knew to be Officer Heim's as I had scrubbed them numerous times and to the right of the closet lay what appeared to be a bathroom, but I couldn't see much of it as the door had been left partially closed.

Directly across from the bed was a window looking out onto the camp. I saw heavy black smoke rising from the chimneys of a building in the distance that I had noticed on several occasions on my way to the Heim's residence but never really had time to ponder what it might be for. I got up to take a closer look, but a pull on my wrist made me suddenly aware that I was handcuffed by my right wrist to the bed.

I pulled and pulled over and over again and finally sighed in exasperation, resigning to the fact it was no use.

All of a sudden I heard footsteps coming down the hall and then stop outside the room. There was then a rattle of keys and the door opened and Officer Heim entered, immediately turning his gaze to me.

"Ah finally you are awake."

"Where am I? How long have I been here and how did I get here in the first place?" I demanded to know.

Officer Heim said nothing but only closed the door and locked it, before heading to the bathroom and shutting the door.

I soon heard the sound of water running and sighed in absolute frustration and ire at his nonchalant brushing aside of my questions as if I was somehow unworthy of his attention.

Fine, two can play at that game. When he comes back I won't say anything when he talks to me.

After about fifteen minutes he came out of the bathroom, his blond hair wet and tousled from a shower and to my utter embarrassment his white shirt was completely unbuttoned, fully exposing his muscular chest.

Well he's handsome on the outside I'll admit that.

I shook off that thought and glanced away as he turned to me, hoping my cheeks weren't burning. I kept my gaze on anything but him as I felt his eyes boring into me.

My eyes alighted on a picture of two young blond boys on the desk who appeared to be about eight years old and I was stunned to see they looked exactly alike. Their faces were serious, but they way they held each other close with their arms slung across each other's shoulders spoke of a deep bond.

"Does that photo fascinate you?" he suddenly inquired.

I didn't answer or acknowledge his statement, but simply kept my gaze on the two boys.

"So my punishment for not answering you is to be the silent treatment is it?" His voice was permeated with seriousness but I could also could detect amusement as well.

I still spoke nothing and gazed away from him.

He slowly came towards me, his boots thumping on the floor, until he stood right above me.

"Would it soothe your feelings if I let you out of handcuffs?" he uttered, his voice once again dripping with subtle humor. He held the keys up and jangled them to emphasize his point.

The last thing I wanted was to converse with him but the handcuff was really starting to dig into and irritate my skin.

I sighed and held my hand up for him to uncuff me.

He grinned and snorted in triumph.

Once I was released, I massaged my sore, red wrist.

He threw the cuffs down on the desk and took a seat in the wooden chair, facing me and once again staring at me, his shirt, thankfully, buttoned this time. We sat in silence for several moments before I remembered my earlier curiosity about the smoke and moved to the window.

The ugly dark black fumes curled into the air ominously before disappearing into the air.

"What are you looking at?" Officer Heim inquired curiously.

"The smoke. What do they burn there?"

"Nothing that concerns you" he replied flatly.

I quietly turned from the window and ambled a few steps away, rubbing my arms with my hands.

"You've been out for two days in case your wondering."

I glanced at him in shock.

"Two days?!"

He nodded.

"I have to get back! She'll..." I halted mid-sentence, realizing it would be dangerous to reveal my closeness with Edith and that she would most likely be worried for me, as he could at anytime decide to use our friendship against me or her somehow. He uncrossed his legs and stood up, slowly striding towards me, his boots thumping on the floor.

"She'll what?" He stopped in front of me and I had to resist the urge to shrink from his intense gaze.

Come on Lilla think! Quick!

"Punish me. She'll punish me."

"Who?"

"Volkenrath."

"It's possible. She has been known to have the temper of a vicious animal at times. She'll probably be in the mood for some more particular methods if she finds out you've been sleeping in my room for two days."

His calmness at all this was really starting to grate on my nerves. Then my brain fully registered everything he'd said.

"This your room! I've been sleeping in your bedroom! That is highly improper, how dare you!"

"Would you rather I let my Father beat you to death?"

"You're hardly better than him! You probably brought me here to use me for some sick reasons of your own before tossing me back to camp!"

I expected him to start shouting back or even become physically aggressive but instead he simply tilted his head slightly to the side.

"Is that the kind of man you think me to be?"

"I have been made your slave against my own free will. I hardly think my opinion would matter one way or the other to you. Now let me out of this room immediately and take me back to camp!"

"Watch your tongue Jew and do not order me!" he snapped, his eyes fiery for a moment before they calmed and he pulled out the keys.

He unlocked the door and gestured for me to exit first while he followed close behind. We departed the house with Artur accompanying us. On the path leading back to camp Artur suddenly came alongside me, his eyes focused and remaining directly ahead. I had to admit when he wasn't growling he appeared almost friendly. However, my eyes became so focused on Artur that I didn't notice the large pebble in my path before it was too late and I let out a yelp before beginning to tumble to the ground. Before I crashed to the ground however, strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me back up. I glanced over to see Officer Heim standing there, his eyes unreadable. It was then that I realized his arms were still around my waist. I shoved him away disgustedly before continuing down the path.

When we arrived back at camp, the prisoners were finishing evening roll call. As I approached with Officer Heim on my heels, Volkenrath spotted us and her eyes began to blaze with fury.

Great, I don't even wanna know what she's gonna plan for me now.

"And just where have you been 169000!"

Before I could answer Officer Heim spoke up.

"She has been with me Johanna" he said, stroking my cheek suggestively with the backs of his fingers while grinning at Volkenrath.

I felt dozens of pairs of eyes, all from my fellow prisoners, zeroing in on me. A wave of humiliation washed over me as I fought the urge to simply break down and sob.

"But it would be best to leave her unharmed for now as I am no longer done with her yet. Anyone who disobeys my orders and damages her pretty frame except me could find themselves on my bad side...permanently."

Understanding filled Volkenrath's gaze. She would do many things but risking permanent alienation from Officer Heim, her lustful desire, was not one of them.

She simply nodded and saluted Officer Heim, who saluted back and strode away. I could barely stand to meet the gaze of any of my fellow Jews as I hurried back into my line. And I was numb as I trudged back to the barracks and sat down on my mat. Could life possibly be any worse?

It was then that I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see Edith.

"Is what he said true?" she asked, gently.

I wanted to so desperately explain that it wasn't and to tell her everything, the whole truth of how this mess had started but, I knew I would probably lose the only real friend I had here.

Without a word I nodded, and she sat down and held me for awhile in a comforting embrace.

PLEASE REVIEW and let me know if I should continue. God Bless.