Chapter Fourteen

The German staff car purred smoothly along the road. Wilhelm sat rigidly upright in the backseat, lighting his cigarette. Beside him, Lieutenant Oskar Dietrich leaned back, a cigarette glowing between his fingers. A strand of blonde hair escaped from his groomed style, caught the sunlight streaming through the open car window.

"Hitler's unleashed the Eastern front to invade Russia, while Britain is still our threat in the West. What's your take on this two-front war?" Oskar asked Wilhelm.

Wilhelm exhaled a plume of smoke, "it's a recipe for disaster," he replied, his tone flat.

"So you disagree with the decision he made?"

Wilhelm met his eyes, unwavering. "He should learn from history. Germany's defeat in 1918 was a direct result of failing to avoid a two-front war. Those who ignore the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them."

Oskar's jaw tightened "That's defeatism, Wilhelm! If the Nazi party overhears your remarks, it will cost you everything."

Later that day, the tremor of the resistance rumbled again. The anti-German flyer plastered directly beside the brutal proclamation of Pierre's execution, drawing a growing crowd. Adeline stood among them, her eyes tracing the rebellious words. A German staff car slowed and then shuddered to a halt nearby; Wilhelm and Oskar, inside, had witnessed the gathering throng. Curiosity propelled them out. As they approached the inflammatory flyer, the crowd dispersed, scattering like startled birds, leaving the two officers standing in the sudden silence. Oskar's eyes fell upon the French words; his lack of fluency leaving him baffled.

"What does it say?" he asked Wilhelm.

Wilhelm interpreted, his voice low, "Resist the Germans. This is the cry that comes from the hearts of all of you who suffer from our country's disaster."

Oskar's casual expression died, replaced by a hardening anger, "They think they can undermine German morale with this shit!"

Oskar drew his pistol from the holster and shot into the air. The echo shattered the stillness. Screams erupted. Adeline and the others fled in terror.

"What are you doing?!" Wilhelm exclaimed, his voice sharp with alarm.

Oskar smirked, "what's the French word for 'attention'?

Wilhelm was irritated, supplied the answer.

"Attention!" Oskar bellowed in French, his voice cutting through the panic.

The running stopped. All eyes were on the two officers. A heavy silence descended, broken only by the frantic thump of hearts.

With the flyer in his hand, Oskar addressed the terrified crowd in angry German and then gestured to Wilhelm for a French translation.

Wilhelm's voice was strained as he interpreted: "This flyer appeared in this village and someone is trying to urge the French people to resist us." Wilhelm paused, the weight of the next words heavy on his conscience. Then he continued to speak, "The penalty for resistance is death."

Fear and despondence, all those feelings were mirrored in the faces of the French people;in some, suppressed anger shimmered beneath the surface. They were overtaken by a burning feeling of anger and the desire to make a sacrifice to liberate their nation from the occupiers.

From the heart of the crowd, a woman's voice cut through the silence, "What makes you think it might be one of us?"

All eyes turned to a young French woman, standing tall amidst the fear. At the same time, Wilhelm's breath caught in his throat. He didn't expect to see Adeline confronting his fellow officer.

Oskar gestured to Wilhelm for an interpretation; his stare was sharp as a hawk's.

"She asks how you know it's one of us." Wilhelm said, his voice trembling slightly.

Oskar came up to Adeline, Wilhelm trailing behind.

Adeline stood a few steps away from Oskar. Oskar spoke in German, his gaze lingering on her before Wilhelm interpreted: "There are two possibilities. It's either a resistance group or locals aiding them. We will find them and they will not escape punishment."

A defiant spark ignited in her eyes. "Then you will find us fighting," she said, her voice low but unwavering. "We'll fight for our freedom until our last breath."

Wilhelm's heart hammered his ribs, rendering him speechless.

"What did she say?" Oskar asked Wilhelm. His suspicion was palpable.

The truth hung heavy in the air, a suffocating weight Wilhelm couldn't bear. He saw Oskar's gaze falling on Adeline, and that gaze held the promise of death. The lie formed in Wilhelm's mind, a shield to protect her. "She says she submits to the German authorities. She'll offer no opposition."

Oskar sneered, his contempt for Adeline evident in his eyes. He turned and walked away. Adeline was stunned, a mixture of relief and unease swirling within her. She turned to Wilhelm, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange. He had saved her.