Star Crossed Enemies

Chapter 4

 Hazel walked in the dining room, where everyone was gathered around the table. 

"Hello, Hazel."

"Hi, Mom."

Hazel took off her coat and put it on the back of a chair. She sat down and looked at her family. Next to her was her six-year-old sister, Marylin. Her gold eyes danced with joy as she played with a doll, black pigtails bobbing from side to side.

On Hazel's other side was her sixteen-year-old brother, Hans. He sat quietly as usual. His deep brown eyes moved over the pages quickly as he continued to read a book. He pushed his brown hair from his forehead, not glancing up from the story he was immersed in. 

Across from Hazel was her Aunt Karoline, her father's sister. She was a stocky middle-aged woman. Her brown hair was graying looking as frigid as her cold brown eyes. Hazel felt herself sneer slightly at the thought of her heartless aunt. She was glad she didn't live with her in the cottage. 

Next to Aunt Karoline was Uncle Trevor, Aunt Karoline's husband. He was the complete opposite of his wife. He was a tall, lanky man who walked with a slight limp in his right leg from his time during the First World War. His hair was already completely gray compared to his wife of the same age next to him. Hazel always thought Uncle Trevor's early aging was a result of his grumpy wife of many years.

On either side of the table were Mr. and Mrs. Rosenzweig, Hazel's parents. Mrs. Rosenzweig had soft dark curls just like Hazel. Her eyes were a light brown with specks of amber in them. The kindness she had shown in her expressions was one aspect Hazel loved the most about her mother. 

Mr. Rosenzweig was a tall man who was a few years older than his wife. His dark brown eyes, the same as Hans, were framed with fine lines. His black hair was neat, much like his entire appearance. It reflected the stern man he was.

"I saw the lights on a few nights ago. You know we turn off the light at a particular time to hide the cottages," scolded Mrs. Rosenzweig lightly.

"Sorry about that," whispered Hazel.

"Is everything alright?"

Hazel's heart skipped a beat. She didn't expect this conversation to come up. She struggled with the thought of lying to her parents. Hazel grasped her necklace and moved the Star of David between her fingers as she thought quickly how to handle this.

"Hazel?" asked her father as he watched her carefully.

Hazel knew if she lied now, they would find out later. Her father would be disappointed by her dishonesty to her family and religion.

"I need to tell you something," said Hazel as she gripped her necklace tightly.

Mrs. Rosenzweig ushered Hazel's siblings to the living room to play before walking back in with a face of concern. 

"Hazel?" asked Mr. Rosenzweig leaning forward in his chair.

"Three nights ago, I left to find some firewood. While I was out, I saw a man shot three times."

Hazel felt her cheeks become hot as everyone stared at her. She desperately wanted to avoid revealing the truth to her family.

"And?" pressed Mr. Rosenzweig.

Hazel debated for a split second what details to leave out. The pang in her chest returned, knowing she would feel guilty hiding any truth. She sighed, trying to calm herself to say the next statement she desperately wanted to keep a secret.

"It was a Nazi who was shot."

"Serves him right," said Aunt Karoline proudly.

"I saved the Nazi's life," continued Hazel.

"What?!"

The entire table spoke up in unison. Everyone was now on the edge of their seats, staring at Hazel. She felt her face grow hot, and her mouth become dry as four pairs of eyes continued to gaze at her in shock.

"I gave him medical attention in my house."

"Where is he now?" asked Mr. Rosenzweig.

"He's in my home."

"Hazel!" yelled Aunt Karoline.

"He needs rest, and he's still healing," said Hazel.

"Hazel, he's a Nazi! His kind killed your uncle and your sister," said Mr. Rosenzweig with alarm.

Hazel shut her eyes for a moment as a flashback of her sister filled her mind. Her sister falling on the street as a gunshot sounded came to view. She pushed the memory away and concentrated on the current situation. She glanced at her mother, who was deep in thought over the loss of her daughter and brother. 

"Papa–"

"I want him out of your home immediately!" yelled Mr. Rosenzweig.

"You stupid girl! You let a Nazi in your house. You're risking your life and all of our lives. For a Nazi!" screeched Aunt Karoline.

"Karoline quiet down!" snapped Uncle Trevor.

"He is a person," said Hazel.

"He might be, but he takes the lives of people," said Mr. Rosenzweig.

"You listen to me, Girl. I always thought you didn't have any sense, but this is preposterous," Aunt Karoline fumed as she hit her hand against the table. 

Hazel stood up abruptly. She felt as if she was suffocating. Her breath was coming in choppy as everyone's reactions overwhelmed her. 

"I don't care who he is. He is a person and should be treated like one. He was taught wrong, and you can't punish him for that," said Hazel angrily.

Hazel swiftly walked out of the room.

"Maybe you shouldn't be so hard on her," Mrs. Rosenzweig said to her husband as she patted his hand softly.

"He's a Nazi!"

"I know, but all she's trying to do is help."

"Help a Nazi!"

Aunt Karoline picked up her plate and turned to the kitchen.

"i***t girl," she said under her breath.

Hazel stepped back outside, ignoring the conversation behind her and trudged through the snow. Tears of frustration were streaming down her face as she opened the door. Helen was sitting in the living room with a book in her hands. She looked up at Hazel and dropped the novel quickly as she stood on her feet. 

"Hazel, are you alright?"

"No," said Hazel, wiping her face. 

Helen held out her arms and hugged Hazel softly tapping her back as she sobbed quietly. 

"Go freshen up, and I'll make you something special," said Helen gently. 

Hazel nodded and walked down to the room grateful for Helen not asking too many questions. She needed to regain her thoughts first. She pulled open the drawers not able to find a handkerchief. She realized it was in her other room Mark was in. She sighed and hoped he was still asleep. 

Hazel slowly opened the door and saw he was indeed still in a deep slumber. She sniffed and stood in front of the full-length mirror next to the dresser. She looked at her tear stained face and pulled a handkerchief from the top drawer.