Star Crossed Enemies

Chapter 13

Hazel wanted to throw her heels into the ground to keep from walking into a building with more Nazis. Mark's firm hand made her think otherwise. His plan sounded outrageous, but she had no choice. She had to trust his intuition. Both their lives depended on it at this moment. She mimicked his long strides and kept herself from pulling out of his soft grip as they strode closer to the other Nazis.

"Is there a problem?" asked Mark with a grumble. 

The driver turned around, his mouth fell open in shock. 

"But, I..."

The young soldier stepped toward Mark and saluted him. Hazel felt her stomach turn from the anxiety watching this exchange.

"Sir, he was saying you were Jews fleeing the country."

Hazel jumped slightly as Mark roared with laughter. His face quickly turned into stone as he looked at the driver.

"Do you know who the hell I am? How dare you assume such a vile lie."

"But, you weren't...."

"Hold your tongue!" 

The driver quickly closed his mouth, visibly shaking now. 

"I suggest you go where you were heading and leave me in peace before I decide a worse punishment."

The driver ran to his car. The tires squealed as he swiftly returned on the road and sped out of town. 

"I'm sorry, sir. We would have known it was you," said the young Nazi looking a bit fearful.

"It's fine. Where is Klaus? I have some unfinished business to tend to before I head back to Germany."

"He is in headquarters, sir. Do you want me to take you?"

Mark shook his head and responded, "I remember where that is. Thank you."

The young soldier saluted him again before Mark turned on his heel. He grabbed Hazel's hand and led her out of the building. Hazel felt like she couldn't breathe. Mark's thundering voice still echoed through her making her tremble in fear. Mark led her down two city blocks before turning into a dark alley.

"Hazel?"

Hazel's throat felt dry as she tried to respond. She found herself too busy staring at Mark in his uniform to be able to form any words. 

"Hazel, you're shaking," said Mark softly.

"Your voice...."

"I know. I'm sorry. But you are going to have to see a side of me you have never seen before to get us out of here."

Hazel's mind flashed to the moment Mark grabbed her arm back at the cottage. The anger she just witnessed was worse. She wondered how much more fury he could possibly possess. The thought made her skin prickle with terror. 

"I just need to settle some unfinished business and inquire about the gentleman I know that can help."

"What unfinished business? Please don't turn me in!" 

"Shhhh. Never."

Hazel didn't feel entirely convinced. Every sense of her being screamed to run and hide. The feeling of survival was overwhelming her. 

"Do you trust me?" 

Hazel looked up at Mark. His blue eyes seemed to glow in the dark alley. 

"Do you trust me as much as when you saved my life?" pressed Mark.

Hazel thought back on that night. She realized she never trusted him when she pulled him in her home. She only wanted to save his life and didn't think any further from that. 

"More," said Hazel after her small revelation.

"Calm yourself. Keep a smile on your beautiful face. And don't shy away from me. The uniform is just for show. I won't let anything happen to you."

Hazel nodded, taking in a deep breath to stop the trembling. Mark leaned down and kissed her forehead gently as he rubbed his thumbs lightly over her shoulders. Hazel felt her breath hitch in her throat by this gesture. Not from fear. From the feelings of comfort, surprise, and safety hitting her all at once. 

"I have to meet with Klaus. I need you to play your role as girlfriend perfectly, so he doesn't suspect anything."

Hazel nodded, feeling her stomach twist at the thought of that label. She continued to take steady breaths as he led her out from the alley to the sidewalk. The rising sun met her face. She couldn't remember the last time she had basked in the sun without hiding in the cottage or the shadows. The feeling of the sun's rays was liberating. She forgot about her current situation for a few moments as she enjoyed the warmth on her face. 

Hazel was quickly reminded of the present when they turned to a large brick building with Nazi flags softly waving in the wind. She had to remember not to hold her breath as she walked past them. Mark led her over the exquisite carpeted entrance, past the guards that saluted to him immediately, and to the large double doors on the end. He knocked before entering opening the ornate door. Hazel kept herself from trying to hide behind the door when she saw a tall man in uniform at the end of the colossal room. The man looked up from the papers in front of him and smiled at Mark.

"Mark! I'm so glad you are here."

"It's good to see you too, Klaus! How is your face, my old friend?"

Klaus rubbed his jaw and smirked.

"Pretty good. You insane bastard."

Klaus looked past Mark to see Hazel trailing behind him.

"Oh! My apologies, Miss, for my language. And, you are?"

"This is Hazel. My girlfriend."

Hazel plastered a smile on her face as genuine as she could muster, holding out her hand to the tall man. Klaus took it lightly and brought it to his lips for a quick peck as he examined her under his lashes. 

"She's beautiful. Why have you not mentioned her?"

"We have been separated for so long, and I meant to tell you the day I arrived. It was going to be a surprise. But she surprised me here to take me home."

Klaus nodded thoughtfully and motioned for them to take the chairs in front of his desk. Hazel pushed her skirt behind her legs before sitting gracefully on the chair. She was working hard to keep her heart rate down. It was a failed attempt after Mark grabbed her hand and started rubbing his thumb on the top of it as he smiled at her.

Klaus was gazing at Hazel with an indescribable look. 

"I'm sorry dear. I didn't catch your last name," he said softly. 

Hazel smiled in response while she clenched her skirt underneath the table.

"It's Hazel Zimmerman."

"Any relation to the Zimmermans I know?"

"I doubt it, sir. Unless they are a cousin, I might not know of. My brother died fighting for the Regime, and my parents were killed in the bombings in Germany last year."

"I'm very sorry to hear that. Your brother, I'm sure, was an amazing soldier. Fighting for what he believed in."

Hazel nodded and thought about her older sister so she would seem believable. Her eyes prickled with tears. She wiped them quickly with the back of her finger and dropped her face in sadness. Mark squeezed her hand firmly. She glanced at his direction to see he was looking at her with sorrowful eyes. He knew the emotions were genuine. 

"Klaus, you must update me on what is going on. I need to go back to Germany soon. I have been gone far too long," said Mark, returning his attention back to Klaus.

"Absolutely. I assume you still have the pistol I let you borrow?"

Hazel felt Mark's hand twitch in hers. She kept her eyes straightforward to keep from turning to Mark in surprise. Mark shuffled in his chair as he pulled out a pistol from his other pocket and laid it on the desk in front of him.

"The Jew was executed as we discussed. Along with her family members," said Mark coldly. 

Hazel watched as Klaus picked up the pistol and open the chamber. The click of the metal made her squeeze Mark's hand with a death grip under the table. Her mind was racing as she watched Klaus count the bullets and made a single nod before putting it in the desk drawer.

"Good. Very good. I'm glad you took my suggestion. I'm sure it was liberating," said Klaus with a closed mouth grin as his eyes lit up with amusement.

"It was what they all deserved. I hope we can discuss some matters before we leave. I have to make arrangements for transportation since my girlfriend traveled up here alone. I don't want to leave her side again."

Hazel realized that her assumptions earlier were correct. Mark could have killed her in her sleep, but he didn't. She pushed the vision of the pistol, and its intentions from her mind as she timidly stood up. Klaus and Mark shot up immediately, almost frightening Hazel. But she realized it was just a kind gesture with a lady standing up.

"I can step out while you both discuss what you need to. War talk will just go right over my head," she stated with a smile while putting her hand gingerly on her curls.

"Of course, Miss Zimmerman. There is a beautiful patio just beyond those glass doors if you wish to sit and enjoy this fine morning. There is a fur blanket around the chair if you become too cold. Do you like coffee?"

"Oh, that would be lovely! Thank you."

Klaus nodded with a smile continuing to gaze at her. Hazel turned around, feeling his eyes on her as she walked to the patio. She heard Klaus murmur to Mark as she shut the glass door behind her, "Such a fine woman you have."

Hazel put her hands gingerly on the cold brick wall looking at the city below. It was starting to bustle with people. She swallowed hard watching Nazi soldiers walk down the street in pairs with their rifles in their hands. She sat down in the chair next to a glass table and appreciated the comfort it possessed for being outdoor furniture. Her hand rubbed the fur blanket slowly. She hadn't felt such softness for so long. A soldier came to the glass door with a cup in his hands. 

"For you, ma'am."

She took the cup from him trying to swallow down the fear as the swastika on his armband seemed to stare at her. She smiled and thanked him quietly. He beamed at her before leaving. Hazel took the cup to her mouth and smelled the warm liquid. Her eyebrows shot up realizing this wasn't a coffee substitute she's been used to for years. It was real coffee. 

She took a sip and enjoyed the bold flavor she missed dearly. Hazel sat back in the chair, feeling herself relax. She looked back through the glass pane windows to see Klaus and Mark in in-depth discussion over a map on his desk. She turned her attention back to her cup and pulled the fur around her. 

Half an hour passed until Mark slipped out to the patio.

"Enjoying your cup of coffee?" he asked as he shut the door behind him.

Hazel looked at the little bit left at the bottom of the cup and whispered, "It's real coffee!"

Mark chuckled before taking the chair next to her. She looked up at his sparkling blue eyes as he rubbed his blonde hair flat on his head before putting his hat back on.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Where are we going?"

"Home. To Germany.'

Hazel felt mouth drop slightly with the thought.

"Don't worry. I can see the fear in your eyes," he whispered.

Hazel turned up the cup of coffee in her mouth, savoring the taste one last time. She couldn't help the feeling that it would be the last.

"We are being escorted back to Germany. They are coming with vehicles now and two guards."

Hazel opened her mouth, trying to come up with the words of protest when Klaus stepped out to the patio.

"They are ready when you are."

Hazel and Mark stood up in unison. Mark gave him a firm handshake and thanked him. Hazel outstretched her hand with the biggest smile she could muster, hoping the fear wasn't showing in her eyes. Klaus took her hand against his lips again and returned the smile.

"It's been a pleasure, Miss Zimmerman. I hope to see you again sooner rather than later."

Hazel nodded and followed Mark out of the patio, all too aware of Klaus' eyes on her.

"Sir, I will be one of the men escorting you to Germany," said the man who gave coffee to Hazel earlier.

"Excellent! Let's go."

Hazel climbed into the gray military vehicle that matched the uniforms around her. Her heart danced in her chest with a mixture of emotions going through her. Mark sat down next to her in the back seat as the driver and the guard took their places in front of them. 

"Another vehicle will be following us, sir, with more soldiers who need to be transported back to Germany."

Mark nodded in understanding. He pulled Hazel's hand off her skirt she was gripping for dear life. He patted the top of her hand and kissed her temple softly. 

"We will be home soon," he soothed. 

Hazel nodded, calming her breathing. She was going back home. The same home she had to flee for her life. The same one now overrun by the same people sitting around her who send her people to ghettos, deportation trains, and labor camps. She swallowed hard as she reminded herself Mark had changed. The taste of the coffee still lingered on her tongue. She hoped this wouldn't be the last time she tasted that liquid gold. 

As she sat back in her chair, the other reality of this situation set in. She was leaving her family and will possibly never see them again. Mark tightened his hold on her hand as they started to drive away from town. Hazel bit the inside of her lip to keep the tears from spilling over.