Star Crossed Enemies

Chapter 11

  "You are going to wear a hole through the floor," said Helen watching Hazel pace back and forth.

"I can't help it. What if Mark turns me in? What if he is forced to say where he's been? What if...."

"What ifs are not going to help you. I think Mark is smarter than you are giving him credit for."

Hazel stopped in her tracks and looked at Helen with wide eyes. She had never heard her compliment Mark on anything. As a matter of fact, it was rare for her to compliment anyone. 

"Trust me, Hazel. I don't think there is anything you need to worry about. Besides, you have no choice at this moment but hope Mark will get you out of here."

Hazel flopped on the chair and pushed her hands underneath her chin as she tapped the floor quietly with her foot. Her mind continued to race with emotions and possibilities. She kept half expecting a squad of Nazis to show up at the house and raid it. She buried her head in her hands when there was a soft knock on the door. 

Hazel rushed up to the door and hesitated before opening it. 

"Hazel, it's me."

She opened it and let Mark step through the door. Hazel swiftly shut it behind him as he took the hat off his head.

"How was your trip?" asked Hazel.

Mark sighed and answered, "Not so good. The friend that I went to isn't going to help. I'm going to have to figure out another way to get you into Canada."

Hazel's heart dropped. This wasn't one of the scenarios she had imagined.

"Maybe it would be better if you stay here, Hazel," said Helen.

"I'm about to find out," said Hazel as she grabbed her coat. 

"What are you doing?" asked Mark.

"I'm about to go to my parents' house and see if Papa has changed his mind."

"Maybe you shouldn't do that," he suggested stepping in front of the door. 

Hazel looked up at him averting her eyes from his uniform.

"Why?"

"You heard what your family said yesterday. You said it yourself.....he's gone mad."

Hazel stepped past him and walked out of the cottage. She trudged through the harsh wind to her parents' house. Her thoughts were running a mile a minute, trying to think exactly what she was going to do. She opened the front door without knocking and walked in. She stuck her head in the dark dining room and didn't see anyone. She then tiptoed down the hall into the living room. Mr. Rosenzweig was sitting in an armchair.

"Papa?" 

Mr. Rosenzweig swung his head around. He stood up quickly, already stiff from anger.

"What are you doing here?" he snarled.

"You're still mad at me?"

"It wasn't a religious act of kindness, it was stupid what you did! You brought a Nazi to your home. He's a bloodthirsty killer!"

"He's different. He's changed," said Hazel.

"That's what he says."

"That's what I see in his eyes! I see the guilt and pain when I look into his eyes."

Mr. Rosenzweig grunted.

"Why is that so hard to believe?" asked Hazel.

"I've never heard such a thing. It's foolish to think that way about the enemy who wants to kill you."

Hazel cringed from his words. Mr. Rosezweig crossed his arms over his chest before he mumbled, "A young man who has hated our people and committed atrocious acts has suddenly changed his mind in a span of a few days. All because of you?"

Mr. Rosenzweig snapped his fingers, causing Hazel to jump slightly. 

"I know what's going on now. He wants you in bed with him. And when he's done with you, he'll throw you in a camp."

"What? No, Papa! That's insane."

"Is it now? That's what he wants. Use you then throw you away. You get him out. This is the last time I'm going to tell you."

Hazel hesitated then answered, "No."

"Here we go again! You chose a Nazi over your own family the second time. A Nazi who wants nothing but the worst for you."

Mr. Rosenzweig looked at Hazel and frowned.

"I expected better. I want you out!" he yelled.

"Please, ju–"

"It's too late. Out! Now!"

Hazel stood her ground and felt her eyes grow warm. Mr. Rosenzweig took a deep breath as his hands shook with rage.

"Young lady, didn't you hear me? I want you out!"

"Where's Mother?" asked Hazel.

"None of your damn business and she isn't your mother anymore."

"I want to say goodbye to Hans and Marlyin."

"No! Out! I won't have a Nazi sympathizer brainwashing my family."

Hazel heard footsteps coming from the other room and watched as Aunt Karoline walk in. Her eyes went to slits when she looked at Hazel. Hazel ignored her Aunt inching closer to them and turned to her father again.

"Papa, I don't want to go away."

"You don't have a choice. I will burn your house to the ground if you aren't gone by tomorrow," he said in a growl.

"Papa, I d–"

"Go! Now!"

Hazel saw that her father's whole body was shaking with fury. His threats were unforgivable at this point, and there was no sense of arguing with such anger. Mark was right. She shouldn't have come here. Her thoughts were interrupted by her father's thundering voice.

"Out!" he yelled with a finger pointed toward the door.

Hazel looked at him for a moment and decided that there was no changing his mind. 

"I will miss you, Father."

Hazel turned on her heel and moved toward the exit. 

"That's right, go you little brat," said Aunt Karoline.

Hazel turned around again and marched back in the living room.

"I'm not a little girl. And I'm not a brat. You remembered what happened yesterday?"

"Yes, I do, but I don't see your protective Nazi around."

"I saw the fear in your eyes. You thought that he was going to kill you."

Aunt Karoline stepped toward Hazel from the fireplace creating a shadow in front of her.

"You watch your mouth."

"What are you going to do if I don't?" asked Hazel.

"Smart ass, are we?"

Hazel turned around again and walked toward the front door.

"Don't you turn your back on me!"

"I think I just did," snapped Hazel.

Hazel opened the door and slammed it in her Aunt's twisted face of anger. Never in her life had she been this bold. Never had she voiced her opinions so strongly. But it felt liberating. No one could change what her heart was telling her. She snapped herself out of her thoughts when she heard Aunt Karoline's footsteps behind her.

"Go! We don't want you here anymore," yelled Aunt Karoline.

Hazel looked up at the sound of a door slam and saw Mark in his uniform. He was staring past her with a cold stare at Aunt Karoline, who was trailing behind her.

"Why don't you report Hazel? She deserves punishment."

"If I report anyone, it will be you," he shot back.

Aunt Karoline's face went white as she scuttled back in her cottage. Hazel kept her arms crossed and eyes to the snow as she walked up to Mark still at the doorway.

"Hazel?"

She glanced up at him and looked back down at the snow as her eyes brimmed with tears. 

"It didn't work," choked Hazel.

She moved past Mark and sat next to Helen on the sofa, keeping her eyes downcast as she fought back the tears that threatened to spill.

"I knew this was going to happen. Her father is the stubbornest man I've ever met," said Helen with a frown.

"I'll leave tomorrow," said Mark.

"You don't have to do that. It my fault, not yours. My father won't accept me in his household ever again anyway. He threatened to burn down this house if I didn't leave by tomorrow."

"Mark, you need to take Hazel out the country, out of Europe," said Helen without hesitation.

Hazel turned to look at Helen. She was staring at Hazel with sad eyes.

"I don't want what happened to your sister happen to you when you leave. And I don't want your father scheming against you thinking he is saving the family if you stay. I want you safe," said Helen in a near whisper.

Hazel nodded quietly. She swallowed back the lump in her throat and quickly dried the tears that escaped.

"We will leave tomorrow," said Mark quietly above them.

"But where will we go?" asked Hazel as she looked up at Mark.

"Canada. It would be easier to get in there than in the United States. I have other connections that will get us there."

Hazel nodded as she tried to wrap her mind around the idea.

"We'll be leaving in the morning. Before dawn," he informed.

Hazel looked up at Mark trying to process fully what he said. 

"Do you want some tea?" Helen asked Hazel as she patted her hand.

Hazel nodded.

"What about you, Mark?"

"No, thank you, ma'am."

Helen walked into the kitchen, disappearing from view. 

"Do you have any fake documents?" asked Mark.

Hazel nodded.

"Can I see them?"

Hazel left and swiftly came back with papers in her hand. She handed them to Mark and watched him as he carefully looked them over.

"They look convincing," he muttered as he kept his blue eyes moving over the pages.

He handed her back the papers and asked, "Do you know all the information by heart?"

She nodded, unable to form any words. The reality of leaving her family was slowly sinking in. Helen came back into the room with a cup of tea and placed it in front of Hazel on the small table. 

"I'm going to bed. Wake me up before you leave," said Helen gently.

"I will. Good night," answered Hazel.

"Good night."

Helen left the room and shut the bedroom door behind her. Hazel watched the swirl of steam from the tea slowly dissipate as it cooled enough for her to drink. She finished her tea, mulling over her thoughts quietly, as Mark sat on the opposite chair from her. 

"Thank you for showing up outside," said Hazel staring down at her empty cup.

"You're welcome."

"I'm going to finish packing," she said as she stood up, putting the glass down on the table in front of her. 

Hazel walked back into her room and started to mindlessly pack her belongings. She didn't know what she packed, and it was hard for her to concentrate on the task at hand with the growing knot in her stomach. She leaned over a brown luggage bag, closing the leather flap when there was a soft knock on the door. She looked up to see Mark standing at the doorway, still in his uniform. She felt a shiver down her spine as she tried to keep her composure.

"I just was checking on you," said Mark softly.

"Thank you, I'm fine. What exactly is your plan for tomorrow?" asked Hazel. 

"At first light. I plan for us to get a train from Germany to France then a boat to England. After we arrive in England, we can get a boat to Canada."

"Do you think we can really get in Germany without being caught?"

Hazel's eyes started to sting from the growing tears before he could respond. All this was too overwhelming to hold in even silently.

"Hazel?"

"I'm fine."

Mark took a step toward Hazel, making her take a few frightened steps back.

"Hazel, everything is going to be fine."

She shook her head and closed her eyes. Mark put a hand on her arm. She opened her eyes in terror and started to shake uncontrollably. He stepped back and glanced at his reflection in the mirror next to her. Hazel watched his face change to confusion to sorrow. She knew he saw himself the way she did. His gray uniform, the Knight's Cross hanging around his neck, the prominent blue eyes, and blond hair that Hitler preferred. He turned to the bed and put his hands on the mattress. His hands balled up into fists as he leaned into them, lowering his head as he closed his eyes. 

"I'm going to go ahead and change," said Mark in a near whisper.

Hazel stepped out into the hallway closing the door softly behind her. She closed her eyes and took a few silent deep breaths to calm herself. The uniform brought back memories that she would rather forget. Soon, the memories faded as the reality that this would be the last night she slept in the cottage set in. Before she could grow teary-eyed again, she kicked off her heels and curled up in the guest bed wanting to drift to sleep as quickly as possible.