Novel:Sneak Peek- Shoah

Every year they have a last of the summer bonfire. The towns’ youth comes to a bonfire event ranging from ages 17 up to early twenties. All of us grew up together and it was more like a family gathering.

Standing close to the bonfire next to my brother,Aaron with Leon our childood friend and my best friend Lauren- we were listening to Leon tell a story about him studying business to follow in his father banking footsteps.

Leon's friend Oscar sighed loudly over the boring talk, “What's up with this lame talk of business?! This is a party man...were here to talk about stupid shit and girls...and get girls.” He jabbed his arm into Leon who chuckled.Lauren and I rolled our eyes at them and I took another long gulp of beer- I needed more to drink if I was going to have any fun.

My brother Aaron spoke up, “Hey speaking of – Leon-you get that girls number from last night? She was into you like a fat kid wants cake!”

I didn't really want to hear this conversation -it stung a bit. I looked around and noticed one of the guys who'd came over with Oscar - I've never seen him before. He was standing close to me – quiet with a bored look on his face. He noticed me staring and smiled. I blushed at the attention- he was handsome. The typical German blonde and blue eyed- my opposite of brown on brown. He stretched out his hand in a welcoming gesture, “Hello I'm Ryan. Just moved here.”

I shook his hand, “Nice to meet you- I’m Abigail….but you can call me Abi. You like it here?”

“Nice to meet you...Abi. It's nice here. Close to the city and a lot of people my age around.”

“Where are you from?”

A dark look crossed his face, “Austria, it's getting bad there so my family decided to move.”

“Bad?” That explains the look he just made.

He cleared his throat and glanced around. “Yea Hitler’s spouting all kinds of crazy stuff there. He’s an insane man...” He paused and looked at me intently for a second and softly added, “You should be more aware…”

He wasn't threatening, the way he said it sent dread down my spine. I could see in his eyes the intensity of his own horror and dread. I was about to ask more but was interrupted by Leon who’d sauntered over half drunk, “Hey Abi...who's this new guy you're talking to?” He was overly jovial and it was annoying that he’d interrupted us. He's never interrupted a conversation of mine- that was a bit offsetting.

Oscars jumped in, “Oh that's my new buddy Ryan... Came from Austria last week...I’ve been showing him around.”

“Nice to meet you,” Aaron, Leon and Lauren introduced themselves.Now our little conversation was hijacked- Ryan was immersed in conversation with Aaron as they were both studying to become doctors. Leon had this odd look on his face when he looked at me...a brotherly guarding look or with longing?

Lauren whispered in my ear, “Come on lets go get more beer… these guys are lame.”I chuckled and relieved for the save to be with just my best-friend and followed her to the keg, I was definitely starting to feel a buzz. Lauren and I moved a bit away from the big company of people around the fire and once we were away from anyone overhearing I jumped into conversation, “WHAT was thaaaat about?!”

She looked at me and laughed, “What are you referring to? The new guy?! He IS hot…but I'll let you at him if you want.”

I paused at the thought, tempting...but no, my heart still belonged to someone else.I sighed, “No go ahead all yours bestie. I was referring to Leons rude interruption while Ryan and I were talking.”

“OHHHH” she frowned. “Yea… you’re right. That was definitely out of character …was just odd and rude… Almost like he distracted on purpose.” She did her thinking man pose as if she was trying to solve some big mystery.

I just shrugged, “It’s whatever.”

She got an excited look on her face, “Do you think...

”I laughed at the thought, “No...There was no way in hell he is romantically interested in me. Last time I discussed my crush with Leon he got all awkward and talked how he sees me as a sister - the embarrassment of that conversation still sticks. We still can't be alone without it getting awkward and our chat occurred like 5 years ago. On top of that he's a player.”

Lauren laughed, “No joke! I think he's slept with all the cheerleaders in high school and probably working his way through sorority brats. Girls love him and his dreamy blonde blue-eyed thing going on. He loves them back…well temporarily.” She snickered and finished off her beer.

I laughed, “It sucks! He’s so lame with that player front- at least I can say I know the real him,” I sighed and finished the rest of my beer as well, “I've spent the last 5 or more years watching him say the things I wish he’d say to me- to other girls. Week after week...different girl on his arm to the fancy parties including the ones our parents threw together. I swear- He doesn't have a black book…he has a black magazine...different issues every month with pictures!”

We laughed for a while as Lauren added, “With a free subscription.”

After a moment of quiet reflection between us I added, “The hard part is knowing him since kids, knowing his real and genuine side...his stupid ass mistakes and foolery, being a kid to teenager to now an adult. I love him for every part...intelligent, compassionate, funny…sexy.” My face landed in my palm as I sighed frustratedinto my hands.

She sighed and compassionately put an arm around me, “I know....Do you think you'll ever get over him to date a guy like Ryan?”

I sighed, “I should…it makes since to-I'm 20 and not getting ny younger.” We both hugged and looked out into the horizon and the glow from the city lights - protected by the large forest that separated us from civilization. The night air had a cold bite to it -a reminder summer was ending. We sat in silence gazing loving out at the sunset alighting the sky in cloud fire. The laughter from the nearby bonfire gave the night life amidst the growing darkness.

I sighed and was about to speak when she heard Leon’s familiar voice and the butterflies in her stomach went crazy, "Did I just hear my name..." Anna and I looked back to see Leon strutting over to us with Aaron at his side.

Anna sighed," Leon you jerk…your annoying voice interrupted us and scared the shit out of me!' She jabbed him in the rib.Protectively

Leon rubbed his ribs, "Hey....owe."

Anna shrugged and walked off but not before winking slyly at me grabbing Aarons arm, "Aaron I gotta talk to you.." Aaron scratched his head looking befuddled, "Uh yea ok..." They departed towards the bonfire crowd.

Leon scoffed and shrugged and looked back at me and smiled, making me dizzy. "Hey you.. Saw you over here avoiding this awesome swaray,"he sat down and patted the ground next to him and offered over a beer,"What's up sis?"

I was stunned to silence for a moment- Oh for real? We're starting right off with that? What a jerk. My heart crumbled...damn it I hated it when he said that! He raised his eyebrow at me and I sat and took the beer, gulping down a few sips. Leon laughed and pulled the beer from my mouth,"Breeeeaaathee." I laughed feeling better already and looked at his gorgeous face. His eyes searching mine was like looking into the depths of the ocean and I could feel myself getting lost. I was speechless. This was the first time I stupidly dazed at him since I was naive at 15...it was definitely the beer numbing my logic.

I cleared my throat and turned to look up at the stars,"I was just getting away for a bit...looking out into the night sky is amazing."

He hummed in agreement, “Yes....it is...very beautiful indeed...you have an interest in that kind of thing?” his voice had a soft touch to it that warmed and surprised me and I recognized this was the voice he used when he was sweet talking and picking up girls.

I was feeling a bit self-conscious, "Ummm…yea. The stars are so unique and such a mystery to me like where and what and how. It boggles my mind and intrigues me...it’s beautiful".

He chuckled, "Yes...to me as well…” I turned to see if he was making fun of me as I realized I just shared something I haven't shared with anyone. He was gazing at the sky in such longing it took my breath away. His voice soft in the night, “My dad got me interested in stars a long time ago- he loves to collect telescopes and other gadgets to look into the sky.”

This was interesting information…but at that moment I was too distracted to really catch on to what he said. I was too busy gazing at his perfect pale smooth skin from the low glow of the moon - his lips were curved temptingly into a smile. His blonde hair glared in the light and when he turned to look at me his eyes were alive with a new found look…fondness? When his eyes met mine there was an interesting sense not like before, a pull feeling like a magnet. A falling into depths full of light and excitement. His eyes changed to a softness and he moved his hand as if to touch my cheek but last minute scratched his face and looked away towards the party. Yep... still awkward.

He sighed heavily and chuckled, "We should get back to society. Leon removed himself and got to his feet offering a hand down to me to assist.

It was about an hour or so later that I started hearing strange sounds in the night. The event was coming to a close - the bonfire burning low and most people had left. Only a dozen or so remained and encircled around the bonfire. I’d been enjoying the company of another longtime friend of mine Bertha and listening to her talk about her fiancé and the wedding plans for next summer. I heard a loud snap...or was it a bang? It startled me enough to glance up and look around. Aaron and Anna were talking quietly together -I always wondered if they'd ever finally hook up and smiled at the happy thought. I daydreamed about how awesome it would be to have my brother be with my best friend. Leon was chatting intensely with Oscar and the new guy Ryan who looked quite agitated. Realizing no one else heard it I continued to listen to Berthas count of getting her wedding dress sewn.

That's when I heard it again- louder this time where everyone stopped and froze. “Gunshots.” Oscar shouted, “Everyone on their feet quickly.” I got up and moved quickly over to my brother’s side.We heard German shouts sounding off about a mile away.

“German soldiers?” Aaron asked nervously looking around and grabbing me protectively around his arm.We all listened to the dreadful sounds of gunshot firing piercing the silent night into sounds of chaos- screams, shouts rang out in German but I wasn’t able to detect what was being said.

“NO!” Ryan shouted looking terrified, “It’s the Nazis I recognize some of the words they’re choosing to use!” Our family didn't listen to the news much but as a Jew I knew that Nazi’s weren’t fans of us - for ridiculous reasons. Ryan looked around at everyone his gaze stopping at me and his face paled, “We all need to get out of here - now.” From the tone of his dead-serious-fear filled voice to the intensity all around - I felt dread run up my spine.

One of the younger girls who looked about 18 asked “Why what's going on?!” she huddled closer to her other friend. He looked her up and down taking in her appearance – I realized he was looking her over to determine if she was a Jew- I knew she was,

“Too much to explain, everyone split up into groups and get out of here…”. We stood still looking at him as a stranger...I wondered - what did he know about what was happening? “NOW!!” He bellowed as more shots were fired and closer to us than before. The leftover people started scattering away from the sounds.

Aaron pulled away from me and looked at Leon and then pointedly looked at me, “Get Abi out of here - now.”

I was surprised, “WHAT!? No! Where you going?!”

He raked his hands through his hair and sighed, “Abi- I’m going to go get mom and dad. Anna I’ll take you back to your place on the way.” He pulled me into a hug, “Get back to Leon’s house and we will meet you there.” I watched in horror as my brother and my best friend snuck towards our home-towards the oncoming sounds of Nazi’s. Ryan, Oscar and a smaller group had already run off into the forest in different directions as far from the sound of the Nazis as they could. It was just Leon and I standing there over the now blown out bonfire- enshrouded in bleakness of the night.

“Come on,” Leon whispered and grabbed my hand rushing off into the forest towards his mansion that’s secure and safe- just had to make it there. My heart racing as it sounded like we were becoming surrounded wherever we ran- Nazi’s were nearby enough to hear the ceaseless air assault of screams and gunshots and harsh dialect. The darkness swallowing us up and the only guide from our memories of playing in these woods since childhood.

Through the dark and rushing I tripped over a branch in the dark and hit the ground hard dis-loging my hold on Leon’s hands.“Wait! My foot is caught on something. “I shouted as he kept running onward.

“Abi!” Leon shouted and raced back to help me. They were close to his house- it was just over the hill ahead of them and I could see the lights from his huge acreage of landscaping illuminating the night sky.

As Leon worked to untangle my foot I whispered, “What is their reasons for shooting guns? Had they caught the others?!”

I stared to hyperventilate and Leon shushed me and wrapped his arms around and whispered in my ear, “Calm down sugar....calm down…breathe...it's too dark for them to see much just trust me to take care of you. Please stop moving so I can get your foot out.”

We were only quiet for a second when a soldier walked into the clearing- just one- armed and sweeping the area with his gun. Luckily, we were on a sloping hill and I had gotten stuck where there was a lot of thick brush. Leon slowly and quietly sat next to me and pulled me down beside him -he moved a loose twig to hide our bodies. His warmth giving me comfort as we laid bodies pressed against each other in excruciating silence listening to the sound of about 4 more soldiers approach from the other side of the area and greet their fellow soldier. They started to walk the area around us searching more.

A man came out of nowhere making them all jumped to attention and aim at him. Quickly they realized he was with them, and lowered their weapons. He was out of breath, “We got movement north of the west fork! Now!”They all turned and ran back towards where the bonfire had been.We both laid there for a moment and sighed in relief... Letting the silence fill the space.

Leon blew out a long sigh, “That was lucky….Ok I think we can move now.” He helped me stand up but held onto my hand as he guided us back on the path towards his house. We could still hear gunshots but further away. Dread washed over me. What was that all about? Why were they here...and shooting their guns? Were people dead from that? Leon started speaking quietly. “I was talking with Ryan... He said Hitler has gone completely mad and talking non-sense about eradicating all Jews.”

I stopped in my tracks and felt the goosebumps light up my arms, “WHAT?”

He sighed, stopped and turned to face me, “Ryan mentioned something about how in Austria they’ve gotten more hostile and aggressive about cleaning things up- they are putting stars on every Jew to label them. There's talks of something called death camps to the south. If what he says is true and based on accounts of tonight- I’d say you and your family are in trouble and not safe. We have to talk to my parents when we get back. My dad said he’s been handling Hitler’s financial accounts at the bank….he definitely should know something.” He looked me over and touched my hair pulling out a twig. A look of tenderness not seen before. I gulped-there was that electric feeling again as he looked at me. “I'm glad you're ok.” his voice a bit husky. He cleared his throat and turned towards the path leading to the back of his home. “It’s quiet now.” I noticed the night was eerily quiet “Alright let's get the fuck out of these woods.” We continued walking, His hand still entwined in mine in a protective yet provocative intimate grip. The sight of the large mansions sprawling lawn, rows of lanterened lights leading up to its huge castle-esk expanse- was a sight for sore eyes. I could finally sigh in relief.