It was a warm, starless, spring night and the heavy footsteps of the German patrol echoed in the empty streets.
Niki paced nervously back and forth. It had been a very tiring day at work, she worked as a nurse in the hospital, but that had nothing to do with the bad feeling building up in her gut. Her younger brother had not yet returned home and it was very near curfew time. The Germans were very strict about it. Whoever violated it was immediately arrested.
She poured her self a drink even though she routinely didn't drink. But John wasn't home and, she never believed she'd ever say this, Von Kassle wasn't either and she wished he were. After the Germans invaded the Greece, and the occupation began, a room in her house hade been commandeered and major Karl Von Kassle had moved in. Niki resented it, but she supposed she should be happy that they hadn't been entirely kicked out of their house, with its beautiful rose garden. All her childhood memories were there and her mother was unwell. It wouldn't be good for her to be moved. With her father killed in action and her older brother fighting with the allies in Africa, she was her family's only protector.
Fortunately the man hadn't proved to be much of a nuisance. He left very early and returned late in the evening. He ate with them rarely and there was always enough food in the house for Niki to distribute to her less fortunate neighbors. She was well loved in the neighborhood, not only for her food deliveries but also her free services as a nurse. One evening she heard the piano and was vastly impressed by the progress her brother had achieved. She entered the living room to congratulate John on his playing but what she saw was Von Kassle at the piano. He stopped playing immediately and got up.
"I hope I have not disturbed you Fraulein," he said softly. Niki spoke German, as her father had given her and her brothers the best education money could afford. After all they were one of the oldest Athenian families and were quite well off. Von Kassle knew as from time to time they had a small conversation or two.
"No Major not at all" she said with a faint smile. "You play very well."
He held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, but nothing that could be reproachable. "Thank you" he said, bowed slightly and left the room. Niki wondered what that had been all about. Who cared as long as he left them alone.
But now she wished he was here. If John weren't home by the time he returned, she would ask him for a favor. She would ask him to find out were her brother was. She knew that this day was going to go bad from the moment she woke. She had a dream she was so embarrassed about. She had dreamed of him. It had been a very sexual dream, that he had entered her bedroom and made savage love to her. She had waked up flushed, exited and very embarrassed. During the months Von Kassle had been staying with them, she could not help notice his good looks. He was handsome, with blond hair and a blue unwavering gaze. And he was very impressive in his Wermacht uniform. But he was the enemy, and she had seen so many dead people in the streets, that she could do nothing but hate him.
Niki attended her mother for a while, and then left her chatting with Irini the young orphan the family had adopted years ago. Niki sat in the living room sofa clenching a handkerchief. It was very late. She was sure something had happened to him. John always spoke under his breath against the Germans and the Italians and about doing what we could against them. He and his stupid friends thought that this might be another game to play. But she knew better. She saw and heard things in the hospital. She knew of the torture chambers, the executions and the labour camps. And she wanted to keep her brother out of them. He was only a child of fifteen after all.
She heard a car stop outside and knew that Von Kassle had returned. It took him a few minutes to enter the house and into the living room. He strode in but stopped as he saw Niki sitting on the couch pale, with a drink in her hands.
"Is everything alright Fraulein?" he enquired.
Niki stood, paling even more as she faced the object of her dream.
"Actually no. My brother hasn't returned yet and I was expecting him hours ago. I'm afraid something may have happened to him..." her voice trembled slightly.
Von Kassle looked at her. He had done his best to hide the fact but was smitten with Niki from the first moment he saw her. She was a classic Greek beauty with the figure of an ancient statue. But she had never given him any right to see her in any other way than his hostess. When he picked up the phone and began enquiring about her brother he hadn't planned what would happen later in the evening. He just helped hoping that she might like him better.
"They will phone me as soon as they found something out," he told her. "Meanwhile would you like another drink?"
She nodded. Niki had already drunk a few drinks but she was so nervous that she needed another one. They sat together making small conversation while waiting. She noticed that he had a nice smile. If he wasn't an enemy of her country she would be very interested in him.
She closed her eyes for a moment and rubbed her temples. He leaned towards her.
"Do you feel unwell?" he asked concern in his voice. She nodded.
"I'm so tired and afraid," she whispered.
"Why don't you go to your room and lay down? This might take a while."
"I...I can't just leave you waiting for news of my brother."
"I insist. The moment I have news I will knock on your door and tell you."
She breathed deeply "Herr Major I don't know how to thank you."
He smiled at her "I'm sure we'll think of something" he said.
Niki left tired, worried to death and without knowing that leaving a full bottle of brandy with Von Kassle would be the biggest mistake of her life.
She heard a sharp tap on her door and realized that she must have dozed off. She got up quickly, put on a shawl and opened the door. Von Kassle was outside with a stern expression on his face.
"May I come in?" he asked.
"Of course" she said.
He entered the room and closed the door. Niki noticed with apprehension that he also locked it, but wasn't suspicious yet.
"Unfortunately, Fraulein the news are not good."
"Oh my God" Niki brought her hands to her mouth in horror "is he..."
"No, calm yourself" he said and came closer. Niki noticed that his balance was a bit off.
"Your brother was arrested this afternoon with a few other boys."
Niki almost fainted. She grabbed the rail of the bed to steady herself. This was her worst fear. Von Kassle moved next to her and somehow she was in his arms.
"What can I do?" she whispered tears coming to her eyes.
"Don't worry Niki" he said his mouth very close to hers now "I took care of it."
Niki could smell the alcohol and cigarettes in his breath but didn't dare say a word. She waited for him to continue.
"I told them that it was just a silly school boy prank. That I know him and his family." He smiled at her, but now he had the look of a predator.
"I will go first thing in the morning and get him. He'll be home for breakfast".
