Snippet #1852870

Gunter sat on his bed, resting his elbows on his knees as he gazed at the object he was holding. It was the familiar swastika armband that had been on his arm for so many years. Now it drooped limply in his hands as a reminder that he was not out of trouble - not yet. Though the war was technically over, there would still be Germans looking for deserters to bring them to justice. And not only them, but Allied troops would also be looking for Nazis to bring them to justice. Gunter was caught between the two, guilty on both sides - guilty of deserting his friends, and guilty of fighting with his friends. And now he was hiding out in his crazy cousin Albert's bed-and-breakfast to avoid both sides. Of course, he would go back to Germany once the dust settled. He had to see if his friends made it through the battle, and he desperately wanted to help rebuild. He loved his fatherland, but he hated what Hitler and his regime had done to it. He just hoped he could get there in time to help pick up the pieces.

The door opened, jolting Gunter out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see Ella, one of Albert's employees, leaning through the doorway. She was a native Austrian, and despite Albert's reassurances, she despised Gunter. "Uwe's waiting for you in front of the inn." she complained in her mangled, Austrian German. "She wants you to help her clean the windows."

Gunter nodded, quickly shoving the armband back in his pocket. "Here I come." Then he jumped up, his face burning, hoping she hadn't seen him staring at the swastika.

She had, and he could immediately see the anger - and fear - in her eyes. "The only reason I tolerate you," she hissed, "is because Albert says you're okay. So far I've seen nothing to confirm that. You watch it, boy, or I'll get you outta' here faster than you can say 'Heil Hitler.'"

Gunter winced, looking down at the floor. Ella turned on her heel sharply to leave, but Gunter called out, "Wait, Fräulein Weber!" She stopped, turning around furiously. "Is... Have we heard any news of survivors? From the battle?"

"No." She replied coldly, then wheeled around and left. Gunter sighed, beginning to trudge off toward the front of the inn. When he got there, he walked outside only to hear Uwe snap at him to 'get his lazy ass over here and clean the windows.' Gunter walked briskly over, pausing briefly to look at the sign above the door. It read, Wurst Käse Scenario, the letters standing out with punny defiance. Gunter shook his head. While this life was better than the life in the army, the Austrians here were pretty vicious in their condemnation of him. It was alright, though. Albert was here and thriving, and that was enough.