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The new automobile slowly chugs up the poorly paved Himmel Street, as I watch, with butterflies in my stomach. As only one girl steps out of the shiny car, her face looks swollen and puffy, and I immediately sense that something is wrong. She is holding a black book that's titled The Gravedigger's Handbook, and it hits me like a train. The other one didn't make it.

¨What is your name, Kleiner¨ I ask, even though I already know the answer.

¨Liesel.¨ She says, with a voice sore from crying.

I quickly usher her into the house, and my empathy for the little girl stings like an open wound. I remembered when I lost Erik, my guilt and sadness made me want to curl up in a hole and die. I could only imagine what she is feeling right now, losing someone at this age. The girl, with dried blood on her knuckles, and a raggedy dress, walks inside, with Rosa behind her. I led her up to her room, the room that once held my son, who has grown distant. I can see the curiosity peeking through through her blue eyes, the color of a tropical ocean. This girl struck a chord in me, different from Hans Jr., or Ilsa. I can see how she looks up to me,

even though we met minutes ago. ¨I will raise your right, little one. I won't fail another time.¨

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A picture of him and his comrades in the Great War (WW1)

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A photo of his wife, Rosa Hubermann

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A photo of 33 Himmel Street

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A photo of his son, Hans Hubermann Jr.

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As I sit in the sub-zero basement far from peering eyes and listening ears, the handwriting that saved my life years ago is shaky as I'm writing a letter that will save another life, this time it's not mine. Max Vandenburg, the son of the person that saved my life but took his own in the last Great War. Dear Max,

It has been years since I last saw you, you were just a little, with a father that played the accordion. Years ago, your father saved my life and now I am doing my best to save yours. I know that the winters have been harsh, and I have a place that you can stay in my home. I promise that you will be safe, my wife Rosa is harsh, but has a big heart. And Liesel, I already know you would love Liesel, everyone does. The little girl with a thirst for books and insatiable curiosity, my goodness she is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. Please stay with us, we would be honored to host a Vandenburg. The address is 33 Himmel Street, Molching, Bavaria, Germany.

-Hans Hubermann

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The air was brisk as I arrived at the army camp on the border of France and Germany. I was never one for wars, unlike my counterparts, and I expected to do anything in  my power to stay alive, even if that meant branding myself with the word coward on my forehead. I went to my assigned barrack, and I immediately saw someone that stuck out like a sore thumb in the crowd. His clothes had many holes in them and on one knee there was something I would never expect to see in an army camp: An accordion. Even though he was older than me, I could see the anxiousness etched on his face. I walked over to him, and stuck my hand out, white from the cold.

¨My name is Hans, I noticed you look a little nervous.¨ I said. His face suddenly snapped, and it looked like he was a whole different person, indistinguishable from the tired face I saw seconds ago. His face lit up like a christmas tree as he replied.

¨Name is Erik, Erik Vandenburg. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I can see that you’re new here, there are two rules. 1, don’t leave the camp. 2, don’t do anything the sergeant says. Also,-

BOOM! An artillery shell hit the center of the camp, just where the mass of people were standing just minutes ago. Erik pulls my shirt as he sprints to the shelter.

¨Cmon, let's go!” He yelled, as I sprinted to the shelter. Once inside, we turn the steel door and we slump against the wall. Accordion draped out. He looked at me, smiled, and started playing the accordion. No words, just music. And this, this was when I felt most relaxed that day, while artillery shells were raining down.

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Hans' old accordion, from his friend, Erik Vandenburg

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Hans' cigar when Liesel came that day

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The Gravedigger's Handbook: The first book that Liesel and Hans read together.

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Paint Can- Hans' job and one of his favorite pastimes, painting houses.