¨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.¨  

¨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.