Breaking from her reflections, Lilly suddenly became acutely aware of a pair of bright blue eyes staring in their direction from the seat across the aisle. Turning sharply, Lilly noticed that the host was a SS soldier, and he was watching Edith intently. He wasn’t in uniform, but his sleeve was rolled up, and Lilly recognized the blood tattoo on his forearm.
Is there no one who doesn’t pay attention to her?! Lilly rolled her eyes as she glared at Edith, who was still reading when, abruptly, Lilly realized the potential danger. Edith was reading a banned book, in full view of a soldier who had little in the way of moral misgivings.
Clearing her throat, Lilly tried to catch Edith’s attention, but her sister was engrossed in the novel. In desperation, Lilly gave a light, but effective, kick against Edith’s knee.
“Hey! What was that for?!” Edith bent down and rubbed away the pain.
“Lilly!” Mr. Sommer scowled at the outburst. “I know you’re angry with your sister, but—”
“I think you should read a different book,” Lilly spoke through gritted teeth.
Both Edith and Mr. Sommer appeared to understand her warning as they glanced out the corner of their eyes, wondering who it was nearby that they should be wary of.
“Alright…” Edith swallowed as she slowly closed the book and set it back into her purse. “Let’s see what else I have. Oh, the commentary on Revelations.”
“Not that again!” Mr. Sommer rubbed his eyes.
“It’s important!” Edith shot her father an unappreciative glare.
“It’s useless symbolism.” Mr. Sommer shrugged.
“It’s real!” Edith gripped the book with both hands. “John was in prison when he wrote the book, so he had to use symbols when he was denouncing the Romans. The beast with seven heads and a crown on each head was Rome.”
“How is that Rome?” Mr. Sommer frowned.
“Rome was founded on seven hills! Each hill had a king. Back then, it would’ve been common knowledge.”
“Feels like a stretch to me!”
“Is that Marburg?” Lilly asked with a hint of excitement when she noticed that they were approaching a town. Besides, she was more than happy to avert the theological debate. Not that she minded the discussion, but neither Edith nor Mr. Sommer were willing to concede on their positions, and the arguments usually lasted longer than Lilly could stomach.
Yet the moment that Lilly grasped the town fully, she fell into an enchantment. The snow-covered medieval houses appeared untouched by modernity, and she craved the thought of snuggling up by the fireplace with a good book.
Then, beyond the houses, Lilly’s attention was seized by a castle on the hill that overlooked the town. It appeared mysterious and alluring as though it contained a secret just waiting to be discovered by some young adventuress. The castle invoked a sense of romanticism, and all the poeticism of Jane Austen’s novels flooded into her mind as she imagined herself with a tall, handsome officer kissing her against the stone wall.
“Oh, please let that be Marburg!” Lilly begged as she tugged happily on her father’s arm.
“I don’t think I shall ever understand you.” Mr. Sommer looked at Lilly with the greatest perplexity. “One moment, you are near tears at the thought of us coming here, yet now you are all at once in love with the place. Forever an enigma, my dear Lilly.” Mr. Sommer smiled warmly at her, but then his smile faded as he added, “I suppose that is your mother in you.”
Lilly smiled back at the kind compliment that was mixed with the sorrowful memory. Glancing quickly at Edith, Lilly caught the hint of envy for the affection their father showed to her. While it was brief, and Edith masterfully buried her true feelings, Lilly understood, to a degree, that her sister was desperate for this sort of attention from their father.
“It is rather beautiful,” Edith concurred as she rested her chin on her hand while looking out the window.
“You should’ve told me what it looked like!” Lilly pressed her hands against the glass as she leaned forward and studied every detail. She could imagine knights strolling along the cobblestone streets and fair maidens giggling to themselves as they huddled to discuss the latest gossip.
“I thought maybe you would’ve researched it at the library.” Mr. Sommer shrugged, and both of the girls chuckled.
“I don’t understand what’s funny.” Mr. Sommer frowned.
“Lilly? Your daughter? At the library?” Edith turned towards her father.
“She’s not wrong.” Lilly giggled, which her father did not find amusing. “Alright, the station is approaching. Let’s make sure we have our stuff ready to go. I want to get settled and then start exploring.”
“I think it may be best to organize the house first.” Mr. Sommer looked at his watch. “Besides, we should be eating dinner shortly anyways.”
“No!” Lilly’s eyes bulged. “You can’t do this to me! I’m finally excited about this place!”
“I’ll help you organize while Lilly goes out.” Edith nodded.
“She can’t go out alone!” Mr. Sommer shook his head adamantly.
“Father, I’m nearly—”
A scream erupted from further up the car.
Curious, Lilly left her seat and stood out in the aisle as she looked in the direction of the scream to see blood splattered across one of the windows.
“What happened?!” Edith asked as she, too, stood out in the aisle that was now packed with frightened passengers.
“I don’t know!” Mr. Sommer looked about with wide eyes, wondering if they were in some sort of danger.
“Papa!” Lilly latched onto her father as the car delved into chaos as further screams echoed when others became aware of the disturbing imagery on the window.
“Out of the way!” the SS soldier shouted as he rudely pushed Lilly and Edith back into their seats and then rushed towards the front of the car.
“Hey!” Lilly tried to stand again, but the rest of the passengers were now hustling to inspect the disruption and packing the aisle.
“Everyone calm down!” the SS man who had shoved Lilly shouted as he raised his hands in the air for everyone to settle themselves.
This, however, did little to deter the madness, and Lilly caught a rumor or two floating by of a Jewish attack on the train. She had never heard of Jews attacking a train before and, quite honestly, hadn’t seen much retaliation at all in Berlin from the pogroms. She doubted that this was the case, but then again, she had never traveled outside of the capital and was ignorant to the rest of the world.
A whistle blared, and Lilly noticed that one of the train attendees was now standing on something to elevate himself above the crowd. He was liberally employing the whistle and waving for everyone to pay attention to him. Eventually, the car settled enough for him to elaborate.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I can assure you that we are not under attack,” he began but kept his whistle close by, ready to employ it again should the need arise. “A man stepped in front of the opposing train that was departing the station.”
“Was he pushed?” someone from the crowd asked.
“Did he not see the train?” another asked.
“Was it a suicide?” still, another inquired.
“I don’t know the why, neither the who, but I know the what, and that should satisfy you for now until the police conclude their investigation.” The man stepped down.
“It’s clearly an attack if the police are already investigating,” a woman spoke in a hushed tone as she returned to her seat.
Lilly looked at her father and sister, who both seemed slightly shaken, more from the commotion of the event rather than by the actual facts of the matter. Somehow, a suicide seemed less distressful than anything Lilly was imagining.
Still, she couldn’t stop thinking about why someone would’ve done such a terrible thing. Was he troubled? Financial difficulties? Gambling debts? Romantic engagements betrayed or unfulfilled? There were so many factors to consider before going down that road
, but still, Lilly found herself starved for knowledge as to the who and the why.
“Should we grab our bags?” Lilly spoke softly when she noticed that the train had come to a stop and others were disembarking.
“Pardon?” Mr. Sommer looked somewhat pale.
“The bags?” Lilly cleared her throat and pointed to the overhead luggage.
“Yes, yes, of course.” Mr. Sommer shook himself free and stood in the aisle to grab their belongings.
“How long until the rest arrives?” Edith asked, trying desperately to think about anything else.
“The moving company should have everything to our new residence in about a week,” Mr. Sommer spoke quickly in a monotone voice, and it was clear to Lilly that he was deeply disturbed.
“We will have to live in bareness for a week?” Lilly frowned.
“Follow me,” Mr. Sommer ignored Lilly as he spoke over his shoulder as they exited the train.
Stepping off the train, Lilly closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh, crisp morning air as the three of them stood on the platform. There was something about Marburg, that she was certain of, and despite her initial misgivings, she was eager to begin an adventure.
“Flags for the Winter Relief?” a girl’s voice broke Lilly’s trance, and she looked down to see a younger girl, about ten years old, selling Nazi flags.
“Of course!” Lilly dug into her little purse. “I only have enough for one, though.”
“Anything helps,” the girl replied as she handed Lilly the little flag.
“You keep it.” Lilly smiled back at her. She didn’t care much for the insignia, but she knew the Winter Relief was a charitable cause organized by the League of German Girls to assist the poor during the long winter months when food was scarce.
“Flags for the Winter Relief?” the girl asked another disembarking traveler, and Lilly watched as she went to passenger after passenger, requesting assistance.
It was then that Lilly noticed the large Nazi flags outside the station that were lined up near the tracks. She had grown so accustomed to the Nazi symbol that she scarcely took note of it anymore.
Glancing at her father, Lilly noticed that he was simply staring at the pavement.
“Papa?” Edith asked gently.
“Yes?” He turned towards her as though she had sprung into existence.
“What is the address?” Edith asked, wary of her father’s mental state.
“Right!” He dug into his pocket, and Lilly noticed that his hand shook slightly while he attempted to read the address on the little paper.
“Are you alright?” Lilly asked innocently.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Mr. Sommer shot her an unappreciative glare before striking his hand against his leg to try and stop the trembling.
“Sir, you need to keep moving.” A police officer waved for them to continue.
“Do…um…do you know what happened here?” Mr. Sommer asked the officer sheepishly.
“Official business, nothing to concern you.” The officer ushered the family along.
“I’m part of the administration,” Mr. Sommer pressed. “Well, I say part of the administration but, really, I haven’t quite started yet. Still, maybe I could help?”
“It’s a police matter, sir.” The officer’s patience began to wane as he grew more aggressive in his gestures for them to proceed.
“Understood.” Mr. Sommer nodded. “Oh, actually, maybe you can assist me with directions?”
“Directions? I thought you were in administration? Help yourself!” the officer barked.
Slowly, an embarrassed Mr. Sommer bent down and grabbed his bags. Lilly hated seeing her father in this state, and she wished that someone would put the disrespectful officer in his place.
“Wait,” the officer called after them, and it was clear that he was feeling shameful for his inconsiderate behavior. “Let me see the address.”
“Uh, here.” Mr. Sommer handed him the small piece of paper, not entirely pleased to be dealing with the officer but desperate for some assistance.
“9 Barfüßerstrasse?” The officer glanced curiously at their father and then began to study the girls who had previously been inconsequential to him.
“That’s right.” Mr. Sommer nodded with a polite smile.
“I knew the family that lived there,” the officer replied, and Lilly thought that a strange countenance swept over him. The revelation of the address seemed to strike a chord with him and, for whatever reason, he attempted to contain his distress. Then she remembered that the family was Jewish, and he likely would be penalized, at least socially, for his sympathies.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Mr. Sommer spoke softly, and the officer glanced up at him with a narrow gaze, trying to gauge his sincerity.
“I can see that you mean that.” The officer looked intently at Mr. Sommer, and the two appeared to be sharing an understanding that was escaping Lilly.
Glancing at her sister, Lilly was content, at least, to discover that she was not alone in her confusion.
“The man that walked in front of the train was Jewish,” the officer spoke and seemed, to Lilly, to be testing her father’s reaction.
“Oh?” Mr. Sommer tilted his head and, if Lilly didn’t know better, seemed to be testing the officer as well. With what, she didn’t know, but she knew better than to interject.
“He was a professor. Provided many students in Marburg with a thorough education,” the officer continued.
“Do you know why he behaved so rashly?” Mr. Sommer asked sincerely.
“He lost his position due to the pogroms. Jews can no longer teach, you see.”
“That is unfortunate…truly.” Mr. Sommer spoke softly, almost in a whisper.
It was then that Lilly began to understand the game the two men were playing and how dangerous it was. She found it odd that her father would act so recklessly, especially with an officer. Men and women were being arrested daily on suspicion of treason, and she couldn’t comprehend why her father would be so bold. While she knew her father found the pogroms revolting, he had also instructed them to keep silent on the matter.
“Here, I’ll draw the directions for you.” The officer took out a pen from his breast pocket and began drawing on the paper. “It’s about a twenty-minute walk, but you’ll get to see some beautiful parts of the city. You’ll want to cross over the Lahn River, then you’ll walk past a church, St. Elizabeth’s, and then just follow this route until you’re at the property.”
Lilly watched with slight interest as the officer drew the map, but her attention was stolen when she noticed that he wrote something extra on the bottom of the paper. It didn’t appear to correlate with the directions, and he handed the paper back to Mr. Sommer, who quickly folded it up and hid the map inside his coat pocket. Whatever it was that the officer had written, Mr. Sommer didn’t want anyone to see, not even his daughters.
“Thank you for your kindness, Sergeant?” Mr. Sommer leaned in for the officer’s name.
“Sergeant Wolf,” the officer replied and stretched out his hand. “Sergeant Otto Wolf.”
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Karl Sommer.” Mr. Sommer returned the gesture, which Lilly found entirely odd that the two would be on such sudden good terms after an unpleasant first encounter.
“What was that all about?” Edith asked as she watched the officer walk away briskly.
“He must have just been stressed at first.” Mr. Sommer took a deep breath and stood up straight and seemed, to Lilly, to be rejuvenated. “Alright, let’s go see our new house.”
Chapter Two:
A New Home
“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.”
Aldous Huxley
“This is it, I believe.” Mr. Sommer stopped in front of a house and, secretively, took out the map drawn by the officer, ensuring that neither daughter would be able to see what was written.
Lilly smiled brightly as she viewed the three-story house before the
m and took no pains in hiding how thrilled she was that this would be their home. She only hoped that the inside would be equally charming.
The exterior was painted white, while the timber was exposed and painted black in a charming, medieval pattern. The first two floors had six windows facing the street, while the third floor, which she assumed was the attic, had two small windows. She supposed this meant the house would be nice and bright inside, which would suit her perfectly.
Their home in Berlin had been rather dark, which impeded the time she was allotted for reading. Her father was adamant about keeping the electricity usage to a minimum, and Lilly preferred the natural lighting anyways. Now, here, even in the short days of winter, she believed this house would be perfect for resuming her habit.
“Papa?” Edith asked her father with concern, and Lilly noticed that he remained hesitant with the key in his hand.
“I suppose we should inspect our new home?” Mr. Sommer turned to Edith and watched her for a moment before turning to Lilly to gauge her reaction as well.
“That would be lovely.” Lilly gave an impatient yet respectful wave for her father to proceed.
“As you wish,” Mr. Sommer huffed as he walked up to the door.
It was then that Lilly noticed the faded, black swastika that was painted crudely on the bottom of the door. It was clearly vandalism, and it appeared as though it had been washed off, but still, the malicious remnants remained. A sinking feeling captured Lilly, and she began to wonder if they had made a grave mistake. Not to mention what people would think of them for living in a home once inhabited by Jews.
With a simple turn of the key, the door opened slowly and let out an eerie creak which unsettled Lilly. Further disconcerting was a woman’s red jacket that was left disheveled on the floor.
Whatever excitement Lilly was previously feeling suddenly vanished with the upsetting reminder that they were about to enter another’s home as if it were their own. The house that appeared so bright and welcoming from the outside began to tilt, and Lilly felt as though she were off-balance as she stared into a dark foyer that promised unpleasant secrets within.
The Daughters of Marburg Page 2