The Daughters of Marburg

by Terrance Williamson

  Do I leave Edith? Lilly wondered and looked out again at the figure on the bridge. I know that if I escape, Edith will suffer immensely for it. If they have Wilhelm or my father, they will torture them for information. Also, I doubt the major is unaware of this cell’s “flaws.” Would he make it so easy? This has to be a trick. Right?

  Shaking, Lilly stepped back from the bars and returned to the lonely, rickety chair as she accepted her fate. She desperately wanted to flee, but the truth was she didn’t know where she would go. She had no money, no means of transportation, and she definitely had nowhere she could travel to. Besides, she would never forgive herself for abandoning her loved ones.

  Then, the sound of marching boots came faintly from down the corridor. The sound grew louder as they approached in her direction. Lilly’s heart beat in her chest as the major came into view with an escort of three soldiers. One of which, Lilly shuddered, was Guenther.

  With his gaze at his feet, while Guenther unlocked the cell, the major seemed to pay no attention to Lilly. He appeared to be contemplating something troubling, and Lilly hoped beyond hope that he would be lenient with her.

  Regardless, the major appeared a little pale, and it was evident that his injury had taken a serious toll on his health. Still, despite this setback, Lilly recognized that he seemed more venomous than ever.

  The cell was unlocked, and the major walked inside with his gaze still at his feet. Standing in the middle of the room, the major rubbed his chin until, suddenly, he seemed to remember his purpose and looked up, pleasantly, at Lilly.

  “Miss Sommer,” the major began as he folded his hands in front of him, “I really am sorry about all of this.”

  Lilly didn’t reply. She knew he didn’t mean a word of it.

  “Bring me a chair,” he ordered Guenther, who obeyed without hesitation and set the chair across from Lilly, already anticipating the major’s intentions.

  “Wait outside,” the major again ordered Guenther.

  Slowly, the major sat as he winced, and Lilly noticed that he was unable to rest against the back of the chair.

  While trembling, Lilly examined the major, trying to determine his intentions with her. She looked down at his shiny, black boots, which were polished to perfection. She noticed his leather gloves, which looked unused, and studied his seamless uniform, which was in perfect order.

  Leaning over, again with a wince, the major reached for Lilly’s hand, but she pulled away sharply.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” he spoke calmly and sincerely.

  Still, Lilly wouldn’t relent.

  “Give me your hand,” the major continued to speak softly.

  Lilly shook her head.

  “If you don’t, I’ll have one of those men visit your sister tonight.” The major glanced over his shoulder at the guards outside the cell. “The fun part is you get to choose which one.”

  Looking at the major’s neck with his head turned, Lilly wished with all her heart that she had something sharp with which she could stab him. She could finish the job that Wilhelm intended.

  Turning his attention back to Lilly, the major caught her lingering gaze on his exposed neck.

  “Ah, I see.” He grinned. “You’re wishing that you had a knife?”

  Lilly pursed her lips to control her outburst, and her breathing labored as her fear fell silent to her rising hatred.

  “Give me your hand,” he asked again as he held his open, “or you may choose one of those guards.”

  Still, Lilly didn’t utter a word.

  “Wilhelm,” the major called, and Lilly’s heart leaped in her chest, desperate to see if her fiancé was alright.

  To her dismay, one of the guards took a step forward and turned towards them.

  “His name is also Wilhelm,” the major explained to Lilly. “Isn’t that neat?”

  “Sir?” The guard stood at attention.

  “Go to Edith—”

  “Here.” Lilly placed her hand in the major’s as she squirmed with disgust.

  “There, that wasn’t so difficult now, was it?” The major gently closed her hand in his as he held it dearly like she was a close relative.

  “You see, my sweet Lilly”—the major carefully inched forward in his chair as he rubbed her hand with his thumb— “I know you better than you know yourself. I told you before that I love this game. In fact, I think they’ll end up writing stories about me. Maybe they’ll title it ‘Wagner’s Web.’”

  Lilly didn’t know how to respond, and all she could think about was getting away from him.

  “You still don’t understand, do you?” The major squinted.

  “Understand what?” Lilly shook her head.

  “Why did you give me the Jewish girl’s journal?” he asked with a certain sparkle in his eye.

  Lilly didn’t reply.

  “I’ll tell you why.” He inched even closer until his knees were touching her chair. “I suspected Sergeant Wolf of some indiscretion. I didn’t suppose it was as far-fetched as treason, but I was curious about him. When I came to your place asking for the diary, you didn’t want to give it to me until I mentioned Sergeant Wolf’s name. It was then that I knew he was involved with some sort of conspiracy. I still didn’t know what it was, but I suspected it had to do with your father.”

  Lilly shivered as a cool breeze rushed through the cell.

  “Oh, my dear, you’re cold.” The major looked at her sympathetically and, standing under great distress, removed his jacket.

  “Take it.” He tried to wrap the jacket around her, but Lilly held up a hand to stop him.

  “I’d…rather…freeze,” she spoke as her teeth chattered.

  “Lilly, my sweet girl, this is the only comfort that will ever be offered to you.” He looked down at her with genuine care.

  Relenting, Lilly agreed and closed her eyes as she relished the warmth of his jacket, though she hated that she had given in and accepted the gesture.

  “Now, where was I?” he asked as he slowly, and carefully, sat back down. “Oh, right, Sergeant Wolf. Yes, well, as providence dictated, your fiancé—congratulations, by the way—so happened to be returning the vehicle to the station on the night we were arresting Sergeant Wolf. It was suspicious that he would be returning so late, so we took him in for questioning. We knew two girls were with him as well, but I had other plans for you ladies, so we didn’t search too hard. Anyways, with little convincing—almost none, really—Wilhelm divulged all your secrets. He told me about your father’s involvement and about the plans for my assassination.”

  “You’re lying.” Lilly frowned.

  “Lilly, he shot me at close range, in the back, and I survived.” The major looked at Lilly regretfully. “It was planned.”

  “This is just another spin of your web.” Lilly shook her head, while she tried to reason, as her heart grew heavy. The cold and the exhaustion were playing against her, and Lilly felt confused. She didn’t know what to believe at this moment.

  “Spin of your web?!” The major burst into a laugh and clapped. “I like that. I’ll have to use that again. Guenther, write that down for me, would you?”

  “You didn’t even speak to Wilhelm.” Lilly swallowed as she grew bold in the recollection. “You left him alone in his cell and then returned him unmolested so that others wouldn’t trust him. You knew that he’d do something drastic to try and redeem himself. I think your survival of his attack was purely incidental, and now you’re trying to spread further deceit. But I don’t understand why?”

  “You’re smarter than I’ve given you credit for.” The major leaned back in his chair, impressed, but then suddenly winced at the pain. “However”—he raised a finger and grew a victorious smile— “I didn’t know who shot me. Thank you for confirming that it was Wilhelm.”

  How could I have been so stupid?! Lilly pressed her eyes shut as she realized her error. The tears flowed unrestricted down her face.

  “Just don’t get any on my jacket.” He
pointed to her tears in disgust. “Guenther?! Hand me your handkerchief!”

  “I’m fine,” Lilly spoke through the tears as she dried her eyes with the sleeve of her uniform.

  “Now you’ve ruined your uniform.” The major let his hands fall against his thighs in disappointment.

  The cell became silent again as Lilly gathered herself. She couldn’t believe that she had fallen so easily for the major’s trap. I’ll have to employ all my wits. Think, Lilly! Be smart!

  “’And I saw one of his heads as if it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.’” The major stared at the ceiling as he spoke, and Lilly thought that maybe he had gone mad.

  “That’s from the Book of Revelation,” he explained. “I’m the beast that was wounded in that scenario.”

  Still, Lilly didn’t reply.

  “When your fiancé shot me in the back?” The major rolled his hand for Lilly to grasp his meaning.

  “I understand your reference,” Lilly replied sharply, “but I can’t quite figure out why you’d identify yourself with a creature that gets thrown into the lake of fire?”

  “Well, fortunately, it’s just a children’s tale. Like something from a Grimm collection.” The major chuckled.

  “But it’s not.” Lilly shook her head.

  “You’re a Christian, too?” He frowned. “Is it acceptable for a Christian to be seditious? I thought you were supposed to obey the law of the land?”

  “I’ve never considered myself very religious,” Lilly paused as she reflected, “especially after my mother died. I prayed and prayed for her recovery, but it never came. After that, I found little use in prayer.”

  “I lost my mother as well.” The major glanced away.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Lilly looked at the major and, for the briefest of moments, saw a human. He was sad, lonely, and angry. She wondered if she could, possibly, get through to him. If there’s any light left within him, then maybe I can draw it out?

  “I’m not.” He shook his head. “She was cruel. See this…” He unbuttoned the top of his uniform and pulled it down slightly so that she could see a scar near his collarbone. “That’s from her. She took a coal from the fireplace, sat on my chest, and held it there until my father tore her off of me.”

  Lilly looked at the major in horror, wondering if this was the reason for his callous nature. She imagined it would make her cruel as well.

  “I suppose you’re speculating if having a demented mother generated my ruthlessness?” The major glanced up at her.

  “Yes, actually,” Lilly squinted, wondering how he had perceived her thoughts so easily.

  “Don’t worry, I don’t have any supernatural abilities to read thoughts.” He chuckled. “I’ve told everyone who comes through here the story about my mother. I find it helps to have a human connection. See, if you have some sympathy towards me, it makes it easier for you to confess. The strangest thing is that even my mother asked me if she was the cause for my pitiless nature.” He leaned forward and whispered, “So I put a bullet through her head.”

  Lilly shuddered at the admission and watched the major with wide eyes as he put a finger to his lips for her to keep his secret.

  “No, I can’t let her take any credit. I’m like this because I enjoy it. I’m good at it.” He shrugged. “I’m necessary. I will purge this world of the Jews and those who assist them, like yourself, and then we can finally have peace.”

  “So, you intend…to…?” Lilly couldn’t form the words.

  “To kill you,” he spoke plainly as though they were discussing the weather, and Lilly burst into sobs at the admission.

  “But you still have an option,” he began slowly, and Lilly looked at him, wondering if she could hope. “See, this cell was built curiously well for women of your stature, which, by the way, is what happened with Miss Schultz. She escaped, but we tracked her down and then coerced her into discovering your plot.”

  Lilly’s eyes flew wide.

  “Yes, Miss Schultz was my idea. Sergeant Wolf, the poor lad, couldn’t withstand much torture, so he told us about your little scheme. Problem was, the torturer did his job a little too well, and poor Mr. Wolf wasn’t very, how do you say, articulate near the end.”

  Again, the tears ran down Lilly’s face as she began to shake. She knew the major intended to torture her for information and then kill her. Everything within her wished to escape. If Sergeant Wolf couldn’t handle the torture, then she doubted she would be able to withstand anything they attempted on her.

  “The Schultz family was being detained in this very cell,” the major continued as he glanced at the window. “Miss Schultz escaped to go find help but was caught. I employed her, under coercion, of course, to investigate how you were getting Jews out of the country. See, I knew everything except the how. That was still a mystery to me, so Miss Schultz reluctantly agreed. I was going to kill her family regardless, but she foolishly supposed that I would let them go. Can you believe that?”

  “I don’t—”

  “It bothers me, really”—the major stood and walked over to the window to inspect— “how insufficiently your little group reviewed her claims. As soon as she mentioned that she was Jewish, not a single question was raised.”

  “Why would someone claim otherwise?” Lilly shook her head. “We were being compassionate.”

  “You were being gullible.” He leaned against the window as he examined her.

  Lilly closed her eyes as the image of the woman on the bridge flashed before her. In that moment, a warmth entered her spirit. Lilly knew her mother was in the cell, providing comfort.

  No matter what he does to me—Lilly took a deep breath—everything is going to be alright.

  “So, at this point, I have all the pieces to the puzzle, except for one.”

  Lilly glanced up at the major, wondering what he had yet unturned.

  “The previous family in your home. I can’t seem to find them.”

  Shrugging, Lilly shook her head as she played dumb.

  “Lilly, you’re a pretty girl.” The major walked over and stood behind her as he placed his hands on her shoulders with a firm grip. “And I don’t want my men to beat you. What would your fiancé think of you then? Would he still accept damaged goods?”

  “He loves me for who I am,” Lilly replied boldly.

  “Don’t be naïve,” the major scoffed as he began to rub her shoulders as his fingers lingered too far south on her chest. “He wants nothing more than all men do, and he’s drawn to you because of your beauty.”

  “Now I know for sure.” Lilly grinned.

  “Know what?” The major’s fingers paused.

  “That you’re lying.” Lilly smiled victoriously at the major as she looked up at him.

  “About?” He frowned as he returned to sitting.

  “You don’t know people as well as you think you do. I offered myself to Wilhelm, but he refused,” Lilly continued to gloat.

  “You did, hey?” The major began to examine her lustfully, and she regretted mentioning anything about it. “Don’t worry, as I said before…” He put a hand to his mouth as he whispered, “You’re not my preference.”

  “You’ve mentioned that a few times”—Lilly squinted— “but I’m not sure what you’re meaning.”

  “Does it matter?”

  “I suppose it doesn’t.” Lilly glanced away, feeling entirely uncomfortable with the discussion and the major’s lingering glare.

  “Leave us,” the major spoke over his shoulder to his escorts, who glanced at each other curiously.

  “Sir?” Guenther asked.

  “Thanks to your little stunt in the market, it’s now required for me to have an escort.” The major looked annoyed at Lilly before returning his attention to his guards. “She’s just a girl. What can she do?”

  “We’re instructed to—”

  “You’re instructed to follow my orders! Now get the hell out
of here.”

  Reluctantly, the guards left, and Lilly’s heart began to pound in her chest as she imagined the major’s thoughts were far from decent. She didn’t imagine that he’d be able to attempt anything drastic with his wound, but she wouldn’t put it past him, either.

  “I don’t enjoy relations,” the major continued and looked, strangely, vulnerable as he spoke intimately with Lilly.

  “Pardon?” Lilly swallowed, wondering if she had heard him correctly.

  “I don’t enjoy relations,” the major repeated. “I don’t understand how anyone wastes the time. It drives men into near insanity. I’ve heard their discussions, and I’ve seen what they look at. They’re obsessed. It’s a drug, and I refuse to divert my attention.”

  “That’s because you’re infantile.” Lilly was shocked at the words that had escaped her, and the major, too, looked stunned by the statement. Though, oddly enough, Lilly felt as though she wasn’t acting alone.

  “What did you say?” The major clenched his jaw.

  “Nothing, sorry,” Lilly retracted.

  “No, go on.” He nodded, and Lilly understood that he wouldn’t ask twice.

  “Your mother may have been cruel, but you’re crueler. You take pleasure in the pain of others, and you have no empathy.”

  Swiftly, the major leaned over and struck Lilly across the face with his leather glove. The sting against her flesh in the cold made her gasp, and she was stunned at how quickly and harshly he could hit.

  Looking back at him, Lilly noticed that the quick movement had bothered his wound, and he was almost shaking as he tried to conceal the pain. A slow smile crept on her face, realizing she had hurt him far worse than he had hurt her.

  “You’re right, that did give me pleasure. Now, I’m going to leave you alone in this cell. I’m not even going to post guards outside. If you run, I will instruct them not to follow. As I’ve stated before, I know you better than you know yourself. You won’t run because if you do, I will send Wilhelm, my Wilhelm, into Edith’s cell for a little bonus payment. Or maybe I’ll send Guenther? Or maybe… Yes, this is what I’ll do: I’ll send both of them at once.”