For some, the New Year is off to a tragic start. Since most of the youngsters have left the center with the approval of the psychologist, who wrote out a document about a marked improvement in their behavior, Sara has lost any remnants of hope.
The youngsters were able to return home and quietly complete their education at an ordinary high school, where they are not under the watchful eye of the Nazis.
The director explained to the parents that there are children left in the building who are still causing trouble, and he wants to help improve their behavior until they close the center completely. He intends to focus solely on them to reach his goal more quickly. He plans to do this by the vacation, as he intends to retire after that.
Parents swallow this lie with complete disinterest in their children. They think that the director's educational measures are good and leaving disobedient children in the center for the holiday period is an excellent idea, as they may consider it a punishment and come to their senses sooner.
The whole story is fabulously beautiful. But, what are they going to do when the semester is over?
Sara expects that they won't just let them go home. Because how will they explain Simon's death? The parents have no clue that while they are living a carefree life, their son is dead.
The Nazis have an entirely different mindset, and this makes Sarah panic-stricken. She doesn't know if the next day she simply won't be needed by them anymore, and then they won't unscrupulously kill her. Although. Doesn't a similar fate await them all? If they fail to escape, won't they just die?
The general is not worried about his life. He is a ninety-year-old man with too much strength, because despite his senile age, he instills panic fear in young people.
But as they say? The bad ones don't take the devil, which is why it holds up better than many 60-year-olds.
Several hours have passed since Alan locked her in her room. The girl notices that something bad is happening to him, but she supposes that it has to do with the situation in which Oliver is involved.
Alan no longer trusted her.
She rises from her bed when she hears the sound of a door opening. The boy she loves walks in. In his hands he holds trays of food for her, however, it is not the dry potatoes they usually eat, but various tasty appetizers.
- Where did you get this food? - she asks at the outset, carefully mirroring him. All this is starting to bother her more and more.
- Let's just say that I tried to take care of you, and thanks to me, you can eat all these delicacies.
- This is not the answer he expects. It's food... impossible for you to find, because many times we have looked for something apart from rice to eat and ended up empty-handed.
The blond man casts her a nervous glance. He's not happy with the conclusions she draws.
- Do you mean to say that I have arrangements with the Nazis?
- I didn't say that. But it is wonderful that something like that crossed your mind.... - she claims with indignation in her voice. She is furious because Alan is changing beyond recognition. His behavior is starting to bother her.
- So that's what you think of me? You're starting to be indifferent towards me, huh? Well, yes. Someone else has clearly turned your head," he mocks, and a nervous smile appears on his face. - You are spectacular, Sara. It's true, though: quiet water tears the banks. - The smile comes off his face, and she sees the madness in his eyes. He presses his lips together and, without taking his eyes off her, rudely lets the tray out of his hands. Dishes shatter and all the food lands on the floor.
He crosses his arms over his chest, expecting her reaction. He thinks she will be agitated, but the girl looks clearly shocked by his arrogant behavior.
- If you want to freak out then starve yourself, and if you don't feel shame, you can always eat the leftovers off the floor.
With pain in her eyes, she lifts her face and looks at him carefully. Tears collect in the corners of her eyes; however, this does not arouse any pity in him. On the contrary: he is furious with her.
- I think you will choose the second option, because looking at your previous behavior, I think you are shameless.
Looking at the girl with distaste, he turned his back on her, intending to leave the room.
Sara can't stand it.
This is too much. She would put up with anything, but not being carried away by the boy she loves. So far, Alan has been the most important thing to her, and he is the one who fills her with happiness that she has not been able to experience for a long time.
So how can he treat her in such a despicable way? He leads her to stop respecting him.
She throws herself at him drenched in tears and with her fists begins to pound on his back, screaming and alternately asking him to stop being such an asshole. However, these words do not reach him, and he turns to face her, grabbing her wrists to calm down.
- Master yourself! - He raises his voice as she starts crying loudly. She slowly slides to the floor, still being held by him. She lowers her head, choking on her tears, and the boy closes his eyelids and lifts his face, unable to bear it any longer.
Laura runs into the room. She opens her eyes wider, noticing the posture of her suffering friend. She sits at Alan's feet, and he looks at her with obvious frustration.
- I was momentarily unavailable, but now I see that I missed a lot. I guessed that I would wonder my roommate here; however, I doubted that in such a state. You scoundrel... how dare you make her cry! - she shouts, clearly shocked by the actions of the boy she previously cherished and wanted at all costs to see at Sarah's side.
The death of a loved one has led Laura to dangerous mood swings. She feels such anger that her legs carry her on their own towards her friend and the boyfriend by her side.
She stands on her tiptoes and, clenching her teeth, she grabs Alan's hair without restraint. Furthermore, she pulls him with such force, as if she wanted to tear out his entire lock. The bent boy groans under the pain, but Laura believes that this is too little punishment for having brought Sarah to such a state.
- I will kill you. I'll turn you into a joke for the General," she announces in a hysterical voice.
- Laura, leave him. - She immobilizes under the influence of Sarah's words. Shocked, she shifts her gaze to her and sends her a questioning look. - She has not been herself recently.
- Are you defending him? Do you see the state he has brought you to? - She pierces him with a sharp glance and leaves a trail to help him return to his sanity.
Laura ran her nails over his face so much that it looks like after an encounter with a rabid cat.
- When I come back here, I would rather not see you. - He directs these words more to Sarah, then leaves the room.
Laura crouches down next to her roommate and wipes the tears from her face with her hands. She has never seen Sarah in such a state before. The girl looks both heartbroken and scared at the same time after the argument with Alan.
- The cursed bastard. Oliver was right when he said he was the devil incarnate. He can show his horns, he definitely can," she says frantically, helping her friend up from the floor. - Let's go to our room, and there you will tell me about what happened.
- How did you know I was here?
- You were missing for a few hours, so that was the first place I thought of. However, I didn't think I would find you in such a situation. I thought I would tear his head off. - Laura is still furious. She can't come to her senses. She wouldn't believe it if she didn't see it with her own eyes.
*
Oliver smiles crookedly as he recalls the words of the director, who informed him that he was no longer needed by them. He ordered him to sit quietly and not interfere with any plans, as this could reflect badly on him.
These people know very well that Oliver is on the side of the youth, so they don't talk about anything important to him. So far, he has only obeyed the orders they gave him, and since he hasn't done serious damage before, they let him live. However, he has to be careful; otherwise he may join the orphans who have died by prying.
- But what merciful people you are. Now that you have a trusted informer, you don't need me anymore," he mocks under his breath, heading down the corridor to the girls' room. He wants to check on Sarah, since he hasn't seen her for several hours.
Oliver knows very well that in due time, they will get rid of him. He can live as long as he's given the chance, but when it's all over, then they'll kill everyone individually. The Nazis have no scruples, and killing an innocent person is for them something like getting rid of an unnecessary bug.
Brunet enters the girls' room and at the first moment clobbers him when he spots a crying Sarah. Laura hugs her back, and it's quite the opposite image he's seen so far. Earlier, it was Sara who comforted her roommate, but why is she the one crying now? Has something happened?
- Stop defending him, Sara. He locked you in a room for many hours and treated you so horribly. His true nature is only now coming to light. He was pulling the wool over our eyes before. Oliver was right, and no one believed him," says Laura, stroking her friend's hair.
- Is it because of this asshole that you are crying, Sara?
The girls only now notice that they are not alone in the room. Oliver mirrors them with his eyes, waiting for an answer.
Sara is shocked to see him clench his fists in anger. She doesn't want him to do something stupid, but before she can react, Oliver leaves the room in a combative mood to bring trouble on himself.
Without a word, she gets off the bed and runs after the boy. She catches up with him at the stairs and presses her face into his back to stop him.
Oliver is confused.
- Don't do anything stupid, please," she whispers, embracing him more tightly.
- Sara.
- Don't get involved in this, Oliver. I can handle my problems.
- Are you defending him? - She senses regret in his voice. He is offended that despite the suffering Alan has served her, she is still on his side.
- I'm not defending him. I'm simply looking out for your safety. I don't want you to get involved in something that doesn't concern you. You already have enough issues of your own on your mind.
The boy turns to face her and looks into her eyes.
- You are suffering because of him, Sara. I can't look at it anymore. My heart hurts when I see you sad.
- I am also worried about you. Don't do anything that could bring you trouble, understand?
He watches her face in silence for a moment, but finally nods in agreement.
- Now I'll refrain, but if he makes you cry again, then.... - He doesn't finish his sentence because Sara interrupts him to present further plans.
- Yes, I know. You will stand behind me with a wall, and he will bitterly regret it.
A slight smile appears on her face. Oliver is a wonderful friend and in his presence she is not threatened by anything. This she is sure of — convinced that his concern is genuine.
*
Middle of the night. Sara can't get a wink of sleep. All the time she thinks about Alan and his strange behavior. He completely does not resemble the incredible boy she fell in love with. Something disturbing is happening to him.
He senses that it has to do with the General, but he gets rid of this thought from his head at all costs, replacing it with the words that Alan felt betrayed, and this led him to anger. However, is this really the only reason that led him to such a state?
Laura sleeps snuggled into a pillow, with Simon keeping watch at her side. He touches her shoulder, making the girl flinch from the cold.
She has no idea that he is still around her, wanting to keep her safe. Although he can't do anything, he can't walk away from her. He gives her true love and will never allow her to come to harm.
This is a strong feeling. For her, he was ready to die.
- This is the first night when it's so quiet," she whispers to Simon, who nods in agreement. - The first night she doesn't quietly sob into her pillow.
A teenage girl is alarmed when someone knocks on the door. She nervously looks at the ghost and gets off the bed.
- It's me, Oliver.
She opens the door and, amazed, lets him in. The boy glances at the sleeping Laura and gently lifts the pillow up that he brought with him.
- It's quite strange in my room since Matthew doesn't speak to me. I can't seem to fall asleep there. Besides, I was worried if you were okay. Can I spend the night here?
Sara smiles at the boy and nods in agreement.
- Two men in a girl's room? It's a bit troublesome," she announces jokingly. Oliver looks around the interior, not understanding what she means, since he is alone. Sara winks at Simon, who only shrugs his shoulders. - The floor is quite spacious, so you won't run out of room.
She sees the disappointment on his face, but throws the pillow on the floor and lies down obediently.
- If you are not afraid of ghosts, then good night. - She notices that his eyes have widened, as if triggered by a slight fear. Oliver always plays the tough guy, but in reality he is a worse cynic than the girls.
- What do you have in mind? Is there someone here?
- After all, I told you that you are not the only man in this room. Sleep already, or you'll wake up my roommate.
- Who is he?
- Laura's guest," she replies, and that's enough for Oliver to understand.
- Is that why I feel such a chill in your room?
Sara remains silent. She simply throws the blanket she keeps on the edge of the bed at him.
- Stop whining and finally fall asleep, because next time I won't let you in.
- Are you sure there are no more ghosts here? It's disturbingly cold in your room. - The boy will not be quiet, so Sara raises her head and warns him with a look.
- It's winter. It's an old building, and the Nazis are probably used to the cold, because they don't heat the place.
- I have a problem with low blood pressure, so I'm colder than you," he claims reproachfully.
- Previously, you slept in your room and somehow did not have issues with low pressure.
- Because I slept in the same bed with Matthew - he defends himself.
Sara crinkles her eyebrows, assuming that it's a little strange that two grown men were sleeping under one feather.
- And since he doesn't speak to you, you came here with the idea that I would let you sleep in my bed. - She immediately reads his devious intentions.
Oliver shows his teeth in a wide grin, pleased that Sara has deciphered his plan so quickly.
- No way. I don't sleep in the same bed with the enemy," she jokes.
- Enemy! - Oliver almost screams, outraged by her answer.
- You cooperated with the Nazis, so you are my enemy. - Although all the time he is joking and specially teasing him, he notices that the boy has turned snotty. - Hey, what's the matter? Why do you have that look on your face?
- I no longer spy for them. They have expelled me from their ranks. They have a replacement," he claims with a sour face.
Sara rises to a sitting position, clearly shocked by his confession. Since they don't need him anymore, isn't he in danger now?
A shudder runs through her at the thought of it.
- What do you have in mind?
- Sara, you know very well that Alan has joined them. I know it still doesn't get to you, but I'm telling the truth. He is cooperating with the General, that's why his behavior is getting worse every day.
She also supposes it's true, but still tries to tell herself lies so as not to completely lose trust in him.
- Are you safe in this situation?
The boy snorts under his breath and shrugs his shoulders dismissively.
- And are any of us safe? I just live with the thought: what will be. I don't count on a miracle.