Chapter Seven: Glimmer Of Summer

A few days later

I quietly walked down the halls of an equally quiet infirmary. It was sunny outside and not to mention very hot, though I was glad to know that at least inside here it was much cooler.

Once I managed to find the right room I gently pushed the door open and walked inside. The sun flooded the room completely and looked very clean from the ceiling to the floor. I guess that's what you'd expect of a German infirmary. Besides the cleanliness of the room my eyes fell upon the sleeping Lisiek. I smiled a little as I neared his bedside.

There were tubes coming out from under the sheets that lead into what looked like a plastic medical bag. When I continued to look at him his stomach was also protruding, which was bizarre because Lisiek wasn't the big-boned type. I looked to his face to be greeted that his one eye was covered with gauze. Despite his condition, he finally looked peaceful. I wondered if that was some kind of benefit.

I sighed and took the chair that was nearby to sit. I looked down again and caught sight of his hand that rested at his side. Without thinking I reached and placed my own hand on his, my thumb going over the back of his hand soothingly.

After a while of doing this he started the stir. I looked up as his eyebrows furrowed before he finally opened his one good eye. I smiled softly and waited quietly, wondering if he could see that it was me.

"E-Eila?"

My God was it nice to hear his voice again. My face brightened up at that moment and I gently squeezed his hand.

"Yes, Lisiek, it's me, you goof."

The exchange we had was interesting. He let go of my hand and attempted to reach out to touch me. I was confused at first but simply followed his lead and leaned in so he could touch my face. He gasped a little once his fingers felt my cheek, my nose, my lips, my hair, everything. It was as if he was making sure that this wasn't all a dream.

"I'm alive? You're alive?" He almost couldn't believe it. I couldn't help but smile sympathetically to him and nod.

"Have you been knocked out this whole time?"

Gently he dropped his hand and looked off into the distance to think. "The last I remember was being taken into here… I don't remember much else… besides leaving the villa and then getting shot."

I sighed a little once he mentioned that, I thought maybe that could be a discussion to avoid.

"Have you eaten?"

His one, lone eye looked over to me and I thought he might have started to cry. Lisiek quietly shook his head and looked away.

"It's too painful to eat."

I bit my lip and I couldn't help but find the tubes that were hidden under the sheets and somehow, somewhere, lead up to Lisiek. I quickly looked back at him so he wouldn't notice me staring.

"Lisiek, what happened to you?"

He swallowed hard and without saying a word he slowly sat up the best he could but winced. He let out a shaking breath and gingerly moved the sheets off of him. He was merely in pajamas and as gently as he could, he lifted the striped night shirt and revealed what looked like a rubber belt* It was pink and though it looked soft to the touch, as I looked further it appeared quite snug on Lisiek's pale skin.

"When I was shot the first time the bullet went through my stomach. I don't remember much else of what happened other than the stinging pain there and then the second shot in my eye. The doctors got the bullets out though, but they're having me wear this as means to clean the wound from the inside, just so that it doesn't get infected."

As he explained my eyes traveled from the rubber belt to see that it was where the tubes were also connected and I could see the waste of the wound slowly travel into those plastic bags.

Shaking off the image once Lisiek covered his middle again, I helped cover him with the blankets.

We sat in silence but it was soon broken when I heard music in the distance. I perked up in my seat. I hadn't a clue as to why the music was playing but Lisiek caught my attention again.

"He hurt you, didn't he?"

My eyes found his gaze and in that moment I couldn't even fake to lie in front of him. Instead I could only swallow, (even though my throat felt dry) and I looked down at the floor.

"That bastard."

I chuckled softly.

"It's not funny, Eila." Lisiek's voice was firmer now and when I looked up at him I was greeted with his glare.

Before I could say anything else, he continued. "Do you think it's funny that I'm here and I can't do anything for you or for Helen? Do you really think so, Eila?"

We were both silent again. I could feel the slightest bit of anger start to bubble up inside me. Instead I took in a deep breath and let it out through my nose. The music continued and I could faintly hear that it was Gutte Nachte Mutter.

"I'll tell you what I really think, Lisiek. I came here today to see you and hoping that you were going to be all right. I thought about how scared I felt coming in here and with nurses or soldiers stopping me along the way," I stopped for a moment to reach into the pocket of my jacket and revealed a small piece of folded paper. "But at the same time, knowing good and well by showing them this small, hand written pass by Herr Direktor like some school girl I also think that I'm untouched. For once, since all this happened, I am finally untouched from the violence outside the villa and for once I think its safe to say that I can finally laugh a little bit to feel some form of freedom. As long I use it to see you, I think I deserve some kind of feeling to be human again to forget all of this."

By this time I was standing up, towering over him in his bed. I had never spoken so stern with Lisiek before and by him slouching further down in his bed I could tell he knew he'd think twice about what he said. As I looked down at him, my ears caught the sudden change in music and heard Mamatschi in the distance. I glanced at the closed window from where the music muffled through and sighed, finding my seat again.

"But to be honest, Lisiek… I'm happy that you are here instead of in the villa. I'm happy that Commandant didn't kill you. I wouldn't know what I'd be able to do with myself…" I trailed off when I felt my throat start to go dry and looked away from him.

"Eila?"

He was looking at me with his big, hazel eye and I saw the tears start to fall to stain his cheek.

"Let's promise something to each other… that we'll both stay alive until this is all over… Please, Eila. I don't know where my family is and all I have is you and Helen. You two are my only family and I don't want to lose you two either. Please, Eila, promise me, please?"

He was sobbing now and I couldn't restrain myself from getting up to lean down and wrap my arms around him as he buried his face into my shoulder.

"I promise, Lisiek. I promise you."

I gave him a tight squeeze in my hug and gently pull away to look at him.

"I'll visit you as often as I can, Lisiek. So long as I have this pass and you stay here, we'll both be all right. I'm going to go for now, maybe I'll come by tonight or I'll give Helen my pass. Okay?"

He nods as my hands cradle the sides of his face. Whatever came over me, I'll never fully know how to explain it but in that moment, I leaned down, closed my eyes, and kissed his lips. It might've lasted mere seconds but it felt longer than it seemed.

Once I pulled away to leave, I saw the onslaught of a blush engulf his cheeks. I gave Lisiek one final wave and shut his door behind me. I wasted no time to get back to the villa.

The same day, Herr Direktor paid me a visit.

However, it hadn't felt that way in the beginning. He made his grand entrance with Commandant Amon and as usual, made a bit of small talk here and there. Nothing seemed out of place or out of the ordinary for anyone except for me knowing that Lisiek was lying in a hospital bed recovering.

They both sat in the dining area. It seemed that the day had gotten hotter from when I had stepped out, as Herr Direktor had taken his blazer off and had his sleeves rolled up. Commandant finally took his own uniform jacket off and sat with his white polo, drenched in sweat.

Helen prepared a small tray for me of the drinks they requested and without a word, placed it in my hands and stood close to follow me out. As we neared them, I could already hear their conversation.

"You have intriguing ways, Oskar, and they'll always amaze me." Commandant chuckled and leaned his full weight against the wooden chair.

Herr Direktor shrugged. "What's so intriguing about getting some fire hoses and watering down box cars filled with Jews?"

The moment both Helen and I entered the room there was a sudden tension that followed. I could feel both Commandant and Herr Direktor's eyes on me but I focused on the tray of glass cups filled with ice and the soda-bottle shaped liquor bottles. With grace, Helen placed both cups down and reached for one bottle. She poured for Herr Direktor without hesitation.

"Thank you!" He smiled with bright teeth, which he then flashed at me. I gave a crooked, half smile.

When Helen finished pouring Commandant his drink he gave another murmur of a thank you. Finally, there was the feeling of freedom and when I turned to follow Helen out; I had not walked but one step before being stopped.

"Eila, please, wait one second."

I spoke too soon.

I glanced up at Helen who was already turned and stared right back at me. I swallowed hard and turned around to look at Herr Direktor.

"I wanted to ask if you had the chance to visit your friend Lisiek today."

I could feel my eyes grow wide at him and my heart made its way to beat into my throat. From the corner of my eye I knew Commandant had leaned forward in interest and his head tilted to the side.

"You made an unauthorized visit?" Commandant asked slowly. I looked over to him just in time to see his hand suddenly reach for his already loosened belt and start to take it out from the loops.

"My, my, Amon! Don't be ready to jump to conclusions! I gave the girl a pass, just in case anyone stopped her, it has a watermark and everything, don't be foolish!" Herr Direktor chuckled and sipped his drink.

Commandant Amon didn't seem pleased at all and kept his eyes on me.

I was gripping the tray so tight it was starting to cut into my palms.

"Well if you haven't visited him just yet that's alright because I have. He seems to be doing quite well and should be healed soon enough to work in my factory!" He gave a small nod and sipped more of his drink.

I hadn't a clue as to why Herr Direktor was talking to me like this and all I could do was nod silently. He must've known my anxiousness and casually changed the subject.

"It's a shame that you were cooped up here on my birthday. I would've liked to hear some piano playing. Not that the orchestra there wasn't sufficient they were quite marvelous! However," He stopped short and took a glance at Commandant who in return, looked at him with a quirked brow.

Herr Direktor chuckled. "I hope it's not offensive of me to ask for a song to be played on this summer day."

The silence that carried on between all four of us was unsettling and I felt like throwing up. With a deep sigh, Commandant leaned back in his seat, staring at Herr Direktor for the longest time and then finally looked to me.

"You," He started with me and I swallowed the bile that had made its way into my throat.

"Go to the piano, now."

I stood for a moment as if glued to the floor itself. I looked to Herr Direktor who had now lost his bright smile and now looked sympathetic. I didn't know why but I felt that he would give some kind of reassurance.

"Are you DEAF?" Commandant stood up to shove his chair into the table and glared at me with his hand gesturing sharply in the direction of the other room. Startled, I hugged the tray to my chest before dismissing myself the best I could out of the room and quickly gave Helen the tray.

I made a beeline for the piano stool and quickly sat down. I heard the footsteps of both Herr Direktor and Amon walk into the room. Commandant took his usual seat in the armchair but it was Herr Direktor who decided to stand right by me to watch me play.

With whatever courage I had, I broke another bout of silence before it could spread. "Is there a song in particular, Herr Direktor?"

I gave him a sideway glance and he let out a breath. He didn't seem to be happy about the situation but neither one of us could really say anything about it if we wanted. Instead he modestly smiled and shook his head.

"I leave the piano to you. I'm sure that whichever song you play I won't be disappointed."

I gave a subtle nod and lifted my hands to gently rest on the keys. By old habit my back straightened up and my feet became flat. For a moment I stared at the keys and not because I couldn't think of a song but because a song stuck out the most ever since Herr Direktor mentioned a summer day…

I closed my eyes and with a deep breath, my fingers found the song.

The song was fast and a mere two minutes long. It was childish but only because it was a song that required singing. It was a repetitive tune but had it's highs and lows to carry out the intensity only to bring it back down to earth so a child could play. It had been a song my father had taught me from his French students. I remember how they would sing it and he would play it, all for my own enjoyment as I could never forget that group of students father had before all of this happened…

Thinking of them as I played made my chest tight. I remembered one of the singers in particular. His stoic face at already twelve years old, hollowed blue eyes, the honey-brown hair that was combed neatly to the side… What was his name again? Pierre something… I wonder what had become of him… His voice was that of an angel's and to think of it fading away and no longer allowed singing like a caged bird…

I opened my eyes again when I hit the final note.

All was still and quiet and I thought for a moment that maybe everyone had left. I took the courage to finally move and turned sideways on the stool. I continued to look down at the floor but there were Herr Diirektor's shiny black shoes, unmoving. Commandant Amon was still seated in his armchair but this time instead of sitting back and relaxed, he was leaned forward with a sudden intrigue that I was unaware of.

"What was the name of that song, Eila?" Herr Direktor's soft voice finally broke the piercing silence.

The answer had come so fluid to me and maybe because a part of me was still remembering those happier times. It was almost frightening how easy it was to get lost into music that brings strong memories.

Without hesitation I looked up at him.

"It's called Lueur d'êtê."

Have I risen from the writing block death? LOL (this is why I chose this username!) But thank you guys for putting this story as your fav, for reviewing, and of course, reading with all your heart and interest! Thanks to all who've stuck around to wait for long awaited updates and those who've recently started reading! I keep forgetting that I have this story out there that NEEDS to get finished soon before I publish 4real lol

Couple things: this chapter was really hard because I've had it on a cliff hanger for so long before I decided that I need to continue it (plus I had to reference to the movie more than once to remember what happened after Lisiek's movie-death)

Second thing: Yes, I did make a reference to the film Les Choristes song that Eila happens to play on piano. (Which is also the translation of the title of this chapter) MAYBE THIS WILL BE A CROSSOVER? LOL most likely not but whenever listening to the soundtrack of that film and put it against this film, I always wondered what it would be like for Amon to have a little choir perform for him because he has the say so.

Anyway, thanks again everyone for reading! I HOPE to update ASAP. As I continue with this, hopefully there will be more imagination/creation scenes since this is fan fiction and see what happens from here.

-Writersblock1/writinishmehlife13