Flowers in the Gutter by K. R. Gaddy

Author:K. R. Gaddy [Gaddy, K. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2020-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

That night, Fritz finally got food: two pieces of bread, coffee, and watery soup, and a glob of butter that was supposed to last all week.

* * *

On the third night in Brauweiler—or maybe sooner, maybe later; like Gertrud, Fritz found time moved differently in the prison—someone brought him from the cell to an interrogation room. Fritz was half asleep as he stumbled in the darkness after the guard.

The room was small, or at least it looked small. Fritz couldn’t see much of it, only a chair, a table, and a lamp on the table. He sat in the chair and the bright light shone directly in his eyes. He could hear the voice of the man sitting on the other side of the table, but he couldn’t see him. Then it started.

“So, you lousy kid, your time for thinking is finally over, and now I want to know the truth. Lying is pointless. I know exactly about you and your friends, and now I want to know what went on during your meetings and weekend trips.”

Fritz said nothing.

“Okay, friend, the platoon leader of [Hitler Youth] Platoon 46 from Ehrenfeld made a statement that this summer a couple of bullies made it so that he couldn’t do his official duties. He described the kids, and you fit the description. Now, let’s talk; who were the others and what else have you punks done?”

That rat. The platoon leader knew that Fritz had been thrown out of the Hitler Youth and wanted him to pay. Maybe he had also seen Fritz with the guitar in the park and had the whole group arrested by the Gestapo.

Fritz didn’t know what to say next, and he didn’t want to implicate himself.

“Well, I know that a fight happened, but I don’t really know how it happened. I’m sorry,” Fritz said.

“And what’s with the Edelweiss Pirates?”

“I don’t know anything about that,” Fritz replied. “I have heard something about them. I’ve also seen them, but I’ve never been a part of the group. Truthfully, you have to believe me.” With the last part, Fritz tried to sound as convincing as possible.

Fritz signed his interrogation report and went back to the cell.

When Fritz got back, they took Emil to interrogation, and Fritz whispered to Helmut what had happened. Fritz told him that he needed to make sure he denied that he was an Edelweiss Pirate.

The next night, they were woken up and brought in for interrogation again. The Gestapo thought the sleep deprivation might help get confessions. Now Officer Fink asked Fritz who the leaders were, whether they were Socialists or Communists. Fritz said he didn’t know, since he wasn’t a member.

Fink gave him a photo album and told him to point out the people he knew. Fritz did recognize some faces, even some Pirates that had helped out with the flyers.

“So, do you recognize anyone?” Fink asked.

Fritz shook his head no.

Then he felt an enormous pressure sink into his right shoulder that immediately turned to pain.

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