Helmut Kürten, Theo, and Masako.
Helmut was in front of the group, his electric torch attached to his coat. He pulled out his twin pistols, equally well used as the torch. His eyes darted quickly back and forth, scanning the area for anything that would try to attack them. Theo walked with his hands empty but ready to draw if need be. His eyes scanned methodically in the murkiness of the cemetery as he moved off Helmut’s flank. Masako is in his peripherals. Helmut assumed Theo was another soldier like himself, which was somewhat relief since they had a similar mindset. "
Halten Sie nach Tommy’s Ausschau. (Eyes peeled for Tommy's.)" He spoke, but it sounded like he was whispering this to himself.
“
I doubt Tommies are lurking through the night here.” Theo’s response was low but not a whisper.
“
I hope there are no wild dogs with guns!” Masako offered in a sort of lighthearted mumble.
“
Just these stray dogs.” Theo flashed a tight grin as he stepped around a headstone.
"
A shame sometimes stray dogs make for good companions. But if we keep together, we can see what's coming." His eyes peered at a tree, thinking he had seen a large shadow. "
You mentioned you had seen combat before; what was your role?" He said to Masako. Wondering what side she fought for. And if she saw death and suffering like he did.
“
I worked for the Japanese Red Cross. Because my father is a schoolteacher who is very interested in his work, I got to learn English much better than most others, anyway. England asked for Japanese nurses during the Great War, so I was part of that group that went to Southampton even though I was inexperienced.” Masako recalled. She looked sympathetically to the men alongside her, quickly adding, “
I learned German there, as we treated many captured soldiers there, and some of them I found to be good friends. Of course, on that island, there was no combat, but I still started to feel very strongly about the well-being of soldiers. So, when the war ended, I decided to serve in the Siberian Intervention since I felt that way about my work. There are no trenches in Siberia, but I saw the front lines several times and their survivors. I did shoot a few times, but I think it would be unfair to say I did the same things that you did, as I have heard terrible things about the actual trenches.” Masako offered them both a soft, solemn, sympathetic smile as she squinted at the darkness, trying to ensure she kept to the task while speaking.
“
I owe the Red Cross.” He held up his maimed hand and waggled the stumps. “
Caught a nasty infection from this. Nurses help keep me out of a grave. Can’t say I had any that looked like you, though.” He added the last part after giving Masako a more detailed glance. Theo had never encountered anyone from the Far East before.
Listening to Masako's story, he took in every bit of information. Finding her life to be quite fascinating. However, he was pretty perturbed by mentioning that she worked for the English during the war. But he didn't hold a grudge for participating in the war. "
And you mentioned before you were from Japan. What is it like? I have only really travelled during the war. Other than this, I have lived in Germany for most of my life.”
He looked over towards Theo, looking quite sympathetic towards him. He felt angry that the war had disfigured many men like himself. "
Unfortunately, I was not so lucky. I lost my leg in combat and had to drag myself to safety. Luckily, I was saved by and tended to by a Romani woman." He stopped walking and gently leaned down to grip his knuckles against his wooden leg. It let out a hollowed sound.
“
Yes, Japan—it is different and similar to here.” she began. Masako took a moment to think and then continued. “
I told you my father was a schoolteacher. Our schooling system follows the Prussian example. The Meiji Emperor and the Genrō may have befriended the English, but our country preferred to follow Chancellor Bismarck’s example on many things. As we modernize, we have often admired you for your military wisdom and discipline. We have done our best but are still poorer than most of Europe. I heard that Japan made money for the first time in many years during the Great War. I think that Germany and Japan have many problems in common. This country may be Western and had an earlier start in becoming modern than Japan, but you were looking for space to breathe in the world, too, right? But perhaps even though Germany has lost a leg like you have, it will walk again, just like you. I think you have the spirit to do this. It is just a shame that Germany does not have a nurse.”
“
Our generation was one of war. Hopefully, this… chaos and turmoil will bring peace to our children.” Theo said the last part was about the conviction one had when grasping onto a lifeline.
Helmut agreed that many issues are going on in the different countries, most of which are exasperated by the war. "
Hopefully, peace will be in the coming years." he said, but he had an odd feeling that something terrible would happen. This feeling made him quite sick to his stomach. "
Do any of you see anything?" he asked, now changing his focus to hunting those "dogs."
“
If I did, I would have said something.” Theo scrutinized a headstone in the gloom.
While speaking to the others, he noticed something in the distance. He pointed his finger toward the object that caught his eye and said, "
I see something over there." He couldn't tell what it was but felt it was worth investigating.
“
See what? That mask is horrible for your vision.” Theo responded as he glanced at the direction. It was just a headstone in the murky darkness, barely illuminated by the weak beam of the torch.
"
Maybe, even with my mask on and the deep darkness around us, I feel it's not tree branches." He said, now glaring at Theo before looking back at the shape. Walking over towards the figure, noticing that it was a dead woman. His assumption was correct. It was a dead body. Her body was mutilated. Helmut crouched down, saddened that someone could have gotten through such a horrible demise. But he was used to this dreadful fact. Looking at the woman's body, looking for any clues. While he was doing this, he made the sign of the cross.
Masako squatted before the body with a grave expression on her face. She stayed practically frozen for perhaps a minute, saying nothing as she looked it over. “
Maybe a dog could have done this…” she said, “
But I do not know of any kind that would do something so horrifying…”
Co-Written with
@Terrans @enmuni