Changing Campus:

The changing in Germany only grew worse in the coming days. The ones to feel it the worst were the colleges in the country. In one day, ten colleges ended up being closed or changed to “dictator schools” as I heard our neighbors say. Kat noticed the look on my face.

“What are you so worried about?” she asked. I looked at her at the dinner table.

“Will you still work at the university?” I asked. Kat looked at Lyle and I for what felt like the longest time. She lowered her fork.

“I don’t know,” she admitted.

“What will happen to the university?” Lyle asked.

“I don’t know,” Kat said again. Just by her tone, we knew she was upset. I looked down at my plate.

“Uh… our teacher is pretty!” Lyle spoke up. Kat and I looked over at him. My brother’s eyes widened in confusion.

“What?” he asked. I choked back a giggled. Lyle frowned at me.

“Stop,” he complained. “It’s not like that!” I only laughed at him. It felt so strange in that moment. I didn’t remember laughing so hard before Danny-boy’s trial. I think Kat laughed along with me as well, but I don’t really recall. I just remember Lyle red-headed and yelling at me. Kat cleared her area of the table.

“Guys,” she said. “From now on after school, come by the university.” Milo, Lyle, and I all looked at her.

“Why?” I asked.

“It’s not safe for you lot to be roaming the streets after school anymore,” she said. “I don’t want something to happen to you.” We didn’t need to argue with her. After watching all of the stuff that had been going on in the news, we couldn’t blame her.

“Okay,” we all said. Kat took in a breath.

“Very good,” she said. “Can you please help me clear the table?”

“Yes,” we all replied. The rest of the night was silent from the moment we left the table. For the rest of that year, we went straight to Berlin University after school. That place had changed from when Lyle and I came by to visit Kat during our break. First off, everyone kept staring at us. That wasn’t the only unsettling thing that caught my attention. I leaned over to Lyle.

“Where is everyone?” I whispered. He shook his head.

“Scared,” he replied.

“Scared?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he whispered back, nodding. “Wouldn’t you be too?” I pressed my lips together on that one. Ever since Danny-boy’s death, the students slowly disappeared from the university. Some held in their dorms while others went back home to their families. Only thing in sight now were armed military guards. The guns made me break out in a cold sweat. I tried to hold onto Lyle’s hand.

“Get off,” he whispered back.

“But, they scare me,” I whispered.

“I know,” he said back. “But holding onto me won’t work.”

“What else can I do?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Lyle replied. “But don’t hang onto me. You’re too old for that!” I frowned at him.

“Tosser,” I mumbled under my breath. Lyle glanced down at me.

“What was that?” he whispered. I shook my head, still frowning. I paused when I felt something or someone touch my hand. I looked over to see Milo holding my hand. I don’t really know why, but I felt safe at that moment. I took a breath out.

“Thanks,” I whispered. Milo didn’t speak. I turned my attention back to our surroundings. Another detail caught my attention. This one was rather one that was missing. I leaned in close to my boys.

“Guys,” I whispered.

“What now?” Lyle asked.

“Does something look different to you?” I asked.

“Of course,” he replied.

“Not the guards,” I said. “Look.” He and Milo both glanced around. My brother paused.

“You’re right,” he whispered. “Where are all of the statues?” Milo looked around in silence.

“There!” he said, pointing. We looked up to see a huge truck parked near the back gate. Three men loaded in another statue in the truck. The three of us walked over for a closer look. A guard watched as the men pushed a marble statue wrapped in a black tarp with the rest of them in the back. I looked rather confused by all of this.

“Why are they doing this?” I asked.

“It’s a new government policy,” someone said behind us. We turned to see Kat walking over to us. She looked a little disappointed as the men walked away to remove another statue.

“Yes,” she replied. “The government deemed our outside artwork uncultured and now they are taking them away.”

“But why?” I asked.

“That’s just how they see it now,” she replied. I frowned and puffed up my cheeks.

“Well, that’s just dumb!” I said aloud. Lyle hit me on the arm. I rubbed on it in pain. Kat only nodded. We looked and saw them taking away that ugly black abstract monster statue in a tarp and loading in the truck. I smiled to myself.

“Well, it is a little bit good,” I said. Kat and the boys just stared at me. I gave them a little shrug.

“That thing was ugly anyway!” I said. I still stand by that statement, thank you!