End of Quiet Times:

The first day of school kicked us in the stomach.

The morning started off strangely quiet. The type of quiet that lets you know that something bad is going to happen. I had that feeling for the whole day. The stares on us did little to make it go away. Lyle and Milo looked at me at the bus station.

“What’s the matter, Claud?” my brother asked. I shook my head.

“I don’t feel well,” I lied.

“Huh?” he asked. Lyle turned and put his hand on my forehead. “You’re not burning up or anything.” I shook my head again. I couldn’t tell him what was on my mind. He probably wouldn’t understand. Maybe he already knew. I kept silent as the bus pulled up. My boys didn’t even speak for the whole ride. Even Milo looked worried about something. I tried to hold onto his hand, but he pulled it away. I drew back my own hand. Okay then…

School felt like a different place than it was last year. Even our classmates stared at us. Not because we looked different from them like we usually did. No, this had a more chilly reception to it. I held onto Lyle’s arm.

“What are they looking at?” I asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked. Lyle then tried to push me off, but I wouldn’t let go.

“Get off,” he muttered. I let go in silence. Lyle took in a small breath and walked to his class. I stared at his back with such intent. I wanted to yell at him, but didn’t have the words. I felt someone tug onto my wrist. I looked and saw Milo pulling me to our class. I didn’t say a word as we disappeared into the room.

The staring didn’t stop. Part of me wanted to run as far away as I could. I didn’t really know what to do with myself that day. I wished they would stop staring at us. The teacher pretended to be nice to the whole class, but I could see right through her smile. It’s not the hate and despise that is worrying me so much. The way she’s talking shows that she is scared of something. My guess is whoever is invading us. Her hands are always shaking as she talked. The teacher’s voice didn’t come up to more than a whisper.

“Good morning, class,” she said. “My name is Ms. Elisa Diederich and I will be your teacher.” Milo and I looked at her in a funny way.

“Is she okay?” Milo whispered to me. I only shook my head. Ms. Diederich began to write her name on the board. Even the letters were as shaky as her pale hands. In the middle of writing, the teacher broke down crying. She turned to the class.

“I’m so sorry, children,” the lady said. “Please bear with me for a little bit.” Her teary outburst fueled rumors around the school. Some believed that her husband arrested this morning on the suspicion of spying. There was no laughter or games on the playground that day. Milo stared at the road outside of the fence like he normally did. Only this time, he backed away, trembling.

“It’s not the same,” he murmured. “It’s not the same.” For once, I understood what he was saying. I could feel the eyes of the other students on my back. By this point, yelling out wouldn’t do any good. What would I say to them?

It only got worse at home.

Lyle and I came home to find Kat crying at the front door when she greeted us. Lyle took a step forward in worry.

“Kat?” he asked. “Kat, what’s the matter?” She sank down to her knees before us.

“It’s Daniel,” she said. “He’s… he’s… been shot!” Lyle and I looked at her in shock.

“What?!?” I gasped. Kat took a moment to manage herself enough to talk to us. She clutched her pearls in her hand.

“During a roll count, he got spooked too easily and tried to run,” she did the best that she could to explain. “He made it to the fence before the guards shot and killed him.” Kat buried her head in her hands. I couldn’t move at all. Danny-boy did something stupid and got himself killed for it. Danny-boy, you idiot! Paul was going to try and get you out! You could’ve waited a little bit longer. You idiot! You idiot! I felt tears forming in my eyes. Somehow, the surprises didn’t really end there for us.

The next morning, I awoke to a shock in the kitchen. I found Milo sitting at our table, eating breakfast. I stood there, blinking for the longest time. I even turned around and walked back into the kitchen. Nope, he’s still there, eating. I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Milo?” I asked. He turned his head and looked up at me.

“Hm?” he asked. I paused for a long moment.

“Uh…” I said. “What are you doing here?” Milo finished chewing and swallowed.

“I’m going to be staying with you guys for a little bit,” he said in a calm voice. I took slow steps towards him.

“Why?” I asked. “For how long?” Milo gave me a little shrug.

“Oh good,” we heard behind us. “You’re both up.” Milo and I turned to see Kat walking into the kitchen with her briefcase. I turned to her with a confused look on her face.

“Kat, why is Milo staying with us?” I asked. She straightened up the pearls around her neck.

“His guardians were on the jury for Daniel’s case,” she explained. “They were the ones who voted for not guilty and now they are under investigation.” Milo looked away at those words. I just drew my mouth closed and lowered my hand.

“Oh…” I mumbled. I didn’t know what to think about all of this. Milo’s going to be staying with us for a while? Part of me wanted to be happier, but not like this. It all drove it in harder that this wasn’t the Germany that I was born anymore. I gave up on hoping that things would return to normal in that second. All that was left was to wait and see what was going to happen next. I didn’t know what it was, but something screamed at me that I wouldn’t like it.