The Last Glass (standard:Suspense, 1196 words)
Author: Hulsey	Added: Jan 29 2004	Views/Reads: 4586/2425	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The last moments together of an SS Colonel and a Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story


“Love? You're not capable of love... You were behind me and my family
being transferred to this hellhole weren't you? You used them to 
blackmail me into surrendering myself to you. I detest you Gruber, and 
the murder of my family and people will be avenged.” 

Gruber strolled towards the filthy window, his black tunic neatly
pressed, his boots highly polished. He swallowed another mouthful of 
the wine, and looked out onto the enormous pile of decaying bodies. 
Though Gruber had ordered the incineration of the gassed Jews, several 
worried guards had forsaken their duty and deserted their post; the 
rest accompanied the remaining prisoners on the long march to Germany. 

Gruber grimaced, observing the large rats feasting on the bony corpses.
He detected the rancid breath of Levi on his neck, which added to his 
growing nausea. 

“Proud are you Anton? Look at your carnage. Each one has or had a
family, just as you have.” 

Gruber tossed his cigarette butt to the ground and turned to face the
shivering man. “Please Levi, please forgive me?” 

For the first time in a long time Levi experienced pleasure, pleasure at
watching the snivelling SS officer wilt before his eyes. Gruber placed 
his hands on Levi's skeletal shoulders and wept. 

“Can you ever forgive me Levi? I'm not begging for mercy... My tears are
not for my welfare as well you know. The Russians can hang me and I'll 
laugh in their faces... My father and his father died heroically, 
fighting for their country.” 

Gruber removed his luger from its holster and offered it to Levi. The
confused freezing Jew walked towards the coat rack, his arms folded. He 
removed Gruber's greatcoat from the rack and slipped it on, the garment 
enveloping his wasted physique. 

“I would be honoured if you would take my life Levi,” said Gruber,
urging his one-time friend to accept the weapon. 

More gunshots were heard, this time within the camp. The loyal German
guards were offering stern resistance judging by the gunfire. Levi 
walked past Gruber towards the door, his mind in turmoil. 

“Please Levi... Please take my life.” 

The tearful prisoner edged towards Gruber. “You do have another option
Gruber... Step outside and die fighting for your country... That's what 
you want isn't it?” 

“Fuck my country! Please, it's important to me that you take my life...
Please.” 

Levi hesitated, before reaching out for the weapon. Gruber's lips
trembled, as he mouthed thank you. The sound of loud Russian voices 
urged Levi to aim the luger at Gruber. 

“Shoot me, God shoot me before it's too late.” 

Levi closed his eyes and squeezed the trigger. Gruber's pupils dilated
wildly, realising the weapon had jammed. 

“Again, try again Levi!” 

Again there was a click, followed by the sound of the door being kicked
in. No warning was issued by the Russian, who fired two rounds into the 
back of Levi. He stumbled forward; his glassy eyes fixed on those of 
his weeping tormentor. Gruber held up the pathetic dying body of Levi, 
and embraced him, ignoring the ranting of the dishevelled Russian 
soldier. 

Gruber felt the cold blood of his lover, seeping through his tunic. He
held Levi's lifeless head against his chest, before the corpse was 
pulled away. The rifle butt was smashed into his face, and the Russian 
prepared to shoot the Nazi, but the intervention of an officer 
prevented the execution. 

“Jew, he was a Jew,” sobbed the bloody Gruber, cowering on the floor,
his finger pointing towards Levi. 

The Russians laughed, and Levi's killer shrugged his shoulders. Gruber's
death would not be heroic. He died on the scaffold on that cold 
winter's day, praying to God that he would be united with Levi in 
heaven. 


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