Chronicles of a History

Ettel had left his room with the cookies for David one minute after his son and his daughter had left the house. When he saw David wasn in his room, he checked in everyone elses rooms, including in Nadjas, only to find out that she was also gone, much likely with David. So, he decided to wait for their return, for a while, before going after them both.

How much does he know, how much does he know, how much does he know??? David wondered, at the verge of desperation. Should I tell him the truth or not? I don think hed want to get rid of the cats, but Mom might. I can let that happen!

Mika wondered what was taking Ettel so long, and decided to go see if hed been talking to David all along or if he had nodded off, somewhere else in the house. So, she put on her robe and headed out to Davids room. When she got to the door, she overheard Ettel talking:

”Take as much time as you need, son. As long as you don even try to deceive me AGAIN. That would be the second time in less than 24 hours. ”

Deceive him AGAIN? In less than 24 hours? What the heck is he talking about? Mika thought, and was about to enter the room. However, she realized that Ettel might just make up something to cover for David, so she decided to stay by the door and eavesdrop on the rest of their conversation.

Meanwhile, Nadja was already in bed, but thought it would be better if David and she drank the remainder of the milk, otherwise the others might get suspicious if they saw it. And she didn want to throw the milk away. Her daddy had told her that wasting food was a terrible sin, because there were so many people starving in the world. So, she got up and furtively left her room. When she turned around, after closing her door, she was behind Mika, who had her ear glued to Davids door. Nadja turned back around, intending to return to her room, but then she stopped.

Whats her business in Davids room? What is she listening in to? What if David is praying or something and he mentions what weve been up to?? Well be in serious trouble, and she might want us to get rid of the kitties! I need to distract her, somehow… David said Im not supposed to lie… but if I don … the kitties… and David… Then she gathered all her courage and strength and walked up to Mika. ”Mommy?! ”

Mika almost had a heart attack. Scheiße[1]! She mentally cursed.

”Nadja, what are you doing up? Go back to bed, this instant! ” Mika ordered, whispering, trying to sound as casual as possible.

”I can sleep. I had a nightmare. May I have some milk and sleep with you, please? ”

Mika was visibly annoyed. I can believe this. What should I do, to prevent her from ruining everything?

”Ok, dear. Theres no more milk in the refrigerator, but Ill make you some tea. Go downstairs and wait for me in the kitchen. Ill be there in a minute, okay? ” Mika replied, barely audibly.

Otto was doing his homework in his room, which is across from Nadjas. He heard his sisters voice, but couldn make out what she was saying. Is she talking to herself? And why is she still up AND outside her room? Is she sleepwalking? He wondered and then silently got up from his desk, slightly opened his door and peeked outside, catching the last two sentences from Mikas whispered speech. When he saw Mikas eyes turning to him, he immediately closed his door and rushed back to his desk. But, of course, he kept his ears pricked up.

”Is there something wrong with David? And why are you whispering? ” Nadja insisted, without lowering her voice, hoping David would hear it and take the hint. David did hear her and thought it was Divine Providence. He immediately turned around and opened the door, to Mikas dismay.

”Ma?! Nadja?! Whats going on? ” He said, thanking Goodness for the diversion.

Nadja was behind her mother, crazily gesturing that Mika was eavesdropping on him. He got the hint and looked at Ettel, who was getting up from the bed, seeming aggravated at the whole situation.

”Nothing. I was just looking for your father, when Nadja came out and asked me for some milk. ”

The word milk reminded David that he still was holding the bottle of milk in his hand. He automatically looked at it, which dragged Mikas attention to it, as well.

All the uncommon buzz in the hall also caught Johanns attention. He went to check it out, as well.

Ettel got in the doorway, in front of David, and shook his head at Mika, in disapproval.

”Youve just found me. Now, los auf![2] ” He said, the German part between his teeth.

”Nadja had a nightmare, so Im gonna make her some tea, to help her sleep soundly. She wants to sleep with us, too. ” Mika replied, slightly nervous.

Ettel glared at Nadja, knowing she was not even sleeping, to begin with.

”David, get Nadja some tea… or MILK… will you? ” Ettel said, without taking his eyes off Mika.

”Yes, sir! Come on, Nadja, lets go! ” David said and immediately grabbed Nadjas hand and took her downstairs, while Ettel gestured for Mika to go to their room, and followed her.

Will I ever go through a day in sacred peace? Ettel thought, as he entered the room, and shut the door behind him. He observed Mika for a couple of minutes, wondering what she was actually up to. And then it suddenly hit him that David and Nadja were alone in the kitchen, and that he should sneak up on them, to see if they would talk about what THEY were up to, or give him any other hints whatsoever about it.

”Ill go check on the kids, to make sure they won break anything or make a mess in the kitchen. You know how prone to accidents Nadja is. Theres no need to come after me, okay? Ill be right back, in a few minutes. ” Ettel told Mika and then left the room.

He made his way down the stairs, stepping very lightly, and tiptoed his way to the entrance of the kitchen. Since Ettel was sort of a burly guy, who was 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighed around 250 pounds, it was rather difficult for him to pass by unnoticed. And David didn even need to spot him, for he had superb hearing, which, aided by the completely silent house, allowed him to tell someone was coming up.

Nadja was telling David that she had caught Mika with the ear glued to his door, obviously eavesdropping on him and their father. Thats when David heard footsteps approaching.

”Someone is coming, ” David mouthed to Nadja, and both of them started behaving casually. David filled the tea kettle with some water, set it upon a burner and turned it on.

”So, what was your nightmare about? No, wait… Nevermind. I don want you to relive it. Maybe you can tell me about it tomorrow, when you
e no longer terrified by it. ” David said, sitting down at the kitchen table.

”Ok… And what kind of tea are you making? ”

”I don know. Its for you, so you should pick. ”

Nadja was actually worried about the remaining milk. But she couldn ask David about it, because someone might hear it.

”There isn really any milk left? ”

David looked at the bottle of milk that he was carrying, and then he motioned for Nadja that it would be for later on.

”Fraid not, sis. Tea is gonna have to do, this time. Ooh, I think youd like Ms. Fletchers tea! Ill ask her for the recipe. Or maybe, if you behave very nicely, I may ask her to make you some, herself. ”

Nadja picked honey lemon tea. David made it. While she slowly drank it up, he washed everything hed used to make the tea. When she was done drinking it, he washed her mug. She helped him to dry off and put away all the stuff.

Ettel stood beside the kitchen doorway through the entire time the children stayed in there; however, they didn say anything that might be useful to him. He decided to stay hidden for the next twenty minutes and watch what they were going to do next, though. But the kids just headed to their respective bedrooms and stayed in. Therefore, Ettel finally went back into his room.

[1] Shit!

[2] Lets go!