Chapter 1 "Pain"

October 1972, Munich 

 It was raining heavily outside the window and a very strong wind was blowing. In this weather, all I want to do is stay in bed all day and read the books I recently borrowed from the library. Unfortunately for me, it was a school day and I couldn't afford to stay home because my parents would be furious. I had breakfast and tried to revise the problems for today's math test. It was hard because our maid Clara was arguing with my sister Eva about going to school. Morning arguments about going to school between them were a daily occurrence in our home, but this one was different, more intense, and I can't remember the last time Eva fought so hard to stay home. After a while, the screaming finally stopped. Clara came wasted to the kitchen. 

 "I'm sorry for the shouting, Master, I hope it didn't interrupt your studies." 

 "It's okay, I'm used to it." 

 “Today for the second I prepared you your favorite sandwiches.” 

 “You know how to cheer up on such a gloomy day.” I replied smiling from ear to ear 

 Clara returned my smile and went to see if Eva was ready. I finished my breakfast and packed my school bag. I was getting ready to leave, tying my shoes when Eva and Klara came. She handed us an umbrella and cheerfully said goodbye. 

 “Good luck on the test!” she shouted from the doorway 

 "Thank you!" I replied happily waving 

 While walking to school, I noticed that Eva was very tense, her hands were shaking and she was breathing heavily. I ignored it thinking that this condition triggers a very important test that we're going to write today. When we got to school we both went to our groups of friends. 

 “Study for today's test?” asked a laughing Noah 

 “Of course, I stayed up half the night cramming.” 

 “I couldn't concentrate because my father brought some mistress home again. They were so damn loud I was thinking of going to sleep in the garage."

 “Hahah, he will never change.” I replied as I entered the classroom 

 “Whoever ends up with a worse grade buys dinner.” Noah said confidently 

 “You can prepare the money now.” I replied and went to my seat 

 The lesson is over. The test was very easy, I was expecting the next highest grade. Eva caught my attention again, looking even more stressed than before. But I ignored it again and went with my friends to the next lesson. The day was boring until lunch break. We sat at the same table as usual and ate our lunches in peace. 

 "Did you hear the news?" Marcus asked 

 "NO." I replied 

 “The Kruger team is back from suspension today.” 

 I immediately connected the dots in my head. That's what Eva was so stressed out about. Kruger's gang is a bunch of high school thugs who bullied people at our school, including me and Eva, because of our looks. 3 weeks ago my sister caught them using illegal substances and decided to report it to the teacher. All five were punished with reduced conduct and a 3-week suspension. They swore revenge on Eva, and today is the day. I looked around the cafeteria, I couldn't find her anywhere, I dropped my rides and immediately ran to look for her. 

 “And to what again?” asked Noah, surprised 

 “Leave him, he must have lost something in Mrs. Smith's class again and ran to look for it.”

 I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, searching every classroom, but I couldn't find her. I gave up hope until I remembered the empty building at the back of the school. There they can be. I was bracing myself for the worst. I quietly went inside. I heard screams from above, it must be them, I hope they didn't do anything to her. As I climbed up, I saw a terrible sight. Eva lay naked on the ground and was raped by them. I was seething with rage. 

 “Leave her now!” I shouted 

 “Ooh, our slanted hero has arrived, do you want to join your stupid sister?” Kruger, the boss of the gang, asked with a smile.

 “You are to leave her right now!” 

 "Because what are you going to do to us?" 

 Without thinking, I punched Kruger in the face as hard as I could. 

 "You're dead." replied Kruger, wiping his bloody nose with his sleeve 

 I didn't know what was happening to me, I was lying on the ground, I was being beaten and kicked by all of them, I felt unimaginable pain that I couldn't bear. All I could feel was something in my nose and blood started to run in streams down my face. 

 “Moron, what if you killed him, we're done. We'd better get out of here." - I heard. 

 The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was a tearful Eva shouting something at me and trying to get an answer from me.