Page 485 - The Book Thief
P. 485
Remember the snowman, Max?
Remember?
In the basement?
Remember the white cloud with the gray heart?
The Fhrer still comes down looking for you sometimes. He misses you. We all
miss you.
The whip. The whip.
The whip continued from the soldiers hand. It landed on Maxs face. It clipped
his chin and carved his throat.
Max hit the ground and the soldier now turned to the girl. His mouth opened. He
had immaculate teeth.
A sudden flash came before her eyes. She recalled the day shed wanted Ilsa
Hermann or at least the reliable Rosa to slap her, but neither of them would do it.
On this occasion, she was not let down.
The whip sliced her collarbone and reached across her shoulder blade.
Liesel!
She knew that person.
As the soldier swung his arm, she caught sight of a distressed Rudy Steiner in
the gaps of the crowd. He was calling out. She could see his tortured face and
yellow hair. Liesel, get out of there!
The book thief did not get out.
She closed her eyes and caught the next burning streak, and another, till her body
hit the warm flooring of the road. It heated her cheek.
More words arrived, this time from the soldier.
