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Jeanne’s youngest sons, Marcel and Gaston ran away through the fields behind their house, not looking back. Her dog continues to bark as the sound of the truck comes to a halt in front of their house.
Jeanne lets out a sob as she bids goodbye to her children and closes the window. Otto approaches her, placing his hands on her shoulders to comfort her.
“What about you, Otto?” She asks, turning towards him.
“I will stay with you, always.” Otto replied, which was followed by a sigh. “We’ve lost the war anyways.” Otto added, his hands falling off from her shoulders.
Suddenly, the barking from her dog stops as a loud gunshot rang out throughout the farm. Jeanne and Otto gasped as footsteps approached the front door of the house.
“Madame Morteau!” A familiar voice which they both know belongs to Hans, called.
“Ich komme!” Hans shouted, almost like a predator teasing its prey.
Otto pulls out his luger and positions himself in front of Jeanne defensively as Hans steps into the home.
“Weg da, Otto!” Hans shouted as he aimed his rifle at Jeanne. “Nein!” Otto shouted back as Hans let out a frustrated groan and aimed the rifle at Otto instead. He fires a shot at Otto and Otto falls backwards into Jeanne.
“OTTO!” Jeanne cried as Otto gripped his wound. She quickly took the luger from Otto’s hand and shot at Hans. The bullet went into his head and Hans was killed instantly, falling backwards onto the wooden floor, his rifle falling right next to him.
“Otto! Please! Hold on…” Jeanne cried as she took off his helmet and pressed his wound with a handkerchief. Otto groaned as he looked up at Jeanne. “Jeanne… Stay strong…” Otto muttered, tears welling up in his eyes. Jeanne shook her head. “No... Stop. Don’t say that.” Jeanne said as tears continued to flow down her cheeks. “I love you, Jeanne. Please, stay strong for me.” Otto said, cupping his cheek with his bloody hand. Jeanne held his hand affectionately. “Oh, Otto… Please… Don’t…” Jeanne sobbed as she held onto Otto tightly.
“You’re going to be okay, Jeanne. You’re the bravest woman I know.” Otto said, wiping her tears. Jeanne held his hand gently and kissed his forehead. “I love you. Please stay with me…” Jeanne pleaded. Otto smiled. “Always.” He answered. “Ich verspreche.” He said, using the little strength he had to pull her hand close and plant a kiss on it.
Jeanne smiled as she hugged him. They share one last kiss before Otto’s eyes slowly close, and his body becomes lifeless.
Jeanne continued to hold onto Otto, sobbing.
Soon after, she reconnected with her young boys with the help of her eldest son, Pierre and her friend, Robert.
“Mommy!” Gaston ran towards her with tears streaming down his face. “Gaston, my love…” Jeanne said as she held him tightly, planting kisses on his head. “Marcel… my dear, come here…” She called her second eldest as he hugged her tightly as well.
They both sobbed into her shoulders as the family were reunited once again.
“What happened to your clothes, mommy?” Gaston asked. Jeanne looked down at her blood-stained dress. Jeanne couldn’t muster up the words and she could only sob in reply. Gaston soon realized who the blood stains belong to. “Otto…” Marcel muttered as he and Gaston comforted their weeping mother.
She had lost her husband only a decade or so ago and now, she’s lost another love in her life.