By the time she was finished, I was already at the foot of the patient’s bed, blurting out my story and begging for medication. Janina disappeared to check her supply, and I waited in agitated silence. When she returned, her grim expression crushed my hopes.

“I’m low on everything, and the guards have stopped providing me with supplies. This is all I have.” She placed three pills into my outstretched palm. “That’s not enough to cure Hania, not by any means. But a few doses are better than none.”

Suppressing my disappointment, I clutched the precious pills and voiced a small thanks before allowing myself out. I retraced my steps across Birkenau’s grounds.

Hania will be fine. A few doses are better than none. Hania will be fine.

I didn’t know how many times I’d repeated the mantra before I spied a familiar face heading across the camp—Protz.

“Herr Scharführer!” I shouted and chased after him even though he ignored me. “Herr Scharführer, I need your help.”

At this, he stopped to listen. If there was one thing I’d learned about Protz, it was that his greed was limitless. “What are you offering?” he asked.

“This in exchange for medication.”

His gloved hand was already extended, and I dropped the biggest diamond I had into his palm. He inspected it while I waited, fighting the cold and my own impatience. Once satisfied, he looked at me, but, when I saw recognition in his gaze, his eyes narrowed.

“Is Prisoner 15177 sick?”

I’d been counting on Protz to not remember me, but he’d seen me with Hania countless times. Fortunately, I’d had a lot of practice lying.

“The medicine is for me.”

“Prove it. Bring her here.”

When I didn’t move, he smirked, having gained the upper hand. I started developing another lie, but abandoned my efforts. Even if he’d been wrong about my motives, he seemed convinced he was right.

“I should shoot you for lying, but I’d rather adjust the terms of our deal. This,” he said, showing me the diamond, “is in exchange for your worthless life. And if you’re stupid enough to get medicine from anyone else, I will find out, and our deal will be off.”

The diamond was so close to me, I could have easily snatched it back, but the little voice reminded me that I couldn’t help Hania with a bullet in my skull. Relishing his victory, Protz pocketed the diamond and left me with a final taunt.

“Give the Scheisse-Jude my regards.”

His words triggered the part of me that disregarded all potential consequences, the part that cared only about taking action, and words poured from my mouth so quickly I couldn’t stop them even if I’d wanted to.

“Hania! Her name is Hania, you ignorant—”