The Book Thief

Frightened by what she saw, Liesel placed the book back down, exactly as she found it, against Max’s leg.

A voice startled her.

‘Danke schön,’ it said, and when she looked across, following the trail of sound to its owner, a small sign of satisfaction was present on his Jewish lips.

‘Holy Christ,’ Liesel gasped. ‘You scared me, Max.’

He returned to his sleep and, behind her, the girl dragged the same thought up the steps.

You scared me, Max.