54 pages 1 hour read

Louise Murphy

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003

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Chapters 21-25Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 21 Summary: “Blood”

The Oberführer has returned to Piaski. He reveals that Sister Rosa tested Nelka’s blood, and that it matches his blood type. Sister Rosa brings Nelka to the Oberführer’s quarters. Nelka suspects that he wants information about her son. To prevent the Oberführer from selecting him, she says that he is weak and likely to die soon. Sister Rosa slowly undresses the Oberführer, becoming aroused as she removes all of his clothing except his pants and boots. They order Nelka to undress. Sister Rosa inspects her body for signs of disease and squeezes a stream of milk from her breast. Nelka fears that the Oberführer and Sister Rosa intend to kill her.

Sister Rosa uses a tube to transfuse Nelka’s blood into the Oberführer. He explains that her blood will refresh him. He sends Sister Rosa out and tells Nelka that she is a “chosen one,” meant to be “drained of all [she has] to serve [her] masters.” He also refers to himself as “the Chalice” (163). Sister Rosa returns, and the Oberführer tells Nelka that she has taken Nelka’s baby. Nelka nearly faints. The Oberführer explains that he took the baby to keep her from fleeing the village, and she may visit the baby to nurse him.