It is October 27, 1942. Helmuth Hübener has spent 264 days on death row at Plötzensee Prison in Berlin, Germany. Seventeen-year-old Helmuth fearfully sits in his cell, aware that the prison executioner is working today. He daydreams about his past to ignore his dread. He recalls walking with his mother, Mutti, at age three near their home in Hamburg. Young Helmuth is angry that he must hold hands with Mutti while his older brothers, Hans and Gerhard, can walk ahead. A parade of Nazi “Brownshirts” march by and Helmuth tells one he will become a soldier when he is older. The Brownshirt compliments Helmuth’s bravery and intelligence.

In his cold cell, Helmuth urinates and tidies his bed. In his memory, he is seven and lying in bed with Hans and Gerhard. The moon’s brightness reminds Helmuth of God and heaven. Helmuth and Gerhard discuss the infinite nature of heaven and the universe. Overcome, Helmuth claims he is “floating” (6), which Gerhard finds illogical. Helmuth loves feeling like he is floating up to God and heaven.

Helmuth’s memory shifts to playing toy soldiers at his grandparents’, Oma and Opa’s, apartment next door.