The event in the book that surprised me the most is when Gerda turned down her chance for freedom. She had been through so much already with Arthur having to leave, her father being forced to go to Sucha, and being taken from her mother, who is now in Wadowitz. Despite all of that, she was given the chance to be released from the tight grasp of the Germans and she declined their offer. Abek loved Gerda, but she just would not let herself love him back. He would come to visit her daily, in hope of changing her mind and making her his wife to be. Gerda just would not give in to Abek's generous ways and because of her lack of love for Abek she chose to stay in the camp. His family sacrificed for Gerda, providing her with clothes, food, and a working card. In return, Gerda decided to let the sacrifices of Abek's family go in vain. Gerda was afraid that if she accepted the working card and was to be set free, that she would have to marry Abek, which in my eyes was selfish of her to do so. She should have considered what Abek's family had to go through and accept their favor, it was the least she owed them for what they had done for her.