"Departure" (Flock'⁴⁴/ıı)

## Plot

The episode starts with Father Bronebakk receiving a phone call and formulating a plan to rid himself of the Lebensblood children due to their Half-German heritage. Craftily, he arranges their transfer to a psychiatric asylum, but his true intention is to have them sent to the next orphanage. The children begin to sense something is amiss, feeling uneasy about the upcoming move to St. Fjeypp. They struggle to understand why they are being taken there, despite Father Bronebakk's assurances of a loving environment and eager adoption into kind families. Excitement turns to apprehension as doubts creep in. In the midst of confusion, a courageous person named Wolfe emerges as a voice of reason.

Outside, the Lebensblood children walked behind Father Bronebakk in a public area. Father Bronebakk repeatedly instructed them to stay close as they headed to the shop for food. Meanwhile, the other children and some adults in the town looked at them with suspicion, believing them to be dangerous. Upon Father Bronebakk's return, he directed the children to join him. However, Wolfgang, Nina, Wolfe, Lukas, Amelina, Dietrich, Sarah, Magnus, Hugo, Michael, and Kali, the other precious Lebensblood children and three half-German children, Karina, Gisela and Anton, stood there feeling bewildered and confused. They couldn't comprehend why everyone in the town was so suspicious of them. Father Bronebakk confronted the children, attributing their German genes as the reason for the fear they faced. This revelation shocked the children, particularly Wolfgang. Wolfgang, who had a mix of Polish-German Ashkenazi-Jewish heritage from his father and half-Swedish ancestry from his mother, tried to explain that genetics had nothing to do with their behavior. However, Father Bronebakk ignored his explanation, refusing to consider that their Semitic genes could be dangerous, as the Nazis believed. In a misguided act, Father Bronebakk even slapped Wolfgang, accusing him of blasphemy against God. Father Bronebakk claimed that he wanted to help the children be free from what he perceived as their evil German genetics. This angered Wolfgang, who saw Father Bronebakk's intentions as misguided. Father Bronebakk then ordered all the children to return to the church and attempted to touch Wolfgang. Due to past traumatic experiences, Wolfgang instinctively pulled away, unable to tolerate physical contact. Father Bronebakk, though remaining their teacher, often apologized to Wolfgang, expressing his desire to help him find care and keep the Lebensblood children safe from the cruelty of the world. He believed that fixing their genetics would prevent them from becoming evil, like murderers and war criminals. Despite Wolfgang's initial trust in Father Bronebakk, he remained cautious, suspecting that Father Bronebakk had ulterior motives. He began whispering to Kalli, as they both had a plan in mind.

Under the cover of darkness, Father Bronebakk checks on the 14 Lebensblood children in their beds, only to discover that they have removed their blankets and left behind clothes made to look like they are still there. He notices tracks in the snow outside the window, indicating that the children have escaped. Meanwhile, Wolfgang, the leader of the group, and the other children are running through the area, eventually stopping at a park. Wolfgang is deep in thought, contemplating their next move, while Kalli tries to calm the younger children.

Unexpectedly, a kind police officer approaches the children, concerned about their well-being and asking about their parents. Kalli points to three men who are fixing their car in the distance, pretending that they are their fathers. The officer understands the situation and realizes that the children are seeking family reunions in the aftermath of Norway's liberation. With empathy, the officer acknowledges the cold weather and allows the children to stay in the park. He gently pats one of the children on the back before walking away, giving the children a moment of respite.

The scene shifts back to the church where the children were having breakfast. Father Bronebakk, who had shown them love and care, was serving them. Some of the children were excited while eating, but others were worried. Wolfe particularly missed Aadne and his siblings. Father Bronebakk had given each child a box of clothes for hospital patients for the next day. This gesture made the children suspicious. Father Bronebakk tried to reassure them with a smile and a lie, claiming that the orphanage housed children with disabilities and those who were kind and peaceful. However, the Lebensblood children were not disabled.

Amidst the confusion, Sarah, consumed by desperation, silently prayed, hoping against hope that the place they were being taken to would not bring further harm. Father Bronebakk patted Sarah's head with a happy smile, assuring her that they were in good hands. Sarah held onto hope for Father Bronebakk, and the rest of the children understood, except for Wolfgang, Wolfe, and Amelina, who held onto Wolfgang's hand, feeling fearful. Lukas, utterly confused and struggling to grasp the seriousness of the situation, looked on with wide eyes, unable to fully understand what was happening. Wolfgang, on the other hand, felt fear creeping in as he began to realize the true nature of their circumstances.