In the following months, many more people die in the camps. Lale and Gita continue their relationship, with Gita’s kapo acting as go-between. Gita finally tells Lale about the horrible relationship between Cilka and Schwarzhuber. Lale is appalled. Gita notes that at least there is no worry of Cilka becoming pregnant, as the menstrual cycles of most female prisoners have been disrupted by trauma and physical hardship.

Lale tells Gita that he thinks Cilka is a hero: it is heroic to have chosen to live in the face of tremendous evil, no matter what the personal cost. He thinks Gita is a hero, too. He hopes he will not be condemned, in the future, for his role at Auschwitz.  

Only one girl other than Cilka is allowed by Hoess to keep her hair long. Lale thinks it is absurd to think only one woman beautiful. He runs into her with a sausage obtained from Victor shoved down his pants. Lale retreats to his room in embarrassment.

Warmer weather brings hope to the camp. Baretski comes to Lale to ask for a favor. He tells Lale the two of them are like brothers, which Lale privately disagrees with. Baretski wants Lale to somehow smuggle in a pair of nylon stockings for his girlfriend.