The Girl in the Striped Dress: A completely heartbreaking and gripping World War 2 page-turner, based on a true story by Ellie Midwood

Author:Ellie Midwood [Midwood, Ellie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800198760
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2021-08-08T16:00:00+00:00

19

Helena

The SS doctors appeared unexpectedly, before the morning roll call even and began their usual rounds, checking the general state of the inmates. We, the Kanada women, looked much healthier compared to the camp’s general population but they still weeded out anyone, who had the misfortune to sport scabies, sores, or who was foolish enough to break into coughing in front of them, much like I did.

“Lift up your shirt.”

I silently obeyed, unsuspecting and still groggy with fever and sleep.

The SS doctor quickly stepped away.

“Typhus. Out. Now. The entire barrack – to the quarantine for two weeks.”

In disbelief, I looked down at my chest and stomach. Yesterday still white and clear, today – a map of red dots. My head swam, struck by the suddenness of it. Just like that, one day you are alive, and the next…

I didn’t remember being led outside.

I was oddly calm when the doctor’s orderly pointed me to the truck with the red cross, which they used for driving the inmates to the gas chambers. I only regretted that I didn’t get a chance to exchange shoes with Róžínka, whose sobbing was still ringing in my ears as I was climbing inside the truck. My half-boots were much better insulated for winter than hers and out of the two of us, she still needed to survive it. I also regretted not being able to say goodbye to Unterscharführer Dahler but the officers hardly ever rose before the roll call. Someone would tell him later what happened to me. I only hoped he’d still find it in himself to be kind to my sister after my death.

The drive was short and morbidly silent. Everyone knew where we were heading and not a single person uttered a word or a cry. I appeared almost like an outsider among the group of striped uniforms and emaciated faces but even then, no one paid any heed to me. In no time, the SS and the members of the Sonderkommando were herding us out. One of them recognized me as a Kanada girl and pressed my hand sympathetically as he escorted our pitiful procession in the direction of the familiar bunker. “Don’t be afraid. Today is a good day, dry weather. It’ll be over quick. Sit right under the hatches in the roof and take deep breaths. You’ll lose consciousness before you know it and won’t suffer.”

I thanked him and followed him inside. It was comforting to have familiar faces around during one’s last minutes. We removed our clothes, men and women alike. When no SS was looking my way, I discreetly motioned the familiar Sonderkommando man over and pressed a golden coin – the one that Rottenführer Dahler gave me before going on his leave and which I didn’t spend but kept as a sort of talisman – into his hand. “Could you please give my boots to my sister Róžínka? She also works in the Kanada—”

“I know your sister. Don’t worry, she’ll get them.” He quickly stepped away and pretended to give commands to the others.

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