Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt

Author:Amanda Barratt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Published: 2023-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Hania

March 13, 1943

WE STAND IN ROWS of five, waiting to march to Płaszów.

The street is an endless column, men on one side, women on the other, lined up according to their places of work, carrying suitcases and bundles, rucksacks on their backs. Like us, many wear extra clothing, the bulk of the layers in contrast to their thin faces giving them strangely unbalanced appearances.

I stand beside Adela in the group of workers from the brush factory. I’m not sure what time it is, but surely we’ve stood here over an hour. The straps of the rucksack dig into my shoulders. My stomach gurgles, but only my physical body acknowledges hunger. The unknown consumes my mind.

Rena is safe.

The words become the cord that keeps my body upright. Rena is safe. She is with Zosia. I looked into the eyes of my friend as she promised to protect my baby sister. Promises are fragile, I know this. But this one I clutch close. If Rena is safe, I can be strong.

In the row ahead of us stands a little girl of about six, tiny fingers tucked in the hand of the woman beside her, dark hair a cloud around her face. Quietly, she waits in line with the other women. Will the march to Płaszów be too far for her small legs?

Everywhere there are SS standing in groups, striding along the columns, shouting orders. OD men walk among the ranks, voices echoing on the damp air. “Anyone found in Zone A after all the groups have moved out will be executed immediately. If you know of anyone in hiding, step forward and tell us now and we’ll bring them out to the lines.”

No one steps forward. Shots resound. Somewhere nearby, they are shooting people. Again and again the distant charges come. My stomach cramps.

“Children under fourteen are to remain here. They will be taken to the children’s home in Zone B and tomorrow they will be brought to Płaszów in lorries.” Up and down the lines, the OD men issue the order, the words slicing through the ranks of women. Ahead of us, the woman holding the little girl’s hand turns to the woman next to her. They speak in whispers.

There are other young girls in the line of women, and across from us, I glimpse boys in the line of men. Why can’t the children leave with their parents today? Unease travels down my spine.

SS advance along the columns, carrying whips, hobnailed boots ringing out on the cobblestones.

“The child is too young. Take her out of line.” Barked orders.

A woman’s scream, feral, tearing. A child cries.

The two women ahead of our row exchange frantic whispers. The little girl stands patiently, waiting.

The SS comb the lines, pulling terrified children from the ranks. They draw closer, nearing our row. With them strides an officer in a black leather greatcoat. He is huge, a tower. In one hand he carries a submachine gun, in the other a whip. Near him, held by another SS, two dogs strain at their leashes.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.