Holocaust story

Holocaust story: A school assignment to write a creative short story about the holocaust. You wake up in the morning, whatever role you would like to take on, and outside your window you see a jew hanging, your reaction? 

 

 I remember the incident so clearly. The thought still sends shivers down my spine, how could I just stand there so impotently? I could’ve done something; their lives could’ve been saved. But I did not have the courage or the dignity that they possessed. I was just a sheepish girl who couldn’t grasp the concept of what was going on, that day, April 22,1939.

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“ Luke,” she mumbled, her voice still scratchy from just waking up, “Luke,” she repeated, no answer. She sat up and peered through her hazel eyes that rested behind long black eyelashes. She noticed a yellow butterfly flutter frantically by the shutter doors. She walked over to the window, opened the blue shutters, “There you go little guy, go run free.” The butterfly spread its wings and headed out into the beautiful blue sky. The sun peered over the crowns of the trees, as if it was a little too apprehensive to show off all its bright rays. The blooming flowers of the cherry blossom trees twirled gracefully through the village. Across the street, springs signature features were creeping out from the long winter. “What a great day this shall be,” or so she thought.

            “Luke,” again she repeated. She glanced around the small room where far too many were crammed in to such an inadequate space. “He must be out playing by the pond,” or so she thought. She washed her face, got dressed, and was about to close the windows and head out to the village, when she noticed something quite unusual. The drums were out, being banged loudly by what seemed like soldiers. Her gut instinct was to run out and see what was happening, but another part told her to just stay put. So she stayed.  She just stood there and stared out.

      What she saw, that she would never forget. Right in the middle of the park, in the midst of a crowd of people, stood a wooden stake tied to another one hanging up above. Suspended from the pole was a thick rope. Her young eyes, always so sheltered from the horrors around her were not accustomed to the sight before her. She did not understand, she was too young; she was not palpable enough to comprehend the situation. And then she caught a glimpse of something, off in the distance it caught her eyes, Luke, her best friend and forever playmate. He stood solemnly before the soldiers as silent tears rolled down his sweet porcelain face, “No!” she thought, but no sound emanated from her mouth. She just stood there; the noose was placed around his neck, the drums banged loudly. Blood rushed to her face, “Oh no,” she thought. Everything fit together like a difficult puzzle, she understood now. But still she just stood there. As the despicable soldiers approached the lever, another woman ran out through the multitude of worried faces. She began screaming frantically, and then things just moved to quickly. And before she could say, “Stop,” the woman was standing there, right next to Luke with a noose around her neck as well.

      From behind that window, she, still just stood there, and stared at the woman and Luke, she began to shake uncontrollably, tears rumbling down her face, “No!” thought the young girl whose voice was not yet found. The disaster that was taking place in front of her very eyes was not yet completely processed in her fragile brain. Luke glanced up towards her window, “Arielle, stay strong, I love you,” he mouthed as the sounding of the drums got louder and louder. The woman then too saw her, “Arielle, you will always be my love, stay strong and do not lose faith.”

      The drums suddenly stopped and the lever slammed down.  As the silent drops of love and remorse rolled down her cheeks, she saw the yellow butterfly encircle Luke and the woman and then fly up towards the sky. She knew they would be safe, and that they would move on to a happier place. She murmured the Jewish prayers, “ I will love you always and forever,” she whispered.

      I am Arielle; I was that young impotent girl. Luke, he is my brother. And that woman, that brave woman, she is my mother.

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            I could’ve changed the outcome of that day. But no, I just stood there, I was not as brave as Luke and Mother, I was the weakling. I did not have the integrity that they did. What they were fighting for, what they died for, that was too obscure for me to realize. If only I was just a little bit smarter, if I only knew what was going on, maybe I would’ve reacted quicker. Maybe I could’ve ran over there, maybe I could’ve convinced those soldiers to spare the life of Luke and Mother. But I guess now we’ll never know.