Hope

“No!!” My voice was soft but it was echoing throughout my brain like a fog horn.  I looked through the sandy hole, and I saw my Rosy cheeked mama was pale and my papa’s was white. That was my year of terror, I never thought I would survive it. My name is Julia and this is my story.

It all started on the day of July 7,1939. The war had come to Poland. The day was sunny, and I was walking down the street coming from school. Inside my cotton dress, I s That day I  had seen giggling babies ,tall teens and gay grandmothers. I looked down on my silver necklace and the yellow star of David proudly standing in the middle of the thin necklace. Papa had given it to me when I was three. “ Here you go my little Julia.” “ This is a symbol that we are strong and proud jews.” I still Papa’s eyes were gimmerling.  As he handed it to me.

His Hazel brown locking into my dark blue ones.

I still remember what I did at home,that day.

I told my mom “ Hi mama” I came home from school.” “ Hello Julia”. “ Go freshen up and do your homework.” I walked up the stairs to my room. I still remember it was Lime green My favorite. I had a sky blue bed a lime green chest of drawers and a clean white desk. I started doing my homework. It was PEMDAS. When I finished,  I walked to the window. I stared at the vast streets below me. Then I saw vast trucks. Inside were men in gree uniforms.

I heard footsteps. It was my little sister Amelia. “ Hey sis.” She called out. She was still in her tutu for ballet, and her strawberry blonde hair was in a strong bun. Her cheeks were rosy red.  “ sister.” “ what are those big trucks?” “ They are scary.” She went on top of the railing and was looking down. “ It is a tank.” I replied.

: When I sat down for dinner things were quiet. Mama looked pale and papa looked grim. Me and Amelia sat down quietly. You could only hear the scrapes and forks and knives. Then papa cleared his throat and said “ Girls we have some news for you.” “What is it?” Amelia asked eagerly. I could bet that she had thought mama and papa had bought the new mint colored rolllerskates she really wanted. Instead of old purple ones.  “Well” papa said. He turned to mama and she nodded slowly. Her eyes looked sad, but determined. Papa cleared his throat once again and said , my sweet girls as you know we are jews , we are strong believers. That should never change, but my girls there are people who do not like us for who we are.

“Why papa?” I asked quietly. I couldn’t imagine that. Why would anyone hate each other? It all just seemed so weird.  “Well Julia people do not like other people in the world.” now papa made no sense at all “Now girls” , papa’s voice sounded strong willed. “Girls listen carefully like a lot of those people are coming into Poland.” “They're called  Nazis.” “Their leader is a rutless man named Hitler.”He paused and said “ Girls don’t be worried or scared.” “Me and Mama are only telling you this to make sure you are looking out for danger.”

Everything was silent. I clutched my necklace. The David star shining like the sun.  

That night I couldn’t sleep. A million thoughts were rumbling through my head. Would something happen to us? Just then a loud bang startled me. Who was it? I saw mama and papa were already at the door. A man in a green suit was looking at papa and mama with a icy glare. Then he said in a harsh voice, “ Get out of here you filthy jews.”  I clutched my necklace hard. Amelia was still sleeping. That girl could sleep through anything. Then I saw papa waving his toward something. The hideout!!! In Amelia and closet was a little tunnel.

Papa had made us that we could play in and lock. Only I and Amelia had the key. I quickly woke up Amelia. She turned and grunted. I pushed her vigorously. She finally stood up. “ What is it Julia?” she said in a sleepy voice. I didn’t reply.  I grabbed both the key necklaces and we headed towards the closet. I quickly fumbled with the lock. Phew!!! Closed. Me and Amelia looked through a tiny hole. Amelia hugged me and said “ siostra” I had never heard her say sister in polish. “ Are we okay.”

Rustle Rustle went the trees. The birds chirped a lovely song. I looked around. This was not my room with my sunflower lamp and my little music box. I turned around I saw Felipe. He was papa’s friend. His dark eyes were filled with worry. He looked at me and said in a wispy voice “ Good morning.” Then my memory flooded back like how mama and papa were taken by the Nazis. I clutched my little star of David “ What happened to mama and papa.” Screamed Amelia in vain. Then she started to cry. I took her hand. It was pale and fleshy. I squeezed it.

“ Have Hope Amelia.”

That night at dinner things were quiet. Amelia didn’t eat a thing. His eyes were sad. “ Girls.” Felipe said in a quiet voice. Your mama and papa had to go to camp. Amelia’s eyes lit up like fireworks. “ Like a summer camp!!!”  Felipe gave me a look.” “ No Amelia.” “ A work camp.” “ Oh.” Her eyes for fading. “ They were relocated.”

Screech went the chair. Amelia ran out the room. Her blonde hair flying. I ran out to. She stopped by the mirror. I stopped to. She started to cry. I went to her and gave her a hug. Then we looked in the mirror. My mouse hair was hanging limply. My face was pale Amelia’s hair looked good as always, but she looked different. After a while. We both just went to bed.       

That night when I got into my bed I couldn’t sleep.

I stared at the distance. Then I heard a bang. It was the same bang before they had to relocate mama and papa. My heart stopped. My eyes closed. Everything was blurry. My head was whirling like the whirlwind in the amusement park that had closed because of the war. I clutched my little star of David.

Then I heard a cold voice say “Is there jews here?” “We know you are hiding two.” I shook Amelia. She grunted then went back to sleep. I shook her harder. “ What is it  Julia.” “ They found us.”

Me and Amelia went outside. There Filipe was motioning for us. He said “ I am sorry girls.”

“I have let your mama and papa down.” He hung his head down like a dog who had done something bad.  Then I looked up. I saw a man in a green uniform carrying a rifle. He gave us a icy stare.Even though it was 26 degrees outside it felt like -100.  He pulled my long lanky hands. He pulled me close towards him, I could smell his stinky breath. Then another soldier came and did the same thing to Amelia. She was crying. Felipe stood helplessly. Then Me and Amelia were loaded into a van like cardboard boxes. There were no seats at all. The van was also damp and cold. We saw other people sitting down to. They all looked tired and weary. A woman had great dark circles under her eyes. Babies were wailing for food. I sat next to and old woman silently crying about her husband. She was old and gray. I clutched my necklace tight.  Sniff sniff went Amelia. I went closer to her and whispered in her ear, “Have hope.”

Screech went the truck. I looked around there where

Then I saw a building. It was covered in mold.

It was twining the building. The whole thing was surrounded by barbed wire. We were tied on a rough brow rope like slaves,  and were brought to cabins. We were taken to a small brown room. There a bulky man put a razor through our heads sharply. It burned.  Then he pushed us to the next place like we had no value. There woman and children were changing into striped dresses. With the dress we each got a rough brown belt. It smelled like a skunk. Then we were taken to a small cabin. There we got a bed which we were to share together . It was small. There was no blanket or pillow,only tiny piece of cloth. We were given a cup.  We were told by a short stubby woman who had short brown hair. The woman told us that we got our food in it. The cup was brown and disgusting.

Ding ding echoed something. I opened my eyes. I looked around. Where was I? Where was my comfy bed my sunflower lamp. I looked around. Darkness surrounded me, but it was loud. Then I remembered, I was at a concentration camp. I turned around I saw Amelia she had dark circles under her eyes. We then were told to go and line up for something called a  roll call. I felt a hand. It was Amelia’s. I squeezed it tight. We stood on the rough dirt the blazing sun above us. Then a large man came up onto the podium. We had to say words that had no meaning to us. Then A big fat lady came over. She had witch black hair. A scrawny nose and her uniform was bulging like the seams would break of any minute. She had a cold and icy stare. I turned and looked at Amelia. She was as stiff as a statue. Her hands were cold like ice. Then the fat lady said in a demanding voice “ I am your kapo.” “ I am your leader and boss.” “ You will do as I say.”

“ Now ladies and children go onto this side, you will do cleaning and cooking.” “ Men and boys onto this side.” “ Sir Nelson the great and best will lead you.”  Among the crowd was a boy. He looked no more than seven. He smiled and stuck his tongue at her. He had mouse brown hair, and was very skinny.

Scratch scratch my little brush went. I was to scrub and clean the mess hall.  The floor was cold and made out of hard metal. The water was dirty,filled with muckwater. Amelia was making food with some ladies in the kitchen.  Then the kapo blew a sharp whistle and said “ Now go help make the lunch and dinner.” Me and the other girls and ladies walked ahead. Then I saw a girl. She looked about ten. She was walking alone , lagging, like I was. I walked over to her. Scrunching my feet in the dirt ground. The sun blazing like a campfire.

“ Hi what’s your name.” She turned around and said “ Lisa.” She was long and lanky and had auburn hair. She had small mouth. Also an upturned nose. She then asked in a light and tingly voice “ What’s yours.” “ Julia.” Then I heard a shout. “ GIRLS.”  “ Stop talking and get moving or you’ll get a whip.” It was the kapo. We ran.

From then on I had a friend and  a sister, but me and Amelia never saw each other.  Every day it was the same. Wake up. Dress in a minute then stand In the sun or rain or snow or hail or anything. Then scrub scrub then cook. Then sleep. It was the same every day.

Lisa and I were now best buds. We talked and laughed. We talked about our life before hitler and the Nazis came. She had a mama and a papa and two little brothers, but all of them were separated. I couldn’t believe the way we were prisoned. Working like slaves, and resting for only a few minutes.

One Night I heard Amelia crying nnext to me. I nudghed her. She turned around. Her face was red and puffy. Her eyes were tomato red. “ Oh Julia why are we stuck here.” she said in a whisper “ We never did anythinng to those stupid Nazi’s .” Her was was now loud. “ Quiet down Amelia.”

Things were slient. “ Amelia, it is okay.” “ We are okay.” “ Think about the boys.” “ They have to work like dogs for those nazis.” “ We aleast are lucky to do the common household chores.” “ Amelia I have two words for you Have Hope.”

Chirp chirp sang the birds. Today was a rest day for us. Me and Lisa were making up a secret handshake. Then a little boy came through the door. It was the  boy who had stuck his tongue at me the other day. Lisa jumped up and hugged him tight. He pulled away from her. He had hair of the color of chocolate pudding. “ this is my little brother Alex .” she said in and excited tone. Then she began to speak rapid polish. I waited.

I stared out the window I looked at the  sky. It was the color of water in a Clear Lake.  Then Alex spoke up “Anyway I came for a different reason.”

“ here take this letter. It is for you.”   Then he walked away. The smooth paper was between my fingers. I opened the seal. There was three words , but it tore my heart. Amelia Warshaw died. I clutched my thin necklace.              

That night I kept tossing and turning. I wanted mama and papa and most of all Amelia. I stared at the dark room. I felt a tear drop to my cheek. I never even got to say goodbye. My sweet little sister gone forever. I wish things were normal. I wish the stupid nazi’s didn’t even come. Then we would be living in our delightful little yellow house. Me and mama and papa and Amelia would ride the whitelaw girl screaming in delight. I thought to myself Hope I need hope.

The next day I didn’t feel hungary. Lisa tried to get me to eat some watery soup but I couldn’t. I felt as if my stomach had closed.  The weather was cold.The sky was gay. The days were short and cold. The nights were long and dark. Thousands of people were dying because of pneumonia. It was going to be a long and cold winter. One freezing day I was walking to my barrack. Where I heard a woman I knew talking. “ there’s a girl in our cabin named Julia.” “ she lost her parents and her sister.” “ she won’t eat anything.” “ she must be going in depression.” . My heart got cold. My throat went dry. I closed my eyes. A tear was rolling down my cheek like when me and Amelia were roller skating down the park. Chocolate brown benches. The sun shining in our faces. Smiling and giggling. Ah what good times. Why did this happen.

“ excuse me.” Someone said in a soft voice.

I turned around. I saw a man with a dark jacket. I couldn’t see his face though. He dropped a letter on the ground , and ran away. I picked up the letter it was yellow. It wasn’t sealed though. I opened it. I scanned the paper. Then I cried out for joy.

That night she didn’t sleep. When the clock inside the barrack struck twelve. She walked quietly out the door. This night the coldness and the dampness didn’t bother her at all. She looked at the letter. Barrack 789. I slowly went in. I saw the black hooded figure who nodded to me. Then in the next room I saw. Mama and papa and Amelia. I ran toward them and gave them a mighty hug. In the letter it said mama,papa, Amelia were all hiding so that they could escape the concentration camp with me. They hid because they only had supplies for three. I ran ad hugged them tight. “Now we have gotten hold of some tickets to switzerland.”Mama said “ How did you get hold of it mama.” asked Amelia in a questioning voice. “ Oh Amelia you don’t need to know how.” “ that’s when I noticed mama was wearing a worn hat. Also her hair didn’t show. “ M\ama did you sell your hair!!” I exclaimed. I couldn’t believe it. Mamma had the most beautiful hair in  the world. Long and wavy blonde. Mama was quiet. Then she said “ Julia save the soup and bread they give you. And get hold of some butter and jam. ” “ Me papa and Amelia will be in hiding for two days.” “On the third night is when we leave.” “ come to cabin 987 at midnight.” Mama kissed me on the forehead. Then I walked out the door. I walked back to my bed.

The two days flew by and the night came. On the second day I finished my work then I hid a small knapsack in my pocket. I went into the kitchen. Then I opened the small door. I slipped inside. MM butter and jam. I slipped 3 butter blocks and 2 bottles of jam. I slid the door close. Then I skipped to my cabin.

Creak  went the door as I opened it.

I was holding two small paper wrapped packages. On was the bread and done was some butter I had stolen from the supply closet. Mama and papa were nowhere to be seen.  Amelia was sitting on the ground her hands in her face. “ what’s wrong Amelia.” “ everything sistora.”

She was wailing. Her eyes were blood red. “ mama and papa have been taken by the nazi’s.”

There was a frozen silence. Mama and papa. Gone forever. I felt like crying myself. No I must remain strong for Amelia. I must have hope. “ did mama and papa leave the tickets.” Amelia nodded and pointed to a cupboard. “ they also left instructions  in case this happened.” I quickly scanned through the papers written in a scribbly handwriting. Papa’s. 1. Get to barbed wire station 345. Amelia get ready. We are going to escape.

The night was cold and damp. I gave my blanket to Amelia. I was freezing. Still we kept walking to barbed wire station 345. When we reached it. I held Amelia back. She was stiff and frozen. 2. Knock on the brass door three times and say Warshaw. I held my breath as I knocked on the cold brass door three times. Then after a pause I said “ Warshaw.” as firmly as I could.

Out came the same black hooded person who dropped the letter. He fumbled for a key. Then he magically opened the barbed wire fence!!!! 3. Do as black hood says. Black hood said “ get in this wagon we must travel to the train station.”  So we sat on the hard wood of the wagon. Amelia was lying in my lap. I felt a urge to ask who black hood was but I didn’t.

Finally the wagon came to a stop. Black hood said in a raspy voice “ when you get the station a man will hold a number 1234567.” “ go to that man.” He will get you on the train.” “Wear these clothes so no one will suspect you.” “If they do say your names are Mia and Anne.” So the girls slipped into frocks and buckled shoes. They walked around the enormous train station. Then they saw a man with a sign saying 1234567. They walked over to him. He motioned the us to follow him. The man had brown hair. His eyes were small and his mouth was curved. It reminded me of someone. He led us to a black and red train. He said in a quiet voice “ girls when you get to Switzerland a woman will be holding a sign that says Mia and Anne follow that woman. She will care for you.”  Then he walked away. I guessed we were supposed to board the train. So I gave the tickets to a conductor. He said “ well look at you to girls traveling alone.” “ It says your name is Mia and Anne.” I nodded. “ well welcome aboard.”

The girls walked into the train. There were a lot of passengers there. We sat on the red and purple chairs. In a few moments the train started. Chug a chug, it went.  The train was a three seater. On the third stop of the train and old lady came and boarded. She said “ hello young ladies.” “ are you two traveling alone?” “ yes.” I said. I looked at the woman. She had a black dress and a purple hat.

We sat for a while. Then she asked “ are you two runaway jews?” My heart stopped. We were an inch close to freedom and was it going away? “ got a frozen tongue young lady.” “ you know how I guessed?” She didn't wait for a answer. “ your accent.” Then she pulled out a piece of paper from her handbag and on the

paper it says