back to The Library

Thank You, Erika

 

Page PreviousPage 10

Finally, they let us out. And immediately, I'd wished I'd stayed in the train. I'd herd of the camps, but I didn't want to believe they actually existed. I don't know what the name of this camp is, I don't even know where we are, maybe we're still in Poland, or we could be in Germany for all I know. All I know is that, as I look at these high, menacing walls, I can tell. I just know. This is where I'm going to die. But, I can't let little Tamra know this. That is why I have put on this happy, playful mood to ease her fear. After we had entered the camp, they separated male and female, taking aside the elderly and sick. I suspected that they were going to get some help, and almost decided on going myself, the wound in my leg needing a bandage. But I couldn't leave Tamra. So I stayed. They led the special group aside, filing them in a straight line. There was much bustling as they did this. I was curious as to just what they were going to do. Then the soldiers were ordered to step back. Where are the doctors? I thought. They then took aim and fired. The people fell. I covered Tamra's eyes. She was screaming. After shoving the bodies, dead and half-alive, into a long pit, they covered them with soil, stamping it down with their black boots. The dirt still moved, cracked as

Next PagePage 11

those still alive tried to escape their grave. How sick. All of a sudden that unbearable hunger that stabbed like a knife subsided and I found it hard to breathe. Heartless Nazis!! I can't believe it!! Why?! Why do you do this to us!? What could we have possibly done to you?! I want my Daddy back! What have you done to my Mama?! How dare you just come along and ruin my life!? How dare you!? I-I'm sorry for my outburst. I should go on with what happened.
They gave us each a bowl and a sort of striped dress with wooden shoes. They filed us off into some barracks and said something about getting dressed. So we did. Tamra and I share a bunk, well, more like a bare wooden box with a soiled mat for a bed. All the girls were crying. They kept saying there was no hope left. That they wanted to just end it before the worst of it started. I couldn't stand it. I stood and spoke out to all my Jewish sisters in that little room: "Listen! Listen closely! And tell me, what would God say if He were to see you now? Tell me! Why does he do this to us? Well? I'll tell you why! Because He knows, He knows we can live through this! He trusts us to trust in Him, to never lose hope, and never stop believing. So, now when I hear you, talking about giving up now, you sicken me.