I was on a path taken by many, though I wouldn’t be the last. My tracks would soon be erased by the next person. With an arm under each of my shoulders, I was being dragged along by two guards that I had no strength left to oppose.
The wind and snow hit the gashes sprawled across my body. The agony of the presence of what once comforted me was unbearable.
My saving grace was the frostbite that had long gotten to my limbs. All that was felt a dull throbbing that could even be described as pleasurable, compared to everything else.
My body had served me well; I had used everything it could give me to fight for their freedom. To make sure that they would live to see a better world.
Shira. Noa.
The mere thought of them soothed my pain. My only regret was that their last memory of me wasn’t one of jubilation and bliss.
I remembered their faces the moment they realised that I couldn’t come with them.
I always said they were too smart for their age.
Refusing to leave their father, their realisation almost jeopardised their escape.
But then again, I guess that’s on you isn't it? You always pushed them further.They didn’t want to lose me like we lost their mother. But in the end, I could do was kiss them and run away to divert the SS.
Sorrow crept onto me as tears of guilt began to form.
If only I had listened to you, the kids would be at school, me... in an office, and you... alive. The tears meandered down my face before falling to the ground, joining countless others.
Sarah.I was thrown into a line of men against a wall, with a firing squad aiming their rifles at us.
“Kneel and face the wall” barked one of them behind me.
I hit the pavement, my face scraping against the rocks and shards of broken glass. Then I raised my torso off the ground.
But at least they won’t pay for my mistake.I knelt, facing the wall.
They’re safe now.
The wind whirled around me, I lowered my head.
I’ve done my job. The sounds died down as I closed my eyes one final time. There I knelt, awaiting my reunion with Sarah.
~
“Rise”
Turning my head to the origin of the voice, I opened my eyes and saw an old man standing tall, refusing to bow down. In him, I saw a pride that I had lost.
Around me, I witnessed each prisoner refusing to lie down and die. The carnage may have surrounded them but they didn’t cower in the face of inhumanity. Instead of fear in their eyes; I saw a dignity that I had forgotten.
I remembered my worth and vowed not to close my eyes again.
So I rose up and also stood tall, with my people, and stared down the barrels pointed at us.
One last act of defiance.
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My submission for the Short Story Competition:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3991411I included the ' ~ ' used in my word count, which I'm happy to say is
500.