In The Long Run

• Caitlyn Coutts-Smith, Grade 6, St Joseph's Primary School
• Short Story
• 2017

Excellence Award in the 'Write Here Write Now 2017' competition

In the long run, I thought the heinous wrath of the Nazis would remain. That's what everyone else spoke of. Thankfully, they did disperse in time. But not all
We were situated at Bergen-Belsen (not a death camp but a concentration camp) 1st September 1945. Iced landscape trying, but failing to distinguish the harsh, traumatic reality. A mass execution. Jeering, sobbing, intrusive hands impelling us forward, Nazis swearing. It was all too much. BANG... Silence. Desiccant, alienated acreage consumed me as I plummeted into a universe of ebony coloured isolation.
Feebly, I gently unfurled my paper-thin eyelids. Despite the fact that my body was failing from the lack of nutrition and the cruel tyranny of the Nazi soldiers. I bolted upright
Wide eyed, I witnessed the horrific amputation of a man's leg. I couldn't get the screaming out of my head, it surrounded me. OH NO! was in the camp infirmary! A wounded fellow came lurching towards me, his face concealed by a dozen bandages. I saw him wearing the Nazi swastika. My heart dropped
'Ha ha'. Disgruntled, as if he hadn't spoken in years the unwanted interloper lowered himself freely into a blood sodden chair. Before I could even respond, he thundered on, taking me by surprise the volume and strength of his voice now' Good morning, my name is Liam and I am the Sergeant of the American defence league here in Plica, what do you call yourself.' I stared at the Swastika 'it's alright it is only a joke he retorted offended. Hilarious, I mused, why would you talk to a Jew about that.
'I'm Alojzy... Alojzy Yanek,' I broke out weakly. It sounded so strange to hear my name for the first time for over six years, I thought I had forgotten it. 'Well Alojzy,' he spoke now in a much quieter voice 'everything is going to be all right'. For the first time in six years. Ever since Adolf Hitler and his 'Nazis' tore apart my life. I believed him.