Survivor

gliding over the rough water. The boat eventually went fast enough that the waves stopped catching up to it and the aft deck became peaceful and a lot drier. Dry enough, in fact, for Alani to enjoy the feelings of triumph, success, and perseverance while sitting and watching a beautiful southern ocean sunset.

~ Susanna Lowell

Survivor

Walk. Just walk. That is what I repeated to myself over and over. If I didn’t, I feared I would endanger them. My little town was covered in Hitler’s Teufel1. I remember when I first saw him on the little bunny ear TV, my parents adored him. And the worst thing is that I did too. “Was machst du, kleines Mädchen2?” “I-I-ch gehe ein-n-n-fach nach Hau-au-se!3” My worst nightmare, a Nazi was going to find out! They were all going to die! This is my Native Language! Why did I stutter! They’re all going to die! It’s all my fault!!!

“Mach dir keine Sorgen, du bist sicher, kleines deutsches Mädchen. 4” It was easy for him to say. I looked pure at first glance in their eyes. I hated it. The way they saw people. But arguing wasn’t a good idea right now. “Auf Wiedersehen5.” Just keep walking, keep your head down. I remember in September, maybe five to six years ago, Hitler attacked Poland. He had promised Deutschland would get what it deserved. That we would be brought to the glory days. We did not think he entailed war. My parents knew we had to get out of here. We traveled to the ferry. We were not the only ones with the same idea. “Wir sind dast da, Liebling6, soon we will be in America,” my Papa said. There was lots of rushing, I remember, I was holding my Mama’s hand. And then, I wasn’t. Minutes later the ferry left. And my parents left with it. I saw them with shocked and scared eyes. On top of the ferry, too far even to hear what they had to say. I just stood there. Feeling wet in my eye. That was the first time I felt alone. That day, I had gone back home. It was the only thing I could think of. What’s a girl who doesn’t trust authorities going to do?

I was alone for a while. In the little apartment building where I had once felt safe. I heard shuffling outside. A note laid on the ground. Westbrücke 14 Uhr7 . I actually went. It may had been dumb, but I was young. Under the bridge, there was a small fire, barely visible. Around four or five people sat close to this small flame. Then one of the women beckoned something. Four children, black hair, dirt covered faces, old clothes. The next thing I did was quite blöd8. In truth, I was a bit freaked out. I had stumbled back and fallen down. “Ist jemand da9?” said the woman that had beckoned the children. I came out slowly. “Bitte sei nicht böse10. I found a note saying to come here.” “Das ist das Mädchen, über das ich gesprochen habe11. She got left behind. She’s the one that was zurückgelassen12. She can help us fight Hitler.” The voice had been my neighbor. Soon, to be my commander. Not too long after I joined the resistance, and was brought to this little town. Where I was assigned to the house with the little blue door. You would not know that there was a cellar door in the living room. It was

1 devils 2 What are you doing, little girl? 3 I’m going home. 4 Don’t worry. You are safe, little German girl. 5 Goodbye. 6 Almost there, darling. 7 West Bridge 2 p.m. 8 Stupid 9 Is someone there? 10 Please don’t be angry. 11 This is the girl I was talking about. 12 left behind

where they would stay. Away from the Nazis. Wilhelm, Frieda, Anna, Hans, Marta, Karl, Lora I was their protector. “Just survive, If you do, they do.” Those were the words my commander told me. I have hung on to them. Those words have made every choice for me. I chose to live for them. Sie waren die Priorität13 . “Die Amerikaner greifen an! FEUER!14” Gun fire. Der Krieg ist in meine Stadt gekommen!15 I ran. I had to get there. Men and boys were running with their guns. Panicked mothers calling for their children. Tanks rolling pointing their blasters. Get to the blue door! Get to the blue door! I felt a sudden tug. A man in green of all shades grabbed my arm. “Calm down!” He yelped as I turned around, he looked scared, but brave and concerned at the same

time.

I stamped on his foot. Hard. He let go and I bolted towards the house. I regretted it but I had a mission. You have to get there. Before the bombs do. Before one of them gets hurt. I swung the door open. Tapped the floor six times and knocked the wall two. Fourteen feet ran out of the cellar. They were all safe. But we had to move.

“What’s wrong?” That was Anne. “Are we in trouble?”little Karl. “Hast du Essen mitgebracht16?” Hans. “Not the time to ask tha-,” Wihelm “We have to get out of here. The town is under attack.” I said as I tried to hide the panic in my voice. The seven heads all of a sudden looked up. Some had gone white; others smiled. “Guess what kiddos. The Allies won.” 2 years after the end of World War II It had been eight years since I had seen my parents. The children that had been in that cellar had gone off to be with their families, but Anne and Karl were by my side. That day two years ago, the Nazis lost and Hitler shot himself in the head. We had been brought to a military base and asked our family’s names. Because Anne and Karl’s parents had died in the war, they stuck with me. We were each other’s families. I was nervous, last time we saw each other, we did not end on good terms. And I feared that they would not want to see me. They were 15 minutes late. “Hey, you ok?” whispered Anne. “Oh you know, Nerven.17” “ Your parents live two miles away without a Wage- er.. I mean car.” Karl had been trying to practice his English for America. “Entschuldigung, Entschuldigung.18” First I heard them. Then I saw them, much older. My Papa had earned himself some gray hairs. My Mama had beaten Papa, though ,with her waves of gray. Little Karl looked at me and whispered something about “getting ready.” “OVER HERE!!! IHRE TOCHTER HIER DRUEBEN19 !!!” Karl was screaming at the top of his lungs. Oh brother, a smile crossed my face. My Mama and Papa turned around and looked at me. I could feel myself crying, but different than the day we parted. My Papa and Mama ran towards me. I let go of Anne and Karl’s hands and ran towards them. Das Ende

~Elizabeth Jazo

13 They were the priority. 14 The Americans are attacking! Fire! 15 The war has come to my city! 16 Did you bring food? 17 Nerves 18 Excuse me, excuse me. 42 19 Your daughter is over here!