Lost, Alone but Free At Last

Run, get into the house, QUICK Hans Wenger shouted out to his family. They were being chased by the German Authorities. Not because they were criminals, but because they were Jews living in Nazi Germany, 1940. They had been hiding from the authorities for almost a year. Hans family consisted of his wife Anneliese and their three children Leila, 11, Leopold, 9 and Greta, 8, they meant everything to Hans and he would turn over his give life to keep them safe. Once the family were safe inside the basement of the old aband unmatchabled house Hans sit on the edge of an ancient, mouldy sofa. Greta jumped up onto his knee with an innocent smile on her face. Just the path Hans wish it, his children not knowing how unsafe they were.Daddy, why were those people trying to catch us? Are we in trouble? We always run away from them Daddy, why? Hans face fell, Greta knew something was wrong. It was what he feared the most, and he knew he had to explain somehow.Liebliag, you do know who Hitler is , yes? Hans olfactory sensationed at Greta, who was shaking her head, her little blonde curls bouncing, well Greta, he is the leader of Germany, which means he gets to decide everything that happens in the country. But, Hitler doesnt like Jews and he wants to make them all melt to certain areas and work for him. Hans dreaded his little girls reply, his heart thumping he waited while watching her mind at work and her little face screwed up in thought.Daddy, cant we stop being Jewish because then we provide be safe from Hitler and we wouldnt have to work for him Gretas face lit up as she verbalize it, as though she had just discovered electricity. Hans felt his tears well up as he watched his daughter, oblivious to life and danger.After the children were all en reason up safely in bed, aeternal sleep with the faint sound of snoring, Hans and Anneliese looked on lovingly from the corner of the basement.I would never be able to forgive myself if our children end up being sent to a death camp, there would be no chance of us surviving as a family, and Ive been mooting, and it pains me to secernate this, but we need to send them away to an opposite country. Theyre not safe here, and I cannot rest until I know that they are forever free from this danger. Hans was at a time again welling up, after saying it aloud, it memorisemed real as if he was going away to lose his children, a thought too painful for him to even think to the highest degree.Liebliag, I think youre right, they arent safe and they dont deserve to be put through the torture of a death camp, they arent physically or emotionally strong enough, I think we should send them to England, it volition be hard, but for the best. Anneliese by now was also fighting back the tears. Sat on the cold, hard floor arm in arm, rocking to and thro, both crying at the thought of the most painful respectablebyes waiting for them in the future.The next morning, Hans and Anneliese told their children the news. His heart pounding against his chest, Hans prepared to break the silence, his childrens excited faces flavor towards him.Dad can we attend school again? Leilas eyes glistening with hope that she was right and could be reunited with her education and friends.Can we go to the shops on our own? Theres a new chocolate bar that I really want to try. The sweet shop down the road is selling them Leopold asked excitement in his voice, as he was thinking about chocolate and outings to the sweet shop when he behaves well in school.Are we going to be sent to a modified part of Germany for the Jews, Daddy? I dont want to work for Hitler Eyes full to the brim with fear, Greta looked scared and vulnerable. She may have been the young personest, but she was definitely the most observing to her parents upset faces.Once again, Hans and Anneliese were sat arm in arm at the corner of the basement, looking at their childrens content faces, wondering what amazing dreams they were having about going on holiday for the first time. They were all excited when Hans broke the news, Anneliese sobbing next to him.Theyd given up the fight to stay away from them. But it wasnt good enough. They got caught. Now Anneliese and Hans were saying there last goodbyes to each other. Heartbreakingly painful, but it didnt matter. There hearts had already been shattered beyond repair, when they had to say goodbye to there children Leila, Leopold and Greta. Hans and Anneliese were about to board different cattle trains and when they got off, they knew that everything was going to change, and nothing would be the same. Death camps. Even the thought sent shivers up theyre spines. They knew that they would never square up each other again, which made it harder. But they got separated and pushed away from each other before they even had the chance to say goodbye.This is it thought Anneliese, Ill just fight for option, my children will see me again, theyre who matter. They deserve to be reunited with at l east one parent, but Hans is a fighter hell fight for survival too.After a year at Ravensbrck engrossment Camp for Women, Annelieses strength had been replaced with weakness. She was now a shy women too scared to talk to anybody after her one and only friend at the camp Klara, died, she was broken by machinery, as it happened the guards would let no one try and help. Anneliese had to do heavy labour work, from the break of dawn until the sunset at dusk. She got little sleep and ate just about nothing.All Anneliese could think about, no matter how hard she was working, was her children. So many questions were going through her mind. Had they all made the locomote to Newquay, Cornwall by themselves? Was Greta still observant to everything around her? Was Leila being educated again? Was Leopold looking after his sisters? Had they learnt English? She thought about how grown up her children would look now, the girls beautiful and her little man handsome, like his father. But every tim e they were pictured in her head, she fought that little bit more, edging closer and closer to survival and freedom.Four painful years later, Anneliese won her battle. She had survived and she was going to go back to her house. When she got there, she wished she hadnt. She was expecting there to be a few belongings in the basement shed lived in with her family for so long. But nothing. The walls were now jet black, ash on the floor and just a few remnants of what had been there before. It was obvious that someone had set come alive to the basement, most definitely the German Authorities, they knew Jews lived here. Anneliese was determined than ever to find her children in England.In England, Leila was sat indoors about to blow out the candles on the cake, it was her sixteenth birthday. There was no need for her to think of her wish. It had been the same wish for five years now and it wasnt going to change until it came true. I wish I could see my parents again. There, shed wished it once again. But Leila Wenger knew that if she wished hard enough then it would come true. After Leila had unwrapped her presents, she ran upstairs. She was able to read the letter that her mother had written before they leftover Germany.Leila Open on your 16th birthday and not a day beforeLiebliag, this is the hardest letter I have ever had to write, but its to explain why you havent had me and your father in your life for so long. We have sent you to England because it was the only place that you would be truly safe. After you leave the country, your father and I will be sent to a concentration camp. This is because of our religion and Hitler the leader doesnt think that Jews are worthy of living. Of course, we are, so never doubt your religion. I dont know if we will ever see each other again, so I have enclosed photos, one of the whole family, one of you, Leopold and Greta and one of your father and I. Never go away us, because we will always be with you. Happy Birthday Lie bliagIch liebe dich, dein MuttiAfter Leila had finished the letter she collapsed onto her bed in tears. She now knew that her wish would never come true, her parents were pulseless and she was the one that had to tell her little sister. How could she tell a 13 year old that her parents were dead? This wasnt going to be easy, she had to be subtle. This was definitely the worst birthday Leila had ever had and she wasnt happy about it. After an hour of crying into her pillow, Leila went downstairs as if everything was normal.Victoria, please may I go out for a manner of walking? Leila asked Victoria, the kind woman that took Leila and Greta in, and cared for them as if they were her own flesh and blood.Yes of course Leila, but be sure to be back within an hour Victoria never liked Leila or Greta being outside for more than an hour at a time, there were still people that hated Germans and anything could happen out there.Leila went to the park and sat on the swings, just gathering up h er thoughts and thinking about how to tell Greta about the letter. She supposed she ought to tell Victoria as well. It was such a poisonous day, and her wish is dead, on with her parents.As Leila made her way to the park gate she had no idea who else was in Newquay.The address said Beachfield Avenue, off Bank Street. Anneliese knew that she was close to seeing her children again. She just kept walking along Bank Street, past the bakers and a tasteful shoe shop. There, Anneliese stopped dead in her tracks. The sign on the side of the sweet shop had written on it Beachfield Avenue. Leopold must love living here, a sweet shop so near She was on a mission, and that was to find her children.She walked at a fast pace along the road counting the numbers as she went 1.. 3.. 5.. she had a little while until she got to 31. As she walked along the road she started preparing what to say. What if her children didnt recognise her? 27.. 29.. 31.. This was it. She was just about to walk up the st eps to the front door when she turned around. There behind her was a pretty young girl, couldnt be any more than 16, blonde hair, green eyes.Excuse me.. but you, wouldnt happen to know if.. three children lived here? Anneliese had never felt so nauseating in her life, what if this was the wrong address. Two girls and a boy?Im sorry, but do you mean Leila, Leopold and Greta? The mysterious girl was looking at Anneliese with interest, she had a German emphasis and there werent any of those around here.Yes Yes Those are the children Im looking for Do you know where they are? Anneliese was now so excited she couldnt help smiling, for first time in years and instantly Anneliese knew everything would be OK.I do know exactly where all three are, but please what is your name?My name? Well, its Anneliese Wenger. Why?Its me Mutti, Leila. I read your letter only 2 hours ago, I thought you were dead Leila was so happy, excited and joyful. She knew that if she wished hard enough it would come true. Her mother had come all this way to find them.Please Mutti, come inside and meet Victoria, shes the lady thats been looking after us and Greta, shell be so happy to see you She always dialogue about you and father Leila was so excited about introducing her mother to Victoria.After a long day Anneliese, Leila, Greta and Victoria sat squashed on one sofa. Greta on her mothers lap, Leila clinging onto her arm and Victoria on the other side of Anneliese, the two of them talking like sisters. The mo was almost perfect. The only thing wrong with the moment was Anneliese had lost a husband and a son, while her children had lost a father and a brother.Hans Wenger died in 1943 at Auschwitz Concentration CampLeopold Wenger died in 1940 during the journey to England due to poor hygiene