Love in the World of War

Amira Batin was staring out the window watching the snowfall the first time she saw him. The flurry of snow blurred him but the crisp clean-cut suit and black mustache still stood out, not to mention the strong confident stride in his walk. Amira was fascinated she watched his every move. Suddenly he turned and looked straight at her. Amira ducked but it was too late. His gloved hand pointed imperiously at her window. Suddenly four soldiers rushed forward.

"Move, dirty Jew!" a tall thickly haired man yelled.

Amira was hauling water buckets to and from the bunkhouse. Although they only need four buckets Amira was hauling twenty in and twenty out. A girl who looked to be about ten was doing the same. The tall man took his belt and began lashing her on the back. This made Amira (now 16) extremely angry, but due to the circumstances she put her head down and trudged on. She had hope left and she was not about to blow it by talking back to an officer.

She finally arrived at the bunkhouse and rushed inside. All she had to wear was a pillowcase and a rope to keep it held up. In the dead of winter, it was a definite burden.  The bunkhouse had no heating so it was not much better but the protection from the wind was greatly appreciated. When she entered she heard Adama speaking in Hebrew to Mila.

"What are you guys talking about?" Amira whispered, "we aren't supposed to speak to each other."

The pair just kept whispering. Out of nowhere, the door flew open and there he stood. The most handsome man Amira had ever seen. He had pale white skin, short dirty blonde hair, and ice-blue eyes. Oh, his eyes were astonishing.

"I heard someone speak." The man said, but upon closer inspection, he wasn't a man at all. He was a young boy possibly about Amira's age. He looked so mature, no doubt hardened by the discipline of being a soldier.

"Answer me you disgusting pigs!" He spoke again this time his voice wavering slightly.

"Yes sir, we spoke but only because Mila asked to visit the infirmary," Amira replied coolly, "she is having extreme cramps in her abdomen."

Mila suddenly clutched her stomach and put on a look of pain.

"She should have come and found me, you idiots. I could have helped." The young officer spat. "Come on Mila, was it? I'll take you."

"Thank you, sir," Mila said as she marched out the door.

Later that night Mila was escorted back to the bunkhouse by the same officer. 

"Mila are you alright?" Adama jumped up to see if she was all right.

"Sit back down. You disgust me." The officer scowled. Adama sat down tentatively.

"I'm ok DD," Mila said in a hoarse voice.

Amira could see Adama breathe a sigh of relief.

"Alright, you miscreants all of you in bed but that one." He was pointing straight at Amira.

Amira stood and put her head down. Never in her year at the ghetto had she looked a guard in the eye. The young guard grabbed her wrist and pulled her out the door. Amira could hear bombs and screams in the distance. She could smell the dirty cow-like smell of people living in close quarters. She watched as Jews, her people being marched in and out of gates. Finally, the guard spoke, wrenching her from her thoughts.

"Who are you?" the boy said with a kind tone.

"Amira Batin sir," Amira said, still neglecting to look the man in the eye.

"Please call me Elias," he said, putting his hand on her arm.

For the first time in 13 months, 10 days and 7 hours Amira looked a German in the eye.

"Elias, then," Amira said, smiling slightly. "So why did you want me, Elias, sir?" Amira was still skeptical.

 So many questions were racing through her head, Who is this man, is he taking me to the furnace, is he a spy?

"You are so beautiful, why are you so beautiful?" Elias said dreamily.

"Are you serious? I mean I am not beautiful." Amira said bracing herself for punishment. Amira had darker colored skin, rosy lips, and hazel eyes. Her black hair was waist length and she was covered in grime from the ghetto. Who would think she, compared to a beautiful blonde Polish woman, was beautiful?

"Well, I believe if a rose didn't have thorn there would be no roses left everyone would pick them all." He said drawing a finger down her cheek.

"That's beautiful, what does it mean?" Amira said feeling the warm finger stop as it reached her chin.

"It means if you weren't Jewish, if you weren't dirty, some other man would have scooped you up and I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet you," Elias said moving in closer to her. Amira could smell his fancy cologne. The sweet scent of berries covered in sweet dew in the morning. She hadn't smelled that sweet, sweet smell in so long. Elias leaned into her, his lips centimeters from hers.

"Elias," Amira said, stepping back. "I don't know who you are, but I know you’re German and I know I'm Jewish. We can't do this, we met minutes ago."

Elias stepped back as well, "Oh, well I'm sorry you feel that way, I believe in love at first sight and I'm one hundred percent sure I just experienced it. Goodbye Amira Batin, the most beautiful woman in the world."

Elias brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. Amira put her hand on his and guided it away from her face. Elias stepped back and then turned and walked away. After watching for only a moment he had disappeared into the dark gloom that was the ghetto. Amira turned and walked back into the bunkhouse to find Adama and Mila hugging and crying in the corner. Finally, after Adama and Mila had quiet and all the other occupants of the bunks were asleep Amira was able to close her eyes and think. So many questions rushed through her head, just like the Gold Dagger River used to in Poland.

Before she knew it, the morning sirens blurred out through the ghetto and guards were bursting through the doors of the bunkhouse.

"GET UP YOU DISREGARDED PIECES OF TRASH!" screamed the same man with the dark hair from the day before. All the women in the bunks jumped up. Everyone stood looking down at the floor.

"I need the numbers 11234, 11345, 45679, and 12340!" The man hollered. Four women stepped forward and formed into a line. Among them was Mila. Everyone but Adama breathed a sigh of relief after the numbers were called. Adama had a silent but very noticeable tear running down her face.

"March you pigs!" the man said his face was reddening. The four women kept in step and marched out the door.

Later that evening after the hard grueling day all the women lay in their bunks. Amira could hear Adama crying below her. Suddenly the door to the bunkhouse creaked open and Elias stepped in.

"Number 13456 follow me now you disgusting Jew.!" Elias bellowed. Many women jumped out of bed and stood at attention.

"Yes sir," Amira said quietly, trying to hide her smile. She climbed down from her bunk and walked sullenly across the floor. Once again Elias grabbed her wrist and led her out the door. This time they didn't step outside the bunkhouse. Elias led her around back and towards the gate. Wow, this is it she thought. He is going to kill me.

"Stay quiet and pretend like you know what is happening." Elias suddenly whispered.  To anyone who wasn't looking at the nod, Amira gave Elias would have been invisible.

The walk through the ghetto to heaven knows where was minutes but felt like centuries. Amira walked with her head down and Elias's warm comfortable grip on her wrist. Finally, the pair came to a halt. Stealthily Amira looked up and saw she was facing a massive steel gate. They were at the entrance of the ghetto.

"Elias?" Amira whispered.

"Shhh" came from Elias's soft voice.

"You Dirty Disgusting Jew!" Elias suddenly yelled. "Let’s go today you meet your demise! Move it pig!"

Elias's grip tightened as he thrust Amira through the gate in front of him. Amira couldn't remember the last time she had seen the outside world. Or smelled air that wasn't peppered with the scent of death and decay. The trees out here weren't black from soot. They were frost-covered and had delicate lace-like ice hanging from all of their limbs. For the first time in a year, Amira felt a snowflake land on her nose.  Amira giggled at the sudden tingle of cold on her nose.

"You have the cutest giggle," Elias chuckled.

Amira looked at him. Maybe Elias could be her object of affection. She knew that she was his. That's when she realized she must have looked like a drunken idiot. She could feel the smile spreading miles wide crossed her face.

"Let's get into the forest," Elias said looking behind him.

The two walked on and on further into the forest each hour before the pair sat down for a break. Dawn was starting to grow in the east. The brilliant oranges and pinks swirling together to make a moving growing by the second piece of art. That's when they heard the sirens. The wiring ear-splitting shriek of the alert sirens.

"Oh no...Oh no...OH NO!" Amira shrieked almost as high pitched as the siren. "They know, they know, we are going to die." she suddenly turned on Elias. "This is all your fault. I would have stayed there until I died. When I died I would have finally been happy."

"We will be fine, we are almost there, just keep going," Elias said surprisingly calmly.

Amira was too frantic to question where they were going. Elias stood from the stump he was sitting on and took off at a brisk pace. Amira matched his pace and the pair walked side by side into the woods into an unknown destiny.

"Finally" Elias huffed.

"hmm?" Amira answered.

"We are here," Elias said pointing north. "Come on."

Elias slipped his hand into Amira's. Amira flinched and pulled her hand out of his. She then felt bad at the disappointed frown on Elias's handsome, handsome face. With slight hesitation, she took his hand in hers and the pair shared a lustrous look.

"Come on," Elias said leading her in the direction he had pointed to moments before.

They walked through a thicket of trees and emerged into a small clearing. The most beautiful clearing Amira had ever seen.

A soft "wow" managed to escape her lips.

A small, squat little wooden cabin sat in the middle. In the distance, Amira could see a wide lake spreading miles crossed.

"Let’s go inside it's getting cold," Elias said putting his arm around her. This was still very awkward. He was a GERMAN soldier. He was part of the army that had taken her from her home, killed her family, and brought so much pain to her people, but he loved her. At Least she thought he loved her.

The inside of the cabin was plain but perfect. There was a small little baking oven, a fireplace, and one bed.

"There is only one bed where I should sleep?" Amira questioned.

"With me of course." Elias said, "But if you don't feel comfortable I can sleep on the floor."

"No..." Amira answered, "It's perfect."

The two shared a smile, lit a fire, and fell asleep side by side.

Boom, Clank, Boom, Clack, Elias, and Amira awoke to a commotion outside.

"Stay here..." Elias told Amira.

"Be careful," Amira said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Elias slid out of the bed and walked over to his uniform he had worn the day before. He picked something up from the pile of clothes. Amira didn't see what it was but could take a good guess. Elias walked over to the door and looked back at Amira. Putting a finger to his lips he opened the door and stepped out into the bone-chilling night.

Meanwhile, Amira could still hear the noise. It seemed to reverberate off of the walls. She couldn't stand it. She had to do something. Amira slid silently off the bed and walked to the window that faced the lake. Amira looked out into the night to see the most horrifying scene in history. Ten or so german soldiers surrounded the cabin. She could see Elias laying on the ground in front of them. Amira ran from the cabin. Although he was a german Amira was mostly sure now that they truly were in love.

"Ahhhh...The snake finally rears its ugly head." One of the soldiers sneered. All of the men laughed.

Amira dropped to her knees beside Elias. He had a stream of blood trickling from his temple. He was still breathing but most definitely unconscious.

"I'll come with you if you just leave him be. Please..." Amira cried.

This only made the men laugh harder.

"Oh, no ugly pig you're both going to die." The soldier stated. "Better say your goodbyes you piece of scum."

"Elias...Elias?" Amira whispered frantically.

"Go.." Came an almost inaudible whisper. "Go to the lake."

"No...No..I'm not leaving you alone." Amira sobbed.

"Yes, you are. Please Go to America...go to Virginia...ask for Emilia Fisher...She is my sister...stay with her I swear I will find you." Elias said between breaths. He began to sit up but Amira pushed him down. Elias swatted her hand away and got to a kneeling position. He pulled Amira in and kissed her. They first kissed and they were doomed for it would be their last. Elias stood and walked over to the men.

"Hello, you trader piece of crap." Said the same sneering man.

Elias said nothing, but he cocked his fist and let it fly. The man stood stunned for a second before punching him back. Then all of the men joined in as Amira stood petrified at the sight before her.

From under the pile of squirming angry men she heard Elias Scream "Run!"

Amira took off at a full sprint. Tears flew from her eyes as the cold winter air bit at her face. She could hear someone following her whether it was one man or all of them she didn't know all she knew to do was run to the lake, she was running towards a chance at freedom.

Finally, she reached the lake. It must have been miles in length and width. It seemed to be frozen solid, but she could never be quite sure. She heard the men crashing through the forest behind her. She had no choice but to go to America. For Elias, she thought. Closing her eyes she stepped tentatively onto the ice.