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The Last Train, by Mary Wallace

27/2/2021

 
TRAVEL
Standing behind the long lines of people waiting with their belongings, I watch each train leave. I love trains, I have a toy one that Uncle Karl gave me for my 5th birthday.

I'm hiding from the men in uniforms; I'm supposed to be at the park and I will get into trouble if the nurse tells my father that I ran away. My father wears a uniform too; his uniform has lots of gold buttons and four gold bars.

At first there is too much noise. Noise from the trains and from the people yelling to each other. I hide behind a post with my hands covering my ears. Nobody notices me.

It's quieter as the last train arrives. The people begin getting on board and I turn to go back home. A uniform man sees me and starts pulling me towards the train. I tell him I need to go but he pushes me on board. He calls me a dirty name. Wait until I tell Father. Father is an important person; I know because he told me.

None of the people on the train want to know that my name is Stefan, or that my dad is an important person, they don't see to care.

One boy does talk to me, he says the train is going to a place called Auschwitz. I hope my dad knows where that is
Doug
28/2/2021 01:15:24 am

A sad story but very well done Mary. I was afraid it was going there.

Sue Clayton
28/2/2021 01:16:19 am

It is important that these types of stories can still resonate so that we never forget the atrocities of the death camps. Well told, Mary.

Andrew Carter
28/2/2021 03:24:57 am

The innocence of the last sentence strongly contrasts the nature of the final word 'Auschwitz' of the preceding sentence.

Padmini Krishnan
28/2/2021 04:14:04 am

Very powerful, Mary

Mary Wallace
28/2/2021 04:44:04 am

Thanks for your comments everyone. I just wondered what it would be like to be in the wrong place. Imagine the repercussions for everyone, including and especially the guards.

Sandra James
28/2/2021 05:00:42 am

Very well done, Mary! You do history so well and I was there on that platform - willing him to run before it was too late, of course. Very sad but, unfortunately, very realistic.

marjan sierhuis
28/2/2021 05:21:56 pm

A story that packs a powerful punch.

Krystyna
28/2/2021 11:26:57 pm

A poignant take on one of the darkest histories of our planet. Exceptional writing, Mary.

Jim link
1/3/2021 05:36:19 am

Wow - a reminder in a unique fashion of how horrible we can be as humans. This really hits hard.

Nice
Jim

Bob Ellis
2/3/2021 02:03:23 pm

An important story, nicely told. Have you read Michael Chambon's The Final Solution?

Mary Wallace
4/3/2021 05:40:18 am

No Bob, must hunt it out. Thanks for reading.

Swapan k Banerjee
3/3/2021 04:12:00 pm

The beauty of your writing, Mary, lies in the fact that although you're a master wordsmith, you never try to show off; or try to impress anyone in any way. You showcase complex emotions in precise and pithy prose, and the impact is instant and long-lasting at once. Your voice in everything you write is very unique.

Mary Wallace
4/3/2021 05:41:42 am

What a wonderful insightful comment Swapan. Thankyou so much.

Cindy Patrick
4/3/2021 09:36:54 pm

You have revealed innocence within the evil of humankind. Truly heartbreaking because we are with you in the mind of the child. Well done, indeed.


Comments are closed.

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