Adina

Chapter 1

Bretagne et la France en guerre avec l'Allegmane!

Headlines all over Paris scream this news.

I read it over my father's shoulder when he picked up the paper at breakfast. He swatted me away playfully, but I continued to read. Papa thinks it's dangerous for me to know as much about politics as I do. I read a lot, trying to learn more. I love to read. Newspapers, magazines, advertisements. Anything I can get my hands on.  It serves me well sometimes. Like when my teachers ask questions about modern events, I can always answer them.  

Britain and France at War With Germany!

The news is still sinking in. War. As in guns, death, tragedy. 

War. 

Now the men will leave; running away from their lives to chase delusions of heroism. 

War. 

Adlai. I think. Don't leave. 

Adlai looks at me from across the table. Reading my mind he says, "Don't worry Adi. I'm staying right here."

And I thought we all would. 

Then the Nazis came.

Storming into my city, Paris, taking over everything with their loud voices and guttural language. I hate the sound of the German language. 

                                                                        A Week Later

Boom! Boom! Boom! 

The pounding on the door woke us. 

"Open this door or we shoot it!" yelled Germans in their accented French. 

"Coming! Coming!" yelled Papa, rushing to the door. I heard his feet thumping on the floor. I slid out of bed and opened my door a tiny bit to see. When Papa opened the door, I saw two men in the doorway with guns. All dressed in dark colors. With the Nazi armband. I began to shake. 

"How may I help you gentle-!" Papa began before he was slammed to the ground by the officer. 

"Wake your family and tell them to pack their things. You have 15 minutes." said the officer. 

Papa knew better than to protest. He came to Adlai's room first, then to mine. His face looked so tired. I was scared. 

"A coat, warm dresses, stockings." was all he said to me. Papa walked back to his room to wake Mama. I heard her voice, muffles by the walls.

I dashed to my closet and grabbed my suitcase from the floor. I snatched up my winter dresses and my thick stockings. My favorite winter coat and boots. My hat. I also took my quilt. 

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. I think to myself. I fol my things and pack my bag. I head to the front of the house. Adlai is already packed. He looks at me and I see my own terror reflected. Mama and Papa finish packing and we are loaded in a truck filled with other families.