The Wolf Ballet || WW2

14. The Wolf Ballet

Chapter Fourteen

The frigid air was hellish as the night carried through. Geizla had noticed that a few storm clouds had begun to cower over the lost city, as well as the fog that lifted over the streets. Looking back at Ophelia who had fallen asleep soon after cleaning her wound, Geizla's chest drained with worry. Ophelia got shot, meaning a German had taken notice of her.

Luckily, it seems Ophelia followed her advice and kept her nationality secret. Otherwise, Giezla had no doubt she would have been taken as a war prisoner.

Giezla knew she had to work fast if she wanted to get Ophelia back home.

Having been the cause that led her astray from her family, Geilza felt it was only right to ensure that at least one of her girls made it home. Though, that was of course always the plan. To get them out of the city. If she hadn't been plucked off the street by the Gestapo that evening she arranged for them to meet at the Blue Garden; Ophelia probably would have been halfway through Germany by now.

She didn't intend on leaving Ophelia and Olga to find their way. She had arranged a way out—through an old friend. Of course, that friend is probably long gone from Warsaw by now. 

Bal hadn't expected Ophelia to find her way back to her. It's a shame she lost Olga on the way, and her heart, is heavy, at the thought of the poor girl who's family surely awaits her in Austria.

Nevertheless, Ophelia was alive—and having been entrusted by her father to watch over her, Geizla found it was her obligated duty to return her. It was the least she could do, as she feared she would not withstand the war. Not when her people were so greatly, and unjustifiably, abhorred.

Having left soon after breakfast, with Zosia—it took her all day, but she managed to find an old address for his residency in Berlin. The Germans at the letter office wouldn't allow her message to be mailed without an official stamp, which of course was not warranted to any Jew living in the ghetto. Still, Bal found a way, and with a little forging and compliance from the woman at the front desk, she managed to sneak the message by. Of course, Geizla now only hoped the letter would reach Ivan in time. She knew their time in the ghetto was only temporary. The Nazis were levitating their urges with their spontaneous killings on the streets, but that would only satisfy them for so long.

She spoke of Zosia in the letter as well, but she would never expect to put Ivan in a direful position. Unlike Ophelia, Zosia was much like her, a pure Polish girl. The Nazis would never believe she was Aryan, but Ophelia...

Taking a closer look at the blonde rain of hair that fell over the stiff cushioning of the couch. With the peachy complexion and long blonde lashes, Geizla knew that the Baudelaire girl could fool them.

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"OPHELIA, quickly—let's GO!"

Shaken by the strong tossing of Madame Bal, Ophelia shot up from her place on the couch, confounded and spooked. Covering her ears, she looked around with wide eyes. Debris off the brick walls exploded as sirens filled the air. The sound of banging and explosions filled her heart with dread.

Utter chaos filled the building as everyone rushed to evacuate the crumbling buildings. Grabbing her shoes and her coat, Ophelia filled Zosia and Madame out into the crowded halls of the apartment. People pushed and screamed as German soldiers broke down doors and pointed their guns.

"OUT! GET UP YOU SLIMES!" They yelled into the hall. Ophelia held onto Zosia as Madame pushed them through down the stairs. Once in the front, Ophelia was startled but the heavy sensation of the downpour. Shielding Zosia with her large coat, Ophelia tried to catch clarity on what was happening. Madame, who also seemed confused, tried asking for her answers by approaching a nearby German but was quickly shoved away—falling deep into the mud. Zosia cried whilst Ophelia ran to help her up.

"Madame!" She exclaimed, "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" She tried to speak, but the rain was too heavy—too loud.

Grabbing both of their hands, Ophelia led them through the frenzy of drenched and panicked people. Ophelia felt her balance sway as a building nearby came to an eruption. Window shards, disguised as rain, fell over the people of Krakow as Nazi men tossed grenades into the windows, not caring if there was anyone inside.
Together, the three tried to find a way out of the main streets but were met with wired fences and barricades. The German Gestapo stood by the wooden planks with arms at the ready.

"THEY'RE LURING US TO THE TRAINS!" Zosia screamed, trying her best to protect her little voice over the chaos. "LOOK!"

Following the direction of her puny index, the breath in Ophelia's lungs clogged. Looking at Madame, it was clear to both of them where they were predestined to go. Geizla, who held back her tears hugged both Zosia and Ophelia, kissing each girl on the head.

"LETS NOT THINK TO DARKLY YET, WE WILL GO TOGETHER!" She yelled, fear plastered over all of them. It was Madame's final attempt to assure the girls that they would be alright, but Ophelia knew better. A feeling in her stomach just couldn't trust that they would all be okay. Tears hidden beneath the water that fell from the gloomy heaven, she nodded and smiled, forcing hope.

Even Zosia who they tried to keep oblivious to the dangers that came with following the tracks, was not crying. Hearing women and children cry as they were tossed and forced on the carts. How could she not sense danger?

Linking fingers, Madame led the girls down to the tracks. The crowd of people fighting through the rain was enough to cause a massive domino effect of people slipping on the iron rails.

Ophelia helped Madame up, before handing her Zosia. She winced as an arm pressed against her gun wound but carried on by hopping onto the train.

Grabbing hold of Madame's hand, she was hoisted up,

"MY SWEET GIRL, I'M SORRY I TOOK YOU AWAY!"

Madame yelled over the disarray, unaware that Ophelia hadn't been able to clearly understand what she had said. Distracted by the sudden outburst of gunfire, she looked behind her as bodies began to fall against the edge of the train. Screams erupted and Ophelia stared stunned.

Those wounded rushed into the train as the Nazis resorted to their means of hurrying the process. Ophelia found herself knocked into several bodies as suddenly there was no more room and before she knew it, the door of the train cart closed.

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Author Note:

Thank you for reading this far along. Writing a piece this significant to the history of not just myself, but to the world has never been easy. I don't think I've cried this hard whilst writing, it's never easy—especially when you've looked so far into the true events and all the suffering of such innocent people. Of course, my story is merely a fictional adaption to these horrific experiences, but it's like a reflection of what I know many of those affected had to endure.

The next following chapters will include sensitive and illicit descriptions revolving around one of the camps. A fair warning to those who don't wish to read such adaptations. You can skip or even cease reading. It will be posted tomorrow morning.

Once again, my story is not based on actual people. It is not intended to cause any harm or offense to anyone.

Thank you.

S Noire