THE LIST

CHAPTER FIVE

 It was like living in another world, where the wrong people were left in charge, and they turned everything bad. It was dystopian and frightening. And survival wasn't always achievable. They'd taken away freedom and life. They acted as God and decided when someone should die. Things were hard to come by and basic human needs weren't met – water, food, clothing, sleep, hygiene, and medical care. Having had freedom and a choice before, they no longer had that. Their lives were in the enemies' hands. Nora's life was in their hands. Inside the large factory, she worked hard to stay alive. The stress Nora felt day to day was overbearing and had some serious side effects on her health. The enemy watched their workers, their eyes constantly watching. With guns, whips, and other measures of punishment, it was second nature for the workers to feel constant fear. It's what haunted Nora's mind while she slept. Those moments of the utmost terror and trauma raced through her head like a horror movie each night. During the waking hours, it almost didn't feel real for Nora because how could that have been her life...

Staring up at the dark ceiling, Nora wanted to scream and cry out for her mother. It was the end of another nightmare and the start of her nighttime problem. Nora remembered as a small child, when her mother would clean Nora up, hold her, and soothe her back to sleep. Nora missed her mother, every day she missed her. Life hadn't been easy for either of them, but they always had each other. Nora could count on her mother's love and comfort, always. Her mother had a kind heart, she was an angel. Nora felt tears reach her eyes. When she blinked, a few rolled down her cheeks. Nora felt gratitude toward Easy Company and Colonel Sink, they offered her a spot in the Regiment and gave her a rank to keep her safe. But she missed her mother...

Wiping her eyes, Nora sat up and pulled the blanket off her body. Swinging her legs around, Nora sat on the edge of her bed and thought about what she was going to do. She had no other clothes to change into, the best Nora could do was change her sheet and blanket. Running her hands down her face, Nora rose to her feet and began quietly stripping her bed...

However, she soon heard quiet footsteps approaching. Dropping her bedding, Nora turned around and saw a tall figure walking toward her. Through the darkness, Nora could just make out Winters's light hair. Like a deer caught in the headlights, the girl froze. When Winters was standing in front of Nora, it didn't take him very long to figure out what had happened. And he didn't look angry or disgusted, he smiled softly at Nora. Winters brought a sense of safety and comfort. He wasn't going to yell at Nora for something she couldn't control. He only wanted to help. And at his soft smile, Nora unfroze, and her shoulders dropped.

"God, sir...". She whispered. "I'm so sorry, sir".

Winters placed his hand atop Nora's shoulder. "Don't be sorry, Nora". His voice was gentle and warm. "It's going to be okay".

His reassuring words caused tears to refill Nora's eyes. Those were words she had been needing to hear for quite a while now; 'it's going to be okay'. Winters gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. Nora swallowed the lump lodged in her throat and stared up at the Lieutenant. She felt saved, she felt safe – safe wasn't a feeling Nora was used to. Her mother made Nora feel safe, even after the most horrible things had happened...her mother was always there to pick up the pieces and put her daughter back together again. And Nora was lucky, because it wasn't just her mother who offered her comfort and safety...

"Let's get you cleaned up". Winters said, "Then how about something warm to drink?"

Nora drew out a shaky breath and gave Winters a faint nod. God, he truly was a great man. And with his hand still on Nora's shoulder, Winters led them out of their room. He located dry clothes for Nora to wear while she dumped her wet sheet and blanket into a basket to get washed. Once the bed was made, the pair headed down into the kitchen, where Winters warmed up some milk in a pot on the stove. Nora sat on a chair at a small, circular table and watched Winters mix honey into the milk.