Despite being in War

Part II

21st of October

1940

Anelie just gave us a kiss and our German passports. My name is Amalia Kuester and Leah is Gertrud Kuester. Anelie has been using a hole in the great big brick fence. When we get to the gap in the fence we made the decision for Leah to go first. Just as Leah was about to hop through the gap a German soldier yells out "Achtung". I nod politely and offer him a muffin but he just snatches it, breaks it, and throws it over the fence. He walks off and I go back to Anelie to tell her about the situation.

27th of October

1940

Leah and I just made our way through the gap we look around to find German soldiers guarding the fence. We run and hide in an alleyway. In the alleyway I see Charles loves Greta carved in the wall. I wished I had someone to love. We walk around and finally find the train station; we see our train, the express train to Krakow.

29th of October

1940

We arrive there 3 days later. It was a frightful trip of which Leah and I just comforted each other. Leah is really scared and I don't know what to say. When we get there I see her, Ester she looks exactly like her sister Anelie, a beautiful young women that could easily pass as a German.

3rd of November

1940

We had taken another train to Czestochowa, and have been living in Czestochowa ever since. I love Ester she's given Leah and I everything we ever wanted, which is to be loved. Leah and I adapted to our new home quickly. Ester has given us new clothes and I got a necklace and Leah got a bracelet. My necklace has silver and it has a bird on it which is really nice. Leah's bracelet has a number of doves spread out evenly along the silver chain. This was very nice of Ester; considering she's putting her life on the line for us.

23rd of November

1940

I love Leah and Ester and they love me, it's the best feeling knowing you're being loved by the people you love most. Whenever I'm out I need to call Ester my mum and Leah Gertrud which is very easy to forget.

18th of December

1940

It's nearly Christmas. Today Ester gave us 89 Zloty. Ester went out to buy us some things meanwhile Leah and I each got Ester something. Ester enrolled us into Szolka Podstawowa. I'm so excited.

24th of December

1940

It's Christmas Eve today. Today we celebrate Christmas. Its night time and Leah and I are wrapping up our presents. Ester calls us to come to the dining room. There in front of me is the meal I thought I'd never have, the traditional 12 meatless dishes. After Dinner Ester gives me a present, which was very nice of her it's a diary, a pen and some new clothes. Leah gives me a photo frame with a drawing in it of us three in it. I love it, I burst into tears.

6th of July

1941

I had decided not to go to Szolka Podstawowa because I have a German passport and it's for Polish children. Today we found a stray dog; Ester informs us that is a Polish Tatra Sheepdog. I asked Ester if we could keep him and after a while she agreed. Leah decided to call him Druga Szansa which means second chance because he's been given a second chance in life. But for short we call him Szans. Szans is a White dog but has a black blaze following through his chest so I'm presuming he is a cross breed.

1st of May

1945

I have lived a semi normal life of the time I've been with Ester. It's Leah's 12th Birthday tomorrow, which was how old I was when this war started affecting me. I'm now 17 years old. Ester and I went into town to get Leah a present. As we were walking out of a store empty-handed we panicked as someone yelled out "ACHTUNG" I panicked as we had never been stopped before. I turn around to find the Oberst staring straight at me "You look Jewish" he yells. Everyone turns around and watches me as we all know too well what he'll do. As Ester is getting out my passport he fires a bullet in the air showing us he's not afraid to shoot. "THIS IS FAKE" he yells at the top of his voice looking at the passport. He puts a gun to my head but just in time Ester kicks him and he falls over. "Run Ester" I yell out once I get over the hill. Next I hear gun shots and turn around to see blood pouring out of Ester head. I freeze and let out a sudden sigh. I open my mouth to scream but instead I gulp and snap it shut. I just realised the impact of my actions, one of my best friends, my mother figure, my guardian she's dead.