Light. A blinding white light. That's the first thing I see. My shoulder throbs in defense at my attempt to sit up. A cry rakes my throat, scratching the walls. Fingers comb through my tangled, matted hair. "Shh, Darling. You're hurt." Mother! "Mama" "I'm here, I'm here." My vision clears to the point where I can make out everyone in the room. "Water" I choke out. She turns away and calls, "Filip, please fetch Daliah some water" "Okay Mama!" He leaves the room to fulfill my request. "Oh! You forgot your shoes!" Mother runs after him. A few seconds later, the thin bed shifts again.
"How are you feeling, Sukar?" A pair of eyes the color of a happy sky peer at me. "You passed out and I carried you back here." A pause and exhale. "Your father stopped by for a bit. He wanted to see you again but your mother fought with him claiming that he can't just leave then show up again. So he left." Kohn sighs heavily. My pale hand slowly reaches up to touch the young man's face. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to do anything to save you. I just feel so useless now, I can't even protect you! I wasn't there for you and-" He stops rambling when I lean up to peck his cheek. "What was that for?" Just then, mother and Filip re-enter with a bucket of water. She takes a glass, dips it in the bucket and brings it over to me. Taking it, I carry the cup to my lips and take a long swig. "Thank you" I take a breath, handing it back to mother.
A heavy silence follows. "What was it like being out there?" My little brother asks. "Filip! You don't ask that!" Mother scolds. "No no, it's fine" I dismiss it. My eyes wander to the cracked ceiling, lips parted slightly. "It was suspenseful. You don't know whether or not you'll be pushed or shot. You don't know if you'll live to see the people you love again." Kohn takes ahold of my hand, that action is so subtle that Filip and mother don't notice. "You're still alive but you got shot!" Filip pipes from mother's lap. Shifting uncomfortably, I try to reposition myself so my shoulder isn't aching too much. "Yeah, but I didn't die from it. At least, not yet." "You won't go dying on us, we'll make sure of it" Mother's tone is so strong that I almost believe her.
Almost...
YOU ARE READING
Warsaw (On Hold)
General Fiction"Eli Eli Lema Sabachtani!" I cry out, crystal tears washing the grime from my pale cheeks. My eyes ache and my throat is raw from crying and screaming. My head lulls to my bare shoulder as it gets harder to keep my eyes open. ~~~~~ This book is...
