Inside the Camps | A World War Two Story

Inside the Camps - Part 4

// There is some Russian in here, so you can just skip the dialogue on those parts. It will most likely tell you what they said after, in italics.

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It had been two weeks since we left Berlin. Cade seemed distant ever since I had become angry with her, which, I guess I can't blame her for. I overheard one of the guards speaking in Russian. I wasn't too fluent, but I could pick out some words and figure it out. I leaned against one of the walls, straining to hear. "My skoro budem tam. Ya ne mogu dozhdat'sya, chtoby pokinut' etu telezhku, eti lyudi vonyayut." He was speaking quickly, as only a few words popped out. We.. arriving soon enough... Leave train... people stink..  I was quickly angered by the last part, somehow knowing he was complaining about us. I wanted to jump out of the train cart and judge him the way he did us, but I kept calm. Cade was still asleep with both of the small children leaning against her for warmth and comfort. The air was becoming frosty, and every few days, when the doors to the cattle cars would open, it would nip at your limbs, as if it were angry with you. We hadn't too much time to pack any clothes, I stuffed a bag with large shirts and baggy, warm pants. I knew we would need many socks so I grabbed piles of those along with as many rubles as I could find.

I glanced at the door as it opened, watching the guards motion for me to jump out. "Davay! U nas ne ves' den'!" I nodded, rolling my eyes as a soft word left my lips. "Popytka." Trying. I'm trying to hurry. Can't you see? As I slid out of the cattle car, I hesitated before planting my feet to the ground. I almost tripped and fell from the lack of walking, as if I were a baby learning to walk all over again. Two guards came up to me, carrying a bucket of pure slop and water. I held out my hands, nodding silently. "Spasibo." They broke into annoying barks of laughter as I turned around place the buckets in the cattle car. They suddenly stopped, seeming to desperately try and get my attention. "Ty sdelayesh' bol'shoy strazh." I stopped in my tracks, trying to understand what they were saying. You.. Make.. Great guard.. I would? They don't know me! How can they just make assumptions like this? The taller guard smacked the shorter one on the chest, pointing to my face as they soon broke out in laughter, once again. I hadn't noticed my knitted eyebrows or frown until they pointed it out. It was a simple look of confusion. They turned on their heel, grabbing two muskets that I didn't see before.    

I climbed back into the cattle car, noticing that Cade was awake, but the children were still sleeping. The boy's mouth was open, and he grew slightly pale and blue. She looked horrified. "Is he dead?" As I said it, I dipped my finger into the slop, retracting it immediately in disgust of the chunky texture. She stayed silent, stroking the little girl's hair. I scooped some of the water into my hands, drinking some. I shook my hands to get rid of the spare drops, gently placing two fingers over his wrist as to feel his pulse. There was a slow heartbeat, I almost didn't notice it. I let go, watching his arm fall limp. "We've almost arrived at the camp. I overheard the officers talking." She nodded, as the little girl's head slowly rose to indicate she was awake. Cade smiled softly at her as I looked away, watching the train doors slowly move shut. "Vse chisto!" The guard's voice was muffled by the heavy door, but I could make it out. "We're leaving."