HEMNA II

 Vickary sadistically laughed.

"Well...boy! Where's your God now?' He said.

I was in pain and in need of medical assistance, but it seemed Vickary wanted me to bleed to death, so I did the impossible.

I took the knife he used to cut out my tongue, and I gave him a scar in remembrance of me. Then I ran towards the window and I jumped, falling into a lake of some sort, and I looked up, saw him standing in the window and all the lights went on. He just looked at me, as I drifted off with this river.
I felt so relieved that I managed to escape but still I feared for the lives of the other children.

'What was going to happen to them?'

I then passed out whilst drifting, not knowing if I would live, or die.

Chapter IV
Follower of Christ

I knew I could not swim and that I'd probably drown due to that, although I did however know that I would do anything to survive.

I felt my body being dragged out of the water.

Who were these people? And how could I still be alive?

I could not see properly. It was like I was blinded by the water and I wouldn't be able to speak either.

"Boy, what's your name?' Where are you from?' The lady asked.

I opened my eyes, and as much as I wanted to speak, I knew I'd never know that feeling again.
They then picked me up and carried me to a safer location. I looked around me and I saw camps everywhere. The place was big and there were so many people in striped clothes, I noticed many things.
Struggling to pronounce the words I roughly said,' Where am I?" Luckily they were able to make out what I had asked them, and whilst rushing me to what they called a 'barrack.'

"We are in a concentration camp, don't worry...you'll be fine.' One of the men said.

We arrived inside the barrack and I saw over 200 jews and non jews. And they became my family. They taught me about the nazi camps and what they knew about their locations. I suppose I had no choice but to accept my fate, like the rest of my people did; life just seemed so unfair.

"I tell you...if God truly loved us, since we are his chosen people, why damn us like this! Huh!' The one man said.
I listened to them complain, some cried,and whilst others argued that God favoured the Nazis, some were on their knees begging for a miracle.
I sat down and asked myself,' if God was not with me throughout all that I have been through, then I must have been blind, because how else could I have made it this far."
The one lady said to the old man who kept on criticising God's will and his reason for allowing such horrific things to happen to us:

"God would not have taken us to this point, if he was not able to take us through it.'

Some of the elders agreed. Then I heard a little girl say,' He's been with me through good days, he's held my hand through bad ones, and I can proudly say that our father has never left my side. Why do you leave his side?"

Whilst I was sitting there, my tongue cut out of my mouth. I was unable to speak but inside my heart yearned to scream. I was in pain, inner pain. The anger found a way to overwhelm me. At this stage in my life, it felt as if God had really abandoned me, the people doubting him, gave me even more reason to renounce him.

What was I to do?

The lights then went off and we all went to sleep. I could not sleep at all. I'd say exactly two hours went by and I was still awake. People were sleeping, but I was up. And so I decided to escape, and I opened the door and ran as fast as I could; yet...what I did not know was, the guards were also awake. And they caught me. I could hear the whistle being blown and the guard grabbed me by my neck, pulled me all the way to the Gestapo.
I feared for my life.
The guard informed the colonel that I tried to escape, and asked the Colonel what he should do with me, but the Colonel just told the guard to leave us.

I looked at him and I was scared, I felt like crying but I could not, I did not know how; it was like my emotions has left my soul.

He walked up to me, smiling. He had very light blonde hair and he was a very tall man.

"Hello boy, what's your name?' He asked.

I just stared at him and it was like he understood that I was unable to speak.
"I am Colonel Krischen Luhe. I am in charge of this concentration camp. Do you mind showing me your number?" He said.

I showed him my arms and he noticed I had no tattoo. He looked very concerned on his face, thinking very far.

"I know what I'll do, I'll take you with me. You can work for me at my home. I'll provide for you, and you won't see this place again. What do you say?" He asked. (Smiling)

I just shook my head in agreement with what he asked and he grabbed his coat, turned off the lights and after he locked up. He told the guards that I was one of his workers. They said nothing of course; and then we left in his car. The guards at the gate did not even try to ask for his card. He just drove through as if he was the king.

And it was then, when I realized that God did care.

I just had to believe.

Chapter V
Seeking Freedom

Whilst driving, he seemed really calm. And he smiled everytime he looked my way.

"Our body,mind, heart and soul should become so translucent, that people are able to see right through us, what God has placed within us.' Krischen said. (Smiling)

I was excited but also sad. My heart went out to those who'd be victims to the slaughter. As we came closer and closer to his house, I noticed that a boy was waiting for him. We then stopped, and Krischen looked at me and whilst opening the door he said,' Life means loving someone, without having the guarantee that you'll live to see them grow. In other words, eternal life is not promised to us on earth, only in heaven."

He got out, and I opened the door. We got out and this boy, whom I presumed was his son, ran up to him and gave him a hug, it suddenly made me miss my father.
I remember him tossing me up into the air, always saying my name and how fortunate he was to have me as his son. But ever since his death, I've told no one my name, I became so used to being nameless.

"Son, this is our newest member to the family.' He said to his son.
"Hello, I am Benjamin. And you are?' The boy said.
I did not answer him, because I could not. I also did not want him to think that I was being rude for no particular reason. Suffice I would be, but surprisingly he did not take offence to what I said; he was calm and understanding.

"Well...since you're unable to tell me your name. May I call you Simon?' He asked. (Smiling)

I agreed to the name he gave me and we shook hands.

"This is what my uncle Henry calls a 'Hemna,' it's a word describing two people coming to an agreement." He said.

Chapter VI
Live and let live

Out of all things I've seen thus far, I'd say that I stand corrected that all Germans are not bad. It was not about what had happened to us Jews due to the cause that the Germans tormented and ruled over our people. It is thus what led to this moment. Frankly speaking I personally think that we were the cause of our own damnation. None of us are angels on this earth, we'll never be classified as angels, for as long as we're going to live on earth, it occurred to me that our lifespan was not a guarantee of splendour and living the lives of kings and queens in all words. Sometimes we think the worst situations that befalls us, are the ones that we wish we never had, hence it is that moments which enabled us to look up and look forward to a prosperous future, still honouring the past, yet living for times to come as if we have no more time left.
But then again...I might be wrong. It is just a thought, what do I know right? I'm just a boy, I've much to learn.

We went inside, and I was shown my room where I'll sleep and Krischen prepared the bath for me.
He walked me to the bathroom. And left me alone, then I locked the door and I undressed myself, as dirty as I was, I sort of had this fear that I might break his bath and then he'll be mad at me. I did not want to upset them; they were good people.
Then I placed my hand in the bath, and I grabbed some soap foam and rubbed it over my face and I unlocked the door.
"Are you done already?' He asked. (Surprised)

I shook my head. I looked at him in a frightful way.
"Take it easy, calm yourself, you don't have to fear when you're in my home. You are accepted and you will be loved; no more running and no more pain. You have my word." He said.
He took me to the bathroom a second time and told me to get in the bath tub. I then got in and it felt like heaven on earth. I did not want to leave the bath, it made me feel so free and calm. I felt as if I could fly if I had wings. I felt so relaxed, I never knew I'd ever experience something this luxurious, it felt good. Krischen then knocked on the door after three whole hours. By then I was done and he gave me new clothes. Benjamin and I each had our own separate beds. But Benjamin then asked his father to put the beds next to each other. And so he did, and we shared a bed. Krischen tucked both of us in, and although I had no tongue, I tried my best to say,' Can I call you Papa?" (Although he struggled to make out what I said, he smiled and nodded his head.)

Three months went by, and I was happy. He taught me about Jesus and his miracles. He taught me about being Christian and how the grace of God has made him a new man. Each day that passed by, I smiled more, and I learned more about faith, hope, trust and acceptance. Everything was going quite fine until this car pulled up in front of our gate. I could not believe my eyes; they were Nazi soldiers. And among them a familiar face whom I'll never forget.

It was Vickary Ackermann, the man my people called 'the Red Vulture."

They walked to door. Knocking very hard as if they were angry. And right before he opened the door, he hid me underneath the floor. I could see nothing because he threw a mat over the little door. But there was one little hole, and through it I would be able to see what happened while I was in hiding.

"We apologise for disturbing you and your family at this hour, but I assure you Colonel, it is only for the benefit for the safety of our children." Vickary said.

Krischen at first looked very concerned but then he said with a straight face,' why do you come specifically here?' I mean...I am a Colonel, and there are many people in our surrounding that needs the protection. I assure you, we'll be fine."

Then Krischen attempted to close the door. Vickary then stopped it with his foot, looking at Krischen very upset about his lack of co-operation.

"Sir! we have reason to believe that an escaped prisoner, is hiding somewhere on your land. Permission to search the area?' Vickary said. (Frustrated)

Krischen gave them access, and as I stared through the little hole underneath his house, I feared for his life and for my own.

As Vickary walked inside, checking the bathroom and the bedroom. He walked to the kitchen where I was hidden and he jumped on the mat. Then he ordered the his men to remove the mat and search the floor.

The following that happened was very fast. I could not even see properly, given where I was standing.
Krischen held out his pistol and pointed it directly at Vickary's face.
"Careful now...you don't want to hurt an officer. You know what will happen to you right?" Said Vickary.

Krischen said whilst holding the pistol against his cheek,' I fully understand the consequences of my actions. It is a cause I will die for; tell your men to lower their weapons. Now!"

Vickary just laughed and slowly pulled out a knife from his side. Benjamin warned his father just in the nick of time. Then Krischen had the advantage; he shot all Vickary's men but he did notice that one of them shot him from the back.
He was bleeding. Vickary laughed, as if he won the victory and walking up to Krischen, he kicked the pistol from his hand and as he attempted to cut Krischen's throat with his knife.
Benjamin stood behind him with his father's pistol, and as Vickary persuaded him not to pull the trigger, Krischen nodded his head and Benjamin had shot Vickary in the centre of his head.

Vickary was dead, blood was everywhere. And a peaceful home just became another memory.

Krischen then strongly suggested that we leave and never return. Benjamin was crying. He did not want to leave his father. He held onto his father's hand and he saw his father exhale the last bit of his life into his face.
He was gone; dead.
We could not to stay, we had to go.

But where would we go?

Chapter VII
Sons of Noble men

Benjamin and I walked as far away from the bloodshed as possible. Vickary was dead and so was Krischen. And to think...all he ever wanted was to stop what his countrymen were doing, because he said once,' at the end, no matter your skin colour, or the sound of your voice, your height or weight. No matter the language we speak or the clothes we wear; this should not matter, because life defines us all, and at the end we are all human."

As Benjamin and I walked towards this bridge. We stopped there, looked each other straight in the eye and embraced each other as brothers. We did not matter what happened, or who was to blame. We only wanted it to end and have the opportunity to grow up together, without the chances of getting killed over it. We wanted peace, and even if our people would carry on as they did, for another 100 years, it did not matter. We chose to love.
We shook hands and right then and there we accepted that we cannot change what happened but we can pursue a life of harmony, love and respect.

'Love conquers all. I learned that the hard way.'

"Cultural differences should not separate us. Skin colour should not categorise us. And language should not divide us. Hatred should not drive us. And fear should not overwhelm us. We were made with love, thus were we given free will, to choose between love, and hate.'

The End.