Refugee in search of a homeland

How could anyone be so cruel to another human being?

The hours dragged. A hooter went at midnight, indicating an hour's rest. I must have slept through that yesterday, I thought, for I could not remember a break. I felt much better this time, though, as Mutter had cut sandwiches and packed some fruit. I didn't have to starve as the night before.

Back at home for the day, I could only sleep for a couple of hours again, in spite of being terribly tired and worn out. Night shift was definitely not for me.

The third night was spent again on the factory floor. I became more skilled in dodging work, as the night dragged on. Then there was a lucky encounter. About 10 pm I saw Udo, a class mate of mine, crouching outside the barbed wire fence. I recognised him immediately, in spite of the darkness, and yelled to him: "Hey, Udo, over here!"

"Is that you, Dieter?" "Yes, I'm here. Have you come to rescue me?" "We've heard that you got caught. The Head Master has asked me to make sure that you are here, before he can make a submission to the authorities."

"Well, tell him that I am here, and please, please, get him to do everything possible to get me out of here. I don't know how long I will be able to survive this here."

"Am I glad that I found you. You poor devil, being caught in a place like this! Be assured, we will get you out of here."

I nearly cried. A huge weight seemed to have dropped from my shoulders. What absolutely wonderful news! I didn't mind working that night, hoping all the time, that it would be my last one. When I arrived home the next morning, I told my parents that I had talked to Udo through the barbed wire fence, and that he had promised that the school would get me out of this slavery. I was determined not to go back that night.

I slept very little again during the day, as to my usual woes the anxiety was added about what would happen if I didn't turn up at the factory. The lorry came again in the evening, to pick us up, but it left without me. I was sure that our Head Master would succeed in getting me out of this mess. It had to be. No one saw me in the village that night, nor at home. Mutter had organised a bed for me at Frau Kleinschmidt's, our neighbour who lived in the mansion. The risk was too great. To be carted off to Siberia was the last thing I wanted. In spite of my anxiety, I slept better that night than all the days put together since my enforced labour.

Refreshed, I left the next morning for school and reported immediately to the Head Master.

"Dieter, come in. I'm so sorry about this whole affair. Please, take a seat."

After I sat down gingerly, I asked: "Were you able to get my release?"

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