Chapter 15 Section fifteen

We had hardly settled into our seats when we heard a sharp whistle and the train started off unsteadily.The wheels of the locomotive screamed, eager to pull on the wet track.We suddenly started to move, and the carriage shook slowly as it accelerated. At first, the steam from the engine roared as if to engulf us.As the train picked up speed, the wind blew away the steam, and through the rain-spattered glass windows, we watched Mejdia disappear forever from sight. I'm a little scared. Alone and scared. I leaned against my mother and took her hand, interrupting her contemplation.She looked at me, smiled, and held my hand tightly.

She seemed to read my mind and said: "Anka, my baby, this will be a new beginning. It will definitely not be easy, but as long as we work together and believe in the Almighty, everything will be fine, you Will see the day." Those words put me at ease a little, and were the most upbeat words I've heard in recent months.We certainly don't know what the future holds, but we have to hope.After all, nothing could be more terrifying than what we've been through before. I sat quietly, watching the ever-changing scenery outside the window. "Nicholas, don't stare at people like that. Did I teach you to be so unruly?" Mom reminded the younger brother to curb his curiosity.He was very interested in the costumes of the passengers on the same car, staring at them intently, and making eye contact with a girl about 8 or 9 years old from time to time, this girl is the youngest among the people.

Under his mother's admonition, Nicholas had to sit awkwardly in his seat, looking out of the window sullenly. My attention was also drawn to the family, certainly not for the same reasons as Nikolay.There aren't many Jews in Mejdija, and while it wasn't meant to be ostracizing, our family has never dealt with any of them, and it was a good opportunity for me to see why they were always so easily recruited Ridicule and name-calling. Unfortunately, such a plan is doomed to fail.For apart from their attire, and especially the distinguishing armbands they were forced to wear on their sleeves, they looked very ordinary.

Nicholas soon got tired of the scenery outside the window, and paid attention to these passengers again.I understand that he has no malice, so I choose to help him and satisfy his pure intention.While Nikolai observed them, I would engage my mother's attention in casual conversation. I kept changing the subject, talking about the scenery or the train, but my efforts were in vain because Mom was in no mood for small talk.Finally, I had to think of something more substantive, half to occupy my mother's attention, and half to pass the boring time. "Mom, tell me again, where are we going?"

"It's Bucharest, Anka. You won't forget it so quickly, will you?" "No, I mean after Bucharest. You mentioned a strange name." "Anka, why are you suddenly interested in this? Does it really matter where? I don't care if it's deep in the valley of Transylvania, as long as we can get back to normal life." Her gentle fingers squeezed mine, "I really can't remember right now, Anka." "I'm just curious. Wasn't it written in the travel papers I gave you?" My persistence finally paid off. My mother sighed, reluctantly dug out the relevant documents from her wallet, and handed them over.She smiled at me triumphantly, and her goal was achieved: "See, Anka, these things are meaningless to you and me, unless you suddenly understand German."

"I can read a little German." A man's voice came from the end of the carriage.I looked up and saw the bearded Jew looking at us hesitantly. "Forgive me for interrupting you, but this carriage is too small, so I can hear it naturally. If... If you agree, I can translate this document for you." I saw my mother froze the moment she heard him speak, not daring to turn around and face him. I whispered to her, "It's okay, Mom. Trust me, let him try." She didn't want to answer, but she turned her eyes to the side, as if she suddenly became interested in the scenery outside the window.I got up and walked hesitantly to where the Jewish family was sitting, handing out the papers as if I were handing out a peace agreement.

When I walked up to the man, he smiled, took the document with one hand, and motioned for me to sit down with the other.I did so hesitantly, my eyes flicking from the man and his family to the junction of adjacent cars, worried that someone would interrupt us. "Don't worry, friend. I understand your concern, but if a guard comes here we'll take notice, don't worry. Let's take a look at your file first." He glanced briefly at the papers, put them on his lap, and smiled at me again. "My name is Haim," he said. "This is my wife, Golda, and I. My daughter Yiluo." He looked at the document again, and said, "You must be Anka, and you are with your mother and younger brother. Don't be afraid." Seeing my surprised expression, he immediately spoke to appease me, " Your names are listed on this document. As for your question, your destination is the same as ours, to Krakow."

"Poland?" Mom immediately forgot her policy of silence.She looked at the other side of the carriage worriedly, and said, "You must have misread it, right?"