Chapter 66 Section sixty-six

A harsh hoarfrost fell that night, and the ground became bitterly cold, and after so long in the cozy barn, it was hard for us to hide under the barracks again.I knew we wouldn't last a few nights in the ice and snow, and I've come to realize that soon, we'll have to turn ourselves in and accept our fate, for better or for worse. For all I know, if those death baths have been abandoned and destroyed, and that crematorium has been dismantled, then it is possible that Auschwitz is now ruled by a more tolerant group of people who might allow us to live A little extravagance to go down.

We hugged and shivered through the day, and when night fell again, Nicholas held me and Ilo tightly, unwilling to let me leave, even to find food. The next day passed.On the third day. The temperature dropped every night and barely returned to freezing during the day.On the fourth night, looking at the thin faces of Nikolai and Ilo, I knew that I had no choice but to go out at dawn and turn myself in, begging for mercy from the cruel Nazi rulers. Maybe these few hours are the last of our lives, but I have decided to face fate bravely, with dignity, and even if I have to die, I will die like a human being, not an animal.

At first light, I took the children in my arms, kissed the two little faces, and said quietly, "Come with me, little ones, be brave. I can't promise you the future, but if we don't Get out and die here tonight. No matter what happens, always remember, I love you." I kissed them again, "Now, we're going to find Mommy."