I had been alone and on the run since my family was shot to death in front of my dark, gray eyes. I had been walking for days with no water or food when I met the Killen’s. I was impressed on how nice they were, since all Germans were evil in my eyes. They told me that they had a place for me at their house and advised me to go with them, but I refused knowing that it could be a trap and the Killen’s simply nodded and went on their way, but first they gave me a scrunched up piece of paper containing their address. I was cold in my navy blue shirt, hungry, and tired. I finally gave up hope and knew I wasn't going to last if I didn't get help and headed for the Killen’s home, with desperation seeping through me. When I was less than three blocks away I saw a crowd of people running, and soon realized that they were Jewish by the Star of David they had on their stained and tattered clothes. I heard gunshots and one by one that crowd started to decrease in front of me. I sprinted in an abandoned alley and hid behind a trash bin with the gunshots ringing in my ear, clasping my hands together, praying that the Germans didn't come my way. I heard more gunshots and shut my eyes tight, and thought back to the day my life become a living hell.

It was Sunday morning on April 9, 1940 and I was sitting down in the kitchen with the morning light shining down on me through the window, waiting for my father and sister, who were getting dressed upstairs. My mother was in the kitchen getting breakfast ready while she hummed to the music playing and the harmony of the tunes made the house feel warm and loving.

“David, tell your father I went to Anne’s, we’re out of butter and you know the bread isn't any good without butter.” She said with a chuckle and smile rising. I smiled and nodded and she walked over to me and did the strangest thing; she kissed me on my forehead and wrapped her warm embrace around me. Then, she was out the door before I could say anything. My father came downstairs and looked around, searching for my mother.

“Mother went to Anne’s for some butter, she should be back soon.” I said. My father looked at me and nodded as he started to read the newspaper, since he was a teen he wasn't much of a talker. “Father, where is Lucia?” I asked when I noticed she was taking longer than usual. He chuckled and looked up at me.

“Lucia has a new friend that she is having over later. She said she just wanted to look, oh what’s the word, exquisite.” He said as his full smile broke out in his wrinkled face. My father looked much older than he really is since Hitler took over and my grandfather was killed. My father’s smile vanished just as soon as it appeared and he said, “David, I want you to know that whatever happens, your mother and I love you and Lucia very much. We want you to never forget your beliefs. You always do what makes you feel right you hear me? Even if you die, I want you to know you died bravely.” I opened my mouth to respond, but no words would come out for I was in complete utterly shock.

“I…I uh….I’m going to fetch Lucia.” I stuttered and managed to walk upstairs with my legs feeling like jelly to Lucia’s room. I knocked on her door, “Lucia! Lucia hurry up, we are waiting for you!” I shouted. The door flung open and she just glared at me.

“You have no idea how hard it is to looking nice David, girls need there time.” She said. I looked her up and down and burst out laughing because she looked exactly the same to me. “David, don’t laugh at me. I think I look really pretty, don’t you?” Lucia said as I started walking back towards the stairs. I heard her footsteps stomping behind me and before I reached the steps I stopped and looked at her and said:

“You look beautiful Lucia; forgive me for laughing at you.” She smiled and hugged me, but as we embraced each other I heard glass being shattered downstairs. I crept a couple steps down and Lucia waited at the very top. I caught the sight if my mother on her knees sobbing while a German soldier held on to her hair. My father was shouting and then it happened. The German soldier that was holding my mother shot her. I cried out for her and the soldiers wiped around towards us along with my father. My father started to move towards us when the other soldier shot him in the back. My father crumpled to his knees and mouthed run before he completely crumbled to the ground. I rushed back to Lucia and shoved her towards my room.

Once we were inside I slammed the door shut and ran to my window, struggling to open it. Lucia was crying hysterically and looked like she was pale white and looked like she was about to faint. The window finally opened and I jumped through, shouting for Lucia to follow. Lucia clumsily threw her leg over the ledge when the doors burst open. I shouted for her again when two shots went off. I cringed at the noise and looked up seeing Lucia’s body fall out the window. I ran to her body and picked her up, and with her I ran for my life and glanced back one final time. My run slowly turned into a walk and I finally just stopped by a river next to a forest that my family and I would visit often. I looked at Lucia tiny body and laid her down in a cottage my father has built many years before. I put her on the couch and grabbed a rag and staggered to the lake. I dipped the rag into the lake and headed back. I cleaned Lucia’s bloody, fragile body and dressed her in my mother’s clothes that she left behind the last time we visited. I placed one of my father’s necklaces around her neck and put a wool blanket over her body up to her armpits. I then went back outside a picked some flowers, white roses and tiger lilies, and put them in her hands. I then washed myself and changed into my father’s clothes and lie on the floor next to my sister, and finally let myself cry.

My eyes shot opened and looked around frantically, forgetting where I am. I heard silence, complete silence and I stood up slowly. I walked out the alley and the road was stained with blood and bodies were all over the roads. I heard a sniffle to my right and I shuffled backwards. A girl, maybe eight, stood by a woman’s body, I’m assuming was her mother. Her dress was covered in blood and it was torn for I assume a soldier must have gotten a hold of her at one point. I looked at her and she looked at me, and in just that moment I felt connected to her. I waved at her and she walked slowly to me. I think it was the Star of David necklace that made her trust me, but I held out my hand and she took it. Together we walked north and I knew I would never be alone again for I had someone to take care of now.