Thirteen A Demented Old Rat Short Story

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Thirteen: A Demented Old Rat Until one day at dusk the air raid sirens sounded again and Anna grabbed the stars and slipped one into Willy's pant pocket. The streets were a trail of people. Outside in the distance, the children watched and could see smoke rising from the tops of buildings. This time, they ran to the Kaufmann's reinforced underground room which was right across the street. And a peculiar tone pursued them down the steps and filled the room. At the bottom of the stairs Mrs. Kaufmann rested against the banister with her arms folded and a smoldering cigarette butt hanging out from between her two thin lips. Her frazzled hair stood in a disheveled bun and her white blouse was speckled with mud. "I'm scared. I think this time …show more content…

"He lives in Hamburg with my daughter and her husband." She replied weakly. Before Mr. Schulz could ask any more questions Miss Margot suddenly interrupted and with a sweet smile inquired, "And how is your daughter Mr. Schulz? Did she get married?" "Oh yes," he said as the look in his small squinty watery eyes changed, "she married a fine strong good-looking German doctor. Doctor Heim you may have heard of him yes? He's a renowned scientist who works very closely with our beloved Fuhrer. He's helping our great county to win the war. They make such a splendid couple. She is now a proud member of the National Socialist Women's League and provides refreshments at train railroad stations to all our brave boys. Someday soon I hope they'll have an ideal Aryan ..." An infant's sudden high-pitched shriek interrupted Mr. Schulz and distracted everyone else. Mr. Kaufmann who had been silently standing completely erect by an old rusted washtub unexpectedly bellowed, "Shut that kid up." The infant's mother tried to still it with a bottle. And Willy turned to Miss Muller and whispered "you're squashing my …show more content…

Joseph, who was still feeling rather ill sat and clapped his hands and coughed twice. And Anna smiled happily and dropped her pen and declared, "I can't believe that we've survived in your basement for so long. It will be such a pleasure to feel the sunshine on my shoulders again." Then she stood up and began to twirl around, and around. Midway through her third twirl a violent tremor tossed her to the floor. Then there was another shake and a loud crash as a squad of German soldiers kicked in the front door. Once the soldiers were in they marched around in their black boots making a click clack sound on the wood floors as they searched everywhere. Everyone held their breath and listened as the soldiers opened squeaky doors and then slammed them shut, door after door until finally they entered into the tiny room, casting a shadow across the group of five that were huddled closely together. Four were on their feet and other remained seated. The tall SS officer who was in charge smiled at them displaying his yellowed teeth and mocked, "We are making merriment yes?" Then he pointed to them squinting his devious hate filled blue eyes and demanded, "What are your names?" Everyone gave their name and he frowned at Joseph and through clenched teeth snickered, "You come with me!"

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