| War and History Flash Fiction posted July 15, 2023 | Chapters: |
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This story is about the end for many.
A chapter in the book Short Stories
End of the World
by Michelle D. Carr
Leah sat on the stone floor, paralyzed with fear as she held her swollen belly. Just ten minutes earlier the guards had noisily marched into the barracks, startling its occupants, awakening them from dreamless sleep. No one seemed surprised. They disentangled from the others sharing their bunks. This was not unusual but it always ended differently. Sometimes they were just marched outside and made to stand in rain or snow. Anyone who collapsed was taken away, never to be seen again. This was a way to screen out the most vulnerable and useless. Those who had more strength would sometimes stand close to one who was weaker, just to give a way to lean long enough to avoid a death sentence. This time was different. The guards seemed almost scared themselves, as if something was about to happen to change their world. Everyone was herded into a large empty room off the crematorium. Most looked around to see if anyone had an answer about their destiny.
The only destiny she cared about was that of her unborn child. She rubbed herself in slow circular movements as the shooting pains became more intense and closer together, which she knew predicted imminent birth. This had her whole focus. A blurry shadow on the farther stone wall moved slowly toward her, becoming a more distinct but still blurred figure. Was that Job? Job, is that you?
She had a moment of hope when she thought it was her husband. She has not seen him for months and had no idea if he was dead or alive. The fear returned tenfold as the image became a woman. Is she smiling at me? No. She is grinning to herself. Leah was more afraid than she had ever been in her life. Even more than when, as a newlywed, she heard the loud, angry knocks on the door of the home in which she and her beloved Job had such dreams in Poland. She had just learned she was expecting their first baby. The two of them spent blessed hours together, imagining a future in which the three of them would grow and love together. At least then, she was not alone.
She sees the woman clearly now. The flames cast a dancing light on the stone walls. She is coming toward her, staring with that look of disgust which has become all too familiar in the camp. There are many voices now. Men could be heard laughing and yelling. Yelling words too horrific to repeat. The fear inside her grows as this woman approaches. Oh, the pain. The pain and the heat. Why is it so hot? What were those flames and what was happening here? She heard a woman scream in agony.
She knew then, that this was the end of her world. The end for her and her unborn child. She would never see Job again or feel his strong arms holding her. The terror and certainty of what was coming would not even allow tears to come. The pain is worsening and then… an infant screams.
Leah passes out...or awakens from another dream.
© Copyright 2024. Michelle D. Carr All rights reserved.
Michelle D. Carr has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.