Remembering Axel

By Ariyana Brummit

It's 1943, and Germany is holding their breath as World War II rages around them. Armies of the Axis Powers are growing ever desperate; the bitter truth that Germany is losing begins to settle over a broken country. Germany needs soldiers. In the wake of the war, fourteen-year-old Axel Heinrich is seen, and the Nazis put their plans for him in m

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aspire Publishing Hub, LLC
• Release date: Aug 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958692271

Book preview

cover.jpg

ARIYANA BRUMMIT

Remembering Axel

Copyright © 2022 by Ariyana Brummit

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

The views and opinions represented in this work are personal and belong solely to the Author and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations (including but not limited to AspireHub and its constituents) that the Author may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.

ISBN

978-1-958692-26-4 (Paperback)

978-1-958692-27-1 (eBook)

Table of Contents

Prologue

A Better Place

Taken

Hitler’s Symbol

Propaganda

Three Shadows and a Dirty Little Secret

The Devil’s Order

Red Demon

Dusk to Dawn

The Ghetto of Kraków

Schindler

The Angels in War

Commandant Amon Goeth

Painting Red

Death’s Shadow

Black Whip

The Jews of Emalia

Burning Ashes

Selection

The Sisters of Auschwitz

A Traitor’s Discovery

The Blowtorch Brigade

Red Snow

What Adolf Holds

Red Cross

Epilogue

Prologue

She scurried along the sidewalk, avoiding being seen, for it was past curfew for her. Wrapped tightly within her arms were the files needed to accomplish the task. Bright headlights shone through the street, and loud voices of men rang through the crispy air.

They sang of defeating the world. As the vehicle chugged up the road, she ducked, submerging in the shadows. She pressed tightly up against the brick wall of a shop long closed and held her breath. The men passed without a thought of looking. Only when the street drew quiet and the sweet darkness settled would she emerge from the wall. A light snow began to trickle upon the road, and she once again began her walk.

She was to meet him across the synagogue, which had been closed for a while, and from the whispers she had heard, it was going to be demolished in front of the Jews the next morning. She arrived at the building and pushed herself against the wall once again. Clutching the files to her chest, she waited for what seemed only seconds until his dark figure emerged, sliding across the white fluttered road as if a shadow.

She appeared from the dim wall to meet him. Do you have them? he whispered, and she took hold of his sleeve and pulled him into the darkness, not answering. I’m afraid this is the last time we meet. I shall flee in the morning before they burn the synagogue.

He took in a sharp breath. You know the consequences you will receive if caught, he replied briskly.

It does not matter for me, Fritz, but for my boy.

He is but a child.

She shifted from foot to foot.

They do not know of his background, and they never will. To them, he is Axel, a German boy.

Won’t his heritage be found?

He is blond-haired, blue-eyed. He is young and will never know the difference if I flee. It is too dangerous for me to take him, she stated, hiding the dread for her son’s fate within her stomach.

There was a silence as the two stood in the icy air. Wisps of snow settled among their coats. You must know they are attacking the Jews in every way possible. He warned.

He is no Jew. In result, they have no reason to bother him. I have taken measures they will take later on in his life. He shall pass for the child they want.

He is no German either.

I have found a way for a family here to take him in. For all they know, he’s their child. I know them very well. They will not agree with what Führer Hitler has in mind. They are trustworthy, Fritz. You must take my dear child to them. They shall be expecting him in the next forty-five minutes. She patted Fritz’s shoulder in reassurance.

Where will you flee to?

Don’t worry about me, my dear friend. I know many people who can get me where I need to be. Hitler has only just taken over Germany, I still have time.

She handed Fritz the files. You memorize them. Burn them afterward. Teach my boy what way is right. He shall know, I trust in him. Fritz nodded. Good-bye, my friend, she whispered, and Fritz drew her into a hug.

As he did so, he noticed a picture clutched in her hand. Your boy…if they catch you, won’t they discover the child’s photo?

Never, she replied, smiling down at her only son’s picture. She wiped the tiny snowflakes off the photo, tightened her grip and kissed it, before slipping it in the breast pocket of Fritz’s coat with a gentle pat. Turning, she fluttered away, never to be seen again.

Good-bye, dearest friend of mine. Your son shall meet you. I promise you that, Fritz whispered, watching her frame slide into the darkness. He turned and walked briskly away, avoiding light. The sun would be rising soon. He took out the picture of the boy, whose name shall be Axel, and flipped it over. On the back was delicate writing from his mother.

My dearest Dalton,

Never forget who you are

Mama and Papa

Fritz choked back tears of worry for his friend and slid the picture back into place. He passed an old button store which was owned by a Jewish family and saw the same harsh words on the paper stating that it was a store owned by Jews and never to shop there. That forced them to shut everything down and flee, fearing the worst. Passing another building, he noticed a new sign: Führer! Wir alle folgen Dir! Alle sagen Ja (Leader! We all follow you! Everybody says yes!)

Carefully chosen words by Nazi soldiers, and Fritz was disgusted. Taking in a breath, he slid into her apartment, which was left unlocked—anything worth looting by the Nazis was already taken—and he went to Dalton’s crib. Lifting the delicate child, he hugged it to him. He breathed in the baby’s scent and cried for his fate. Never forget who you are, he whispered. The child took in a breath and snuggled into Fritz’s shoulder.

I will protect you. Wrapping the infant in a warm blanket, he took one look around the apartment for the last time. With a deep breath, he and the child slipped out of the door, never to see this apartment again.

1

A Better Place

As the shells fell in a deadly rain and the sky filled with red, a single silhouette appeared over the trench’s wall.

Feindlich panzer! Feindlich panzer! he screamed, and clear puffs of snow surrounded him as he raced to the safety of our trench.

Enemy tanks? What the hell were we going to do with enemy tanks? We hardly had this front held as it is! I cursed under my breath and turned to the SS officer.

What do we do, Herr? I asked, and he whipped around on me. Maybe we should fall back? His face turned dark, and I shrunk away. Never question the true SS.

Don’t question me, you idiot! We hold our front! Did those fools teach you boys anything? He snapped viciously. I flinched as he whipped around and pulled up his binoculars for a better view. I held my breath. The officer’s harsh words filled my head. Without warning, he was thrust back in a violent manner, and a deep red liquid oozed on to me. The binoculars tumbled from his hands and smacked another boy in the head. He cried out, rubbing his temple, and then screamed when he got a look at me

You’re covered in blood, Axel! What do we do? We’re all gonna die! he screamed.

What are you talking about? I snapped.

He’s dead! The young soldier pointed horrified at the SS officer, once part of the brigade, lying in the dirt. I got one look, turned away, and vomited. What are you two— Dominik bellowed from his spot at the front of the trench, however, he broke short. I wiped my mouth. Axel, what happened? Dominik demanded, and I pushed my helmet up on my head.

I got yelled at for questioning the pig. He put up his binoculars, and then he just flew back. Dead, I replied, and Dominik’s face went pale. He rushed over and felt for a pulse. Nothing. Erik and Adolf came rushing over, followed by looks of horror.

Axel! they hollered, and Erik’s face teared up. Adolf turned away his face green with nausea.

That idiot! Dominik snapped, fear coating his face, though his horrified remark was ignored.

We’re all going to die. Erik bawled, and Adolf held his younger brother, refusing to allow his eyes the sight of the dead SS.

Hush up now. We’re not going to die. We have Axel, he said. I turned cold. What do we do? Our officer is dead. Dominik asked.

My face went pale.

There was a silence.

Nothing.

Three Years Earlier…

Red sky, that’s what I saw. A deep harsh red that surrounded the world, and that wasn’t all. I was in the town square, people bustling about. School had just ended, and I had stopped running through the mass of people.

Axel, come on! I heard my name and turned to my best friends in the whole wide world, Randolf Wulfson and Dietrich Volker.

Randolf had deep blond hair and blue eyes the color of the soft sky. He was scrawny and had a thing for always moving about. Dietrich had the lightest blond hair imaginable and dark blue eyes that matched the ocean on a dreary day. His thing was always making people laugh, with imitations, yet he could be serious when needed.

He stopped in front of me with Randolf hot on his heels.

I had halted not that far away and gazed up at the square’s large buildings. Randolf fell silent as did Dietrich when they saw what had caught my attention. Red. It was red, and within the wavering blood ocean was a white circle and a black figure—the swastika.

Axel, what is wrong with you? Randolf asked in a small tone.

Don’t look so angry! Dietrich cut in. He threw an arm over my shoulder, his voice tough, just like his father’s.

What? I asked, and Dietrich frowned.

What’s your problem? You stop here every day and stare at the swastika all the time.

I shifted from foot to foot.

It’s not bad, Axel. You know it’s here for pride. Führer Hitler said so, Randolf whispered. I didn’t respond, but stood quietly watching the deep red flag waver in the breeze.

You’re dang right, Randolf, Dietrich growled. Randolf shrugged, shifted his knack sack, and turned.

"Mutter is expecting me for supper, and Vater will be home soon. Auf Weidersehen!" He turned and loped down the road, leaving me with Dietrich.

Axel, Dietrich said.

What?

Do you want to play later? We can go and get Randolf if, of course, your Mutter says yes. He had a spark of hope in his eyes.

I’ll ask Mutter. Maybe, I know your Vater will be home by now.

He sighed. I don’t know. Vater is gone an awful lot these days. Mutter says it’s for his job, but he never talks about it, Dietrich replied.

I sighed. Dietrich’s father was a soldier, and most of the time, they hardly spoke of their work. I can stop by my house and can ask Mutter if you can come and play. If she says yes, we can go get Randolf. Yes?

Dietrich nodded, and we started off. He turned a block ahead of me, and I continued on to my own elegant home. Dietrich’s was much nicer, but ours had always felt like home and that’s all I needed. As I approached our street, I heard yelling.

Move! Into the truck! I caught sight of Nazi soldiers with the swastika wrapped around their left arms. They were shoving a woman and her family into a truck, roughly going through her luggage, and taking whatever they wanted out of it.

She was silent, as was her child, whom cried and held on to her legs. Get moving! the soldiers snapped, taking her by her arm, and roughly shoving her and countless others in.

I froze and watched, frightened at the scene. I knew this family, but Mutter wouldn’t let me play with the boy that lived there. She said he was no good, and Dietrich stayed away because his father told him to.

Suddenly, a soldier caught sight of me and came over quickly. I flinched and backed away.

Hallo, he said, but I could tell he was eager for me to leave.

Hallo, I replied, and he smiled. What do you need, little man? he asked. I gulped.

Why are you taking away these people? I whispered, and the soldier straightened up. There was more yelling and shoving.

They are being taken to a better place, my boy. They don’t belong here, you see? They are not people at all. Do you understand? he said hastily.

I nodded. Ja.

Good, now get along, and go home. He watched me slide past, and I caught the eyes of the young boy Mutter wouldn’t let me play with. He had stains from tears, and he watched me with frightened eyes. I couldn’t look at him. I broke the gaze and turned away. I began to run, hoping to block out the overwhelming expression, but his eyes followed me all the way down the rough cobblestone street and into my house.

I leaned against the door for a moment and caught my breath. Nothing was right anymore. I stared at the floor and refused to move, for I could still hear the yelling through the door.

Axel? Is that you? I heard Mutter’s voice, and I took a shaky breath.

Ja, I replied, and I heard Mutter come out of the great kitchen, and to me. She took one look at me and picked up her pace. I met her there, and she pulled me to her.

What happened? she demanded, and I shrugged off my knack sack. I remained silent, and her face grew dark. What did they tell you? she said firmly.

"Where’s Vater?" I replied, and Mutter took my shoulders and stopped me firmly with a tight squeeze. I froze.

Axel, what did they tell you? she demanded. I stiffened.

Mutter, I said weakly and I felt tears springing up.

Axel, what did they tell you? What did the soldiers want? she snapped, and I was taken aback at her tone.

I was coming home with Dietrich and Randolf, and when I came to our street, I saw them… I trailed off and swallowed, trying to choke back the tears. Mutter, they were taking away the family down the street. They were yelling and pushing and going through their luggage.

Mutter’s face went pale.One of the soldiers saw me, and he asked what I wanted. She tightened her grip on me and gave me a firm shake as if she was trying to get my answer out faster.I asked why they were taking them away.

No, she whispered, and I felt hot tears now staining my cheeks. They told me they weren’t people at all, Mutter. But that can’t be true. They have faces and bodies and hearts like us.

Mutter let me go and quickly walked into the living room where Father probably was. Mutter! I cried, and I raced after her. I stopped, finding her whispering urgently into Father’s ear.

He stood and came pale himself. Then he strode briskly to me. Is what your Mutter said true? he asked. I nodded.

I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, I said, and he kneeled before me.

Are you brave? I stopped crying, but my body was engulfed in trembles. I nodded once more. You’re a big man now, Axel. I said nothing. Go to your room. Mutter and I need to talk. He ruffled my hair, and Mutter kissed it as I went by.

As I climbed the stairs, I caught sight of Fritz through the window. Fritz was strong and sturdy, and I had known him all my life. He would surely know what the soldiers were doing with the family down the street. He turned and caught sight of me.

I waved, and he returned the favor. Then I saw Mutter running to him. Fritz bent low and listened to what Mutter was saying. He stopped short on the sidewalk, staring at me with guarded eyes. A few moments passed before he and Mutter ran down the street, avoiding where the soldiers were, and disappeared around the corner.

Mutter didn’t return home until after dark, and she didn’t come alone. Father finally let me come downstairs, and I waited patiently while he paced the room. Suddenly, the door burst open, and he nearly sprinted to the door to meet Mutter and Fritz. Did you find it? Was it true? he asked, and Mutter hushed him and nodded to Fritz.

It’s true I’m afraid, I frowned and watched as Father’s arms fell defeated to his side.

I want you both to prepare for what may occur, Fritz warned, and I shifted in my seat at the table. Vater shook Fritz’s hand, and Mutter gave him a hug. Then he departed without any kind of acknowledgment I was seated at the table.

What do we do? Mutter whispered. Father only had one answer for her, and he said it as softly as he could. But the word still hung heavy in the air.

Nothing.

The meal was quiet, and I took my bath and had gotten into bed when Mutter came into my bedroom. I lay there and watched her come in.

Mutter, I said, and she stroked my forehead as I watched her.

Axel, she replied gently, meeting my gaze.

What’s happening? Why is everyone so upset, what did I do wrong? She smiled sadly and took in a deep breath. We sat there in the candle light, for all of the towns had to have black curtains and no electricity for protection from air raids, and Mutter began to speak.

You didn’t do anything wrong, Axel. In fact, you did everything right. Just promise me something.

Okay, Mutter.

Never forget who you are, Axel. Okay?

Yes, Mama.

Be cautious. Things can change very fast, very soon. I nodded and took in a breath. Good night, Mutter kissed my head and blew out the candle, exiting my room.

I sat there in the dark and listened to the faint voices of my parents downstairs. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but it was nice to hear it and to know I wasn’t alone. With this comforting thought, I drifted off to sleep.

2

Taken

Schritt beiseite! Schritt beiseite jetzt! (Step aside! Step aside now!) His voice was sharp as it spat out the harsh words.

I opened my eyes wider. Glancing around my bedroom, I took in a calm breath.

Aber, sir, was ist los? I heard my Mother’s voice ask what was going on, and then, a sharp click, click across the floor. Whoever’s boots made the ominous sound ignored Mother and Father’s questions.

Search the house! Go into every room, I want everything examined from top to bottom. There cannot be a single Jew in this residence!

I knew that voice, those boots that jingle. His words seemed to blow in my face in a hot harsh snap, and I held my breath.

I heard my mother plead inaudibly, followed by a sharp slap and a yelp.

Hey! I heard my Father’s voice, but it was weak. My heart was pounding, but I crept slowly from around the doorway and glanced down the stairs, trying to hear what the men were saying.

But what of our son! What will you do with our son? Father was asking. His voice shook.

This is our leader’s orders! If we deem the boy is worth taking, he shall serve our fatherland, like a good German boy should. Come now, Heinrich, you should know your responsibilities and duties by now as a Father. You have your own draft orders, do you not?

His words stung. Father? A Draft?

I could hear my Mutter’s blubbering sobs, and I sank lower into the floor, my stomach following close behind. I could hear the nerve racking thump of the soldier’s high polished black boots as they came charging up the stairs. I held my breath. I squeezed my eyes shut. Mother and Father’s bedroom door clashed open and rough men charged through searching for a person that we did not hide. Most likely a Jew.

I choked and strangled back tears and clutched my knees, sitting in his hallway for what was probably the last time. I took in a wavering breath and refused to open my eyes. I couldn’t cry. I began to recite a poem in my head, a small one—one I made up as I sat there in fear. But it dissolved as Mother’s voice spread throughout my thoughts. Never forget who you are, Axel.

I sat there stunned, but the thought was fleeting. A few minutes pass before I felt the man approach, standing above me. I slowly opened my eyes to meet his gaze. His mouth was pressed in a firm line, his eyes not entirely hostile, but lacking any kind of empathy. In fact, they were almost…empty.

You’re young, I doubt you would be any good to us without at least a little training. Hitler Youth will do you some good. He faked a smile. Boys with potential strive there.

I met eyes with another intruder behind this one, and noticed he was no older than I was. Without warning, they threw me upon my feet, and I stumbled as I tried to catch my balance, only to run into the boy not older than me. He caught me, but quickly hardened any sympathy for me, shoving me away.

Clumsy oaf! he snapped. In their faces, all I saw was hate. They took my arm and dragged me down the stairs. I followed, my hair flopping into my eyes, and Mother cried harder when she saw they weren’t stopping.

Father held her back and looked at me. When you get there, look in your pocket, he whispered as they dragged me past him. Never let it go, never let them have it, never let them see it. I nodded.

As I was hauled out the door, the sunlight blinded me, and I caught sight of a few other boys being dragged from their homes. I searched for Randolf or Dietrich or somebody, but there was no one. Nothing but my shadow. I was jerked forward again. We turned to where another group of soldiers had two very young boys. They tried to stay as close to one another as possible.

As I turned away, I caught sight of the one thing I would always remember. It was red. A red sea with a white circle and a black symbol thrust upon it. But this time, it was different.

It laughed at me as I was dragged to my fate and I glared at it, hoping never to see that swastika again.

3

Hitler’s Symbol

I stood there, refusing to move as the rain poured down on me. Memories peppered my thoughts to Dietrich and Randolf’s time in Hitler Youth.

Often times, Dietrich strived and excelled greatly within Hitler Youth, taking on the skills his own father possessed. I knew he’d be a great soldier from the start, and even Randolf seemed to fit in well. But me? I had no idea whatsoever about me.

I had never joined, for Mother and Father had no likings for the program, and for reasons that were probably acceptable. I hadn’t known those reasons, but now I was getting a good long whiff of why.

As Randolf and Dietrich disintegrated within my thoughts, Mother and Father replaced them. I held back tears and took in a deep breath.

What am I doing here? I thought, and I