––––––––
A punishing hoarfrost had descended overnight, rendering the ground gelid, our return to hiding beneath barracks buildings all the more difficult after our relative comfort in the store-room. I knew we would not survive many nights so exposed, and I was slowly realising that, for better or worse, we must soon present ourselves and accept our fate.
If the showers of death had been abandoned and destroyed, as I knew they had, and the crematoria dismantled, then it was just possible a more tolerant regime now ruled Auschwitz, that would permit us the singular luxury of continued life.
We huddled together and shivered the day away, and when night came Nicolae clung to Elone and I both, unwilling to let me leave them even to scavenge for food.
A second day passed.
A third.
Temperatures plummeted each night, barely rising to freezing point during the day. I studied the emaciated faces of Nicolae and Elone as night fell for the fourth time and knew that, when day next broke, I would have no alternative but to present all three of us to the mercy of the Nazi’s cruel administration.
Those next few hours might prove our last, but I was determined we would confront our destiny with dignity and, if we were soon to die, we would do so as human beings, not animals.
At the dawn’s early light I gathered the children to my breast, kissed each one and said quietly, “Come with me, little ones, and be brave. I cannot promise you a future, but we will surely die here before another night passes. Whatever happens, remember always I love you both.”
I kissed them both. “But now, we are going to try find our Mama.”