The Children’s Train

Early the next morning, Anna, Nora, and Jacob stood in line on the Dinsdorf street, as Victor checked his official deportation list. A line of transport trucks idled nearby.

“Where’s Eddie?” Jacob whispered to Anna.

“I don’t know. I’ve looked everywhere,” Anna said.

“What are you going to do?” Nora asked Anna.

“I don’t know. I’m scared. Here or there our fate will probably be the same,” Anna said. “But I can’t face either without my son.”

“Next! Name?” Victor shouted at them.

“Jacob Levy and Nora Levy,” Jacob announced.

“Oh, yes, the lice doctor,” Victor said, checking his list. He pointed to the waiting truck. “Wait over there for transport. Step aside.”

Anna, not knowing what to do, stepped forward. “I’m Anna Vogner. I forgot something. I need to go back.”

“No. You need nothing,” Victor said. “Where is Eddie Vogner?”

“He’s here somewhere,” Anna lied, searching frantically for Eddie.

“Wait over there for transport. Step aside,” he said.