MicroHorror

Hide, Mama.

Take your daughters to the false security of the attic.

Take buckets of water, baskets of food.

Hide… and pray.

A shawl-covered face lined with worry peeked through the small attic window helplessly watching as dozens of her neighbors were consumed by the beast. Groups of men fought bravely but to no avail. Many died. Even some women and children were struck down on the spot while others were carried off to an unknown fate. The dead would remain where they lay. No one would dare to move them, not even under cover of darkness. The thing’s depredations had nearly reduced the town to a city of ghosts.

Mama held her two daughters close, trying unsuccessfully to quiet their fears while they hid in the attic of their ancestral home, surrounded by heirlooms and family treasures of days long past. Two sets of terrified five-year-old eyes pleaded with her for reassurance but Mama’s eyes betrayed the hollow despairing terror raging within.

Mama knew it was futile to hide. Soon the food and water would be depleted.
But she held on, for the sake of her children. She hummed the lullaby her girls loved as they settled against her bosom enjoying the comfort of her warmth.

CLOMP! Mama gasped. The girls screamed before mama could cup her hands around their mouths. Something was in their house.

CLOMP! The crash of heavy footfalls on wooden steps echoed up the stairwell.

CLOMP! Mama prayed and cried silent tears.

CLOMP! The girls whimpered through mama’s fingers. She shushed her little ones to silence.

CLOMP! shuffle…

The attic door rattled as something tried to push it open. There were inarticulate sounds… then silence.

CRASH! The door caved inward in showers of splintered wood. The dresser and old trunks piled against it proved no match for the creature’s strength. The girls’ screams were ear-splitting. Mama wailed.

The monster fixed its gaze on the ragged mass of humanity huddled beneath the table. A cruel grin stretched its taut face. A beam of sunlight streaming through the small window fell upon the dreaded SS insignia embroidered on the monster’s immaculate uniform. It nodded to a subordinate and Mama and her two screaming daughters were roughly pulled toward the doorway.

A blazing match traced a fiery arc through the attic gloom throwing grotesque dancing shadows on the walls. The monster grinned as old photographs curled into ashes and orange flames devoured the memories of generations.

Mama’s knees buckled. A moan wrenched from her breaking heart fell upon the ears of the monster but affected it not. She cried, she begged, she promised anything for her children’s sake but the monster’s armor was impenetrable, and the attic dwellers, though alive, were effectively dead as they were forced down the steps into the bitter cold day and onto the waiting truck.

The beast exited the burning house and admired his handiwork. The mother was beside herself, wailing in utter despair. The girls screamed and fed on her fear.

The monster approached her. “Mama, don’t cry so! Auschwitz is not so bad. You have been listening to propaganda. I received word today that over five hundred Jews have left Auschwitz. And that is just today’s numbers. They have been set free… relocated.”

Mama gazed into his dark eyes. Mistrust mingled with fear.

The monster feigned hurt. “On my word as an officer!”

Mama dared allow a glimmer of hope into her heart.

“Yes, Mama, there is a way to leave Auschwitz. Once you arrive it will be explained so be sure to listen closely. Don’t lose hope. Be strong for your children.” With that the truck roared to life and soon was out of sight.

The monster nodded. “Yes, there is a final solution, a way out. One way.” He turned toward the house and watched the column of smoke billow upward.