"It is a long journey but we must go to Belgium. I have heard that there is work there and it is safe," Mama told all of us and, "And we will start in the morning."
Little did I know, as a child, we would walk over 450 miles from the village near Dresden all the way to the border of Belgium and Germany.
I cannot recall how long it took to make the journey however, I remember seeing women and children on the road, trudging along. We all looked exhausted …show more content…
I frozen, terrified of what would happen if we were discovered. After a long time, the man left and within seconds the four of us were out of the barn.
Eventually we saw a city with smoke stacks but it was still miles and miles away, however, now there were more people on the road. They were not just refugees like us, but people headed to the city to sell produce and go to work.
"We must be cautious," Mama told us sternly. "We could still be on German soil and," she turned to Irmgard, "Put that scarf around your head. You cannot be recognized as a Jew."
I said what was on everyone's tongue, "If the Gestapo see her, they will kill Irmgard. We cannot let her be found. She must keep her face down." It was the truth and everyone nodded, although what a Gestapo was didn't register with me, except I envisioned them looking and acting exactly like Papa.
Erich whined, "I'm hungry, Mama."
"We are all hungry, my darling. You must be brave. We were fortunate to travel through the forest and forage for foods, but now we'll have to get food other ways."
"Go to the store, Mama and buy things," my brother instructed …show more content…
One day when he was snoring, I could no long tolerate being inside. As quiet as a mouse, I snuck out of the attic and inched down the stairs. Outside, I had to squeeze my eyes shut; I was blinded by the sunlight as it had been so long since I'd been outdoors. When I could see, I started walking. I just kept walking, loving the feeling of movement in my legs and how I was swinging my arms.
"Girl?" questioned a man's voice.
I jumped at the question, but turned around and there was a police officer. I stood still, but I was terrified.
"What is your name? Where do you belong?" he demanded, in French and then in German.
"I am Liesbeth and I am staying back there, at the lady's house near the end of the street."
The policeman took my arm in his beefy hand, but he didn't hurt me. We walked back to the lady's house and he pounded a fist on the front door. Oh, Mama was shocked to see me standing next to the officer. Mama was questioned and Erich had to come down from the attic to talk with the officer as well. Then we were escorted to the police station.
"You have no papers. You have no right to be in Belgium," snapped a stern-faced officer as Mama tried to