Remembering Elza
January 28, 2015 at 6:48 pm 30 comments
For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge 30 January 2015
Photo Credit: Ted Strutz
Nathan flicked on the switch as he entered the old brick barrack. It was almost empty, but in his mind, it was still populated by the ghosts of the past.
He remembered Elza, the woman he fell in love with. Despite dire conditions in the camp, he remembered her positive attitude. He remembered her toughness trading sex for bread to feed her sick mother. Shortly before liberation, she died in the gas chamber.
Surviving the holocaust, Nathan searched for her in the many relationships he had. Only in death months later that he found her waiting on the other side.
Note:I wrote this story in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on Jan. 27th. We must continue to remember what happened in the past so that it won’t ever happen again.
Entry filed under: Blogroll, friday fictioneers. Tags: 100-word challenge, auschwitz, fiction, love.
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1.
Priceless Joy | January 28, 2015 at 7:39 pm
A very sad story beautifully told. I loved the ending.
2.
plaridel | January 28, 2015 at 10:07 pm
priceless joy:
thank you. i’m glad you liked it.
3.
David Stewart | January 28, 2015 at 7:49 pm
That’s quite a grim and poignant take on the prompt. Nice tribute to history that should be remembered so it will never been repeated.
-David
4.
plaridel | January 28, 2015 at 10:11 pm
david:
i appreciate your comment. thank you.
5.
FabricatingFiction | January 29, 2015 at 1:23 am
We should always remember our history. Nicely done.
6.
plaridel | January 29, 2015 at 9:36 am
louise:
i appreciate your comment very much. thank you.
7.
draliman | January 29, 2015 at 4:43 am
Nicely topical and poignant. I’m glad they found each other on the other side.
8.
plaridel | January 29, 2015 at 9:36 am
draliman:
you may not believe it, but it took me sometime to figure out how to end the story.
9.
aliciajamtaas | January 29, 2015 at 6:20 am
I never think of people in the camps having a positive attitude and am glad you portrayed Elza that way. Nicely done.
10.
plaridel | January 29, 2015 at 9:37 am
alicia:
come to think of it, perhaps “optimistic” would be the more appropriate word?
11.
AnnIsikArts | January 29, 2015 at 10:07 am
Sad and also chilling. There but for the Grace of God and all that. And a lot of brave folks I never knew and never will.
12.
plaridel | January 29, 2015 at 11:24 pm
ann:
yes, it’s hard to believe it happened but it did.
13.
Amy Reese | January 29, 2015 at 9:50 pm
A very sad story, Plaridel, but well told. I”m glad they found each other on the other side.
14.
plaridel | January 29, 2015 at 11:26 pm
amy:
a sad story should have a happy ending sometimes. thank you for reading.
15.
Sandra | January 30, 2015 at 4:43 am
Very sad.
16.
plaridel | January 30, 2015 at 6:31 pm
sandra:
it was sad, yes, but with a happy ending.
17.
Sarah Ann | January 30, 2015 at 6:10 am
You had me with him flicking the switch on entering the barracks – it conjured the idea of torture. Very poignant.
18.
plaridel | January 30, 2015 at 6:32 pm
sarah ann:
thank you for reading. much appreciated.
19.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) | January 30, 2015 at 1:17 pm
A timely told story.. and yes there must have been so many such stories. well told, and brought tears to my eyes.
20.
plaridel | January 30, 2015 at 6:32 pm
björn:
what a nice compliment. thank you.
21.
Suzanne Joshi | January 31, 2015 at 3:07 am
Lovely tribute to the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. This maltreatment of the Jews and others should never be forgotten. Unfortunately, it still continues in some parts of the world. Well done, Plaridel. — Suzanne
22.
plaridel | January 31, 2015 at 9:42 am
suzanne:
yes, it still continues in a different incarnation.
23.
The Writer's Village | January 31, 2015 at 4:48 am
sad. Terrible episode in our history which will always be remembered with heart break. Randy
24.
plaridel | January 31, 2015 at 9:42 am
randy:
i couldn’t agree more.
25.
Ellespeth | January 31, 2015 at 1:28 pm
So sad. Elza seems a strong and caring woman. I’m sure she was waiting for him on the other side.
Wouldn’t you think that, besides remembering history, society would evolve more and change more because of it?
Ellespeth
26.
plaridel | January 31, 2015 at 10:49 pm
ellespeth:
i think we’re a long way to go as a society, but remembering is a start.
27.
rochellewisoff | February 1, 2015 at 1:26 am
Dear Plaridel,
a lovely tribute to those who perished.
Shalom,
Rochelle
28.
plaridel | February 1, 2015 at 9:37 am
rochelle:
thank you. happy super bowl sunday!
29.
Author Interview – Olivia Stocum – “Tangled Moon”, The “Moonlighting Series” & The “Worth Fighting For Series” (Historical & Paranormal Romance) | toofulltowrite (I've started so I'll finis | September 4, 2017 at 6:46 pm
[…] 78. Solar Eclipse and your eyeballs – Developing Explorers 79. Farewell, Louise – Kurilane 80. Musings of a Random Mind – Remembering Elza 81. Developing Explorers – Solar Eclipse and your eyeballs 82. Piper’s Adventures […]
30.
plaridel | September 4, 2017 at 7:43 pm
thank you for the pingback! much appreciated.