The young man continued to sniffle
as the sound of heavy boots echoed in the corridor outside. The door opened to
reveal several soldiers pointing their Mauser rifles at the huddled group of
prisoners. The youth covered his face and shook even more.
“H’raus!” a voice proclaimed.
“H’raus…out now!”
The cell disgorged ten stinking,
sweaty captives into the cool corridor where the armed soldiers herded them
towards a door at the far end. Darkness had almost invaded the outside world when
they staggered into a courtyard enclosed on all sides by high stone walls. They
shaded their eyes as bright lamps suddenly flooded the area, illuminating a
group of SS officers. Impressive in their uniforms, they stood alongside a
firing squad of two Wehrmacht soldiers with MG34 machine guns on tripods. Somewhat
disorientated, the hostages allowed themselves to be pushed back against a
facing wall, forming a line of frightened but innocent victims. An order rang
out followed by metallic rings as the soldiers prepared to fire the guns.
Geoffrey pressed himself
against the wall for support and closed his eyes. He saw the gentle smile of
his brother, Michael. “Please look after me, Michael,” he whispered calmly.
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