Zosia ran downstairs, purse in hand, dress on, hair done and annoying little brother complaining. It was her date with Ludwig and she didn’t want to be late. Feliks pouted and hugged Zosia tightly “I don’t want you to goooooo!!!!” She laughed and kissed his head then replied “You can have Liet over if you want?” He nodded but still pouted like a small child. She saw Ludwig pull up in the drive way, she smiled brightly, pecked Feliks once again on the head and was out the door with the man she loved the most. It wasn’t always like this though. Once, Zosia hated Ludwig, she hated him for many things. It all changed at one point but it was terrible at first.
German troops surrounded the city with full force; Zosia clutched Feliks to her chest tightly. The sky was the color of bloody splattered lilies and gray-black smoke. Buildings had collapsed from bomb force and bodies lay ever which way. Feliks’ face was tear streaked his eyes red and puffy; dirt and blood caked his pretty blonde hair. WW2 was at its height and the German army had taken over almost half of Europe. Poland was quickly crumbling and Warsaw was almost destroyed. But the country and city were stronger than that; they held each other in the runes of her city. Feliks sniffed again and held his big sister tightly with trembling arms. Zosia kissed his head lightly and stroked his hair, picked out the cracks of dried blood. The tanks rumbled to a stop near the ditch they hid in. On top one was Ludwig Beilschmidt. Tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, strong and powerful. He stepped off the tank and addressed Zosia and Feliks. “You have 20 seconds to surrender, Poland, or I’ll blow the rest of this city to bits.” His voice boomed out past the broken city and dead citizens. Epic rage filled Zosia, she whispered to her brother “Stay here.” Feliks looked up at her and shook his head fast “No! Zosia! You like, can’t go out there!” Zosia shushed him and got up, she was weak and tired from fighting but she had to do this. She wiped the sweat off her brow; she walked out only 15 meters from where the German stood. Her eyes flashed anger and exhaust, she yelled loudly “Whatever you want with my brother, you’re never gonna get him!!!!! So you can turn your asses around and go back to the god-forsaken place you call a country!!!!!!” Know her fists her clutched and she looking Ludwig straight in the eye. He smirked, almost pitifully then he asked “Who are you exactly? Some poor girl?” Zosia paused then stood straight as her bent body could, she replied “I am Zosia Lukasiewicz!! I represent Warsaw for my brother Poland!!!” Her voice was hoarse but still strong, loud and clear. Ludwig looked a bit taken aback, he just stared at Zosia. Piercing blue eyes say through her.
She heard a small scream from behind. She turned and saw some of the solders take Feliks forcefully. She gasped then began to run back to her brother. They held his hair tightly, he let out a cry as they kneed his side, he coughed, and blood ran down his chin. Zosia’s eyes widened, she stopped they help a gun to his head. Behind her, Ludwig stood still, a slightly sadness crossed his eyes as he saw the bruised city run for her brother. He made a sign; the solders dropped the boy and stood back to their posts. Zosia fell beside her brother and held him tightly, tears running down her face, she looked up at Ludwig. He looked away then turned back to the tank, he said something in German. Then with rumbles and creaks of machines, the tanks and troops skulked out. Zosia watched then leave, she turned back to Feliks. She wiped his chin with her jacket and picked him up, they went to find help.
Ten long years later the country was repaired, she lived happily with Feliks in their new home. She had never heard from Ludwig since then. But, first time she attended a U.N meeting, she saw him, sitting at the other end of the long table, beside Italy and Japan. Poland sat down beside Lithuania and the two talked eagerly till the meeting began. Zosia stood behind Feliks’ chair. She looked around, at the other countries. She saw England with his little sister, Emilia. Zosia waved to her and smiled. Her gaze shifted back to Ludwig, years before when she saw him standing over her, she thought of him as a monster. A tyrant with no soul, but know it was different. They were equals know, she was a bit grateful to him but she wanted to know why he had let her and Feliks live. He could have easily killed them but instead he left without a sound.
Add to your private library
My LibraryAdd this story to your public reading lists