Home Sweet Home

   It had been a sad and lonely past couple of days, but on the contrary, I had finally made it to Denmark. The city was beautiful. There were tall buildings and the streets were very lively. After a couple more drives to where I needed to be, I found an information centre. I went over to a phone book and looked under Hjorth Fengel, there were only two names listed and luckily Edith's name was one of them. I collected the information I need and started of towards Edith's house. I was just about to knock on the door when stood there reflecting on how far I had come and now that I had made it was  in for me know? I knocked on the door and said, "Madame, I am David," No sooner had she taken a look at me, Edith took me into her arms and finished my sentence, ..."David, my son." This was it, I had made it to the end of my journey to freedom and know I have a chance to start over and have a clean slate on life.

So Long King

    King and I got many drives to Denmark, at first, people were uncertain about King, but like I told them, king was a sheep in wolves clothing! Today King and I were playing with a stick, it's a silly yet satisfying game for him, so I decided since he's done so much for me it was the least I could do for him. He would run after the stick once I threw it, then would bring it back to me. I truly enjoyed King's company, although he was protective of me he would never be able to fight against one of the, but just the though of someone wanting to protect me was comforting. Once we finished playing we decided to keep walking, but when we got father down the hill, we noticed something that looked like a camp. There were guards everywhere, what if they saw me? All the camps probably had some sort of notice of my escape and they would have recognized me, or even worse, my eyes. As King and I stood immobile behind a bush, King signaled me to run, but I couldn't run, they would see me and right away capture me. I looked at King for a moment and thought, If I run, the worse outcome possible is they'd kill me right there, or even worse, arrest me. If they didn't, then I would be able to keep going. Hesitantly I grabbed my belongings and darted. Suddenly out in from the other direction came a gun shot, followed by a piercing bark. When I look back to see if King was right behind me, I couldn't believe what I saw. King ran in the other direction, to distract the guards so that I would be able to get to Denmark. I felt terrible, I had done nothing for King, he just gave his life for me. Then I wondered, could God have possibly entered the King's body? Was that God's way of helping me?

My Second Escape

Today as I was working away, I had overheard the farmer telling his wife that as soon as the winter had ended he was calling the police to come and arrest me. I knew I had to escape as soon as possible because the snow was melting and that could only mean one thing...spring. So that night I had planned to leave the barn once they were all asleep, it was a great plan until I had realized that the farmer had locked the barn door. It was all I could do but sit there and cry, I was so mad that I even started to yell at God. I had blamed Him  and I was accusing Him for getting me into this situation and not helping me get out, but then I realized that maybe it wasn't God's fault and maybe this was His way of helping me, maybe He was only showing me my own faults that I tried passing off as everybody else's problem. I had realized that not only had I been relying on God for everything, but I had been so mean to Carlo after he apologized to me. That night I began digging a hole at the back of the barn that would carry me out to freedom, and just as I planned it would, I was able to make it out alive and without the farmer noticing. As I lay there in the snow with my eyes tightly shut, taking in everything, I heard someone coming after me. When I opened my eyes there was King wagging his tail, I had told him to stay, for I didn't want it to seem that I stole him, but if he came after me then that was not stealing!

King

Switzerland has a lot of snow and high mountains! As I trudged through the snow tired, and ready to give up I was rudely awakened  as I almost fell of the cliff, but just when I thought I was done for, I came to a house were the owner was a farmer and was seeking assistance during the winter season. I decided to stay, but only for the winter, and when the spring came I would continue for Denmark. The Farmer was a cruel person, and reminded me vividly of them. I was treated as a slave and lived in the barn with the animals were it was cold and dark, and got fed very little food. Although the farmer thought he was winning by feeding me little and leaving me in the dark with the animals, I didn't mind it that much. I liked being alone, and the dark didn't scare me, well not as much as much as King did at first. King was a large and fluffy sheep dog, at first I was frightened by the dog, for he could probably sense that I came from the camp, but I quickly learned that we were much alike nor did he like the farmer. He became a loyal companion and I relied on him most of the night to keep me warm and safe, he even protected me from the farmer when he would holler at me or try to take a swing at me and for the fist time in a while I felt somewhat safe.

Sophia

I had just made my way across the Switzerland boarder when I was bellowed out by a middle aged women who went by Sophia. She had informed me that she was a painter and if I had the time, she would be honored to paint my face. I had agreed to her proposal and sat down on an old wooden stool that was placed in front of her easel. Sophia was a very pleasant and enjoyable company, after she was done painting me she invited me back to her house for supper and a place to stay for the night. Sophia enjoyed talking to me and listing to every word I said carefully, she said that I had appeared sad and If I needed to talk to her about anything that I could trust her, but I was unable to tell her what was going on, I could never be to careful with people I met, even if they seemed nice, because for all I knew, she could have been working with them. That night after supper, Sophia and I looked through one of her photo albums, she eagerly flipped through the pages telling me the story that every photo told, except for the one picture of a lady. (Sophia seemed very hesitant to talk about her) I asked her what her story was, for her eyes seemed to told a story of sorrow, and Sophia informed me that it was her old friend Edith Hjorth Fengel, who, along with her husband and son David, were arrested by the police and sent to a prison camp. Edith managed to escape the prison camp with the help of a guard who was in love and was smuggled into Denmark were she now lives as happily as a person who has been through all that can. Her husband on the other hand was killed and nobody knows were her son is.

On the Road Again

           After I left Maria's house, I proceeded on with my journey to freedom, I continued over a bridge which lead me to a city called Florence were I visited yet another church. This church was different from among the others I had stopped in throughout out my journey, but the one thing it had in common with all the other churchs, was it's large and substantial wooden doors. After I had stopped in and had a wonderfull conversation with a priest, who informed me on my God and something called Psalm 23, I  continued on to Millan where I had earn some decent money working at a train station to help pay for some of my needs. It was there in Millan when I was sitting on a bench next to a man scaning through a newspaper, that I came across an artical addressed to me. It was from Giovanni and his family, they had apologized for what they had said, they had meant no harm, they had only questioned me to better understand what I had gone through so they could have better help me. Even thought they pleaded me to return back to them, I figured I was already this far and I had nothing to lose by trying to get to Denmark.

Behind Closed Doors

  I didn't really play with the other kids as much as I should have through out my stay with Maria and her family, but could you blame me? There was so many books and educational devices, like the globe that Maria showed me. She had informed me that in order to get to Denmark I must go through Germany and then to Switzerland. The children could never understood my fascination towards the books, but to come to think of it, the books were  my only reason to stay with the family. That night I lay in bed thinking about all that I had been through the past couple of days, I couldn't fall asleep so I had decided to get dressed and go outside to think. As I made my way to the gardens, I was surrounded by the darkness of the night and the only thing that I was capable of thinking of was my fear, so I headed back inside and back to bed. I slowly crept up to my bed but just as I pasted the big living room that opened up onto the terrace, a light switched on and the children's parents sat down to talk. I overheard them talking about how strange they thought I was and how they thought my stories were to well put together and the way I was towards their Maria was weird and. Then Elsa added that my eyes scared her, they were the eyes of an old man who had scene a lot in his life time and didn't care about living anymore which her feel insecure. That night I decided to write them a note explaining that I was gracious for all that they had done for me, but I had to leave for I was not all those things that they said. As I began packing my belongings, there was Maria all sweet and kind pleading me not to go, with that she gave me a kiss goodbye and a gold chain to remember her by, and I was gone.

Milk

   I have really been enjoying my time with Maria and her family, I get to sleep in an actual bed and get to wear clothes that are not covered in thick layers of dirt and mud, I get to wash in a bathtub and with proper equipment and I get to enjoy three hearty meals a day. Today while I was enjoing breakfast that Elsa had prepared for the kids and I, she handed me somthing called milk and vitamins and it had all seemed quite familiar, and that's when it hit me that they served a substance similar to the milk that Elsa was feeding her kids to make them healthy and strong, at the camp. Was it possible that I was an important hostage back at the camp and that was the reasoning behind the mans actions of slipping me extra milk and vitamins?

A Smile

You will never believe what has happened to me, I have accomplished the impossible, I now know how to smile! You may say it was all the practice I had, but I think the true reason behind my new profound talent is all thanks to God. After I saved Maria from the fire, God rewarded me with the gift of smiling. Not only can I now smile, but I can feel what happiness free from cruelty feels like, but for some reason, I only am able to express my new emotions whenever I am with Maria!

Maria

After I had decided to go back with Giovanni and the children, I was checked out by a doctor then sent off to bed. I had never slept in a real bed before, it was quite large and very comfortable. When I had woken up, there in front of me was the girl. She had told me she was anxiously waiting for me to wake up, for she wanted to personally thank me for saving her life. She then informed me that her name was Maria, and that lunch was being prepared for us downstairs,as she walked off she showed me the clothes her mother had laid out for me and left me to get prepared. I started down the stairs and entered the dinning room as directed. There before me was the  family eagerly awaiting my arrival. As I skimmed the crowed I noticed the two younger boys who fidgeted with excitement,another boy who appeared to be around my age, Maria who's smile made my heart sink, her mother and father.....and him, the boy who nearly beat me to death in the forest, Carlo. As we sat down for our meal, it came to my awareness that I had never eaten with a fork nor a knife, despite the fact that I occurred may challenges with the cutlery I was given, the meal was fantastic.

The Fire

I had already had enough excitement for one day, so I decided it would be in my best interest to find a spot to settle down and keep my stuff. Once I had found the spot that best suited my needs, I was determined to get some rest. It wasn't long after I had dozed of into a nice relaxing sleep when I was interrupted by the distant cries and screams of children. I had noticed the sounds were coming from the barn where the kids were playing. "Help" they were screaming, "Fire!" As I ran over to see what all the commotion was about, one of the kids had brought to my attention that the young girl was tried to a chair and inside the burning shed. I knew I had to rescue her, for God! He had gotten me this far and he helped me through a lot and I need a way to reciprocate the help. Before I went trough with my plan on saving the young girl, I asked God not to help me, for it was my only way of repaying him and showing my appreciation. I ran into the barn eager and committed to save her, it would be a shame to let someone so beautiful and delicate die, but it was so hard to breath let alone see what was going on. I was able to untie her from the chair and get both her and I out of the barn before it collapsed, we were both coughing frantically. When her father, a man who went by the name of Giovanni, came by to see what had happened he graciously thanked me and begged I come go back home with them. I hesitated, but they quickly assured me that they would take care of me and feed me for my troubles.

The Children

     I had noticed some kids overhead playing near a slightly run-down barn, they were laughing and smiling with no worries in mind and having a great time. There was a child who stood out from among the crowd, a young girl, she was as delicate yet as stunning as a flower and her laugh sounded like the light tinkling of polished glass. As I had gotten a bit closer, they had asked me if I was wanting to join them. They had informed me that they were playing a game called Davy Crokette, where the children would lock one of the others in the barn, then try to rescue them. I found the whole idea quite immature, people shouldn't joke or pretend to keep someone imprisoned, it wasn't a joking matter. Those children came across as opulent, they were probably never exposed to any other life other than there, so how was I supposed to expect them to anything about my life? Sometimes I feared children more than I feared adults, children were capable of making the fine distinction between whether or not I am an ordinary 12 year old boy or not, they'd be able to tell that I didn't know how to interact with other children my age or now how to express my happiness, but adults on the other had would just think I was wise and was ahead of my years.

A Walk Through the Forest

As I proceeded through yet another elegant Italian city I got to experience one of the worlds most wonderful experiences, music! As I continued listening to the music I came across a forest that was very tranquil but something about it gave off an eerie sense of approach. It seemed as if It could be filled with "them" in every slope that lay in the ground or behind every weeping willow that skimmed the ground. Worrying about whether or not "they" were scattered about was the least of my worries, for the young boy who nearly beat me to death was a bit of a higher priority. I had quickly leaned that it was not a forest I had entered, but private property. The wonderful sound of the music lay murdered, crushed and kicked to death by an evil voice (I am David, Chapter 4). The voice came from a young boy who repetitively fought at me, and caused nothing but fear. I couldn't quit understand the reasoning behind the boy's actions, he had seemed to have been a privileged young boy, who was brought up with fine foods, a family, clean clothes and a home, but more importantly, a life free from violence and cruelty. It just didn't makes senses that he was inflicting violence when he wasn't associated with it. I chose not to fight back, for hitting another person is cowardly and wrong, and it takes away their freedom, if I were to fight back I wouldn't have been any better than he was.

Americans

I decided that If I was going to go on, I would need to buy some more bread, but I would first need to earn some money.

                                                                 *         *          *

  As I passed along the roads of Italy I noticed an American couple pulled over, off to the side. It had looked as if the had run out of fuel and were lost. So, I came to the agreement that I would go over and offer my assistance, but the couple seemed very suspicious off my offer. I had told them that I would go and get them the fuel they desired but I would need some money to cover the expenses. As they stood there in front of me consulting, the wife told her husband not to give me the money, for she feared I was just another street beggar who could not be trusted. To show the women that I was no less then she was, I offered to leave my bundle with them so that they would know I would return with their fuel and money. When I had come back with their fuel and remaining money, I refused to accept their gratitude, for I was slightly offended they would think I was a thief.

The Circus

A couple of days ago, when I was about to get my loaf of bread from the baker, I over heard a couple of ladies questioning the baker about my presence. First they thought that I was one of the pastures recruits,b but that assumption wasn't good enough for them, they wanted to know more about me and were I was from. What if they figured out were I was really from and what if they got "them," I had to think of something and fast. Then I remembered a newspaper artical I had come across, It was in Itaian so I didn't understand it all, but from the parts that I could make out, I understood that a circus  was coming to town, so I decided that if anyone asked who I was and were I was from, I would just say I was part of the circus!

“God of the green pastures and the still waters, I am David and I choose you as my God!”

God

Today as I was gathering my belongings,  it came to mind that maybe "the man" who had helped me escape might have had reason for his well being. He had be right about the bundle, among other things, so maybe he was right about directing me to Denmark. As I started reflecting, I remembered the compass that was among the bundle he had given me, but as I pulled it out of the pack, I had slipped between two rocks, dropping the compass in to the heart of the ocean. Lost for words, I immediately become worried, for I didn't know how I would go on without the it. Right as I was about to give up, I recollected the magnificent "God" Johannes would talk about back at the camp. He had said that God was a mighty person who could help you chose from right or wrong and who would help guide you through the ups and downs that life may through at you. This lead me to consider that If I chose a God to talk to then maybe he would help me through my journey. After considering many God's I had heard the men and women in the camp talk about, I decided to select God of green pastures and still waters.

The Master of me

Italy has taught me a lot, one, the peel of an orange is not in the least appetizing, two, people think my eyes are strange and unique, but I have never seen them before so I should probably find a mirror and also I have learned the true meaning of life! I have learned to be a master of my own fate, feel empathy and care for others. I have experienced what feeling clean and free is like, and what wholesome and filling bread tastes like, but most importantly, I have heard what laughter free from cruelty sounds like and I know longer want to die. For once in my life I have reason to go on in life and I have hope!

Looking Through a Mirror

Late the other night when I was walking the streets of Italy, I came across this women who had her baby caressed in her arms.  I had never seen a baby before, and I had never encountered one in the camp. As I proceeded, The women could see the interest that I had towards her child so she invited me over to observe. The child was diminutive and his hands were no larger than a little match box. His eyes were black and pure and you could tell that he had no worry in the world. But the whole situation boggled me, I mean what was one supposed to do with something or someone that small, I mean the poor infant couldn't evan sustain his own body weight, how could he keep himself  safe from "them," how could he run and hide? Looking back on my situation, I informed the lady that she was to never leave her child and to always lookout for him for he was so weak and he need someone to look over him.

A Bell Makes the Difference

Today I came across a building and I immediately indicated it as a camp! But then as I looked more closely at it I saw a bell and at once I knew it could only be one thing....A church! Back in the camp I remember Johannes talking about one of these, he told us that if it had a bell, it was a church and churches were the complete opposite of a camp. It was a place that was safe and a place were you could go if you had troubles or needed someone to talk to, it was a place were you could be with God, and I instantly knew that the church had some type of significants towards me and my life.

Cleansing Away the Pain

I grasp the bar of soap that lay firmly in my hand. As I was floating to shore I realize that my skin was appearing lighter, the water was slowly washing away the thick layers of dirt and mire that had been apart of me for all these years. I started scrubbing away with the soap and not only was I freeing myself from the mud and stains, but I was freely transferring the possessions of  smells, memories and a lifetime of nightmares that the camp had given me.

My Great Escape

r 

My Route to Freedom

"Them"

      I still am a little uneasy with this this whole free ticket out of the camp thing, I can't help but always feel that "they" are following me and that "they" are everywhere just waiting for the right time to kill me or even worse....bring me back to the camp!

Is my Mind Playing With me?

               Johannes was definatly someone at the camp that I looked up to. He was someone who was wise and very well informed on what was going on in the world. To me, Johannes was just like the popular kid at school that everyone liked and looked up to. Recently  on my journey, Johannes was with me! I know what your thinking, this kid is crazy, this is impossible! Johannes is dead, and your probably just hallucinating due  lac of sleep, but I swear, when I was in the back of the truck scared and alone, Johannes came to my side and comfoted me and for the first time in a very long time I got that feeling that everything would be ok..

Until next time.. I Am David

Should I Stay or Should I go?

So, I have come face to face with a very difficult desision in my life. "The Man" has just offered me the chance to escape the labour camp, but  I just can't seem to put my finger on it....is this just a trap to make my like more missrable? Or is this the oppourtunity I've been waiting for all my life? Tis the question should I stay or should I go? I mean if you think about it the worst that can happen is that I don't go and I die slowly in this dark and horrid camp I have come to known as home; or I escape and enjoy a life of freedom I have been dreaming of all my life!

Hope to write back soon,

David