Welcome To Hell, Enjoy Your Stay (Chapter Fourteen - Walzkommando)

Chapter Fourteen – Julia’s POV1

Walzkommando2

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I wonder what Lane’s doing right now. 4

I wondered if she missed me as much as I missed her.5

“Julia?” I looked at Melinda as she dug next to me, sweat dripping down her pale forehead. She needed a haircut, and so did I. We’d been discussing it a few times, but we couldn’t find anything sharp enough. 6

“What?” I asked her as I jabbed the shovel into the ground and leaned feebly against it. She did the same then wiped the wet drops off her head with the back of her hand, then tried to lick them off; curious if there would even be enough to drink.7

That was a pretty smart idea.8

I felt stupid to not have thought of it.9

“Look.” She pointed to a piece of wood that had chipped off a shovel and landed in the dirt pit. It was sharp. I quickly snatched it, ignoring the stinging pain in my body. I held it in my clasp and studied it. I felt the sides and it cut my finger.10

Shit. I stuck the injured finger in my mouth until the blood stopped. It was definitely was sharp enough. Melinda rested her hand on my back comfortingly, but smiled, knowing relief from the heat was ahead. I smiled too, the gripped the wood—carefully this time—in my hand and continued to dig.11

Nightfall was coming so soon we’d be aloud to go to bed, or back to the buildings anyway. I wiped my own sweat from my forehead and licked it up. It made the heat worth it to have water. A few Nazis walked in the heat as well. One was beating an old woman; obviously she’d done something wrong. Luckily, no one was on the walzkommando. I’d learned what it was by now; people who disobeyed would be forced to pull the giant concrete cylinder around until they died.12

I’d be following rules.13

One Nazi soldier shouted for us to go back into the building. I snatched Melinda’s wrist and headed toward the nearest building. I nearly tripped several times before we reached it and went inside. I wished that the building were colder, that would be nice. I passed the chipped piece of wood to Melinda, she passed it right back.14

“Want me to do yours first?” I offered in an annoyed tone. She just nodded and sat down. I sighed and sat behind her. I snatched some of her caramel hair and chopped it so it dropped about halfway down her neck. I could feel her uneasiness, apparently she liked her hair. It was better to have comfort then good looks. I finished cutting it then passed the wood chip to her.15

I turned so she could do mine. I shut my eyes; I’d always taken pride in my long hair. But it was just too thick and too long, I had to have it cut. I swallowed hard as I felt my hair being chopped. I reopened them again when Melinda had finished. It wasn’t as short as I’d cut her hair, it dropped to just past my shoulders.16

“Mel…”17

“I can’t cut it all off. I’ll thin it out though.” I sighed but didn’t argue, I didn’t want it all cut off, thinner would be nice. She kept cutting until relief of the burning heat crashed over me and I could feel Melinda’s cold breath on the back of my neck.18

“Thanks.” I told her as I rubbed the back of my neck. The night was beginning to get cold now. I yawned and turned to face Melinda. I hugged her and she hugged me, then we laid down together, ready for sleep. Even if we wouldn’t get much.19

***20

“Please wake up, please.” I cracked open my eyes to the desperate sound of a young girl, maybe twelve years-old. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, pulling away from the still-sleeping Melinda. She had rather dark skin and dark eyes with dark hair, dark all over. She was scared, obviously. I stared at her for a moment, only recognizing her faintly. I’ve only seen her working, but never spoken to her.21

“They heard you’re helping everyone else,” I stared at her, “they’ll be watching today to see if you do… j-just don’t, they’ll send you to the walzkommando.” I stared at her in surprise but nodded as she shot away and laid down with a few of her friends. A Nazi had entered the building. I blinked after her.22

I wasn’t going to die that way.23

“Danke.” I murmured after her once the Nazi was too far down to hear me. Melinda shifted a bit and reached around, as if searching for me, and then she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She glared at me, “I’m freezing Jules!” I smiled lightly at her then laid back down, tugging her thin frame with me.24

“Calm down,” I said to her under my breath, “that girl just told me something that probably saved my life, so shut up and stop complaining.” She opened her mouth as if about to ask, but then just shook her head and pressed against me. She didn’t want to know.25

***26

I woke to a sudden kick in my side and a harsh word from a Nazi. I couldn’t make out what he said, but it was rude. Melinda had already jolted awake and was sitting up, trying to hurry out of the building and pull me up. I’d been sleeping deeper than I thought. I scurried pitifully to my feet, trying to ignore the agonizing throbbing in my side and stomach.27

I didn’t know pain could spread, but soon enough it had ripped up to my head and down to my feet. A headache had overpowered me and I could hardly stand because my feet were so sore. Melinda took my hand as I stumbled out of the building and into the dull terrain. She had to catch me as I tripped and nearly landed face-first in the dirt.28

“Julia, are you okay?” She sounded worried but I just nodded.29

“Yea, sorry, that kick really hurt, that’s all. I’ll be fine.” I leaned heavily against her as I struggled back to the work spot. She passed me a shovel then took one herself. I jabbed it in the ground then leaned against it. Immediately I yelped and pulled away, dropping the shovel. How in the world did I get stuck with the chipped one? Now my arm had a long scratch and was bleeding.30

“I’m sorry!” Melinda cried and picked up the shovel then passed me another one. I took it shakily and began to work piteously.31