Prologue

My name is Robert Kastner. I grew up in a bakery shop in a town called Sachson. I was young and naive, it was a great time. That was twenty years ago... I was only eight back then, but I held great responsibility. I have a younger sister named Elsa. I’m four years older than her and as her big brother I held the responsibility to protect her. I was thankful that she was a joyful child and loved me much. Our parents needless to worry about neither me nor Elsa; they have confidence and great trust in me to take care of her.

By the time I was about the age of ten, Elsa started school. I was in my fifth year in elementary school and Elsa began first grade. She enjoyed school very much, made many friends and many of her teachers liked her. I, on the other hand, wasn’t such a school lover. Though, my teachers liked me quite well as well as Elsa when I bring her to visit, even though we go to the same the school, but it wasn’t generally allowed for students to be on the grade section they didn’t belonged to. There is however one thing that I am worried about Elsa in school: bullies. One of the reasons that I disliked school is because of the existence of bullies. I myself am sure to be not one of them. I do hope that her friends will stand up for her if she is ever in trouble with a bully.

About five years later, I was in high school. I was growing up to become a young adult as many would say and Elsa attended middle school. She was growing up to become a young adult as well. I have to admit, she is becoming more beautiful and mature. I can tell that she is attracting numerous boys in class; many of them either follow or escort her to me as I pick her up from school. It wasn’t like elementary school or middle school anymore, there is an abundance of work that are needed to be completed and because of that, I lose some of my time to be with Elsa. She wasn’t upset however, Elsa understood that I have many assignments that needs to the completed and instead, she stayed beside me, to be with me while I worked. I was very contented to see my little sister becoming a young woman.

After for another four years, I graduated high school and Elsa graduated middle school and moved onto high school. There is news however; Kaiser Hoffman III had been assassinated by a mercenary hired by the Russian military. Our nation’s response had yet to arrive and placed the event on hold until the next leader is elected. That would be the end of this month. The mercenary was soon captured and the interrogation remained confidential. I was beginning to think that Germany would soon be at war with Russia and the biggest fear I have is not war, but soldiers needed for war. I feared that I would be drafted to this upcoming war and leave Elsa. On that same day that I heard the news, Elsa worried me much. She was asking me many questions of what is happening and what would happen between us. I couldn’t tell her what I had in mind; I wouldn’t tell her at all, but before I could think of my options, I began weeping. For nineteen years of my life, I haven’t shed a tear for Elsa or in front of her, but I couldn’t control myself. This overwhelming thought that I may be separated from Elsa is just unimaginable. She has already lost her parents; I don’t want her to be alone. As she watches me raining on the ground, she couldn’t help but join me. At that moment, my body was weak; I couldn’t move my body as this thought of separation takes over me through tears. It was......unbearable......

The inevitable had occurred. The war between Germany and Russia had finally broken out. Kaiser Hoffman IV, the heir of the previous Kaiser and now our nation’s new leader, had been elected and officially declared war on Russia. Just like what I had in mind, the military began to draft men and women starting at ages of twenty-two years. I felt relief when I heard the news as I was still only nineteen years old. I told Elsa about the news and was she contented. As I was about to finish my last sentence, she was too excited to let me finish and ran straight into me with a great warm hug. I couldn’t help myself but to wrap my arms around her and let some droplets go from my eyes. I was too focused on Elsa to think about the war that was about to begin.

I received a letter from my mother and father on the next day. I was surprised to see a letter from them; it was in the middle of the month as they usually send letters either in the beg-inning of the month or toward the end of the month; and so I opened the envelope.

To My Dearly Children Robert and Elsa:

How have you been? It must be hard to live alone out of home isn’t it? We’ve heard news over the radio. Is Elsa alright? She must be worried about you. I have plans to visit both of you with your mother on Elsa’s sixteenth birthday. We are worried that the war may bring chaos to the town and we don’t want you in any harm. At this time of war, I don’t think you or Elsa to attend school. It would be dangerous and the army is looking to recruit many students at school. I do not want to see my children at war......I’ve already lost too many because of war, I don’t want to lose anymore. Your mother and I will leave for train tomorrow. We will see you soon.

Love,

Father

It looks like they’ve already know about the upcoming war. I’m sure Elsa would be happy to see them. It has been quite some time since their last visit. I’m quite excited to hear them visit us again, especially on Elsa’s birthday. She would be very happy to see them come celebrate with her.

And so it was the third of August and our mother and father came first thing in morning. It was still dusk and the sun had only began to rise. As the golden rays seeped through the curtains and into the house, Elsa was already awake. She must’ve been too excited and couldn’t sleep long enough to wait for them to come. In few short moments, the sound of arrival had finally come. The doorbell rung greatly and Elsa was knocked off her bed, running for the door. I looked down the hallway with a smile on my face, but the smile soon faded away. The person standing at the door was neither mother nor father. With confusion, I walked to the door, moving Elsa slightly back and I spoke with the person. My confusion quickly transitioned to shock and worry; our mother and father’s train was hit by artillery fire and the status of the train and passengers were currently unknown. The person I spoke with was apparently a neighbor from our old hometown. He heard the news and came to us to notify us. It was said that the wounded would immediately sent to the nearest hospital. Without thought, Elsa and I left the house to the nearest hospital around the train station.

We soon arrived at the hospital by the name of “Hospital of Anhalt”. We entered the hospital only to find an enormous crowd. We made our way through the wave of people to the front desk and asked for our parents’ name. They were on the list, currently in Emergency Room 48C. We quickly left the front desk and headed for the emergency room. Reaching the door, Elsa suddenly stopped and held back. I stopped as well, thinking what she might be thinking. I was scared just like her. I took a deep breath and opened the door. It was bright, too bright to be true. They were sitting there totally fine, looking at us as we walked in......but, it wasn’t true, it wasn’t reality......what I can only see that is so bright......is the white covering over their bodies. I...I was speechless, motionless as ocean waves rushed out of my eyes. Elsa, beside me, covered her eyes as she didn’t want to see this as the truth. I brought her to my arms as the waves rushed down onto my hands and soon onto her shoulder. Her tears, like water rushing out of a hose, began to soak my chest. We were soon brought out of the room by corpsmen, which would be bringing the bodies out of the hospital for the incoming wounded. We only stood in the corner in silence......

It was then three years after our parents’ death. I am now at the age of twenty-two; my long gone fear has finally returned. Shortly after Elsa’s eighteenth birthday and our parents’ anniversary, I received a letter. It was the inevitable, it was the draft. I have been drafted into the military to undergo training and soon join the battle. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t tell Elsa, but she will know sooner or later. I kept the letter, away from her, until the very day when soldiers from the army visited us. I remember very well that it was Elsa who opened the door. They saw her and politely asked for me. I quickly headed for the door and moved Elsa away.

“Are you Robert Kastner?” one of the soldiers asked me.

I simply replied, “Yes, I am.”

“As you may know that we are recruiting young men and women for combat service and I am sure that you have received a letter for recruitment. I am here to let you know that a transport vehicle will be here by tomorrow morning to pick you up that is traveling to the military training camp. Do you understand Mr. Kastner?”

I gave another simple reply, “I understand.”

After hearing my confirmation, they turned around and left. Elsa in the back was looking at me the entire time. Even in a distance, I can see her tears rushing out as she is trying her best to keep them in. I...didn’t know what to say. The only thing that comes to mind is walking towards her and wrapping my arms around her. Her breathing was starting to fall short and became more frequent. I couldn’t help myself, but letting out my own tears and telling her that I’ll be alright. I had no choice now, but to pack my belongings and wait for the morning ride...

The last day with Elsa was short. It only felt as if I was with her for a couple hours until the day passed and watch as the transport truck arrive in front of our home. Before I left, I turned around to Elsa as she was approaching me and gave her one last hug. She was starting to cry again as she spoke to me in a very low voice.

“Please come home safe, please, promise me.”

I looked into her eyes and replied, “I promise.”

Before I left for the truck, I took off my necklace with a tooth of a wolf and handed to her. She held tightly and said her farewells as I stepped out of the house. It......had finally begun......