A haze of smoke and dust filled the early morning air. Only two houses remained on Slava’s street in Vitebsk– her parents’ and the next door neighbor’s. All others had been burned to the ground. The residents had fled. Before leaving, a neighbor warned Slava and her family again of their huge and dangerous mistake in staying in Vitebsk and not destroying their house. He cautioned them that they would be arrested by the Soviets for disobeying orders and be tried as traitors when Vitebsk was reclaimed. That is, if they survived the Nazi occupation. His advice troubled young Slava, who had just yesterday seen terrified Jews being plucked out of government buildings and forced behind wire fences. Vladimir, her new husband, was constantly in her thoughts. “Where is he?” she thought. “Dear God, please protect him and bring him home to me.” But, then, she thought, “How could he possibly come home when the Germans have taken control of our lives.”

*****

Vladimir knew that the Nazis were interrogating the captives inside the house. The process was slow. Suddenly, the guards hauled a lone captive out of the hut. He was forced to kneel on the ground and quickly shot in the head in full sight of all the other detainees. Vladimir’s insides trembled. One of the nurses screamed. A few minutes later, another captive was shot in the same manner, followed by others throughout the grim, overcast day and interminable night.

*****

Once inside the interrogation hut, Vladimir was second from the right in a line of Soviet soldiers being questioned by Nazi officers. His best friend, Dodik, was third from the right. “Well what do we have here? A circumcised Jew,” said the second black-uniformed officer, who so far had been silent. “Take him out!” Dodik pleaded, “No! No! I’m only half Jewish. My father is a Christian. No, please! Don’t do this!” Vladimir was stunned. Dodik continued to yell and plead for his life. Vladimir heard Dodik’s screams and felt each as a stab in his heart. Then he heard a gunshot and Dodik’s shrieks ceased. He knew the bullet was for Dodik.

*****

“Get up - and back in line - now!” Vladimir looked into the gun barrel. It seemed as big as a canon He gazed into the eyes of the German soldier standing over him. His piercing cold eyes reminded Vladimir of those of the wolf that he saw as a child in the forest with his grandfather. A vision of his grandfather appeared in his mind. “Always be strong. Never be afraid.”