“Hey! What’s happen-” the voice of the speaker was abruptly cut off, replaced by a strangled choking sound. With a start, I noticed the ominous hissing filling the room. Clawing at my throat, I realized the Germans must have tricked us. My vision began to spin and blur. I could see people stumbling towards the door, trying in vain to open it, their frail bodies frantically fighting to escape, to breathe one more breath.
My eyes filled with ink as I watched others drop like flies. As my lungs slowly stopped working, I thought about my family and how I would never see them again. I’m sorry Anastazja, Piotr, I’m sorry for leaving you behind, I’m sorry for dying without saying goodbye, I hope you don’t get captured, I hope you’ll be safe, I hope you’ll forgive me for leaving, I hope-
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