The Cyanided Heart

Soldiers desire peace more than anyone, for it is they who must endure and endure the greatest pain of war. —Douglas MacArthur

Wendy Lopez ran on the concrete floor in the scorching sun as usual, her ponytail bobbing side to side in the sun.As a newcomer to the battlefield, she hadn't even been on the battlefield - because the higher-ups hadn't issued a notice yet.And she was very excited when she received the notification a few days ago, probably because she was officially included in the defense of Leningrad.

In the distance, a group of recruits are practicing.Wendy unscrewed the lid of the kettle and took a few gulps.She is very happy today.

Probably everyone has longings for new things, despite how Wendy's teacher once described the cruelty of war to them.But Wendy has a kind of yearning for the battlefield that she hopes to be on her own. Maybe she thinks that her command can bring peace to people.

...

In this season eight years ago, Wendy, like other students, took the trains to various cities with their luggage on their backs.

"Why don't you learn the finance I arranged for you, don't you want to inherit our family's bank!" Father looked at his notice and roared angrily.Mother also had an ugly look on her face.

"Being a soldier? You're so worthless!" Wendy couldn't believe that such words would come from an educated mother.

"Why is it worthless to be a soldier!... You are always like this, discriminating against every profession other than bankers!" Wendy retorted, "Why don't you respect my choice!"

I don't know why I have to follow the arrangement of my parents, but it is my own choice.Wendy felt that what she said in her defense was almost done, so she curled her lips.To her surprise, her father slapped herself without saying a word.

"Wendy Lopez, you white-eyed wolf! I have raised you for so many years for nothing!"

Although Wendy is a strong person, she is often taught not to contradict her parents.Even if she finds it unreasonable, because parents are always afraid of the new and follow the old rules, and make some thoughtless knife words.

Well, I can support myself, not to mention the state subsidy for being a soldier.She returned to the room silently, packed her luggage casually and left the house.When I went to the train station, there was naturally no farewell from my parents.

Wendy put down the kettle and sighed.For so many years, she has only received a few letters from her mother, while her father has never heard from her.Presumably he's still angry about his choice.

Anyway, I don't regret it myself.But even thinking about it this way, even the teachers at the school persuaded me like this.

"Your grades are pretty good, why don't you go to study medicine? It's great to study medicine...People will respect a doctor."

"Wendy, it's not bad to be a teacher."

"Your character is not suitable for being a soldier."

Just shut up, Wendy thought.It should have been my own choice, but in the end it came down to an inappropriate personality, or to meet the expectations of others.She doesn't want to live up to other people's expectations.

It would be great if one day I can contribute to peace.And that day is now.

As usual this night, Wendy lay on the creaking iron bed.The stars immersed in the ink called the sky also follow their orbits as usual.But Wendy kept pinching the envelope for a long time and didn't fall asleep.

Tomorrow's defense operation... I will definitely do my best.Wendy secretly made up her mind.

...

What woke Amy up was a violent shaking.Amy rubbed her head, feeling a little groggy.Anne Fasek was sitting next to her, looking at herself worriedly.

"What's the matter...Annie?" Amy asked in a low voice.

"I just... looked outside through the gap in the car." Annie said palely, "There is a big black house outside, and... There is also a big chimney emitting black smoke."

"Hey... where is that?"

"I don't know." Annie sighed, "...it seems like a scary place."

"It's okay, Annie." Amy smiled, "We will protect you."

"Protect me? Really... Thank you so much!"

Of course, because we are friends.Thinking of this, Amy smiled in response to Anne's expectant eyes.

Not long after, Amy felt the car stop, and several officers with red and black armbands on their left arms opened the door.Fresh air poured into the car, and Amy couldn't help taking a deep breath.

Although the officer's shout was not heard, judging from the actions of the crowd, they seemed to be ordering the people in the car to get out of the car.Amy walked out of the car carefully imitating the people in front with her head in her arms, because she caught a glimpse of the muzzle of the black gun in the officer's hand.

Didn't see the blond female officer.Amy breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time wondered—where did she go?

A man who looked like a doctor came over—even though he wore a military uniform under his white coat and a military cap on his head.He and the officer ordered something, and then walked forward.

"Everyone, welcome to Auschwitz concentration camp!" He cleared his throat and said in fluent Russian, "First ask everyone, have you seen the sign at the door—labor means freedom!"

He smiled smugly: "I am in a good mood today, allow me to introduce myself. I am Joseph Mengele, the camp doctor, and I will give everyone a physical examination later."

After Mengele finished speaking, he gestured to the officer on the side.The officer nodded and drove the team to follow Mengele.

"Annie, what is a concentration camp..." Amy asked in a low voice, noticing that Annie's face had been ashen.

"I...I don't know." Anne sighed, "I just heard about it. The concentration camp is a terrible place. It seems that very few people come in and get out alive...I'm so scared..."

"It's okay, Annie." Kate smiled, "The doctor just said the physical examination."

"But... I hope so." Annie was a little depressed, "I'm so afraid that I will die in a place like this."

...

Anne stood in front of Amy, waiting for Mengele's "medical examination".When the person in front of her left, Mengele stared at Annie with a smile.

"Come on, let me see." Mengele pulled Anne over.

Like everyone else, Mengele traced Anne's body with a ruler.Then he rubbed his chin, as if he was thinking about something.

"What's your name?" Mengele frowned.

"Anne Fasek." Anne lowered her head and replied in a low voice.

"What a delicate child." Mengele pinched Annie's leg maliciously, "I want to take care of you more... Okay. Go to the door on the left."

"Are you taking care of me..." Annie raised her head, "Thank you, doctor!"

"So polite, next."

Amy's eyes widened.She didn't know the significance of Mengele's little gesture, but Mengele's behavior disgusted her from the bottom of her heart.What puzzled her even more was Anne's attitude. She neither felt strange nor resisted. Instead, she thanked Mengele.

But if this kind of thing happened to me, I can't resist it.Because Mengele's eyes were full of madness.

To Anne it might just be a plea to save her life.But whether it was the perpetrator's oppression or self-doubt, Amy didn't know.All she knew was that the current self had lost even the courage to take a step forward.