Hidden: Moving On...

The time has come when this place no longer provide safety for us. Our nights are restless and frightening. One time, we spotted some campers when we gathered foods. They were laughing and talking about hunting down animals. Everyone is warned to avoid association with obvious strangers. By the morning, my parents and other adults are willing to run somewhere else deeper into the woods. This means risking our lives. We pack our few belongings anyway to begin another journey. 

As we head farther away from the city into the wilderness, the weather changes from sunny and dry to rainy and wet. All of the younger children like my siblings and I are tired and worn out by the time the sun set in the horizon, far beyond our reach. We have walked the whole day through thorns and bushes. Our bodies are filled with rash and scars from cuts. The mothers care for our wounds as some of the fathers stayed while some search for meal. After the sun has completely set, we make beds out of the leaves, and a small fire to keep ourselves warm before sleeping. Everyone must be exaggerated.

It was almost sunrise when I wake up. My brother and sister, my parents, and several people are already busy. It's another day for us to continue our journey. For the next few days, we will be detecting a safe location for temporary settlement as we walk into the wilderness. We don't have abundant resources, and we don't know what's waiting ahead of us or what's chasing behind us. We can only hope and pray as we go. 

We finally are settling down into a grassland, surrounded by heavy-leafed woods. The good thing about this place is that it is hard to spot from faraway. Even though the ground is rough and uneven, the place is well hidden from above, below and around; there is no wide opening between the trees. I believe that God leaded us at this place. It is one of the best places one could ask for after days (and some nights) of walking. There are some foods near the area, so access to food will be much easier. I am physically and mentally worn out. Though, my fears on wild animals is not helpful. All I want to say is God is still good as always! 

Hidden: A Conflict

By this time, I am certain that everyone of us in hiding is very opinionated and stubborn. I wonder how long this will last, but it won't ease our hardships. The interesting thing about our group is our diversity. We are people from around the world only united by our beliefs. The diversity can create some arguments on what to eat, telling others what to do — just mainly on the personal beliefs. I bet it's really hard for some people to just go with the flow in this type of situation. But that's kind of ironic. 

Yesterday night, the adults were discussing about where to go next. It sounds too depressing, so I left and go to sleep. It was only for a short period of time before the voices woke me up. Mr. Piper, in his 60s, was accused of shenanigans. For some reason, that sounds silly to me because we barely have any valuables. Maybe it's just my family. I don't know what the other's possessions to this point in this place. Poor Mr.Piper. I barely know him, but some people say he's a greedy old man who always deny. We are blanketed in desperation. If stuff like this —finding faults in each other —repeatedly occurs, it wouldn't get safer for any of us since matters might be worse in the city. Who knows where we might end up in the next few days? 

Hidden: The Sickness

Our days are becoming more miserable and stressful. The weather was awful for the last couple of days. One day it's hot and rainy, and cold and sunny the other. Some people in our group are getting sick due to the unpredictable weather changes. Most of the illnesses are not as serious as some. However, my friend Leah's disease is getting worse every day with different symptoms attacking every other day. We are nearby the middle of the jungle. She can't go back to find treatment in the hospital. Surely, the dirty condition in the wilderness offers no pain relief. Instead, it created infections that worsen to the point it's even painful to look at her face, which were full of puss. As none of us are medically experienced, our only hope was one of our companion Old Venus; a former doctor at the famous Kwell-Ditor Hospital. Without the resources that were available back in the city, all she could do was to use some of her knowledge on plants and their healing powers. The plants would relief the pain for no more than what seems to be an hour. After a couple of days and nights of switching leaves, Old Venus declares she'd no idea what this illness is and afraid that it might be uncurable. We encouraged Leah to stay strong and fight the evil disease; that she could win this battle; that she can't give up. But there's nothing we could do except pray; saying a prayer to our Heavenly Father for protection over everyone and Leah. Three days later, Leah had given up on her battle. 

We still pray everyday. But by now every one is losing some kind of physical, emotional and mental wellness. For me, my mental/emotional wellness is deteriorating. I can't comprehend what I see. Leah's dead two days ago, and I don't feel anything. I don't feel any pain and fear. She's my friend, and I love her. Sometimes, she's the only one that can understand my confusing life. Now I find myself sitting here waiting. Waiting for I-don't-know-what. Maybe for the interminable crisis to end? How despicable of me to avoid talking to Leah's parents. How they would feel losing their only daughter,that could only keep them going, now deceased— I can not know. I'm not even sure if they are in their right senses unlike me. The only thing my selfish little mind want is to leave this place alone. But all I wish is for someone to wake me up from this bad dream. 

Hidden: Disconnected

    I woke up late to this beautiful morning under the lights of the brightly shining sun. I didn't know what would come on my way throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch are cans of corns, fruits, and beans. It's too little or rather too much to satisfy my empty stomach. With common sense, all of us understands that we should be hunting for edible plants and more. In this type of situation, we're lucky to have a companion that could train us on the subject. He considered his knowledge surreptitiously throughout our previous journeys. We could definitely use it now. As I go to my parent's tent to talk to them,  I just realized that everyone was quieter than other days. Something must be happening. The moment I realize what it is, my father said, "No more radio. No more news. I hope you know what it means." And he walked out of the tent without even greeting me. A whip of pang hit against my chest. I try to tell myself it's not real. But it is.

Life in the Annex

      It has already been one year since Anne and her family were hiding.Things hadn't changed much in the secret annex. Mrs.van Daan and Dussel were often annoying to Anne. Anne also described the normal routine of going to bed every night. Everyone make their bed, go to the bathroom to wash up, and then it's time for bed at ten o'clock. Mr.Dussel would return late from his night office work. The gun shots at night often wake Anne at night, and she would run to her Father's bed until the shock is gone. How would it feel to sleep at night and hear gunshots, not just one night, but every night? The alarm clock goes off at 6:15 A.M., and at Dussel wake up at 7:15 A.M. to go to the bathroom. Then, another day in the annex begin. It's like a repeated cycle. I wonder what Anne think about her life? I know she said she doesn't fit in with them. But when I think about it, it's more serious than that. She had to live a life in the annex, can't sleep comfortably without interruption and never know when she'd would be found, captured or die. 

The Diary of Anne Frank Discussion

      In class today, I continue to read the Diary of Anne Frank. We also had a class discussion on some of the two questions that each one of us wrote. I asked the questions 'How would you feel when you find out that the owner sold the office building without notifying Mr.Kleiman and Mr.Kugler?' AND 'What is Mrs.van Daan's nickname given by everyone because of contradicting everybody? Mrs.______. Ans:(Beaverbrook).' Mine wasn't discussed in class, but some of the questions that were discussed includes 'How would it feel to have your electricity cut off because of overusing your ration?' Or 'How many pounds does Anne gained during their hiding? (19Ibs)', and some others.

      I'm on the part of the story where things are getting worse. People are deported to Germany and other camps where they suffer, and many people are being seperated from their families. Meanwhile, the Franks and van Daan's are beginning to face their fears as well. Since the owner of the office building (Secret Annex) sold it without notifying Mr.Kugler and Mr.Kleiman, there are higher chance of them to be discovered. Anne also talks about how everyone is scared, depressed, moody, and the encouraging rumors about hoping that Turkey would end its neutrality and join the Allies. If I were in Anne's situation, I would feel lost and confused in the horrible world. 

                                                         -------------------------

       Many of the important German building are destroyed/burned. The foods were bad and the squabbles still go on in the Secret Annex. Everyone is mad ar everyone else. Anne's mother is feeling sad when she realized there's no more love between Anne and her. Anne felt indifferent about that. Everyone must be extra careful because sometimes they have German visitors downstairs in the office. Other than that, things are the sort of the same in the Annex. There's always some kind of tension. 

Hidden: The Help

      I'm too occupied over-thinking about nothing. My mind is full of nothingness. Wait, I never mentioned my gratitude for my dad's acquaintance, the Yarners. Let me go ahead and tell you something about them. They were a nice family with three kids. Without them, we wouldn't have left the city in the first place. We probably could, but it would be more challenging. They let us stay in the cabins in their property and gave us three meals a day without any cost. One time, my little sister got sick from eating a snack that contained gluten. We didn't have access to a clinic or hospital. We were helpless. Luckily, Amily Yerner (the 22-years-old, the only daughter) happened to be a nurse and took care of my sister. From then, they also made special dietary foods specifically for her. God blessed the Yarners family for their good hearts. We share the same beliefs, so I suppose they will have to find hiding sometimes soon if the government inspects the rural side of the country. I pray to God we will meet them again someday on earth and in heaven. 

Hidden: A Room

    Mira — my closest cousin. She has been dating her boyfriend for the last three years that I know of. They were always arguing over something but always make up. I don't know how they have abundant mercy for each other. Maybe that happens when you love someone. Surely, I'd never know. Before we left the city, Mira and her schatzi decided to refused to be part of the government's plan. This means Mira and her parents are hiding in the sub-urban area along with Tom, Mira's beau. Were they captured, too? I really didn't pay close attention to the radio last night until I was too tired. Even if Mira is alive, how would she feel about him dying? Would she be indifferent in the midst of the mayhem? 

     I try not to over exaggerate for now. Things could've been worse, or will possibly be worse. My family is safe here with me, and I know that God is comforting me. That's all I have to know to escape the severe pain this world caused to my mind and my body. I am not a hypochondriac. Even if I am being one, I think my condition is self-explanatory. My body is lacking the nutritions it needs, and my brain is perplexed due to the lack of sleep. Soon, the government will eventually hunt for us. Things will be different and way more dangerous. I will have to get plenty of rest, so I decided to lie down on the sheets and blankets laid on top of leaves.

     The moon is shining brightly across the sky — a perfect time to relive my life in the living room at our house in the city. The room is a place where everyone comes and go. It is full of life. Children like Mira and I used to play hide-n-seek and hid ourselves behind the couches, while the grownups sit and chat; it was comfort and energy. Out family gathered in the room every night to settle and worship; it's a place where we share our grief, tears, gratitude, and joy. The room itself is glowing brightly with vivacity. I don't want to wake up from this perfect dream into the shadowy world of reality. But, I have no choice. Only the memories I can relive. I will never be able to go back. 

Hidden: Captured

   It has been several days since out escape from the city to the farm, and now into the wilderness. My father brought his portable radio out along, which is helpful to keep us updated on the current events. Our companions rather consider it as my father's ingenuity. Everyday at 6:30 PM, the government announce the names of the people they have executed or captured into prison. The broadcast could go on for about 2 to 3 hours depending on the amount of people. We listen to it during dinner and when we prepare for naps at night time. I rarely sleep much these days. And so, one night, I stayed up late and had nothing to do but listen to the radio. I didn't really paid attention to it until a name so familiar was announced. I couldn't clearly make out who it was, but I remembered the name. I was awake the whole night, so it's first thing I asked my parents in the morning. As soon as they told me, I remembered; it was my cousin-sister's beau.