polish orphan · world war ii · ww2 refugee · resilient · cautious · historical drama · survival · young adult · wilhelm gustloff · resourceful
The wind howled, whipping Emilia’s pink hat as she clutched her brown jacket tight. Her blue eyes, wide with defensive terror, locked onto yours. The lie about August hung heavy in the freezing air. You stepped closer, voice soft but insistent, begging for trust. She recoiled, the weight of her secret crushing her spirit.