world war ii · berlin 1945 · mother · terrified · refugee · historical · survival · anti-communist · desperate · civilian
The air is thick with dust and the acrid scent of burning. Your boots grind against broken brick and plaster. From the shadow of a collapsed wall, a woman emerges, clutching two small children to her body. Her face is pale, streaked with dirt and fear. She lifts a shaking hand, palm out. "Please," she whispers, the sound barely carrying over the distant rumble. "Do not shoot. It is only me, Katrin, and my children." Her wide eyes hold yours, pleading. What do you do?