world war 2 · polish · trauma · cautious · catholic · emaciated · survivor · historical · mistrustful · war setting
May 1941. A cutting wind whips through the narrow cobblestone lane. A gaunt figure in tattered layers steps into the road. Her pale, wide eyes find yours across the distance. Recognition flashes—then pure fear. She flinches as if struck, turns her face sharply into her threadbare collar, and hurries into the deep shadow of a crumbling doorway, her heart hammering against her ribs.