Thank you, Bjorn Rudberg, for this amazing photo prompt and thank you, Rochelle, for posting it! I so look forward to Wednesdays and the challenge of writing a 100-word story.
Jittery. Legs shaking.
Ramon shuffles through the curtain of sparkling lights.
Fingers numb. Eyes twitching.
He balances on the three-legged stool
with frayed webbing.
When had he last played?
Ah, yes, his daughter’s fifth birthday
The day he left – was taken.
Today is Anya’s seventh birthday.
If she’s still alive.
Ramon raises the bow,
sees: broken strings, warped wood.
How can he play?
How can he not?
His life depends on it.
The violin’s neck is slightly cracked.
The chinrest feels like ice.
Still, Ramon begins to play a piece by Wagner.
One he’s always despised.
Josef Mengele smiles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Mengele A link to read more about Josef Mengele if you’re so inclined.
Up From the Ashes 
That is just amazing, Alicia, Raw
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Thanks, Neil. I’m taking a class on WW II so the idea of cruelty is sort of stuck in my mind.
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Very elemental. And indeed, raw. I loved the build up. Good work, Alicia
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Thanks so very much. I can’t imagine the fear …
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Chilling, chilling stuff. Thinking of his daughter as he plays for his life. And so many were forced to do this for the Nazi officers. Unbelievable. Heartbreaking
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I’ve probably read more than I should about WW II – or perhaps not enough.
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There’s an awful lot to learn on the subject. It may have only lasted a few years but it changed the world.
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Such terrible times with terrible people. Nicely captured.
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Thanks, Sandra. Those were terrible times. And the people? No explanation there.
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Such a terrible terrible image that name still brings… I fear what humans can do…
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Yes! I hope his name is never forgotten and mental images of him remain terrible. Thanks, Bjorn.
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I could not press the like button, so grim were the activities of Joseph Mengele
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Oh, I’m with you on that. There should be an “immensely depressing” button. Thanks for leaving a comment.
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Dear Alicia,
You had me at Wagner. This sent chills through me. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks. Wagner was a well-loved by the Nazis. But I’m sure you know that. Hope you’re having fun on your trip. Alicia
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Wagner was also a virulent anti-Semite in his own right. And I make some reference to him in AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN.
I’ve had a quiet afternoon with my son’s cat. 😉 and I’ve encountered some interesting people on the trip. More to come.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was thinking a kidnapping until that chilling last line. Nice one!
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Thanks! I hadn’t thought of it that way. Still, it kind of was, wasn’t it? Glad you stopped by.
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Well done. Such a chilling scene. You told the story well.
xx Rowena
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Thanks very much, Rowena.
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The build up of tension here is immense. Really well written Alicia.
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Thanks so very much.
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You did so very well on this piece, Alicia. My heart was breaking as I was reading.
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Oh, thank you, Dale. What a very kind thing to say although I’m sorry I broke your heart. 🙂
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The tragedy in this story seeps out from the words. The final blow of having to play something he hates was a masterful touch.
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Wow! Thanks. Alicia
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Oh this is so poignant, profound… yet so delicately written, nuanced, building in tension and that final blow/impact. Wow!
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Thanks so very much! You just made my day and it’s only 7:00 am!
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Brilliant portrayal of a dreadful era – one I chose too this week.
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Thanks, Lizy. I’m so far behind reading others submissions, I must get my rear in gear!
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I almost wrote something for kristallnacht, but you and Björn did it so beautifully… wow.
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Oh, what a terrible night that must have been! I’ve been down with the flu all morning so am super behind in reading FFF stories! Off I go to catch up.Thanks for reading and commenting. And – on another subject – thanks for entering your NaNoWriMo chapter early. Because of that, I got mine done last night before I was down for the count.
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So glad it helped! I got it in at noon, and hoped someone else would catch a break too. Looking forward to reading it! There have been some really wacky twists… I tried to stay with simple. 😉
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Thank you. I hope my twist isn’t too wacky. I’m afraid I strayed a bit from you delightfully simple lead into the next chapter.
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Powerfully written, Alicia. It’s emotionally intense once you reach the end. 😢
This is my favorite of all of the entries this week. Outstanding …
Isadora 😎
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What a grand thing to hear on this gloomy day (Expecting rain any minute here in the Pacific Northwest.)
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The only way this piece could have been any crueler is if he we playing the banjo.
Well done.
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Or the accordion. Remember Gary Larson’s cartoon, “Welcome to hell, here’s your accordion.”?
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those were terrible times, indeed. having to play against your will was the worst insult.
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I can’t imagine. So many people did so many things, and still, they didn’t survive.
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Outstanding Alicia. The last line is a punch to the gut. I wish people would remember that lesson.
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If they did, history might not repeat itself. Glad you stopped by (wish we could have tea and cookies!)
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I’ve heard of this monster, your story describes him well.
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He truly was a monster. Thanks for reading my story and leaving a reply.
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Such a heartrending story, Alicia. Thanks for the link.that helped us understand the pressure the poor man was under. Good writing. —- Suzanne
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You’re welcome. Mengele was evil incarnate – I have no doubt. Thanks very much for reading and commenting.
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That story made me shiver, as if someone had walked over my grave. Such powerful words. So tragic a dilemma. Just to imagine how that poor man felt. To have to play music, while weighed down with such anguish. It seems that he was almost worse off than those who were dead. Just imagine his guilt at being alive. And to have to play the music of a composer you despise.
Well done. The sparing poetic form that you used to tell the story, accentuated the threadbare, bony, broken feel of things.
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I’ve often wondered who the lucky ones were – those that survived or those that died immediately? One can never know. Thanks for the in-depth response. I truly appreciate it. Alicia
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Oh, this took my breath away.
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Thank you! What a lovely compliment.
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I thought this was great. I’ve been in Prague and Budapest recently and heard quite a few stories on this subject, so it had a particular relevance for me
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I visited Budapest when I was 16 years old (a l-o-n-g time ago) and wasn’t aware of what happened during WW II like I am now. I would love to go back with my eyes wide open. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate it.
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