Sumary of Between
Shades of Gray
First part:
Thieves and Prostitutes
Chapter one: Lina
was starting to write a letter to her cousin Joana on June 14 1941 in Lithunia.
When NKVD (soviet police) came to her house to take her and her family at an
unknown place for unknown reasons.
Chatper two: Lina
and her family have twenty minutes to pack nescessary stuff and follow the
NKVD. Her mom tell her to refuse all outside help she said '' Promise me that
if anyone tries to help you, you will ignore them. We will resolve this
ourselves. We must not pull family or friends into this confusion, do you
understand? Even if someone calls out to you, you must not respond''. They are
in great hurry and Jonas her younger brother, made mistakes in the stuff he
should have taken.
Chapter three: At
that moment Lina and her brother were ready to go. They were going downstairs
and heard the sound of breaking glass on the floor. Their mother is smashing
all valuable stuff. The NKVD came in the house to see what was happening and
they told her she was breaking Soviet property. The NKVD officer with the knife
on his gun hits her in the shoulder and throws her face-first into a mirror.
She asked them to pardon her... Then, the kids started to understand the terrible
situation. Lina asked the officers if she could go to the bathroom to divert
the attention from her mother.
Chapter four: After
they were forced to marche to the next destination. The NKVD were constantly
asking them to go faster and faster. They arrived at a NKVD truck where more
soldiers were waiting for them. They had to climb a little hill and a solider
pushed Jonas and he fell on his face. Lina made it without falling but on top
of the hill her mom said to her to button her coat. She realized she forgot to
change and was still in her flower nigthgown. On top of the hill she saw people
like them who were all her father's friends. Is it a coincidence or what? Many
people thought they were going to die and they screamed a lot. A woman was
giving birth to a child in these conditions in front of everybody. As soon as
the umbilical cord was cut, a soldier threw them in the truck and all of the
prisoners climbed in after.
Chapter five: Four
hours later, they arrived at a hospital though they had to stay in the
vehicule. They saw other trucks passing, some with people covered by large
restrained nets. A man asked Jonas to put his hand on his mouth and pinch his
nose and not let go until the end. Her mother said '' he will do nothing of the
sort''. He responded ''Foolish woman! Don't you realize this is just the
beginning? We have a chance now to die with dignity...'' In the truck a cousin
of Lina's mother asked her for help and she totally ignored her. Lina felt
lost. Why would her mother do something like that? That is when she remembered
her father dining with his friends. One of them asked her what she thought
about new Lithuania. Her father was trying to interrupt the conversation but
too late. ''What do i think of the soviet annexation? I think Josef Stalin is a
bully. I think we should push his troops out of Lithuania. They shouldn't be
allowed to come and take what they please...'' Interrupted in her thought by a
doctor running and grabbing at the officer
screaming '' Please, you cannot take the newborn. It won't survive! Sir,
I beg you. Please!'' The officer hardly hit the doctor and the poor baby and
his mom be thrown back in the truck and ther continu their road.
Chapter six:
The infernal run started again but the passagers tried to organize themselves.
Lina had the baby in her arms when its mother asked her to take the baby back
to her. In the truck a man with his leg injured was taking care of by the
banker but when he saw the banker trying to make a cast with Jonas's meter he
screamed '' Someone please just shoot me, please!'' This is when the truck
stopped at the countryside depot. Someone said '' Why are we at the countryside
depot and not Kaunas station?'' Lina's
mother responded '' It's probably easier to organize us with our families. The
main station is so busy, you know''. But her voice lacked certainy. She was
trying to convince herself.
Chapter seven: At
the countryside depot the noise level grew every seconds. At that point, the
passengers got out of the truck and split up. The banker asked for medical
support to an NKVD officer. The officer ignored him and when the banker
insisted, the officer grabbed him by the arm and dragged him away without
giving him enough time to get his luggage. Around them similar situation were
happening. A woman who did not want to be seperated from her husband was
dragged away by some NKVD soldiers who kicked her away. Parents and children
were seperated too. An officer came to the Lina's group and asked them to
follow him. Lina's mother said they had injured people and they need a
stretcher. The officer laughed and said ''carry them'' which they did. During
the march Lina and Jonas were wondering if their dad was there but apparently
he was not. Jonas was grabbed by an NKVD officer and when his mother tried to
stop the officer he was not listening. Then she started to speak with him in
Russian and the officer stopped listening. Lina did not understand anything but
when she saw her mother showing the officer the gold pocket watch belonging to
her dad, she understood she was trying to bargain for her son. Lina was
confused because her mother has told her the value of a life is priceless a
couple of days ago but that day, her brother's life worth a gold poket watch...
Chapter eigth: After
that, Lina's mother tried to boost up her son. She asked Lina to approve they
were alright. Jonas was still crying cause in the melee he wet his pants. He
tried to hide his wetness with his hand. At this point Lina's mother asked her
to borrow her coat. What she did and then they tried to make their way through
the crowd to reach the train cars. The run to go to the trains was terrible
cause many people were trying to get their cars too. When they saw the cars,
Jonas asked his mom why they had to go in the cars made for pigs and cows. Her
mother tried to convince him that it was going to be a nice adventure. Lina was
more and more lost, so her mom told her to do all she could not to frighten her
brother. At that moment, she thought I am frigthed too and she really missed
her father she did not know where he was yet.
Chapter nine: Nevertheless,
in the cars the smell was horrible and too much people were in. The kids and
their mother with another woman tried to organize the car. When they realized
they needed more men to carry the injured people and the mother of the newborn.
The other woman said that they had to wait to see if the officers would bring
more men. At that point Lina's mother had brought her kids to change their
clothes. Their mother was looking for her husband but he was still missing. A
gray-haired man put a box on the floor and said that ''here stand on this''.
Lina's mother thanked the man. He asked how long it had been? Her mother
replied that it had been two days. The man asked what her husband was doing for
a living? Her mother answered that he
was working the university (talking about her husband). The man looked at the
kids with kindness in his eyes and said
''beautiful children''. The mother replied ''just like their father''.
Chapter ten: Lina
had count the passengers and they were fourty-six in the cars. She was
observing the other people. Some tried to bet on where they were going to go.
Some thought they going to go to the NKVD headquater, others to Moscow. She
scanned other people and she saw courage, fear, confusion and anger on people
faces. In the cars Jonas met another boy who was named Andrius Arvydas. He told
them to get out of the cars cause he tried to go pee and an officer beat him up
and threw him back in the cars. They were talking with Lina too. When Jonas
said that they were calling us pig, Lina replied not to worry to Jonas ''they
are the pigs they are stupid pigs''. Fear appears on Andrius face and he said
not to say things like that! Linas asked why she should do that. He answered
the reason was because he did not want anything bad happening to the both of
them. During that time their mother and the woman saw the newborn had problems
to feed up himself.
Chapter eleven: The day had past slowly and Lina counted the
hours passing and tried to guess how many were left to wait. She went to sleep
at nigth. whill she was sleeping, something bumped her shoulder. It was
Andrius. He wanted her to follow him which she did. When they arrived to the
door of the car Jonas was there too. Andrius said that ''an hour ago a long
train came in''. Someone told him ''it was full of men'' whispered Jonas ''
maybe Papa is on it.'' Lina asked Andrius '' who told you that?'' Andrius
replied '' Don't worry about who told me that, and let's look for our
fathers.'' They had argued to know who are going or not. Finally, they all went
to look for their fathers. The kids were under the train trying to reach the
other train with their hope in it. Car by car they asked to the men inside if
Petras Arvydas and Kosta Vilkas were there, but the anwsers were negative. In
their way they saw an inscription in russian on the train Andrius translated it
'' that says thieves and prostitutes.'' Lina was angry at the NKVD because her
mother, a teacher, a librarian and a newborn baby were in the train so what was
the problem of the NKVD? They continued their walk at the seventh car they
heard a voice. '' Jonas?'' said Kosta. They had difficulties to stay calm they
had found their father. They asked him if he could come with them but he
refused it was too dangerous. But he gave them socks, extra shirts and coats
cause he said they were certainly taking them to Siberia. Lina was confused
Siberia it was an half world away and there is nothing in Siberia but her
father did not let her the time to ask questions. He gave them a ham and told
them to get back to their train. At last Koasta gave his wedding ring and asked
Lina to give it to her mom if she needed money. She wanted to tell him they had
already bought back Jonas with a pocket watch did he expect that it was going
to happened again?. He ended the conversation saying '' I love you both and
tell your mother I love her.'' He closed the door and Andrius said '' you both
go I will try a few more cars to find my father.'' Lina tried to convince him to
come with them but Andrius left anyway then they started to walk to reach their
car.
d
d
Chapter twelve: They were to the goal when a soldier saw them.
Lina and Jonas were pulled out and the soldier was aiming them. He was talking
to them in russian Lina guessed he was asking them what they were doing and she
said that. We had dropped our socks out of the train. The soldier did not
understant what she was saying but at this moment Lina's mother traduct in
russian what she had said to the soldier. He said '' Davai'' pointing the car.
He was asking them to get back in the train what they did quickly. In the car
their mother said '' you could have been killed! '' Jonas repplied '' We're ok
mom we found papa.'' It is when Andrius
mother said '' where is Andrius?'' Lina repplied that he still under the train
he want to find his father'' The woman screamed '' why he don't belive me his
father is ... Oh if they find him the soon of an officer!'' Lina realized she
had made a mistake when she let Andrius go own his own. Mrs Vilkas saw the ring
on the thumb of her daugther. Lina saw her look and she said that papa said it
is if you need money. But they did not have the time to continue their
conversation cause all the passengers wanted to know how many men were their
and who were their. Jonas tried to explained they does not have many
informations but he repeated what Mr. Vilkas said '' Papa think they going to
bring us in Siberia. The blad man said that he is probably rigth. Lina wanted
to gave the piece of ham to her mother but she said that give it to Mr. Stalas.
Lina tought that the blad man got a name finaly. She bring the piece of ham to
him but he said to bring it back to her mother with the excuse he did not like
ham. At last two soldiers was escorting a priest. Lina was thinking why a
priest and finaly she tougth why all of us then so what.
Chapter thirteen: The
sun rose and soldiers bring them a bucket of water and an other of slop. The
hours had past and Andrius did not returne yet. Lina and her mother and a
conversation about why they want to bring them to Siberia. Her mother tried to
explain her it is Stallin plan cause they know to much but when she asked what
they are supose to know she said nothing. Then Lina asked why only lithuania.
Her mother awnser was '' it's not only Lithuania dear. I imagine he's doing the
same to Latvia, Estonia and Finland. It's compliacated try to rest.''
Chapter fourthteen: When
Lina wook up that morning she walk to the door to get fresh aire cause in the
car the heat had raise quickly. She was looking outside when her eyes saw a
face coovered by blood under the train... Andrius! Rapidly she looked around
and she jump of the car. When she arrived under the the car. She asked Andrius
that can you walk? Andrius said '' a little.'' Lina looked at him his shirt was
coovered by blood. His lip was sliced too. She knocked at the bathroom hole an
old woman came to see what was happening. Lina said to her '' Andrius is here
we need to get him back on the train.''
The woman disapered then a man with gray hair came and signaling them to wait.
Lina was taking position under Andrius to lifted him when she get the
signale... '' NOW'' said the gray-haired man. In the car Lina get a closer look
to Andrius. Dried blood caked his teeth and the cornes of his lips. His jaw was
swollen. In Lina's heart a seed of hatred was planted now. She was tinking that
seed will grow into a massive tree whose root would make her revenge and
strangle all the NKVD and the soviets.
Chapter fifteen: When Lina woke up because of the train was
just starting it run. The bald man said to her '' check by the slot there what
is happening.'' What she did. She looked outside and she saw soldier with
riffle checking the train a lot of food was on the floor. Thats when she saw
the priest again and now she understood why he was there. He was inssuing the
last rites...
Chapter sixteen: As they rolled Lina was reporting what she saw
outside. Finally she saw they were coming to a station. The bald man asked her
that where we are? Lina had to wait a bit but finally she saw they arrived to
Vilnius the capital of Lithuania. Jonas had found an other spot to look outside
thats where he saw a man standing on a tree. The blad man said '' Partisans
they're trying to help us get his attention.'' What Jonas did the guy saw
Jonas's hand and he came to the car. He said '' They're unhooking the cars with
the men. They're splitting the train in two.'' and he ran back to the woods.
Someone asked loud why they are doing that. Mrs Rimas said ''Maybe the men are
going to Siberia and we going somewhere else.'' They heard sound of singing on
top of the train it was the men in the
other train. They were singing the national anthem Lithuania, land of heros.
At this moment all the passengers joined the song to give them courage.
Chapter
seventeen: Lina was thinking the
men voice in the other cars had sounded full of pride, full of confidence.
Familly like brother, father and husband were there. She was thinking where the
soviets going to bring them and where they going to bring her and the others a
train full of women, children and infirmed? Disturbed in her thinking by her
mother talking with Mrs. Rimas because of the baby was in difficulties. Her
mother was to dehydrated the baby won't suckle. At their daily stop the only
time in the day the door would be open for some ligth, fresh air, water, or
food the soldiers brang in buckets. It was Lina's turn to get a little bath and
when she was outside. She saw soldiers throwing corpse out of the train. She
was terrified the others in the train said to her to hurry for let others the
chance to bath but she was petrified. At this moment an NKVD officer saw her
and he threw her back in the train. Her mother asked what was wrong. She
repliep that I saw dead body... The bald man looked at her with sadness and
said '' that just the begining little girl be strong.''
Chapter eigthteen:
They were not sick but the others were. The number of death grew every day. The
people in the train were thinking the soviets brang them to the south. They had
passed trough Vilnius, Minsk, Orsha, Smolensk. During this time Lina was
drawing for let a track for her father. When the bald man saw her and said ''
Drawing?'' Lina jumped and the Bald man said that sorry i did not mean to scare
you I won't tell. Lina explain to the bald man after a quick look on him to
decided if he was trustable. The bald man replied that very cleaver I could
help you to pass it along. This is when
the train speed bleeding off and Jonas at the little window saw an other train
with men in. ''Men!'' said his mother. Jona's mother almost threw her kid away
and started to yelled in russian to the man in the other train. After a few
minutes the blad man said ''stop socializing woman and said us news!'' She
repplied '' The germany and soviets are figthing the germain are in
Lithuania!'' In the train people were all happy and they started to feel hope
again. The only one stayed calm was Ona because her baby just died...
Chapter nineteen: In
the train Ona was forcing her child on her breast. Lina's mother tried to calm
her but she does not want to let her child go. Finally her mother convinced her
but if she does not let the soldier touch it. Lina's was crying when Jonas
arrived with the bucket. He said that why are crying Lina? She replied that the
baby is dead. Jonas face change radically a face Lina never saw before. He took
the rock in his pocket he used to make mark after each death but this time Lina
tried to stop him because he started to hurt himself. At this moment Andrius
stopped her and said ''let him do it he will get use to it.'' Used to what she
was thinking this uncontrollable anger or the infinite sadness?. She said to
him '' are you use to?'' Andrius ligth a cigarette and said '' yes... I'm use
to.'' In the train the others were talking about the germain and how they will
kick the soviets out of Lithuania. This is when the blad man said ''you're all
fool if you think Hitler will help us. He will only make the thing worst.''
That coment was not apreciate and Andrius ange exploded on the bald man and
anyone in the car stopped him. They were thinking hope was hope.
Chapter tweeny: They
travelled father south trough the Ural Mountains. Miss Grybas explained the
Urals were the boundary between Europe and Asia. They a crossed into an other
continent! People said they were probably on course to southern Sibéria or
possibly even China or Mongolia. They tried three days for sneak Ona's baby out
but the guard where stoop at the door when ever the doors were open. The smell
of the rotting flesh had become unbearable in the hot car. Ona finally agreed
to drop the baby down the bathroom hole. She tried to doed it herself but
finally it was Miss Grybass who finally threw it down the bundle. She said
after '' Done it always easier for someone unattached.'' Jonas and Andrius were
getting closer and it was not for the pleasure of Lina. She taught it was not a
good idea to let them get closer. Finally when she saw the ligth of a cigarette
apeared on Jonas face she said it to her mom. She replied ''Lina, every nigth I
thank God he has Andrius, and you should to just let him be.'' Later in the day
Lina heard voice getting louder. It was Jonas Andrius and Miss Grybas. At the
begining the conflict was unimportant because Miss Grybas was yelled because
Andrius showed to Jonas how to smoke. Linas said that our mother know. Miss
Grybas repplied that she know he smoke book showing her and big book she
reconized imediatly. It was her book she start to yelled after Jonas. ''this is
grandma who gave me that book Jonas!'' Jonas tried to excuse hiself but Lina
was too made after him.
Chapter tweenty-one:
After weeks Lina lost the track of how long they had been travelling.
After each stop they lefted a little more corpses down the way. She was
thinking what would people do if they saw them? Would they bury them or belive
they were really thieves and protitues? Lina felt hopeless but one day they had
just past Omsk, God certainly took them in pity, they stopped in the
countryside. there was a small kiosk and her mother bribed a guard to let her
go outside of the car. When she got back with her dress bowed full and heavy.
She knelt down in the car and released
her skirt. Candy, toffees, lollipops, black licorice, mountains of gumdrops,
and other threats spilled onto the floor. There were cigarettes, matches, and
dark chocolate wafers for the adults. In the car it was like a big party
childreen almost hug kill Linas mother.
Chapter tweeny two: After six weeks, and the third day without food the train stopped but
they did not open the door. The bald man who had been charting their progress
from the city markes called from the window slot, guessed their were some where
in the Altai region, just north of China. The passenger were hungry and their
patience at the minimum. Late the morning cam and the heard clanking. The
guards opened the door and they said they would be getting out. The passengers
started to get out of the train but they were not at a train station at the
surprise of everyone. They were in a wide, deep valley, surrounded by forested
hill. It was the first time Lina saw the other passengers they were thousand!
People were talking to find familly or love. At this moment Lina's familly saw
a group of soldier with other men and they did not look like lithuanian or
Rusian. They had darker skin and hair. They stopped at the group next to them
and began talking with the NKVD. Mrs Rimas asked ''Elena what are they
saying?'' Lina's mother said ''Their...'' she stopped. ''What?'' said Mrs
Rimas. ''Their seilling us'' she whispered.
Chapter tweeny
three: At this moment all passengers except for childreen understood
why they were on the train for such a long time. The group of slave traders
stopped to their group but they did not buy Lina's group. After that the
passengers who were sold was brougth in the end of the valley and disapear in
the forest certainly not for a better place. The soldier give them bucket of
food and water again the childreen had been allowed to play a little. During
this time the adults were talking about escape but a gun shot in front of the
train stopped their hope. When the soldiers asked them to get back on the train
Andrius said ''They're going back for more.'' Jonas asked '' you think so?''
Andrius repplied ''they wont stop until they've gotten rid of all of us.''
Chapter tweeny four:
Hours passed and onlytwo group remaind Lina's group was still in the
two. Andrius, Jonas and Lina were sitting on the grass talking to past the
time. Wondering what was going to happen to them.
Chapter tweeny five:
The evening cam and the seconde groupe was sold. The majority of the
soldier left with the train. Only five soldiers were with Lina's group. The
NKVD made them climb in a truck they have brougth with the train. Then they
realized if they had escaped they had no place to go. The soldiers drove them
for miles and they did not see anything other thruck or village nothing. After
two hour they stopped at an inhabited area and parked the truck in front of a
wooden bulding. The soldiers asked them to get ou of the truck and Elena
(Lina's mother) asked them why they were there. She listened to te respond and
after she traducted to the others. ''Its a bathhouse'' she said with a smile.
They had been split in two groups men on a side women on the others and they
started to bath for the pleasure of everyone maybe expecte for Jonas and
Andrius who had to bath the bald man...
Chapter tweeny six: Then
the women turn came... They had to go in group of then at the time. The soldier
were staring at the women and one of them who appeared to be the comander
started to check women after women like if he want one of them. He stopped next
to Lina and started to be a little indecent but luckly Elena had the last word
again and save the dignity of her girl. Lina felt dirtier after her bath then
before.
Chapter tweeny
seveen: When they had finished their bath the last group was entering.
In the truck everybody felt better and they were joking. Jonas asked Lina why
she was not happy she did not repplied. She was thinking how she want to kill
or make souffer the soldier who had humiliated her with his pervert touching.
Finally a soldier look in the car if they were all there and he saw Ona
chanting and he yelled something. Elena tried to convinced him to let her be
but that was a wast of time. The soldier grabbed her and threw her out of the
truck and shoot her in the head in front of everyone... The pleasure of a good
bath disapeare as fast the feeling came. After the truck started his run again
and Ona's body was getting smaller and smaller.
Chapter tweeny
eigth: They drove in a big farming area and they stop to a Altai farm.
The soldier ordered them of the truck. Soldiers brang them to a little house
and left them. The woman inside explained them their going to be farmer and had
to work hard. Lina was thinking I will be a beets farmer!? She hated beets.
Because they were in a beets and potatoes farm.
Second part: maps and snakes
Chapter tweeny nine: They were in the shack when a blond soldier came to them. He asked for
Elena Vilkas to come with him. What she did if her kids can came too. The
soldier bring them to the comander house. Elena did not want to bring Lina
inside because of the bad thing the comander wanted to do with her. Lina felt
really guilty because her mom was alone with the comander. Lina asked Jonas to
stay there what he did but he tried to convice her to stay around. Lina check
by the dirty window if her mom was O.K. and the situation was under control.
They were waiting outside when their mother showed her face. They wanted to
know what did he want but she said they will talk about later. Elena asked the
soldier to bring them back to their shack but he did not make a move. Jonas
said to her mom this was ok because he remember the way to get back to the
shack.
Chapter thirty: Back
to the shack Elena told to her child what the comander wanted. She said that
they want me to translate document and spy our comarades. She affirmed to them
she will never do that but she adviced them to be carefull with what they say
and to Lina what she draw. They were checking what they could sell if the need
come. When Lina found the letter she tried to write to her cousin and she was
wondering what she will write if she had to write it now. She remembered her
mother advice but her hand was already writting.
Chapter thirty-one: In
the shack the Altaian woman was cooking potatoes. Jonas was wondering if they
could have some too. Elena asked to the woman and she replied that you have to
work for your food. Elena had to buy a potato and for the right to cook it too.
After that Jonas was wondering if they had enough money and her mother awser
was negative.
Chapter thirty two: The
next day it was still dark when the NKVD asked them to get out of their shack
and form a line. The comander yelled order and they sepperate them in group.
Jonas was in an other group. Lina was in the group of her mother two other
woman from the train. It was the blond soldier escort them to their objective.
He asked them to dig a hole with empty cans. What they did. During this time Lina
asked why they had to dig an hole. Elana repplied that they certainly punishing
me. The other woman wondering why they wanted to punish her. She explained the
comander conversation and she did not want to do such a thing. The other woman
told them the nearest village is at five kilometers. Elena wanted to write a
letter and she said that don't worry for the soldier I have a contact.
Chapter thirty
three: They had dug a big hole when finaly the guard gave them a break.
He brought them a bucket of water without cup or anything. They had to do like
dog and lapping for the water. Elena asked the guard for let them go pee they
were joking and Elena said '' our humor they can't take that from us''. When
they got back to their job Lina was wondering if they were not digging their
own grave.
Chapter thirty four:
The rains started and they were still digging the hole. When finaly the
guard let them go giving them coupon. They came back to the shack when Jonas
explain them they had to give the coupon to someone for had three hundred
grammes of bread. Lina was shocked they dug the whole day and they had only a
little piece of bread. In their way back after had their bread. They saw Miss
Grybas in front of her shack. She was wondering what were happpen to them. After
they had explain to her what was their daily job she quickly gave them beets
she had hide in her underwear. Lina started to realized she did not care at all
they were hide in someone sweaty underwear.
Chapter thirty five:
When they were back to the shack Elena asked her daugther to bring a
beet to Mr Stallas the bald man. She complained a little but she tool the beet
and made her way to the bald man shack. In her way back she saw Andrius and
talked a little with him. He was evasive but he asked information about Jonas
and Elena. He give her information about the soldier who after them the blond
guard name his Kretzsky and the commander he is Komorov. When Lina tried to
know where was his shack he respond he got to go and he left her there giving
her three cigarettes for her mother and Jonas. When she get back to the shack
she gave the cigarettes to her mother and she gave one to the Altaian woman and
present herself and her childreen. It was how they knew her name was Ulyushka.
Chapter thirty
six: They were asleep when it
happened. The soldier asked them to report to the commander shack. A the shack
the soldiers asked them to form a line and after the commander was speaking to
Mrs Vilkas (Lina's mother). With him many soldier carring riffles were there
to. He said something to Mrs Vilkas and she translated to the other they had to
sign something. The others asked what was that for. She replied if they were
signing that they were agree with three points. First, they sign that they
agree to join this collective farm. Second, they sign that they agreee to pay a
war tax of two hundred rubles. The last one, they agree that they were all
criminal and their sentence shall be twenty-five years of hard labor. The
stress was rising in the crowd when someone yelled them ''SILENCE.'' It was the
gray haired man named Alexandras Lukas. He conviced them to stay calm and to do
not sign the contract cause the soviet need them at least for the winter. They
all agreed with that and they all sat together in front of the commander. The
commander tried to kick some people to scared them. They did not want to sign
but Mrs Vilkas said to him too they want to work. The commander relied the
commande to the blond guard Kretzsky.
Chapter thirty-seveen: At sunrise the
soldier let them get back to their shack. They had to work without sleeping.
After a quick breakfeast they were on their way to reach the digging site. Mrs
Rimas came to them with a scared face and they understood quickly why. Someone
were attache on a pole with bullet wound all over his chest it was because he
had wrote a letter to the Lutuania freedom figther. Lina was really scared
because of that. They were back to their work and Kretzsky was really mad
because their standoff had retrived him to sleep. After all the morning of work
the water truck came to them but with the cammander Komorov in too. He looked
really mad and he yelled to them to get in the hole they were digging. At first
they not wanted to climb in but after Komoroy pullep his gun out of his belt they
all climbed quickly in the hole. He ordered them to lay in and started shooting
in the hole the four woman were scared. Lina was wondering what she could do
because if she stayed in the hole she will be burried alive and if she stand
she will be shoot. After a couple of minutes like that Komorov finally left
them. Lina's mother grab Lina in her arm and said '' don't worry my dear he
only tried to scared us.'' She could not talked or cried she was just to
scared.
Chapter
thirty-eigth: When they came back to the shack Jonas was wondering what
happened to them but Lina and her mom said to him they were just tired. He did
not argue with them and he show his loot of three potatoes he had get during
the day. After Elena bring one potatoes to Mr Stalas who can not work. Lina see
her mom talking with Andrius and she followed him to see where he lived. he
entered in a log house of NKVD officer. She did not belive what see saw there
Andrius mom all clean with new cloath giving drink to the soldier. Andrius and
his mom were working for the soviet.
Chapter thirty-nine:
Linas was really upset because of what Andrius did. A couple of day
later when she brougth food to Mr Stalas Andrius came to talk to her but she
was completly cold with him. He tried to know why giving salami to her brother
and he ligthed a cigarette. Andrius asked to Jonas to let them alone. This is
when Lina exploed asking him where he get his cigarettes and all this food and
he was a shame to work for soviet. Andrius responded that '' you don't even
know why I obligated to to that my mother had to slept with them because if she
don't do that they will kill me you don't even know how I want to kill myself
for let her free again.'' Lina's mouth dropped and before she could excuse
herself he was already far away.
Chapter fourthy: When
Lina came back to the shack Jonas was already asleep and her mother was waiting
for her. She tried to explain to her Andrius was trying all he can but she was
always blocking him. She explain to her how clumpsy boys can be she started to
understood a little.
Chapter fourhty-one:
The moral of the prisoner felt down rapidly and some of them started to
sign the comdanation of 25 years forced work. Lina's mother said to her to
understood them but she could not. She explained to her the soldier had broke their
conviction and she had to felt sorry for them. They were trying to find a way
to post letter but it was more difficult then it looked. Mr Stalas with his
snake thongue said they could asked to Andrius mother becaus e she was
spleeping with them. Elena's anger shut his mouth when she said he could eat
because of them.
Chapter fourthy-two:
Elena took a weeding gift silver serving pieces for send a letter she gave it
to a woman in exchange. At the camp it was run for information of what happened
outside to know when the war will end.
Chapter
fourthy-three: Lina and her mother were working when Kretzsky came to
Elena and he asked her something in russian. After that ELena yelled to the
others if someone could draw for two cigarettes. At first she was sacred the
NKVD found what she had draw but finally Lina said she could drew for them but
her mother looked scared about that. She asked the officer to came with her but
he refused. Lina followed the officer to a log house.
Chapter
fourthy-four: At the begining the soldiers were making fun about Lina
and finally gave to her a map a photography and stuff to draw. She drew the map
and the picture and nothing happened to her. She gets her cigarette as they
promised and she had the authorisation to get back to her shack.
Chapter
fourthy-five: Lina was on her way back to the shack when she was on
front of a NKVD bulding she heard someone crying and whispered in luthianian.
She made her way closer to see who it was. She saw Mrs Arvydas and Andrius it
was Andrius mother who was crying. She made a step closer when Andrius head up
and asked her what she wanted. She replied she wanted to help him but he
refused it was when Andrius mother turn her head to saw what was going on. Lina
saw her face covored of blood she been hitted really hard in the face. Lina
tried to give Andrius the cigarette she wanted to give him for made her
appologize but she cannot she cried her appologize and ran back to the shack.
Jonas asked her what was the matter but she did not wanted to tell him. She
asked where was Elena he repplied she was on her way back to saw the woman who
posted her letter. When her mother caame back she did not had the time to tell
her about Andrius mother because the NKVD wanted them to sign again the
contract.
Chapter fourthy-six:
They were all waitting to see if they were going to have news from the letter
they posted. That made conversation between them and that little hope helped
them in so many ways. The winter was comming and Jonas had to go cut some wood
with the other men in the forest. Luckly Jonas had the time to stole winter
cloaths for them. Andrius still did not want to talk with Lina but still giving
food to them.
Chapter
fourthy-seveen: At the mid of november Mrs Rimas had recived the first
letter of the whole camp. Everybody came to her shack to get news. As expected
the letter had many lined crossed but still had something to read. The letter
said the writter (Mrs Rymas cousin) had visite a camp it was like Psalm 102
Jonas found the Psalm in the bibble it was a message between hope and sadness
but the all group has been boosted by hope anyway. Andrius was there and
because of the crowd they were really close because everybody was pushing
foward to see what going on in the letter. They took news from each other but
Andrius was still a little cold with but she did mind about it he had good
reason to be mad at her. She still hoping he finally pardon her sooner or
later.
Chapter
fourthy-eitgh: It happened a week later Jonas were working in the wood
when he felt down and stop moving. They bring him back to the shack until the
gray-haired man told them it was scurvy from malnourished and it was not
contagious. Andrius came to the shack with a can of tomatoes to feed him a
little. Elena bring a siberian woman who told them she know a tea would help
him to heal. Elena asked Andrius to stay because she known Jonas really like
Andrius he agreed.
Chapter
fourthy-nine: Lina and Andrius were alone and Lina took this
opportunity to apologize again to him. He did not said much then Lina continu
her drawing she had started to Jonas to make him feel better it was his
chamber. She was lost in her mind when Andrius said ''he told me about his
plane.'' She agreed with him Jonas really loved his plane. She took the compress
on the head of Jonas and put it in the snow during this time Andrius was
looking at the other drawing of Lina. One it was him and he laugh a little
about the angle of the drawing because Lina was shorter then him. She said that
was my point of vue of you. Elena came back at this moment with the siberian
woman and the tea then Andrius left.
Chapter fifty:
Its took two week for Jonas to improve. His leg trembeled when he walked.
During this time Cristmas has come and the people had made some little reunion
for get the Cristmas spirit. Lina has convince Andrius and his mother to came
with them. Andrius's mother bring vodka because she felt the mouth of the
people who were not agree with her presence.
Chapter fifty-one:
It was Cristmas all people join at the bald man shack and all of them bring a
little of food they had keep. They all brang photographie of their familly and
they all let them on a empty chair a Luthianian tradition for the member who
cannot be their for cristmas but at the moment they had a lot of fun the NKVD
came to make them sign during Cristmas. They tried to convince them to let them
celebrate the Cristmas but the NKVD pulled out their guns and they had to
follow for an other white nigth.
Chapter fifty-two:
The whole Cristmas day they had to work without slept when Linas came back to
the shack she was exhausted. Andrius came to see them and Lina give him a
portrait of him with a better angle then the last one he was really impress.
After that, Elena and Andrius had gone to see Andrius's mother to make Cristmas
wishes.
Chapter fifty-three:
The next day Andrius came in panic saying the commander was in his way to get
Lina. She were scared it was because of the stolen pen but it was not. The
commander wanted a portrait of him for his wife. Lina was not really happy but
her mother told her she could get a large price for that. They were talking
about of what she can get for that.
Chapter fifty-four:
Lina was with the commander and she started to draw. During her work the
commander always wanted break and for an artist like Lina it was horrible
because drawing like that it is hard and difficult with a bad subject like him
and she hated him. Kretzsky entered in the office and gave files to the
commander. Lina was sure the files had information about her dad. After that
she finished the drawing and gave it to the commander. The commander admired
hiself and improved his ego already to huge. The deal was for potatoes but the
commander only agree with some bread. Jonas was waiting outside and he entered
in the place to get Lina he said thats better then nothing. When she was
getting her stuff back she saw the files on the table whose the commander
certainly dropped them for admired hiself. Lina stoled them and she quickly
took the exit.
Chapter fifty-five:
They were waiting for their bread when Kretzsky dropped them on the dirt. Lina
ate him more then before but Jonas and her layed down to get the precious food.
They were behind the cafeteria office when a door openned and the officer
inside started to throw them cans laughing a lot. They were all drunk Lina
wanted to left the more quickly but Jonas noticed some of the cans were almost
full or brand new. Andrius showed hiself at this moment and helpped them to get
the food. They were getting the cans when Kretzsky came back yelled something.
Jonas traducted he said they were steeling food. They made a run for it.
Chapter fifty-six:
They were at a secure distance from the NKVD and Lina asked Jonas to go back to
the shack and said to their mother they were OK. After that Lina told Andrius
she had stolen the files of her family Andrius was really scared about that but
he traduct information for her. Lina's dad were in prison at Krasnoyarsk. She
remember the name because she had drawn it on the map the NKVD asked for.
Andrius brang back the files to the NKVD house.
Chapter
fifty-seveen: Back at the shack the familly decided to eat the most of
the food they had get. Lina was wondering about Andrius if he was Ok and if he
securely brang back the files. She did not mentioned it to her mother because
she did not want to know her sad because her husband was in prison. She draw
her house with the Luthianian flag. She gave it to a woman who had the rigth to
go at the village to pass it and maybe get to the prison where her father was.
During the day she saw Andrius and when she saw his face she noticed he suceed
to brang back the files.
Chapter fifty-eigth:
It was the sixteenth birthay of Lina and everyone looked to had forgot. She was
a bit sad but she did not mean about that what she would expected a party gift
and a cake? She was in line to get her ration when Jonas came to said to her Mr
Rymas had an other letter. She ran to the shack and when she entered in the
shack everyone said ''HAPPY BIRTHDAY'' she was so surprissed! Her mother brang
her a gift a bunch of paper and a pen she was so happy but Andrius was not
there. When the party was over they where outside of the bald man shack and
Andrius showed his face finally. Her mother and Jonas let them alone. When they
were alone Andrius gave her a book of Dickens she was so happy. She joked about
it asked him if she had to smoked it liked he smoke her other book. At the end
she kissed him.
Chapter fifty-nine:
Elena get a letter from her cousin whose said her husband was alive but he did
not know where he was. Finally Lina Told her mother she had steel files form
the commander and brang them back with Andrius help. At first she was full of
anger about her stupidity but finally she was really happy to know where he
was. Andrius started to wait Lina at the cafeteria where she get her bread.
They were joking about how many pages she could read at this point about ten of
them. He started to bother her and she said ''peerestan'' wich mean stop.
Andrius was impress and he asked her to learn the word ''Krasivaya'' without
the help of her mother she promissed him.
Chapter sixty:
It was the first day warm in the spring when Lina was waiting in the ration
line. Andrius came to her in panic he asked her to come with him he had to tell
her something. She followed him and when they were at a good distance, Andrius
took her hand and he said the NKVD were going to move some people to another
place and she was on the list with her familly. She asked him if he was on it
too but he was not. After that she ran back to the shack to tell her mom what
was happening. When Lina told her mother the terrible news her mother left her
to see Andrius mother for more information. Lina and Jonas were wondering what
will happened to them. Mrs Grybas came in their shack to know where their
mother was. Lina explained her she was with Andrius and her mother she told
them to let her known they made a metting at the bald man shack and she most
came too. A couple of minutes later they where all in the bald man shack and
Elena told them she just known she was on the list Mrs Rymas was on the list
but not Mrs Grybas. Mr Lukas said it was interessting because Mrs Grybas had
not sign the NKVD document and she was on the list. That was meaning nobody
will know if they were on the list or not that will be a bad surprise if that
happened.
Chapter sixty-one:
Andrius came to see Lina because the little seed of love planted between them
was certainly going to die. Lina promis him she will sent him letters she asked
him to hide her drawing with him because if they had to make another trip on
the train the certainly be destroyed. he took the file and kissed her and he
asked her to told Jonas he will see him during the morning.
Chapter sixty-two:
They came at the sunrise but this time everyone was ready. Many people were
their too. Mrs Grybas came in cries saying they was goint to send them in
America. The NKVD asked them to form a line near the trucks. They called their
name alphabetically. Andrius reached Lina and he promissed her he will see her
to bring her back her drawing he promissed her many time. Lina cried for the
first time in months. Finally the soldier called the Vilkas name and they had
to climb in the trucks and the soldier close the door behind them.
Third part: ice and ashes
Chapter sixty-three: They travelled all the
morning and they finally arrived at the train. Lina was happy a little bit
because they left behind them the commander and Kreztsky but her happiness has
been short because when they stepped out the trucks the officer outside was
Kreztsky but the commander was not their. They organized themself rapidly this
time. They were in a car but they did not full it like the last time they had
place to move and breath. Some new face had appeared and the bald man
interroged a man of them if he knowed something about the war. He said the
Japanesse had attack Pearl Harbor during Cristmas and the America and London
had declared war.
Chapter sixty-four:
Lina could not slept weel because of the train noise. A nigth the little girl
whose the dolly was dead asked her to check the yellow skirt girl to look if
she was dead but she gentely bring the girl close to her to help her to sleep.
The next day Lina realized she was rigth the little girl was dead. Lina thank
Ulyushka in her priar because they all stayed alive with the food she gentely
gave to her mom they shared it with the others.
Chapter sixty-five:
The train finally stopped late a nigth at Makarov they had to make a walk of
four hundred yards to a bulding. The guards let them slept, ate mushroom, bread
and let them bath too but something was bodering Jonas because when they were
walking to the building her mother felt down and said Nicolaï to Kreztsky. Why
she known his first name? Lina was listening the adults conversation and many
of them were belived their going to America because some boats were waiting for
them but Lina did not belived that because when Andrius asked her they were on
the list something in his look told her they were not going to America...
Chapter sixty-six:
The boats were delayed and it was like a weekend for them making fire singing
song but Lina was wondering why the guards were fedding them certainly to make
them stronger but for what? Later Lina and Elena were taking a bath and Jonas
came to say to them soldier were loking at them. Elena respond a this point we
were not hot enough for them. Jonas was still wondering and finally he asked
why Elena called Kreztsky Nicolaï he was a ... Elena outburst about that saying
they did not known him he was just a boy insisting on this point. When she left
Lina and Jonas tought that was suspicious.
Chapter
sixty-seveen: For weeks the barges crept farther up to the north of
Angara. Everyone wanted to know if the destination was really to America but no
one known it. They were disembarked and they waited again for barges. Lina was
drawing the bald man. This one did not want to be drawn but Lina was stick like
him he finished saying if she known what was good for she did not showed the
drawing. Lina asked him why he was their because at the start he said he was
just a stamps collector. She asked to him to where was his familly.
Chapter sixty-eigth:
The travelled a long time. They salied on the Angara river until they reach
Trofimovsk it was cross the Artic Circle. Finally, they were not going to
Amrica but to that snow desert. Elena was heading to a log house in fact the
lonely one but an officer said to her in luthianian language ''you facist pig
you are not going in this house it is for officer you will sleep on that mud
but before you all will filed out the barges.'' What they all did logs, bricks,
keroseen barils and little fishing boat. In fact they had reach their finale
destination. Everyone were terified because no village wass there.
Chapter sixty-nine:
Now they now the NKVD wanted them to make a factory and they not going anywhere
farther. All of them were scared. The mother of the little girl who talked to
her dead doll after hearing the bald man saying ''this is the plan how Stallin
will end us he will let us freeze to death and let the fox eat us'' she tried
to strangle her girl and herself. The others calm her down but they all knew
that was the begining.
Chapter seventy:
After the nigth the NKVD officer Ivanov the one how said they were all facist
pigs said to them to build their own house. Elena asked for the wood they filed
out the barges and he replied they were going to get wood somewhere else. They
divided them in twenty-five groups of fifty persons Lina's group were the
eleven one. The boys had to fish and the woman to build the jurta (an house).
When the boys went back with empty hands they understood they will only ate
bread again. The men had talking about the jurta design and Lina made the plan.
Later Elena asked Ivanov for something to build a stove he found that pretty
funny and said ''you want a stove? Maybe after you while want a glass of cognac
or a hot bath?''
Chapter seventy-one:
The day after they finished the jurta. Later that day a big ship appeared in
the river with the American flag the NKVD showed up with their guns yelled at
them to go at their jurta. They were hidding them from the American. Lina asked
why the American did not attack the soviets the blad man answered American were
helpping soviets. It was true the NKVD hidded them five hours. After that, the
soldier yelled at them to carry the crate to the log house. The man with the
watch translated them what was on the crate milk, powdred eggs, vodka, whyskey,
fur coat aand everything the soldiers needed to past the winter safely. Everyone
hated to carry those crate they will never touch again.
Chapter seventy-two:
The temperature had beeen cooler and cooler. Lina and jonas had went to get
wood and in their way they saw Kreztsky. He said in russian ''what are you
doing?'' Lina replied ''we are getting wood did you see some?'' He looked
behind him and threw them some he left them their before they said anything.
The two of them were really confused. A couple of day latter the first snow
storm had come it been two day of cold.
Chapter seventy-three: when the
storm broke the NKVD yelled at them to get back to work. In the first storm
four of them died because they made the door on the wrong side and the snow
blocked it. When they made groups for work Lina was with the bald man to go get
some woods to a spot three kilometers farther. When they were walking the blad
man asked Lina to borrow him her mittains what she did not wanted. The bald man
said he wanted them only few minutes and she could put her hand in his pocket
during this time. She did not wanted again. It was when the bald man said ''if
you borrow me your mitains I will let you know why you were deported.'' Lina
was so confused how did he knew that? She borrowed him her mittains and he said
''you certainly know who are Petras Vilkas (he was her uncle) because your
father helped them to be repatried to germany you were deported.'' Linas was
completly stuned her best friend was the daugther of her uncle for their
freedom she will certainly die in that cold desert...
Chapter seventy-four:
Back to her mud house Lina had a conversation with her mom about why they had
did that. Finally, after anger and sadness she understood her uncle familly
tried to help her too to get out of their but because they were deported again
that certainly going to be very hard to be saved. Elena was realy in anger
about the bald man because he told the secret for only five minutes of mitains.
Chapter
seventy-five: November cam and a storm was coming. Lina was in her way
to steel wood but she saw something that stopped her. Ivanov Kreztsky and her
mother were talking she did not understood a word but when Ivanov finished he
laughed loudly and he left them. Her mother felt down but Kreztsky caught her
before she hit the floor. Lina cam in a hurry and grabbed her mother back she
was crying. She looked at Kreztsky to know why her mother was crying and he
repplied that '' your father is dead he had been shot in prison.'' Lina's world
felt down around her but she did not had the time to cry the storm was coming.
She brought back her mother to the mud house with the help of Mrs Rymas and
Jonas and she told to Jonas what was happening. Everybody stopped talking and
made silence in to grief the man.
Chapter seventy-six:
Lina's familly tried to stand up after that hard hit but the pain was big. The
storm had finished after three days. Lina was reading the book Andrius gave her
trying to find the word krasivaya but she found something more interessting
Andrius had written nice word in the book. She really felt happy because it was
his birthday and she was really thinking about him.
Chapter
seventy-seven: At mi-December the winter had them in its jaw. Lina was
trying to get some wood when Janina came to her saying she found something. It
was true she found a dead owl. They took it and made five kilometers with that
big bird. At the jurta they cooked it for them it was a banket a heaven gift.
Everyone in the mud house enjoyed it a lot.
Chapter
seventy-eight: It was Cristmas and the people were almost crying because
of the smell from the NKVD baracks of cake and good meal. Elena and Lina were
talking and Elena asked her if she had apologized for what she said to Nicolai
Kreztsky. She repplied she did not do such a thing because she really hated
him. Elena explain her why she had to because Nicolai saved her from being
rapped by other soldiers and he brought her to mail letters when they where at
the farm. He found to information about her father and thats why he was their
too because the commander noticed he was helpping Elena. Lina felt confused
because of what that soldier did for them.
Chapter
seventy-nine: Lina tried to get medcine and a doctor from Ivanov but as
expected he refused. Lina lost her ration only for asked to help them. After
that back at the mud house her mother was really sick and her lips were blue
she looked at Jonas at she gave here the weeding ring of his father andd she
said ''keep it for me its full of love it is the most important thing in the
whole world never forget that.''
Chapter eighty:
They tried all they could to help Elena but finally she died. The tears of
everyone appears she was all of kindness and love to everyone even the enemies.
Mr Rimas made a prayer for her. Jonas asked everyone to not let the soldiers
had her corpse because he wanted to burry her what they did. At this moment the
blad man felt on his knee saying ''it is so hard to die? I have to let you know
the soviets asked me to make a list of everyone in the village and I did but at
the end I refused to give it to them and it is why I'm here with you all and my
punishment is to survive...'' Everyone was shocked but what was they suposse to
do nothing it was done.
Chapter eighty-one:
The day was hard Lina looked in her mother suitcase and she found a dress perfectly
clean and a shirt of her father. Elena was really expected to get back to her
home she found to the paper of the house and the adress of her cousin in
germany. After that the bald man, Mrs Rimas, the man who would his watch was
bringing the corpse with the kid. Suddenly everybody in the camp followed them
in memory of her kindness.
Chapter eighty-two:
Two days after they had burried Elena twenty-six persons had been caught for
steeling wood and they get five years more of prison. It was the night and Lina
was trying to stealing wood but when she had been nears the logs Kreztsky
caught her in action. They had a conversation and Nicolai opened his heart to
Lina he explained to her he was in prison to because he wanted to help his
hometown but they did not let him go. Finally, he finshed saying he was sorry
for her mother and he cried Lina put her hand on his shoulder and said she was
too.
Chapter
eighty-three: The next day Nicolai left the camp. Now things were
getting harder everyone execpted for Lina, the blad man and Mrs Rimas were sick
even Jonas had scurvy again. Lina could only made fire for them promising she
will steel fish. Lina grabbed her brother like they did for Elena to warm him
during the night and Jonas whispered ''I love you.''
Chapter eighty-four:
A couple of days later Jonas and Janina were really in bad shape but a morning
Lina was looking at Jonas who was nearly unconcious and suddenly his eyes
opened. After that a soldier came in saying ''anyone sick in her I'm a doctor I
will help you.'' Lina asked for help for Jonas and Janina what he did. He asked
for help and the bald man said he will only if he help the kids first everyone
was suprissed because of his reaction normaly was not to help others. The
Doctor explained them the soldiers had to help him because he could bring them
to the tribunal everyone had pea soup and a half kilo of fish. The doctor was
talking with Lina and he explained to her Ivanov could not know if her father
was dead. Lina was full of hope with that reverse of situation. A village at
thirty kilometers farther bring everyones boots coat and fur to warm them. He
promised to Lina he will mail the letter to Andrius too but the most surprising
was when she asked him how he find them his repplied was it was Nicolai
Kreztsky told me.
Chapter eighty-five:
Jonas healt being stonger and that was a relief for Lina. She was walking to
chop some wood when she saw the sunlight again the winter will finish soon. She
closed her eyes and she saw Andrius saying to her ''I'll see you.''
Epilogue:
April 25, 1995 Kaunas, Lithuania
Some miners were working when they found a jar full of drawing and
letters. They had found letters from Lina and her drawing saying she and others
had been captive for twelve years for nothing and she said evil would rule
until good men and women would act. That was her belief and she signed it Lina
Arvydas, the wife of Andrius Arvydas.
The end
by Xavier
St-Pierre
Thanks to my
wonderfull teacher Sylvie Lafontaine who has belived in me the whole way of my
studies.
