“Haus Der Huffnung” Copyrighted 2013 09:04:00 - Jul 29 2013 Times Read: 178
23:45 Apr 09 2016
Times Read: 329
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The day was early morning, and there was snow on the ground. I am sitting in a small auditorium filled with men and women, all whom are waiting for the instructor to come and address us. They were choosing people to go on a mission, and we were all being asked “Why we joined the military”. Many had short answers, but I remember my answer plain as day.
“Why have you joined us? “ they asked me. I looked up at them and asked them if they wanted the real reason I had joined. They looked at me with indignance, although many of them could not speak fluid English. “ I am here to conquer my fears”. I have been a victim of domestic violence, and not just the kind that a bruise here or there have been seen. I have been taken by force so many times that I cannot remember, told that I was nothing, and then left with all the responsibilities, guilt and blame for a relationship gone wrong. I no longer wanted to fear anyone or anything.” They quietly all looked at each other and bowed their heads, and gently led me outside… I thought that they were escorting me out for I had bared my soul, and based on their action shouldn’t have. A very handsome thin dark man, wearing camos and shorts followed me. The woman asked me, can another person count on you to be there if their life depended on it? She led us to a truck without doors and started to drive. The building we were in was a white barrack which I saw as we were driving recklessly bouncing and flying past… the man who followed me squished himself on the edge of my seat, and I immediately felt the need to hold on to him as it was obvious that she wanted to get somewhere fast or scare the crap out of me. We turned a corner sharp and the strange man lost his balance in the seat. I grabbed onto him with all my might arms around his waist now and his arms about my neck. She slammed the truck into stop in a driveway in the middle of no where… He nimbly got out, grabbed my hand and led me to a small clearing with a bunch of tables. She also followed. We were joined by a tall and thin blond woman, who I immediately recognized as Kathy. She had an entourage of “yes men” who followed her. Behind her was a beautiful Tudor, very large and gardens covered with ice. It matched the look on her face. She had no emotion, just blackness and hatred lines where once a beautiful woman lived. My friend, now holding my hand tightly led me to a small quiet area, and sat down. He motioned me to do the same. I pointed to myself, and said “Morganna”, and he replied with a very thick and foreign deep voice a name I could not identify or even pronounce. “Breetar”…”Brechntar”… then the instructor showed up, pointed at him and said “Brechtar”. He stood up, bowed and kissed my hand. The instructor ignored this, almost annoyed and turned to me. “You have no idea who you are do you ? “ “Excuse me?” Brechtar and Vila as I learned later looked at each other with a silent knowing.
Just then flashes starting coming to me. I was in a camp with children, all getting ready to do an activity when a small child came over and immediately wanted to know what we were doing. Vila threw a blanket over their name tags and told them to go sit down! She was stern to put it lightly. The girl slumped her shoulders and did as she was told. The trucks started coming, and slowly that field full of children were gone, all holding their valuables… teddy bears, small suitcases, knapsacks and cloth wrapped with their clothes and all had to carry their own. They were loaded like chattel, and taken away after Vila had given them their name and place they were to go… I was led away by Brechtar and loaded into a black car. Then the rest went black and couldn’t remember any more…
This time I stayed silent wondering where the hell I was and who were all these people, and why was Kathy here? She appeared before I had another moments notice. The memories flooded in, and I remembered the foul smelling rag that was held over my face in the car… the next thing I remembered was the military camp. “Morganna”… So good to see you”…”I trust they transported you here without any delay or harm?”. Brechtar backed away and bowed, yet stayed very close to me almost in touching area. “ I would imagine you are wondering why you are here”. I looked at her with a silent fuzzy glazed look. She continued without so much as a nod from me. “You are here to teach the children how to acclimate to their new homes.” “These children were rescued from their homes and brought here to be moved into a safe part of the country where they will not have to watch the bombs and bullets, fire and hatred kill their family.” “I could not save them all, and this way was much easier”. She looked proud of her accomplishments, while the bile in my stomach was beginning to boil and rise in my throat. I knew exactly what she had done. She had stolen all these children to work for her once they were old enough, and had wanted me to be their nanny and shape them into submission. The look on my face was enough for her and motioned that Brechtar take me away…
Anger rose in me like a hot poker pulled out of a gorge, and I swung around and stood tall. “You have no rights to this land or this estate Kathy!”. I am the next succession, and therefore “You belong to ME!” “You are no longer part of this family. The yes men behind her looked at her as “Is this truth?” She immediately turned the color of a persimmon and claimed that she had earned the right since I was nowhere to be found… “I FOUND YOU! YOU UNGRATEFUL SIEGE”… she seethed…. Knowing that I would never come to such a revelation without it being truth, Brechtar reached into his satchel and pulled out a sawed off shotgun. I Held my breath… What was he going to do? He aimed it at Kathy and looked at me as if he wished permission to fire at Kathy… I held up my hand and gave him the “stay”. I asked everyone to please come here, and people starting coming out of the trees, the bushes, the roof, the corners of the Tudor, armed men were everywhere…. I was livid… and very tempted but asked Brechtar to have someone please put Kathy in the house “Under Guard” and not to leave until I had figured out this whole thing. My legs were wobbly, my knees almost unable to hold me any longer, I addressed the crowd. “How many of you speak or understand English?” Many nodded, some blank faced. I thought to myself, where the hell am I and why is my home in lockdown? “I am Morganna, owner of this estate. It has been many years since I have been here, but I am here now. If you once worked for Kathy, you now have the choice to work for me”. Those who do not wish to will be escorted out immediately. Everyone’s face clouded over, and they all bowed, as if to agree that they would indeed work for me…. How strange? “Please everyone… go inside, get some food and drink and rest until we all meet tomorrow… No one leaves until I ask please.. OK? “ They all nodded, dropped their weapons to their sides and made their way to the massive compound, elaborately decorated as a Tudor.
I instantly felt relief, and my knees buckled… Brechtar picked me up and carried me to a small cottage about one quarter of a mile away, also guarded. “Where are you taking me? “ “Inside Maam; the drugs have not yet worn off, although you are a very strong woman to endure the amounts they gave you.” “What drugs?” I was horrified and wondered how many more people knew about me being drugged and what the hell for? The militia took you to find out your status here, and wanted to ransom you off in exchange for weapons, ammo and of course, your estate. It is the safest place in Germany. There are many bunkers that have been built since you left Leibschein’. “How do I know you? “ You are so familiar… “ I have worked for your family since I was a boy and prayed for your safe return. Kathy arrived here two years ago and has been killing people to stay in power for fear you would return… and Thank God you did.” “Those children are headed for another country unless you stop them. You must act quickly, they are very good at what they do and are very handsomely paid.” “You must order them to return here before they reach the capitol. “Do it”… “Have them returned here”. He nodded, and spoke fast and with authority to the guards at the gates…. They ran to their vehicles hidden under camo sheets and sped away. Two more guards appeared at the door. He opened the door, to a warm and cozy cottage, quilts, pillows, a small wooden table and a roaring fire. “Who lives here?” Brechtar looked at me and smiled, and said “You do Freulein.” “This is one of many, but this one was always your favorite. When I found you at the camp I had to get you out of there or you would have ended up working as a nurse on the front lines. I sent word to have this ready for you. I prayed you would remember who you were, and thank God you did.” I found the sofa to be soft and warm, and he quickly returned with a cup of hot broth for me to sip on. “Why do you work here Brechtar?” My family has worked here for three generations… it is my place to be here. “
“Kathy changed many things, so I am afraid that you will have much to do.”
“The men all wish to stay here as it is a safe and warm place to live”. I will prep them in the morning and only tell them that YOU are the legacy of “Haus Der Huffnung” “They will be very loyal to you”. I have already notified your staff and they are readying the big house for your arrival tomorrow. Tonight you rest…Hausherrin”… I motioned for Brechtar to dismiss everyone in the cottage except for him. He looked confused. I patted the side of the sofa for him to be seated, and he looked mortified and pleased at the same time.
Another flash memory came to me, of me stroking the soft leg, his left one just below his shorts line, a birthmark stain, reddish purple and the shape of a small heart. I remembered holding his hand and laying against him as I drifted off to sleep. This was a man I could trust… this was a person who really knew who I was…
To test my memory, I asked him to stay with me… I was so tired… my body felt like I had been thrown up against a brick wall several times, and for all I knew, it probably was… My arms were aching and small bruises were beginning to appear. He agreed and sat on the edge of the sofa. I laid down, and he covered me up with a quilt and a soft pillow under my head. I felt him watching me, and strangely I felt completely safe for the first time in over 15 years. I was drifting into darkness again, only this time I knew I was with someone I could trust. I could feel the gently touch of his hand on the edge of my quilt. I opened one eye and asked him if he was hungry or needed anything, where was my manners??? He laughed, smiled and came over to brush my cheek with his hand. “Do not fear anymore Leibshein… I would give my life for you, and I am fine. I will not leave you for any reason, and you are safe here, please know you can trust me.”. “Please sleep here tonight then, there, in the easy chair.” He smiled and went over, wrapped himself in a quilt after stocking the fire and laid his AK47 over his lap. Darkness came and finally I succumbed.
**This is the beginning of one of my books. Please send me a message if you wish to comment. Thank you for reading my journals. ~Morganna
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