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Creative Writing

Create an opening based on the 3 cards provided.

These were: 'evacuee', 'female curator' and 'brocken spectre'

"...You, my youth, are our nation's most precious guarantee for a great future, and you are destined to be the leaders of a glorious new order under the supremacy of National Socialism. Never forget that one day you will rule the world…"

Adolf Hitler, 1938.



ONE
 

The lake was glistening in the mid-morning sun, and to his right were the views of the Bavarian alps. The others in the group were being issued small boats by the organisers. He was running late after a quick change of clothing in the logged cabin and soon caught up. They each stepped into the wooden boats, four to each boat, and once they were all in began rowing to the far side of the lake. He and another young man relaxed while the other two in the boat rowed. As they got half way across the lake, he began to remember the stories his parents told him in years previous. They were dark stories and ones of deprivation and difficulty. Here though, on Lake Chiemsee in the company of his peers, he thought of how conditions and living improved, and how there was a air of confidence not just in this part of Bavaria but throughout Germany.

The darkness of night becomes apparent. Jurgen Schulz, a twenty-four year old soldier is awoken by the replacement. Jurgen and the rest of the group had been given a warning by the staff sergeant just two days ago on the peril (and subsequent disciplinary action) of sleeping while keeping guard duty. The trench runs from his position parallel to the road, to the house on the crossroads. Now that he is relieved of his duty, he moves back along the trench to the firing position where four of his fellow soldiers are lying, surveying the scene. Jurgen lies down by side them. They lay close together, side by side and curl up as the temperature continues to sink. Mist creeps over the ground, shimmering like silver. A voice comes from the east. The voice becomes voices. Jurgen realises it is the retreating soldiers from the next town and in realising, jumps out of the trench to get the attention of one of them. Before he can speak, one of the soldiers shouts to him.

“The Russians, they've captured the town ahead of us. We've pulled back to dig in and fight off this menace before they can get any closer to Berlin” the soldier exasperated.

[END of Opening]

Notes for reader:

The first paragraph, set on Lake Chiemsee, is in the year 1936. It describes Jurgen on a trip with the Hitler Youth.

The second paragraph introduces the reader to the character, Jurgen. The year is now 1945 and this second paragraph is a deliberate contrast from the first paragraph. The hopes and confidence of the German people are shattered and now the Third Reich is soon to be destroyed.