Miriam had been on her way to try to get some milk when the air raid siren went off. Their cow had been requisitioned to feed soldiers, so now they had to go to the store like everyone else. Miriam had never been away from home during an air raid. Usually, they turned out the lights and went down to the cellar. Her father told stories to keep the younger ones amused and her mother made tea over a small fire. Miriam was too far from home to do that now. Instead, she went into the Underground.
Miriam wondered how long it would take for the raid to be over. There were sirens almost every day, but no bombs ever fell. If this raid did not stop soon, Miriam would not be back with the milk before dinner.
All thoughts of dinner disappeared when the first bomb fell.
Miriam screamed. She tried to run home to be with her family, but strange hands held her back. She was given something to drink and a musty coat to keep her warm. Whatever was in the bottle, Miriam drank it all. She passed out soon after.
Miriam was shaken awake some time later and helped to her feet. The owner of the hands said the raid was over and she could leave. She gave the coat back to another pair of hands, and left to find her family.
She reached the ruins of her house an hour later. The remains were smoking. Miriam watched the house from a distance. She saw more hands carrying oblong bundles wrapped in blankets out of the cellar. She counted eight bundles.
Miriam turned and walked away.
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