Grace

Friday July 17th 1914.

Dear Diary,

Today, Ma told me that we will be leaving our home to be runaways. She looked nervous as she spoke, her lips were trembling: her voice cracked and her deep green eyes were watering. I knew she was trying to be strong but her tears ran like a waterfall.

I ran to my bedroom in pure shock. I felt a bundle of emotions wrapping around me like a blanket: fear, confusion and horror. I knew I had to be brave for Ma, like what Pap would have done.

I miss Pap. Before he enlisted in the army, he was always laughing and playing jokes. Last Christmas Ma had made a beautiful and scrumptious cream pie for dessert but Pap decided to sneak up behind her while she was eating dinner just to eat it all himself!

I couldn't stop laughing that day but now I have very little to laugh about. I get lonely because I have no siblings or pets, it's just me and Ma now.

Saturday 18th July 1914.

Dear Diary,

It's my birthday tomorrow, I simply can't wait! I hope I get a letter from Pap, and I certainly hope I will get presents although I know it's been tough this year.

Let me explain more about why I don't see Pap much. Friday 19th of June 1914 Pap got a letter. I remember being next to him at the time. The face of confusion he had, made my stomach turn. I thought of all the bad things that he could have read within the letter that caused such a reaction but nothing was close to what he said. “I have to break the news to you my darling” Pap said smoothly although his face scrunched up. I had a feeling that I knew what was coming but I wasn't ready.” I'm sorry, but I have to work for the army. Honestly I'm sorry my sweet pea.”

Just as he said, he left for training the next week. The only time he came back home was at midnight when I was all tucked up in my bed. He left in the early morning right around four.

Friday 24th July 1914.

Dear Diary,

I haven't written in this diary for over a week! I miss the comfort I get when I write in this diary. The feeling of happiness I get from writing in you is because I know you can keep a secret (obviously, you're a diary). Wars breaking out soon and I'm worried about Pap. I might never see him again. Today I woke up at half past four in the morning so I could say hello to him. He looked tired but he was excited to see me. Wait. What's that noise? Sorry, there seems to be gunshots right now. I need to go hide in my attic. My house might get bombed. It's better to be safe than sorry, my Ma always says. I'm a little worried because when I looked out my bedroom window I saw men, just men. They were all holding guns. The heat made their uniform crinkle up. I could tell war was going to be horrid.

Saturday 25th July 1914.

Dear Diary,

Ma told me to pack my bag. The bag that she gave me was like half the size of a normal school bag. Ma told me to pack appropriate stuff like: clean undies, clean pyjamas, clean shirts and maybe a special toy. I would bring my special bear called Jamie, but my diary is so much more fun and I feel safe with you. War is starting soon, and Ma said to get food for when we run away.

I sent a letter to Mary, she was my best friend in 3rd grade. She moved to England in 4th grade. I know that England is being affected by the war and when she returned a letter to me she explained that she is now in a shelter that will help her mother and herself. I'm worried for her, she was meant to move back to Austria four months ago but her brother had to work in the war, like Pap.

Sunday 26th July 1914.

Dear Diary,

I just realised that I haven't introduced myself.

Hi, I'm Evelyn, I'm 12, I live in Austria and a massive war is breaking out. I'm becoming a runaway with my Ma. Ma went to get food because we are leaving tomorrow.

Thursday 28th July 1914.

Dear Diary,

War has broken out, I'm scared. I'm trying to be brave for ma but it's not convincing. The bushes that we are right now living in are hard and unpleasant. I don't want to be runaways but Ma said it's safer. Every night I lay in a little dip in the ground and look up at the stars, but tonight it's no lie that I will look up at the shooting bullets flying around like birds. The thought of Pap in the war made a lump in my throat. For my birthday I got a small homemade birthday cake. It wasn't the best, but it was okay. The guns are shooting with load bangs. They echoed in the misty air. The feeling of hopelessness carries around the air. I had to say goodbye to Marie, she is my friend from school. Her dad died three years ago and this war is making it worse for her.

Friday 29th July 1914

Dear Diary,

BOOM, BANG. The guns are louder than last night. I can hear the guns getting loaded and men shouting. The only woman I hear is my Ma. She had a terrible sleep last night. She said that the thought of many innocent people dying in one night gave her shivers.

The bombs where loud and pieces of flame blew over us and landed in a bush near bye. We were nearly out of food although we bought a bag full of my favourite treats. Ma decided to scavenge for a hidden local shop. Ma still isn't back yet. I’m slightly worried, but she is very responsible and I’m sure she just needed to get some shelter while the bombs are going off, well I think so, I’m not sure but I hope she’s okay.

Saturday 30th July 1914.

Dear Diary,

Ma isn't back yet. I'm becoming ill, the dreadful cough hangs in my throat and my head bangs by the sounds of guns.

I feel sick almost every hour now. I want Ma back. I miss home and I certainly miss the warmth of food. Life is dreadful now, war has affected my life massively. My daily routine now is to get up, cover my ears and try to get my headache away. I want my medicine and my bed that hugs me like a big fluffy rug.

I want hope, happiness, and love.

Until next time,

Evelyn Cooper.