Grains of Sand

It's been a while since I posted anything for FRIDAY FICTION. But here goes. Friday Fiction is hosted by Karlene at Homespun Expressions . Drop by and visit. This piece was a submission for the FAITHWRITERS CHALLENGE. The theme was "Winter" but the story might warm your heart. DER KESSEL By some miracle, the shed at the farthest end of the alley had survived the massive bombing raids. Everything else around had long since been reduced to rubble. Sergei huddled inside, behind the door, waiting. It slowly opened, rusty hinges protesting loudly. He lunged at the intruder, the pain in his damaged leg temporarily pushed aside. Caught by surprise, the figure in tattered field gray, crashed to the dirt floor with Sergei on top of him. The old man blindly reached for the neck, and using every ounce of strength he had, squeezed. The man in uniform struggled weakly. His coalscuttle helmet rolled off to one side. He’s only a boy, Sergei thought, like my Arkady. H...