Part I is here: [link]
and Part II is here: [link]


Fact time:

- Grodno was (and still is) an entirely real place in Poland. It was the second largest town in the Bialystok district, which was roughly the size of Belgium. It actually was decent in comparison to some satellite ghettos around Poland, as the prisoners' work ethic was actually valued, and public shootings, although not unheard of, were pretty rare.
- Birkenau is the German pronunciation for the Polish city of Brzezinka, which later became the center of all death camps in WWII when renamed Auschwitz. However, before and after the war, Birkenau was/is famous for being a city of Springtime festivals that celebrated new life.
- Nov. 15th, 1942 was in fact the day when deportation began in Grodno's second ghetto. They were told that they were being sent to a work camp, not a death camp, so very few people attempted to hide and avoid transport. Around 4000 Jews reached Auschwitz from Grodno, and upon reaching the death camp, they were forced to sign postcards that said they were being treated well and that they were working; these postcards were sent to relatives still back in Grodno. It's estimated that almost 90% of Grodno Jews perished in Auschwitz before liberation.
- A balustrade is a fancy way of saying banister.
- There are at least three song references in this fanfiction, maybe more. If you can point them out, why are we not best friends already?

Comment if you feel so inclined. I hope you enjoyed it!

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