Winston

It was twenty years ago, today, that I lost my good friend, Winston. It was such a dreadful way to die, but he died a hero. Our friendship was brief, but I often reminisce about the times we had. Not everyone is blessed to have such a friendship as I did. Let me take you back to those days and introduce you to my long, lost friend and the fateful events that were the cause of his demise. It is 1943, and I am living at a boarding school in Australia.

Tonight’s the night. After weeks of planning, we are finally going to expose the Stein brothers for what they are: murderers. It is bad enough that Hitler has rounded up millions of Jews and ordered their extermination, but to bring it to my school, that won’t happen; not under my watch.

I look at the clock that is mounted on the wall, and it reads 11:43. Winston should be here any moment, so I open the window for him. I poke my head out and stare at the stars, enjoying the fresh air and the light breeze that blows through my dark, brown hair. I know that this will be one of the single most important events of my life, and I am only thirteen. Winston is right, though. I was sent here for a reason; not to escape the war that is closing in on Great Britain, but to bring justice to those three boys who were murdered in cold blood, all because they are Jewish, like me. That is why the brothers took a liking to me in the first place. Up until now, Winston has had to sit idly by and watch these boys perform nightmarish acts, not just on humans, but animals as well. That’s how it began. Klaus and Hans are twins, so it is understandable that they both inherited a liking to torture and murder.

I look to my left and see Winston approaching. I see that he is coming in hot, so I take a step back from the window and watch as the owl, who lives in the barn located on the premises, lands on the window sill.

I hear him say in my head, “Are you ready, Danny?”

I nod my head and approach him so that I can give him a pat on the head. Winston closes his eyes, enjoying the gentle touch of my hand. I watch as the wind blows through his feathers.

“Winston. You have been the bestest friend anyone could ever ask for. If you would have asked me two weeks ago if I believed in telepathic communication with animals, I would have thought you to be crazy just for asking me.”

Winston chuckles.

“There are many out there who would say the same thing, but we are all special. You, Danny, are one of the most special of them all. I am glad you were sent here to help me, not just to catch these boys, but bring me and the families of those missing boys peace of mind.”

Winston glances in the direction of the barn.

“May I come in?”

“Of course.”

I step back so that Winston can fly onto my bed. Once he is in, I make sure my door is locked to ensure our privacy before joining him on my bed.

“Okay. I have been perched out on the ledge outside their room for some time now. They are getting ready to head over here. When they knock, answer the door.”

As he speaks, I can’t help but feel sick to my stomach.

“What if things don’t go as planned, and I become a forgotten victim of those boys?”

Winston steps closer to me.

“I won’t let that happen. You know that.”

He now walks into my lap and nestles his head on my chest. I take this moment to pet him. As I do, he continues to speak.

“This will work. Just stick to the plan. They will knock. You answer the door and tell them to give you a moment. Leave them outside and call Miss Clark. Tell her what we discussed.”

Silence takes over my mind, as I continue petting Winston’s head; both of us anticipating that knock on the door. The only thing that seems to exist is this moment, as we continue to enjoy each other’s company for, possibly, the very last time.

Suddenly, the knock on the door rips up from our special moment. I feel scared; like I will never see him again after this. I don’t think I will ever bond with a human in the way I have with Winston.

Winston looks at me, and I give him one last pat on his head, before watching him fly to the window. He perches on the window sill and turns his head to me. I can feel the love he has for me.

“I will ensure the arrival of Miss Clark. Leave your window open and your door cracked. I will lead her to the barn.”

He takes a moment before adding, “I love you, Danny,” and flying off into the night.

I whisper, “I love you too,” as another knock hits me in the head.

“Coming.”

Before I open the door, I unmake my bed, so that it looks like they have interrupted my slumber. I walk to the door and take a moment. I breathe in deeply.

Here goes nothing, I think.

I open the door, and as I do, I yawn. My stomach jumps. Seeing the two brothers standing at my door makes me feel sick, but I dare not let them know the impact their presence has on me. They are three years older me and much bigger than I am.

“Oh. Hey guys,” I say, as I rub my eyes. “What’s up?”

Klaus holds up a pack of cigarettes I’m sure he swiped from the janitor’s room.

“Let’s go to the barn and smoke. We have some exciting news we want to share with you.”

He smiles. He does look excited, and I know why.

“Oh yeah,” I ask.

I rub my eyes again and look up at the clock.

“It’s almost midnight.”

“Don’t be sissy,” interjects Klaus. “Remember when you told us you were no sissy?”

I narrow my eyes.

“I remember that day as if it was yesterday.”

Still grinning, he pats my cheek lightly.

“Then, get dressed and come with us. We’ll wait out here.”

My stomach turns again. I don’t want to do this, but I know I have to. I close my door, rushing to the phone before quickly dialing Miss Clark’s number.

“Please pick up the phone. Please pick up the phone. Please pick…”

The phone is picked up, and there is a moment before I hear a grumbled "hello?"

“Miss Clark,” I whisper. “This is Danny.”

There is another moment of silence.

“Danny. It’s nearly midnight. What could you possibly…”

“There’s no time for explanations. I need you to get dressed and come to the barn. It’s a matter of life and death.”

“Danny. What on earth...”

“Miss Clark, please. If you don’t, this may be the last conversation we ever have, and I will become a missing boy, just like the others. Bring Jonathan, too.”

“The janitor?”

“Yes.”

The worry in her voice is mounting.

“Tell me what’s…”

“I have to go, but please be there. I’m counting on you. Don’t take longer than ten minutes. Goodbye.”

I hang up without giving her a chance to say anything else and quickly get dressed, before opening my door. I glance back at my window, ensuring it is open.

I hope Winston is right.

I hear, “What took so long?”

“Well, you did wake me up from a dead sleep. Took me a moment to fully come to.”

Klaus laughs.

“Makes sense. Let’s go.”

They both start off down the hallway, so I close my door but leave it cracked just as Winston requested. I quickly catch up to them. We continue on in silence, so as not to get caught. We stick to the shadows as we make our way to the front door, stopping at the bottom of the stairs to make sure the coast is clear. As I look at the two brothers, nausea creeps in again. I feel that I could throw up at any moment. They have no idea that I know what their true motives are. I know they are luring me to my death, just as Hitler has done to countless Jews. His rhetoric has tainted their young, adolescent minds and turned them into Jew-haters. Regardless, they are evil. It is in their blood. Their hate for humanity runs deep.

We are finally through the front door and on our way to the barn. While Klaus and Hans joke around, I pray that Miss Clark is getting ready to come down. I think about how my life could be over in mere minutes. I follow close behind them. I can hear the barks of dingoes as we walk. They know it is nearing feeding time, featuring me as the main course. Winston told me that they will torture me first, choking me until I am unconscious, before letting me come to and doing it over again. After that, they will drag me outside and slit my throat, so that the wild dogs can smell my blood. That way, the evidence of their crime will be lost to the dogs. Pretty ingenious if you ask me.

Klaus and Hans enter the barn first. I am hesitant, as Hans holds the door open for me; eyeing me like a predator would its prey.

“Well, are you coming?”

The sinister smile on his face sends chills down my spine. I tell my legs to walk and carry myself over the threshold into the barn. It is dark and ominous inside. The only light coming in is from the rays of the moon, shining through the one window at the top. Some light also seeps through the holes of the dilapidated barn. It is cold, and all I hear is the shuffling of my feet. I look around and can’t find Klaus. Finally, I hear the barn door creak shut, so I rapidly turn around. I see Hans, but still no Klaus. My skin begins to heat up as I become even more nervous, believing Winston will fail me.

“Where’s Klaus,” I’m finally able to ask.

My voice is shaky.

Hans’ sadistic grin is still on his face, seemingly frozen in that position.

“Oh, around.”

Suddenly, there is a bag over my head, and I feel ice, cold hands around my throat. I can’t breathe, nor can I scream. My mind drifts to my good friend, Winston, as I slowly begin to fade. I imagine my body will soon be as cold as the hands that are around my throat. Darkness creeps in until I’m asleep. Winston's screech seems to bring me back to life.

“Winston?”

I do not wish to tell you in detail what happens from here. All I will tell you is that Winston kept his word. He brought Miss Clark, and she saw the terrible acts these boys were about to perform. Sadly, my friend didn’t make it. The blade that was meant to end my life, ended his. He died in my arms that night. The Stein brothers were arrested for attempted murder and sentenced to two years in an institution for juveniles; which isn’t justice in my eyes. They were never convicted for the three missing boys, but we all know the truth; thanks to Winston. He is the only witness to those murders; a barn owl with more humanity than those two boys could ever possess. Winston will forever live in my memories as a hero. I still follow the Stein brothers, waiting for my time to strike. It is near. They will never see me coming.