Promise us, our men said on leaving, that if… when they arrive, you will kill yourselves before they have you.
We promised; we’d heard the rumours.
With little to do but wait, we huddled for warmth, and speculated on alternatives.
I, with others, ended up ‘working’ our front line, gaining trust, while our older shaven-headed sisters concealed the children and baked up a storm.
I’ll draw a veil over those days, but as we gained the invaders’ trust, filling their glasses, feeding them bread and cakes, we justified our brief complicity.
We hope our menfolk will, when… if they return.
https://www.newsweek.com/ukrainian-civilians-kill-russian-soldiers-poisoned-cakes-report-1694559
Thanks to Rochelle for all she does for Friday Fictioneers. If you have a story to tell, and can do it in a hundred words, why not join us?
castelsarrasin 
Immaculately conceived and written, Sandra
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Many thanks, Neil.
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The theme dominates our minds – how do civilians strategize in times of war?
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Dreadful times. As a civilisation we have advanced only marginally.
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Full of images, and timeless.
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Dear Sandra,
Too bad any of those soldiers survived the poisoning. Well written story that goes for the jugular. Good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s horrifying. That it should be done, and that it should need to be done. Thanks Rochelle.
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‘Kill yourselves’, is a serious request. A timeless story that contradicts self preservation.
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Thanks for reading, James.
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People are dumb — never trust the enemy! I’d poison the rats too.
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Thanks for reading Tannille.
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Powerful!! Thanks for this thought provoking post, Sandra.
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Many thanks, Carole Hope you are well. I know you will be coping. x
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This makes me sick, Sandra, before I even clicked the links. I mean that as a complement to your writing, this isn’t an easy topic to take on. Resistance takes many forms, I keep wondering how I would react given the ‘choices’ available to people like this.
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It’s the stuff of nightmares. Difficult to conceive of people living normal god-fearing lives and then being catapulted into this horror in this day and age. And I mean that on both sides of the coin.
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I wasn’t aware of the poisoning…good…reading this in Ukraine I can testify to the rapes…and if that statement sounds bland it is that everyone is numb, focused, with strong will to win, and utter full knowledge of what barbarians they are dealing with. Well-written…
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The will of the Ukrainian people is staggering. All of us are thinking of them.
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What a sacrifice. I’m hoping they return.
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Thanks for reading, Danny..
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Well written, Sandra. Choices none of us would ever want to have to make
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I know. It doesn’t bear thinking about, does it?
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Absolutely not, Sandra
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The full horror is only beginning to emerge I fear, and is sadly ongoing. Expertly done Sandra.
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I think that’s true – we haven’t heard the half of what is going on. Thanks for reading Iain.
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This is chilling on so many different levels, Sandra. Well written.
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Thanks for reading, Penny.
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I hadn’t seen these stories but drastic times take drastic measures. I feel so bad for those poor people.
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Thanks for reading.
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Whatever it takes to survive. What better way to hear tidbits of information about their loved ones fighting. Touching story.
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Information is king. Thanks for reading Lisa.
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You’re very welcome, Sandra.
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Sandra, thank you for drawing my attention to these atrocities. I haven’t been watching TV much lately. I can’t understand what’s going on in the Ukraine. Why couldn’t Putin just leave well enough alone and stay in his own backyard? There are those of us who couldn’t hurt a flea and monsters like him.. Well-written and ell done condensing so much into 100 words.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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It hardly seems credible in this day and age, does it? Thanks for reading Rowena.
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Brilliantly done, Sandra. How you manage to convey so much in so few words, amazes me
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Thanks for reading, Dale. Hope you’re having a lovely birthday! x
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Well… Other than barely sleeping a wink, it is 7:16 and so far so good 😉 Thank you, Sandra.
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A tale of our times, sadly. It’s difficult to think positively right now.
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It is indeed. Thanks for reading.
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It’s easy for others to say death before dishonor, but there are a lot of hard choices in war, especially to protect your children. Great, touching story, Sandra.
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Who knows what choices we might be forced to make. Thanks for reading, David.
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Oh, the horrors of war and the bravery shown. Well written.
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Thanks for reading, Sally.
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Powerful topic, Sandra. One with many historical stories about everything from mass suicide to collaboration. About overt or deceptive resistance. The lines are never clearly drawn. Well chosen and wonderfully done. 🙂
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Thanks, Bill.
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Wow, Sandra. This one really packs a punch.
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Thanks for reading Linda.
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Perfectly written Sandra, and sickening to the core.
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Thanks for reading.
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The horrors of war. the crimes of the terrorizers, the courage of those who do what they can, sometimes what they must, to survive. Well done and heartbreaking, both.
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Thanks for reading Na’ama.
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A horrific reality captured powerfully in your story. How inspiring that they didn’t just kill themselves when the invaders approached, but came up with a plan to fight back.
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Best way, I think. Thanks for reading, Margaret.
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One does what one must to survive. Brilliantly written.
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Five star for this one, Sandra. This is another perfect story.
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