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July 6, 1942
Dear Journal,
I’ve heard that writing can calm your nerves, so here I am. I prefer to use the title journal instead of diary. Diary sounds much too young for a grown man like myself. Currently, I am inside of my room at my desk. It is around eleven o’clock and I still can not sleep. In this journal I shall hide many secrets. If it is found, I am sure that I, along with eight others will die. I will now divulge to you my darkest secret. I am hiding two Jewish families. In the building were I work, there is an upstairs. I am hiding them there, until the war is over. They are to be completely still and silent from eight in the morning to six at night. If they move during that time span, they might be discovered by the workers downstairs. I am hiding the Frank family and the Van Daan family. The Van Daans are an extremely wealthy group of people. They still have their fortune but, must stay hidden so they are protected from the Nazis. The Van Daans are a small family compared to the Franks. The Van Daans have a family of three, while the Franks are a family of five. There are four children who I am hiding. Peter Van Daan and Margot Frank are both sixteen. Anne Frank is thirteen and her baby sister Gabi, is only one year old. I’m not sure how I feel about the situation. Yes, I have helped hide them and yes, that will probably save them. Though, I still feel like a terrible person. By hiding these families, I am taking away these children’s childhoods. Anne Frank will never get to skip and play outside like other girls her age. Poor baby Gabi might not even get a chance to have her first steps. I feel like I am tearing away their happiness. I am keeping them cooped up in a small space for ten hours, everyday, for God knows how long. I know that I am doing the right thing but sometimes I think. What else could I have done? I also feel very sad for Miep. She was one of Mr. Frank’s employers. She became quick friends with him and is helping me in gathering supplies for the families. Both Miep and I are in grave danger, if it is discovered we are hiding Jew, we both will be killed. It is going to be very difficult to supply them with food. Getting food for eight extra people is a challenge. I only receive three rations a day. Now I need to get twenty four rations everyday. I have come up with a plan to get the proper amount of rations. I will create fake identities. They will be of my distant family, who has moved back. One shall be an elderly couple, and two families of three. That will make it so I can get the extra rations. If I am found with fake id’s I will be killed. I now that I am doing the right thing. I will help these families even if I get killed for it. At least I will die as a compassionate person.
Signed,
Kraler