Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!

Would You Survive the War in the Pacific?

Janelle Stanko

Created on May 17, 2024

Start designing with a free template

Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:

Corporate Escape Room: Operation Christmas

Secret Code

Reboot Protocol

Christmas Escape Room

Horror Escape Room

Witchcraft Escape Room

Desert Island Escape

Explore all templates

The War in the Pacific

WOULD YOU SURVIVE?

Erin Icban and Janelle Stanko

Oh no! The world is at war! Everyone, man and woman, rich and poor, are affected by this war. You are also affected by this war, and only time and your choices will determine your survival. But, who are you? What is your situation? How dire will your circumstances get? Will you survive?

Chamorro on Guam

Filipino Civilian

American Prisoner-of-War

Chamorro

Page 1

You are a 26-year-old Chamorro living in Guam in 1941. You are a fisherman and a part-time farmer with a wife, a four-year-old girl, and a two-year-old boy. You live a peaceful, normal life. One day, however, you are at church celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The sounds of roaring planes fill the sky, accompanied by exploding bombs. Wildly, you look around for your family. "Tasi!" You cry, calling out the name of your missing daughter. Sabana, your wife, clings tightly to your son, Napo, as she follows you. "Stay with me," you command as you run around the church. Unfortunately, Tasi is nowhere to be found. A chill runs up your spine as you hear more planes coming for the island. A small skirt catches your eye. You run over, and to your dismay, it's Tasi, bloody and broken from flying debris. Sabana approaches you, shielding Napo's eyes from his sister's body. Sabana's eyes are glazed with tears and filled with questions. "What will we do?" she asks you. What will you do?

You flee from your home in the village of Sumay to a relative's house in Hagåtña.

You go to your home to hide out until the danger is over.

You go home, pack some belongings, and flee to your family ranch.

Chamorro

Page 2

Home, you sigh in relief. Your little thatch-roofed home brought relief to your soul. It was the only thing distracting you from losing Tasi. She should still be here. She should be at home with us, you mourn. Despite the relief, the fear is still very real. Bombs continue to fall. Was going home the right decision? Maybe the bombs are only falling over Sumay. Maybe I just killed my whole family. This probably wasn't the right decision, you think. As you try to comfort Sabana and put Napo to sleep, you hear a whistle. The whistle grows louder and louder until the noise drops in pitch. NO! you scream in your head. Those sounds are becoming normal, unfortunately. This wasn't the right decision, you think.

Chamorro

Page 3

You arrive on your family ranch in Barrigada, where, thankfully, the Japanese bombers have not reached yet. Sabana quickly begins to unpack the few belongings you took with you. Just after you finish settling in for the night, someone calls your name. "Maipe!" They whisper-yell. Sabana shakes her head. "Maipe!" They call again. "It's Hirao. We live down the street from you and went to church together earlier today. We have nowhere to go, and many of our family members died or fled elsewhere in the attack. We don't know where they are. Can we stay with you on your ranch? We have nothing to give you, but we will work for our own needs." Hirao came into view and slipped onto his knees. Hirao is a trusted neighbor who always buys fish from me, you think. But also, we may not be able to afford to house anyone but ourselves, both financially and practically. You look to Sabana, who shakes her head no again. Your friend is begging for a place to stay, but your wife doesn't want them there. What will you do?

Direct them to your family member's house in Hagåtña.

Allow them to stay with you.

Tell them to leave.

Chamorro

Page 4

"We will make it, Sabana. We are already in Piti, halfway to Hagåtña," you tell your wife. She nods, holding Napo ever closer. Sabana screams as the roar of the planes begins again. "No!" she cries. "They have already taken my Tasi, now they are coming to take my Napo, too!" You push your family into the jungle's cover and begin to pray. "Don't worry, Sabana. We will make it. We have survived the first wave of bombers, we can survive the sec-". Your sentence is cut off as a bomb lands very close to your little hideout. We will make it, we will make it. I will protect my family with every ounce of passion I have. After all, that is my name. Maipe. Passion. Passion for my family. Your thoughts fade as you lose consciousness, Napo's cries echoing in your ears.

Chamorro

Page 4

Chamorro

Page 5

"I cannot thank you enough," Hirao says as the two of you set off to catch some fish for tomorrow's food. "We are just doing what any neighbor would do," you reply. You smile grimly at each other. Once again, the distant sound of planes fills your ears. "Not again!" Hirao cries. "At least it's distant," you say, shivering as you cast your line. A while later, you walk back, your buckets full of fish. A rustling in the trees makes you pause. Suddenly, a Japanese soldier comes through the bushes. He gestures to your bucket of fish. "Want," he says. No, not my just-caught bucket of fish, you think. The soldier took his rifle and smacks you across the face. "Want!" he orders. What will you do?

Throw it in his face.

Run!

Give it to him.

Chamorro

Page 6

"CRACK!" The soldier's rifle sounded. It was the last sound that ever reached your ears.

Chamorro

Page 7

Your stomach tied itself into knots as you watch Hirao and his family leave. This isn't how you treat a good neighbor, especially one who has done so much for Sabana and me, you think. The next day, as you go to Hagåtña Bay to spearfish, you hear bombers fly over the island again. "HIRAO!" you hear a woman cry. That sounds like Hirao's wife, you think. Is the Hirao she's calling for our neighbor Hirao? "HIRAO!" She screams again. This time, though, it sounds different. Her scream was strangled with tears as she mourned for her husband. We could have kept him alive. We could have gone to the creek and set fishing traps instead of spearfishing here, you think. A cold guilt consumes your body. He could still be alive. And so could I, you think ironically as a piece of shrapnel hits you in the chest.

CHamorro

Page 8

You watch Hirao and his family leave, willing yourself not to feel any emotions over their dejected posture. You return to your family ranch to grab your fishing supplies and run to the Hagåtña Bay to catch your family's food supply. As you reach the bay and aim with your spear, bombers fly over the island again. Not again, you think. You start to run for shelter, but you trip on a large rock on the beach and twist your ankle. As you try to stand, a bullet hits you in the chest. You don't feel the pain as you drift out of consciousness. The last thing you see is your daughter, Tasi, standing by her namesake, the ocean.

Chamorro

Page 9

You shake your head. The fish you owned had been decreased by half. Instead of returning to the creek in four days, you must return in two. That would increase the danger for everyone. Upon returning home, you see more Japanese soldiers. "We have an announcement to make!" A soldier cried in fluent English. "Both households, separate into lines and stand at attention!" What is going on? you wonder.

Go to the next page.

Chamorro

Page 10

Sabana clamped her hand over Napo's mouth and the Japanese soldiers looked them over. You refused to look at Hirao as you tried your best to stand at attention. "Your family will go with us!" The soldier cried, pointing at Hirao's family. "And you will stay here!" he commanded, pointing at your family. You and Hirao exchange glances. Where are they going to take us? Hirao's eyes screamed. "MOVE!" the soldier yelled.

Go to the next page.

Chamorro

Page 11

You watch as Hirao's family is marched away. "You will grow food for us. We will take all of your food, and we will give you rations." You attempt to stop your anger from showing on your face. That's our food! One of the soldiers, not the English-speaking one, sees the brief look of contempt on your face and spits at you. "We will be back," the English-speaking one says. He stares at you with hatred in his eyes. Two days later, a Chamorro comes to your property. "I have a proposition for you," she says. "Yes, what can I do for you?" you ask, serving her coconut juice in a cup. The hospitality you could offer wasn't great, but in these times, simply letting someone eat some of your food was kind. "I am feeding some Americans who are hiding from the Japanese. Would you be willing to give me some food for them? I can't pay you back, but it will help in resisting against the Japanese," she continues. What will you do?

Don't give her food.

Give her food.

Chamorro

Page 12

You sigh as you set aside some food. It's painful to grow food and not eat any of it yourself, you think. Sabana and little Napo are getting skinnier every day. Meanwhile, the Japanese are eating well and doing whatever they please. I don't even want to think about what the Americans in hiding are going through. Just recently, three of the six Americans had died. I don't have to give as much food, but our reminders of Uncle Sam, our dear United States, are dwindling. Soon Napo will only eat sushi and speak Japanese. He won't like spam or even remember what his name means, you mourn. That is why we must keep our American friends alive, you determine. No matter how many search parties they force us to participate in or how much torture they inflict on us, we will not give in! The lady who first told you about the food comes to pick it up. "Read this. It is an update on the war. The American, Tweed, wrote it. Pass it on to someone else when you're done." she directed. Will you put yourself at even more risk by increasing your involvement in the resistance?

Yes, read it and pass it on.

No, refuse to take it.

Read it, but throw it away.

Chamorro

Page 13

You pick up the newspaper and read it. Midway, it said. What is Midway? you wonder. As you continue reading, you learn it is an island in the Pacific Ocean, about halfway between San Francisco and Tokyo. A cold chill runs down your spine. The Japanese managed to get that close to the mainland United States? At least the United States halted their advance. The Japanese hopefully dug themselves into a hole by not destroying our aircraft carriers back at Pearl Harbor, you think. Through the paper, you learn that the United States is now in a position to begin encroaching on Japan's newly gained territory. Does that mean they could be coming here, soon? you ask yourself. Hope springs up in your heart, and you allow it to swell. Uncle Sam is coming back! you rejoice. The news gives you the strength you need to continue resisting the Japanese. Whether that's making food and supplies for George Tweed or refusing to listen to your Japanese captors, you know that everything will be okay. Why? Because Uncle Sam is coming back.

Chamorro

Page 14

You pick up the newspaper and read it. Midway, it said. What is Midway? you wonder. As you continue reading, you learn it is an island in the Pacific Ocean, about halfway between San Francisco and Tokyo. A cold chill runs down your spine. The Japanese managed that close to the mainland United States? At least the United States halted their advance. The Japanese hopefully dug themselves into a hole by not destroying our aircraft carriers back at Pearl Harbor, you think. Through the paper, you learn that the United States is now in a position to begin encroaching on Japan's newly gained territory. Does that mean they could be coming here, soon? you ask yourself. Hope fills your heart, but you squash it down and throw the newspaper away. As much as I want Uncle Sam to come back, I can't risk my family's safety, you decide.

Chamorro

Page 15

The occupation passes by agonizingly slowly. Sometimes, you are tempted to lose hope in Uncle Sam, but the unwavering faith of your fellow Chamorros spurs you on. Fortunately and unfortunately for you, however, the tide of the war has turned. The sun is no longer rising, for the Japanese are no longer winning the war. The hope of liberation grows bigger, but Japanese aggression grows bolder. Somehow, you manage to avoid forced labor and knowledge of Japanese military intelligence, which means you avoid sure execution. Instead, you are forced to farm so that Japanese soldiers can eat. Although better, it is still hard to watch Sabana, Napo, and your coming baby suffer from a lack of food. One day, you are checking your taro plants when a fellow Chamorro comes running to you. "Maipe! Saipan has fallen to the Americans!" he cries. "Really?" you ask. "They are close! But why are the Americans going there when Saipan doesn't want them?""I don't know, but that's not our problem, really. Uncle Sam is almost here!"

Chamorro

Page 16

"Line up! Stand at attention!" the soldier yelled in Japanese. You get out of bed with a sigh. By this point, Japanese commands are familiar. They're often used when soldiers need to make announcements, you think. The soldier comes to you, the head of the household, and hits you across the face with a rifle. That's another thing you're used to. "Turn around! Everyone!" The soldier forces you, Sabana, and four-year-old Napo to turn around. He places chains on your hand, binding your family together with them. Are they arresting us? you ask yourself. We haven't done anything wrong! "March!" the soldier says. At least we're together, you think. You march for hours through the thick jungle until you find a large group of Chamorros. The group grows steadily larger until you cannot see the line's beginning or end. Despite the large number of people, guards abounded, periodically threatening people with bayonets. Someone collapses, and you move to help them. Sabana shakes her head no. What will you do?

Help them.

Don't help them.

Chamorro

Page 17

You continue marching without sparing another glance at those who fell behind. Sabana has a clearer head than I do right now. She saw the soldiers threatening those who wanted to help, you think. After a long march, you arrive at a place called Maenggon. The conditions are horrid, you think to yourself in disgust. There are no buildings, bathrooms, cooking areas, or supplies of any kind. You are left with no possessions, shelter, or medical care. Are they leaving us here to die? you wonder. You settle into life in your concentration camp with difficulty. The Japanese had never been so brutal before. Beatings are common, and large groups of people routinely disappear. Eventually, you learn that they have been massacred. Grenades, bayonets, or beheadings, take your pick, you think. Eventually, however, the Japanese guards begin to disappear. They are fighting the Americans! you realize with joy. The Americans have landed! Uncle Sam has come back to Guam! Looking around, you see that a bayonet has been left behind. You pick it up and hold it. What will you do with it?

Go help the Americans.

Keep it with you.

Put it down.

Chamorro

Page 18

Eventually, the Americans pass through Maenggon. The hard fighting continues until August. The island is nearly destroyed, and the once thick jungle becomes desolate, ruined by bombs. However, Uncle Sam has come back, and the Americans continue to fight until Guam is theirs again. "Let's go home," you tell Sabana. She nods, and you pick up Napo. Trailing behind the Americans, you slowly make your way north, back to your family ranch in Barrigada. I'm sure our home is destroyed. Sumay was decimated by the Japanese. But, we will be okay. We will rebuild. We will build a new home, you think. Unfortunately for you, the Americans force you and your family to relocate to the new village of Santa Rita. They were taking the land Sumay used to sit on and were turning it into a Naval Base. Well, at least the Japanese are off Guam, you think.

Chamorro

Page 19

You pick up your bayonet and rifle and get up. Time for another long day of scouting the terrain and killing any Japanese soldiers, or Japs, as the Americans call them, in sight. We just retook Piti, you say to yourself, mentally going over the battle progress so far. The south of Guam is American again, and Sabana and Napo have gone home to see what they can find there. I doubt they'll find much. Sumay was heavily bombed. Only the north remains for us to take, and the fighting will be easier there. There aren't as many defensive positions. The south is too mountainous. Although you learned a lot with the Americans, you'd much rather go back to fishing and farming with your family. I want life to be peaceful again, you think. Spotting a Japanese fortification, you shake yourself out of your thoughts and make a mental note of it to report to your superiors. They will want to know about this.

Chamorro

Page 20

Today is August 8th, 1944, you think to yourself. That's crazy. We've been under occupation for over two and a half years now. But, the end is near. We are nearing Pati Point, the northeastern point of the island. The Japanese will soon be pushed off. You tell yourself to stop thinking. Something is bothering me, you think. A whisper was heard amid the waves and the wind of the surrounding jungle and beach. You stop and stand still, listening. They're speaking Japanese! you realize with a start. As soon as possible, you run. You rush to tell your superiors of the remaining Japanese soldiers. "They're hiding at Savana Grand!" Soon, the Japanese soldiers are killed. Just two days later, Guam is declared American again.

Chamorro

You have died. You will not live to see Uncle Sam come back.

Start Over?

Congratulations!

You have lived to see the Uncle Sam come back. Thank you Uncle Sam!

American POW

Page 21

Things are getting so exciting, you think to yourself. You have just finished your training in Hawaii, and now you are on your way to Funafiti, an atoll in the Pacific. You are a bombardier, and you are about to leave for the greatest adventure of your life. No one in the family has traveled this far from home before, you think, getting even more excited. Soon, you would embark on your first bombing mission, probably to Kiribati. You run to the barracks and start to pack your few belongings. A few of the other guys in your training unit are going with you. As soon as you finish packing, you run to the plane. "Allen, is it possible for you to walk anywhere?" Max yelled. "Stop being a national track star for just a second!" Chuck added. "Nope, that's just who I am!" you reply.

American POW

Page 22

Mission completed! you think to yourself. Your plane flew higher up into the air now that it was done bombing Nauru. Back to Funafiti until our next mission, you think in satisfaction. "Japanese planes spotted!" Max yells. Quickly, your team jumps into action. Max continues to navigate and communicate with Funafiti, while Charles, William, James, and Robert continue to man the guns. John and Thomas do a stellar job of flying the B-17 Bomber. "One plane down, two more to go!" Max shouts, both to the crew and to the radio. Another plane follows shortly after. "Just one more plane to go!" Max exclaims. Suddenly, a piece of flak flies into the plane, hitting William in the chest. He dies instantly. The rest of the team refuses to look at the gaping, bloody hole in his chest while they continue fighting. Continue working. Continue fighting, you instruct yourself. "Third plane down," Max says quietly. John and Thomas immediately begin flying back to Funafiti. Maybe this isn't the greatest adventure of my life, you think.

American POW

Page 23

As much as I liked my teammates on Funafiti, I'm glad that I'm leaving, you think as the plane takes off. William's death still haunts you. I was so close to death myself, you think. You hadn't escaped the fight without injuries. Some flak brushed against your arm, and your crew was forced to rest for a while to recover. Although your arm is now healed, you will have scars for the rest of your life. As soon as you were back in fighting shape, you received orders to go to Hawaii. Now, you are to look for missing planes and crew members. I think this work will be more gratifying than bombing islands. You stare at the Pacific Ocean from the plane window. I'm no longer the excited eighteen-year-old I used to be. The war has changed me. I wonder what Mom and Dad will think when I go back home, if I go back home. There's always the possibility of death. Stop thinking about things like that, you tell yourself. I have a job to do. I'm going to work to make sure others make it home. I will avenge William and everyone else who has died fighting in the Pacific.

American POW

Page 24

I like this job a lot more than bombing islands, although that was fun, you think. It is May 27th, 1943, and you are about to embark on another mission. After flying for a few hours, you are nearly nine hundred miles south of Oahu. "Guys, we're running low on fuel," Kenneth said. "Shoot, that's not good," Douglas replied. "We're very far from any American land," Henry, said, pointing out the obvious. "I think we have more problems than just being low on fuel. We've been flying too fast for too long. Our engines are about to fail," Kenneth added. "This isn't good," Douglas said. You feel the plane begin to glide. Arthur the pilot, points the nose upward to gain altitude. "We are going to fly as close to Oahu as we possibly can, although I have a feeling that it won't be very close," he says.

American POW

Page 25

"Ack!" you exclaim. The jolt of the airplane ditching almost sends you flying. Somehow, you live through it. You grab an ocean survival kit and exit the aircraft. You hold your breath as the water surrounds you, and you struggle to hold on to the survival kit. As quickly as you can, you swim to the surface and tear the survival kit open, getting the lifeboat out first. As soon as you get it inflated, you climb in. "Allen!" You hear someone call. Looking around, you see Kenneth swimming to you frantically. You haul him up into the lifeboat. He shakes the water off of himself and closes his eyes. "Do you think anyone else survived?" he asks you. "I don't see how they could have. We were lucky to get out uninjured. Anyone else will bleed to death while floating in the ocean," you say, shuddering. "But, wait, there's Doug!" Ken exclaims. "Doug!" he calls. Douglas hears him, and attempts to swim toward the lifeboat. However, he is clearly injured and weak. He needs someone to pull him to the lifeboat. You look down, intending to jump out and help him, but you see lots of debris from the crash in the way. You might end up killing yourself by helping him. What will you do?

Don't go.

Go anyway.

American POW

Page 26

You jump back into the water and swim to Douglas. He grabs onto your shoulders and holds on tight as you begin to swim back to the lifeboat. You swim carefully, avoiding any debris that might cause more injury to either you or Douglas. Meanwhile, Kenneth carefully guides the lifeboat towards you. Kenneth grabs Douglas and hoists him into the lifeboat. Then, he grabs you and helps you into it. "There are three of us now," he says. "Three of us," you reply, smiling weakly. You and Kenneth get to work patching Douglas's abdomen. With the medical supplies available in the lifeboat, you manage to get him into a resting state. You watch, relieved as his eyes begin to close restfully. "Now, we need to plan. How are we going to live? And how are we going to get back to Hawaii? Kenneth asks. "I'm grateful you're thinking ahead, Ken. That's something I can't do right now," you say. I'm sure everyone else has died, you think. There's no way anyone else can survive. We're not even sure if Doug will survive. Don't think like that, you tell yourself. You quickly pull out all of the possessions on you and take an inventory. A knife, lifeboat patches, crackers, chocolate, a solar still, and a first aid kit. Not much, you think in dismay.

American POW

Page 27

You push all your possessions to the side of the ship except for the solar still. Knowing that potent water would be your biggest concern on the ship, you and Kenneth set the solar still up. Besides rain, the solar still is our only source of water. Even then, it probably won't make enough for all three of us. I hope it rains quite a bit, you think. Next, you set to work making the lifeboat patches into a net. Worst-case scenario, we can still reuse it as a lifeboat patch. You and Kenneth take turns trying to catch some fish. For hours you wait. The work is unsuccessful for much of the day. However, in the evening, a school of fish comes swimming into the net. "Quick! Quick! Pick the net up!" You cry. You and Kenneth haul the net up into the lifeboat. You pour the water out of it, managing to lose just three fish. You look at the nine fish you have in the net. You and Kenneth break their necks, and you grab the knife to start gutting them. Unfortunately for you, though, you realize why the school of fish came swimming towards your boat. "Shark!" Kenneth cries. You look around frantically. What do you do?

Aim at it with your knife.

Nothing.

American POW

Page 28

Aim at it with your knife.

Nothing.

American POW

Page 29

You decide not to risk it. Kenneth looks at you and decides not to do anything either. You both watch as Douglas attempts to swim another time, However, he is too weak. His abdomen is injured, almost so that he cannot swim. You turn away as he gives up. Douglas breathes out and dips himself underwater. He slowly sinks beneath the benign waves of the Pacific Ocean, the peaceful sea. You and Kenneth look at each other. "I kind of wish I were him right now," Kenneth said. "I have to agree with you. Our futures aren't looking very bright," you agreed. You look at each other and sigh. You survived the crash, but your will to live may not be strong enough to see you home.

American POW

Page 31

You and Kenneth waste away in the sun. After everything I've survived, shouldn't I want to make it at least a little longer? To see if I can make it home? Honestly, If I had known I was going to survive all of that, I would have committed suicide a long time ago, you think. Eventually, the exposure gets to you. You don't even realize it when you die.

American POW

Page 32

The shark begins to attack the boat. You panic as it leaps from the water and tries to lunge at the raft. More start to arrive, and soon they all begin to circle the raft. Another lunges at the raft, but falls down. "Don't tell me this will happen every morning and evening!" Kenneth shouts amidst the commotion. "Well, that is when sharks hunt!" You yell back. Douglas awakens to the uproar. One of the sharks punctures the raft with its teeth. You try to grab the lifeboat patches and fix the raft, but water begins to fill it. Kenneth runs to help you, and Douglas tries his best to get water out of the raft, but water fills it too fast. Despite your attempts to keep it afloat, the raft begins to sink. This is not the way I intend to die, you think.

American POW

Page 33

You watch as the shark circles the boat. Soon, more join it. "This is scaring me," Kenneth says. "Agreed," you say, continuing to watch them. Suddenly, one lunges at the boat. Its mouth almost reaches the boat when Douglas jabs it in the mouth with an oar. Douglas? you think in shock. Your mouth drops open as he proceeds to ram every shark with the oar until they all disappear. He collapses back onto the boat, having used every last bit of energy he has. He smiles at you and Kenneth as he drifts off to sleep where he is.

American POW

Page 34

After a fitful night of sleep, you awake to the sun rising. Its glorious pink lights reflects off the ocean's waves. So peaceful, you think. Wait. I'm stuck on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This is not peaceful, you remember. You get up to check the solar stills and the fish jerky. If it's not ready, we can eat the crackers and chocolate today, you think. As you walk over, you notice wrappers on the floor. You pause. They were the wrappers of the chocolate and crackers. You look over at Kenneth. He's been sleeping longer than I have. I doubt he would have done it anyway. You look over at Doug and notice he's staring at you. "Doug?" you call. "I'm sorry, Allen. I ate it. I ate the chocolate and crackers. I'm sorry that I've been such a horrible crewmate. I'm sorry for what I've done," he says, tears sliding down his cheeks.

American POW

Page 35

"Doug? Doug! Respond to me. Please!" you say. You watch as the life slips out of him. His breathing slows, and his heart stops. You lay next to him as he grows colder and colder until you're certain he's dead. "Allen," Kenneth whispers. "He didn't want to live." "He knows we would have forgiven him. He was struggling. He did want to live! Otherwise, he wouldn't have eaten the chocolate and the crackers!" you say. Kenneth shakes his head. "I think he wanted to live at first. That's why he ate them. But, he probably remembered you risking your life to save him and felt guilty. He realized that you sacrificed your life for him when he didn't do the same. That's why he didn't want to live anymore," he explains. You shake your head. "I don't blame him for eating the chocolate," you say. "Neither do I," Kenneth says. Neither of you talks as you say a quick prayer and roll Doug's body overboard.

American POW

Page 36

You and Kenneth split the water from the solar stills and eat some fish jerky. It isn't enough to fill or hydrate you, but at least your stomachs have something in them. You and Kenneth attempt to capture more fish, but it isn't working very well. You've only caught one fish when an albatross lands on the your hat. You and Kenneth look at each other. Quickly you reach upward and grab it, snapping its neck and killing it. "Food or bait?" Kenneth asks, looking admiringly at your prey. Should the albatross be food or bait? you wonder. What will you choose?

Food

Bait

American POW

Page 37

You and Kenneth feast on the albatross. "We will be full today!" you say. He nods in agreement, happily stuffing his mouth with meat. Later, however, the fishing still isn't going well. "Maybe we should have used the albatross as bait," you say uncertainly. "I mean, we're still full and have some leftover, so I'll call it a win," Kenneth says. "True," you say. However, the fishing never improves. You keep hoping for fish, another albatross, or even a shark, but they never come. Eventually, they do come, but you and Kenneth have grown too weak to catch them.

American POW

Page 38

You carefully clean the albatross and separate what you can use for bait. Once ready, you hand them over to Kenneth, who uses them to catch fish. You watch as more and more fish are caught. It was a good decision to use the albatross as bait, you think in satisfaction. You quickly gut and clean the fish and set them out to dry. We're going to be sick of fish jerky by the time this is over! you think. At least we have food, though. As you finish cleaning the last fish, you hear a plane. You and Kenneth look at each other and simultaneously dive for the flares. You set them off, waiting for the plane to notice you. It does. Unfortunately, just then, you see the rising sun of Japan on the plane.

American POW

Page 39

You hear the familiar sounds of the planes attacking. You and Kenneth look at each other. "We're not going to survive this," Kenneth says. "Don't lose hope," you reply sarcastically. You brace yourselves as the bullets begin to fly. You watch as they rip into the raft, the noise paining your ears. The raft begins to dip into the water, and you feel your panic rising. To your relief, the Japanese planes give up on the raft and go away. They probably noticed the raft sinking and left us to die, you think. Kenneth looks at the holes in the raft. "We have lifeboat patches. Are we motivated enough to fix the holes?" he asked. You smile at him grimly and shake your head. "No. After Douglas died, I didn't want to live anymore. But, that's not what the military trains you to do, right?" you say. "We don't function by motivation. We function by discipline," Kenneth agrees. You falter, though. It's hard to want to keep living, you think. What will you do?

Patch the Holes.

Let it sink.

American POW

Page 40

You and Kenneth sing army songs as the raft sinks deeper and deeper into the water. "Look, it's a shark!" you say, your voice happy. What's a better death? Drowning or shark bite? you wonder. Since giving up hope of surviving, a huge burden has been lifted off your shoulders. The only thing that gives me pause is thinking of family. What will Dad think? And mom? And Paul and Sylvia? Will they ever know that I died? You shake the thought from your head. They'll find out. They'll declare me dead after they can't find me. They'll know. With the assurance of your family's knowledge about your death, you smile as your head dips below the water.

American POW

Page 41

You patch the holes while Kenneth pumps air into the raft and dumps water out of the raft. Slowly, the raft begins to rise. Unfortunately for you, the sharks you had just noticed circling pounced. Kenneth grabs an oar and rams the shark in the mouth with it. It leaves, but another does the same thing. The saga becomes a deadly dance. You alternate between patching the holes and spearing sharks with an oar, while Kenneth tries to pump more air into the raft while fighting off sharks and taking the water the sharks bring into the boat out. Eventually, the sharks give up. You and Kenneth collapse into the boat. "When are we ever going to be able to rest?" you ask. "I don't know. Honestly, I don't think we ever will," Kenneth replied. It seems like the only rest you will get is death, you think.

American POW

Page 42

I can't decide if I'm cold or hot anymore. I'm cold from my swim, which is weird because that has never happened before. Maybe it's because I'm rapidly losing weight. The fish jerky is good, and probably healthy too, but it's not enough to feed Kenneth and me. Besides that, I'm sick of being in the sun. I'm hot, I'm cold, I'm sick, I'm wasting away. I might as well be dead at this point, you think. Kenneth groans from the exposure. Or maybe he's sick. Or maybe he's bored. You never know. It's not only important to keep your body alive in these types of situations, it's also important to keep your mind working. The words of your survival class instructor echo in your head. Keep your mind alive. That's the key to surviving, you realize. But, do I want to? you wonder. What will you do?

Keep Going

Waste Away

American POW

Page 43

"First, you preheat the oven and make sure the rack is in the middle. You need to make sure it cooks evenly. Then, you take a bowl and mix in the herbs, spices, egg, and water. After it's all nice and mixed up, you can add the breadcrumbs and cheese. Put it into the oven. While they're cooking, you can start making marinara sauce. Adjust the seasonings as you like and then leave it warm while you work on the pasta. For the pasta, put the noodles in some well-salted water and cook them until al dente. Then you can toss everything together, make it look pretty, and serve!" you say. Kenneth nods. "Oh, that sounds so good!" he says. "It really does. In times like these, I miss my mom," you reminisce. "What was she like?" Kenneth asked. You and Kenneth continue exercising your brain by talking about memories until the sharks come back.

American POW

Page 44

You finish another evening of fighting off sharks and cleaning fish. "I could get used to this routine," you say to Kenneth. He's gutting a fish next to you, preparing breakfast for the next day. "Honestly, so could I," he agrees. "The day was so peaceful and quiet. There wasn't a cloud in the sky," you observe. "It was. It felt slightly ominous," Kenneth remarks. "It was strange to have a cloudless day," you agree. Your stomach turns at the peculiarity of the weather. "Maybe we should put things away," you say. "I doubt it though," Kenneth says. "The day was so peaceful, I doubt anything will happen!" The feeling in your stomach doesn't subside. Should you put things away or should you not? What will you do?

Don't put things away.

Put things away.

American POW

Page 45

That night, after you've drifted off to sleep, the rain begins. The waves rock you back and forth, more furious than you have ever felt them before. What is going on? you wonder, waking up to the commotion around you. Kenneth also wakes up. "What's happening?" he asks. "I think we're in the middle of a hurricane!" you yell above the wind's uproarious howling. "We have to hold on tight!" Kenneth yells back. The two of you struggle to get to each other, almost flying off the boat as it bounces on the waves. You grab onto each other and the raft, holding on for dear life. Are we going to survive? you wonder.

American POW

Page 46

American POW

Page 47

As you sit there, holding onto Kenneth and the boat, you feel the things you left lying around moving. Suddenly, you hit the largest wave yet. Despite how tightly you and Kenneth are holding onto each other and the boat, you almost fly off of it. "Hold on tight!" you yell. "I am!" Kenneth yells back. Unfortunately, you are not the only thing flying. The things you left lying around the boat are also flying. "Ah!" you cry, feeling a burning sensation in your arm. "What's wrong?" Kenneth asks. "Knife. In my arm," you say. The pain is so great you almost can't feel it. You feel yourself losing consciousness, and you know that the knife has hit an artery. "Kenneth. Survive. That's an order," you say feebly. "What? No, Allen, you can't die. You'll survive!" he says. "No, won't. Survive. For me. See family," you say, closing your eyes.

American POW

Page 48

"We survived the typhoon!" you say, high-fiving Kenneth. He high-fives you back, and the two of you cast your net once again. As you're fishing, you spot land. You gasp. "I don't believe my eyes!" you exclaim. "What is it?" he asks. "It's land!" you exclaim, tears filling your eyes. Kenneth begins to tear up as well. "I never thought I would see land again either!" he says. The two of you count the fish bones Kenneth had been keeping in a pile. "47 days at sea!" you exclaim. "I don't even remember what land feels like!" "Neither do I!" Kenneth says. The waves begin to get rougher as you approach shore.

American POW

Page 49

Upon landing, you are greeted by Japanese soldiers. Immediately, you are handcuffed and taken prisoner. Tuesday, July 13th, 1943. From stranded to prisoner. What a wonderful turn my life has taken, you think as they push you into your cell. Kenneth is pushed into a separate cell. No! you cry in your head. Claustrophobia and separation anxiety rock you. Everything was so open and free back on the boat. On the boat, I had Kenneth! Now, I don't know what's going to happen to me. You break down into tears, crying for what you have lost. Even the freedom to fight against my opponents has been lost. It was a lot easier to fight against sharks than it is to fight against Japs, you think. You banish your depressing thoughts away and try to compose yourself. If I survived forty-seven days at sea, I can survive being a prisoner-of-war, you determine. Will you?

Live

Die

American POW

Page 50

You toss and turn, trying your best to get some sleep before the Japanese soldiers beat you good morning. Your entire body is racked with pain, from your head to your eyes to your joints and muscles. Your forehead rages with fever, your throat is sore, and you feel like throwing up. You can't keep any food down, and the mice-dropping infested rice isn't worth eating. Still, it's not helping your emaciated state. "Get up!" The soldier yelled, smacking your head with the butt of his rifle. He drags you to your feet and pushes you out of your cell. "Keep moving!" he shouts. Soon you are put on a ship and travel a short distance to another island. "Kwajalein," you hear someone say. Your blood runs cold. You have arrived on Kwajalein Atoll, Execution Island.

American POW

Page 51

Execution. Execution. Execution. The words ring over and over again in your mind. Since arriving in Kwajalein, you can't stop thinking about the word. After all I've survived, I will die at the hand of the Japanese? After almost seven weeks on a raft? you think. You impatiently wait for the day to come. I wish I could say bye to my family, you mourn. But, the day never comes. The Japanese continue to beat you, but they don't kill you. One day, as usual, the soldiers come into your cell. "Get up!" They command. You struggle to your feet, wishing that you could stay in bed for the rest of your short life. "Attention! We are moving you!" The guard announces. Your mind swims with questions. To where?

American POW

Page 52

Once again, you are on a ship. Except this time, you don't have to fight off sharks or fear typhoons. You are on a well-built Japanese warship. Eventually, after who knows how many days of traveling, you see land. "Welcome to Japan," one of your captors says. "We are at the Ofuna Camp." You are now officially a prisoner of war, sentenced to live your life as a slave laborer. Almost immediately, you are put to work. You are assigned to build warships. Mostly, you are welding. That's something I'm actually familiar with, you think in surprise. You spend hours every day welding until it occurs to you that you are helping the Japanese. What if I just throw the welding rods into the bay? you wonder. What will you do?

Toss the welding rods.

Keep welding.

American POW

Page 53

You toss the welding rods in the bay and go back to get more. The Japanese guard watches you with an impassive expression. Impassive is better than angry, you think, trying not to shudder. You pass him without a reaction. My deed has gone unnoticed, you observe in satisfaction. The next time you have to weld, you deliberately don't bother fixing your welding mistakes. Oh man, the metal didn't weld all the way together. It's only a surface weld. That's too bad. The next morning, the ship you helped weld together yesterday is put on the water. Immediately, it sinks. The Japanese guards rush around, trying to find out what happened. You smile with satisfaction. I'm an American at heart. I will do everything I can to sabotage the Japanese effort, you pledge to yourself.

American POW

Page 54

The days pass by agonizingly slowly. One day, you realize that you have been a prisoner of war for over a year. That's a long time to be stuck in these horrid conditions, you think. "Get up!" A Japanese soldier yells. "We are moving you!" he says. After a whirlwind journey to a location you don't know, you arrive at a different camp. The only thing I'm sure of is that we're still in Japan. We didn't travel to a different part of the empire, you think. "Welcome," a Japanese soldier with a mouse-like face greets you. He spits in your face. You are led to a small cell crammed with nine other men. They move to make space for you. "What's your name?" one of them asks. "Allen. David Allen," you say. "Floyd. Welcome to our nice little cell in Omori Prisoner-of-War Camp," he says.

American POW

Page 55

American POW

Page 56

"We should try to escape. The ten of us. Together," Floyd proposes. "Yes, let's do it," Mike agrees. His skeletal face showed something of a smile. "No! Are you crazy? If we fail, they'll execute all of us!" Mac objects. "I agree with Mac. If we escape, we're still in Japan. We can get captured at any moment!" you say. "Who gave you the right to talk, Newcomer?" Phil said accusingly. "I'm being logical. It makes no sense to escape," you defend yourself. "I can't just sit here and help the Japanese!" Mike protested. "We don't have to. This is what you should do instead," you say. You outline your plan of sabotage for them. Their eyes grow wider with every point you make. "You mean we can help the Americans while here?" Let's do it!" Floyd says.

American POW

Page 57

"Wake up!" Mouse shouts. Mouse is the guard who greeted you by spitting in your face when you arrived. He is easily the worst guard here, for he never shows mercy and is quick to hit. Sometimes, a guard will be kind and give you an extra rice ball, or even one of their own, which isn't soggy and infested with rat droppings, but Mouse never does. If you ask, he beats you. He withholds your rations and makes you work harder. One day, a man who lived in your cell but you had never talked to before tries to escape. He is captured, and the next day, the ten of you are taken to the field. Ten Japanese soldiers stand with their guns aimed at you. That is the last thing you see.

American POW

Page 58

The days, full of adventure, pass. Though you risk getting punished daily, you see the fruits of your labor. Japanese materials malfunction and some men begin to gain weight because of the food you steal from the Japanese kitchens. They still haven't figured out it's me. They're fuming! I guess that's the advantage of being a sprinter, you think. Not all of your exploits go undetected, however. The guard with the mousy face, called the Mouse, abhorrs you. He takes every possible opportunity to undermine your dignity and punishes you for the smallest offenses. You are overjoyed when he is moved to another camp. I'll never have to see the Mouse again! you celebrate.

American POW

Page 60

Of course, your joy doesn't last long. "Get up!" A guard orders. "You are being transferred!" Not again, you groan. Prisoner of War Camp Number 3, you think. "To Naoetsu!" the guard yells to another guard. Naoetsu. I guess that's where I'm going next, you ponder. After traveling for some time, you arrive at Naoetsu. To your horror, you are greeted by the one and only Mouse! He smiles sadistically and spits in your face, recreating the first time you met. Your stomach coils and you feel sick. How am I supposed to live with him nearby? The Mouse proves true to his reputation. He hasn't changed. You are forced to do push-ups in a pile of horse manure, and when you grow weak, the Mouse pushes your face into it. When you're sick and need a job, he orders you to clean the pigpen with your bare hands. You are forced to hold a heavy beam until you collapse as a punishment. Additionally, your body is wracked with fever, dysentery, beriberi, and numerous other diseases. It's hard to live, you think in despair. Do you still want to live?

Die

Live

American POW

Page 61

That night, you let go of your will to live. You do not wake up the next morning.

Die

American POW

Page 62

The next morning, you wake up to the sound of planes flying. I remember the good old days. We used to fly those things around, you reminisce. It grows closer, and you look out the window. "It's a B-29 Bomber!" you yell excitedly. "It's dropping leaflets!" One of the healthier men runs to pick up a leaflet. "All civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are to evacuate," he says. I wonder why. What are we planning to do? The B-29s continue to fly throughout Japan, increasing your curiosity. Soon enough, you find out. A guard who was almost never cruel randomly decided to beat you up. Shaking and sore, you realize that he left right afterward. All the guards are gone, you realize. To your dismay, they reappear. But, they are acting peculiarly. They allow you to bathe in the river. All the men, including you, rush to the river, eager to wash the prison grime off your bodies. While you're there, another bomber flies over, flashing Morse Code. The war is over. It's time to go home.

American POW

Page 63

Supplies are dropped from the American B-29s. You and the other former prisoners of war eat to your heart's content while waiting to go home. You hoard the provisions given to you as you board a plane destined for Okinawa. While in Okinawa, you are interviewed by the press. You know that news of your survival will reach your family. However, you decide to stay in Okinawa for a little bit. My mother would die if she saw me so thin and wasted, you think. In Okinawa, you sleep on a real bed with real sheets for the first time in years. On your flight back home, you stop in Kwajalein. It feels strange to be back here as a free man, you reminisce. Upon landing in Honolulu, Hawaii, where you lived before your whole ordeal occurred, the military decides to hospitalize you. You are too sick to be transported to the mainland United States, they say. A few weeks later, you are transferred into a hospital in San Francisco. My home state, you think. Tears come into your eyes. Your brother abandons his military base to come see you, and the rest of your family anxiously awaits your arrival. In October 1945, you return to your childhood home in Southern California. You were first stationed in Funafiti in late 1942.

American POW

You have died. You will not see your family or your home again. You have lost the race.

Start Over?

Congratulations!

You have lived to see the war end.You have won the race. :)

Filipino

Page 21

It’s been ten hours since the attack on Pearl, and the Japanese Invasion of the Philippines has begun. Enemy ships have landed all around the islands of the Philippines. Aerial bombing will soon start, followed by a ground invasion around the capital, and a family living hidden in the province of Baguio on the main island of Luzon has no idea. The father, Ernesto, is working in the fields while, you - his youngest son, Alain (15) - is studying at school in the city. The two are working on the farm while his wife, Cecilia, and three daughters, Esther (17), Maria (12), and Jasmine (9), are finishing the housework. The couple’s oldest child, Angelo (19), is working in Manila.

Filipino

Page 21

You are just about finished with the school day when explosions begin to ring throughout the school. Several people in the classroom start screaming while others run. You find yourself frozen in place, shocked, unsure, and confused about what is happening. Your best friend—and elder of one year—Gabriel runs to you. He starts shouting, but the words he screams do not register in your ears. All you hear is the deafening sound of destruction moving closer and closer. “RUN!!” He mouths.

Stay.

Run.

Filipino

Page 21

Gabriel keeps trying to get you to run, grabbing both your hands in an effort to take you with him. When he realizes that it’s no use, he runs out of the classroom, leaving you behind with several screaming classmates. You lift your head to look out the window, watching fire and debris rain from the sky. What is going on? What is happening? Who is doing this? you think. A bomb hits the side of the school building, sending shrapnel everywhere. When you open your eyes, you find gaping holes in the building. Cement is everywhere, even in you. You bleed to death. Mom. Dad. Angelo. Esther. Maria. Jasmine.

Filipino

Page 21

You snap back into reality and run. A few seconds later, the building shakes as you and your best friend are thrown into a wall. You get up with only a few bruises and look back at the location of the sound. Smoke and dust burst out of the hallway you just ran out of. Grabbing your arm, Gabriel sprints out of the school into the courtyard. Taking a look at the sky, you see dozens of planes zipping around, all of them dropping bombs on the city. Taking a closer look at the planes, you spot markings of Imperial Japan. Is this a part of the war in Europe? you wonder. Looking to the hills towards the northern area of the Baguio province, you think of your family. Do you run north for your them? Or do you run south to the capital for your brother?

Run North

Run South

Filipino

Page 21

You decide to run north. You wish to make it back to your family as fast as you can, but Gabriel reminds you that the city is still being bombed. Taking shelter underground, you try to wait out the bombardment. It takes several days before it stops, but once it does, you run. Gabriel decides to come with you as he also has family living north. Reuniting with your parents and sisters, you warn them of the city's recent events. Poor Angelo is all alone in the capital while Japan invades, you mourn. Hoping to wait out the war, you stay with your family, helping them live for the next two years. One day, you leave to work on the farm, only to come rushing back as the sounds of gunfire echo through the hills. At home, you find the dead body of your father lying against the door with the scream of your mother ringing from the second floor of your home. Your younger sisters were hitting the soldiers with sticks, resulting in them being gunned down. Your older sister is being dragged off and thrown into the jeep. Frozen, the soldiers around you start yelling and commanding you to tell them if there are any guerillas in the area or not. You shake your head and plead for your life. Angry, they grab you and throw you into another jeep. They take you to a labor camp and throw you into one of the tunnels, ordering you to start digging.

Keep your head down and dig.

Resist

Filipino

Page 21

How long have I been here? How much time has passed? you wonder. Many people working in the tunnels were tricked into working for “money” that would never be worth anything, while the rest were POWs. There was never enough food, water, clothing, or sleep, and hygiene didn't exist. Anyone too sick to move was shot on sight, and random executions would occur just for the fun of it. It was the same routine of waking up, digging tunnels, having barely enough food, no rest, and little sleep. You would live like this until the Liberation in October 1944.

Filipino

Page 21

Gripping the pickaxe they’ve just given you, you take all your anger and use it. Thinking back to the death of nearly your entire family and devoid of information regarding your brother and best friend, you attack the closest guard, stabbing the tool into his neck. Quickly, you get gunned down by the other guards, bleeding to death against the wall.

Filipino

Page 21

You decide to run south. You hope you can find safety down south, but Gabriel reminds you that the city is still being bombed. Taking shelter underground, the two of you group up with others, trying to wait out the bombardment. It takes several days before they stop, but once they do, you run. You think about your older brother, Angelo, who is studying in the capital. You hope you can find him. You hope it’s not too late. Gabriel decides to come with you. After a few weeks of walking, you’re nearly there. Meeting dozens of refugees running south to escape the bombings in northern Luzon, you start hearing conflicting stories. “Don’t go to Manila.” “The Japanese will target the capital soon.” “Go to Bataan instead. It has more military protection.” Where will you flee?

Bataan

Manila

Filipino

Page 21

Along with Gabriel, the two of you choose to run to Manila. You tried convincing him not to, as Bataan had the most military presence, but he still chooses to run with you. Time is your greatest enemy. At any moment the capital can be attacked, but still, you run. The jungle is thick, and the humidity makes things even worse. In the middle of a field, the capital is within sight, but then you see the enemy marching towards the city. You can make it to the city before they do, but can you get out?

Go in

Stay Outside

Filipino

Page 21

You scream and cry out, wanting to run to the city in the hopes of finding your brother. Gabriel grips your arm, ensuring you don’t run. Sprinting back to the tree line, the two of you hide within the many caves of the mountains. This was a mistake, you think, realizing that you should have gone to Bataan or gone home. No one will find your bodies. Two years of war will pass as you both struggle to survive. One day, a group of armed soldiers approach the cave. What will you do?

Stay Hidden

Take a Peek

Filipino

Page 21

You and Gabriel lock eyes, refusing to breathe at the sound of footsteps. Shifting your head so your eyes can see just above the ledge, you spot several soldiers looking your way. You instantly regret your decision. You hear them coming closer and closer. Thinking they are Japanese, you look Gabriel in the eyes, prepared to take your last breath. You hear a gun click above your head and wait for the trigger to be pulled. Then you hear them speak. “Filipino?” Opening your eyes and looking up, you recognize the group to be Philippine Guerillas. Both you and Gabriel sigh in relief. Going back with them to their camp, you spot a familiar face in the crowd. “Angelo?” It is your brother. He runs to you and locks you in an embrace. He proceeds to tell you about how he escaped from Manila and joined a group of people who would later become Philippine Guerillas. You join the group and fight alongside your brother until the war ends.

Filipino

Page 21

You and Gabriel lock eyes, refusing to breathe at the sound of footsteps. Then you hear them speaking. It’s Tagalog. Raising your hands, you find yourself surrounded by a group of Filipino Guerillas. Finding hope, you ask if any of them know a 20-year-old man by the name of Angelo. A boy named Banoy speaks up, saying that Angelo had died a month ago, giving his life to save him. You feel saddened and angry, vowing to avenge your brother as you join the ragtag group of guerilla resistance. You remain and fight with the group until the war ends.

Filipino

Page 21

Gabriel shouts at you to stop, but your thoughts are consumed by your brother. You run down the main road, eyeing the Japanese units as they slowly approach the city from both sides. You’re almost there. Yes, you’re tired, but the city limit is within reach. Gunfire starts. Jumping to the side, you hide in a ditch, and bullets fly through the air. I will not die, you determine. It’s your last thought as a shell lands and explodes just beside your feet.

Filipino

Page 21

Along with Gabriel, the two of you choose to run to Bataan in hopes that the military there will provide a safe haven for arriving refugees. You think back to your brother in Manila, praying he survives. Christmas during wartime was empty. By the start of the new year, many of the refugees strong enough to fight have been given the task of defending the Bataan. On January 2, you receive the horrible news that Manila has fallen and that the Japanese are slowly pushing the last of the military here. You haven’t seen Gabriel in days. You don’t know if he’s still alive. All you know is the fight in front of you and the gun in your hand. The fight lasts for three months, and Bataan, the last location of military resistance, falls.

Attempt Escape

Stay

Filipino

Page 21

Along with Gabriel, the two of you and several people remain hidden in the tunnels of the compound. Bataan has fallen, and the Philippines has fallen. The plan is to try and escape in the middle of the night. You’ve avoided capture during the day, but time is running out. The soldiers are sweeping through every building, and it won’t be long till they check the tunnels. Once the soldiers on patrol pass the hidden entrance, you grab Gabriel’s arm and run. We just have to make it to the jungle. There, we can hide, you think. Bullets start ringing through the night as guards manage to stop the others. Jumping to the ground and hiding in the grass, you feel the zip of bullets flying overhead. You’re almost to the treeline. “Gabriel.” You whisper. Lifting your head just enough, you turn to find him motionless, blood oozing from his back. His eyes stare at you, life quickly draining out of him. Blood is dripping down his mouth. “Gabriel!!”

Leave Him

Take Him

Filipino

Page 21

You pull him onto your shoulders as you crawl towards the treeline. He’s your best friend. You couldn't just leave him. The warmth of his blood soaks your clothes. His breathing is labored. His heart slows… then you hear the bullets stop and footsteps charging towards you. You lift your head and lock eyes with a barrel in front of your face. “Wait! Please! I-” The soldier pulls the trigger, and the bullet pierces your skull.

Filipino

Page 21

If you were still the innocent 15-year-old schoolboy who grew up in Baguio, you would have cried. But the war had taken everything from you. Leaving the body behind, you stare into the forest, rage and determination burning in your eyes. You get up and run, sprinting to the cover of the tree line. Then the bullets fly, and you feel them in the dozen pierce your skin. Your body hits the ground hard, forcing air from your blood-filling lungs. You’re drowning. You’re dying. You’re dead.

Filipino

Page 21

The Japanese are rounding everyone up. Soon, you learn what they plan to do with everyone. They want to move everyone. They're going to march every POW to an internment camp 65 miles north called Santo Tomas. You laugh at the news. It’s a death march. When it begins, whatever kindness the Japanese had vanished. 100 POWs were grouped together, with four Japanese soldiers ‘supervising’ them. Food and water were barely given, and when they were, there was never enough. If anyone asked for either, they would be shot dead. When the group stopped, you were forced to sit in the heat of the Philippine sun with nothing to cover yourself. Others were stripped of their clothes. Anyone who stopped to rest was shot. Anyone who tried to help those falling behind was shot. Sometimes, for the fun of it, the Japanese would initiate mass executions. One day, by a miracle, your eyes land on the familiar face of Gabriel… and he’s slowing down. Do you risk your life helping him, or do you leave him to die?

Help Him

Leave Him

Filipino

Page 21

You force your exhausted frame to walk over to your friend, immediately placing your shoulder around his frame before he can fully come to a stop. “Stop…” He whispered, his voice weak. “They’ll kill you…” You frown and snarl. “And they’ll kill you! Now shut up and fight.” Gabriel shook his head. “I’ll only get you killed.” He said. “I know when my time is up, and I won’t take you down with me.” You ignore him and keep walking, trying to avoid the growing glares of the Japanese soldiers who’ve started watching. Gabriel takes your hand and places something inside. “Survive for me. Make it home.” Before you can question him, he breaks your hold on him and falls.

Filipino

Page 21

“Gabriel!” You want to run to him, but he holds his hand up. A soldier stands behind him, and you turn away as a gunshot echoes through the hills. Clenching your fists, you trudge forward, anger in your heart. “I promise to live.” Of the estimated 80,000 POWs at the march, only 54,000 made it to Camp O'Donnell. You think back on the promise you made, using it as fuel to live. By the time Camp O'Donnell closed in January 1943, after eight months of operation, 26,000 of the 54,000 Filipino prisoners of war had died. You reunite with Esther, the only surviving member of your family.

Filipino

Page 21

You watch as the body of your best friend starts slowing to a stop. Gabriel locks eyes with you as you pass him. His eyes plead with you for help… His eyes burst out of his skull as a Japanese soldier puts a bullet in his head. His body falls, and you keep going. By the end of the march, around 20,000 POWs have died. When you arrive at Camp O'Donnell, the survivors are tasked with burying the bodies around the compound. Of the estimated 80,000 POWs at the march, only 54,000 made it to Camp O'Donnell. You will die here, losing the will to live, knowing you left your best friend to die. By the time Camp O'Donnell closed in January 1943, after eight months of operation, 26,000 of the 54,000 Filipino prisoners of war had died.

Filipino

Page 21

You have died. So has the majority of your family. That sucks, doesn't it?

Start Over?

Congratulations!

You have lived to see the war end.It's time to rebuild and recover.

Would You Survive the War in the Pacific?

Start designing with a free template

View

Corporate Escape Room: Operation Christmas

View

Secret Code

View

Reboot Protocol

View

Christmas Escape Room

View

Horror Escape Room

View

Witchcraft Escape Room

View

Desert Island Escape

Transcript