The Power of Testimony

SAVING MY ASSASSIN
armed military group pointed guns around the room. Their
leader, a tall young officer, ordered Anna’s parents, John and
Maria, to stand and follow him.” Uncle Carol put his hands
over his face and sobbed.
I sat beside him and hugged him.
“Anna was scared because she’d never heard anyone give
orders to her parents before. Her tutor touched her shoulder
to comfort her, but she hurried to her parents, who were on
their knees and had been handcuffed and brutally beaten
by the two armed officers. Her older brother, Jim, was also
handcuffed. The armed military officers dragged them away
with much commotion but no explanation. When Anna
asked why, a young officer slapped and shoved her, causing
her to fall backward. He said, ‘This is how we treat our
enemies. If you are not with us, you are against us.’ Then he
claimed the house belonged to the government.”
Uncle Carol rocked back and forth on the edge of the bed.
“I was silent when they handcuffed and struck her parents.
Too afraid to talk or move. I can never forgive myself.” Tears
streamed down his face. “I was among the first to run when
Anna’s parents and brother were dragged away. I returned
later for Anna, but it was too late. Government officials had
taken her to one orphanage after another, changing her name
with each move so that it was impossible to trace her. The
young Communist officer, Boris, took control of Anna’s
parents’ mansion and established his residence there. I grew
more afraid, thinking I would suffer the same fate as her parents.
I took a long business trip to London. When I returned
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