Eliezer’s foot started to swell due to the cold, making it impossible for him to move around. The situation forced him into the infirmary, and he was attended to by a Jewish doctor. The doctor settled on performing an operation on Eliezer in order to save his leg from amputation. The surgery went well, and Eliezer was set to recover. However, rumors spread around the camp that the front was drawing closer to the camp. The Red Army was swiftly making its way to the Buna concentration camp. The Germans decided to evacuate the camp and the prisoners prepared for the journey. Eliezer left the infirmary to find his father. He hoped that his father would make the decision on whether they should embark on the journey or stay in the infirmary. Eliezer suggested they be evacuated with the other prisoners and his father agreed. After the war, Eliezer learned that those who remained at the camp were liberated by the Russians.

"Well, Father, what do we do?"

He was silent.

"Let's be evacuated with the others," I said.

He didn't answer. He was looking at my foot.

"You think you'll be able to walk?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Let's hope we won't regret it, Eliezer."

AFTER THE WAR, I learned the fate of those who had remained at the infirmary. They were, quite simply, liberated by the Russians, two days after the evacuation.