Herbert waits in the queue (WIN-02-EN)

In front of the labour office, a large group of people was waiting in line with the anticipation of securing a new beginning. Among them stood a man named Herbert, whose haunted eyes told a tale of tragedy and loss.

Herbert was a survivor of a devastating train accident that had taken the lives of many. The traumatic event had left him scarred, both physically and emotionally. The memories of that fateful day weighed heavily on his soul, eroding his spirit and leaving him in a perpetual state of withdrawal and apathy.

As Herbert stood in the queue, surrounded by the chatter of hopeful voices, his mind retreated to the depths of despair. The sound of the conversations, once a symphony of human connection, became an overwhelming cacophony that echoed the chaos of the accident. Every voice, every word, seemed to merge into the haunting screams that had pierced the air on that tragic day.

His shoulders slumped, and his eyes grew distant, a hollow emptiness replacing the spark of life that once resided within them. The world around him felt distant and unattainable, his heart encased in a shell of anguish.

The people waiting alongside him noticed Herbert's withdrawn state, a stark contrast to the restlessness of the other people. Whispers passed through the queue, compassion and concern woven within them. Some people guessed that beneath Herbert's apathy lay a deep-rooted pain, a trauma that had yet to be addressed.

Among those waiting, a woman named Emma, with a gentle presence and a heart full of empathy, approached Herbert. She stood beside him, matching his silence with her own quiet understanding. No words were spoken, for they knew that sometimes, silence holds more comfort than empty platitudes.

Emma placed a gentle hand on Herbert's trembling arm, an act of solidarity and compassion. Her touch broke through the walls of his withdrawn state, reminding him that he was not alone in his struggle.

In that moment of human connection, Herbert began to feel a flicker of warmth amidst the cold numbness that had consumed him. Emma's presence acted as a lifeline, slowly pulling him back from the depths of his traumatic memories.

As the queue inched forward, Emma remained by Herbert's side, a silent source of support. Her presence alone held a comforting weight, grounding him in the present, reminding him that there was still a world worth living in beyond the shadows of his past.

Gradually, Herbert started to regain his composure. His posture straightened, and his gaze shifted from the haunting abyss to the faces around him. The conversations that once overwhelmed him transformed into a chorus of shared humanity, each voice representing a unique journey of resilience.

When Herbert finally reached the counter, he found himself standing a little taller, his spirit rekindled by the collective resilience he had witnessed. The labor officer, observing the transformation in his demeanor, greeted him with a kind smile and a gentle voice, recognizing the strength it took to endure and persist.

Wolfgang Eisenreich, WIN