“It’s going to go well”

The massacre in Paris began late in the evening of November 13, 2015, when jihadists blew themselves up outside the Stade de France national stadium, where France played an international match against Germany.

At the same time, Stephane Toutlouyan (49) and David Fritz Goeppinger (23) were at a concert with the Eagles of Death Metal in the Bataclan concert hall.

The two did not know each other, and no one had any idea of ​​the atrocities that were about to happen – and what would connect them forever.

A group of jihadists had entered the center of Paris and fired wildly from a car at a number of restaurants. There were many people in the nightclubs and at Bataclan the concert hall was sold out. Three of the terrorists entered the crowded room and shot as many as they could while the band played “Kiss the Devil”.

Took the hand

– I remember your words. To me, we were already dead. I did not see how it could end well. You were really optimistic, says Stephane.

He talks to David who was taken hostage by the terrorists with him. David took the hand of the man in the suit, much older, and whispered, “It’s going well.”

The two openly share their story with the French news agency AFP. David was a long-haired young man originally from Chile who was about to become a bartender. Stephane who was more than twice as old, computer expert and family man.

It was apparently only the interest in rock they had in common.

– I swung between believing we were going to make it, and that we were all going to die. I also wondered who this guy was who came in a suit at a rock concert. says David to AFP.

Quickly realized what was happening

The evening had started well. David played a number of video games, and quickly recognized the distinctive sound of the AK-47 weapon. 90 people were killed before the first terrorist was killed by police storming the venue.

A group of ten people were then taken hostage by the two remaining terrorists. David and Stephane were among these. Three hostages were placed behind the door, the others in front of the window. They were ordered to report if they saw anything, otherwise they would be shot and thrown out the window.

One of the terrorists asked David, “What do you think of François Hollande?” He replied that he did not know. “I’m not French, I’m Chilean,” he replied.

For two hours they lived with real fear of death. They heard the groans of the wounded and the cries for help.

Then the police managed to end the massacre. A total of two of the three jihadists on Bataclan were killed.

Contacted

The paths of the twelve hostages then went their separate ways, but Stephane realized that he had to talk to some of the others who had experienced the same thing as him. He contacted David on Facebook, and two weeks later they met out for a drink.

– We did not know each other, but we hugged each other warmly. We started to jigsaw the puzzle together. I did not know how to talk about this with my family, with David it was easier, says Stephane.

– We did not feel we had to build a relationship, because it was already there. Being friends was completely natural. If I have a bad day, whether it is on November 13 or not, I will call Stephane, says David.

Several of the hostages meet regularly once a month, like a regular group of friends. They find comfort and peace in the fact that they understand each other. There is no need to explain, and the mental scars unite them.

David quotes another hostage friend: “On November 13, we held on so tightly to each other that it is difficult to let go.”

The trial starts on Wednesday

Both David Fritz Goeppinger and Stéphane Toutlouyan have decided to take part in the gigantic trial that starts on Wednesday.

20 people have been charged after the terrorist attacks. 130 people were killed. During five weeks from 28 September, around 300 survivors and relatives will testify.

14 of the accused are to be present during the trial, including Salah Abdeslam, who is the only surviving attacker.

The verdict is expected to be handed down on May 24 and 25 next year.

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