Hello again loves!

So, for this next rewrite snippet, we're jumping ahead to what will be new chapter eight. In that time, we see the fallout of Hannah's death, introduction of our cellist and a new scene between Anna and Freddie, where they will end up in conversation as she is hidden from the 'mysterious' Sturmbannführer Lange. Whilst talking, she unloads a train and discovers Elli's suitcase. Freddie let's her keep the cardigan. That's all the context you need to know. What follows now, is the rewritten version of Anna and Mathias first foray into their exceedingly strange relationship.

There will be themes of sexual assault below.

Anna and Miriam sat together on the lower bunk, their legs stretched towards each other and backs rested on the posts. They did this most evenings, recounting their days to one another as if they were nothing more than simple friends a world away from here. Elli's cardigan lay draped across Anna's lap as she mindlessly thumbed the fabric. Her gifted contraband garnered jealous glares, but she didn't much care. She was too grateful of Elli's smell. In this place, you had to take whatever you could get.

'I'd give anything for a cigarette,' sighed Miriam, her head tipped back in frustration.

Smiling, Anna watched her friend a moment before turning back to her fiddling. 'I know what you mean. Müller always seems to have one on the go and its all I can do not to follow him around, breathing it all in.'

Miriam cackled. 'Poor boy would piss himself if you got that close. Trembles like a frightened little pup if anyone so much as look at him.'

'He is an odd one,' Anna agreed. She hadn't disclosed her conversation with Müller. It was nice having something private; something that was just hers. 'What's he like then, this Sturmbannführer?'

Pondering, Miriam seemingly struggled to find the right words. 'He's...' She let out a frustrated huff. 'There's something about him that unnerves me.'

'He's a high up member of the SS,' Anna reminded her. 'He's bound to be a tad creepy.'

Miriam shook her head. 'It's not that. I've met other high up officers and none of them are like him.' She sat forward a little, bringing her knees to her chest to rest her elbows on. 'It's as though he has everyone in a vice like grip the moment he walks in the room. Everyone was so immediately quiet, even the guards. Even Keller.'

'Keller?' Anna spluttered.

'I know, I was shocked too.'

Anna was jealous; she'd love to see him rattled. 'So, he threatened you all?'

'Didn't have to. He was so calm when he spoke, so soft. It was as though he was having the easiest conversation in the world. Never once raised his voice. And he was so polite when he spoke to Amelia.'

Brow furrowed, Anna too lent forward. 'He spoke to the prisoners?'

'As if they were any other person. Even said thank you.'

'So, he was nice?'

'Not nice. Just not horrible. I really don't know how else to describe it.' They both fell silent for a moment. 'I hope he comes back soon. It's the most peaceful day I've ever had here.'

'Me too,' Anna agreed.

Truly, Anna had enjoyed her time with Müller, even after finding Elli's suitcase. Perhaps it was the Sturmbannführer's presence, but he had seemed far less nervous this time. It was strange, but she felt a small degree of safety around Müller. She knew beyond any doubt, that he would never lay a hand on her, and not just because Keller had warded everyone else away. Müller was sweet. She might even go so far as to say that she liked his company.

The gate to the compound squeaked open.

'Everyone to their bunks,' instructed a male voice from outside.

'What's going on?' Anna asked as they hurriedly clambered to their feet.

'Bunk inspection,' murmured Miriam. Both of them looked at the contraband cardigan in Anna's grasp. 'Put it under my coat. They might just think it's an extra layer.'

'But Miriam-'

Without another word, Miriam grabbed it and shoved it under the coat that hung from the end of their bunk. There was no time for them to argue semantics.

They both stood neatly by their beds as the outside stragglers darted into the bunkhouse, soon followed by Keller and Fischer. Why did it have to be those two?

'Bunk inspection,' Keller called, watching Fischer visit each one in turn.

Anna tried very hard not to give away her nerves. She couldn't let Miriam get into trouble for her own foolishness. Surely, Keller would delight in having a reason to punish her.

It didn't take long for Fischer to reach their beds. He looked utterly delighted to have Anna within his grasp as he stood over her. 'Arms out.'

Frozen, Anna stared at him. He hadn't asked any of the other women to do so.

'I said, arms out.'

Avoiding him, Anna looked only at Keller. His bizarre silence told her this was a test of some sort. If she was to appeal to anyone, it had to be him.

'I don't think she likes you, Fischer,' said Keller, each word dripping with satisfaction as he joined them. 'You inspect the others, I'll do this bunk.'

'Yes, Obersturmführer,' said Fisher, the words gritted out as he turned away.

Keller side-eyed Miriam. 'Turn the bunks over.'

Nodding, Miriam did so quickly.

Anna gripped the bedpost behind her for support as Keller loomed over her, the rough wood grating against her palm.

'Did you not want him to touch you?' Keller asked over the sound of Miriam shifting the beds around.

'No,' Anna replied softly, the word claggy on her tongue.

'He disgusts you, doesn't he?'

She nodded in agreement.

'Hmm?' Keller closed the small gap between them, turning his ear to her. 'Say it properly.' He clearly wanted Fischer to hear her.

'Yes,' Anna managed, her voice shaking. 'He disgusts me.' She didn't check Fischer's reaction. There was no point in taunting herself with anyone else's blind fury.

Keller smiled, then looked past her to survey the bunks. His gaze wandered lazily over the mess, finally coming to rest on the coat. 'Who's is this?'

'Mine,' said Miriam.

Picking it up, he pried the cardigan free. Anna's heart dropped as he further inspected it.

'This is far too small for you.'

'It's old,' said Miriam, her fear apparent.

Keller held it out to Miriam. 'Put it on.'

Before Miriam could take it, Anna stepped between them. 'That's my cardigan.'

Smirking, Keller's eyes licked her frame. 'If it doesn't fit her, there is no chance it would fit you, my plump little Cuckoo Bird.'

Stood firm, Anna dug her heels in. 'It's my sister's. I took it from the train today when the Sturmmann wasn't looking.'

The entire bunkhouse fell completely silent.

Holding it up to the light, Keller inspected the fraying wool closely. He should have been outraged at her insolence; disgusted by her lack of respect. Yet, his demeanour didn't change at all. 'I'm disappointed in you. This is so reckless.'

'I just wanted something to remind me of her, Obersturmführer. I might never see her again.'

'Might?' he questioned, his icy gaze turned solely on her. 'So full of pointless hope.' He looked at it again, running the material across his palms. 'Hold out your hands.'

Reluctantly, she did as commanded.

To her surprise, he placed the cardigan back into her grasp. Immediately, she snatched it close to her.

He didn't relinquish his grip, his knuckles grazing her chest. 'What do I get in return?'

Anna's entire body turned cold. 'Obersturmführer?'

Inching closer, his voice mellowed to a soft purr. 'I've given you a gift, now what do I get in return?'

Her time had finally run out.

For so long she had avoided his overtures. It was easier to hide from them rather than face the inevitable conclusion to this chase. Now, she was barren of anything but impending pain, her limbs heavy with the ache of her anticipation.

Mouth dry, Anna tried her best to summon a response. 'I have nothing of value to offer you, Obersturmführer.'

He raised his free hand to touch her face, his thumb pressing against her lower lip to open her mouth ever so slightly. 'That's not true.'

Even through the dank must of the bunkhouse, Anna could make out his cologne. Her head buzzed with it, as though to acclimatise to it might ease this process. She should answer him, she knew she should. But the acquiesce wouldn't come. Instead, she remained paralysed, her chest tight under the weight of her laboured breathing. Everyone around them seemed to disappear, Anna and Keller the only souls clinging to one another amidst the emptiness. Anna wished he would leave her be; allow her to tumble into the abyss.

Instead, Keller sucked his teeth, his hand falling away from her face. He made to pull the cardigan out of her arms.

Anna held fast. 'Wait.'

'Yes?'

'I'll give you anything you want.'

Glee flashed in his eyes. 'Anything?'

Clutching the last of her sister, Anna stood straighter in a final show of false confidence. 'If I can have this, then everything I have is yours.'

The air around them twisted into fevered frenzy, electric with enthusiasm of what was to come. It made her sick to her stomach.

'Everyone out,' Keller ordered.

Without hesitation, the woman ran outside, their footsteps thundering as they escaped from being privy to her fate. Only Miriam gave Anna an agonised look of pity before she left. Even Fischer only mumbled something about waiting outside as he stalked past and let the door swing to a close.

They were alone.

Removing his cap, Keller set it down on a nearby bed and ran his hands through his hair. His fingers flexed and he let out a long, content sigh before he looked Anna over again.

She hadn't moved.

As though it was the only thing keeping her afloat in a troubled sea, Anna clung to the cardigan. This is what she had sold herself for; a forgotten trace of the only family she had left. If Elli had even survived. That seemed so impossible now. There was no going back; no chance to change her mind.

Keller perched on her bunk, his head and shoulders stooped low to fit underneath. 'Come here. I want to look at you.'

Her feet complied before she had too much time to think.

'Put that down,' he said softly.

Again, she did as she was told.

Leaning forward onto his knees, he watched her expectantly.

Was she supposed to do something? The severity of his gaze told her yes. 'I'm sorry, Obersturmführer.'

His eyes widened slightly. 'What for?'

'I'm not very experienced in... this.'

His tongue ran over his bottom lip. 'Don't tell me you are a virgin.'

Anna shook her head. 'I've only ever been with one man before and it was many years ago.'

'Was he a Jew?'

'No sir.'

'At least you're pure in one sense.' His head cocked to one side. 'So, what's the problem then?'

'I..' She began, her words like sand in her mouth. 'I don't know how to please you.'

Sucking in a drawn out breath, he let the statement hang in the air for a long, laconic moment. 'That's pleasing enough, little Cuckoo Bird.' He beckoned her closer, so that she stood between his legs. 'Shall I guide you?'

'Yes.' It would do her well to be polite. 'Please.'

Lightly, his fingers slipped under her dress to rest on her lower thighs. 'Undress for me.'

Swallowing her need to scream, Anna shrugged her cardigan off her shoulders. Her trembling fingers moved to her front buttons as Keller spoke again.

'Did you like it when your lover touched you?'

Anna concentrated on her buttons as she answered. Having something to do set her terror at bay. 'He wasn't really my lover.' Her voice sounded steadier than she had expected, even in the deathly still.

'You were forced?' His tone shifted just a little. It hinted at outrage.

The irony was not lost on her. 'No. It was a drunken night's foolish mistake.' Her dress lay open now to reveal her slip. 'I don't remember anything about it other than that.'

As her dress fell away, she felt his fingers dig into her flesh. She gasped, the sound choked and frightened. All she wanted to do was cry. It was an anguished ball in her throat, threatening to spill out. Clamping her lips together, she refused to let it loose. She didn't want to know what would happen if she disobeyed him.

Higher and higher his hands travelled up her body, under her slip, his palms greedy and searching. 'I want you to remember today,' he murmured, pulling her down so that her legs fell either side of his waist. 'I want you to be empty of all else except me.' He took her wrist, guiding her finger tips to touch his face.

Flinching at the feel of his skin, Anna swallowed another sob. When she had dared to imagine what he might do to her, every thought had fallen short of this. She had never expected the intimacy. It had seemed easier. It might have been more violent, but at least it would have been over quickly. Silent tears trickled over her cheekbones and Anna tried desperately to blink them away. She could tell he was excited; it was pressing through his trousers to rub against her. Every second here with him was a second ripped from the comfort of her old life. Soon, she would picture no one but him, his angular face replacing all those she had clung to.

His grip on her wrist grew tight. 'I told you, no crying.'

'I'll stop,' she promised.

There was a small, frustrated twitch in his jaw for the briefest moment. 'Let down your hair.'

Balancing astride him, Anna tugged her hair free of its plait so it cascaded down her back and across her shoulders.

Keller bit his lip, as if that would calm him into savouring every inch of her. He moved a little beneath her, perhaps to get a proper feel for how they fit together. It clearly proved too much. 'Lie down on the bed.'

Managing to rock back onto her feet without stumbling, Anna then crawled across him to do as commanded. She stared up at the slats underneath Miriam's bed; the same slats she stared at every night before she finally fell asleep. Would they be forever changed? Would she ever fall into simple sleep again? Or would every night be spent picturing Keller sliding his jacket off and undoing his trouser buttons.

The bed creaked under his weight as he climbed over her, hurrying her underwear down her legs before he parted them with one smooth hand. His trousers were around his ankles, his naked legs brushing against hers as he got himself into position.

Eyes screwed tight shut, Anna concentrated on steadying her breathing. Her bottom lip trembled in terrified defiance of her mind, her entire body relinquishing control to the man that now hung over her.

'Open your eyes,' he said, his lips dangerously close to hers.

She tried.

'Anna-'

'I promise I'm trying.'

'Do it, or I will turn you over and take you anyway.'

They fluttered open, staring straight up into his. 'Like this, Sir?'

'Yes.' Propped onto one hand, he made sure to look at her as he thrust forward.

Anna yelped, the pain spreading like a blazing fire through her, all the way down her legs.

Immediately, he covered her mouth with his hand. 'Last chance, Anna.'

'I'll be quiet,' she mumbled into his palm.

He withdrew his hand and began again. Anna made sure to remain completely silent, grateful that he soon nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck. At least now she didn't have to look at him as his body rubbed against hers. But she could hear him. His laboured, satisfied gasps were pressed to her ear; a secret whisper just for her. The blanket beneath them was balled into her fists, the only place where she could let out the agony she was in.

'You feel so good,' he groaned as his pace picked up, his very being buried as far into her as he possibly could.

The entire bed knocked against the wall, the soft thumps a sinful serenade. She hated it. It was as though she were drowning and Keller was the wave pushing her below the surface. To stay quiet through it burned her lungs, her body and soul in perpetual agony.

She wasn't herself any more. She wasn't Anna. She was only his; a vessel for his pleasure.

If she ever found Elli again, would her sister even recognise her anymore? Or would she be nothing but a withered stranger who looked eerily similar to a girl that loved her unconditionally.

Anna stopped breathing. She tried her hardest to regain some composure and control but her breath had stilled in her chest. Her mouth opened as she choked, gasping through her terror.

It wasn't helped by Keller moving to grip her throat, his thumb tracing it as he stared into her eyes again. 'My sweet little Cuckoo Bird,' he murmured. Grabbing her thigh, he hauled it to his waist so that he might push even deeper and claim her further. 'You're mine, aren't you?'

Somehow, Anna managed to nod.

'Say it,' he ordered. 'Say I own you.'

She tried. She really did. The words simply wouldn't come.

'Anna...' he hissed. 'Say it.'

Mustering all of her courage, she tried to spit out the words he was so desperately trying to pry from her stilled tongue.

A long, sweet note cut through her choking, her eyes flicking in the direction. She knew that sound. It was her cellist.

They hadn't abandoned her.

Slowly, as each haunting note blended together into Elgar's famous concerto, her ability to breathe returned. Her chest swelled and collapsed against Keller's her skin numbing to the feel of his machinations. Anna's eyes stared past Keller, past Miriam's bed, past the bunkhouse. She searched only for the face of this mystery cellist, hoping somehow to find them as she began to speak.

'I'm yours,' she croaked out to the nether. 'Only yours.' Her promise did not belong to Keller. It was only to the musician and their lullaby.

Keller said something in return, but she couldn't hear him. She didn't care. Her mouth curved to a delicate smile as she pictured a blanket of stars above her, her mind spinning and cavorting to the music.

When Keller ripped away from her quick and sharp, she didn't move. She didn't watch him finish himself off or listen to the gasp he made. She thought only of her perfect cellist.

Finally, the music stopped, the bed creaking and swaying alongside as Keller climbed to his feet. Shakily, Anna propped herself up on her hands only to be met with a clean handkerchief thrust into her face.

Keller held it out to her, his other hand holding up his trousers. 'You're bleeding.'

Looking down, Anna ruched her skirt up a little higher. There was a faint red smear down the inside of both her thighs, and as if the sight of it made her remember, the pain flooded back. Wincing, she tried her best to wipe it up, trying to be ask quick as she could. When she'd done all she could, she held the handkerchief up and looked to Keller.

He was tugging on his jacket, still watching her just as intently. 'Keep it.'

'Thank you,' she murmured, her voice throaty.

He let out a long content sigh as he reached for his cap, then turned to leave.

'Wait!' she called, her voice reacting before her mind could catch up.

Stopping, her turned back to look at her. 'Yes, sweet Cuckoo Bird?'

'You're leaving?' she asked. What a stupid question. Of course he was leaving. He had what he wanted now. She wanted him to leave. To get as far away from her as possible. But she also wanted him to stay. To hold her. Somehow, it would make her feel less used.

Curious, he dipped down, hanging over her as he steadied himself on the top bunk. 'You want me to stay?'

'I...' she began, then stopped. What was she supposed to say. 'I'm sorry.'

Reaching out, he cupped her jaw, his thumb brushing over cheek affectionately. 'Stop apologising. You did well.'

'I did?' she whispered.

'So well,' he praised. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to her temple, his lips lingering longer than necessary. 'And next time will be even better.'

'Next time?'

'You just gave yourself to me, Anna. You belong to me now.' Smiling, he stood to his full height and replaced his cap. 'I'll see you again soon.' Nonchalantly, he spun slowly and left at a glacial pace, his footsteps bouncing off the wooden walls. 'Back to your bunks,' he called from outside.

Anna stayed frozen as the women ventured back in.

Again?

He wanted it to happen again?

Wasn't this supposed to be a transaction? One time for the cardigan? Would she still have said yes if she'd known that this was her life now? That she would only ever be his to devour again and again and again.

'Anna?' There were hands cupping her face. She knew that now. But she couldn't see them. They turned her gaze upwards, and Miriam's face began to cut through the blue of Anna's tears. 'Anna, let me help you get cleaned up.'

'I am clean,' Anna said, though her words wavered as she held up the handkerchief.

'You missed a few things,' Miriam said gently, trying to guide her legs out so she might stand her up. 'We need to get your underwear back on.'

As Anna tried to swing her legs round to comply, Miriam caught them and manoeuvred them. 'Careful.'

'Why?' Anna asked. Then looked down at her bed. He'd finished on her blanket. Her mouth dry, Anna pushed to her feet and tugged her underwear up. 'I'm going outside.'

'I'll keep you company,' said Miriam as other woman came over to help tidy her bed.

'It's okay,' said Anna, pulling free of them all. 'I'd rather be alone.'

Nodding quickly, Miriam tried to smile at her. It was so clearly forced. 'We'll get this all cleaned up for you.'

'Thanks,' Anna mumbled as she ran outside, grabbing Elli's cardigan as she did so.

Hurrying to the bench, she lay down on it, her back resting against the wood as she stared up at the sky. She needed to pretend she was anywhere but here; that the space around her was limitless; that she hadn't just damned herself from ever escaping the nightmare she was trapped in.

Cuddling the cardigan tight, Anna watched the sun sink down and away from her, the world tinged with a pink hue. She brought the material to her nose, inhaling Elli's scent.

Please be alive Elli. Please make this worth it.

Please.

Please.

Please.