Chapter Three

Anna was not entirely sure how much time had passed when they were all made to line up in the middle of the room. It was still light outside, but that didn't mean so much in the summer. She had been so focused on the task at hand that she hadn't even attempted to count down the minutes. Shaking out her sore limbs, she let her reality awaken her, her whole mind still numb under the weight of what had happened.

A few minutes. That's all it had taken for her to lose everything. Perhaps not everything. Maybe Elli was sitting somewhere not far away feeling the exact same way.

How likely was that?

Anna clasped her hands together in front of her, her head faced down towards them. Everyone stood in silence, waiting for something. It gave her a moment to study the women's faces as best she could.

Why was everyone in the line female? There had been men on the platform, so why not here? They were all relatively young, the oldest probably no older than forty. All of them looked tired, but healthy, or as healthy as she had seen anyone look in the last few years. They were able to stand and didn't appear frail and emaciated.

The guard stood at the top of the line, in front of one of the women. He seemed to be saying something to her as his outstretched finger traced her arm, the poor woman frozen in abject disgust. Anna looked up and down the line again, realising a pattern to the selection process.

Young, pretty, vulnerable.

            At that moment, Keller stepped into the hut. The guard stood to attention, clearly apprehensive of being too close to an inmate.

Anna's heart stopped, her breath caught in her throat. There was something inherently eery about Keller, as though to be ensnared in his embrace would bring only emptiness. When he spied her looking, his mouth curved to a small smile. Instinctively, she looked down at the floor. When nothing happened, she risked a glance in his direction. He was searching the women, obviously checking them for valuables.

Anxiously, Anna awaited her turn. It lasted an eternity. He seemed to take his time getting to her. It wasn't that he lingered on the women like the other guards did, more that he paused for a long time after each one to make the next one wait with bated breath.

As he finally reached Anna, she held her arms by her sides, in some vain hope that it would make the process easier. This time, he did nothing at all.

She dared, at last, to look up at him, only to be met with those cold eyes and an amused look on his face.

'You're a curious creature,' he said finally. She'd never a known a voice like his. It was as though honey oozed from his mouth. 'What's your name?'

The words clung to her throat, choking her. 'Anna Lehman.'

'A good German name.' Gently, he reached out and set his hands on her. His exploration seemed less about finding contraband and more about getting the measure of her. He came across something in her cardigan pocket. 'What are these?'

'My reading glasses.'

'Put them on.'

Anna did so obediently. She could see even more clearly how beautiful he was. The perfect Aryan man. Perhaps that was why he was so cocky.

'Hmm,' he mused as he scrutinised her. 'I don't think so.' His palms braced her cheeks, his index fingers deftly slipping her glasses down her nose. Dropping them to the floor, he waited a beat before he stamped on them. Immediately, he turned her round to pat her down from the back.

It took every ounce of her grit not to cry out as his fingertips trailed up her legs, his large hands cupping her outer thighs. She'd only been touched like this once before, and then, she was willing.

Slowly, his touch continued its ascent up the curves of her waist to meet her spine. He paused, taking some of her hair lightly in his hand. 'Such dark hair.' He played with it, twirling a long strand around his finger. Allowing it to drop, he spun her around to face him.

Never in her life had she been so frightened of one person before. And Keller could sense it. He smirked a little, then moved on to the next woman.

Anna let out a small, silent breath of relief. At least that was over. For now.

            As he finished, he signalled for them all to be moved out. Anna obediently followed the procession, anxious as to whether Keller would single her out again. Thankfully, he seemed to have satisfied his curiosity.

The women led her out of the hut and back across the dusty courtyard. Tucked in between the huts was a small pathway that led to another metal gate. They were filed through into an enclave with a shack-like structure before them. Peering through the small doorway, Anna could make out rows of bunkbeds. It was her new bunkhouse.

All the women remained in line, so Anna followed suit. A guard hurried in and gave each of them each a bowl with a strange soup in it. He made no eye contact, clearly eager to get out and away from them as soon as possible. The women all ate with vigour, not waiting for everyone to be handed their meal. Once the soup was distributed, the guard left beat a hasty retreat, locking the gate behind him. They were alone.

Clasped in her hands, Anna swirled the foul smelling soup around the bowl. She wasn't hungry. She should have been, but she just couldn't bring herself to eat. Placing her bowl down on the bench behind her, she began to walk away.

The lady next to her spoke. 'Are you going to eat that?'

Anna shook her head. The woman grabbed Anna's soup and ate it quickly, a small groan of annoyance passing between the other inmates.

She understood. She'd been there.

Setting off at a great pace, Anna went to inspect the bunkhouses. To her dismay, there was only one in this small enclosure. Just a singular dank, dirty bunkhouse surrounded by high wire fences.

She ran to the fence; it might back onto where the other prisoners were housed. Only a narrow pathway that looked as though it belonged at the bottom of someone's garden lingered behind their prison. It backed onto several concrete buildings, and she couldn't believe for a moment that they would be as kind as to house prisoners in concrete.

Dismayed, she came back and sat on the bench where her soup had been.

A few of the women comforted the woman she was partnered with, consoling her as she sobbed again. Anna noticed that the entire group sat together rather than sectioned into smaller factions. Maybe it was the protection of the larger group. In the ghetto you kept yourself to yourself. Even on the train, where they had been forced into close proximity, you didn't speak to anyone else.

'Did they come in with you?' asked the woman who had eaten her soup.

'What?'

The woman shuffled closer. She had doe-like, deep brown eyes. Had it not been for the large dark bags that encircled them, she'd have almost seemed childlike. 'The person you are looking for. Did they get brought to the sorting area?'

'No, I lost her on the platform.'

'Then she'll be housed separately from us.'

'So, you think she's alive?'

'Hard to say. How old is she?'

'Nine.'

There was a heavy silence. The woman had a grim look on her face, her eyebrows scrunched together in regret.

'What do they do with the children?' asked Anna.

The woman sighed. 'They can't really do anything. That's the problem. This is a work camp. If you can't work, you're no good.'

'So where do they send them?'

'To heaven.'

Anna didn't know if she wanted to cry or vomit. Both surged through her in that moment. Suddenly faint, she gripped the bench tightly for support.

'There are some children here,' said one woman. 'I've seen them.'

'But they're all much older,' piped another, 'thirteen, fourteen-'

'In any case,' said the first who was seated beside Anna. 'Isn't it perhaps better that she doesn't go through this? Doesn't suffer I mean.'

'I don't know,' said Anna.

'Why are you even here?' asked another woman. 'You don't have a star.'

'I'm not Jewish,' said Anna.

'So then why are you here?' she repeated. This one looked decidedly less friendly.

'My family is... was.'

'But you're not?'

'I was adopted by them when I was small.'

'Where are the rest of them?' asked the woman beside her.

'Her mother is dead,' said a small voice. It was one of the other women that Anna was brought in with. 'The guards beat her to death on the platform when she showed them her papers.'

A silence fell. All the women looked to Anna now. She simply stared blankly ahead.

'And you did nothing?' said the woman filled with questions.

'I didn't even know she had my papers,' said Anna, her voice small and barely audible.

'Hey,' said the woman she arrived with. 'She tried. But they threatened to do the same to her.'

The unfriendly one scoffed. 'Threatened. Only threatened. If we had dared speak out at all, we'd have been killed.'

'Enough, Margot,' barked the woman beside Anna.

'She'll get special treatment,' continued Margot. 'Just you wait. Keller has already taken a shine to her-.'

'And would you want his attention?'

Margot paused, clearly aware she was losing the argument. 'He doesn't take part in... those activities.'

'Doesn't mean that he won't. And he does in the beatings. All the time. He's the worst of them all so don't go wishing him on anybody.'

In the silence, Margot made to rebuttal but was interrupted.

'This woman is in the same mess as the rest of us. She's one of us now.' 

Backed into a corner, Margot just huffed and turned away from them.

The doe-eyed one sighed then took Anna's hand. 'Pay no attention to her. It's just how she deals with it. I'm Miriam.'

'Anna.'

'You can bunk with me.'

'Thank you.' There was a pause. 'Do you really think my sister is dead?'

'It's hard to say. Just tell yourself whatever you need to get through.'

Anna only nodded in response.

'Come.' Miriam got to her feet. 'You need to rest. I'll show you your bunk.'

Obliging, Anna followed her into the bunkhouse. It was dimly lit by the fading sunlight and very musty. There were rows and rows of basic bunk beds, all bare, with no blankets or pillows. Its cramped nature reminded her of the train. Except, it wasn't as damp and didn't stink of excrement.

Miriam directed her to a bed right in the middle. 'I take the top.' She pointed Anna to the bottom bed.

Anna sat down on it, her stare vacant.

Her new bunkmate watched her for a moment, the awkward silence giving her time to scrape her straight, muddy brown hair from her face. 'I'll leave you to it,' said Miriam, her voice hushed. 'Thanks again for the soup.'

Then she disappeared.

Allowing the footsteps to die away, Anna curled up on her bed. She tried shutting her eyes, but all she could see was her mother's body. Clamping her hands over her ears was no better. Now all she heard was Elli screaming her name. All she could do was cry, her head ringing and her breath raspy. It was as though she had broken in two, her knees pulled into her chest in a feeble attempt to hold herself together. She was so alone, so helpless, so completely without hope for the first time in many years. Being alive was no consolation. It just meant the pain would endure. And if what they all said about Keller was true, then she would surely suffer even more.

As she finally fell into an uneasy sleep, Anna could only think of one reason to carry on; if there was even the slightest possibility that Elli had survived, then so too must she.

Chapter Four

Anna awoke to her bunkmate shaking her, her head heavy as she sat up. Everything was foggy, her whole face still swollen from crying.

Miriam helped her to her feet as Anna rubbed her eyes in a feeble attempt to rouse herself. But as she did, the reality of her situation dawned on her. Her heart sank again, her body slumped along with it.

Miriam took her hand and squeezed it. She clearly understood all too well the pain Anna felt. 'Come,' she said gently and guided Anna towards the door.

'What time is it?'

'Just after dawn,' said Miriam. 'We work longer hours in the summer as we chase the light.'

The women were converged around a water trough, accepting of their animal status. Anna helped herself to water, grateful of it as it slid down her throat. In the chaos of yesterday, she hadn't had anything to eat or drink. It was a welcome sensation, but the feeling was short lived.

All too soon they were marched out of the compound and back to the conclave of work huts. As the crowd of women began to separate, Miriam tugged Anna towards a line they had made in the middle. Anna recognised the others from yesterday and assumed this must be her work detail. Falling into line, she looked around expectantly for something to happen.

At last, a group of officers arrived and at the front was Keller.

            Something seemed to squirm beneath her skin on sight of him. That self-assured smirk hinted at thoughts she'd rather not know, his entire demeanour brimming with arrogance. His gaze carried over the lines, in search of something. When it landed on her, he'd found his mark.

            As his men inspected the other lines, he made straight for hers. He ignored all the other women, his eager footfall carrying straight to her. She stared down at her shoes, her hands clasped tightly in front of her to stop them from shaking.

This wasn't good enough.

He cleared his throat, and reluctantly, she looked up and met his gaze.

Reaching out, he ran his thumb over her swollen cheek. 'You've been crying.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Why's that?' Again, his voice was so soft, and yet nothing about his tone was soothing. 'Are you unhappy here with us?'

Drawing a long, shaky breath, Anna attempted to keep her composure. How was she supposed to answer him? 'It's all very new,' she managed.

'New,' he repeated. 'I like that.' With one last stroke of her skin, he let her go, and returned to his position at the front.

Anna resisted the urge to watch him. She did not have the full measure of him yet; if she was caught staring, he might punish her insolence. Instead, her entire body trembled with anticipation of hurt yet to come. He kept singling her out. That could only mean trouble.

Miriam brushed her hand lightly, perhaps to reassure her, but it did very little.

As her line was dismissed to their hut, Anna snuck a glance at him, only to find his eyes already locked on her. He was ignoring the guard speaking to him, his sole focus on Anna, as though they were the only two people there at all. His head cocked to one side, his amusement at her interest quite plain.

Stomach churning, Anna hurried away to her work hut, not daring to turn around again. She made straight for the pile she had worked on yesterday, unwilling to dwell on Keller any longer. Hopefully, the menial task might help her thoughts drift off elsewhere.

It certainly worked for a time, but it was a feeble attempt at best. Instead, Anna conjured the stories she loved as a child so that she might recount them to herself and focus on every minute detail. The time passed relatively well, although Anna did notice that the guard assigned to them often passed by her more regularly than the other women. He never spoke to her or touched her, only lingered.

            As it approached what Anna imagined was midday, there was a small sudden, commotion behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see the guard with his hand out to Miriam as she hovered by the box in the centre of the room. Reluctantly, Miriam handed over the necklace in her hand. The guard stuffed it in his pocket, oblivious to those that watched him.

Nonchalantly, he called them to attention.

Anna scrambled hastily to her feet, determined to reach Miriam amidst the confusion. Miriam signalled gently with her hand to say that everything was fine. They fed back out into the courtyard and began to walk the perimeter.

Miriam trailed Anna behind her. 'We stretch our legs at midday. One of the perks.'

That was a perk?

'Why did he take that off you?' Anna asked as she caught up to her quick paced companion.

'They all do it when they see something they like. If it doesn't go in the box, it won't be counted, so no one will know they've stolen it. It's why the guards all want to work here... amongst other things.'

Anna had no response to that. As Miriam fell into another conversation, Anna surveyed her surroundings. More specifically, the SS guards. The one watching her hut had joined a group of them in the middle. Keller wasn't among them, but the two guards that brought her here were, along with the one who had given them their soup; he stood to the side-lines.

It felt strange to look at the man who had killed her mother. Hurt and anger surged through her in that moment, yet she could do nothing. Not run at them, not scream or shout... she doubted she could even cry without facing a reprimand.

When one of them turned to look at her, she averted her gaze once more.

'You,' he barked. 'Come here!'

Reluctantly, Anna made to move but was overtaken by another woman. It was her work partner from yesterday.

Anna watched with a mixture of relief and pity as the woman ran obediently towards them. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but she could guess. The men perused this woman with smiles on their faces. Except the one who had fed them; he stayed out of it, his gaze elsewhere. He seemed as perturbed by their actions as Anna was. The woman's face wavered on the verge of tears, her arms hugging herself tight.

'Stop staring!' hissed Miriam from beside her.

She couldn't. She didn't want to leave her alone. If it had been her stuck with them, she'd prefer to know someone cared.

Suddenly the vultures stopped circling to let another into the mix; Keller. He stared at the woman with utter distain, as though the sight of her left a bad taste in his mouth. Without touching her, he used his truncheon to shove her back towards their group. Stumbling, she ran straight to Margot, who took her hand for support.

'It's all right Hannah,' she whispered. Even from behind them, Anna could tell Hannah was trying not to cry.

'What did they say?' asked Miriam quietly.

'They just talked about me,' Hannah said through little sobs.

Anna looked back at the guards, suddenly aware that all of them were looking their way. 'They're staring at us.'

Miriam grabbed Anna's hand and tugged her closer. 'I told you not to look!'

Keller looked straight at Anna again, that same awful smile on his face. Did he like that she kept seeking him out? Or was this all some part of a greater game she wasn't party to just yet.

Hannah glanced around at her. 'They talked about you too.'

Puzzled, Anna gave Hannah her attention. 'Me?'

'They stopped as soon as he turned up,' said Hannah, gesturing to Keller.

'Why would they be talking about me?'

'Don't play dumb,' snapped Margot and spun Hannah round to move her a few more steps in front so that Anna could no longer speak to them.

'I really don't understand,' whispered Anna to Miriam.

'Don't you?' asked Miriam, her tone incredulous. As Anna pressed her with her eyes, Miriam sighed. 'You're not Jewish. You aren't tainted like the rest of us. And you're Aryan. That's unheard of in here. In the outside world your relationship wouldn't be frowned upon. You're special goods.'

Anna's mouth went dry. 'Goods?'

'Don't be so naïve. You must know what they're thinking when they look at you like that.'

With a clenched fist, Anna rubbed the aching ball that lingered in her chest. 'But I don't want to-'

'That doesn't matter to them. You and Hannah were brought here for very specific reasons. You'd do well to keep your head down. And when it does come to it, just let it happen. They'll do it either way, so save yourself some pain, and just lie still.'

Each blunt word cut through her.

How could anyone simply lie still through that?

How could anyone be so evil as to do it at all?

'Does he do that a lot?' Anna asked eventually.

Shaking her head, Miriam studied the guards. 'Never. They all have, but not him. Or that tall one. The one that practically shakes any time he comes near one of us.'

'So, it's just me?'

'Just you.'

Why did that make it so much worse?

Their procession began to pass closer to their armed escort.

The power dynamic between them was so clear. Keller was top dog. They all vied for his attention. All, that is, except the tall one stood to the side. He really did appear timid. How odd. Anna had never seen a Nazi like him before. He didn't even look at the women either, instead staring blankly at something no one else could see. Luckily for the guard, Keller had enough attention on him not to care.

Keller truly was one of the most beautiful men Anna had ever seen. She imagined, that like the men now, everyone was drawn to him. His tall athletic build set him apart from the average man, further highlighting his shocking features. Removing his hat, he ran his fingers through his white blonde hair, whilst he laughed at something one of the others whispered to him.

Most people were more appealing when they smiled, the light in their eyes making them that much more inviting. Keller was something else entirely. Everything about him was icy. His pale eyes... cutting jawline... even his demeanour was cold and cruel. He was otherworldly, and it clearly made people want to please him. But out of fear rather than sentiment.

Finally taking Miriam's advice, Anna kept her head down, staring at the ground for the rest of the walk before they were herded back inside.

As Anna returned to her pile and began working, Keller strode into the hut.

Immediately, the guard in the middle stood to attention. 'Obersturmführer,' he said eagerly, as though his quick action might actually please his commanding officer.

It went unnoticed, Keller only giving a lazy nod. 'Oberschütze Strauss. Found anything of interest today?' He came to a stop behind Anna, his shadow cast across her as his presence enclosed her in a tight grip.

Efforts paused, Anna listened closely to their idle chatter. She had a horrible feeling she was about to be mentioned.

'Just the usual.'

Keller's fingertips brushed against the top of her head. 'And how are the new inmates faring?'

There it was.

'You two,' barked Strauss. 'Up.'

Carefully, Anna rose to her feet, eager not to make any more contact with Keller. Hannah shot up beside her, shuffling closer so that Keller might more easily inspect them.

'They work quickly. Though that one still cries a lot,' Strauss continued, gesturing to Hannah.

'And this one?' Keller lifted Anna's face with his hand.

'Quiet... obedient.'

'Obedient,' said Keller. 'Good.' His tone made Anna's mouth dry. 'This one tries to hide her tears. Very stoic.'

As if to prove his point, Anna stretched to stand taller. She so desperately wanted to be as strong as everyone perceived her. But under that icy glare, her resolve slipped.

'So bold,' Keller whispered, his thumb lightly touching Anna's bottom lip. 'Clearly terrified, and here she is staring me right in the eye. I like it.' Without breaking the moment, Keller waved Hannah away. 'Tell me, how did a girl such as yourself end up here?'

Anna paused, unsure of how to respond. The truth couldn't damn her any further. 'I followed my family.'

His eyes widened. 'Family?'

'Yes, sir.'

He stepped a little closer. 'Were your family all traitors?'

Shifting from foot to foot, Anna braced herself. 'They were Jewish, sir.'

'But you're not.'

'They were my adopted family.'

'How odd that they should let you keep your citizenship, then.' Lightly, he tucked the straggling strands of Anna's long hair behind her ear.

It took all her might not to shiver at his touch. 'They were trying to protect me.'

He laughed; a twisted, throaty chuckle filled with both pity and menace. 'And why would they care to do that?'

'Because they loved me.'

'Animals don't love. It's kill or be killed in their world. You were likely nothing more than a meal ticket.'

Anna kept his gaze, her jaw clenched tightly shut so that no stupid words came tumbling out.

Keller pulled her a little closer, his fingers threaded through her hair. 'Have I upset you?'

'No, sir,' she lied.

He fanned her hair out to tumble down her back. 'You don't belong here and yet you speak no ill against them?' His light, fresh smell filled her nostrils, his aftershave clean and crisp. It reminded her of sea air.

'I chose to follow them. They are my family after all.'

'Were, I would venture,' he said, watching for her reaction.

She said nothing. What good would it do to bite back?

'A little Cuckoo Bird dropped into the wrong nest,' he said quietly. He let her face go and stepped back. 'I'll be keeping my eye on you. Now, back to work.'

Anna set back to it straight away.

For the remainder of the day Keller drifted in and out of the hut, always seemingly talking to Strauss. She knew he was watching her though. It made her skin itch.

When the end of the day finally came to release her, Anna was exhausted. All afternoon she had sat on edge, waiting for someone to grab her or hurt her. It never came. Maybe Keller enjoyed making her wait for pain. Torture seemed to be just another pastime for him.

For now, it was inspection time. He was already there, waiting patiently whilst the women formed their usual line. As he had yesterday, he took his time moving through them all. Anna just stared ahead, her focus on the small window in front of her.

It was finally her turn.

This time, Keller said nothing, searching her from the front before he quickly spun her around. Here though, he took his time. He traced the shape of her waist with his hands, pulling her closer to him so she could feel him press against her. His body was warm, the buttons of his jacket digging into her spine.

A small, sharp intake of breath gave her horror away.

'Hold still,' he murmured in her ear as his hands wandered over her almost lazily. At last, he turned her round again, amused by the alarm in her eyes. 'Do I shock you?'

'I don't know what to think, sir,' she replied, her voice raspy.

'You should consider yourself lucky.' He moved on to the last few women in the line, Anna alone once more. Lucky was a bizarre choice of words. She certainly didn't consider herself lucky in any sense.

Soon he sent them out of the hut. Anna gulped down the fresh air as though she had been tightly confined. His aura was more oppressive than any cage.

As they made their way across the courtyard, the guards from earlier approached their line. Each grabbed her and Hannah, pulling them to one side. Keller came over as Anna struggled wildly against the guard's grip. It was the guard who had beaten her mother and she couldn't stand to have his hands on her. Hannah stood perfectly still, ever compliant.

'What's all this?' Keller asked as he reached them.

'You said we could,' said the guard holding Anna.

'Yes, that one.' Keller pointed at Hannah. 'This one you lost to me, Fischer.'

Anna watched Hannah. She barely reacted.

'Oh, come on, like that stands!' Fischer protested.

Keller held out his hand, staring the man straight in the eye.

Fischer sighed and shoved Anna towards him. Anna stumbled, caught only by Keller's outstretched arms.

'Look at that, she's falling for me,' said Keller with a smile, the other two tittering as they held a frightened Hannah between them.

Squirming, Anna tried to get free of his grip.

He held firm, hushing her as he pulled her against him. 'Struggling does you no good.'

Her breathing stilted, Anna did as she was asked.

Arm snaked around her waist, Keller wet his lips. 'Such a good girl.' His eyes flicked to his friends, his brow instantly furrowed. 'Did I say now?'

Anna glanced behind her to see the other two attempting to herd Hannah away.

'Why not now?' said the one holding Hannah.

'Do I need a reason to deny you?'

'No,' sighed Fischer. 'But you usually do.'

'You seem to have forgotten that the new Sturmbannführer arrived today, and he's expecting us any moment now. He wants to meet us all formally.'

'Didn't know you cared so much for formalities,' retorted Fischer.

Keller's mouth twisted into a small smile as he bent closer to Anna. 'What do you think, my little Cuckoo Bird. Shall I be kind and let them have their fun?'

Anna wanted to say no. She wanted to scream it. All that came out was another quick breath.

Looking to them, Keller gave a quick gesture. 'Be quick about it then. You never last a long time anyway.'

Hannah spluttered in shock. She tried to resist but already her tears had the better of her.

Finding her courage, Anna lunged towards her. 'No!'

But Keller caught her.

All of the men stared at her in disbelief.

Unfazed, Keller simply turned her around to look at him. 'No?' he repeated.

Anna's breathing was shallow and unsteady. She couldn't turn back now. 'Please,' she begged. She knew why Miriam had told her not to, but she couldn't lie back and let it happen in any sense.

'Are you offering to take her place?'

She glanced at Hannah who looked only confused. Anna tried to stop her hands from trembling as she puffed out her chest. 'Will you leave her alone if I do?'

Spluttering laughter tumbled from Keller's lips. There was nothing funny about it, only maniacal. Before he could speak again, a guard hailed to them all from a metal gate further away. 'You'll have to get your fun another time, gentlemen. We're needed elsewhere. Weber, bring the other one.' Tucking Anna under his arm, he marched her towards her bunkhouse.

Weber dragged Hannah along behind them. Fischer just stormed off.

'Your chirping will get you into trouble, my little Cuckoo Bird,' Keller said as they were both thrust through the gate. 'See that I don't hear it again.'

As the gate clanged shut behind them, all the women rushed forwards.

Margot pushed Anna aside to get to Hannah. 'Are you all right?'

'I'm fine,' said Hannah as Margot sat her down on the bench beside her.

Anna was preoccupied with watching Keller, his words still ringing in her head. Why was he so intent on having her? Even though she was German, she was still an inmate; an untouchable. Why was he risking so much just to play with her?

Miriam finally attracted her attention as she handed her a bowl of soup. Anna perched beside her as she ate it slowly.

'...and then Anna got in the way!' said Hannah, all eyes now on Anna.

'She did?' said Margot.

Anna simply continued eating.

'That Obersturmführer even said she'd have to take my place and she said she would.'

'Seriously, Anna?' said Miriam, almost exasperated.

Anna stayed silent.

'And yet not a scratch on her,' said Margot. 'I told you she'd be favourited.'

'Leave me alone!' Anna suddenly snapped, adrenaline coursing through her.

'What?' said Margot.

'I said, leave me alone!' Anna repeated, her words filled with grit.

'Listen to the little Cuckoo Bird!' teased Margot.

Halting, Anna's eyes widened.

'We heard him say it,' Margot spat in a teasing leer. 'Got yourself a pet name, have you?'

Taking a few steps forward, Anna's fists clenched. 'It's not as though I asked for one!'

'She can't help it, Margot.' said one of the women.

'She'll use it to her advantage.'

Before Anna could take another step, Miriam stepped between them and pulled Anna back into her seat. 'Enough! The pair of you!'

Margot turned away from them, taking Hannah with her.

Clearly trying to remain calm, Miriam turned on Anna. 'Why? After what I said-'

'You also said it would happen either way. I'm damned if I'm just going to open my legs for him.'

'Don't be such a petulant child! I'm trying to help you!'

'And has this happened to you?' snapped Anna. 'Have any of the guards grabbed you so that they can drag you away and...' Anna trailed off.

Miriam was silent for a moment. 'I thought you wanted to find your sister?'

Anna's heart stopped. In her efforts to be stoic, she had forgotten about little Elli. What was wrong with her? She'd been so determined to prove herself that she had ignored the very reason she needed to be brave. Angrily, she wiped tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.

'You're not a fool Anna. Don't act like one.'

'You don't know me,' said Anna bitterly.

'And I never will if you carry on like this.'

'Sorry.'

'I am too.'

Sighing heavily, Anna tucked into the rest of her soup, ignoring the stares from the people around her.

'Why a Cuckoo Bird?' asked Miriam.

'I don't know,' said Anna.

'They're brood parasites,' said one of the women beside them. 'Birds that lay their eggs in another inferior bird's nest so that they will raise them.'

'So, they're raised amongst siblings that aren't their own kind?' said Miriam. 'It makes sense.'

Feeling more of an outsider than ever, Anna retreated to the safety of her bunk, completely consumed by her earlier, stupid mistake.