Anna felt entirely strange as they pulled into the town. She had been here so many times, yet only ever for fleeting moments. It was overrun with Americans, all milling around and chatting. The red banners that had always adorned the windows were now torn down, a few American flags in their place.

When the jeep stopped, the men piled out of it, going over to a group that was seemingly awaiting their return. Only Abe and Sam remained with them. They both helped Anna and Elli down from the cab, Elli looking around in amazement. She hadn't seen the outside world in so many years.

"Looks like Cotton is filling them all in," said Sam. They watched as Hollywood told the group of men something. "Showing off as always."

"Pipe down," sighed Abe, looking at Anna and Elli. "Did y'all wanna meet the boys?"

"I do!" said Elli, tucking her hand into his.

He grinned at her, then looked at Anna. She was unsure. "Come on, El, why don't you and me go over?" Elli nodded, walking over with Abe.

"They're not so bad," said Sam.

Anna looked at him gratefully. "I am sure they are not." But she knew they'd judge her, and her heart was too heavy to take any more today.

"Abe won't let them be rude to you. And I know Cotton is a pain in the ass, but he'll come around eventually."

"Why do you call him Cotton? I thought he was called Hollywood?"

"Well, actually his name is Matthew," laughed Sam. "But he likes everyone to call him Hollywood. I only call him Cotton to piss him off."

"But why? Is it a joke?"

"Sorta. He's from Mississippi, and he comes from a lot of money. And down there, that can only really have come from plantations. You know... cotton plantations."

"Slaves..."

"Yeah." Sam noticed her grimace. "Oh, don't worry Miss. He always says 'my Granddaddy weren't no slaver'," said Sam, doing his best Hollywood impression. "That's why he gets annoyed at me saying it. I don't know that there is any truth to it."

"That is a relief," breathed Anna.

They watched as the men began to greet Elli. All of them seemed to be trying to make her laugh, Abe's hand rested protectively on her shoulder.

Anna was so glad of his presence. She thought that she'd find it hard to let go of Elli at all times. But when it was to him, she felt more at ease. There was something about him so inherently soothing that it was hard not to trust him implicitly. But, for her own safety, Anna always kept a pang of doubt in her mind.

Abe turned and held out his hand to her, gesturing for her to join them. She let out a long breath.

"It's gonna be all right," promised Sam. He led her over to the group, Anna stepping into Abe's embrace.

Abe's hand sat lightly on the middle of her back, a declaration of acceptance as much as it was a comfort. "All right boys," he said, his voice a little sterner, "now this here's Anna. Y'all make sure to be nice to her."

They all nodded at her, clearly less enthusiastic than they were with Elli. So they already knew who she was.

At that, Tread, who she recognised, came over. "Miss Lehman," he said cheerfully. "Really good to see you again. Have the boys given you a good welcome?"

"No, they ain't," said Abe, his tone accusing.

"Barely given us a chance there, Abe," said one of them, who got to his feet. He held out his hand to Anna who took it lightly. "Sorry Miss, it's been a hell of a ride. I'm Marv. That there is Andy and Deano," he said pointing to the men on his left. "Then this here is Harrison and TT." He pointed to a young man beside Hollywood and then a tall man standing to his right.

"TT?" Anna repeated.

"Cause he's Too Tall," explained Abe with a smile.

"Oh," said Anna. "But you are also tall?"

"Yeah, but he's the Hick," teased Andy. "Got named that for his folksy wisdom," he added, impersonating Abe.

"What is a Hick?" asked Elli.

"Someone from the country," explained Sam.

"We do not have a name for them here," said Elli. "Can I call you Hick?"

"I'd rather y'all stuck with Abe, little lady," he said, and Elli nodded enthusiastically in response. "Where's Lord?"

"Who the hell knows?" sighed TT. "Probably confusing the locals."

"Lord?" asked Anna. "You all have such strange names..."

"It's just another nick name," assured Sam. "He got that cause he's actually British. Not that you can ever doubt his heritage... you'll see that when you speak to him at some point."

Just then, a great crash came from further down the street. They all turned to look, Anna's eyes widened in horror. It came from the quaint little bakery she so often visited. A couple of Americans were ransacking the place. Anna could see the young girl that worked there huddled outside with her mother, watching as they robbed them of their produce.

Unable to stop herself, Anna pushed through the crowd and ran to them, ignoring Abe as he chased her and called her name. "What are you doing?!" shouted Anna, running straight into the path of one of the soldiers.

"'scuse me?" he asked.

"You have no right to take their things! Stop it!"

"Listen, you Nazi bitch," snapped the soldier, his friend stood beside him for back up. "We're taking this stuff over to the Red Cross camp."

"I am no Nazi."

Breathless, Abe held now flanked Anna. "What's going on here?"

"We're just tryna get some more supplies for the Red Cross," said the other soldier. "And this Kraut is yellin at us."

"You do not need to destroy their shop!" protested Anna. "They have done nothing wrong!"

"You're all the same," spat the first soldier. "Always so innocent of what's going on. You think I believe that you weren't keeping that camp a secret?"

"I have come from the camp, you imbecile!" cried Anna, stepping close to him so that her face was right in his. "I was an inmate!"

He fell silent and glanced at Abe for support. He was too impressed by Anna's courage to notice.

"These people did not know what was happening! Now you put half of it back. They have to make a living."

They looked at Abe almost pleadingly.

"You heard the woman," Abe barked, his voice filled with authority.

Immediately, they began putting some of it back and Anna made her wat over to the girl and her mother. "Are you all right?" she asked.

The young girl was looking at her. She recognised her. "What's going on?"

"They will put half of your produce back."

"Why?"

"Because they should. And he told them to." Anna gestured to Abe.

"And he listens to you?"

Anna nodded.

"Why you, though?"

"They liberated us from the camp... my sister and I."

The girl's eyes were wide and shocked. "I swear to you we had no idea it was there... and if I had known that you were a prisoner when you visited us..."

"I know you didn't. It's all right, I won't let them hurt you."

"What the hell are y'all doing?" shouted Hollywood, now joining the group.

Anna turned her stare on him. "I am ensuring that these people can still make a living!"

"You're taking food away from people that need it more!" he barked.

"Everyone is starving!" Anna yelled, now squaring up to him.

"Anna darlin'," said Abe as soothingly as he could, "it's all right."

"No, it is not!" she protested.

"You're s'posed to be helping us catch Nazis, instead you're protecting them?" asked Hollywood.

Everyone was staring at her, but she didn't care. Anna had had enough. She was so tired of being beaten down all the time, so tired of never getting to speak her mind. She wasn't about to let some man from a country that had nothing to do with her, tell her how to be.

"You think that this girl and her mother are the ones that imprisoned us, then?" she snapped. Abe had to physically hold her back from flinging herself at Hollywood. "How small minded are you?"

"I've had enough of your fucking lip!" he yelled. Sam, Elli and Tread had also joined them. "We're trying to help you!"

"You are trying to be a hero and I am sick of it!" Anna bellowed, her voice gritty. "This whole country needs your help, not just those of us that were imprisoned!"

"Hollywood, cut it out!" ordered Tread, pushing him back.

"She fucking started it!" snapped Hollywood. "I'm tired of this bloody collaborator!"

"Shut your damn mouth!" barked Abe.

"Stop it!" pleaded Elli, her eyes brimming with tears as everyone looked at her. "I hate the shouting!"

Anna immediately softened. Abe let her go to Elli and wrap her in her arms. "I'm sorry."

"You have to get along!" insisted Elli. "We don't have anywhere else to go, Anna. Why do you always have to shout at everyone?"

"Elli, I'm trying..."

"Can't you just be nice?" she pleaded. Elli didn't understand. She had no idea what it was they were saying about Anna, or the harm they were causing to innocent people. She clearly saw them as heroes.

"I'll try," mumbled Anna, sighing heavily before she turned back to the others. "I am sorry," she said, not looking Hollywood in the eye.

"Finally," returned Hollywood.

"Hey," snapped Abe, "don't pretend you ain't been a piece of shit." Hollywood just glared at him, but then stuck his hand out to Anna. Begrudgingly, she took it and shook it once before she retracted her hand.

"Right," sighed Tread, who was clearly tired of all of this, "we'll round up the towns folk later so you can get a good look at them, all right Anna?"

"Yes," Anna agreed.

"We're gonna be in this town for a little while, so you'll need to figure out somewhere to stay."

"I'll find her somewhere," promised Abe,.

Tread nodded at him. "I'll leave you to settle them both, Abe. The rest of you, follow me. I'll brief you on what's to happen."

They left them be, Anna still with a scowl on her face. The young girl came up to Anna; her mother had retreated inside to tidy their shop.

"Thank you for sticking up for us," she said, touching Anna lightly on the arm.

"You're welcome."

"I'm Eve."

"I'm Anna, and this is Elli," Anna replied, Eve smiling at Elli. There was a small pause.

"Would they be able to let you stay?" asked Abe suddenly, looking at Anna.

"I can ask," said Anna. "The American with me is asking if you perhaps have room to let us stay with you until we all move on?"

"Of course!" said the girl, but then looked Abe up and down nervously. "Just you two, yes?"

"Yes, just me and my sister."

"I'll check with Mama, but it should be no problem!" she said, then disappeared into the bakery.

"She says it is fine," confirmed Anna.

"Good," he smiled.

There was an awkward pause, Elli looking between the pair of them. "Abe," she said in a small voice. "You need to stop Anna and Hollywood fighting."

"I know, El," sighed Abe. "But they're both stubborn as mules."

"I am not apologising for what I said," insisted Anna. "Only for raising my voice."

Abe grinned, Anna softening again. "You gotta lot of spunk."

Anna's eyes narrowed as she was unsure of the word.

"I mean you're brave," he corrected himself. "I get whatcha tryin' to do, but you should focus on you and Elli for now. You can't protect the whole world."

"Not with that attitude," mumbled Anna.

Abe let out a deep throaty laugh. "See, Elli?" he said. "Stubborn as a mule."

Eve ran out, hailing them inside.

He turned to leave. "I'll come and check on y'all in a bit." Before he could, Elli hugged him, and he smiled, bending down to her. "Now y'all tell me if your sister gets outta hand again, you hear?"

"I think so," said Elli, grinning at him.

Abe pinched her cheek playfully, then stood up looking at Anna.

"Thank you again, Abe," Anna said, reaching out and touching his arm lightly. "Your support is so appreciated."

"Any time," he said. Another pause. "I'll be back real soon. Promise."

"Good." Anna held Elli close and led her to their temporary home.

***

Several days had passed since their liberation. Anna had been asked to check the face of everyone in town, and she was growing weary. So many of them looked at her like she was a traitor, and the others just stayed away from her because she meant trouble. Eve and her mother had been very welcoming, which she appreciated more than words could express. Eve was really good with Elli, and even let her help in the bakery. But Anna could see that there were members of the town that gave the bakery a wide birth because of it. Despite not being directly involved in the camp, Anna could still feel their prejudice press down on her.

Luckily, she had Abe to distract her. He came to see her at every available opportunity, often walking with her and Elli so they could explore the outside world without fear of a confrontation. They loved to hear stories from the farm, both of them hanging on his every word. Abe maintained he'd never met anyone that was that interested in the tiny farm. He found the two of them such a breath of fresh air. Not that he didn't get on with the boys in his unit, but it was the first time in years he had been able to get to know anybody else.

They all really liked Elli and tried their best to make a fuss of her. It was clear that they felt guilty that a kid had been put through the horrors of the camp. They were still relatively wary of Anna. Particularly Harrison, who followed Hollywood around like an adoring fan, so it came as no surprise. Ewie and Sam would chat to her whenever they saw her, as would Tread. The others were polite but didn't really know what to say. Except Lord. He was very chatty when they had finally met. But Anna couldn't make out a word he said.

Unfortunately, none of them could understand her suffering in any depth and felt caught in the middle between Hollywood and Abe. The two of them had always been really close, so it was hard to see them at odds. But Abe was determined that Hollywood should like Anna, so he kept on trying with him.

On their fourth day in the town, he came to see Anna with some good news. She and Elli were sitting outside of the church opposite the bakery, content to enjoy the slight drizzle of rain. When Elli saw Abe, she ran to greet him, and he scooped her up in his arms.

"What y'all doing in the rain?" he asked as he carried Elli over to Anna.

"We like the rain," said Elli. "It brings life." He smiled. They had such a beautiful view of so many things.

As he came and sat down beside them, the priest, along with several volunteers, bustled out of the church, all clearly ready to go somewhere.

"I wonder what that is about?" commented Anna.

"I know," said Abe, the sisters looking at him. "It's what I came to tell you 'bout. The Red Cross camp is all set up. Everyone from the camps is now there, safe and sound."

"That is wonderful!" said Anna excitedly.

"I think they're gonna visit them and see what they can do."

"I wish I could go," sighed Anna. "I want to know if my friend Miriam made it."

"I'll take you!" said Abe quickly.

"Really?" she asked, her eyes alight.

"Of course!" he said. "I'm sure Tread won't mind me borrowing a car. You've been so helpful, it's the least he could do!"

"You are the best of men," she gushed. Then her heart then fell. She hadn't said that in a while, and the last person she said it to, it turned out, was not deserving of it.

"I'll take you this afternoon," he said, depositing Elli back into her lap. "I'd better get to patrol. I just wanted to let y'all know."

"Thank you, Abe."

"See ya later," he called, now running off to find the others.

"Abe is my new best friend," declared Elli.

Anna snuggled closer to Elli. "I think he is a fine best friend."

"Do you think that he will ask you out soon?"

Anna scoffed loudly. "Why would he do that?"

"You like each other, don't you?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"I think you'd be happy together," said Elli resolutely.

"I think you need to get your head out of the clouds," sighed Anna.

"Anna?"

"Yes sweet girl?"

"I don't want to go with you later," mumbled Elli.

"Don't you want to see Miriam?"

"I do, but..." Elli couldn't finish.

Anna understood. She knew she was safe here in the town with the Americans. She didn't want to have to return to any kind of camp environment. "I'm sure I can ask one of the boys to stay with you."

"Abe?" asked Elli excitedly.

"I need him with me," admitted Anna.

"Sam then," insisted Elli.

Anna smiled and kissed Elli's forehead. "I'm sure that will be all right. Come on, let's get inside."

***

Anna bid Elli and Sam goodbye, both vowing her that they would behave. Then she turned to Abe who had Hollywood beside him.

Abe had promised Tread that he would bring a translator in case he heard anything of use. He'd wanted Sam, but Elli had claimed him. So that left Hollywood, who had vowed faithfully to be civil. He had seemed less grumpy with Anna over the last day or so. Still, Anna would have preferred if it was just her and Abe. As they made their way to the car, a truck pulled up outside the church. The priest climbed out, along with several children. They were all from the camp.

"What is that about?" asked Anna.

"Not a clue," said Abe.

"I'll find out." Hollywood hurried over to ask the Priest, who irritably explained what was happening. Then Hollywood returned. "They're orphans from the camp. They're gonna rehabilitate them, then get them adopted."

"But what if they have family elsewhere?" asked Anna. "Not all families could remain together. They could be anywhere!"

The men fell quiet. They didn't know how to respond. She understood what they were hinting at. There was nothing they could do. Anna fell glum.

"Come on darlin'," said Abe softly. "Let's head out."

They were soon on their way, the Jeep speeding up the road. It was odd making the journey back towards the camp. Everything was so familiar and yet entirely alien. She felt unsettled as they came to a familiar fork in the road.

"Any idea which way it is?" Hollywood asked Abe.

"Tread said stay to the left," said Abe firmly.

The left would take them back to the main camp, the right to the outer ones. The left would also take them straight passed the main house.

As the car set off again, Anna tugged at Abe's arm. "Y'all right darlin'?"

"We are going to drive passed the main house... where the Commandant lived."

"Ah shit," he sighed, "I'm sorry we can't avoid it..."

"No, I was going to ask if we could go there?" He seemed confused. "I had a suitcase full of belongings there. Perhaps I might reclaim them? Elli and I have nothing..."

"Of course!" interrupted Abe, enthusiastic to help. He lent forward and told Hollywood, who shot Anna a glance over his shoulder, but said nothing.

They soon pulled into the gates, now guarded by a pair of young American soldiers. Hollywood pulled rank and let himself in, other soldiers watching them as they pulled up. There were so many of them.

"House is being ransacked for information," explained Hollywood, jumping down from the driver's seat. "Dunno how likely it will be that your stuff is still here."

"They ain't gonna care about a bedroom," assured Abe, climbing up and over the back. He opened the back door, now looking to Anna.

She was apprehensive.

"Come on ma'am," he said gently, holding his hand out to her, "I've got you."

Taking his proffered hand, Anna stepped out of the car, staring up at the looming grey house. A hard lump lodged in her throat. Any happy memories she had here were few and far between and had left not even a trace of loving connection within its walls. Since the children had gone, it was a though all colour had been drained from the house. This was even worse.

The soldiers that darted in and out made it seem like a relic; an ancient site that had no personal connection to her at all. Yet, the anger and sorrow was unavoidable, as if its sole purpose was to spread the misery that lingered inside. Abe glanced at her as she dropped his hand, Anna barely noticing. Before he could go to her again, she had already begun to push her way inside, the baffled Americans who were carrying boxes letting her pass.

Anna made her way directly to her room, knowing that her companions would follow her. She was trying desperately to ignore the smell being shoved down her throat. Her footsteps echoed through the landing, the hustle and bustle of downstairs ebbing away up here. Even the thunderous footsteps of her American friends didn't manage to disturb the eery still that cloaked them. Somehow it was like walking through a graveyard, the memory of tragedy all around her. Clearing her throat, she pushed on, now opening her door.

Anna couldn't take another step. Her clothes were strewn across the bed, wrinkled and dishevelled. Someone had clearly been sleeping on top of them. The boys stood behind her, peering in as she finally located her case. It lay beside the bed, yanked open so that its contents could make this ridiculous nest. Finally mustering the courage, Anna took a few small steps towards her belongings. Her fingertips reached out to touch the fabric.

"What in the world...?" began Hollywood, Anna looking up at them both as if she had only just remembered their presence.

Abe's eyes were wide, scanning the scene with abject horror. When they settled on Anna, she knew he understood. He said nothing, the two of them holding the other's gaze as if it was a tether to safety.

"I thought you said this was your room?" managed Hollywood.

"That I shared with him," replied Anna, her voice throaty as her eyes remained locked on Abe's.

There was a pause as the reality also dawned on Hollywood. "Let's get packing, then." He hauled the case onto the bed so that Anna looked at it.

Then she looked more at the clothes. It was everything Ernst had got her; she couldn't see any of the garments Hans had bought. She began to search frantically, cursing as she tore open the wardrobe and all the drawers. They were all empty.

"Anna?" ventured Abe, seeing how frenzied she was. "Whatcha lookin' for?"

"My clothes," she said, almost pleadingly. "Something he didn't buy me..."

"They're just clothes," began Hollywood.

Anna shook her head. "I don't want those ones. I can smell him on them." Then she saw something poking out from under the bed. She dived towards it and yanked out out a pile of rags. Anna wavered back up, holding the torn material on open palms. Soft slithers slipped between her spread fingers.

Hans had bought her this dress, and Ernst had cut it up.

Anna stared at it, her eyes brimmed with tears. "This was a mistake," she whispered, sniffing as she let the last of it flutter to the floor again. "I should not be here."

"Do you wanna wait outside?" Abe ventured. "We could get ya a few things..."

"I really do not want them," she said, her eyes closing. Without another word, she fled downstairs.

Anna ran passed all of the soldiers that worked around her. Paralyzed on the drive way, she gulped at the fresh air. She had been so stupid to think of them only as material items. How had she not realised that she would be reminded of Ernst? Had she really spent so long surviving that she had forgotten what it was like to feel like this?

Anna glanced up when she heard Abe call to her. Maybe they should just leave.

Before he could reach her, something dawned on her. Her eyes turned to the lake, her feet already taking her there.

How could she have forgotten about Reina?

Abe ran to her side and fell into step beside her. "Anna, you all right? Do you wanna leave?"

"I need to do something first," she admitted, not halting her journey to the lake.

"Should I stay here?" he asked, Anna's feet pausing. "Give you some privacy?"

She should want privacy. She should want to say goodbye to her daughter alone. Yet, in this moment, the loneliness seemed barbaric. "Can you come with me?"

He simply nodded. Anna flashed him a small, grateful smile before she wrapped her arms around herself and trudged on forward. Abe said nothing as she led him around the lake's edge, curious as to where they were going. Then Anna suddenly stopped and dropped to her knees.

"Anna?" he asked, tentatively crouching beside her as she stared at the ground in front of her.

She had found the small ring of carefully placed stones; the marker she always sought.

Anna placed her hand flat on the cold, damp earth, her fingers digging into the soil slightly.

Abe peered over her shoulder, looking at the name carved on the largest stone. "Reina Lange?" he asked, Anna giving into her tears. "Is this your daughter?"

She nodded, her head hung low as she choked out a sob.

"Oh darlin'." Tentatively, he placed his hand on her back.

"I needed to say goodbye," she managed, tears streaming down her cheeks. He rubbed her back soothingly, Anna grateful to have him. "I do not want to leave her here," she admitted. "She will be alone."

"Baby, she ain't here." Anna looked up at him in confusion as he shuffled closer to her. "She ain't in there no more. She'll be up there, with your parents I reckon."

Anna sniffed and withdrew her hand from the grave to sit it in her lap.

Abe took it in both of his, rubbing away the dirt as Anna watched his actions with interest. "You shouldn't tie yourself to this shit hole," he murmured, both of them catching the other's gaze again. "This is no more a part of you than that fucker that you had to suffer to free Elli. Don't think of your daughter that way. She's as free as you are now."

More tears brimmed in Anna's eyes, her head falling forward onto Abe's shoulder.

He hushed her soothingly, one hand now cupping the back of her head. "You're gonna be all right, Anna," he promised, rocking her a little. "You're past the worst of it."

It was so odd, that even in this moment of deep yearning and sorrow, she felt truly lucky.

Lucky to have survived.

Lucky to be free.

And lucky to have found a new friend who banished all of the hurt that others had left behind.