The sky was dotted with clouds, none truly darkenough to bring the promise of rain. At least they shielded the camp from the piercing sun. Margot had managed to slump herself against the outside of her hut. It was the first day it had cooled enough to really do so. She tried desperately to ignore the persistent hum of the flies that circled the living and dead alike. She wasn't even entirely sure what time of day it was; the hours all rolled into one now. From the placement of the hiding sun, she'd guess it must be late morning. Anna hadn't poked her head out so far, but that was not unusual.

Anna only allowed Elli out as the air grew cooler and the sun wouldn't beat down on her as hard. She hoped she would soon, though. Each day, Margot worried more and more that Elli wouldn't wake up again. The little girl's face was one of the only bright things in this dingy hell. Margot looked around at the other huts. Nobody else was really outside, just one or two stragglers like herself.

Margot swore she could hear something very strange. It sounded like shouting; very distant, male voices. She looked up in their direction. Was she hallucinating? She looked at the other women sat outside. No, they had definitely heard it too. She struggled to her feet and listened further. The voices grew closer. She stumbled over to the gate, clinging to it to hold herself up. She peered both ways down the track. In the distance, small figures ran at great pace towards them. Her heart hammered in her chest as she stepped back.

"P-people!" she stammered, her voice aching in her throat.

"What?" asked one of the other women, as more began to venture out from the huts.

"Men!" said Margot. "Coming this way!"

"Germans?"

"I don't know," managed Margot.

She had to get Anna.

Hurriedly, she ran to Anna's hut, crying out her name as she did.

"Anna!" she called again as she reached the doorway. Anna was curled around Elli, her back to Margot. "Anna!" she shouted, "wake up!"

Anna groaned and sat up groggily. She squinted at her, unsure of what was happening. "Margot? What's going on?"

"Men!" said Margot.

Anna's eyes widened. "Guards?"

"I don't know, but they're getting closer!"

Anna swung out of the bunk, turning to Elli who was still fast asleep. She stroked her hair briefly. "I'll be back in a moment, Elli," she said quickly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she wavered to her feet.

Following Margot out, they ran as fast as they could to the gate. Her head was foggy, her eyes squinting through the daylight. She pressed herself up against the cold metal fence, and watched with the other women, as several men came into view. She didn't know them at all. They ran up to stand in front of the gate, all trying to catch their breath. Anna didn't recognise the uniforms.

"Who are you?" she called.

The biggest of them slapped another on the back to push him forward.

"Americans," the elected leader called back. He pulled off his helmet, revealing dark hair that matched his perfectly trimmed moustache. He came over to the gate, Anna's heart drumming in her chest, a smile spreading over her face. "We're here to get you out," he continued in perfect German.

"You mean it?!" she said, all of the women clambering to get closer to him.

He nodded. "We're waiting for someone to come with food and water for you all," he explained. "They're at the men's camp down the road. They'll follow soon enough."

"Thank you!" said Anna, all of the women saying the same.

"We're going to open the gate," he said, "and we're coming in. You need to stay here. We can't let you leave until we have you all accounted for."

"We understand," said Anna, hurriedly. "Just, please, open the gate."

He nodded firmly, turning to the tallest of them who she could now see had bolt cutters in his hand. He was a giant of a man, well over six feet, and had the huge chest and broad shoulders to match. Many of the women moved back as he came to the gate to cut the lock, but Anna was transfixed by them all. She couldn't believe it was happening; it was finally happening! They were being liberated! Her hope had been right all along.

"Frauline," he said in a strange accent, drawing her attention to him. "I don't want the gate to swing open on you." He motioned to move, clearly unable to speak German like is friend.

"Sorry," she replied in English.

He began to squeeze the cutters with all his might, trying to break through the heavy padlock.

Anna wanted Elli to see this. She fought back through the crowd to get to her sister. She'd done it! She'd got them both through to the very end. She dashed into their hut, kneeling down to Elli as the gate swung open with a victorious clang.

"Elli," she said excitedly, shaking her. "Elli, my darling. They're here! We're getting out." She shook her, but Elli said nothing. "Elli?" she called again.

Still nothing.

Anna's heart plummeted, her breath caught in her throat. Anna turned Elli over; her eyes were closed, and her mouth slightly open.

"Elli?" she said again, her lip trembling and her ears ringing. She bent over her and listened for the sound of her breathing. Elli only emitted tiny, ragged breaths, a strange rasping sound escaping her lips. Desperately, Anna got to her feet and tugged Elli out of the bunk. She was heavy; Anna couldn't lift her.

"Help!" she tried to cry, but she barely made a sound. She was utterly distraught, the happiness she had felt only moments ago crashing down on her now. She managed to pull Elli off the bed, but she fell onto her, pinning Anna to the ground. Anna lay back, crying from a mixture of exhaustion and despair.

She had to get help.

"Help!" Anna called again. "Somebody! Please!" She was getting louder, still trying frantically to pull herself free so that she could drag Elli outside. She heard heavy footsteps crash towards her.

"Shit!" said the same strange voice. "There's a kid here!" Anna felt his arms tuck under hers and pull them both back so that he could get to Elli. "Ewie!" he called in alarm. "I need you right now!"

He let go of Anna, who sat up as best she could. She saw him scoop Elli up, so she cradled her head as he stood up. He took Elli from her and bounded over to two more men heading their way. Anna scrabbled to her feet. She needed to see what they were doing. She launched herself over to the small group huddled around her sister.

"Elli!" Anna tried to fight her way through. A younger man was now looked Elli over as he chucked his medical kit at a blonde-haired man opposite.

"Walker," he said, "I need you to find the smelling salts."

"Yes, Doc," replied the blonde man. Anna tried to make it to her sister, but the big soldier caught her, holding her back.

"You've gotta let them do their thing, darlin," he urged.

Anna fought him desperately to get to Elli, who's little face was just visible. "My sister!" she cried. "Get off me!"

"I don't know what you're sayin'!" he gabbled. He attempted to soother her. "But it's gonna be all right! They're gonna make her better, but you gotta let'em."

Anna could see that Margot attempted the same on the other side, but the moustached man had stopped her too.

Anna went limp and slumped into her American captor as she cried. She couldn't hold herself up anymore. She was so rundown. He helped her to the ground where he held her against him. His hand stroked her hair as he hushed her, taking her full weight. The other few men kept the women at bay so that Elli was given the room she needed. They all looked terrified, Anna's whole body shaking.

"You're all right," the big American said, his voice low and soft. "I've got you, it's okay." He rocked her as Anna sobbed, Anna clinging to his jacket. She felt so helpless.

The medic lifted Elli's head gently and put the smelling salts under her nose. "Come on," begged the medic as he continually waved them under her nose. He glanced up at the blonde one across from him, who was filled with concern. He kept trying, determined it was going to work.

Finally, Elli coughed. He sat her up a little further, listening to her chest. "Well, hello there," he said as her huge brown eyes opened to him. "Walker tell her I need her to drink this," he said to the blonde man.

"Drink this," said the blonde man as the medic put his bottle to her lips. Warily, she did what she was told, looking around. As the water hit her tongue, she tried to gulp it frantically.

"Slowly!" warned the medic and the blonde man repeated what he said.

The big American holding Anna looked down at her. She was crying too much to have seen what had happened, her nose buried in his chest. "Ma'am," he said, "I mean, Frauline. Look!" He lifted her chin ever so gently, helping her to look back over at her sister.

"Elli!" she spluttered and crawled over to her. As she slumped down behind Elli, the medic got her to rest against Anna's chest so that she was propped up.

"Anna!" said Elli, as she saw her.

"Try not to talk," said the medic softly.

Anna fought the urge to squeeze her tightly. She was so relieved, her desperate tears now giving way to ones of gratitude. "Thank you!" she gushed, the big American now standing by them as well. "Thank you!" she said again, her gaze fully focused on him.

He grinned at her, as he breathed his own sigh of relief. "You're welcome."

"Walker, is there a salt tablet in there?" said the medic. The blonde one rummaged through the bag again and passed the tablet to the medic. The medic reached out to cup Elli's jaw. "Can you tell her this needs to sit in her mouth until it dissolves?"

"She can understand you," said Anna, all of their eyes flicking to her. The medic smiled at both of them as Elli opened her mouth for him to place it on her tongue.

"When you've had this, you need to take little sips of water, all right? Don't gulp it down." Elli managed a nod, and he patted her hand lightly, getting to his feet.

"Let's sit you somewhere comfortable," said the big American as he got down beside them on one knee and held his arms out.

Elli put her arms around his neck, allowing him to lift her from Anna's embrace. The blonde soldier held his hand out to Anna who took it gratefully. They walked to the side of their hut and both soldiers let Anna sit down and lean against it.

The big American placed Elli beside her carefully. "There we go." He went to pull away, but Anna caught his hand.

"What's your name?"

"Abraham."

"Thank you, Abraham. For hearing me."

He nodded at her and squeezing her hand in appreciation. He didn't let go. His brow was furrowed, as if he desperately wanted to say something.

"Here." Abraham took his water from his belt and handed it to her. "Anna," he added tentatively, then left with the blonde one to help the other inmates.

Anna rested her cheek on Elli's head.

They had made it.