The Cuckoo's Cage

Chapter Twenty-Six

A couple of days had passed since the dinner incident. Keller had allowed Anna to eat properly after that, but the threat of his games loomed over her like a dark, oppressive thunder cloud. He always knew how to toy with her. She had forgotten just how good at it he was when she couldn't fight back. Her confidence in herself was dwindling. It was now her third full day back in the camp, and she was doing everything she could to not let him take his toll on her mind. Elli tried not to ask her too many questions about him. Anna couldn't tell if it was because she was protecting her or herself, but she was glad to not have to tell Elli the horror of him. It was plain for her to see anyway. When it reached midday, Keller stepped into the work hut. He looked around at his workers, his hands tucked nonchalantly behind his back.

"Ready for your midday walk?" he asked them all, the women all hurrying to their feet. "No, no," he said quickly, "just you two." He gestured to Anna and Elli. This could not be good. Taking Elli's hand, she led her outside, Keller following them. Anna drew Elli close to her; she didn't want her to be afraid. She could feel her trembling though, and it stung her heart. How could she comfort her? Anna glanced at Keller, unsure of what to do now. "Come along, my Cuckoo Bird," he smiled. "Chop-chop!" He returned to the middle of the space to stand with two other officers, watching as Anna walked slowly around the outer rim like they used to.

"What's happening?" whispered Elli nervously.

"I don't know," admitted Anna. "Stay close to me." Elli nodded, clutching Anna's arm tightly. They carried-on round, Anna measuring her breathing so that she might remain calm for Elli's sake. When they reached the halfway point, Keller whistled loudly, beckoning them over. They darted over, not wanting to keep him waiting. As they reached him, Anna tucked Elli behind her, Keller watching them curiously. He pulled out his smokes and lit one, taking a long, drawn out drag on it. He bent down so that he was at Elli's eye level, ignoring Anna.

"Tell me," he said softly, "do I treat you nicely?" Anna's heart stopped. This was familiar in the most unsettling way.

"Please," whispered Anna desperately, but he continued.

"Do I treat you nicely?" he asked Elli again. "Answer the question." Elli looked at Anna. She didn't know what answer he wanted. Anna knew it didn't matter.

"Please leave her be," begged Anna. "Do what you want with me..."

"Oh, I intend to," returned Keller, his eyes catching hers. "But you know how it is, Anna. I always get my way." His gaze returned to Elli, his eyes pressing for the answer. Elli just nodded. "Hold out your arm," he said to her. Elli went to, but Anna batted it away, now gripping Keller's jacket.

"Mathias, please!" she urged. The other officers grabbed her and held her back as she fought them wildly, trying her best to get back to her sister.

"Your arm," he said to Elli. Trying to be stoic, Elli held out her arm to him so that he could grip her wrist. He took his cigarette, and quickly pressed it into her skin, Elli shrieking in pain.

"Stop it!" screamed Anna, Elli's cries cutting through her. He threw the cigarette away, then pushed Elli to the ground, looming over her. "Mathias!" Anna screeched. "I beg you! I'll do anything! Anything you want!" With a grin, he beckoned for Anna to come close to him. The guards released her, Anna running to his side. He took her arm, and pulled up her sleeve, inspecting her scar.

"How lovely," he cooed, "now you match!" Elli's eyes widened, finally understanding why he had done it. She sat up, again trying to be brave. Anna's eyes screwed shut for a moment; she felt so guilty. She should have known that he would hurt her. Why did she think she could control him? He wasn't blind like Ernst. When it was just her, he wasn't a threat anymore. There was nothing he could do to her that hadn't already been done a hundred times. But she should have guessed that he would use Elli against her. He was so terribly clever and knew her so well. Maybe it's just that she had overestimated his affection for her? Or perhaps she had underestimated how that very sentiment had affected his warped mind. He wrapped his arm around her waist, the other hand holding her chin. "Feels just like the old days, doesn't it?" he murmured, pressing her close to him. "Will you behave like you used to?"