The Cuckoo's Cage

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Anna had barely slept. The incident with Freddie was two days ago, and she still hadn't seen him. She worried about how hurt he was. Was he confined to a bed? Was Grüber taking care of him? She didn't know. It was torture. She knew if she asked Keller that he'd only hurt him more, so she was left to be tormented by her own thoughts.

Anna tugged on her coat, trying to ignore how stiff her shirt felt from the dried blood. Keller hadn't been kind enough to provide fresh clothes and showers after his outburst. Her scabs were healing over now, but they were still tender. If she moved too strenuously, they simply reopened. Elli brought her in a cup of water, Anna smiling gratefully at her.

"My perfect girl," she said, kissing her cheek.

Elli was clinging to Anna even more than usual. She suspected that was because she was also worried about Freddie. They both chose not to talk about it, instead recounting stories to one another each night. They both stepped outside, enjoying the warmer air.

"It'll be your birthday soon," said Elli, Anna glancing down at her. "Next week..."

"I suppose it will," smiled Anna.

"It's not going to be a fun birthday, is it?"

"No," said Anna, cuddling her close. "But I have you, so that's all I need."

"What did you do last year?" Elli asked.

Anna grew quiet, her brow furrowing. "I spent it with Hans, Karl and Freddie," she said finally.

"Was it nice?" Anna nodded. Elli could see that she was sad again. "Don't worry, I'll try to make this year nice, too," she promised. Anna kissed the top of her head just as the gate swung open.

Keller strode in, all of the women falling into line immediately on sight of him. He was back to his usual, confident, strident self. Elli gripped Anna's hand tightly.

"Anna," he said finally, "come here." Anna did so, reluctant to leave Elli in the line. "You and I are going to take a trip, isn't that exciting?"

Anna's heart was hammering in her chest. "Just you and me?"

"Yes," he smiled. "I know you'll be bored just doing the same routine day in, day out. And as this is our last day together, I thought I'd make it special?"

"Last day?" breathed Anna.

"Oh, damn it!" he cursed with feigned disappointment. "I let it slip! I'm being sent away, you see. Same as Ernst. My father pulled some strings." He was leaving; he was escaping. She didn't know whether to be happy that she would never see him again, or angry that he was going to get away with everything that he had done. He cupped her face in his hand. "Will you miss me?" he asked. She just stared up at him. "I thought as much. Come, let's go."

"Am I coming back?" she asked, staying rooted to the spot.

"Don't you want to get away from here?" he questioned.

"I'm not leaving without Elli," she said firmly.

"Oh you're not, are you?" he scoffed. "This place we're going to is special... just for you and me."

"Please can I come too, Obersturmführer," piped Elli, eliciting a frown from Anna. "I won't be any trouble."

Keller looked at Anna."I leave the choice up to you, my Cuckoo Bird. But if she does come along, and she hates it, you only have yourself to blame." What was he up to? Where, on earth were they going? She couldn't risk leaving Elli behind.

"She comes too," said Anna, holding out her hand so that Elli took it.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he sighed, then surveyed the line. "Though, with your brat coming as well, that leaves us with an odd number," he said, now pulling out his gun. "I do so hate odd numbers."