The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Nine

Keller spun around, his face filled with confusion. He looked thinner than before, dark circles under his icy eyes. Dirty and dishevelled, the civilian clothes he was dressed in were ill-fitting and a scraggly blonde beard covered his jaw. He looked nothing like the tyrant she remembered. "Anna?" he spluttered, reaching out towards her slowly.

Anna pulled back out of his reach, her breathing heavy and angry.

"You made it out, then."

"No thanks to you," she retorted, her rage building further.

The Americans all watched her, Abe taking a small step in her direction.

"And the brat..."

"She's fine," spat Anna. "So you failed."

"You assume killing you was my intention," he said, that sly smile returning. "Perhaps I just wanted to mess with you. And I clearly succeeded..." Anna glared at him as he leaned forward to be closer to her. "So then, tell me, am I going to be a father?"

Before anyone could stop her, Anna drew her foot back and kicked him square in the chest. He tumbled back, Anna kicking him again several times before she pounced on him and pinned him down as she struck him again and again and again. Every angry thought she had ever felt and couldn't express came pouring out of her in this moment. Hatred burned through her. She clawed at him, unaffected by him trying to fend her off. She wanted to rip him apart, to hurt him as much as he had hurt her.

Arms grabbed her and tried to prise her off him. "Anna! Stop!" cried Abe, trying to subdue her as he managed to pull her to her feet.

Anna just kept fighting him, her teeth gritted as she tried to get back to Keller.

Abe hushed her. "You're gonna hurt yourself!"

Hollywood also took hold of her, both of them finally managing to calm her. Furious tears stung her cheeks as Abe pulled her into him, trying to soothe her.

"Darlin', just breathe," he said softly. Anna gripped his arms as Tread came over to them. "I said this was gonna be too much."

"We'll try again later," sighed Tread. "Come on Miss, let's get you some water." He took Anna from Abe's grasp, ushering her out of the paddock and towards the farmhouse.

"I guess she recognises that one," said Hollywood. They watched Keller as he sat up and spat bloody saliva onto the ground. "He was a right fucker to get here; nothing but lip."

Abe glared at him, Keller's eyes meeting his. Abe could feel his temper rising; he knew who this man must be.

Keller studied him with interest, his mouth twisting into a horrible smile. He said something in German under his breath.

"Hey!" shouted Hollywood, nudging him with his foot. "Shut your damn mouth."

"What he say?" asked Abe, his voice low and throaty.

"Nothin'," dismissed Hollywood quickly.

"Tell me!" insisted Abe.

Hollywood sighed. "He said 'never thought I'd get to have her on top again'."

Keller was watching for his reaction, grinning as Abe lunged at him.

Hollywood stepped between them. "Not now! For fuck sake Abe. Don't give him the satisfaction of getting' in trouble."

"I don't give a damn!" spat Abe.

"I promise you we'll deal with the son of a bitch later. Right now, you need to go and check on Anna." Abe wanted to wipe the smug smile off his face, but knew Hollywood was right. Reluctantly, he stormed away from him.