"Can you believe that Crete is the only part of Europe that has not yet fallen to the Germans," said Sara, putting her arm over Anna's shoulder. "I wonder how long we can hold out."
"As long as our strength holds, Sara," replied Anna.
"Don't forget, England has not fallen either ... sorry," added a man with a heavy Australian or New Zealand accent.
"Oh, yes, that's true … " agreed Anna. ***
"Leo! Leo!" Anna yelled. "Leo, I must talk to you!" She took him aside by the arm.
"I came here to find ..."
"I'm sorry, we lost Ikaros. Such a fine beautiful boy."
"Keep your courage up, Anna. We lost Rinoula, too."
"Oh no!"
"Yes, that's why I say, 'stay strong.' There will be a lot more losses."
"Leo, I must find my lover, Nikolas! He is a captain in the Greek Navy and his ship is at
Souda Bay. Please help me."
"It will be like finding a needle in a haystack, but I'll try."
"Thank you, Leo."
"Can you give me more information about him?"
"Well, he is the captain of the destroyer Hellas. I thought I had mentioned that to you already."
"Yes, yes, Anna, you did ... but ..."
"Go on. Tell me, Leo."
Anna took a deep breath, stood up straight, head up. Leo admired her strength and beauty. He lowered his head and turned his back to her, saying softly, "The Hellas is no more ..."
"What do you mean, Leo?"
He turned around: "There are no survivors, I was told."
Each and every word struck Anna in the heart like burning bullets. Leo read the horror in Anna's face. "They did, however, find some men floating in the water, severely burned. Some are still alive, but they might as well be dead."
"Where are they, Leo?"
"I don't know, Anna." He clasped his hands behind his back and paced. "I really don't know. They could be at the British hospital off shore by Chania, or anywhere between here and Maleme. If they are lucky, they should be now on their way to Egypt. If they have succumbed to their wounds, they could be in shallow graves anywhere."
He came close to Anna and touched her shoulder, murmuring, "I'm sorry, Anna, so sorry." Anna did not respond, as if some inner force was guiding her. After a while, she thanked Leo and told him that she would be on her own from now on.
"God be with you, Anna."
"Thank you, Leo. I know He will."
Anna got up, started to leave, when there came a shout, "Anna, wait! I'm going with you!" She did not turn around to look. She just knew it was Sara.