To reach the distant ports, the troops had to walk through the spectacular and dangerous Samaria Gorge and the tall, snowcapped, treacherous, and freezing-cold White Mountains. The rocky and uneven terrain made walking that much more difficult. Any delay meant capture by the well-equipped, pursuing Germans.
Abandoned by the allies, thousands of civilians, men, women, and children, with bundles of blankets and scant provisions, took to the mountains and the caves to avoid the German massacre. Also on the move were the underground and the different factions of the Greek resistance.
"I am going to fight the war my own way," declared Anna, when asked to join the rebels in the mountains. Days had gone by and the stream of wounded had increased. Anna worked day and night helping the doctors and nurses. The wounded often spoke her name affectionately and deeply appreciated her care.
However, in spite of her activities, Anna's loneliness worsened. She had not heard a word about Nikolas, not a single syllable. Even in such difficult circumstances, she had not given up her search.
"Did you check the British hospital ship?" asked a kind-hearted German officer.
"No, because I heard it was bombed," replied Anna.
"Yes, but when they realized what it was, they stopped."
"Where is it now?" she asked, with a ray of hope in her voice.
"It already left the Cretan waters. I am sorry, Fraulein Anna."
He advised her to go along with a German convoy to Heraklion, because there were a lot more wounded there. Anna felt compelled to do so.
***
"Fraulein Anna, I noticed you are not well in the mornings. Do you have a stomach ailment?"
"I don't know."
"I see. Well, it could be stress."
"Yes, that's what I think ... it could be stress."
The sharp young German doctor stared at her. His penetrating eyes made her uncomfortable. "Your ... your period. How late is it?" asked the doctor with a knowing look on his face.
Blushing, Anna felt embarrassed. "I don't know … " then lowering her voice to a whisper, "it's not that time of the month yet."
"I beg your pardon, Fraulein Anna," he lightly apologized.
The truth of the matter was that Anna knew she was late.
***
Three German Army trucks and an ambulance headed east to Heraklion. Most of the villagers ran toward the hills when they saw the approaching convoy. Some though had other plans. About ten kilometers past the city of Rethymnon around a curve in the road there was an ambush. Gunfire blazed from the steep rocks. The fire was returned as the trucks continued on to pass the narrow bridge.
The ambulance that was lagging behind with Anna, the doctor, and a driver was blown up by an explosion on the road. The driver lost control and the ambulance turned upside down. Anna found herself between the foulsmelling driver and the doctor, who was on top of her. His forehead had been cut by glass shards and blood was dripping on Anna's face. The driver was moaning with pain but the doctor did not move with haste.