***
The ground shook again, and the air filled with the by now familiar sound of Stukas. Anna turned around to meet Sara's gaze, but no words were spoken. The planes flew low above them. Anna ran to a machine gun post, gently pushed the dead soldier over, and took her position at the machine gun. With Sara's help, she moved it to a high point on the rocks. As the Stuka returned for another run, Anna aimed, saying, "God forgive me."
She fired, and fired again with fierce determination, making a direct hit. The plane's sputtering engine made a rapid noise, then it spun out of control and crashed in a ball of smoke and fire. A second plane approached showering Anna's position with bullets, mud, and rocks. Sara screamed as the debris hit her. Anna's anger made her blood reach its boiling point. All she could think was maybe this one was the one that killed Nikolas.
The plane zoomed off, only to return for another round of attack. By then Anna was prepared, and hit the plane broadside. The Stuka went straight up and then turned upside down spewing smoke. It flew a short distance farther and then dove into the sea splashing water high into the air.
Anna took Sara's hands and both women screamed and danced with joy, their unkempt and dirty hair tossed by the sultry afternoon wind. "Down!" yelled Anna, as bullets flew overhead. Secure behind their fortification, Anna started to fire in the direction of the shots. Then she stopped and waited. Only silence. They jumped out quickly and ran, as fast as they could. Upon seeing a chapel, they rushed in and closed the door. In the dark interior, Anna prayed for Nikolas's safety.
"I know he is alive," she prayed as she approached the icon of Christ. "I know it in my heart. Just protect him for me, please. Take my life but let him live. I beg of you!"
As she looked straight into Christ's eyes, something beyond belief happened. She felt a radiant soft light, a beam pouring from the church's steeple, illuminating her entire body. Anna remained speechless on her knees for a long time. When she finally got up, she felt an intimacy with the saints. It seemed to her that she was with a loving family.
In front of the icon of St. George riding a horse and piercing a dragon in the mouth, Anna prayed to the saint to do the same for her pride, ego, and desire. "Thank you God." She lowered her head. "Oh, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner."