Her eyes closed. Anna prayed to God to wake her from this nightmare. She recalled the serene, compassionate face of the old nun, and it gave her courage and helped to keep her mind calm.
"The Gestapo interrogators will not be as gentle as I am," the officer warned, staring at her body and enlarged breasts. "I want to be rewarded someday," he said with a smirk on his face. "I hope I don't have to take it by force." He laughed arrogantly. "Then your second child could be pure German!"
Anna began to tremble in a cold sweat. She fainted and collapsed on the floor, where she was soon found by the old nurse who had befriended her. The nurse quickly got help and took her to a waiting bed. Later that evening, Dr. Tsipras enjoyed a lavish dinner together with Colonel Fritz and Melpomeni.
"I put the fear of the Gestapo into her," Colonel Fritz said. "Now she will realize that she is lucky to have a mother like you," he raised his glass in a toast to Melpomeni, "with friends in high places." Dr. Tsipras sat there enviously, with a false smile on his face.
***
The old nun came to visit Anna as she lay in the hospital bed.
"You look wonderful, my dear."
"Thank you, but I feel exhausted. I can't even get out of the bed," said Anna in a whisper, holding the nun's hand.
"Have faith in God, my child."
"I have no one else to turn to."
"Is the baby all right after your fall?" asked the nun.
"He is kicking." Anna took the nun's hand and placed it on her abdomen. "Oh, how sweet ... Yes, yes, I can feel it."
"A gynecologist is coming with Dr. Tsipras later today."
Upon hearing the name "Tsipras," the old nun crossed herself repeatedly and muttered "Kakourgos, kakourgos (Evil, evil), that's what he is," several times.
Anna noticed the tension on the old woman's face. "Please don't leave me," she pleaded.
"My whole body jolted when I heard that name. I don't have a good feeling," said the nun, putting her fist on her chest. Just then, Dr. Tsipras and another man entered the room in a jovial mood. With the back of his hand, Dr. Tsipras motioned the nun to leave.
"I want her to stay," protested Anna.
"Please."
The other man, wearing a white doctor's coat soiled with blood, said solemnly:
"I am Dr. Patsouros. I recommend that she leave."
"I'd better go, Anna. I will keep you in my prayers," said the nun, squeezing Anna's hand. "I will be back." Before leaving, she glared at Dr. Tsipras. He glowered back, their gaze meeting above Anna's bed.