With the small pick, Nikolas dug along the line of the sealed door. The wall fell inward, raising a cloud of dust and scattering a nest full of mice, screeching loudly. Nikolas entered the meter-and-a-half-high chamber of the cave, which he estimated to be three meters deep and six meters wide. There were long boxes and short boxes, all stacked on top of one another. Nikolas opened one of them. It was full of unused rifles.
In another corner was a smaller dusty box. He pried it open and shined the flashlight inside. He nearly went blind as the light reflected sharply back into his face. He sat down on his haunches and said to Anna, "You must see this."
"What is it, love?"
Nikolas took a handful of coins and showed them to Anna.
"Look, Anna, British sterling gold! The British must have been here and left this for the resistance."
Nikolas put everything back in the cave chamber and sealed the small door shut. He feverously worked to construct a pile of rocks to hide the door. Then Nikolas took Anna in his arms and they fell asleep.
At about five in the morning, Nikolas carried Anna to the raft and pushed it out on the water, then he started paddling toward the open sea. In the misty morning, the brisk wind was stronger than usual.
Just before noon, the weather turned warm and sultry. Heavy drops of rain began to land on Anna's face. As she lay down, she thrust out her tongue to lick the sweet taste of the rain. It was a welcome sensation and Nikolas took his hat off to catch the falling water. The heavy rain increased and Anna cupped her hands, catching the drops and bringing the water to her thirsty lips. Never before had she felt so appreciative of something as simple as rainwater.
With their thirst satisfied, their energy picked up. Anna smiled at Nikolas, who took her hand into his own.
The raft proceeded slowly and steadily. Thick fog prevented them from orienting themselves, but Nikolas had an instinct that they were heading in the right direction. Anna took Nikolas's hand and brought it to her cheek. She caressed it, feeling happy and secure. She looked at Nikolas in a loving way and started to weep.
"Oh, Anna, Anna! Please do not cry."
He took her in his strong arms and held her tightly. They remained embraced for a long time. Then Anna slowly took her gold chain and cross from her neck and offered it to Nikolas. Her wet and slightly trembling fingers caused the chain to slip off onto the raft and then through a crack into the water.