On May 2nd, 1945, Berlin surrendered to the Russians and the looting, r****g and murdering started in earnest.
Worry infiltrated every cell in Anna’s body. For three days they hadn’t left the basement except for short trips to the well in the backyard to get fresh water. Usually, she went together with Jan so they’d be quicker. Straining her ears for any unfamiliar sound she’d pump the water at full speed while he switched out the containers under the stream of water. Then they’d haul the buckets for her family and the elderly lady living in the cellar compartment next to them back downstairs as fast as they could.
Her mother and Stan would always wait inside, and she’d see the secret relief washing over their faces when she and Jan returned. But Anna didn’t delude herself into believing
