Her cell was cold and dark. She had been in there for three days now, and it had been almost an entire day since she had last seen anyone - an entire day since since she had been able to see light, have a drink of water, use the facilities. There was no concrete reason why she was being held. Three days ago her life was going on as any other day. Then these men came and took her away, badgered her with questions for hours, then locked her away. Never in her life had she been so scared, so uncertain of what would happen next. The only thing keeping her from breaking down was her faith. She passed the time saying countless rosaries and prayers. The truth was, no matter how she tried to calm herself and trick herself into thinking things would right themselves and she wold be let go, Maria was petrified she would die in the very cell she'd been in for almost half a week.

Three days earlier...

Vespers had just ended and Maria walked out of the chapel with the other sisters. It had become an evening ritual and at the end of the services each evening Maria felt worse and worse. She felt like she was living a lie and could do nothing about it.

It had been over a month since she had returned to the abbey from her summer at the Von Trapp villa. Her time had ended as planned and when the day came for her to pack her bags and leave, well, Maria couldn't ever recall feeling sadder. She had grown so much over that summer. She had reunited seven wonderful children with their father, and it was so endearing to see the connection between all of the children and Captain Von Trapp. Georg, as she had come to know him. After his return from Vienna at the beginning of the summer, Georg was determined to show Maria his gratitude for opening his eyes and seeing his children again, so each night after the children had been put to bed, the pair would gather in his study and talk about anything and everything. It was completely harmless, but as their nights grew and grew Maria knew she was developing feelings for this man and she knew it wasn't appropriate. But then everything went and changed. Georg's much talked about engagement to the wealthy Baroness Elsa Schrader was called off. It seemed to come to the relief of everyone in the Von Trapp household, but Maria was stunned. She had thought when she first arrived her purpose was to prepare the children for a new mother, and once the Baroness left, Maria could only regret the end of the summer when she would have to leave her new "family."

So the day she traded in her gorgeous dresses for her old postulant habit, Maria couldn't contain her emotions. She cried the entire walk back to the abbey. Occasionally she received letters from the children and once in a while from him. She knew that the plans she had made for her life could never be, yet she still let the charade of letting herself think that being a nun would work out. She just lacked the courage to tell the Reverend Mother she could no longer continue her preparations to become a sister at Nonbery Abbey. Oh how she missed all seven Von Trapp children and of course Georg - the longing she had to just sit on his couch in his study and gaze into his eyes was eating at her. She cared for them all too much.

Then the letters stopped. At first Maria figured it was because the children were well into the new school year, but then she overheard several of the sisters talk about the Von Trapp family one day while out in the gardens. She heard them utter words like Anschluss, Switzerland, and fleeing. Then she heard them talking about the family she loved so dearly and how they had to leave Austria. Maria was able to piece it all together after that. She knew of Georg's political ideals - he had shared some with her and she knew he would never allow his family to fall under the rule of the Nazis. She just felt heartbroken that she'd never be able to see any of them again.

Just thinking about that brought tears to her eyes as she walked back toward her room after vespers. Maria was about to turn the corner to her room when she saw Sister Berthe coming toward her.

"Maria, my child, the Reverend Mother wishes to see you in her office straight away."

"Of course, sister." Maria watched as Sister Berthe turned quickly as she followed. It was very unlike Sister Berthe not to scold Maria for some sort of wrongdoing. She was curious as to why she was being summoned. She had been the perfect example of a nun-to-be since she had returned. So as she stood behind Sister Berthe on the outside of the Reverend Mother's office, Maria grew worried.

Sister Berthe knocked and Maria heard the Reverend Mother call them to enter. They both walked in and respectfully genuflected and kissed her hand. However, as Maria made her turn and stood up she realized the three of them were not the only ones in the room. Standing to the side of the other room were two Nazi soldiers and a man she knew was called Herr Zeller. Maria knew him from the party at the Von Trapp villa. She had never spoken with him before, but Georg had spoken of him in a very, very negative light. She shuddered as he stared at her. Only the voice of the Reverend Mother brought her attention back.

"Maria, my daughter, this is Herr Zeller and two of his, uh, soldiers. They've come here on urgent business, so they say, to speak with you." The Reverend Mother put a comforting hand on Maria's back, obviously noticing her trepidation. She gave her a reassuring nod.

"It's all right my dear, they just want to speak with you."

"It's very nice to meet you, Herr Zeller." Maria extended her hand and bowed slightly as he shook hands with her.

"Nice to see you again, Fraulein. Though we've never formally met before I do recall seeing you at Captain Von Trapp's party over the summer," he said with an evil twinkle to his eye. "I must say I'm surprised to see you dressed as you are."

"And why wouldn't I dress like this, sir? I am preparing to be a nun and this is the appropriate attire for a postulant," Maria countered.

"Still, from what I recall the night of the party you looked...well let's just say you looked different," and again the evil look making Maria feel like he was exposing her.

Sister Berthe came to Maria's defense, now flanking her on the other side.

"Herr Zeller would you kindly get to why you and your men are here and what you request with Maria, here. She has done nothing wrong I can assure you."

"Sister, as it turns out I am here because of the Von Trapps."

Maria's heart skipped a beat and she felt herself holding her breath.

"Has something happened to them?" Now she was frightened for the family more than herself. She could only imagine what these Nazis were capable of and she couldn't bear to hear if they had harmed any of the children.

"Well, fraulein, that's just the thing...they're missing. All of them. And we know you spent the better part of the past three months or so living under the Captain's employ. Tell me, did he ever speak to you about plans to flee Austria once the forces of the Reich took over?"

He advanced toward the trio of nuns, Sister Berthe and the Reverend Mother each holding onto Maria, not wanting to offer her up to Zeller.

Maria looked to each of them, unsure of how she was to answer. She finally looked at Zeller.

"I'm sorry I was just the governess, things of that nature were never talked about when I was around."

"Bullshit! We both know, fraulein, that's not true! Tell me where they are - I demand it!"

The Reverend Mother stepped between Zeller and Maria, shielding the latter from his rage as he grew closer and closer.

"Herr Zeller might I remind you that this is a place where language like that will not be tolerated and if you continue to badger this poor girl I shall throw you and your men out without any reservation."

"And might I remind you, Mother Abbess, that my men and the forces of the Reich rule supreme, even in a place of God." He looked back to his two storm troopers who branded their pistols, drawn from their belt holsters. He looked back at the women. By now Sister Berthe had placed both arms around Maria, who was holding tightly, suddenly feeling more threatened than when she originally entered the office.

"If she won't answer me here where my choice of words are not acceptable, perhaps we will just have to bring her to a place where I'll be able to speak to her as I wish and get the information I request."

The Reverend Mother opened her mouth to speak and contest his last statement, but he cut her off and motioned back toward his men.

"You two, take the fraulein into custody...we'll be needing her services a bit longer than originally anticipated."

"Herr Zeller you cannot take Maria anywhere! I forbid it!"

"Sister, kindly get out of the way or I shall order my men to shoot you all. I give very little consideration to those with religious affiliation, but try my patience one more time and I will not think twice about having my men use their weapons. Now move away from the girl!"

Sister Berthe looked to the Reverend Mother who sadly nodded and walked back around her desk, where she dejectedly sat down. Sister Berthe gave Maria and quick hug, "God will protect you, my dear. Have faith." And just like that she moved away, leaving Maria defenseless.

Both Nazi soldiers moved toward the door, pistols still drawn. Zeller picked up his coat and moved in their direction, that slimey smile back on his face.

"Not to worry, fraulein, as soon as you tell us what you know then we will return you back here safely."

Maria didn't believe him at all, but she had no choice and followed him out, sadly looking at the two women who couldn't bear to watch as she was led away...

Maria's cell - present...

Zeller's words replayed in her mind as she sat motionless.

She held her head in her hands and gazed at the floor where she sat. Her cell had nothing in it. And she had gotten used to sleeping on the cold floor. Fear had passed through her entirely. She had spent the first 24 hours shaking and crying, trying to will herself out of her position. The second two days she felt nothing but exhaustion and frustration. She had been grilled for hours that first night, being deprived of any comforts.

Just as she was replaying the past days' events in her head, she heard the cell door squeak open and the faintest of lights peer in. Maria shielded her eyes until she was able to adjust to the difference in light. There stood Zeller, hands casually in his pockets, staring at her, not moving from his usual spot at the entrance to the cell.

"Good morning, Maria. I trust you slept well. Anything you need to tell me today?"

Maria swallowed and looked over at him. She of course had nothing new to tell him. She had practically shouted that at him repeatedly, but he was certain she was hiding something.

"I have nothing to tell other than what you already know. You know I haven't a clue where they all are. For all I know you have them and are torturing them as you are to me. So no, I have nothing new to tell you today." She glared back at him, not letting her gaze waver. In turn, he continued to stand there and stare her back. He finally took his hands from his pockets and ran them across his face.

"Fine then, have it your way...see you tomorrow."

And like that he was gone, the door eerily squeaked shut and Maria was left all alone in the dark.

***Welcome to another SOM fanfic installment! This story is unlike any other I've conjured up and hope you all will like the storyline and content as it goes on! For now, I ask you to please read and review so kindly has you all have done in the past! ***