So, this is an epilogue to my other stories about Alfred and Sophie, but also it is lightly connected with Bandage and Death of a great criminal. It is set after the WWII.

Lonely people.

Strangers in the night, two lonely people,

we were strangers in the night.

Phone's ringtone reached him in the bathroom, where he tried to wash away the cadaverous stench of Europe.

"Al? It's me, Roy. You wanted me to check when they started building camps…"

"Get to the point!" America barked impatiently.

"Well, they started in 1933. You would've never believed if I tell you…"

"I think, I would. You found them also in Austria?"

"Yes, we are making research, but I am nearly sure that one was in Mauthausen, founded in August 1938, but of course we are not sure how many of them where in Austria…"

1938. So when they met… That's why she was so upset?

"Al?"

"Okay." Alfred said, staring at the Steinway standing in front of him. "That's all I wanted to know. Thanks for your trouble."

"It's not a problem. Good bye Alfred."

1938. So when they played together, Austria had so much blood on her hands that her fingers should have glued to the keyboard.

America stood for a moment. He didn't know what now. He touched his wet hair and finally went to his piano. He slammed the lid firmly. America wasn't going to touch the keyboard. Never again.

O

"What do you mean, he is gone? How could you do this?"

"It was a legal execution, confirmed by Allied Control Council for Germany. Of course you will receive the body." America explained. His voice was calm, lenient. It was a voice of someone who knew better what was right and who was going to sort things out. Soon the whole world would have get used to his tone, but Austria didn't know that. She also didn't have a clue that he was able to talk in such a manner.

Besides, what did it matter?

Austria was sitting in her room, staring at the window. February night was dark and cold. She tried to understand. Dead. Judgment of the Council. The sad necessity. Tomorrow they would give her his body.

So she was trying to heal Gilbert only because they wanted him to go on his own foot for his execution?

Sophie got up slowly. She had to go to Germany and tell him that there would not be Gilbert anymore.

She fell back into the chair, hands in long brown hair. She had to go through the room, next to the piano coffin box.