Part 3

Early next morning Maria and Georg snuck back. Unfortunately everyone was already awake. Everyone smiled and chuckled as they came back and Maria couldn't help but flush bright red.

Everyone ate an apple but as Maria ate hers she felt sick. She couldn't understand it but ate the apple anyway, she needed her strength, god knew how long they would walk today. Each day they would walk following Georg's directions and hope they would get to Switzerland. Georg estimated that they would reach Innsbruck in a day or so and then hopefully cross the border a few days after.

The apples satisfied everyone's stomach over throughout the day but it seemed to Maria that everyone she ate made her feel more and more sick.

Gretl held Maria's hand as they made their way down the crumbly mountain "Mother how much further?"

Maria smiled. Over the past few day the children had taken to calling her mother and she couldn't help but like it "Hopefully not much farther sweetheart" she said as they continued, holding Gretl's hand tightly as the stones moved beneath their feet.

Georg looked back at his family "Be carefully now the rocks and stones are a bit looser so watch your step" he called.

They were walking down a steep part of the mountain when it finally took it's toll. She slipped on the stones, releasing Gretl's hand and slid down gripping her stomach. When she finally stopped her palms became sweaty and the horrible feeling of sickness overwhelmed her. Suddenly she bent forward and emptied her stomach. Tears came down her face and she continued to wretch, the vile content spilling out until she had nothing left. Georg came running down the stones after Maria and Helen and Margret trailed behind as Hector looked after the worried children.

Georg skidded to halt and crouched down beside her as Helen and Margret came too. Maria clung to him viciously scared she would throw up again. Why was this happening? why now? She was never ill. Maria leant her head against Georg's chest in confusion and exhaustion.

Georg stroked her short hair and kissed her head "Are you ok? What happened?" he asked worried.

Maria shook her head "I don't know, I've been feeling ill for a few days and then just now I couldn't hold out any longer" she said quietly.

Georg hugged her close "Maybe we should stop for today"

Maria sat up immediately "NO! We can't, Georg we can't the children are barely holding themselves up we have to keep going surely we can't be far now" she said in desperation.

Margret stepped forward "It's alright love don't you worry we can keep going" she said knowing that Maria would not give in till she got her way.

"But, we are going to go slower, I won't lose you again" he said. Maria smiled at how worried he was and nodded.

Georg helped her up slowly and nodded for the children to continue to come down slowly. Once they were down the all immediately hugged Maria asking of she was alright and if she needed any help. The love and concern bought tears to Maria's eyes and though she felt better now the fact that she was sick plagued her. She couldn't wrap her head around it by the end she just accepted that she had just eaten a dodgy apple.

However Margret and Helen had other ideas. There was no doubt that the motherly figures were worried but as they walked down the rocky mountain they shared a smile that spoke a thousand words.

O0o0o00o

Rolfe pulled out his duffle bag from under the bed placing it on his rough uncomfortable bed sheets. He couldn't do this. He thought he could but the truth was he couldn't, he knew he would be hunted down and killed if he was found but he would rather run and try to find Leisl than stay in this hell hole. He was 17 almost 18, he had seen more horrific things in the past few weeks than a grown man should see in a life time. He didn't want to be part of that, part of all that murder and wrong doing. No.

He grabbed all his clothes and stuffed them in his bag. Quickly he picked it up and checked his door, no one was insight. He left and ran as fast as he could and started making his way to Switzerland.

What he didn't realise was that the letter Leisl had given him still lay under his mattress tucked away.

0o0o0o0

Elsa woke the sun shining through her window gracing her body with warmth. She shifted and opened her eyes gently, the sight that greeted her eyes was indeed sweet and beautiful. There next to her his arm wrapped around her was Max. She traced his features with her eyes, imprinting them to her mind before kissing his lips softly. You would have thought is moustache would be scratchy and irritating but Elsa it was the opposite. It was soft and fluffy, it wasn't too big either it was small and neat and completely max. She gasped when his lips moved with her before she melted into him. Again he was careful not to touch her too much and then gently released her. She smiled "Good morning" she whispered.

Max smiled back and ran his hand through her light hair "Good morning to you too" he said kissing her on the nose.

Elsa smiled, this is what she had dreamed of, this is what she had longed for. Everything she had always dreamed of having had been right infant of her this whole entire time. He had been her friend for many years, her confidante and an ear. She had always found him nice to look at but was his personality and funny yet annoying humour that got her. How could she have missed it all of these years?

She cupped his cheek; letting her thumb trace his well kissed lips she was just about to speak when the door slammed open revealing a worried reverend mother.

"We have to leave" she said her voice quaking with fear.

People wish and hope that life could be simple; they hope that everything will turn out fine and they will get there happy ending, but it's not true. You can find happy moments far and few between but never will it last forever, some things just have to come to an end.

Authors note: Okay so we are getting there, slowly I admit but we are getting there! Again short I know but life is annoyingly busy. Anyway please please review! I always love to hear what you think good or bad :D