Once Upon A War

Chapter 1

Athens, August 1943

Elpida

I hold our photograph tightly in my hand, and I'm looking outside the window. It's raining and thick drops of water are running down the car's windows, forming small lines that blare the sight through the glass.

The sky grey and dark suits perfectly my frozen feelings.

I don't feel anything other than a deep, secret pain. The car suddenly stops, and the driver informs me that I have to get down.

I take the first step and a light wind goes through my body, it's colder than I imagined for latw August. Here I am in Athens. I should be happy I'm finally back home.

For years, I'd begged my parents to return, but I always got the same answer: It's not possible, my girl. We have work here. By now, I knew very well that their aversion to the capital had little to do with work. I didn't even bother asking anymore.

I'm standing outside our old house. Though long abandoned, my family kept it in good repair. It's a grand old mansion near the center, two stories tall, with a small green garden in front. My uncle Andreas and his wife moved in last month, and I'll be staying with them for a while.

I push open the garden gate and walk the short distance from the street to the house. With every step, a faint pull tightens low in my stomach, almost imperceptible, yet persistent. My ribs are still tender from the blows, nothing visible beneath the clothes, but each sudden movement reminds me.

I carry only a small suitcase with me. Standing at the threshold, I hesitate before pressing the bell. After a few seconds, I summon all my courage and knock instead. Almost immediately, the door opens. A young woman, about my age, stands before me, looking a little uncertain.

"Good morning. I'm looking for Mr. Andreas Anagnostou. I'm his niece, Elpida." I say in a calm voice, though it trembles slightly with exhaustion and strain. My whole body feels as if it's being pulled downward - heavy with pain and sleeplessness.

The young woman gestures politely for me to come in.
"He'll be here in a moment," she says kindly, showing me into the sitting room. She calls for my uncle, then turns to introduce herself.

"I'm Alexandra" she says, extending her hand. "Andreas is my father."

I look at her, surprised. I hadn't known my uncle had children - though, thinking about it, that makes sense since I'd never met him in person. All my mother ever told me was his name and that he was her elder brother.

"I'm very glad to meet you, cousin." I say, managing a small smile. A faint sting burns at the corner of my lip, where a cut still hasn't quite healed.

Uncle Andreas steps into the sitting room. After greeting me warmly, he asks with gentle courtesy if I'd like anything.

"Good morning, Uncle. I'm Elpida, Margarita's daughter." I say. His face lights up with recognition.

"The last time I saw you, you were only a few days old," he says, shaking his head in disbelief. "How you've grown, my child!" He smiles and draws me into an embrace.

"I suppose you've come to stay with us, haven't you?" he asks, and I nod quietly.
"Good, good." he says, pleased. "Let me introduce you to the rest of the family, and then you can settle in."

He calls out toward the hallway. "Michalis! Maria! Come here, please!"

He starts to introduce me to Alexandra, but she interrupts with a grin to tell him we've already met. She's a lovely brunette, fair-skinned, with eyes the color of stormy glass, somewhere between grey and pale blue. We're about the same age, I think.