Marta had to steel herself. She told Ezra to be strong, but she needed to take her own advice. She saw the struggle in Ezra’s face as he was taken away, he didn't want to leave her, nor her him. But it was what was best. So watching Ezra leave, not knowing when she would see him again, was the hardest thing Marta had ever done. There was almost a brief moment she wanted to go after him, to stop him, but she stopped herself. 

Once Ezra was completely out of her sight, Marta felt the air in her lungs lessening. Her chest was tight and breathing became harder and harder. She started heaving, her throat closing up. The nurse rushed over to her and moved her to the chair. “Put your head between your legs, breathe.” Marta did as she was told, feeling herself starting to go light-headed. After a few minutes, she finally stabilized her breath and sat up.

“Better? You were having a panic attack.”

Marta nodded, not trusting her voice. She couldn't even begin to process everything that has happened, Ezra almost dying, waiting in the hospital, taking on a new identity, being forced to separate from her love. Marta did not know what to do now. She thought Jeremiah was going to be escorting her, but he left with Ezra. After a few minutes, the nurse ushered her out of the room, Marta assumed back to the waiting room, but she was lead into a back storage room. The nurse left her there and Marta confused. After a few minutes, the for opened and a woman, probably about 10 years older than Marta. She has red curly hair, which Marta noticed already had streaks of grey in it. She had big brown round glasses and wore a dress. 

“Marta?” She asked. Marta nodded. “I'm Rachel. I'm here to escort you to your safe house.” 

Marta stepped away, hesitant, why should she trust this woman? Rachel sensing this, smiled gently. “I'm friends with Jeremiah, he asked me to come help you.” Marta had no other option, so she chose to trust the woman. She nodded and followed Rachel out of the closet and then they winded through the hallways, Marta losing track of all the turns. Eventually they went out a door that led to an alley behind the hospital, where a car was waiting. Rachel opened the door for Marta, who slid into the front seat, and noticed her suitcases were sitting. It made her feel a little better, if Jeremiah didn't give them to her, how would she have gotten them?

Once Rachel was situated, she drove off, winding through the streets, making her way out of Frankfurt. Marta wondered for a minute when would she return to the city of her birth, the page she grew up. To her, the city failed her, let her down. The only person holding her there was gone, so no looking back. 

The two of them drove for almost five hours, only stopping once for gas and a bathroom break. It was nearly 4 in the morning when they arrived to their destination. It was a little cottage by a pond. Rachel told her it was owned by an elderly woman who had taken to the cause. Their car journey had educated Marta so much. She learned if the resistance that was forming, Jewish people banding together to fight the Nazis. Their numbers were growing. Mrs. Hildreth, the old woman she was staying with, was married to a Jewish man. Their marriage was forbidden but they stayed together and ran away to this cottage where they lived together until the day her husband died. After that Mrs. H took in stray Jews who needed a safe haven. It comforted Marta hearing about how Mrs. H married a Jewish man even though she wasn't. It was just like her and Ezra. 

Marta and Rachel carried her bags in, Mrs. H greeting them warmly at the door. Marta looked around; there was a tiny kitchen with a fireplace stove, a small sitting area. Then two doors that lead to a bedroom and bathroom. In the sitting room there was a ladder leading up to a loft.

The door to the bathroom opened and someone walked out. Marta's eyes widened. Atalia! Marta ran over and threw her arms around the girl. She pulled back, a look of stock on her face. “How?” Atalia explained everything, how the resistance created a diversion at the building she was being held in and then they were able to sneak Atalia out and was brought here only a few hours ago. Marta felt like such a weight lifted off her shoulder. The two girls spent the rest of the night discussing what happened after Atalia was taken. Tears fell when they spoke about Ezra, but knowing all three of them were safe made everything seem hopeful once again.