CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY ONE – FINDING A WAY OUT

Rebecca's heart sank. She had led danger right to these kind people's doorstep. "I have to go," she said, standing up. "I can't put you in danger." Maria grabbed her arm. "Wait! There's a back way out. Through the cellar." Giorgio nodded. "I'll distract them. You go with Maria." Before Rebecca could protest, Giorgio was out the door. She could hear his jovial voice greeting the Moretti men, playing the part of a simple shopkeeper. Maria ushered Rebecca down a narrow staircase into a musty cellar. She pushed aside a heavy shelf, revealing a hidden door. "This leads to an old smuggler's tunnel," Maria explained. "It comes out near the edge of town. From there, you can make your way to the next village. They have a train station." Rebecca hugged the older woman tightly. "Thank you. I'll never forget this." Maria pressed a small bundle into her hands. "Food and some money. Now go, quickly!" Rebecca slipped through the door, finding herself in a low, narrow passage. She moved as fa