[Before the events of the film]

A little after the war started, hoping to avoid the draft, you found yourself saying at you Aunt’s place off the coast of Italy. The island was only accessible by plane or boat, so you spent most of your days staring out at the calm waves of the Adriatic. Your Aunt was currently on the mainland seeking medical attention for her worsening vision, leaving you in charge of the house. One night, long after the sun set, you hear a loud sputtering out your window.