Character Analysis
Like Miska, Anya gives Peter's crew someone to look after like a little sibling—even if they never wanted her to even join their group in the first place.
In fact, Alex's rescue of Anya is an important turning point in his life. He sees her lying on the ground one day in Moscow and knows that if he doesn't do anything, she'll probably end up dead. Although his bros tells him to leave her behind, Alex simply can't live with this on his conscience. So "for perhaps the first time, Alex paid no attention to the orders of others" (7.13) and rescues poor Anya. This shows that he's now able to think for himself and put others' needs ahead of his own.
Although Peter tells Alex that he will be solely responsible for taking care of Anya, it isn't long before the whole group falls in love with this rambunctious little girl. In fact, by the time they reach the southern region of Russia, they end up treating her like a little sister and watching her "like a treasure" (11.40). Plus, don't forget that Peter goes back to rescue Anya after killing the orphanage director, much to his own great personal risk. Although they might not have wanted her around in the first place, these wild children can't help but fall in love with Anya's unbreakable spirit.