I remember everything about the first time. I remember every second to the point where I can no longer breathe.
It was going to be an adventure. We were going to have fun. We were going to be alright.
Now of us believed there was a monster inside those walls.
That was our mistake.
щ(ಠ益ಠщ)
"Wow it's really here!"
"I don't believe it."
"It's kind of scary, maybe we should go back?"
"Aw West, don't tell me you're gonna wuss out!"
"He's right. This place has a bad aura."
I didn't say a word. I'd already tried talking them out of finding the haunted mansion, but they wouldn't listen. The idea seemed to be glued to their brains. As nations we were immortal so even if the house was haunted it wouldn't hurt us. It couldn't. So I said nothing.
"Aw Japan! West! Come-on," Prussia exclaimed. He put his arms around the two and pulled them towards him. "It'll be fun! Look, Italy isn't scared."
Germany looked back at me and I gave a reassuring smile. Meanwhile Japan struggled out of Prussia's grasp.
"Please, Prussia-san don't –"
"Sorry," Prussia said. He retracted his arm hastily. They were still getting used to each other after all this time; Prussia was used to being too close with everybody while Japan needed more space than most.
Japan sighed once he was given his space. He took out his phone and played the message China left him a few hours ago.
"We found the house but – there's something strange. Don't come here o –" "America!" "Oh I have to go. Please be safe, Japan."
"Do you think something happened?" Germany asked.
"No. It seems America-san got ahead of himself," Japan said.
"Yeah. They're probably going to try scaring us," Prussia added, "But we're not going to fall for that, right Ita?"
"Of course not!" I said.
Both Germany and Japan seemed placated by my enthusiasm. After all if I wasn't scared than what business did they have being anything but calm? That was Prussia's plan all along and I knew it, but I couldn't help going along with him. The other's wanted to have fun and I couldn't stop them.
Prussia led the way to the door and I hung back. China seemed genuinely worried in that voicemail, and when England called out to America it sounded serious. Maybe they were both trapped like I was; trapped by some impenetrable force of fate.
The door was heavy and it creaked as Prussia pushed it open. The heavy smell of dust and rotting wood sunk in as we took the first steps inside. There was no time to take in our surroundings before the door slammed shut behind us.
The sound of plates breaking came from the end of a hall to our right. A dim light could be seen glowing beneath the door there.
Immediately I tried to bail.
I turned towards the door and tried to yank it open. When it wouldn't budge I banged my fist against it.
"I want to go home now!" I cried, "This isn't fun anymore I quit!"
"Hey calm down would ya?" Prussia's strong hands gripped my waist and pulled me away from the door. "It's okay, we're not scared right Ita?" he gave me a pointed look and I took in a deep breath.
"Right," I said. "It's probably just America trying to scare us. So wh-what do we do?"
"It may be wise to run," Japan said.
He was pointing to the end of the corridor in front of us. At the end, shrouded in flickering light was a monster. It was blue-grey with big black eyes, it's head was swelled and misshapen along with its grotesque body. It had sharp claws extending from lumpy fingers and sharp fangs protruding from a lipless mouth.
"What the hell?" Prussia breathed.
"So it was true," Japan muttered, "I need to find China."
Japan marched up the stairs without a second glance towards the beast. He didn't run but walked incredibly fast. Germany bolted right after, looking incredibly pale.
"West wait up!" Prussia called, "We shouldn't get separated!"
"You guys, don't leave me here!" I screamed.
The monster was slow; it took loud, heavy footsteps as it advanced towards me. I pressed back against the door, my chest constricting and making it hard to breath. I'd never felt afraid like this before; like I was afraid for my life. It's body was huge and uncoordinated, it let out a groan as it continued coming for me and I was stuck in place the entire time
It wasn't until the monster reached out for me that I had the sense to run.
I ran up the stairs, down a corridor and up more stairs. I tried every door I passed but they were all locked. I wondered if anybody was cowering behind them, not knowing I needed their help.
"Germany!" I called out, "Prussia! Japan! Please help me!"
I reached the third floor and tried the first door. It was unlocked – I was saved – and if my face wasn't already wet with tears, I would've cried. But as soon as I got the door open something dug into my shoulder. The monster had caught up so fast.
It's talon like claws ripped through skin and muscle, scraping right down to the bone it dragged me close enough for it to sink its teeth into me.
I cried out as blood soaked into my shirt and skin, it splashed onto my neck and face as the monster dug its teeth in deep beside its claws.
Desperately I dug my fingers into its eyes. It let out a roar and tossed me across the room. I hit the wall with a thud. My eyesight blurred and I could only hear the monster lumbering towards me. I struggled to sit up, and placed pressure on my shoulder. Blood continued to seep through my fingers.
"Italy-san!" the door opened fully and I fought to focus my eyes. "I apologize for not helping you sooner."
"Japan look out!"
Japan gave his version of a smile and withdrew a sword.
"That look doesn't suit you," he said, "Forgive me Italy-san but you look better with a smile."
I tried to smile back at him, flashing my teeth in an awkward display of fear and pain.
Japan lunged for the monster. His sword tore through the monster's leg spilling steam and black goo all over the ground. In turn the monster took a swing at him, cutting through his torso. I cowered a corner and shut my eyes tight, letting out a sob as Japan's blood splashed against my eyelids. I pried them open again as the beast let out a ravenous cry.
Japan wore an uncharacteristic smirk which fit with his role as my hero. He was already sweating, his hair was matted with it and clung to the sides of his face.
He jumped forward and stabbed the sword through its chest just as the monster tore his stomach out. The monster disappeared and Japan fell to his knees.
"Japan!" I called.
I rushed over to him, my legs weighed tons and I crashed to the ground before I reached him. My mind wasn't in any better state than it had been before and my heart was still actively trying to kill me.
Where was Germany? Or China? Somebody else needed to be here. Somebody else needed to help.
I pressed a hand to the worst of his wounds. My eyes were completely blurred by tears which fell freely onto him. I pulled desperately at my shirt thinking I could use it to stop the bleeding and save his life. Somehow I managed to ignore my hands going right through him.
The smell of blood soaked onto my hands and arms. His flesh had been completely torn away. I could see his bones and yet he had the nerve to smile at me.
"It seems I've failed," he said, "I couldn't find him and *cough* I will not be getting out alive."
"No it's going to be okay," I said, "I can fix you. Please let me fix you."
This was unreal. We were nations after all. This couldn't be happening.
"Italy-san, even if you could stop the bleeding I am unable to stand. Please, find the others and get out."
"B-but Japan!"
He reached up and pushed against my cheek, reminding me to smile.
"It's okay – we're not scared, are we?"
I swallowed hard. I sniffed and held back the rest of my tears, putting on what I was sure was a very ugly smile.
"N-no, we're not."
"Good now go. The others will forget I came with you so please, do your best."