'Drawing. I always thought that drawing will help me run away from this world, that everything's okay, like there I don't have a problem in the real world, like I don't miss somebody.'

I looked up from my canvas to look at the garden outside my window. 'Truly this is a beautiful place, but I think I would have admired it a little bit more if I didn't feel like a prisoner'. I've been living with England ever since America started his revolution against him. He took me in when he saw that France couldn't take care of me anymore because of France's own revolution and his economy. I sighed gently looking back at my art, smiling. 'Even though France was in a bad state, he still did the best he could to help America win…' I picked up the brush and dipped it in dark red. 'I want to become independent too. I don't know when, but someday I will.' I pressed gently on the canvas, and started painting. 'It'll take time for my people and I to become stronger, but I know that we'll do it." After doing some progress, I went down stairs to get myself some water. I poured some into a glass, and went to sit on the porch. I took in the scenery, before falling to asleep.


"F-France?" France turned away from the door, His face was pale, and there was a trail of blood coming down his mouth. "Oui?..." Canada ran towards him crying, "I don't want you to go! Please don't leave me here alone. I'm not strong enough!" I buried my head in his chest, while he patted my head gently. "It's okay, you're not alone. You have England to take care of you from now on." Canada looked up at him, "But I don't wanna!" France smiled sadly at him kneeling down sow their faces were at the same level, "You're strong, believe me you are. And if you don't like this situation, you'll always find a way out." Canada sniffed and lowered his voice, "But America's already out there fighting for himself, and I'm not even close to his level. How can I run away from this if I'm not strong?" France took Canada's hand and said calmly, "You're strong because you're patient. I believe that during this time you'll find a way to escape from reality, like I did, but when you'll come back, you'll know. You'll know how to escape from this cage, and be free like your brother." He pushed away some of the strands of hair that covered my face, "Remember this, Ma petite feuille d'érable," He lifted his chin so that he'll look him in the eyes. "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.'" He stood up and put his coat on, opening the door to leave, but stopped when he heard Canada whisper, "I'll do my best." France smiled and exited the door. He walked through the rain and never looked back, not wanting to show a single tear.


I slowly opened my eyes, I looked at the sky that was now glowing in bright orange, signaling me to go back inside. I put the glass of water on the kitchen table and went back up stairs. After and hour and a half, I finally finished it. I stretched my arms and yawned, 'A good days work all done.' I stared at the painting a little longer, thinking that I could have done better. I went to take a shower and then went to sleep, but before falling asleep I said to myself, "I'll try again tomorrow…'

The full moon lighted Canada's room with it's beam, showing a very beautiful picture: Scattered white lilies, underneath a maple forest.