Chapter 1

Arthur POV

Leaning back against my chair, I sighed. 'I will call it a day and finish the rest tomorrow,' I thought.

On my way to bed, I picked up the phone. I hesitated a bit, but I decided not to call him about not going back to the family house. He would be independent from me sooner or later, so therewould be no need to tell him anything. Besides, we hardly had a proper conservation as a family.

He hated me to the core.

Morning came, the phone rang. I answered the phone only to hear an annoying American voice from the other line.

"Dude, don't tell me you're still half asleep. Anyway, we haven't gone out for a drink for a while. So I will meet you at the usual pub tonight. I'll take no for the answer!" he hung up immediately without giving me the chance to reply. That was so typical of him. And there were still so much works to be done...

Night fell and it only took about 15 minutes from my house to the pub on foot. I managed to finish the work, so I guessed that I didn't need to refuse. It had been a long time since I last went to the pub.

"Hey, DUDE!?" I was cut off from my thought. "What are you doing spacing out like that?"

"Sorry, just lost in thought," I replied as he dragged me along. "Come on, let's go."

When I arrived at the pub, I suddenly heard a familiar voice; "Such a lovely night for a drink, don't you think?" I turned around only to the see the frog and a Canadian. America slowly approached them. Somebody sat next to that frog—I couldn't see the face, but there was no mistaking the dark red hair. I silently left the bar, hoping no one would notice.

I had nothing else to do and the work had been done, therefore I went for a walk around the town. It was cold, it was snowing and dark so there was hardly anyone on the street. While I was walking, I thought about the day when I was little. Then, I got a strange feeling someone was watching me. I turned back to see a car, the engine turned off. I saw an angry, certain Scotsman stepping out.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in annoyance.

"I should be the one asking that one question. What are you doing with that brat!? More importantly, why haven't you answer any of my phone call?!" he asked angrily. I know it was not good to pick on his bad side. But I just want to get it over it.

"It's none of your business. Like you really care," I turned my back on him and walked away.

All of sudden, someone gagged me, and I knew it was him. I attempted to fight back but my assaulter pinned my down the snow-covered ground. He grabbed both my arms, tied them behind my back and my legs as well. I couldn't scream and I was immobile.

'Can this day get any worse?' I thought. I was lifted to the car and was shoved into the back. He looked at me and grinned.

"Sweet dream because you will need it, wee brother!" I was terrified every time I saw him like this. This wasn't good, but there was nothing I could do as I watched the trunk lid closed on me.