I backed up from where I stood. "You're-You're Russia?" I stammered.
Russia sighed. "Yes, and what is wrong with that?" she asked.
I gulped. "Russia is helping America?" I must have looked confused.
She rubbed her head, and it looked like she was trying to decide where to begin. "I was the first human to be turned into a nation, but not the first to have their memories back," she explained. "I was a girl just like you, taken out of school. Forced to live in this place. Then they went to Sweden and got Sweden right after me." She paused for a moment and then started up again. "He was the first to get his memories back. Without the help of me or anyone, but soon after, they found out and took his memories away permanently. But before he lost his memories, he gave me mine. When they found out I had mine back also, they tried to take them. When they did, my mind went blank, and they couldn't get it back. So they put me in this room and I became the barber. Time went by and more kids were being changed into nations. I was slowly getting my memories back. Sweden came in for a haircut one time, and I remembered what he did for me," she sat down and continued, "but he didn't remember anything except the history that was forced into his mind." I looked at Russia, who wiped her eyes dry from tears.
"When I was at the school, they told me that because I spoke German and Swedish, I would be under the control of them." I had paused and sat down. "I was so confused, I just wanted to be with my friend, Sally. She has always been there for me, but I watched her die. And Greg too. He was one of the kids they had me walk by to the truck. ...Why do they kill them? Why even have this-this place anyways!?" I asked, scared, confused still.
Russia shook her head. "I still don't know why, but all they know is you are still America, and I am the one who lost their memories. It stays the same until we can save the others." She looked at me. "And it has to stay that way."