Fire burning his face, pain seeping throughout his body, his voice sore from screaming. Liquid falling from his eyes, his shaking hand touched his face to see blood on his dirty hand. He was crying blood for his children, his family, his people. Sorrow washed through him, thousands of his children were crying. Crying because of the thousands that died. Died when the plane crashed or when the towers fell. The wall caving in on their small bodies, or chocking on the smoke and ash that rose when the towers collapsed. It was their pain wracking his body, not him. It was living death over and over again. It was overwhelming his senses, it was indescribable pain. How could he be the hero when something like this could happen any day? How could he be the strongest when only a few decisions from some terrorists could bring him to his knees. How could he possibly protect others when they couldn't bother themselves to see how he was faring? Could he possibly die here? Please. Let this pain stop! It hurts! It hurts! With a new wave of pain crossing his body, America let out a raw scream of pain his hands scratching his face to try to relive himself of the burning sensation. It hurts! Make it stop. Please.

America woke up with a gasp, his heart thumping and phantom pains on his face aching. It was just a dream. A simple dream. One that came every single night. For the last 12 years. Hs heart was thumping against his rib cage and he placed his hand on his chest to make sure that it wasn't going to pop out.

"Siri!" He breathed, and there was a bing sound from his phone. "Time?" He asks.

"7:56 AM, Monday 3rd of June." Came the automated voice from his phone.

"Any important things I should know about?"

"You have the World Meeting at the Summit for the next week."

Oh yeah. America got up from his bed, his hands running through his hair, flinching when his fingers found Nantucket, but that was understandable. It was his E-zone. He blinked a few times, but it didn't do anything. It was still black all around him. With ease and practice, America tossed his blankets to the side and stumbled out of bed. He took three steps forward and then turned like a clock to pick out clothes. Feeling the different texture beneath his fingers America picked through his clothes looking for the one that he wanted. His fingers touched leather and he pulled out his jacket and set it on the bed. He quickly found his clothing and slipped them on and pulled on his leather jacket in the dark. Fumbling with his phone, America slipped that into his pocket and almost tripped on some stuff while heading towards his door to leave. Grumbling on how he should probably pick that up later, he fumbled with the lock, his hand touching the light switch. It was switched on.

"Would you look at Siri! I left the light on, now my bill is going to be high!" America sighed as he flicked it off, and unbolted the door. The rush of air met his face was the only greeting that he felt from the summer outside. He could feel the sunlight on him, but sadly he couldn't see the beautiful day. Yeah, so what if America is blind. He is the hero so he can totally survive. Right?

America pulled out a wad of bills from his pocket and paid the cabbie the amount of taking him to the Summit. It was a secret place, so don't ask. Alfred started to whistle as he found the stairs and began to walk up. The reason why he was whistling? The echo thing that bats do to see. It was nice, especially when America had better hearing than most. That's why he dodged the flying object that came hurtling down the stairs. There was a splat sound as the object landed on the ground.

"Dammit! I missed!" Growled Romano above him, and America just laughed merrily.

"Nice one Romano!" He shouted, to get a good sense of who else was with the Italian.

"Shut up burger bastard." He growled and stalked off.

"But Lovi~ you threw the tomato so nicely!" Spain complimented as they moved off.

It seems that they were starting early. Oh well.

America walked into the hidden building that was hidden for a reason (*cough fangirls cough*) and kept whistling off tune. It was an old song that he couldn't remember the title of but it had a catchy song.

"Shut up." Cuba growled nested to him and shoved America into the nearest wall.

It hurt.

America just laughed and grinned. "Cuba, my man I didn't see you there!" He got up and continued into the building that he feared.

Was it alright to pretend?

America bumped into somebody, and landed on his butt. He was spacing off and wasn't paying attention.

"Ohonon, it seems that America head is already in the clouds. I think it has found residence up there!" France cackled, and there was a grunt next to him.

"What head? Hero's act from the heart, not from their brains. Oh no, they all fight and toss each other across the city." England snorted next to France.

They were just joking, right?

"Haha! Nice one guys. Love the joke." America could practically feel their smirks radiate off of them.

"Sure." France probably made a rude gesture and the two rivals laughed. America laughed with them.

What should I do?

America walked into the meeting and sat down in his seat. He had the ever present smile on his face, but had his eyes closed. It really didn't make a difference.

"America-san how are you?" A voice from his side caught him again. He opened his eyes and looked blankly at the wall of darkness.

"Doing fine Japan! How are you?"

"I am well. What are you thinking about?"

I couldn't tell him.

"Just thinking about my awesome presentation. I am talking today!" America said very loudly so he judge where Japan was. It was difficult sometimes, the small Asian was always so quiet.

"That is very important, I am sure. Please excuse me, China wishes to speak to me." And Japan left America alone in his seat.

Why doesn't he speak up to help, that wasn't bad to wish it, right?

America couldn't see what time it was, and he didn't want to ask Siri. As if the phone could read his mind, it binged. "9:35 AM, Monday 3rd of June."

"Ha! He is so stupid he can't read a clock, aru!" China said gleefully. "America is so stupid!"

Not true.

"Whatever you say China." America grinned and shrugged as if the comment wasn't hurting him.

But that was a lie.

Finally it was time for the meeting to start, and Germany came in, his boots thumping on the carpeted floor.

"Everybody in your seats!" He yelled and the chatter stopped as everybody got to their seats.

The main show was starting.

"Ve~ I love pasta more than America loves his burgers~!" Italy announced in the silence. There were a few snickers around the room.

"Italy! It isn't your turn to talk, it is America so shut up while the moron speaks." England announced and Italy sat down next to Germany.

"Awesome! My turn!" America stood up and walked his way up to the front. A foot slid out and tripped him, and he went sprawling on the ground. Laughter roared across the room.

It hurt.

"Nice one, you got me there dude." America laughed, and stood up. "Alright dudes!" He turned and groped for chalk. He found the stick and he gripped it as he blindly drew a circle and squiggles. "The earth needs a hero! So all of you need to be my awesome sidekick! Russia, send me missiles, not aimed at me. China, forget my debt, it's too much to even pay back anyways! England, stay away from the kitchen! France, go seduce people into our army! Italy's, you make pasta. Germany, go drink some beer and chase Prussia around, he is too annoying! Japan, make me an invincible robot that can keep everybody safe by the works of me! The Hero!" America began to spout off nonsense. There were arguments across the room as soon as America had started to speak, so nobody even heard a thing.

"Shut up." A paper ball was thrown at him and it hit Americas head.

Make it stop, please! It hurts!

"How many Americans does it take to screw on a lightbulb?" Russia said in the corner. "None! They would be out eating McDonald's!" There was laughter from the Countries in the corner. The Baltic's were laughing, America realized, but kept on smiling.

Why me? Why do they hurt me?

"Americans are so overweight, they are making the land beneath them sink!" England chuckled, and there was more laughter.

Somebody help. Please.

"Non. I have a better one." France declared,"Chuck Norris wouldn't be able to lift an American, they are that fat!" More laughter.

Anybody. Help.

"Wanna know how much Americans eat in one year? We don't know! The scales couldn't tell us because they broke!" Spain told.

It hurts.

"I am not surprised that the Americans haven't died from diabetes yet!" Canada said, and America flinched. Even his brother.

I am drowning.

"I wondered why Americans looked so ugly, then I realized that mirrors broke when they looked into them, aru." China began.

I can't breath.

"Don't say it anymore." America whispered. His smile gone. "Someone help."

"Look at him! Do you finally think that he realizes we are insulting him?" Prussia cackled.

Please. Don't.

A drop of something wet touched his lip, and instinctively America licked his lips. Blood. He was starting to cry.

Heroes never cry.

A smile wobbled on his face before it stabilized. "Hahaha! My times up guys, too bad you don't get the rest of my lecture!" America yelled over the laughter and started back to his seat. His hand shook as he touched his seat before sitting down. The chair was yanked right before he sat on it and America fell to the ground. Laughter again. Canada was laughing behind him, and he was the one who had taken the chair.

Why can't the pain stop?

"Good one bro!" America smiled and took the chair back before sitting on it. The laughter stopped when Germany shouted and the next person started their speech. A,Erica didn't pay attention. He was in inner turmoil. Like always.

Nobody helps the unwanted.

A paper all was thrown at America. He didn't react as it bounced off his chest.

Nobody wants to help.

Somebody snickered, as somebody else whispered something to them. He could hear his name being mentioned.

I can help. I can help the wounded.

Somebody placed a paper in front of him. He couldn't read it anyways so he folded it up and stuck it in his pocket. It would go with the other ones in his drawers. He smiles.

But I am the one hurt. I can't help myself.

The meeting stopped as the lunch break started. A rock was thrown at him. It hit his head.

Why do I put up with this?

"Hey America! Catch!" Romano called and something was tossed to him. It hit his head and it burst. Something stinky and sticky covered him. "Burger bastard is covered in garbage! How fitting of him!"

America huffed, and smiled. "Awesomeness Romano, didn't see that one coming." He begins to walk down the hall, insults hissed at him from every side. He needed to get home and change before the 20 minute break was over and he needed to go fast. He began to jog, and when he reached outside, somebody tripped him over the staircase. Each blow from the hard rock felt like more insults thrown at him.

He was the Hero. What they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.

alright. I was going through some books and I wanted to write this. I wrote this on my iPad so if there are any mistakes, they are autocorrected. I want feed back on this. I want it. Review.

flames accepted.

I don't own hetalia.

So. Tell me how you feel.