"I did what?" I spit out. "I did nothing."
"Oh, Prussia." Russia frowns and pats my head. I step back.
Russia takes a deep breath. "I'm just going to pretend like you don't know anything, da?"
"Well, clearly I don't."
"Okay. Okay." Russia holds a hand up. "Do you know what World War Two was?"
I nod.
"And the results?"
"Not... not exactly."
"Let's start there, da? Results of World War Two. Germany, dissolved. Prussia, strengthened. Japan fell into severe debt. He's alright now, though."
So, did Japan take the consequences Germany had the first time around?
Russia continues. "America became the strongest country in power."
"Really?"
"Da. But then, as all great nations do, he fell. He fell hard. Because you attacked him, Prussia. Everyone stayed clear of it- nobody wanted to get involved in another war, because they were all still recovering. His government fell, and the place is a total wreck now."
Even though many countries found him annoying, I suddenly miss the real America, the old America. The ungrateful jerk with too much money and too many McDonald's. The America who always teased England and was friends with me. That's who I miss.
So it's my fault he's ruined. But how? I have no recollection of this life. Maybe it's a dream. I remember the field I was in, the place where rain froze. What is happening to me?
I stand up. "I need to go."
"Go where?"
"Um... I don't know. Russia?"
"Da?"
"What if I told you I was supposed to die a long time ago? What if I come from a world where Germany was real and a desired destination, and America was still a stable nation, and you used to torture me?"
"Prussia..." Russia looks sad. "I don't know where you're getting all this from."
I touch the base of my throat. Under my T-shirt I can feel the coldness of a silver chain.
The Iron Cross.
Somehow I still have it with me.
"Russia, do you have a pipe?"
Russia's brow furrows. "What?"
"A... you know..." I sigh. "You know, a metal pipe you use to bash the living shit out of people." I don't know how many times that cursed thing broke my bones.
"Sorry?"
"Fine, whatever." I take off my necklace. "This look familiar?"
Russia raises an eyebrow. "The Iron Cross, da?"
"Ja. Well, I'm leaving now"-
"Wait! Where are you going?" Russia grabs me, and I tense up.
I sigh. "I don't know. I can't stand to stay here, though, if America's going to be here. Not awesome. Especially after what I did."
Russia sighs. "We should go walk around town!"
I snort skeptically. "Ahh, it's like freezing out there."
"So?"
I laugh, drinking the my hot chocolate. It's scalding, but the air is so cold, the snow clinging to my jacket, I'm freezing.
We've been walking the streets of Moscow, Russia taking me into some of the best stores, and we stopped to get drinks a couple of minutes ago.
Russia smiles. I realize I've never spent any peaceful time with Russia. He's not so bad. But maybe this isn't the real him. Everyone seems kind of messed up in this universe.
Russia's smile drops away in an instant, and I see his violet eyes grow dark. It's like an ominous, creepy aura is emanating from him.
"Was? Was?"
I ask, glancing around. I see a man approaching us. He's not a country, and for a human, he looks around my age, maybe a year younger or so.
"Prussia," Russia says quietly. "I'm going to stall for time. I want you to run, da?"
"W-What?" I grip my hot chocolate tighter. "Why?"
"Don't ask questions, Prussia. Just... Oh, privet!" Russia's not talking to me anymore, and I start to edge away slowly.
"Hello, Russia. It's nice to see you." The man looks up. "Prussia!"
Russia jumps forwards. "Run! Prussia, ru"- I see the Slavic nation get punched in the face, but he jumps back up, backhanding the unfamiliar man. Russia's nose is bleeding, and red hot blood hits the layer of snow covering the street.
I don't need any more encouragement. I dash away as fast as I can, dropping my drink. I can hear the Russian locals stopping, a couple people hesitantly taking out cell phones, watching.
A couple of blocks away, I collapse. There are plenty of people around, so I brush snow off of a bench and sit down, breathing heavily.
For the first time, I'm wondering: Why is Russia protecting me?
