Err wow! Hi everyone, thanks very much for faving my story! I'm really surprised, I just started writing again at after my exams…I haven't written any fiction for a long time :D Hope you're enjoying it. Let me know what you think… it's kind of nearing a close now, so not much more left :o
Ps. I don't think I've mentioned but none of these characters belong to me… blah blah…
4
"Why… would someone need ghosts?" America asked, following his former carer.
England ignored his question and opened the door. "So what are you crying about?" he barked indignantly at the young apparition that seemed to turn around in horror. America was completely bemused, England didn't seem evenly vaguely frightened by the little apparition, neither did he seem particularly fond of it.
"It's you… what happened to the nice people who were talking to me before?" the young boy answered with a disparaging tone in his voice, he was still crying from when America and Canada had seen him, there was also a familiarity in his voice, as if talking to his current self was old hat and he wanted to talk to someone else.
"Do you always have such an effect on children America?" England added as an aside.
"I didn't make him cry!" America exclaimed. "I was trying to be nice to him… well as nice as-" America feel quiet, realizing that he had been a little harsh on the boy.
"It's hardly surprising." England answered simply. "You've never dealt with children…"
"Why did you bring that guy America with you?" The little boy said through pursed lips.
"Does it make any difference to you?" England added.
"…He was nicer to me than you ever are." The young boy replied sharply. Despite the boy's bravado, he could sense a little hesitation and fear, as if he knew the end of his time in this world was drawing near.
"He just told me about you." The older England answered non-chalantly pointing at America.
The little boy looked as if he had been dropped into a massive amount of trouble. "Oh…" tears were still streaming down his face.
"Will you stop crying for goodness sake!" England snapped shortly.
"But… I'm lonely." The young boy muttered.
"I'm quite aware of that fact." England replied flatly, there was little sympathy in his voice. "It's what you say every year…"
"Wooaahh! You mean to tell me that you get haunted by the same ghosts… every year? Geez they are persistent aren't they?" America commented. The little boy cried even harder at America's stupid comment.
England sighed angrily, like a school teacher who was being tried by a whiny student... and an exceptionally stupid student who was causing the whiny student to whine even more. "We go through this every year and every year we come to the same conclusion…"
"Bu-bu… but-" The youth stammered.
"But nothing!" England began harshly. "Things are never going to change! Because you're a ghost! You are a trapped moment of my own personal history and you are never going to have any friends because you're never going to get any older! So stop crying about it and come to terms with it!"
"England!" America said suddenly. "Stop shouting at him!"
"Shut up America, I don't recall asking you to butt in." England grit his teeth in frustration of the overly emotional nation. "I know myself well enough to know that this is the only way to get him to leave."
"He's only a child… you shouldn't be so harsh with him." America declared. "It's not good to shout at the boy… no wonder he's crying! … coming in here and reading the riot act to him like a bull in a china shop!"
"DON'T YOU BULL IN A CHINA SHOP ME!" England shouted accusingly. "You have no space to give me a 'bull in a china shop' lecture! That's your everyday existence!... Besides… you have no idea what ghosts are like… you don't know what you're dealing with… just let me do what I always do!"
"But England! It doesn't make sense! You're really good at looking after kids! And I know you can treat them better than you're treating-!"
"He's a ghost of me!" England replied frustratedly. "It makes little difference how I treat him now! It isn't going to affect me in the slightest! He's just some annoying… lingering… ghost…"
America looked at the little boy, who seemed to be trying to pull himself together.
"Look." England said, trying to calm down and looked at his younger self, as if trying to reason with him. "I turned out alright didn't I?" he added the second part of his statement rather defensively, as if he knew the comment would draw criticism.
The little boy paused for a moment, the crying seemed to be replaced with something of an angry look. "Do you really want to know what I think of you?"
America looked at England cautiously. Who looked a little puzzled by his younger self's statement. "Prey tell." He said, trying to cover his hesitation. England had never heard his younger self's opinion, and truth be told, he was rather fearful that it was going to be extremely unflattering and potentially devastating.
The little phantom's expression disturbed America, it implied that he might have been willing to make a cruel remark in order to spite the current England and knock him down a peg or two. "Come on little guy… Maybe you should just have a time out-"
"I think you're a paranoid, cruel, snide and tactless sneak who'll never really make any friends…" the little spirit said abruptly before America could finish.
The boy's cutting honesty surprised both England and America. The little boy continued. "When I saw the reaction of that America and… that other guy… I could tell that… they were reluctant to listen to me… that must have been because they knew you… and obviously don't like you…"
England looked furious at the little boy's comment. "Well bearing in mind you're about 800 years my predecessor, you'll have to forgive me for not taking you seriously."
America could tell, that behind England's mask of indifference, he was cut quite deeply by his younger self's comment.
"You're only saying that because it's true…I wouldn't be here if it didn't bother you-" the little boy started.
"What's that supposed to mean?" America asked bluntly.
"Well… I'm a ghost…" the little boy said simply.
"Yeah… I figured that much." America answered, not understand the phantasm's point. England began to squirm awkwardly when he realized what point the boy was trying to make.
The little boy looked confused. "You mean he hasn't told you? The word 'haunt' is used for a reason when ghosts are involved you know… Despite the way that he acts, he's still really lone-"
"Right you." England started furiously, looking at the young boy. "Enough… America, wait outside please." He said, not even turning to face America.
"What-" America began.
"I think I just told you to get out…" England frowned angrily at the young spectre, who now seemed very worried about something, as he backed into the corner. "And wait until I've finished…"
"You can't tell me what to d-" America started.
England whipped his head around and glared at America. His eyes flashed with anger. "Get out."
America decided that for the sake of his own well being he would listen to him, just as he was about to leave, he heard the little boy whisper. "Don't go-"
America looked at the current England hesitantly as he walked away.
"Please close the door behind you." England stated, as his eyes focused back on the little boy. "Did you enjoy having an audience?"
The smaller England looked at his shoes, his confidence boost seemed to have dissipated into nothingness. "It was nice to have someone to talk to-"
England let out a harsh singly laugh. "Don't give me any of that nonsense." He then began to shout uncontrollably "We know better than that! You and I both know that people are fickle!"
"B-" the little boy wanted to get a word in, but it seemed that the current England had a word or two to say before he'd let the boy speak.
"Do you really want to know what happened in the future? Fine! Seen as you'd ask other people before asking yourself I'll tell you exactly what happens! You get stronger! You conquer and force yourself upon others because you think that's the best way to get what you want-"
"Stop it." The little ghost spoke barely above a whisper. This did not seem to deter England who continued at a pace.
"- if you can't have friends then you might as well have people respect you hmm?… so that's what you did… then… the world started changing… you changed tact… fine, if no one liked you… then maybe you should try and raise someone to like you… but then the ungrateful whelps leave in the end… and then you wind up alone again… but this time, you have to pretend to get on with all the people you a) hate, b) hate you c) loved, but then they left you and finally d) people you have no interest in but you are now obliged to help… because deep down… you're still trying to make some friends..." England's rant didn't end there. "…and I can tell you… it's something that is probably going to elude you for your entire life… "
The little boy's head fell even more.
"You see… every year we come to the conclusion that it would have been better if you never came here at all, as it bothers you much more than it bothers me." England finished.
He then heard his younger self start crying again. England sighed frustratedly. "Do you think I like it?" he went to the young boy and held his arms out, the little version of himself walked towards him slowly and then settled in his arms. "Of course not." He said, now putting his fingers through the young phantom's hair in a soothing fashion. "It's just… something I… have to deal with."
England then spent a few minutes calming the child down, hoping that he'd stop him from crying so much, he didn't mean to make the child cry every year, it just always seemed to happen.
"The others are so lucky… having someone to look after them…" the younger boy said as he began to fade away, feeling soothed by his older self's comforting.
"I know… but you'll pull through… I'm a living testament to that you know." England said.
"But you're horrible." The little boy said simply, the comment wasn't meant to be cutting, more a statement of fact.
England looked embarrassed. "I'm not the tyrant I appear to be you know, I can be nice to people… I mean I gave up a lot to help Canada and America to make sure they wouldn't be alone… And though I say so myself… I think I did a reasonable job." England answered, his voice was uncharacteristically gentle, a tone that he hadn't used in a long time.
"Really? Did you help them because you didn't like being alone…" the little boy asked, feeling more comfortable in England's arms.
"That's exactly why I did it." England replied.
"…did you fight with France?" the little ghost giggled, with a morbid excitement.
"Naturally." England said with a little affection creeping into his voice.
"So they were your friends then… This America and Canada?" The boy said with a hopefully tone in his voice.
"I cared about them very much if that's what you mean…" he answered with a sad smile.
"Well… that makes me feel a little better about my future." The little spectre said with a smile.
England wore a hesitant smile on his face, but he waited until the younger version of himself had disappeared completely before he replied. ""But… they didn't thank me… not once… So I suppose… you'll be back next year…"
"Back… next year?" He heard the little voice utter as it dissipated, as if he had only heard the last three words of his older self.
England left the question unanswered and walked to the door and let it close.
"HAS THE GHOST GONE?" America said, forcing a cheerful demeanour, causing England to jump slightly.
"He'll be back next year." England said quietly, not feeling at ease.
America could sense a melancholy in England's voice and changed his behaviour accordingly. "Are you okay?" he said.
"Why did you have to go in?" England snapped furiously, having a violent mood swing. "When I specifically asked you not to…"
"I… I couldn't help it." America said, sounding fairly contrite. "I was spooked and… I wanted to know what it was… I can't help being curious!" This tone reminded England of his younger self. "How can you do it England? How can you be so harsh to that little you? You were never so harsh to me… or Canada… or any of us…" It was safe to assume that America had not heard any of England's gently reassurance to his younger self. Not that England cared about what America thought about him.
"I'm not the tyrant that I might appear to be." England answered casually as he saw France coming down the corridor in something of a hurry, as soon as he saw the Frenchman walking down in an embarrassing frightened manner, his foul mood grew even fouler. "Well… look who it is…It's a little late for a stroll France-"
"England… you know how sometimes you tell me not to do something… but I do it-"
"France." England wore a disturbing smile that caused America to look increasingly alarmed.
"Well! Look at the time! It's definitely time for me to go to bed!" America did the worst fake yawn that could be imagined and began to walk to his room.
"America." England growled. "Tell your brother and anyone else you might meet on the way to your room to NOT wander this house… if they ask you why… I hope you come up with a very convincing answer that does not involve you telling the truth… if you ever speak of this incident to anyone other than me or Canada, then you will be extremely sorry… do I make myself quite clear?" England finished in a deadly tone.
"Inescapably." America answered as he walked back to his room and out of England's line of vision.
"So… you wandered didn't you?" England said through pursed lips. "And I don't mean with your hands?"
"Well…yes …yes I did…" France stammered.
"For God's sake France! You're such a stupid dick!..."
France waited for England to say something.
"What are you waiting for? Show me where you saw the ghost! I assume that's why you're here?" England spat with disgust.
"Err… well… yes…" France said, with a slight smile and walked in a debonair manner that seemed to successfully cover how petrified he was of the pirate that was in the room he was going back to.
"Well here we are." France said, as if he was showcasing his own house.
"What did you see?" England said, not allowing any pauses in the conversation.
"You as a pirate… I think it's from the 1660's…" France said, trying to not be intimidated by England's aura of rage.
This comment seemed to pierce England's anger. "A-ar-are… you… quite sure France?" the tables had turned and England was the one who was stammering.
"I'm positive… how could I forget your most charming period?" France added dryly. Not really sensing the change in England's behaviour.
England lost his breath. "He-he…why does he keep coming back… I'm not like that anymore…"
France could tell that England was extremely troubled by this apparition… but more than that he was… frightened. "It's just a ghost…" France laughed nervously, "Stop being so serious England! You're supposed to tell me to shut up and call me a stupid dick and go in there and sort it out right? or something like that."
England wasn't really listening to France, he was too caught up in fear to pay attention. "I-… I… I can't do it France."
"Eh?" France said. "What do you mean? You can't do it?... It's what you do every year right?" France's nervous laugh became even more nervous. He could see that England was wearing an extremely fearful expression on his face.
"N-no." England said. "I can't face him."
"What! Of course you can! He's you-"
"HE'S NOT ME!" England blurted out. "I'M NOTHING LIKE HIM!"
"England." France snorted in a half incredulous laugh. "You were him… therefore… you are him."
"YOU'RE WRONG!" England's voice cracked, he sounded like he was having some sort of mental breakdown.
"What's wrong… a little too close to home?"
France waited for one of England's pissed off responses… he would find none…
"Come and talk to me… England…"
England turned slowly to look at the door where the voice was coming from. France saw the young Briton shaking slightly as he heard the voice.
"What are you so frightened of England? Come and see me…Let's talk about old times… let's reminisce about old times…"
"France… Come with me." England stammered.
"Whatttt?" France said incredulously.
"I… want you to come with me."England requested.
"Oh England." France flirted.
"I'm… not kidding." England sounded genuinely terrified. "I need you to stop me…"
"Stop you?" France looked confused by this statement. "Stop you doing what?"
England walked in slowly and the door creaked open. France saw the young pirate's beam grow massively as England walked in.
The young pirate seemed to have recovered from his coughing fit, this was probably temporary, he still had a pale face that implied he was of ill health.
"How are you doing England?" the pirate smirked, he was still sat in that throne like chair, holding a sword to his other self's face. "You… look like you've seen a ghost." He began to laugh manically at his own (rather pathetic) joke.
France tried his best not to laugh. But then realized the magnitude of the situation when he looked at England, who hardly flinched despite having a sword being held to his neck, his eyes bore into his other self.
"Well well, it appears you're in a foul mood? That makes a nice change doesn't it?" the pirate added deprecatingly.
England again, made no comment. He seemed stunned into silence.
"Or maybe… maybe you're beginning to see some sense… and realize… that we are more alike than you care to admit… You see."The pirate turned his gaze to France, who was even more freaked out by this experience than he was the first time he saw the pirate ghost in the room. "He's held hostage by his past selves…"
France looked perturbed by the pirate's very unclear explanation. "I think you should elaborate on that statement a little."
The pirate smirked and continued to explain. "It's hard having such a turbulent back history… and to go through so many personality changes… well… it's hard at the best of times… you know that France… you've not always been so… jovial…" he threw the sword to the floor and crossed his legs and raised his arm to rest his chin on his palm. "In fact I can bet that you meeting your old self would be more than you could deal with."
"I… I don't think I've ever tried to kid myself into thinking I'm a new reformed 'Gentleman'… that's all you…" France retorted.
"Ah! So true..." the pirate revelled in the banter. "Or as you lot say… touché… and that is exactly my point…when England 2010 sees me… he starts to question how much he's changed… deep down…In that heart that he won't show anyone… that what he won't share with others…"
France didn't like this conversation or the way it was going in the slightest. He was tempted to run away and leave England to sort this out himself. He'd probably rather it that way.
"… because he's scared that if people really knew what he was like…they'd all leave him… again…" The pirate looked into the eyes of his current self, who looked thoroughly sick. He then turned his head, very slightly in France's direction "If you want to leave… please do… In fact, I encourage you to… you're just going to be bored for 45 minutes whilst me and him duke it out."
France's face was riddled with guilt as he left England alone, with his other self. Despite his guilt, he quickly turned his mind to other things, he decided that it would probably be best for him to sleep so then he could be reasonably coherent at the meeting tomorrow… that was of course assuming there still would be a meeting tomorrow.
As the door clicked shut the pirate looked at his other self and let out a hallow laugh. "So… what's been happening since we last met?"