Watching from a window, Russia saw the American standing still outside, shivering. Was he really not going to realize?
After five minutes, he looked around and started walking in the direction Arthur had gone. He did realize it, after all. Alfred was finally learning how to play the game. Ivan smiled. Now was time for fun.
His teeth started chattering as America started walking toward where Russia showed England to go. It most likely wasn't going to work, but if he didn't at least try, he would never forgive himself.
It had only taken Alfred a few minutes before he realized exactly what Ivan had said. He never said that he had to stand still outside for a half-hour, just that he had to stay outside naked for it. It was the perfect chance to go looking for Arthur.
Keeping his head down to look for footprints, America stuck his hands in his armpits. He vaguely remembered Canada telling him to do that if he ever found himself stuck somewhere cold. He then chuckled darkly to himself at just how different the two northern countries were. One was maniacal and devious while the other was polite and compassionate.
Alfred continued walking, valiantly trying to ignore the fact that his skin was starting to go tingly and that his vital regions had started shrivelling up inside him. 'I'm doing it for Arthur and Matthew' he said to himself. If he went back now, who knew what would happen tothem. Russia would probably strap him in a chair and make him watch as he raped and murdered them before his very eyes.
That thought alone kept America walking in a somewhat straight line in the direction of Finland. Suddenly, a gust of wind threatened to push America over, and in the process caused the loose, powdery snow to fall where the footprints once were.
Dejected, America stared longingly in the direction of where England should be – 'is, not should be' he corrected himself- then turned around. It wouldn't do either of them any good if Americawas to die out here. He made his way back to the courtyard where Ivan was watching him, leaning against a pillar. He looked smug as America went up to him, his body all but convulsing from the cold that had seeped into his bones.
"Did you find your friend?" he asked, smiling. He knew the answer when America just shivered and stood there. "Well, you look positively blue. It has been forty-five minutes. You made me wait out here a quarter of an hour. Get inside before I change my mind."
He just continued to shiver as he walked back to the door, the torrent of heat coming from the house almost burning him. Still, he continued going inside lest he be forced to stay outside for any longer.
While Alfred bent over to take off the boots with shaking hands, Russia had gone behind him and took out the butt plug; the water that was left dribbling down his frozen legs. Before he had both boots off and stood up, he felt a heavy, wool blanket being placed on his body and two arms wrap themselves around him.
"I have a fire on the third floor. Go warm yourself." Russia let America go, and he went quickly up the stairs. Ivan followed a little behind. When they got there, Alfred sat far away from the fire, but inched closer the more he got used to it. Russia just stood by the door.
"I have to leave, so you will be here alone. I do not know when I will be back, but do not, under any circumstances, go in the third room to the left in the basement."
America watched tiredly as Russia walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him. The fact that he specifically told him not to go to the room made him start thinking of reasons he could come up with any believable explanation, he felt his eyelids grow heavy and shut them;lying down in front of the fire and letting himself rest. Exploring could wait for the morning.
.oOo.
Jumping faintly when he woke up, Alfred placed his hand on his chest, feeling his racing heart beat. It was normal for him to have nightmares–all of his nights here had been filled with them- but the vividness of it was what had gotten to him. Most were of his country being bombed in the back ground; Ivan smiling without saying anything. This one was... Different. When he had been shocked awake, America forgot what exactly had happened.
Alfred wrapped the thick blanket around himself tighter; he was still naked and the fire had been reduced to a few embers while he slept. Carefully, he stood up and walked out of the room. He went downstairs and made his way to Russia's bedroom in order to get his clothes back.
He could feel his heart start to beat wildly again. If Ivan had lied about leaving and was in his room, going in there would be an extremely bad thing to do. Slowly, he opened the door and poked his head in. No sign of the Russian yet. Feeling a bit more courageous he creeped in only to notice that his clothes were no where to be seen.
Instead, he went out of Ivan's room and quickly making it to his own. There, on the chair beside his bed where all of the clothes he had stripped from. They were all nicely folded with a small piece of paper on top of them with the word 'Alfred' printed nicely on the cover. He opened it curiously, reading the neat writing quickly. 'Alfred, please remember not to go into the room in the third door to the left in the basement. Ivan'
The note made America suddenly remember Russia's demand. If he was so adamant about him not going down there, obviously it was something he was trying to hide from him. Could it be Matthew this time? 'No,' Alfred reminded himself, 'so far he's been true to his word, so he wouldn't dare to do that... Would he?'
The fact that it might have all been a ruse to put him into an even worse situation barely went through Alfred's mind as he quickly dressed, throwing on his bomber jacket, just in case. He shut his door carefully, walking down the hallway determinedly. If it was someone that he cared about –mainly Matthew or Arthur again- he didn't want to waste any more time.
As he descended into the basement, he could feel the air get cooler. The walls were made of stone; something he had failed to notice when he went down there yesterday with Russia. His mind was more preoccupied with what exactly was going swallowed thickly, thinking about the actions of the previous day. When he got out of this hellhole he would have to apologize profusely to Arthur for what Russia had made him do. All he could wish for is that he didn't succumb to hypothermia and made it to Finland in one piece. America remembered Tino being a nice person; he would definitely help him. Not to mention the fact that he also had Berwald and Peter to keep him company. Perhaps the feisty micro-nation could help Arthur loosen up after everything he went through.
"Third door, left." Alfred muttered to himself, walking past the eerie wooden doors. He hadn't seen them at all save for the first one where England was, and it made his stomach twist, wondering if each room was the same. If that was the case, then the person in there, if there even was a person, would probably be tied up as well.
Just as he opened the door, America murmured softly "Please God, not Matthew" before his mouth opened in shock of just who was sitting on the bed against the far wall.
Sitting there, looking slightly subdued was Lithuania. His back was facing the door so he didn't realize it was someone other than Ivan right away. Instead, he braced himself, ready for anything.
"Toris?" he questioned, causing him to turn around with wide eyes. It just didn't make sense. Why had Russia locked him up here? It wasn't as if he had a close bond with him; yes, Lithuania did stay at his house for a bit while his economy was recovering, but it was nothing like what he had with England, Canada or a majority of the western European countries.
Lithuania stood up and walked to him slowly, his face showing just how unbelievable the situation was to him. "So it's true." He said, continuing as Alfred looked at him confused. "Russia did take you here." He was completely naked save for a ratty looking pair of what seemed to have once been white boxers as well as a black collar around his neck.
"Actually... I came here with him... He didn't force me to do anything." Except become his bitchAmerica thought to himself savagely.
Toris looked up at him, compassion showing in his dark blue eyes. "Why? You're country needs you Alfred. Ah, but you better go; Russia could show up any minute. If he sees you here, we'll both be punished."
America looked over Lithuania's body quickly, taking in the bruises, scabs and various other wounds. He had known that for a while, Russia had taken a liking to the three Baltic States: Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and that Toris had always been his favorite, to Poland's great shuddered minutely, thinking that any day now, this could be him;locked in one of these basement rooms without food or water while Ivan decided to go on a trip.
"We'll be fine. Russia told me yesterday," America stopped, the memories flooding back again, "that he was going out for a while and wouldn't be back for at least a day or two."
"I don't know... He comes up with inventive schemes... He could be watching us right now..." Lithuania stopped, looking around the room for a hidden camera. "I think you should go now."
"I can't leave you here! Come out with me, I'll get you some food and water then we can find a way out together!" Suddenly, Alfred's body surged with adrenaline. Finally, he might be able to find a way out!
Lithuania just looked to his feet. "Alfred, there is no way out. I have been here enough times to realize this." Looking back at America, he could see the brokenness Toris carried show through his eyes. "Please America, just go." The use of his nation name made Alfred realize just how severe the situation was to him.
"Before I go, can you at least tell me what has been happening? In the world, that is. I want to know how everyone is handling this. And..." America stopped, unable to say it.
"Your country?" Toris offered his eyes wide with sympathy. "...I guess you deserve to know. Make sure the door doesn't close; it only opens from outside."
Taking off his jacket, America stuffed it in the door frame, using it as a door stop. He didn't care if it got filthy, it was more important at this moment to know exactly what had been happening to the world after he left. He then walked over to the bed where Lithuania was sitting already and sat beside him.
"After you disappeared, the world fell into chaos." He started somberly, looking at the wall in front of them."The smaller countries were hit the hardest, as well as those with multiple colonies. Prices for goods skyrocketed at the loss of the world's superpower." Toris then looked over at Alfred who swallowed in fear. He didn't think that things were going to be so bad.
"Luckily, it hasn't been too long so no one has completely died yet, though a few are getting has been taking full advantage over the situation by annexing the weaker Asian countries that had already been torn apart by war but he has slowly made his way toward Europe."
"What about...?" Alfred asked his voice barely cracking.
Lithuania just nodded, understanding what he meant. "Matthew is doing ok. He is struggling just like everyone else with his economy but also with the excess radiation blown in from your country. Others are being affected but he and Mexico are getting hit the hardest."
"So... That means my country..."
"I'm so sorry Alfred." Toris apologized, looking like he was almost in tears. "About five days after you disappeared, there was a rush to go and claim your land. They tried to set up settlements and grow food but... There was too much radiation for anything to live there. Your country has turned into no man's land."
Alfred sat there silently for a few moments, letting it sink in. Yes, he knew it would have probably happened but having someone tell him that had seen it all was like getting punched in the gut. "Then... Then why am I still alive?"
"Hawaii and Alaska are still fine, and so are all your islands. Their populations are what's keeping you from disappearing."
He looked at the ground, his mind racing. "That makes sense..."
"I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you..." Toris added, looking miserably at America.
Alfred looked up at him, smiling slightly. "It's ok Toris, it wasn't your fault. I needed to know just what the fucked up ass hole had managed to do." He patted Lithuania's naked shoulder lightly, making sure not to hurt him more than he was. "I just hope that we will both get out of here in one piece and be able to save everyone."
Nodding, Toris looked back over at the door. "I do too…"
They both sat there in silence, watching the open door. Alfred could feel Lithuania's heart rate slowly increase from fear the longer they stared at the door. "…Are you sure you don't want out?"
"I'm sure Alfred…But thank you for the consideration." The side of his mouth twitched up in a small smile. "You really are a hero."
"Thanks." America smiled back and stood up, walking over to the door. "Do you want me to check up on you in a few hours? Y'know, maybe get you some water or food or something?"
Toris shook his head, all traces of the small smile gone on his stone face. "Thank you, but I will be fine. Russia always makes sure I have enough so that I won't die. Plus, the more you visit me, the more there is a chance we will both be severely punished. Good luck Alfred. I hope you find a way out."
Giving Lithuania the biggest smile he could muster, America took his jacket from the floor and muttered a quick "Goodbye" to him. He slowly shut the door, disappointed in himself for not releasing Toris, even though he knew it was going to be less life-risking this way.
He then walked back through the hallway and up the stairs to the main level, blinded at the extreme brilliance of the sun's rays being reflected from the snow outside and the clean interior. Before going back to his room, Alfred took a quick detour to the kitchen, finding a few slices of bread without mold and a somewhat bruised apple.
America gnawed on the apple on his way up the grand staircase, thinking over all that Lithuania had told him. He had thought that the economy would deflate quickly when his country all but collapsed, but not at the rate it did. The guilt in his heart had ten-folded when Lithuania had mentioned just how bad the majority of the countries had it, knowing full well that Toris was one of them along with his brothers.
The only good thing that he had gotten from their conversation was the first hand knowledge that Matthew was indeed ok. Yes, he was suffering because of the after-effects of him leaving, but he hadn't been targeted by Russia like England had before their new 'alliance' of sorts.
He made his way back to his room, throwing the apple core in the garbage beside his door. Then, he sat on the chair in front of his widow. It wasn't as large as the one in Ivan's bedroom, but it still offered a wide, majestic view of the snow covered landscape he was trapped in.
Alfred continued looking out the window, watching the languidly falling snowflakes while devouring the slices of bread. Suddenly, the snow in the middle of the courtyard started spreading out, uncovering the short grass underneath. America sat up straighter; looking out the window to see what was going out.
From the air, a helicopter slowly started to descend, touching down lightly. He didn't even have to see the face of the person who emerged to know exactly who the tall, blond haired person was. Ivan was back. Early.