Chapter Four- Dripping…Dripping

He had to stop himself from flat out vomiting. He'd run into America when he skidded to an abrupt halt in front of the kitchen door. England was almost glad he was covering most of the scene in front of him because all he wanted to do was turn away.

"Oh my god…" America seemed to finally have found his voice. He slowly stepped into the room towards the woman who'd been playing the piano just minutes ago with Austria. England followed right behind him.

She had sunk to her knees in front of Lina. Or at least in front of what used to be Lina. Her blood was streaked up the walls near the window which appeared to be shattered. That would explain the loud smashing sound they heard from the study. Blood was everywhere. Pools, of red on the floor and on the walls. Even dripping from the broken glass on the window.

Lina herself was lying just in front of the window. Her throat was slashed open in a wide ark, her purple eyes were glassy and stared at nothing. Her glasses themselves lay beside her head, cracked and broken. She was lying in a sea of blood. He slowly approached her body. He had to be sure.

He knelt down close to her left wrist which had fallen across her body and lay palm up. He gently placed two fingers across the bottom of her hand. He almost drew back immediately because of the temperature. Her hands were so cold! He held his fingers there anyway hoping he'd feel the faintest beat, anything at all to indicate there may still be some life in the kind and warm hearted woman who had first shown him the island.

"Is she…?" He could hear Spain's tentative voice behind him. He and America were standing behind him. There expressions drawn and cold. Even Spain usually so lively wasn't smiling now. Not any more.

He sighed softly. "Yes."

A few startled gasps were heard from the hallway and he could hear at least two of them start to cry. They were wailing about how horrible it was and he couldn't blame them. No one deserved to die, not like this. It almost made him, angry.

He snarled roughly at them. "All of you! Shut up! Everyone back to the Study. Including you Ms…." He trailed of meaningfully and placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. The one who had played piano with Austria, the one so bubbly just a few short minutes ago.

She looked up at him, he could see tears running down her cheeks but she wasn't sobbing. "Call me Kaylee." She stood up keeping her ghostly white hands pressed against her chest, she walked past a few of the stunned countries standing in the doorway and went back to the study.

England watched as the other countries slowly filtered out of the hallway after her. He remained in the room, he was conscious of America standing behind him.

"Horrible isn't it?" America sounded abnormally subdued but England could hardly blame him. It was a horrible and brutal murder.

He turned around to face him when something occurred to him. He ignored America's question and walked over to the shattered window, peaking his upper body carefully over the jagged glass and peering outwards into the still pouring rain. His hair was drenched instantly and he could barely see a few feet in front of his face.

America's voice directly in his ear almost made him startle right into the jagged glass. "If I were the murderer I could kill you Arthur." England glanced at him with an odd expression. If America was joking he certainly didn't look it. His eyes were flat and cold and only a twitch of a smile graced his lips. More than that he called him Arthur, he never did that. Annoying nicknames yes, England yes, but never ever Arthur.

England backed away from the window with what he hopped was a convincing laugh. "Come on America, I know you're not. If you were I'd be dead!"

America stared at him with the same expression for a moment before his usual lopsided grin and bright eyes returned. "Your right England. Same goes for me too huh? If you were the murderer I'd be dead! Guess we better catch up then. Come on." He ended that remark with his signature laugh.

He latched onto England's arm and began to tug him along. Something seemed off. Was that some sort of sick test? He couldn't help but think it to himself. Did America really distrust him so much that he thought he'd killed Lina in cold blood? That thought in itself was so absurd! He didn't think Alfred was capable of thinking so lowly of him despite their rivalry. Yet there was no other explanation. He was trying to get me to kill him. The thought was sour in his mind and he wished he could spit it out of his mouth for good, but it stuck a constant nagging in the back off his head.

It wasn't long before everyone had gathered in the room including Kaylee and Tony, who had shown up later looking white as a ghost. A few countries were casting suspicious glances in each other's directions and England's mood soured even more when more than one county focused their suspicious glances on him. Why the bloody hells do they think I did it? He hadn't been anywhere near the room when the window broke, but chances are that wasn't when Lina had actually been killed. It had probably been smashed to get their attention, and not all the countries were listening to Austria and Kaylee play. At first he thought they were all their but some had wandered off on their own accord, before, during and after supper. Hell, even he had wandered off before supper looking for the bathroom. He doubted he even had an alibi for that either.

Well, shit.

"Everyone listen up. Obviously someone in dis very room is a murderer." Germany's loud commanding voice was the first to officially start the discussion. He'd stood up from the table where he sat with Italy and Russia. All eyes in the study turned to look at him. Some trying to keep their composure from cracking and others looking like they were discussing something as boring as where the nest World Representative Meeting was going to be held. "I don't know die motive but dis person just took a human life. That action is unforgivable, Country Representative or not."

For a moment everyone sat there in silence, thinking. One of them was a murderer they all knew it. It was just such as foreign concept that it was difficult to get their head's wrapped around it. Another representative? Someone they knew for a long time? A murderer? Unthinkable! England even found himself thinking against logic for once, take Spain for example. Could it really be possible that such a kind hearted and upbeat country could kill such a lovely woman for no apparent reason at all?

A soft voice spoke up. "It was them, I bet it was them!" The voice grew in intensity as it spoke. Finland. He was pointing a finger at Tony and Kaylee. England's eyes turned to them. Kaylee looked at the floor her expression drawn and empty. The thought hadn't occurred to them. Maybe they had set up this party so they could kill Lina and take most of the suspicion off of themselves. It was starting to make some sense. Apparently he wasn't the only one who thought so.

"They're trying to blame us!" Romano blurted out carelessly. "Monsters! We should lock them up before they kill any more people! Any one of us could be next!" His last words made England's blood run cold in his veins. Any one of us could be next. The murderer might not stop after just one kill, perhaps he wanted more than that and this was just a forewarning of the horrors that were yet to come.

Tony stood up his face red with anger. "You must be bloody fucking joking?! I've worked with Lina for over five years! I'd never ever kill her like that! That's t-that's horrible!" He choked on his last words before sitting down with his face in his hands his anger gone even faster than it had appeared.

Everyone looked subdued, they were horrible too. Accusing someone they'd just met, accusing each other at all. Then he thought of something.

He chose his words carefully before continuing. "Perhaps…" He began. When he spoke eyes turned to him, some with suspicion. "Perhaps the murderer isn't anyone in this room at all."

Shocked gasps met his statement. Maybe it was just a shot in the dark but if they were going over all possibilities he had to speak his mind. He continued. "I mean it's storming out, it's obvious we aren't going to get back tonight. I looked outside the window when, when we were in the room. You can't see more than a few feet in front of you. Is it possible that someone else was, on the island after us?"

"It could be possible, da." Russia answered his words. England glanced up at him with masked hatred. It wouldn't surprise him at all if Russia turned out to be the murderer. He did however, have to hide it because otherwise that would create more problems, and that he definitely did not need.

"Well we can't just sit here then! There could be a murderer outside!" China looked frightfully around the room. "We should go outside and look-aru!"

"In this weather?"

"We'd get lost!"

"We can't stay here with a murderer!"

The voices rose in volume, arguing and fighting amongst each other. Representatives were in each other's faces spitting venom. Accusations were flung around the room and tempers were starting to flare out of control. Things were said that wouldn't have been said under normal circumstances. England sat there silently his anger rising but before he could speak the ever orderly Germany beat him to it.

"ZHAT IS ENOUGH!" England didn't know if it was his tone or his attitude that made the other countries instantly shut up but he was just thankful they did. "Listen, vhile you vere arguing and accusing each other of being murderers, ze rain outside has slowed down."

England turned to look out the tall window adoring the study. Germany was right; the storm had slowed down quite a bit. It was clear to him that taking a boat back to the island would be impossible. Not that they could even contact a boat to come get them, the island had no cell phone service. It had been a lovely discover to say the least. He'd realized it before supper and had asked Tony about it. He'd just apologized and said they didn't get many guests so cell phone service wasn't really a necessity. In other words they were stuck here until the storm cleared up completely. England has made it very clear that they should never risk anything for him, especially human lives.

"I know you all don't trust me. I don't blame you. I mean Lina i-is," Tony choked on his words and England felt himself wanting to trust this man but the logical side of him not allowing him. "…dead, but we can't sit here arguing all night. The guest rooms are just on the other side of the island. We could all, even me and Kaylee, sleep on this issue and resolve it in the morning. The rooms in the guest rooms have locks, doors and windows so you'll be safe until morning."

Everyone looked around at each other seeking a reaction. Was it a good idea to sleep on it with a possible murderer outside? Then again they didn't have much choice. It was still to rainy to stray from the paths outside. They'd get lost, and drenched in an instant.

He stood up. "Tony's right. Sleep on it. We'll find the murderer in the morning, they won't have gone anywhere, the storm is supposed to go for a good while." He looked at Tony. This was one of his citizens. A British citizen and if Tony was the murderer he'd be sure that justice would be done for Lina. However, as of now there was no proper evidence so England had to right to accuse.

Tony smiled gratefully. "Thank you Arthur."

"Do you have any umbrellas?"

A dull monotone voice responded to his question. Kaylee rose from her seat giving her light smile. It looked forced but he didn't push her. She must be going through a lot. Or she is faking it and is the murderer… "Everyone please follow me. Let's all grab an umbrella and go before it gets to stormy again. It still looks pretty nasty out there. The umbrellas are stored by the front door."

The other Representatives slowly stood up. Some still looked shaken and nervous but a good chunk was looking rather level headed again. Some countries had never stopped being that way; Russia looked unfazed by the death, typical for the huge country. He'd probably seen much worse than this. His son, Mathieu also looked calm despite the murder. England didn't want to believe it was anyone he was related to so he focused his attention on following Kaylee to the foyer, where the reception had been just a few hours earlier. Everything had been so much simpler then. It was just supposed to be a nice formal dinner party. Then one thing led to another and now here they were, a murderer somewhere on this island and Lina dead.

Kaylee stopped by a formal looking chest by the door and pried open the lid with a distinct creak. Inside were rain coats, boots and about ten umbrellas.

"Ze awesome me is not sharing his umbrella!" Prussia launched himself forward and plucked a bright red umbrella from the bin before anyone else could say anything. There were ten umbrellas and seventeen of them.

"Well I'm not wearing a raincoat so I'll take an umbrella too." China muttered under his breath and was the next to step forward. H picked up a dull grey umbrella and went to stand by Prussia who was waiting impatiently by the door, opening and closing his umbrella.

"I vould like an umbrella as vell."

"Me too."

Austria and Hungary stepped forward towards the bin as well. England wondered why they were picking and choosing who got an umbrella and who got a raincoat but it didn't really bother him any. Anything to distract them from a potential murderer on the loose was good news. Just keeping their mind of of the gruesome death of Lina was already starting to lighten to overall mood of the group.

A few choosing later and the entire collection of umbrella's had been picked. Prussia, Austria, Hungary, Romano, Spain, Kaylee, Finland, France, Russia and Tony all stood by the door with their umbrellas ready.

That left only Tony, England, Canada, America, Italy, Germany and Belarus. They were all without umbrellas.

"Dude I need a raincoat. My glasses will get wet and I do not feel like cleaning them." America stooped into the chest without another word and slipped on the army green raincoat, putting on the hood to cover his hair and most of his face. "Mattie, you should grab one too."

Canada paused, biting his lip before he nodded. "Alright." He pulled out a raincoat and slid it on as well. His hair curl stuck out from under his hood. He laughed heartedly. "I look ridiculous."

The air in the room lost some tension at Canada's laugh and a few others even laughed with him. England smiled. Canada had the same thoughts as him. Get their minds of the murderer. He placed a hand on Canada's shoulder. Matthew smiled up at him from under the hood before going to stand by the door.

The others quickly took their raincoats. Everyone except Tony and England had grabbed theirs when they realized they were a coat short. "Oh bloody hell." England muttered looking up at Tony. "Just take it I don't mind being a little wet." But he did mind, he didn't want to get his suit wet one bit, but the gentleman side of him let Tony say 'thank you' and reach into the bin for his coat. I have got to stop trying so hard to look good…

"Alright everyone! Follow Kaylee. She'll take you to the guest rooms. I'll bring up the rear in case anyone loses sight of the person in front of them." There were no objections. Lina pushed open the grand doors with a slight creak and stepped out into the onslaught of rain that was starting to pick up again.

England followed the group. As soon as he stepped outside he wished he would've just taken the rain coat. Tony wouldn't have minded. The rain was cold and his suit was soaked instantly, his messy hair plastered to his forehead. Bloody hell!

The path to the guest rooms didn't take long, it was easy enough to stay on the path, and you just had to stay close to the person in front of you and not stray away. England could see light on the path up ahead. Kaylee had opened the door and the countries were hurrying through it. England ran in and Kaylee and Tony came in behind him, shutting and locking the door.

"Grab a room! Doesn't matter which!" Tony shouted over some of the Representative's conversations. It wasn't long before everyone stood in front of a door, slowly without looking up and as though on cue they all pushed open their doors and stepped inside. England immediately turned around and locked the door behind his. He could hear the distinct clicks of other countries doing the same.

England sighed and turned around. He switched on his room light and watched the room light up with a warm glow. The tile floor was lovely and the beds while simple screamed formal. The window to the right of his bed had the curtains drawn and was already locked. The dressers on either side of the bed held a lamp and a bible respectively. Typical guest room really. Just with a hint of this Mr. Defer's style.

He didn't really realize it but he was leaving quite the puddle on the floor, his suit was soaked and he didn't have anything else to change into. Not that he would've anyway. Wearing someone he didn't knows clothes? Even if they were meant for guests that wasn't his style.

England carefully sat down on the bed mindful of how he was making the sheets wet. He glanced at the clock on the dresser. 10:40pm it was earlier than he thought. It felt like a millennium had passed since he'd first arrived here, on Endry Island. He sighed and flopped onto the bed, unwilling to get under the covers just yet. He was exhausted and drained. A murder, why on Earth would've Lina been murdered? She seemed like a perfectly lovely woman. Then again he'd hardly spoken to her and he didn't really know what she was like. He just assumed she was always that perky. She could've been a moody bitch for all he knew.

He sighed and sunk deeper into the cushions. The whole scenario was just giving him a headache. He wished he'd never even received that invitation from Taha Defer. He'd never really thought why but something about this whole thing just made him feel uneasy. Before the murder he felt the same now his feelings had just increased twice-fold. What was going on?

If this whole thing was planned the most likely suspect would have to be Mr. Defer himself. Or at least one of the people who worked for him. Nothing made sense though, why kill Lina when they were there then? It didn't make sense. This island was definitely off of the beaten path. He could've killed her and no one would've been the wiser.

Yet he chose to wait till the Representatives had come. For what? Was he making a statement against their respective countries or was it something more personal? If it was England hadn't the foggiest idea what was so personal that it needed to be shown by this murder.

He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands. He was so tired, but to sleep in his soggy suit was unappealing at best. He was bloody sick of the whole thing. Not to mention the reprimanding his boss would give him when he realized that a murder had happened on the island he was currently on. Not to mention the fact that the crew back at the docks had probably been worried sick. Not only for him but for their jobs!

He went over to the door of his room to turn off his lights. Everything was quiet in the hallway. No doubt everyone had either gone to sleep or was lying in bed pondering just as he had been moments earlier. He flicked the lights off.

The sudden blackness was overwhelming and he quickly reached the bed, sliding under the covers. He mentally scolded himself for being such a coward. Nothing was going to happen. No more people were going to die. Maybe…maybe this was all just a bad dream and when he opened his eyes again tomorrow morning maybe he'd wake up in his own bed with the Union Jack covers and the comfy well used mattress.

With a contented sigh he drifted off.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"England! Common! Open the door!" England jolted awake with a gasp. He turned his attention towards his room door. Someone was banging on it from the other side. He rubbed the side of his head, pushing his messy blonde hair out of his vision. He glanced at the clock 6:30AM.

The banging persisted, becoming even more forceful, whoever it was clearly wanted in his room. England's mind was foggy from sleep and he yawned not quite awake.

He heard another voice on the other side of the door. "Did he answer you?"

The banging continued after the quiet comment. "England! Arthur! Open your door or I'll knock it down!" The voice paused. "You can't be dead too."

What

England bolted upright. The last comment finally jogged his sleep fogged mine back into action. Memories came back to him from last night as he realized where he was. None of that was a dream. He really was on someone's island and Lina really had died last night.

He ran to the door as fast as he could. His hand turned the lock on the door with a click and he flung it open, forgetting instantly about his dishevelled appearance. On the other side stood Alfred and Matthew. They didn't look any better than he did. Their hair was messy and their expressions haunted and lifeless.

"What the bloody hell happened?" He pushed pas the two and into the hallway where the others had already started to appear looking tired and confused. Then he thought he heard something. Is that crying?

He turned back to look at his sons. Matthew had tears in his eyes and Alfred wouldn't meet his gaze, he just stared listlessly down the hallway towards the door that led outside. Matthew finally answered his question sounding defeated. "England, Arthur." He paused unable to find the word. He licked his dried lips before continuing slowly. "Romano is dead."

"What! That's…that's impossible." A Nation Representative couldn't be dead, that couldn't happen. The country would be in chaos. It would be a mess, but Italy still had one more representative, Feliciano would be baring that burden alone. "Where is Italy?"

"With his b-brother." Matthew choked on his words. "It's the room across the hall from yours, two more down to the left." Matthew slowly shuffled away after that remark. Other countries had emerged and were looking fearful and frightened; Matthew was walking up to them to explain what had happened.

England just turned towards Romano's door. As he neared the crying he heard earlier grew more distinct and he nudged the slightly open door with his heel.

He could see Italy on the floor beside the bed. His head was pressed against the sheets and he was sobbing uncontrollably. Germany and Japan were standing against the far wall looking solemn. It was one thing for someone they didn't know to die, but this…This was far worse. Everyone knew Romano and while not all of them appreciated his sarcastic remarks and rude attitude no one would wish for him to die. Or would they?

England slowly stepped into the room. Germany and Japan looked at him briefly as he entered but they remained silent. England walked quietly to the side of the bed. Romano was lying in bed like he'd been sleeping but his eyes were open, frozen in a mixture of horror and disbelief. There were dark rings around his neck in the shape of hand prints. No doubt, he'd been strangled. He stepped back, taking a deep breath.

He couldn't be dead. A representative hadn't died in years. Chaos. That's what this would have been. If, Italy only had one representative. Fortunately it had two. He wasn't one for comforting people; he'd leave that to Germany and Japan. He just wanted to ensure that Italy could handle the pressure of being an entire nation representative. He wasn't used to it; England didn't want him to crumble under the pressure.

He gave Italy a small pat on the shoulder. "Italy? Feliciano? Are you alright?"

The usually so bright eyed and annoying nation looked up at him slowly. He looked worn and defeated but he gave England a small smile nonetheless, choking back tears he rubbed his eyes desperately trying to stop the water works. His reply was so quiet England hardly heard it. "I used to be a strong country…I used to be brave. I don't know what happened…"

England listened in silence unsure of what Italy was trying to say. "But Romano always wanted to make us stronger…I never, I-I." Italy stopped trying to keep his voice in control. "I always said we should be peaceful, or at least not hurtful. I brushed him aside, and now he's gone."

England frowned softly. "Italy, you are a strong country." He didn't know what else to say, he yelled at people and ordered them around he wasn't a counsellor!

But it seemed to be working. "You think so England? Then, we have to find out who did this to him." England was surprised by the force in Italy's gaze when he looked back up at him. He still had tears in his eyes but there was something else there. Something new, something determined, almost forceful.

And as the tears dripped from Italy's eyes onto the floor he growled. "Let's catch ourselves a killer."

Alright, got chapter four up! A double murder to start of with! Writing England trying to be comforting was fun, because we all know he really would hate it, but he is actually kind of good at it. So Romano and Lina are dead! Bet you've never seen Feliciano so determined! Don't mess with the Vargas brothers.

Also a special thanks to those of who who left my first 3 reviews! I wish I could thank you directly but it was all Guests so I don't know who you are. Either way thank you so so much!