Chapter 7: Emergency

Arthur was busy tending to the things that he mindlessly stuffed into the pack yesterday, while they were in a hurry to get away. Organization is always key is what he always told himself. A small coughing noise made him look up and star at the tent. After a few moments of silence, the Brit looked back down at the task at hand and continued working. He shoved his hand to the very bottom of the pack, searching for something important, when another cough came from the tent.

Concern welled up in the Englishman's stomach. Dropping what he was doing, he walked over to the entrance and lifted the flap. What he thought he would find is not what he found. He thought Alfred would be sleeping peacefully, simply coughing because of the pain in his chest, but instead, he saw Alfred drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. The Brit's eyes widened and he immediatly tried to shake the boy awake, but to no avail. Panic slowly envoloped him, causing him to nearly hyperventilate. However, he caught himself, and lifted the boy into his arms. After laying him outside the tent, he pack everything back in the pack and scooped the boy back in his arms, running to try and find a town, any town, that could help him. The Brit wasn't sure what was wrong, but he didn't want to wait and find out when it was too late.

He ran faster than he ever thought possible, his feet sliding on the ground slightly whenever he made a small deviation in order to dodge trees and bushes that were in his way. As he did, he kept praying that Alfred would wake up and talk to him again. Show that he was okay and he would not die, but no matter how hard he prayed, the boy wouldn't wake.

As he side began to ache from running so hard, he didn't even think of slowing. Even as his breath came out short and shallow, the thought did n't not cross his mind. The only thing firmly lodge there was the fact the the boy could possibly be dying and he needed an actual doctor. Finally, after searching for... he wasn't even sure, and nor did he even care... he saw buildings peek through the trees and before he knew it, he was running through the streets, probably looking like a mad man.

"I need a doctor, someone! Please help me!"

The people, walking the streets would ussually have freaked out at the fact that a Brit was running through their streets, but they saw him carrying somethign in his arms and calling for help. They didn't question, but instead, someone lead him to the local doctor. They burst through the door and startled the man inside.

"What iz zis?" Said the man with a French accent.

"My boy needs help! He's been shot. I tried to bandage the wound, but when I went to go check on him, he was sweating heavily and wouldn't respond to me."

The Frenchman nodded and motioned for him to lay the boy on one of the numerous beds lining the walls. Arthur did as instructed and no sooner had he done so had the Frenchman started working on him. Noticing that the Brit was still standing there, the doctor stood and turned to him.

" 'e iz in good 'ands, I can assure you. Why don't you go out and get some fresh air? You look like you could use some."

Arthur did not want to leave Alfred, but he knew that the Frenchman was right. He needed some time alone and some fresh air to clear his head. He stepped outside and inhaled deeply, trying to keep the tears that threatened to show themselves from surfacing. A few villagers took one look at him and immediately ran in the opposite direction. They knew he was British and they didn't want to be around him any longer than needed. The Brit sighed and walked around ignoring the stares.

After a while of walking, he came across an alley way and something caught his eye. A small lump on the ground that rose and fell, as though it were breathing, was just laying there. Arthur slowly approached and called out.

"Hello? Are you hurt?"

The lump made no move or sound. It simply continued to rise and fall. Cautiously, the Brit reached out and uncovered it's face and found it to be a small boy, maybe a little younger than Alfred. He had the same shade of golden blonde hair, except this boy's was longer. He appeared to be sleeping. His eyes were closed and his breaths were deep. Carefully, Arthur shook the boy until his eyes opened.

The boy groaned in response and he turned to look at the person who woke him. When he saw the man, his eyes widened in fear and he scrambled into the far corner of the alley. His breathing quickened and he tried to mentally calm himself.

"Shh, I'm not going to hurt you. I was just trying to wake you. Sleeping in a place like this isn't safe." Arthur tried reasoning with him.

The boy didn't seem comforted by the words, because he just continued to star at him, wide eyed and afraid.

Arthur sighed. "What's you name?"

Thinking for a moment as to whether or not he should answer, he spoke. "M-Matthew."

"Well Matthew, do you have any parents?"

He shook his head violently.

"You're an orphan? Well I have a little boy being cared for by the doctor right now. He lost his parents too. Would you like to meet him?"

Matthew stood there for a moment, then slowly stepped forward and grabbed Arthur's hand. The Brit smiled and lead him back to the small building that the doctor worked in. The walked in silence for a little while until the boy spoke with his small voice.

"What's his name?"

"Hmm? Oh, his name is Alfred. He's just a little older than you, I should say."

"Is he nice?"

"Yes, very much so. I think you two would get along well."

A small smile seemed to stretch across Matthew's face as he hugged a stuffed bear to his chest. Arthur found it odd that he had only just noticed the stuffed toy, but he shrugged and continued. Soon they stood in front of the town doctor's door and they both walked in.

"Oi! What do you s'ink you are doing in 'ere?" The doctor strode quickly towards them. "You are not allowed in 'ere!"

It took Arthur a moment to realize that he was talking about the boy holding his hand.

"Why can't he be in here?" Arthur asked, confused.

" 'e always comes in and sleeps on one of zee beds. Zey are not for 'omeless children. Zey are for patients!" The Frenchman glowered at Matthew, who was currently hiding behind Arthur.

"Now see here..." Arthur began but was cut off a small whimper across the room. "Alfred!"

The Brit knelt beside the bed and took Alfred's hand into his.

" 'e will be fine. The reason for 'is sweating and unresponsiveness iz because 'is wound was becoming infected. I took care of zat. 'e will need to stay 'ere for a few days but after zat 'e can leave."

"Thank you..." Arthur whispered.

"It iz no problem. My name iz Francis." Francis turned around and faced the other boy still standing at the doorway. "And you, why 'ave you not disappeared back into zee streets?"

"Wait!" Arthur stood from the bed side. "He's with me."

Francis eyed him suspisiously then turned back to Matthew and motioned for him to go to the Brit. Not waiting for the doctor to change his mind, he ran past him and threw his arms around the Englishman's waste. Arthur smiled at him and squated so he was eye level with him.

"Welcome to the family."

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Yay! Another addition to the Kirkland family! Anyway the continuation idea was from RubberChi~! Thank you! Anyway, don't forget to review~!