Crimson Rivers, Crimson Stains(Chapter Nine)

I ran back to the house, praying that Lithuania was just having issues finding the supplies. The house was as quiet as when I had left it and I sped up the stairs. "Lithuania?" I called. "I'm looking!" he yelled back. "Gott verdammt," I swore under my breath. He came running out of the small upstairs bathroom with a bottle and a roll of gauze. "Good! Now come on!" I said, grabbing his hand and running out.

We got back to the greenhouse and I snatched the supplies from Lithuania. "Don't you dare bolt out on me." He looked at me, startled. I threw a last glance at him and ran in. The pool of crimson had spread and it had reached my white lilies. Regret at that hit me and I shook it off. They were flowers, nothing more. I knelt down at Latvia's side again, blood soaking part of my black pants.

"I need someone to get me something sharp," I said. My voice was steady, masking all the fear that I felt. Lithuania ran over to the small are set aside for tools and grabbed me the pruning shears. "God… I hope I don't cut Latvia," I said as I took them. I slid them under the bottom of his shirt, cutting it quickly. The cloth fell away and began absorbing the blood. "Pick him up." I said, thanking God that he had passed out. Lithuania picked Latvia up and I pulled the cloth away. "Put him back down. On his side please." Lithuania nodded, placing his brother down and holding him how I specified. "I would cover your ears Estonia." He looked at me, shocked, but did what I said.

"I'm sorry Latvia." I said, before I poured a quarter of the bottle on his back. The alcohol washed away the blood, covering his back in a crimson river. As I watched it, Latvia screamed. A long note of pure agony. "I'm sorry Latvia." I said again. "R-Romania! W-what's going o-on?" He choked out. Tears were running down his face, crystal instead of crimson. "Sh… relax Raivis." His blond hair was turning red and, as I cleaned his back, I found a kind of peace. Soon, I could endure the taunt of the safe haven no longer.

It was his hair. His hair was red.

Just like mine was.

On that day.

I fell back into my memories.

World War Two
September 19, 1942 9:27 P.M

"How did it come to this, Ivan?"

The girl's voice shook, her hands mimicking her voice.

"Dreina. Just stop already. You're going to lose."

His voice was perfectly steady, just barely hiding the amusement he felt.

She steadied her hands, raising her gun.

"I'm so sorry."

And it fired.

She fell, clutching the side of her neck.

He held his gun, having fired a moment before her.

Her army started, frightened.

Shockingly, she started to laugh.

"Going to finish it? I didn't think so."

Blood spilled from between her fingers, staining her hair.

"Dumnezeu la naiba," she said, softly cursing.

One of her soldiers raised his weapon and the rest followed suit.

She held her hand up, "No. We've lost already. Our country-" her voice slowed, losing its conviction.

"It's fallen. România has fallen."

"No! It can't happen, Lady Alexandreina!"

Her soldier rushed forward, stopped by a sword at his midsection.

"I said to stop. He's beaten me. Fairly."

She got to her feet, crimson staining her hand and hair ,and turned to face her army.

"Call Antonescu. We'll arrange a formal surrender."

She walked away, the army absorbing her.

Never looking back.

Present Day

November 14, 2000 5:47 P.M

"Romania! Is this-" "Necessary? Yes! Unless you want his back to get infected." I finished Lithuania's sentence, throwing a contemptuous glance at him. "I-I'm so scared…" Latvia's tiny voice floated up. "I know. Just…" I trailed off, wiping the blood off his back. "Gunshot. Who the hell shot you?" He shook his head, "I dunno." I nodded, "Always… ok. I think… I can bandage it. I'd like to disinfect it again, but you should be alright." He nodded and I started to wrap his back up with the gauze.

Half a roll of gauze later, almost an entire bottle of rubbing alcohol, and too much blood to measure, we were finished. I helped Latvia up and we walked back to the house. The last thing I saw in the greenhouse were my lilies. They had been stained crimson. The door closed and we walked back to the house.

(Author's note) Ehe! I'm so mean to Latvia. And Romania now that I think about it. So? Angry mob to demand me to stop? Reviews and stuff please!