CHAPTER 10

Step 10: Scrutinize

Learning is a vital skill

And looking in the eyes that kill.

Read into every wink you catch.

And deeper all the stares you match.

And every single piece of work

Especially the subtle smirk.

It was late at night, after the day's events. All were already in their rooms, sleeping or trying to, and the mansion was dark. A quiet black haired nation wandered through the halls, stopping in front of another door. This one was just like the rest. But he opened it to reveal bookshelves and small, cushioned chairs. The library was a nice place. It wasn't very large, perhaps a bit larger than a normal room, with shelves lining the walls and sitting in the middle of the room. The man figured that most of the books were useless knowledge, or fiction or whatever. There was quite the variety of literature.

One bare hand ran over a particular set of books. The hand's owner smiled at the selection. He did enjoy this particular American author. A creative man with a knack for rhymes.

This certain nation was looking for something.

But he didn't even know where to look.

…

Finland could really use some vodka right now. Actually, any alcoholic beverage would do the trick. But he preferred vodka. It was way too early for this.

Sighing, he attempted to separate Sweden and Denmark. Norway and Iceland pulled on Denmark while he yanked on Sweden's arm. Finland endured the episode with a small frown. He'd grown accustomed to Denmark's and Sweden's arguments a while ago.

"Come on, now, you beat him." Finland said to Sweden while Denmark protested loudly at his statement. In response to the loud protests, the Swede tried to punch him.

Finland's annoyed look mirrored Norway. "You two are such idiots." Norway sighed exasperatedly.

Denmark whined loudly. "He started it!"

"You're an idiot."

Sweden was certainly a man of silence, but Denmark always had a way of pissing him off. The pair shot insults at each other, the Dane in his boisterous voice, and the Swede through his grumbled English, as they were yanked away from each other. Finland gently reprimanded the tallest Nordic, and Norway not-so-gently scolded the other. It was a repetitive situation. It was all routine to the Finn, as he waved his finger back and forth.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to lose your temper?" Finland chided.

"You're like a child. You're quite annoying." Norway admonished.

Iceland was finding the situation awkward for him. While his brother was busy, he slipped away. He really didn't need his brother attempting to get him to call him "brother." And if there was anything Denmark was good for, it was getting beat up by Norway. Which was a good distraction. It provided an opportunity for him to get away.

Iceland was a solitary nation. It wasn't just his geography, he just wasn't sociable. The few times he tried had always ended up weird.

Perhaps he'd go find that Asian country who seemed to like talking as little as he did.

…

"I was, like, playing Go Fish with Hungary, and she, like, totally cheated!"

Lithuania sighed.

"I mean, I was totally going to win, and then she just, like, had all these cards and stuff and she totally cheated. I know it. That little bitch totally cheated. Just kidding, just kidding, I love her."

Poland ranted.

Lithuania found it hard to understand how Hungary and Poland got along so well. They were on complete opposite ends of the spectrum, and yet, they were great friends. They chatted about everything, and Lithuania figured if there was anyone else who could stand Poland besides him, it was Hungary. It wasn't that Poland was bad, just kind of loud, despite being shy around strangers. He was an odd person, but he always defended Lithuania. Well, almost always.

Poland was still ranting. Lithuania smiled fondly.

"And then Prussia pissed her off again, and she totally beat him up! Oh god, Liet, you really should have been there!" Poland laughed loudly, recalling the earlier events of the morning.

The pair was standing in the main hall, doing nothing but talk—well, Poland was talking, and Lithuania was listening. He was a great listener, and he supposed it was a reason that they were such good friends. Poland seemed to well represent the phrase "opposites attract," seeing as how his best friends were Lithuania and Hungary.

And then something incredible happened.

Poland stopped ranting.

Lithuania, who had been staring at the mass of people in the room, turned to look at him with concern.

The blonde was staring at the entrance to the hall, where a short girl was standing alone.

"Say, Liet, that's, like, that girl who's always with Switzerland, right?"

Lithuania turned to look where Poland was indicating. He frowned. Liechtenstein was standing in the absence of her brother. She was just standing there, bashful and sad. His blonde companion was staring at her with an odd intensity.

Liechtenstein must have felt it, because she slid her own green eyes to make contact with Poland's. And neither moved.

Lithuania knew something was wrong. He walked away from Poland, towards the girl. But her eyes were still locked on Poland's. As the brunette approached her, she looked at him. She stepped backwards a bit, her eyes wary and cautious. Lithuania saw the tear tracks on her face, and her puffy eyes.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

She stopped moving back, but didn't answer his question. Lithuania felt dread pool in the bottom of his stomach. He already knew the answer.

…

One raven ponytail swished back and forth as China walked. Beside him was a tall character in a long scarf. The pair moved slowly through the deserted halls, speaking in hushed tones.

"Do you really think we are going to find him, China?" Russia asked as China opened another door.

"It's worth a try. I need to find him," The shorter nation walked through the threshold into the library. Without turning, he spoke to the Russian. "Thank you for helping me."

The blonde didn't respond; he didn't really need to, and China knew it. "What if it's better that we don't find him?"

"It could be planned, he could be dead, but I have to try, Russia. Don't you know how I feel? You have siblings." China walked along the edge of the room, running a hand over the spines of books. Many different languages moved under his fingers, the library being quite diverse.

"Actually I was just thinking it might be better if he was dead. One more person you know isn't the killer." Russia smiled, and China bristled. "Weren't you always resentful towards him, anyway?"

The Chinese nation faltered and stopped, his hand falling towards his side. He clenched his fist, and it trembled, but he kept his voice steady. "We have a bad history, but he is my brother. I will not turn my back on someone special to me." China turned around and caught the eyes of the Russian. He tilted his head up to stare into the violet orbs of his former ally. "I do not trust you, Russia. Not for a minute. And I don't believe anyone else here does either. I will defend someone who is special to me. You, however, are not. But you may serve as a temporary ally for as long as we are in here."

Russia smiled crookedly. "It is smart not to trust me, little neighbor. Maybe we just might find your little brother."

They continued to through the library, taking their time. The room was completely empty, and the silence was strong and tense. China walked along the walls, he already knew that Japan wouldn't be found in here, but he wasn't quite ready to leave. Russia perused the opposite side of the room, glancing at a few Russian titles.

"I don't believe you are the killer Russia. I believe that one of us is one, but it is not you."

Russia walked from his side over to China's. The short raven-haired country was resting in a wooden chair, and Russia took the seat beside it. The smaller nation continued.

"Romano. He is up to something. He is hiding something." Golden eyes stared up at the ceiling. Cold, purple ones stared intently at China and neither moved. "Yesterday—last night—I saw him. I don't think his intentions are particularly wrong, but someone else in my position may not think so. He was in possession of an odd item. A key. A key that he had not told us about. In fact, I don't think he's told anyone about it. He didn't see me, but I saw him. I think that, like the others, he is looking for a way out. But I could be wrong. I am often told I am too trustworthy for my own good. But not anymore."

China paused, and Russia interjected. "Why tell me this? Are you worried that something is going to happen? Perhaps you need help. I will always be ready to help you. And you will eventually become one with me." His mouth formed another grin.

The golden eyes moved from the ceiling and bore into the Russian's. "Should I not survive longer than you, someone must know this information. Don't you think that you owe me?" China's voice was low, but they were close, and Russia could hear just fine. "There are some things I cannot tell my family. But they never believed me or believed in me. I want you to look for Japan for me. I am old, and I have a good intuition. I don't think that I am going to survive."

Russia said nothing, but there was hopelessness in China's eyes that made him nod. He pretended not to see the tears that China didn't bother to hide.

Japan was not important to him.

Neither was Romano.

…

She led them through the halls wordlessly. No speech was exchanged, only furtive glances. Liechtenstein was a few paces ahead of them, as if she were still afraid of them. Lithuania was certain he had seen fear in her eyes when he tried to console her. She hadn't spoken a single word to them, but she at least brought them to her room. It was odd to see Poland go quiet for so long. Poland had long since been close to Lithuania, and there was hardly a moment of silence between them.

She stopped in front of a door. She pulled it open, and Lithuania got a look at the red, encircled nine that was drawn on the wood. He did his best to ignore it. Liechtenstein walked in, and towards her brother's bed. Lithuania followed her and Poland behind him. The sheets were awfully red. Liechtenstein looked down directly at what was her brother, Poland looked away, and Lithuania stared. There was a gaping wound in Switzerland's stomach that poured blood around him.

Lithuania realized that Liechtenstein was crying. She was shaking visibly, and Lithuania put a hand on her shoulder. She flinched, but other than that she didn't react.

"I'm going to go tell everyone else. Stay here, alright?" He whispered low and quiet, and he saw the slightest incline of her head.

He walked over to the exit, passing Poland. He told Poland to stay, and for once, the blonde didn't argue.

It didn't take long for him to get to the main hall, and he passed some others in the hallways. He remained composed as he delivered the news, and he registered the shock on many faces as he told them.

"Oh god, his sister…" Hungary darted out of the room.

Though everyone else wasn't so quick to follow, Lithuania began to return to the room.

…

"So no news from him then?" Turkey sat in Greece's room, on Japan's bed.

Greece shook his head. Japan had not contacted him since he went missing.

"And why did he want to do this again? Didn't he consider that it was dangerous for him?"

Greece eyed the Turk lazily. The man was clearly frustrated. His hands clenched in his lap, and he glared at the Grecian. Greece's own hands twitched silently. He was used to having a cat to pet, or something.

"Bastard. Gonna get himself killed. How the hell could you let him do this?" Turkey looked accusingly at Greece, who sighed.

"He thought he might be able to find the killer if he went missing. I just know that he did on purpose. I don't know where he is right now." The lazy brunette lied back against the headboard of his bed. He closed his eyes.

"I just hope he knows what he's doing." Turkey stopped glaring for a few moments and cast his gaze to the floor.

"I think for once I agree with you, Turkey."

Turkey laughed loudly. "Hell no."

…

"Shit…"

Finland didn't react when Romano cursed right next to him. He stared at the bloody mass of what used to be Switzerland. A limp, pale corpse lied on the bed. He anxiously shifted his glance at Liechtenstein. She looked sad but it wasn't his place to console her. Her head was tilted and she stared intensely at the ground. Her fists tightened at her side, and she stepped back. She lifted her glare from the floor and eyed everyone else in the room. Then, with a frustrated look, she tore out of the room.

Finland understood that she needed someone who her brother had a close relationship with. But Switzerland was too introverted, only ever being close to Liechtenstein or Austria.

Hungary was fast after the blonde girl, though, and the awkward tension eased a little.

Finland closed his eyes. He let out a silent breath and tilted his head back to face the ceiling. He just needed a break. Finland felt cold, blue eyes boring into him and he opened his own eyes to look at Sweden. The tall nation's stare was as icy and scary as always, but Finland could see that it held a little concern and question. He smiled. "I'm fine, Sweden."

Sweden seemed convinced enough by his assurance.

Finland decided to exit the room then. He felt kind of bad for leaving first, but he had no affiliation with Switzerland, and no reason to stay. With his hands jammed into his pockets, he walked out the door. He was surprised when Sweden didn't immediately follow him. Finland frowned as he walked through the hallways. Every now and then, he'd try and open a door, not caring if it was someone's room. Most were just rooms anyway. Bored, he put his hand on the next knob, but stopped. As quietly as he could, he leaned into the door to catch the voices that were coming from the inside. Actually—he only heard one voice.

…

Two pairs of green eyes clashed. Liechtenstein quietly admired the older female's eyes, ignoring the fact that they were somewhat similar to Poland's. That guy just confused her in every single way.

"You can talk to me, Liechtenstein." Hungary spoke kindly.

But the girl didn't speak. Liechtenstein opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Hungary seemed to understand this and nodded. "Oh it's alright," She pulled something from her pocket. "Here, use this." She shoved the pen and notepad into the blonde's hands.

Liechtenstein looked up in confusion. She pointed at the notepad, on the top page where it said "Hungary sucks—"

Said brunette blushed, and ripped the page off. "Sorry, I swiped the page and pen from Romania. He was being a douche again."

Liechtenstein simply nodded her head before taking the pen and pad again. She scrawled in small neat letters.

I'm scared.

"Why?"

Last night, I had some trouble falling asleep. And I saw someone.

"What? Who did you see? Wait—you mean when Switzerland—?"

Liechtenstein nodded before writing again.

I didn't get a clear view, I just saw a silhouette. All I could make out was a body and short hair. I nearly died of fright.

"Jesus, Liechtenstein, don't worry, we'll figure this out." Hungary got a panicked look as Liechtenstein started crying. "Don't cry, come on, I'm right here, you're fine."

I should've done something.

Hungary didn't see this note, but she comforted the small girl anyway. "Don't worry," Her arms encircled Liechtenstein's thin torso. She brought the blonde's face into her shoulder and murmured through her hair. "There's nothing you could've done. You could've gotten killed." She hugged Liechtenstein tighter when the girl began to tremble violently. "Shhh…"

They stayed like that for a while, oblivious to the person standing on the other side of the door.

…

Belarus glared viciously at the corpse. Something about it was off. She was shocked to find that she was the last one in the room. But she still glared. Lifeless green eyes reflected her glare. Her hand twitched as it rested on her thigh, just over her knife. She was always the best at hiding knives.

She hissed under her breath. "Why? Why couldn't my brother treat me like how you treat your sister?"

Her platinum hair moved through the air gracefully as she turned to leave. Briskly, her feet moved towards the door.

"Are you alright, sister?" Ukraine didn't flinch when Belarus glared. "You were in there a while, and I just wanted to make sure…"

"I'm fine, Ukraine." Her voice was cold and stoic as ever, but she'd stopped glaring. "I'm going to go find brother, now. Don't follow me."

Belarus turned on her heel and sauntered away, ignoring the hurt look on her sister's face.

…

"We're changing some of our rooms—just so no one's alone tonight."

"Jeez, it sounds so dirty when you say it like that, West—OW!"

Germany silently thanked Hungary, who was smirking at Prussia, who was clutching his head in pain.

"Anyway, Liechtenstein, you're just going to have to change rooms. You can choose wherever you want to go, because we're still missing Japan, which opens Greece's room."

Liechtenstein nodded in response, still clutching Hungary's arm. It was just the four of them walking through the halls. Prussia and Germany broke off on one hallway to go to their own rooms while Hungary walked with Liechtenstein.

They arrived in front of a room—Liechtenstein had already decided to take Cuba, the other two choices being Romania and Greece.

"Will you be alright for the night? You are always free to come to my room. Taiwan won't mind." Hungary smiled at the girl, and Liechtenstein nodded her confirmation.

"Well alright then. I'll see you tomorrow."

The blonde then walked into the room, and Hungary made her way back to her own room. It wasn't that far and she got there quickly. Taiwan was already there, lying in her bed.

"Is she alright?" The Asian asked.

"She'll be fine. She's just been traumatized. I guess that's what happens when you're that close to someone. They had a tight bond." Hungary sat down on the mattress of her bed.

"You're a good person, Hungary," Taiwan said. "And a good friend."

"Well so are you."

Taiwan grinned. "Thanks. Us girls have to stick together, right?"

"Of course."

…

Another quiet night, it was. One man with short hair walked through the halls again. Again, he stopped in front of the library door. And he pulled it open. And that night, he would be unsuccessful in finding what he was looking for. But he looked anyway.

A/N: Just pretend I put it on hiatus for a bit. It's late, but I was bombarded with dumb work from dumb teachers.

Sorry. But not really. I'll try harder. Really.