A Hex Chapter 10

It was rather quick, but who knew their lives would be changed so much that night?

Canada grabbed his whip from the back of his white utility belt. Hands still quivering, he looked his brother in the eye. He was trying to say "I'm so sorry", but wasn't sure if his brother got the message. Master hadn't allowed him to say anything to America or speak at all.

"Y-You're going to use that….. to cut me down from here, r-r-right?" Even America didn't believe his guess deep down, as he seemed to be smiling in a rather unstable fashion. Denial won't help you.

He was proved wrong by the whip making quick contact with his useless right arm. America flinched and a tear fell from his closed eyes.

"I did it. I hurt him. I hurt my own brother. " Canada thought. His thoughts filled were numb whisperings. He couldn't help but remember the War of 1812, a horrible time in their relationship.

It had been after the American Revolution. For one reason or another, they were fighting. England and he had snuck into America's homeland. England had given him the honor of burning it. And by it, he meant the White House, America's capital building. As he lit one of the matches, he thought of how proud Big Brother England must be of him. America had been quick to arrive to the site of the crime. When he arrived, England and Canada stood there in pride.

"Hello, Independent Nation." England said, mocking him. "Your brother and I have decided to punish you for your wrongdoings."

Canada shivered in excitement, Big Brother England was so proud of him! As he thought this, America stood, frozen and silent, staring in disbelief. The flames behind him grew larger and larger.

"In fact, Canada here was the one who started it!" England smirked. That caused America to break his vow of silence.

"Why, brother?" Realization struck Canada like lightning. He had been so proud of himself….for doing THIS?!

He thought once more, knowing America couldn't hear his thoughts: "I'm so sorry."

"Bro…I think you missed by just a bit. Try a little further over and you'll be able to ge-" America broke off, eyes still closed in fear. If he opened his eyes, this might be real. If he closed his eyes, it's all a dream. A phantasmagoric horror. All a fake. Right?

Canada clenched his teeth, and grabbed a hammer from the belt. It was white, like everything else in this wretched place.

I'm so sorry.

With the hammer in his hand, he looked at his brother. He raised the hammer, ready to strike. The hammer came down upon America's left shin. The crunch of the bone was sickening. Canada absolutely would have been sick if he had anything to vomit up. Yet, America didn't even whimper. However, his face contorted in pain as his leg pounded furiously.

I'm so, so, so sorry.

He pulled a knife from the pack. Gripping the handle, his fingers turn white from lack of oxygen. This was by far the worst part.

He slashed. Again and again and again and again and again, as instructed.

I'm so, so, sorry. Please forgive me.

With each cut, America recoiled, gritting his teeth, eyes still closed. America's expression was full of anguish and pain. He was unable to keep his eyes closed any longer and they flew open.

At first, things were blurry, and he looked down at the source of the pain.

A large, bruising maple leaf was carved on America's chest. America's pale skin and the blood formed the Canadian national colors, red and white.

I'm so sorry.

"Why, Canada?" He looked to his brother, who was standing stiffly staring and glaring at the floor. The floor was now stained with dark red splatters. And with that question, America fell unconscious.

As Canada realized the question, the full weight of what he just did hit him. America would always have this horrible reminder of a scar to remind him of his terrible, treacherous, blood-thirsty, awful, rat-bastard, undeserving brother. If he survived

"WHY?!" Canada collapsed to the floor in hysterics.

"DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!"

"i'M sO soRRy!" He beat his hands against the not-so-white floor.

"I'M SUCH AN AWFUL PERSON. I'M SORRY, AMERICA! I-I didn't want h-him to kill you and NOW I'M HURTING YOU! I'M SO SORRY!"

He hadn't realized the fracture in his arm, and continued to bludgeon the floor.

"DAMN IT! I'M SO SORRY!"

"DON'T EVEN FORGIVE ME, I DON'T DESERVE IT!"

There was no response from America, who breathing only shallow breaths.

"That's enough, Canada. We don't want an unruly specimen like yourself hurting little America anymore, do we?" Master laughed in that annoying tone of voice he always used to mock.

Master's voice directed him from the room, where he left everything, including America himself. He dragged himself from the room, heart soaking wet in guilt.

As expected, Italy hadn't slept. But as a positive, things were getting better. Italy promised that was going to try to sleep next time he felt tired, as long as Germany stayed right by him. How brave, Germany thought. He was glad Italy was getting better about things. Maybe that emotional release was making things better.

It still bothered him, however. What had made Italy like that in the first place? He wished someone besides Italy was here to help and think. As he realized what that meant, that someone else would be here, he cursed himself. He didn't want anyone else to be hurt like Italy.

At that moment, everyone in captivity heard the voice of Xeh.

"Hello, children. I'm speaking to all of 9 you right now, by the way."

Switzerland froze. There were nine of us?! He exchanged looks of fear with Lily and England. England looked terrified.

"Ten of you entered my lovely home 9 months ago."

Germany's eyes widened. Does that mean someone….escaped?!

"One of you has died."

Lily gaped in horror. Master hadn't told her someone had died! Switzerland scrambled to his feet in panic and ran over to her, checking her pulse and making sure she was alive. When he realized she was fine, he looked over to the only other person in their room, England. England hadn't moved a bit, and was stuck in his own thoughts.

"Do you want to know who it is?"

Germany tried to calm Italy down. It seemed Italy was having a panic attack, including massive air intake. Hoarse breathing couldn't be stopped, however Germany tried.

"I'll give you a hint."

Russia had never seen a country die. Roman Empire disappeared, but he never died. The prospect of one of his dear friends dying sent a shiver though his spine.

"The people who entered my room are"

"Estonia"

Absolute silence in every room. Russia quivered. Estonia mustn't be dead.

"England" Canada was too numb from the earlier events to react to his friend's presence.

"America" England's harsh breath turned into him crying, cursing god for everything, and realizing America was probably dead, judging from the torture vision from a few months ago. America….his friend…was dead? Was he?

Switzerland let Liechtenstein try to comfort England. When she reached out to comfort him with a delicate hand, he swatted it away. America couldn't be dead. He couldn't. One of the strongest countries in the world couldn't be POOF, dead, just like that, could he?

Because he was a country, he didn't need food or water to survive, but he could die from physical trauma.

At the mention of America, Italy flinched, as if the name America brought back repressed memories.

"Canada" England looked up at the ceiling. Master couldn't just take these important people away from him. This wasn't happening.

"Switzerland" As Liechtenstein heard her brother's name, she remembered her vow to Master.

"Liechtenstein" Germany shivered. What monster would take such a sweet girl? Italy seemed particularly irked about this name as well.

"Russia" Estonia sat in shock. Russia was strong. There was no way he was dead.

"Germany" Lily couldn't imagine big, strong Germany being held as a captive, but she knew Master wasn't lying.

"Italy" As he heard his own name, Italy twitched. Germany held him closer to his chest. The very voice of his captor seemed to frighten Italy. As it should.

"And Prussia." Prussia?! Germany took a short moment to consider his captor's words, before putting his hands on his face, heart racing. He felt weak-headed. Sadness, fury, and just completely dizzy.

"You cannot be dead, Prussia."

"Have a nice afternoon, my children."

Someone was smirking behind that microphone that projected into the minds of others.

This one got posted fast, huh? I wanted to make up for all the slow updates, so I posted another. Poor everyone! ;.; Just...all my sads, man.

No longer posting chapters to my deviantart, btw. They just don't get any response over there, and I really like at least something as a response to my chapters, be it following, comments, favorites or whatever. All chapters will posted here, so don't worry. Thanks so much for reading!

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