Quel: Another installation is here! And I need to go make dinner, so I hope you enjoy.
The two watched the retreating form of the large man before looking at each other and releasing a deep breath. The looked down at the red stain that had trickled from the body of the man Russia had shot. It had been a warning of what was possible of this madman. But they were relieved that there was at least feint kindness as their chains were removed and they were given food. Well, it looked sort of like food. But Russia had always had an interesting taste. With their stomachs somewhat filled, they surveyed beyond the bars of the prison. Other cells lined across from them and beside them, covering the wall. It didn't seem that there were any others being kept there. The air was still and thick with fear. The four guards, two at both ends of the hall, stood rigidly, probably terrified to even breathe should it bring upon Russia's wrath.
"England..?" a weary voice whispered from across the room. England jumped to the bars, trying to locate the body of the voice. He'd recognized it. He knew the person. How long had he been gone? There, only a cell down to the left of the one across from them, a thin shadow looked back at them. England went pale as he looked at the young boy. He was thin, improperly nourished. The fire that had always been in his eyes was slightly dull now, save for the faint flicker England noticed as the boy looked back.
"Hong Kong!" England called, blood rushing back into his face. He was relieved to see the young boy, although appalled by his poor health. "I was so worried. How long have you been here? Are the others with you? What's happened?" England's questions poured out, giving the small boy little time to respond. England silenced himself as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw France with a steely gaze upon the other shadow shifting behind Hong Kong.
"What's wrong?" France asked as England looked back to the boy. A frail looking girl appeared, looking at them with an unreadable expression.
"We've been in here for about a week," she responded, a ghostly whisper of a voice.
"They haven't fed us or given us water since we arrived," Hong Kong added, his voice hoarse.
"How did this happen? When were you caught?" England pried.
"We were never caught," Taiwan answered. "We came of our own free will."
"You offered yourselves up as prisoners?" France asked, aghast.
"Not prisoners," Taiwan retorted. "We were offered safety by Russia and were considered Zhōngguó's guests,"
"Hyung, he-he's gone mad," came a strained voice. France and England both stared as the shell of the nation they had once called Korea. He looked terrible, dirty bandages wrapped around his abdomen and his head. "Something's wrong with him, Yeong-gug. He's nothing but hatred now," England felt Korea's lifeless eyes boring into him.
"He's not just hatred, Hánguó," Taiwan growled.
"That doesn't matter right now," France snapped, causing the three Asian nations to look at him. "How did you end up here?" he demanded, looking at the three weakened faces for answers.
Korea stepped forward, his pale, thinned figure coming alight. The prison was cold, yet Korea wore only the bandages on his chest and his usual pants, although their normal whiteness had become a grey that made France grimace. "It was my fault," he replied weakly, defeated. "I knew that there was an attempt to rescue Migug and that Jung-gug fought Ilbon. He didn't like that I mentioned it," Korea added, looking down, hiding the disgust he felt for himself. He flinched when he felt the cold hand of Hong Kong on his bare arms.
"It wasn't your fault, Korea," he said, looking up at the languid face. "It's happened for a while now, China losing his composure," Hong Kong said, looking back to the older countries. "He's changed. All he thinks about is getting rid of Japan,"
"That's a lie," Taiwan roared, rounding on Hong Kong. But Hong Kong only glared back.
"You know it's not, Taiwan. When did you start caring for him? You always acted like you didn't care about him. When did that change?" he snarled, the fire rekindling in his soul. Taiwan dared not respond, her eyes losing all fight.
"I… I just can't believe it. Why does he want to hurt him so much? What did Rìběn ever do wrong?" she said faintly, Korea and Hong Kong looking at her softly. England remembered conversing with Japan about Taiwan. He had said that she enjoyed being with him than with China. While Hong Kong never had made a preference, Japan had said China was beginning to feel that the boy was slowly looking up to Japan instead. Only Korea seemed to have his thoughts on China, but China always ignored and was annoyed by the nation.
"Russia put us in here after China's last offense," Hong Kong said, gesturing toward Korea.
England and France shared a worried glance before looking back at the three weakened nations.
England had spoken to Hong Kong for some time after that while France leaned against the wall next to him. He had dozed off by now, his breathing slow and warm against England. Food and water had been delivered to them, but they refused to touch it after seeing what condition their neighbors were in. Russia was due to talk to them soon, or so he had stated. They wouldn't be surprised if he decided not to. The two nations didn't exactly enjoy being in the company of the insane man.
But as England was about ready to fall asleep—Hong Kong had already drifted off during their talk—England heard steps echoing through the hall.
"Ah, Angliya, it seems you're the only awake," said Russia as he appeared before England. "Oh, it seems you haven't touched your food. I thought it was courteous to eat another's food when you're a guest."
"Guest?" England dared to scoff, catching Russia's attention. "We're not your guests, Russia, and we're not your friends, so don't go getting the wrong idea,"
"Brave words," Russia said curtly, glowering down at England. Arthur knew he had spoken dangerously to Russia, but couldn't stand the treatment of the nations across from them. "I see," Russia added, England replacing his fierce gaze for a second with surprise before the anger returned. "It's not their fault that they're in here," he said, gesturing to the cell in which the Asian nations were sleeping. England could just make out the faint outline of Hong Kong resting against the wall uncomfortably. "I gave Kitaĭ the chance to keep them safe, but he decided not to listen. And this is the result. He treats them like prisoners, they will be prisoners."
"And what gives you the right to decide who is and isn't a prisoner?" England snapped back.
"I did not decide," Russia snarled, "he did. And you two are my guests because I do not wish to be your enemy."
"Fat chance," England scoffed. Russia gazed down at England, disdain burning in his eyes. "You only want our land. You want no one to challenge you. That's why you tried taking out America. You thought the rest of us would fall with him. But you're wrong! And now he's free. You're finished, Russia, you know that? You've got no chance of winning." England glared defiantly up at the larger nation.
Russia tsked England, shaking his head slowly back and forth. He brandished the gun again. England held back a gasp, covering it with hatred and malice as he looked at the nation. He held up to Arthur's forehead and cocked it. "One—you're welcome to take back your words." England didn't move, staring down the barrel of the gun. "Two—it doesn't have to be this way." England pressed his head against the gun. "Fine then," Russia sighed. "Three—Oh, send my regards to Finlyandia," Russia added as he pulled the trigger.
Translations and Pronunciations
Zhōngguó: China in Chinese
Hyung:Older Brother in Korean
Yeong-gug:England in Korean
Hánguó: Korea in Chinese
Ilbon: Japan in Korean
Migug: America in Korean
Jung-gug: China in Korean
Rìběn: Japan in Chinese
Angliya: England in Russian
Kitaĭ: China in Russian
Finlyandia: Finland in Russian
Quel: Many of you may be wondering why I didn't make Hong Kong speak Chinese. There's a simple explanation for that. Hong Kong has two official languages: English and Chinese. So when he talks to China, he'll speak Chinese (and the other Asian nations unless England's around). He speaks English when he talking to England.
Well, let's hope for another chapter soon. They're getting longer (maybe). Time to make dinner! Goodbye.