Don't Lean On Me

by Bringmemisery

"You Can't Escape The Game." You never truly know what you have until you lose it. Gil never really took that into much consideration - neither did his two best friends. The three of them lived everyday taking almost everything for granted. But it wasn't until a sudden turn of events that they began to realize that their lives could all be in grave danger.

25. Trapped Inside

Huhuhuhuhu~
Hope ya'll like this one! ;)

Hetalia (c) Hima

Don't Lean On Me (c) Bringmemisery

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Chapter 24 – Trapped Inside

Arthur lifted his head as he placed his hand upon his throbbing forehead. He looked around and found himself lying upon ice cold concrete. He turned his head to the side and he noticed someone seating upon a large wooden crate fiddling with something in his hands. His unmistakable deep brown curls made Arthur pull himself to his feet.

"Antonio," He called as Antonio looked up, "good lord, where have you been?"

"Here," the Spaniard smiled.

"And where exactly is here?"

Antonio shrugged, "another world, I guess."

Arthur scanned the room before his eyes fell onto the Spaniard's lap. Draped across his thighs was a long silver ax — his friend's hands were wrapped tightly around it.

"Antonio," Arthur felt a shift in the atmosphere, "what's that you've got there?"

"An ax," Antonio's gaze remained fixed.

"Where did you get that from?"

Antonio then stood, "That doesn't really matter now does it?"

Arthur took a step back as his heart raced, "It might matter a bit. What are you doing?"

"What I was told to," Antonio looked a step forward as he lifted the ax, "Forgive me."

Arthur watched as his friend lifted the ax above his head, but before he could bring it down the Spaniard tensed up. Pain filled his face as he seemed to be in a struggle with himself.

Arthur took a few more steps back as he noticed Antonio shut his eyes.

"I CAN'T!" The Spaniard shouted as he let the ax fall behind him, "I CAN'T DO THIS!"

". . . Antonio? What's the matter?" Arthur started to feel nauseous.

Who was he talking to?

Antonio's eyes shot open as tears slid down his cheek, "Please . . . you have to get out of here, Arthur."

"Antonio, answer me!" Arthur's heart rate elevated, "What's wrong?"

Antonio released another shriek as he hunched over, "NO! I WON'T DO IT!"

Arthur began to search for any way out but he found neither a door nor even a wall. It was as if the two of them were in a dark, empty, massive room. Though there was enough light to see around, Arthur couldn't figure out exactly where it was coming from.

That was when he looked back to Antonio who somehow plucked up that ax again, and trudged closer. Arthur tried to keep his composure as he took yet another step back. He didn't want to harm his friend, but he might have to. He reluctantly held up his hand, but when he tried to summon up a spell he felt a restriction on his powers. He shot a look at his bare hand as he continued to try spell after spell – nothing was happening.

"Antonio," He looked up, "Snap out of it!"

"I'm trying!" Antonio yelled as he continued taking more steps.

"Try harder!"

Antonio lifted the ax up once again, but this time he swung it like a bat at Arthur.

Arthur somehow managed to dodge the large blade, but he lost his footing and landed onto the freezing ground. He started to crawl away as Antonio continued after him.

"Antonio!" Arthur scooted back, "fight it!"

The Spaniard raised the ax again swung it down, barely missing Arthur by mere inches.

Panic filled Arthur as he saw his reflection upon the blade between his legs. He shifted his eyes up and found his friend shaking as he pulled his hands from the ax's handle.

"Stop it," Antonio whispered, "Please, just stop it. I can't hurt him. I can't."

Then Antonio's eyes widened and his body stood almost completely still.

". . . Antonio?" Arthur's heart pounded in his chest.

Then Arthur watched as his friend's head slid off his shoulders and rolled to his feet.

The Englishman's shriek echoed around him.

†††††

Arthur continued to scream as his body lurched up. His heart thumped and he was disoriented. It took him a moment to realize he was seated on the floor of a vast ballroom. Below him was polished wood flooring, and the walls that surrounded him were covered in various paintings. To his left stood a high staircase and on either side of the rails were two massive lion busts made of ivory.

He glanced up to the top of the steps before he pulled himself to his feet. Though there seemed to be nothing up there he couldn't help but feel another presence. He shot his head to the right and his eyes trailed down to the center of the room.

There stood a large structure – a sort of cross to be exact. It stood a few feet high, and it appeared to be made of a deep colored wood. But what really caught Arthur's gaze, what really rattled his bones was what was nailed to it.

Upon the cross was a man. His blue jeans were splotched with a dark brown tint in various places. The left sleeve of his long red shirt had been ripped off, and there was a distinct scratch upon the front. His head hung low and his dark hair covered his face, but his all-too familiar curl made Arthur's heart sink.

"Lovino!" he yelled as he ran forward, but he didn't get far.

Something blocked his path and he has ricocheted to the ground. His side throbbed as he propped himself up with his elbow. Then there came the sound of footsteps behind him. He snapped his head toward the staircase where he noticed someone approach.

The man was on the leaner side, and he seemed fairly tall. His eyes and most of his face were covered in a sheer black masquerade mask, and his dark brown hair was slicked back. He had a clean white shirt underneath a black dress coat, and his matching slacks and dress shoes made him appear to be attending a sort of ball.

He stopped a few feet from Arthur and smiled.

"Welcome," he said in a low voice, "pleasure having you."

"Who are you?" Arthur sprang to his feet, "and what have you done to my friend?"

The man tilted his head before his lower jaw dropped. He ran over to where Lovino's body hung, and Arthur couldn't help but stare.

It was almost like this man was worried about Lovino.

Arthur continued to watch the man who muttered something under his breath.

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows, "who are you?"

The man turned his head to Lovino once before he started back to Arthur.

"Just a man," He said with a quick smile, "nothing more, and nothing less."

"That justifies nothing," Arthur balled his fists, "why am I stuck in this barrier?"

"Because you're obnoxious," the man laughed, "if I let you go you'd be all over the place. Don't worry, you're safe there—"

"My safety is the least of my worries!"

"No need to yell," the man grinned, "others might hear you."

"Let them," Arthur barked, "I'd like to see them come!"

The man shook his head, "that hot head of yours will get you hurt, but of course you know that."

Arthur brought his eyebrows together, "who are you to say such a thing?"

"Just a man," He smiled again, "but I have kept a close eye on you. You're very special, Arthur. That ability of yours both is a gift and a curse, isn't it?"

Arthur snorted, "Don't think I can't see past your façade, sir. You'll be gaining no aid from me even if you begged."

"Ouch," The man laughed, "that venom is quick. I knew you'd be entertaining."

"I am not a circus animal," Arthur snapped, "and neither are my friends. What exactly do you think in gaining by bringing us to where ever the hell this is?"

The man shrugged, "Pleasure? Enjoyment? Actually there are a lot of things."

"You disgust me," Arthur grit his teeth.

"Maybe I am," The man took a step forward, "but you're powerless here, so what are you going to do about it?"

"Let me out of here and you'll find out!" Arthur stepped forward as well.

The man laughed, "Your energy blows my mind! No wonder you've got friends!"

"Where are they?" Arthur spat, "I know Lovino and I aren't the only ones here!"

"Oh, they're out and about." The man circled around the barrier, "for now, that is. Once my guys find them . . . let's just hope they don't for your sake."

"I take it you're the one who calls the shots here, then?"

"Certainly," The man bowed, "Welcome to Nirvana. I do hope you enjoy your stay."

Arthur tried to punch at the invisible aura around him, but his fist was pushed back.

"Don't hurt yourself," the man said.

"Like you care!" Arthur growled, "Release me this instant!"

The man opened up his mouth but his head shot over to where Lovino was. Then he turned back to Arthur and brought his finger to his lips before he vanished into thin air.

Arthur looked over to his friend and noticed the Italian start to move.

"Lovino?" He called out.

". . . Arthur?" Lovino said groggily as he lifted his head, "you alright?"

"Why are you asking me that?" Arthur tried to push at the barrier, "What in the blazes happened to you?"

". . . J-José was here," Lovino said in a low voice.

"He did this to you?" Arthur yelled.

Lovino nodded, ". . . Said I'd make a pretty fuckin' center piece."

"I swear he'll regret this! As soon as I break this seal we're getting the hell out of here, and I will find him."

Lovino slowly shook his head, "Don't. That's what he wants you to do. Don't let him win."

"He can't get away with this, Lovino!"

"Just let him!" Lovino's glossy eyes shot up, "it's not worth getting yourself hurt over. Besides, your magic doesn't work here. That's why you can't get out of that, right? They don't want you to ruin their shit."

Arthur kicked at the barrier as he ran his fingers through his hair.

How were they going to get out of this?

Arthur looked around for something he could use, but there wasn't too much else. Nothing sharp he could try to use on either side of his blockade. For once he actually felt trapped. He glanced over to his friend.

His amber eyes were fixed on the floor as a few tears rolled down his cheeks. He winced once before he returned his gaze.

The pain he must be feeling had to be atrocious.

Anger filled Arthur as he got onto his knees. He noticed a lightly drawn circle upon the wooden floor around him. With his fingernail he tried to scrape away at the marking. Though his knuckles continued to hit the bubble around him he still scratched.

Then there were footsteps.

Arthur shot his head up and across the room he noticed someone else – his dark grey eyes made Arthur leap up.

"Why, if it isn't the devil himself!" Arthur crossed his arms.

José smiled, "Miss me?"

"As if!" Arthur snorted, "What is it, José? Keep me in here so that I can't touch your sorry arse?"

José's eyes hardened, "I don't understand how neither of you know when to shut up!"

Arthur rose his eyebrow, "Oh, someone else has pissed you off as well? Congrats to them! They deserve a shiny gold star!"

José stopped before the barrier, "you think you're funny, don't you?"

Arthur laughed, "I'm hilarious, and might I say so is that nose of yours! You should be a bit more careful with yourself!"

There was a shift in José's face as Arthur felt a current of power surround him.

Not even a moment later Arthur's entire body felt like it he was lying on an electric wire. He collapsed to his knees as his body started to burn. Then the current stopped, and he glanced up to the man before him.

"Not so funny anymore, are you?" José turned toward Lovino, "How is my muñequita holding up?"

Lovino made no reply as Arthur staggered to his feet.

José held out his hand and the cross shank much closer to the ground, Lovino's face was inches from his.

When I speak," He growled, "You answer. How is my muñequita holding up?"

"Fuck off," Lovino's eyes flashed up.

Arthur watched as José slammed his hand against Lovino's chest. The structure he was nailed to toppled backwards and the Italian shrieked as he crashed to the ground.

Arthur tried to push against the invisible wall again, but he still stayed in place. He watched José walk over to his friend on the floor.

"When will you learn?" José kicked at Lovino's side, "you're nothing! You can't do anything here! None of you can!"

"Leave him alone!" Arthur shouted as José shot his head back.

"Right," He started to walk over, "how could I forgot about you?"

"How much of a bloody coward can you be? When will you learn to fight like a man?"

"When children stop acting like adults," José gave a wide grin.

Arthur was about to punch at the wall again when his lungs tightened. He clutched the front of his shirt as he struggled to breathe. He couldn't figure out why the feeling was so familiar, but he felt like he was drowning. Once more he fell to the ground as he still tried to gasp for air.

"See, Arthur?" José laughed, "You and your friends are useless here. Think you can take on someone like me? You're all wasting your time."

Arthur started to cough as the world around him spun. Had his other hand not have been against the ground he would have collapsed by now. His lungs seemed to grow tighter with every little breath he could swallow.

Then he heard someone grunt, and he could feel the ground below him tremble. He tried to look up but his vision was blurred. He could make out something at the floor before him, but all physical features had dissipated.

With another failed attempt Arthur's lungs continued to constrict. His body grew weary, and his vision was almost faded to black. Then he heard a loud crash and air instantly filled him. He took in as much as he could coughing in the process.

Before him he noticed Lovino seated on top of José, a blade in the Italian's hand was pressed against José's neck. The two were caught up in their brawl as neither noticed Arthur stand. As Arthur was about to take a step Lovino was pushed to the ground and the blade flew from his hand. Arthur's heart skipped as he watched José start to strangle his friend.

Without another thought Arthur leaped forward and thrashed into José. The man's body flew to the ground as Arthur regained his footing and struggled to lift the choking Italian to his feet. Then the two rushed down to an open door against the wall. As they entered through the doorway they were somehow lead outside.

Rain smacked against the top of Arthur's head as he tried to find a familiar landmark. He looked to either side of him, but the thick fog and thousands of rain drops made it quite difficult to make anything out.

He shook water from his eyes as he grabbed Lovino's arm, and pulled him down the street. A building came into view a few moments later, and the two approached the entrance. Arthur pushed open the door, and a soft bell rang above his head.

He glanced around the area: it was a good size building with a number of chairs and tables here and there, in the back there seemed to be a kitchen, and a few registers towards the back wall. As he helped Lovino to one of the tables Arthur couldn't help but feel this place was too familiar.

"Hey, Arthur," Lovino said in a quiet tone, "why the hell does this place look like your boyfriend's shop?"

"I was wondering the same thing," Arthur took the seat across the way from his friend, "could be a mind trick. This place doesn't feel exactly 'normal, 'so I wouldn't let the notion slip."

Lovino made no reply as Arthur glanced at him. He noticed Lovino look down at his hands – there were large gashes where those nails had been placed between his wrists.

"Lovino!" Arthur yelled as he reached out his hand, "how in the blazes did you pull yourself from that bloody cross?"

"By yanking," Lovino leaned back, "is this room spinning?"

Arthur jumped up, "don't you go anywhere! I'm going to find some herbs!"

He ran to the kitchen and started rummaging around all the drawers. He may not have magic, but that didn't mean he didn't know how to cauterize a wound. The one problem would be replacing any blood Lovino may have lost – hopefully it wasn't too much.

He managed to grab a few herbs and was about to leave when something hard smacked against the back of his head. He fell to the ground, again, along with the containers in his hands. He rubbed the back of his head and tried to look at whatever did that to him, but his vision blurred for a few moments. He shook his head.

"Arthur?" He heard a woman say, "is that really you?"

It took him a moment to recognize that voice, "Lizzie?"

"Oh, thank god," she sighed, "I thought you were one of those things."

"What are you talking about?" Arthur's eyes finally focused.

"I don't know," Lizzie lowered the frying pan in her hand, "I'm so confused. Every time I see someone they turn out being something completely different. I can't tell what's real or not!"

Arthur plucked up the containers and stood up, "Seems this place is a bit odd. Pardon my interruption, but do you happen to know where the Safety Kit is here?"

"Yes . . . is everything alright?"

"Lovino injured him—"

"Is he okay?" She yelled.

"He's fine, I just need to bandage him up. So if you could—"

Lizzie took off somewhere before he could finish. He sighed as he made his way back to the dining area. He glanced over to the table and was relieved to see Lovino still there.

If he wasn't there. . .

There was no telling what Arthur would do.

He walked over to the table and placed the containers down.

"The hell's all this for?" Lovino grunted.

"You, obviously," Arthur unscrewed the top off of one container, "I need to stop the bleeding."

"With spices?" Lovino snorted, "the hell will that do?"

"Just trust me, will you?"

"You know how hard that can be," Lovino grinned then looked off somewhere.

"You alright?" Arthur turned but didn't see anything.

"Shit," Lovino replied, "I feel nauseous."

"Your adrenaline is wearing off," Arthur took off the remaining tops, "the sooner we patch you up the sooner you'll feel better."

"Arthur!" Lizzie's voice rang, "I found it."

"What is she doing here?" Lovino asked as Lizzie approached the table.

"Seems we've all been sucked here," Arthur took the kit from Lizzie, "Thank you for finding this."

She nodded as her eyes trailed over to Lovino, "Are you alright?"

"Meh," Lovino groaned.

Arthur pulled out a roll of gauze along with various bandaged before he started to mix the herbs around in one of the containers. It was times like this he was actually grateful Allistor taught him home remedies.

Once the herbs turned into a paste Arthur reached for Lovino's arm.

"What is that?" Lovino pulled away, "fucking witchcraft shit?"

"It's going to help you," Arthur sighed, "this is the only way to help you without magic, so stop being a child and give me your damn hand."

"What is it?"

"They're just herbs! You act as though I'm about to load you up with cyanide."

"You probably would," Lovino pouted, "I don't want that crap in me."

"Lovi," Lizzie sat beside the Italian, "please listen to him. If it helps you shouldn't push it away."

Lovino looked at her, then to Arthur, "Is it gonna hurt?"

"Probably a little, but the pain you're feeling now is much worse than this."

After a moment Lovino complied and pushed his hands closer to Arthur.

Relieved Arthur reached for some silverware that had been wrapped up in a crisp white serviette. He pulled out a butter knife and after a quick examination of it he picked upon the herb container and spread the knife within the deep green mush. Once he got a good enough blob on the edge and grabbed one of Lovino's arms and smeared it against his wrist.

Lovino started to make faces, but he remained silent for the most part.

After he was finished with the first wrist he wrapped the gauze a few times before he did the same to the other wrist.

"This is disgusting," Lovino muttered after Arthur finished the second bandage.

"Call it what will," Arthur replaced the top of the container and stuck it into his pocket, "it will stop any more extensive damage. Now do tell me why you thought it was a good idea to harm yourself like this?"

"Either you or me," Lovino crossed his arms, "and of the two I'm pretty positive I had the upper hand. Who knows what José could have done to you? "

"He's here?" Concern rose in Lizzie's voice, "Did he follow you both here?"

"I don't believe so," Arthur responded as he cleaned the sides of the knife with the serviette, "which is odd. It was almost as if he let the two of us leave – he hardly put up much of a fight."

"That's because he's a coward," Lovino grunted, "He probably wants us to die somewhere else so he doesn't get it fat hands dirty. Damned piss bucket."

"No matter the reason," Lizzie sighed, "I'm just glad the both of you are safe."

"As am I," Arthur agreed, "I just hope the others are as well."