I don't know when I fell asleep that night but it wasn't strong enough; my conscious mind still lingering in between reality and dreams.

"Amy . . ."

At first, I didn't hear this voice, but over time it got louder.

"Amy . . ."

It sounded like it was in pain and crying out for help.

"Amy . . ."

I groaned and sat up to find no one in my room, till I found a shadowy figure in the corner.

"Run . . ."

In a blink of an eye the figure vanished and reappeared from the corner to the foot of my bed. It lunged for me and I screamed.

"Ms. America!" Akram slammed my door open, sending out a burst of light from the hallway.

For a second I thought the dark figure had moved from my bed to the door frame, taking the place of Akram. But once I rubbed my eyes, I was relieved to see that I was wrong. The figure was gone.

"Are you alright?" Akram asked.

"Yeah, just . . . a dream," I reassured. "I'm okay, really."

He nodded, "very well, goodnight."

"Goodnight," I said as he closed the door.

I laid back, trying to calm my racing heart. I took deep breaths, silencing my thoughts with sheer willpower but it didn't work. Then I heard the sound of footsteps outside my door. I jumped, preparing for an intruder but this person walked on, heading out the front door.

Curiously overcame my fear and I opened the door. I scanned the hall, finding Akram's door open and his room empty. I stride to the front and followed Akram outside. He was heading towards the backyard where Hani was muzzled.

I leaned against the house, using the shadow of the wall to cover me. Akram walked closer to Hani as the animal tried to jerk himself free from the post. He looked absolutely terrified.

Akram stopped, watching as Hani tried desperately to get away but couldn't. In one swift move Akram grabbed Hani by the throat and slammed him against the ground. The dog squirmed under his hold. Hani kicked and scratched but Akram only pressed harder.

I was about to leap into action till the nation released him; allowing Hani to breath and cower under his gaze. When the light of moon hit Akram, I was finally able to see his face. His smile was big and it spread from ear to ear but there was no light in it. His eyes gleamed mean and cold and the only pleasure he was taking from this situation was the fact that Hani was whining and shaking in fear.

Hani never showed these emotions and if Akram was this hurtful all the time, Hani would have displayed them day one. No, this was new. Akram's sudden change in behavior and voice, his aggressiveness and chilling smile.

This man was not Akram.

I waited till the impostor was in his room and waited a little longer just to be sure that he was asleep. When my phone displayed two-thirty I scoured through the internet; searching through current news of India, CNN articles of world politics and for the last resort: tumblr. When nothing came up of the country in turmoil, the theory of Akram hearing voices and developing a split personality became less likely.

I decided it was time for me to try something even more delusional; exorcism. I scrolled through various websites, all containing ghost stories, shifter myths, vampirism, and dark magick. Along with this information were exorcists ready with a phone number to call. Wiccans and voodooists performing their rituals in step by step instruction on YouTube while charms and curses could be bought or sold.

What was real and what was just for show?

Who were the con artists and who were the professionals?

I rubbed my eyes, "this is impossible," I mumbled.

It was five in the morning, which means it would be four-thirty in afternoon in Summerland. I called Grandma but I was answered by Blair.

"Aunt Amy!" she exclaimed excitedly, "How are you? Mom and Dad said you were India, how is it? What's it like? Why don't you call more often? I mean I want to call but Mom says that you live on a different time zone than I do, so the only way I can call is if I figure out the math. But I hate math! And you live in the future! Every time I figure out the time in Delhi, Mom says it was too late to call and then I'm just so mad. I mean why couldn't you just say that first instead of me figuring it out through numbers, you know?"

"I know sweetie, math sucks but I'm sure your dad helps you out," I resisted my urge to yawn.

Blair huffed, no doubt she was pouting, "only sometimes, it's always Raiden this and Raiden that."

"Hey now, you love your baby brother."

"But he cries, a lot."

I chuckled, "yeah he's a wailer. Anyway, can you get G-Ma on the phone?"

"She's with Blake," she grumbled, "she's always with Blake, she likes him more than me."

"No, Blair, G-Ma loves you both-"

"But she always asks for him and they spend all afternoon together in her office, always asking me to watch the shop but I can see when she switches the sign from open to close. G-Ma only wants me out of her hair," her tone that was once so confident, now crumbled to a meek and wounded squeak.

I realized then that Blair was lonely; with the addition of Raiden and Grandma helping Blake sort out his powers, no one really bothered to include Blair. She didn't see what her twin saw, she only experienced these moments through hushed tones and closed doors. I remembered what Arthur had told me about Blake always being the outsider because of his gift. I replied that he would never feel like that and I kept my promise, but his sister ended up in his place.

"Blair, it isn't you. G-Ma only wishes to help Blake-"

"Because he's special," she mumbled.

"Yes, but because he'll always be a target. No one will understand him, not the way you do," I proclaimed.

Blair was about to speak but I cut her off, "hang on sweetie let me finish. Remember when your parents sat you down in April? The day they were going to explain to you about Blake's power."

"Yeah," she said.

"And do you remember what you told them? You said that you already knew. Even though Blake was told at a very young age to keep his gift hidden and to wait for you to get a little older to keep secrets, you just knew. You knew what went on in Blake's head and connected the dots on your own. Blake realized this and confined in you, I'm sure he tells you things that no one else knows right?"

She was silent for a moment but eventually she said, "Yeah."

I smiled, "it's because you're his big sister and he will always come running to you when he needs help."

"But-" she froze for a moment and quickly whispered, "I gotta go; G-Ma's coming."

"Wait I need-" she hanged up, "to talk to her . . ."

Blair deleted the caller log in her great-grandmother's phone and slid it back to its place at the front desk. The elderly woman walked out of the back office and smiled at her, "thank you for watching the shop for me."

Blair nodded but said nothing.

"You two better get home, your mother's waiting," Aponi bends down to kiss her and her brother on their foreheads. "See you tomorrow my little warriors."

The twins rode their bikes in silence, both lost in their own worlds. Blair fell in behind Blake which was unusual for anyone that knew them, for Blair always preferred to take the lead. She didn't have the desire or will to pedal to the front. Her thoughts engrossing her into a daze. These thoughts contained her brother, her family and of her recent conversation with Amy.

She looked back to Blake, observing him with an aching heart and a wounded ego. It's been nearly three days since he spoke to her. He avoided her at every turn, locking himself away in his room, ignoring her when they crossed paths at school. It confused and hurt her, what had she done to deserve this treatment? Why has he stopped talking to her? Why has her own twin shut her out and for what reason?

Blair could no longer handle the silence. She stopped with a screech of her wheels and yelled, "I can't take this anymore! Why are you ignoring me?!"

Blake braked and turned to face her, his face concealed in a calm expression. "I'm not-"

"Yes you are!" she shouted, "you don't talk to me at school, you run to G-Ma when we're at the shop and you hide in your room every night. You're avoiding me. Why?"

He looked to the ground and whispered, "I'll tell you when we get home."

"No! I'm not moving from this spot till you talk to me!"

"Blair-"

"You heard me!" she hissed but allowed her frustration to cool. She inhaled deeply, "was it something I did?" She gripped the handles of her bike, "did I do something to make you mad?" Tears spilled down her cheeks, "why won't you talk to me?"

Blake dropped his bike and pulled Blair in for a tight hug, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Blair, please don't cry."

"I'm not crying," she lied as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Why did you shut me out? Why did you stop talking to me?" she whimpered.

He pulled back, blinking away his own tears. "It was the only way I could keep my promise to G-Ma. I knew if I had told you what I've been doing, you would've begged me to show you but G-Ma said it was dangerous. I had to learn to master it before showing you."

"Master what?" she asked curiously.

He held out his hands, "give me your hands and close your eyes."

Blair didn't hesitant, she grabbed his palms and closed her eyes. Blake squeezed her fingers in return and took a deep calming breath. After a minute passed, he said, "Okay, open your eyes."

What she saw she almost didn't believe. Blake was surrounded in bright purple light. This light cascaded over him from head to toe, bathing him in the color violet. When he saw her reaction, he beamed, his light glowing brighter along with the shades of pink and yellow merging with it. Blair remembered that pink was the color of love and friendship and yellow represented things like intelligence and indecisiveness but depending on the shade it could also mean happiness.

"You should see yourself, you're like a rainbow," he stated.

He was right. Blair was surrounded by colors: red, blue, orange, yellow, green, pink, the situation perfectly described her emotions. She was surprised and unnerved by the aura, how it not only surrounded her but poured out of her skin. She was also excited that she could see them that she had earned her brother's trust so deeply that he felt safe enough to share his gift.

She looked at Blake as the pink and yellow slowly faded away into the purple. "Why do the other colors fade while one stays?" she asked.

"It's because violet is my true aura, the one that reveals my true self while the others display only my emotions."

"What's my color?" she asked.

He shook his head, "you gotta figure that out on your own. Just focus, clear your mind of everything else and focus on what makes you, you."

Blair closed her eyes once again, racking her brain for proof of her essence. But in reality, who was she? Blair was still just a child, her parents always told her that discovering one's self took years and through trial and error. Just as Blake said, she was like a rainbow, experiencing these new sensations as they come and go.

What was her true color, she asked herself.

Was it still waiting for her or did she miss it?

"Don't over think it," said Blake.

Blair snapped her eyes open, "can you read minds?"

"No but your aura is all over the place," he gave a tiny smile. "Come one Blair, you know who you are, everyone does. The only reason we are told that finding our true self takes years is because we lose sight of them over time. Because we wish to fit in with the crowd or to become part of the group, we are willing to forsake our true nature and wear a mask to please others. It takes years for people to realize that hiding your true self only hurts you." He gazed to her with wisdom filled eyes, "don't let people take away what you are."

She nodded and relaxed her shoulders, clearing away the nagging thoughts and insecurities. When her mind was empty and all she felt was love and acceptance from her brother and herself, she opened her eyes. Blue radiated off her skin, completely engulfing her as if she was sinking into the deepest depths of the ocean.

"Blue represents creativity, loyalty, kindness and spiritual," Blake proclaimed. "It may not be at the same level as mine but its great way to start."

"Start? Start where?"

"G-Ma is teaching me magick and she wants you to learn too."

She blinked, "magick . . . magick's real!"

He nodded as Blair grinned like the Cheshire cat, "Sweetness."

"But don't treat it lightly Blair. We are learning it for self-defense."

"Why? What's happening?"

"G-Ma hasn't told me the whole story, but it has something to do with Amy."

I hardly got any sleep last night. I stood up to the late hours of the morning, searching for a clue to what was happening with Akram. I still had no solid evidence if the man I was sitting with was Akram having a mental breakdown or an impostor. He looked like Akram, he had the same skin color as him, the same eyes and hair and his voice carried the same honey like tone. It was completely terrifying that some guy could be exactly like Akram and it's also the major reason I still believed that this man was Akram but a different side of him.

But then of course I only end back to the same place where I began; deciding if Akram was real or not and if this man was an impostor. Last night's incident was proof that something was wrong, but not proof enough if Akram was sick or replaced. It was a never ending cycle.

"You've been locked in your room all day," he spoke, "you must be hungry."

I pushed my food around with my fork, trying to contain my composure. "I'm too excited to eat."

"For the dinner tonight?" he questioned, "Yes, I see. It must be pretty exciting for you meet the prime minster and attend a formal affair. Tell me have you gone to anything like this?"

My eyebrow twitched, he knew about the ball at Austria's, he knew I've done this before but was this forgetfulness or something more? "No. I never went to anything so formal, prom maybe but nothing like this."

"It's nothing too fancy, just a dinner, possibly a dance afterword."

"But you hired those dancers, the ones that live on this street."

His brow arched slightly and his jaw clenched. These minor movements were so tiny that anyone would have assumed that it was just a tick of the muscle. But I knew these were signs to the cracks of his facade.

"Oh yes, I nearly forgot. My mind has been other places."

"Well, Jasmine and her family will do a great job," I said, taking a chance.

"Yes, Jasmine is a very talented girl," he smiled.

I curled my hands into tight fists, having an urge to slam them into his fake ass face but I calmed myself. I released my hands and forced my lips to smile back, "yeah she is."

After I made an effort to eat, I excused myself to my room and locked the door. I sat back against my door, taking a moment for my heart to settle, but my adrenaline did not diminish. I knew for certain that this man was not Akram.

The only questions I had now were Akram's disappearance and the identity of that impostor.

My plan was simple: act like nothing was wrong and prepare for the dinner. Arrive at the Rashtrapati Bhavan with the fake Akram and mingle into the crowd. Once the dinner was over and the party was at full swing, I would sneak out and come back to the cottage for Hani.

The only way I had a chance of finding Akram was to use Hani's nose, for no matter how close in appearances the impostor had to Akram he couldn't produce the same scent. Hani saw through him the moment he laid eyes on him, a dog's instincts were not to be stifled with.

I skipped the bath and took that time arranging my hair, parting my hair to one side and designing a French braid on the stronger side. I braided it along the side of scalp till I came to the back, where I secured the braid with a rubber band and twisted the rest of my curls into a messy chignon. I then moved on to make-up, going in simple but fun with my eye shadow. Using light blue and gold I created a soft, somewhat natural look. I grinned at the mirror, I finally learned the perfect amount.

Jamie would be proud.

I slipped on my dress, slid on my sandals and stood straight in front of the mirror. I channeled Akram's words of advice: walk as if you are goddess. I grinned at my image and strutted out the door.

Lovino took longer than necessary to take a shower, but in all honesty, he couldn't stand the weather. It was humid, sticky and the mosquitoes were beyond troublesome. His showers were his only escape but tonight was not the night to take his time, especially when another rainfall was due.

The locals have told him that monsoon season would be over any day now, but that's what they've been saying for the last three days. Lovino sighed; rinsing the conditioner from his hair and stepping out of shower to find a note taped to the mirror.

Dear Lovi

You were taking too long, so we left without you.

Here's some money for a cab.

Love you

Feliciano

He folded the bills, crumpled the note and tossed it aside. He got dressed quickly, buttoning his shirt as he blow dried his hair and brushing his teeth as he jumped into his underwear and pants. Once he had his jacket on he ran out the door, calling out for someone to hold the elevator.

The silver doors were stopped by an arm and Lovino sprinted in. He was about to say thank you till he noticed that the person inside was Toris Laurinaitis, the nation of Lithuania.

Lovino cursed under his breath, of all the people he could be stuck in an elevator with . . . Well, if he was honest with himself there would be worse people.

"I see you are running late as well Mr. Romano," Lithuania proclaimed, no doubt trying to lessen the tension that he was creating.

"What's you're excuse?" Lovino countered with a venom filled tone, "Were you too busy doing your hair and makeup?"

Lithuania inhaled through his nose, "good one."

Once they hit the lobby, Lovino sprinted out to the front of the hotel. He lunged for the first cab he saw, opening the back door and crawling in with the money in hand.

"I'm in rush, take me to the Rashtrapati Bhavan."

The middle-aged man turned to him, "I'm sorry sir but I'm here to pick up someone else."

"Who?"

"Me," Lithuania opened the door and climbed in, "don't worry, he's with me."

"I'd rather walk," Lovino was about to step out till thunder roared across the gray sky.

"Are you sure about that?" the cab driver raised a brow.

He groaned, it was just his luck that the only cab that would be available to him was the one called in by Lithuania. He could walk but the rain would ruin his clothes and there was no time to wait for another cab. "Dammit! Fine!" he exclaimed, "let's go before I come to my senses."

The drive was meant to last ten minutes, nothing more but again Lovino was never favored by Lady Luck.

A cow was crossing the street, immediately every car and van came to a halt. The large, tan colored bull took his time, he leisurely strolled as the bells around his neck clanked together with every step.

Lovino rubbed the bridge of his nose, "sir we're in a bit of a hurry, can you honk at him to move faster?"

"No, I won't. He will get by, be patient," the driver stated.

Then, as if the universe wished to spite him. The cow stopped in front of his cab and laid down in front of them. The diver simply switched off the engine and pulled out his phone to check social media.

"What are you doing?" Lovino exclaimed.

"Waiting for the cow to move."

"I can see that," he hissed, "can't you drive around it?"

"No, we must wait for the cow to move."

Lovino moved for the door but Lithuania stopped him, "I know what you are about to do and I will tell you this now, it will not help."

Lovino shoved his hand off, "let go of me you bastard! You have no idea of what I am thinking."

"You are thinking of going out there to yell at the cow."

"Oh," he clapped sarcastically, "brilliant Sherlock, just brilliant."

"Wait," Lithuania pulled him back, "just give it a few minutes, the rain will come in and scare him off."

"You should listen to your friend," the driver added.

"Stay out of this," Lovino remarked and turned back to the Lithuanian, "We're late."

"Then five more minutes will not matter," he said.

Lovino brushed a hand through his hair in frustration, "Fine, fine. If you want to wait for the stupid cow, we'll wait for the stupid cow."

They waited in silence, looking to the sky or the cow for signs of change. The humidity was beginning the fog the windows and the unusually loud ticking of the driver's wristwatch was nearly causing Lovino to lose his patience. His irritation continued to grow whenever he heard the brunet shift in his seat or breathe. He was never this annoyed by the Baltic before. In truth, he didn't know the nation personal, he kept his distance from him to avoid Russia.

Later when Lithuania had severed his ties from Russia, Lovino never saw the need to befriend him. He could barely hold his patience for Poland; he didn't think he had the energy to deal with another eastern European country. Lithuania was also friends with that meddling Latvia. The same Latvian that almost ruined his chances with Amy; but there was another reason, something deeper and more complex that he tried to ignore.

His mind would not let him; without his permission or knowledge, his subconscious brought him back to the first day of the meeting. When Amy and Lithuania were lounging in front of the restroom and Amy had asked the Lithuanian to be her date for best friend's wedding. Now, Lovino knew it was Amy's impulsive nature that drove her to ask Lithuania and he was the only person around at the time. He also knew that this wedding wasn't even real but it was principle of the thought.

He flushed in embarrassment; he was being an idiot. He and Amy had chemistry, he knew it. For him to be jealous and over Lithuania was laughable. The man was dull and had the passion of a dead fish. Lovino made Amy blush and squirm under his gaze, she had shared her insecurities with him and she had kissed him.

Yet, his brain would remind him of Lithuania finding Amy first when she had wondered. Reenacting the scene of them dancing to the music in their heads. They looked ridiculous but didn't care; it was like everything and everyone faded away and all they could see was each other.

This was of course, all in his head but he couldn't deny the jealous ping his heart gave when he saw them. He needed to prove that he was special, that he was closer to Amy than Lithuania. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to the said American.

"Hey guess what, I'm only a block away but the driver won't go any further all because of a cow. The bastard actually laid down in front of us! Can you believe that?"

Satisfied with his message, he pressed send and waited for her reply. A minute passed, but to Lovino, it felt like an eternity.

"Lol, you should take some pics. Make sure to call Antonio, he's all worried about his little tomato."

He groaned, he didn't want to think about the Spaniard. He wanted Amy to say something he could use to make a point. He didn't want much, just a small token of affection.

"Aren't you worried ;)"

Her message was quick and to the point, "srry, dinner about to start-ttyl."

He glared at the message, having the sudden urge to throw it out the window. But he pushed that aside and plastered a fake smile over his face, pretending to chuckle.

Lithuania looked away from his window and turned to him, curiously, "what are you reading?"

He grinned smugly, "a text from Amy, she's wondering where I am."

The brunet nodded, not fazed by the news. "Oh, can you tell her I have her earbud. I'll give it to her at the party."

Lovino's blinked in surprise, "she left her earbud with you."

"Uh, yes, you pulled her away before I could give it back. I'm sure she must be worried, she loves her music and these buds are expensive. But they're definitely worth the money, I could still hear every song she has played. I even read that they are water proof," he smiled, "I'm thinking of getting a pair for myself."

Amy didn't simply love music, she was madly, deeply in love with it. She would never leave behind an earbud by accident. Did she trust the Baltic that much? Frustration burned at the back of his neck as his heart sank into his gut. He side glanced the Lithuanian, "can you even afford it? Your country is going through an economy crisis."

"It isn't that bad," he said.

"Sure, but Amy is pretty well off, maybe you can go work for her like you did for Alfred. I mean that's all you're good for anyway. Tell me Mr. Laurinaitis how did you ever get those coke stains out of Alfred's carpet?"

Lithuania was quiet for a moment, till he said, "Is it wrong to work for your earnings Mr. Romano? Or should I place all my faith and money on tourism as you do?"

"It works," he glared.

"Yes, it's the perfect job for you, you can lay about in your fancy house and not have care in the world."

Lovino laughed dryly, "yes, I have a fancy house, several actually. I have money to spend while you pinch your pennies as the Americans say. I have an idea, you can stay at Amy's house, earn some cash while I show her the world."

Lithuania raised an eyebrow in confusion, "you really believe that?" He shook his head, "I don't understand how Amy is involved but she would never go anywhere with you. You are immature, childish and hurtful, Amy prefers to be around people that are kind to others. Frankly I don't see how you two can be friends to begin with."

He curled his fist, digging his nails into his palms. "So what makes a better friend? A former slut of Russia's?"

Lithuania paled and Lovino didn't stop, "sorry my friend but Amy doesn't care for sloppy seconds."

The brunet clenched his jaw and gazed at Lovino with a fierce gleam in his eyes. "If I am sloppy seconds? Then what are you? Europe's Whore."

Lovino snapped, throwing the first punch. He made a clean hit at the Lithuania's cheek, sending him to collide against the glass window. Lithuania shook it off and lunged for Lovino.

"Hey! Hey!" the driver tried to break them apart but he was helpless against the nations' deadly focus on one another.

Lovino kicked him in the gut but Lithuania barely flinched, backhanding him so hard that Lovino's teeth rattled. They were so entangled by each other's fight that they didn't notice the driver opening the back door and hurling them out. When they hit the pavement, they broke apart looking to the driver.

He crossed his arms, "if you two are going to continue fighting about this young lady, she'll end up leaving both of you." After he said his piece, he climbed into his cab and locked the doors.

The cow rose and ran to a nearby porch as the drivers switched on their lights and started their engines. Thunder roared and droplets poured from the sky, drenching Lovino and Lithuania to the bone.

Dinner was surprisingly quick.

The food was amazing but I had a hard time learning which fork to use, luckily for me I was seated next Erika, who was kind enough to show me. The nations were in their best attire, men wore suits as women chose between western gowns or saris. I couldn't help but question, did they know that Akram would host a dinner? Was it a tradition among host nations to hold a banquet or a ball of some kind? I wondered, would I be able to get a discount at Main Event. I mean these guys were will pass the age for a senior discount.

Narendra Mobi was a sweet man, almost a grandfatherly type. I had placed a sliver of hope that he would expose the man that was playing Akram but the prime minister didn't notice any changes. None of the nations seemed to notice that the man they believed was India wasn't.

I mentally groaned, I was on my own.

Once the Esana and the performers took center stage, I made my exit.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I winced and turned to face Peter and Raivis. Both were eyeing me suspiciously as Peter tapped his foot, waiting for me to explain myself.

"Just going out for some air," I brought out my most innocent smile.

"It's pouring out there," Raivis stated.

"It will pass, now if you excuse me-"

Peter ran around me to block my path, "I see that gleam in your eyes, you're up to something."

"I'm not," I countered.

"Yes, you are," he exclaimed, "and you are not taking another step further without telling us what you are doing."

"What if I don't want to?" I snapped.

"I'm pretty sure Germany would want to know what you're up to."

My jaw dropped, "you wouldn't."

"Try me," he smirked.

"Now, now, please don't fight," Raivis stepped between us and looked to me with a concerned gaze. "Amy you know we would never do that, we just want to know if you need backup."

I bit my lip nervously, thinking of way to avoid dragging them in. "Okay, but we need to talk somewhere more privately, come on, into the drawing room." I lead them to the room, gestured them inside and slammed the doors shut behind them.

"What the bloody-"

"Amy?!"

"Sorry guys," I ripped off my sheer cape and wrapped it around the door handles, locking them inside.

I had written down Akram's address and asked the cab driver to get me there as fast as he can. The rain was still coming in strong, cascading in waves as the wind howled and lightening lit the sky. The driver made it to the house in under twenty minutes and I asked him to wait as I grabbed Hani. I climbed out of the car, not caring that the rain was piercing my skin and destroying the gown.

I ran to the back, where poor Hani was curled into a ball trying to keep warm. I soothed him with kind words as I pulled out the knife from the strap of my sandal; complimentary of the Banquet Hall. I tore through the muzzle earning a small lick from Hani.

"That's a good boy, now come on. I need to get you to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, it's the last place I saw Akram."

I sprinted towards the car but Hani's barking stopped me. He was scratching at the door, whimpering to get inside. "Hani, come on, we have to go."

He continued to scratch at the door as the driver said, "Miss, I can't wait here much longer."

I groaned and shoved him a wad of bills, "just go." I swept back to the front door, kicking it open with my foot. Once I was inside I paced in front of the living room; this was bad. I had no car, no money and my only ally was clawing at the floor.

I stopped and looked to Hani, whining and barking at the floor boards. Without even thinking I stabbed my knife into the crack of the boards, popping them out one by one. After I removed five boards I found a hand.

I jumped back as Hani whined and reached down to lick the hand. Then a voice whispered, the same voice I heard last night. "Hani . . .?"

"Akram?!" I exclaimed.

"Amy . . .?"

"Oh my god! Hold on!" I abandoned the knife and ripped open the floor boards with my bare hands. Not caring that my nails broke or my hands bled from splinters. He was weak, most likely dehydrated. His clothes were ripped and stained with dirt and his nails were broken off, proof that he had been trying to claw out.

I carefully and gently lifted him out and set him beside the kitchen table. "What happen to you?"

"I . . . I . . . was attacked . . . by that man . . ."

"The one at the meeting?"

"Yes . . . I let my guard down and he knocked me out," he shook his head, "next thing I knew I was buried here."

"I'm sorry Akram, I should've figured it out-"

"And you did, thank you," he gave a meek smile.

I smiled back and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, "up we go," I lifted him with ease as he winced. "We gotta get back to the party. Whoever that guy is, he won't get away with this."

"Are you sure about that?"

Akram and I flinched as we turned to the door frame. The imposter was leaning against the broken door, examining his nails, "I believe I still have the upper hand."

Hani stood in between me and the nation look alike, snarling viciously. The imposter rolled his eyes and with a wave of his hand, Hani was thrown back with an invisible force. Akram called out to his pet as my jaw dropped, what the hell were we dealing with?

Unfortunately, the impostor decided to answer that for me. His pupils became cat-like slits, glowing a dark shade of gold as his body morphed. His hands became claws as his feet grew ten times bigger, tearing through the soles of his shoes with black claw like toe nails. His face transformed from human to cat, taking on massive fangs and a pink snout. He towered over us; his muscles shredding his clothes as pointed cat ears perked at the top of head. His body hair grew thicker, completely covering him in orange fur with black stripes.

He was tiger human hybrid.

Akram paled, "He's a Rakshasa."

"A Raks-what?"

"A Rakshasa," the hybrid proclaimed, its voice was hoarse and cruel. "A shape shifter, a demon, it really does not matter. I only came for the girl."

I squeezed Akram close to me and sprinted down the hall, locking myself inside his room. "Now, now Amy, I do not have time for games." The tiger creature called out.

"Open the trunk there, quickly," Akram said as I sat him on his bed.

I did what I was told and found dozens of short blade swords. Each ranging in different widths, lengths and styles. Most of the swords were curved while some spiked out with hooks, they were nothing like the straight narrow style of the claymore.

"Take the Makhaira," Akram handed me a short bladed sword that was curved slightly with a huge width.

I nodded and took the sword, cutting away at my dress to give me more leg room. I sighed, "See, this is why I can't have nice things. People are always trying to kill me when I wear pretty dresses."

The Rakshasa sunk his claws into the wood of the door ripping it apart with one swap. Akram and I jumped to our feet wielding our swords for battle. Akram charged in first sweeping two large curved blades around himself, spinning them at his sides and over his head. The Rakshasa stepped back and aimed a knee for Akram's ribs but the nation blocked the attack with one sword and slashed the other across the Rakshasa's chest.

He growled in annoyance as the wound healed instantly. Akram acted swiftly, aiming his blade to the side of his neck. The Rakshasa gripped the sword with ease, pinching it with the tips of his fingers. Akram didn't waste any second to thrust his spare blade into his gut. In one blink, the demon snapped Akram's wrist, kneed him under his chin and tossed him aside.

"You've grown so weak Mr. India? Tell me how long has it been since you wielded a sword? Fifty years? Seventy? Almost close to a century, no?"

Akram placed his hand on the nightstand and slowly rose to his feet, using the furniture to keep him leveled. "If you had faced me at the beginning instead of burying me like a coward, you would see how strong I am."

He laughed, "You can barely stand. Can't you see? Gandhi and the modern world has made you weak." The shape shifter raised his claw over Akram's head as I grabbed another sword and threw it. The hook styled blade stabbed the demon in the center of his spine.

He moaned in pain as I shouted, "Hey, Tony the Tiger! You're after me right? So come and get me!"

His fierce golden eyes blazed and I sprinted down the hall, hearing the loud stomping of his feet right behind me. Great Amy, you got him to chase you, now what? I jumped outside, the rain was just a drizzle now yet the sky was still concealed in gray clouds. I stood my ground and held the blade in front of my chest.

The Rakshasa snickered, "now we both know you have no idea how to use one of those. The only sword you mastered was a blue Nerf toy."

My eyes widened as he mentioned my childhood toy, "What the hell?! Have you been watching me?!" I demanded.

He threw back his head and howled in laughter, "you really have no idea who I am, do you? Well I shouldn't be surprised. You didn't recognize me in my human form nor in my fairy." He giggled like a school girl, "You never seem to recognize your friends Amy."

"Friends?" Wait, human? Fairy? It finally hits me, "Nina?!"

He laughed once again, his hoarse voice rose in octaves, taking on a female tone. "You finally got it, congratulations."

"What the fucking hell?! Nina why are you doing this?"

"You ask? You ask why?" she laughed, "I've come to deliver you to Iya." She raised her hand summoning dark specters from the shadows. The vapors hissed and moaned, chatting among themselves in tongues.

"But you helped me," I exclaimed, "why would you side with Iya?"

"She asks why," the vapors chanted in sync, their voices were harsh and unisex.

"She asks why."

"She has no clue."

"She has no idea what she's done to you Nina," one vapor slithered around her head, whispering in her ear. "She doesn't know the pain she caused you. But yet she knew of the Abyss, she knew where you were but still did nothing."

"Nina don't listen to that thing," I shouted.

Nina growled, "Why? It speaks the truth does it not?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. They were right; Clovis had mention this to me the first time we met but I forgot. I would like to say that I merely set this problem aside for another time, for I had another more pressing manner to look into first. But it was an excuse, a reasonable one but still an excuse. An escape for me as Nina drifted to the back of my mind.

"It does but you still can't listen to it. Nina those things are not your friends!"

"And you are?" she hissed, "You left me there to rot!"

She threw up her hands, whipping out the vapors to do her bidding. I slashed through them, keeping them back, but with every cut each vapor splits in two. Both coming alive to wrap themselves around my wrists. The turquoise bracelet blazed, burning the vapors. They screamed and released my left arm while the others snapped my right elbow back. The bone broke under the force, completely bending my arm in the opposite direction.

I cried out in agony as Nina took her chance to sink her claws under my jaw and dragged them slowly, drawing blood. It gushed out, staining her hands and my dress, "If you think this is painful," Nina smiled, revealing her long fangs as she tore the bracelet off my wrist and flung it across the yard. "Then you're in for a rude awakening."

I used the vapors to my advantage by picking both of my legs up and slamming the heels of my feet to her rib cage. She fell back as I tore the vapors away from my damaged arm. I collapsed to mud and tried to run but another shadow gripped my ankle and sent me flying into the side of the house. The back of my skull made a clean hit to the brick, causing my eyes to blur and my teeth to rattle.

I fell to the ground like a ragdoll, feeling as if my muscles had been liquefied; but still I forced myself onto my knees.

"You think this is torture?" Nina laughed, "You think this is the worst of it?"

I glared at her, grabbing my blade and rising to my feet. "You really don't know when to give up do you?" she hissed.

"Haven't you heard? I'm stubborn," I smirked.

Nina lunged for me but was stopped with an arrow to the side of her head. She collapsed to the ground and I turned to the doorway, finding Akram with a bow in hand. "Call me weak now, demon," he spat.

"Aw my hero," I remarked sarcastically as I fell back to my knees.

Akram kneeled beside me, gently carrying me away from Nina and sitting me by the door. He tore a piece of cloth from his shirt, "here, bite down."

I did what I was told as he caressed my twisted arm with soft hands, "this will hurt, bear with me. On the count of three, one-" he snapped it back into place.

"Fuck!" I cried, "You said on three?"

"I'm sorry, I had to set it when you were relaxed." He continued wrapping my arm with a make-shift brace that he also tore from his clothes. He folded my arm in front of my chest and tied the cloth around my arm and the back of my neck.

"There, all done-"

Slit.

My weapon that I had been dropped beside Nina's body was now pierced through Akram's chest. Akram clutched his torso as I reached for him but I had missed him by mere centimeters. Nina yanked him by the collar and threw him to the far wall in the backyard. Once he was out of the way she grabbed me by the throat and squeezed.

"Do you know what real torture is?" she hissed, her eyes flickering from gold to gray. The vapors were pouring into her, seeping into every pore. Slowly turning her bright orange fur into a washed out auburn. With the combined strength of her and the vapors she hurled me through the brick wall across from the house.

My back took most of the hit as the brick crumbled around me. Blood was streaming from my forehead into my eye as I felt three ribs crack under the pressure. My stomach no longer handling the turmoil of being flung through the air, threw up. I choked on my own vomit as I tried to get back onto my feet.

"Iya needs her alive," a vapor hissed

"Yes, but doesn't mean we can't play first," another laughed.

Nina smirked, "you think torture is all physical? Bloody knuckles, broken bones and stab wounds?" The vapors dragged me out and held me above her. Her face gleaming with twisted amusement, "That's not torture." Then the shadows slammed me down, my face flying smack into the mud. "Do you know what they do in the Abyss? It's not the hell everyone believes it is," the vapors raised me up. "It's much worse."

I was rammed into the ground once again.

"They play with you, show you versions till you can't even tell where you are." The vapors yanked me back up and she giggled, "I actually thought I had broken out once or twice, but I was wrong." I was smacked against the ground, "That's what they do, they play and they play, almost like spirits."

I spat out blood, vomit and dirt as I was jerked up once more.

"We play with humans, scare them, befriend them . . . Humph, people believe it's always the scary looking biker they should fear or a black man in a hoodie or a Muslim carrying a package. But people don't realize that we take on either the most monstrous of appearances," she gestured to her Rakshasa physic. "Or the most innocent," she shrunk, becoming smaller and rounder, taking on the form of a young five-year-old girl.

"The vapors don't hide, they know what they want. They are truer beings."

"Truer beings? Well someone went swimming in the Kool-Aid," I coughed.

I was rammed into the dirt for my comment and Nina laughed like an angel, which was even scarier than her hoarse Rakshasa voice. "Oh Amy, you just don't see it. The vapors only want the simple things in life. They only wish to devour, to conquer, to take-"

"How are those the simple things in life?" I spat as they yanked me up.

"They are simple because they want everything," she talked down to me as if I were the child. "Everyone may not say it or admit it, but they want everything the world has to offer. Being power, wealth, knowledge, love; they are all things that drive people to do mad things." She slapped her hands onto my cheeks and jerked me down to face her, "See Amy, the humans walk on a fine line between sanity and madness, order and chaos, love and hate. All on a thin line that can be so easily crossed." Her eyes continued to switch from gold to gray as her skin washed away to same ashy color.

Then vapors flung me to the far wall beside Akram, landing upside down on my neck. I whimpered as I forced myself onto my side. Every breath I took pained me, each muscle screamed for rest and my sides continued to snap under the abuse.

Nina only laughed harder, "Real torture is in the mind, screwing with someone till they finally break is the most fun! Watching as their hope is drained from their soul, realizing the world is neither kind nor gentle but cruel and unforgiving. That's the world we live in and whoever believes otherwise is just in denial. But when they open their eyes it is like child seeing the world for the first time; it's beautiful but ugly, it's sad yet truthful." She howled like a hyena, "People that believe that there is order in this world are crazy in their own right. It is just an illusion; all this is just an illusion. Could it be, I'm the sane one while everyone else is not?" She giggled, "Oh what am I saying? We're all mad here!"

I stared at her in disbelief, "What did they do to you?" I punched the ground in frustration, raking my brain for a plan. "The Nina I know would never talk like this!" For one second my eyes slid to the sword that was in Akram's back. "She was kind and funny, yeah maybe a little annoying but she was my friend." In one swift move I grabbed the sword and placed it inside my brace, "She was there when I was lonely or when I was in trouble. She was loving and would never hurt a defenseless animal!"

In a blink of an eye she stood in front of me, glaring down at me with dead gray eyes. Vapors circled around her, digging into her, eating away at her gold aura. "The Nina you knew is dead."

"I was afraid you would say that," I lunged for her, weapon in hand, plunging the blade into her heart.

She gasped, her mouth forming an 'o' with a silent scream. She tried to push me off but I wrapped my broken arm around her waist, twisting the blade in deeper. The vapors screeched like a deadly sonic, swirling around us like a dark tornado. Nina finally screamed as black liquid bled out of her mouth, nose, eyes and ears. Even her sweat was black ooze; it formed and dripped from each pore. The ooze traveled down her body, gliding off her skin like rain. The droplets pooled around us, evaporating into smoke as more continued gush out. The remaining vapors retreated into the shadows, screeching in confusion and agony.

The ooze finally stopped; evaporating into the air, leaving no trace of itself behind. Nina was as limp as a ragdoll, nothing supported her small child-like body but me. Her gray lifeless eyes staring up at the equally colored sky.

I brushed her hair away from her face, caressing the soft baby cheeks. "I'm sorry," my voice cracked, becoming rough and wobbly. "I should've . . . I should've tried," I inhaled through my teeth, "I should've tried to find you . . ." I embraced her, "I'm sorry," I whimpered, "I'm so sorry Nina." I closed my eyes tight, trying to stop the tears.

Once I had a grip on my emotions, I laid her down, crossing her arms over her stomach and closed her eyes. I sat myself beside her and tried not to bawl like a baby; for who I killed was once one of my best friends. Nina came to me when I was four, when I got lost in the forest behind my house. She was tiny, dressed in green and glowed in the same shade. Her butterfly wings were crystal clear and every time she fluttered her wings glittered. She was the most clichéd little fairy I had ever met, but she was my clichéd fairy.

Nina showed me the beauty of nature; she led me out on field trips, exploring the woods together as we sang rhymes. She kept me company when my friends were at school or when I was in stuck in bed.

Over time she barely came around anymore and I forgot about her. I forgot about her . . . Those words again, how could I forget her? How could I push her aside? After what she did for me; no matter how big or small she was a part of my life and I killed her.

Well, that's what I thought.

I was going to check on Akram till Nina's eyelids snapped open, her eyes blazing with a brilliant golden light. She gasped for air as she rose to sit up.

I screamed and crawled back as she blinked and looked to the sword in her chest. She yanked it out without even hint of pain and tossed it aside. Her attention was turned to her shaking hands, she gazed at them as if she didn't know they were her's.

She clutched and unclenched them over and over, "I'm free . . ." she whimpered. "I'm free," tears streamed down her cheeks, "I'm free!" She was laughing and crying at the same time, holding her hands together as she repeated, "I'm free . . . I'm free . . ." Then she tackled me in a hug, "thank you . . . Thank you Amy, thank you."

I blinked, "Okay, I'm really confused."

She pulled back, taking on the form of a preteen girl that was dressed in a green sari. "It's me . . . It's me Amy, It's me . . . I'm back . . . I'm back," she sobbed, "I'm sorry . . . I'm sorry," her voice squeaked as she cried harder.

"Okay, okay," I soothed as I embraced her, "I know, I know." Her shoulders shook with each wounded sob. Her voice cracked once again as she screamed into my chest, grasping on to back of my dress for dear life.

I felt a pair of eyes on me and I turned to face Akram. He raised a brow at the girl and I mouthed, "I'll explain later."

"Let me see if I have this right," Akram paced as I bound Hani's sprain ankle. "You are a shape shifter spirit."

"Yes," Nina answered.

"You were controlled by dark spirits to take my form and attack Amy."

She nodded, "yes."

He crossed his arms, "do you wish to attack her now?"

"No," she exclaimed, "that was all Iya's doing."

"And Iya is?"

I gave Nina a look, hoping she would understand not to involve Akram into spirit business. She nodded slightly, "It's confusing. I barely remember what happen to me."

He raised a brow, not fully buying the story but left it be. "And you were purified when Amy stabbed you with the Makhaira."

"Yes."

"How?"

"When someone wields a weapon, it becomes a part of them," Nina gazed to him, "you understand that feeling don't you Mr. India."

He nodded, his eyes far away into a different place and time. He sighed, brushing his hair back, "and that has something to do with being a purified?"

"Yes, when a person is possessed by a vapor they need a powerful burst of aura to enter their system. There are three ways for a person's aura to enter another's. You can send out your aura, which is the most difficult. You can touch one of their chakra points, or you can stab them, which is the easiest method and anyone can do it."

"Oh, so you're saying that anyone could have purified you? That I'm not special," I said in good humor.

Nina smiled, "anyone could have purified me but I'm glad it was you. You care for me Amy, if anyone else had done it, it would've been agonizing."

"Are you saying I was gentle on you?"

"It certainly didn't look like it," Akram added.

"I'm not saying it wasn't painful, it just would've been worse if it had been done by another that didn't know who I was nor cared. Vapors are filled with," she closed her eyes, trying ease herself that her traumatic experience was over. "Ugliness and hatefulness . . . it can drive anyone to a mental breakdown. Love is the most powerful weapon against it."

Before anyone could make a comment, a car pulled up on the driveway. A door opened and slammed, "Amy!"

"Oh fuck that's Arthur!" I hissed.

Akram looked out the window, "it's not just him but Germany and France are with him."

"It's because I left the party, Peter must've ratted me out that ass." I looked to my torn dress, "they can't see me like this!"

"Go to the bathroom quickly, you," he pointed to Nina, "hide in my room, go!"

I ran into the room, opening the door with a crack to hear Arthur ask, "India? What happen to your door?"

"Oh that," Akram laughed, "Amy got frustrated with the door and kicked it open."

I heard each nation sigh, "Why would she do that?" Francis asked.

As Ludwig said, "I'm terribly sorry about that, I'll pay for your door."

"No, there's no need, the only reason she got frustrated was the fact that Hani here hurt himself and she was trying to get him out of the rain."

"Is this him?" Ludwig asked; he almost sounded affectionate.

"Oh you poor thing," Francis cooed as Arthur questioned, "What happened?"

"A neighbor called and said Hani got caught in a hole and twisted his ankle. That's why Ms. America and I left the party, she was so worried over Hani. She even bound his ankle and made a bed for him with some sheets. She's a very sweet girl."

"When she wants to be," Arthur proclaimed.

"And you're any better," I whispered to myself.

I imagined Francis rolling his eyes, "she is a sweet girl and I'm not surprise she would do this. She loves animals, just like me. Proving once more that America has stronger ties to France."

Arthur groaned, "Not this again."

Ludwig moved the conversation along, trying to avoid a pointless fight. "Well, make sure you tell someone before leaving," he said, "It took us over two hours to figure out that both of you were gone."

Wait, did that mean Peter didn't sell me out. I sent out a silent prayer: I'm so sorry for ever doubting you Peter.

"I'm so sorry for our rudeness," said Akram. "I just needed to check on Hani, he's become very important to me."

"I understand, a dog is a loyal companion. I would've done the same."

Aw, Ludwig, you big softie.

Francis chuckled, "Oh Germany, you're so cute."

I was pretty sure Ludwig was glaring at Francis for his comment.

"By the way, where is Amy?" Arthur asked.

"She is taking a bath, unfortunately when we arrived it was still raining and very muddy. She was wet and covered in dirt. I think we're calling it a night."

"Of course," I heard their feet tread towards the door, each of them saying their goodbyes.

"Wait Mr. Germany," Akram called out, asking him to stay behind.

"What is it Mr. India?"

"I only wish to say that you've taught Ms. America well," I imagined Akram smiling as he said this. "Continue what you are doing . . . She will be a great nation one day because of you."

I didn't hear a reply; all I did hear was the start of an engine and a car speeding away.

After my bath, I crawled into bed and curled myself in the sheets. I was about to go to sleep till a glowing fairy flew over my face. "Nina," I groaned, "it's been a long day, go away."

"But I have a gift," she sang.

"Fine," I sat up, "what is it?"

She held out my turquoise bracelet and I squealed in happiness, "My bracelet! Thank you! I would hug you but I'm worried I would crush you."

She giggled and sat herself on my pillow, giving me her most sincere look, "I'm so sorry for all the trouble I caused."

"What you call trouble, I call Tuesday," I gave her a carefree smile. "I'm fine Nina, nations are pretty durable."

We flopped back onto the mattress, staring up at the ceiling in peaceful silence. But one question would not leave me alone. "Nina . . . I know you don't want to talk about this but," I breathed in deeply, "in the Abyss . . . did you see Kai? Is he okay? Well, I know he's not okay, but he's alive right? We can break him out," she remained quiet, causing my anxiety to rise, "right?"

Nina's lip quivered, "He carried the Sight Amy. He would've seen through all their illusions and he had the power to fight back. He would've caused trouble," bright gold tears streamed down her face into her hair. "They ate him and I watched, happy to see that it wasn't me."

I sat up to face her but she was gone.