Hello, everyone. Long time, no see. I assured you all once before that I would not abandon my stories. I'm going to do my best to stay true to that vow. If you're not here from my profile, then you've stumbled across this story by chance or something. If that's the case, then I'll let you know that this is the new version of an old story. The old story is still posted on my page, so you can view it at any time. As of right now, I have no plans to delete the old version.
If you're here from my profile and wanted to see what the new story was like, then welcome back! Not much has changed, plot-wise. However, the way the story progresses has been altered a bit. Some shorter chapters may be longer and some longer chapters may be shorter! But despite that, I hope you can still enjoy the story. I hope you can enjoy this story as much as the old version, if not more than the old version! :)
No warnings necessary for this chapter. Please leave a review letting me know what you thought of it! As a final note, I would like to say that I am also working on AFOA (A Far Out Adventure) as well. Currently, I am all caught up with HetaFear and am working on new chapters. I have a long way to go with AFOA but I believe I am now two or three chapters in!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy. Thank you so much for reading! (^^)V
Canada was the first to be afflicted, then it was Romano. His brother, Italy, soon followed and without pause, America and Prussia were next. It was terrifying and it seemed to be happening faster than anyone could find a solution. Everyone wondered but nobody asked for fear that they would be right; was this permanent? Would they be stuck in this nightmare forever? Nobody knew who was behind it, either. Some of them had ideas, theories - but it never panned out. It never led to a clear answer. One thing was for sure, though; whoever was behind this was surely going to pay.
However, let's start at the very beginning.
Everything began the moment that Canada had entered the U.N Meeting Hall. At first, he assumed he was early. He assumed he had misjudged the time difference here. But as he scoured the building and awaited the arrival of the others, he realized that no one was showing up. No one was going to show, were they?
It was then that Canada assumed he had likely mixed his days up and arrived on a day that no meetings were scheduled. But when he checked his calendar, it was clear as day; early meeting - be sure to be up at five!
There was no mistaking it. There was a meeting today. But then, where was everyone? Maybe his calendar was wrong? He was definitely in the right country, at the very least. But something wasn't adding up. With nothing else to do, Canada decided to call America. America would know what was going on, right? At least, he would have some idea of what was going on. He would at least know where everyone is!
For a long moment, Canada stood silently in the Meeting Hall, staring at the vast amount of empty seats. The phone rang, and it rang, but there was no answer. It eventually stopped ringing, but there was no voicemail or dial tone at all. Canada, off-put by the weird silence on the other end, hung up the phone.
It was strange. Not Canada's brother not answering his phone; that wasn't an uncommon occurrence. But what was strange was the lack of voicemail, the lack of nations in the room, and the absolutely eerie silence that seemed to settle on Canada like a heavy weight. It caused a small pit to form in his stomach.
Shaking his head, Canada then dialed England. Unlike America, England always had his phone on him. It was rare for England to miss a call. Even when he did, he called back almost immediately. He was much more on top of things. However, Canada was shocked to get the same result in calling England. It rang for a while and then finally stopped. But there was no voicemail or click at all. There was only the dead silence on the other end. It scared the hell out of Canada and a strike of fear coursed through him just then. Did something happen to them?
Stepping back, Canada looked fearfully around the room. If something did happen to them, then why wasn't he involved? Why was he the only one left here? Something wasn't right. With a quick turn, Canada briskly bolted for the door. He had to check the hotels the others were staying at. He had to find them. What if something did happen to them?
Of course, unbeknownst to Canada, nothing happened to them at all. But they were beginning to wonder just what was happening with him.
The Meeting Hall had just quieted down when Canada came quietly shuffling in. At first, no one paid any mind to him. It wasn't unusual for Canada to come in a little late sometimes. Getting used to another country's time zones could be a little difficult. What mattered is that he was here. But as Canada merely stood there, looking confused, he was bound to grab the attention of a few other nations.
"Are you going to sit?" England had first spoken up. He was also the second to speak after Germany. He wanted this done as quickly and quietly as possible. He knew that really wasn't possible at all but at the very least, he wanted to get his portion in before the room devolved into chaos. "Canada."
"He's ignoring you." America plainly stated the obvious as he attempted to balance his pen on his upper lip. But it was then that Canada decided to try and call America. Being that everyone was there, patiently waiting for Canada to get settled, it was a very confusing decision. America sat up straighter and plopped his pen on the table. "Dude? I'm right here." Contorting his face into a look of bafflement, America decided to play along with Canada's antics. He answered the phone. But before he could even say anything more, Canada hung up. "Bro, what-"
"Canada, are you feeling all right?" Germany finally cut in, arms folded tightly over his chest.
"I think he's finally snapped." Another nation muttered from the back. To which, they were ignored. Everyone was more focused on how strange Canada was acting. It could have been a very elaborate prank. But somehow, they doubted that. Canada, no matter how much he was ignored or forgotten, would never pull such a prank on them. Not because he didn't want to but likely because he thought it was childish and wouldn't get him very far. Maybe the thought has tempted him a few times, though.
Stepping close to his brother, America attempted waving a hand in front of Canada's face. But the other nation didn't so much as blink. "Matvey, if you're not going to do anything productive, maybe I can show you to your seat." Russia muttered, his smile stretching unnaturally wide.
"Hell no. Keep your commie hands off him."
"Enough, something is seriously wrong." England interjected. "Canada, I need you to disclose to me what is going on. Can you hear me?" England's eyes narrowed, studying the Canadian nation. But the other didn't even glance in his direction. He did, however, shake his head.
"Hah! If he couldn't hear you then he wouldn't have shaken his head. Rookie mista-" The sound of England's phone suddenly going off immediately silenced America. Exchanging confused glances, America gestured for England to answer. Neither of them had any idea what was happening but if they played along then maybe Canada would give up the ruse faster?
"Canada." England muttered into the phone.
Yet again, the spectacled young man did not answer. Instead, he looked almost fearfully at his phone. Then, at the nations. That look in his eyes was too genuine to be an act. "Okay, I'm getting a little freaked out. What the hell is wrong with him?" Romano grumbled.
"Do you think it's payback for all the times he was forgotten?" Italy whispered. Yet, he might as well have been speaking with his hands cupped around his mouth. Everyone heard him, as was obvious by the guilty looks in some nation's eyes.
"Is that what this is, Canada? Petty revenge?" England huffed. Somehow, he doubted that. But part of him wanted to believe it was something as simple as that. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Canada surveyed each and every seat in the room, before abruptly spinning on his heels and hurrying towards the door. Of course, it wasn't going to be that easy. Reaching out, England decided to put an end to this stupid game once and for all. "Oh, no - get back here." England grasped Canada's shoulder, but the response he got was not one that he was expecting.
The feeling of something crawling up his back is what he felt first. Goosebumps broke out on his skin and a chill ran up his spine. His initial thought was to ignore it; maybe there was a cracked window or something. But when the cold, invisible weight settled onto his shoulder, Canada knew that it was so much more than that.
Whirling around, Canada came face to face with the same empty seats as before. There was no one there. There was never anyone there. Yet he knew for sure that he felt something just then. He knew that something had definitely grabbed him. It was a horrifying thought. Canada couldn't help the fear from building up inside of him.
But now wasn't the time to freak out or panic. He had seen enough horror movies to know that he would need a clear head in a situation like this. Taking a deep breath, Canada stepped back. He needed to go; no more lingering around. He also needed to contact England. If there were spirits involved then England would know how to handle them.
Thankfully, Canada felt nothing more as he fled the Meeting Hall. Unfortunately, he didn't see the baffled expressions on his fellow nation's faces. He didn't hear them calling him and arguing amongst themselves. He couldn't see what was right in front of him.
That's all for the first chapter! Those of you that have read this story already, know where this is going. But don't spoil anything for new readers! Let's let them experience the story properly. :)
Thanks again for reading! For my new readers, what do you think might happen next? Leave a review and let me know!
P.S The cover art is not mine! I found the image on Google but if anyone knows the artist, please do let me know! I'll add the proper credits as soon as I can find them.