Author's Note: Hello all! This one is a bit. . . Supernatural. . . It's definitely an interesting chapter to say the least.

Tuesday, November 19th, 1991 - 36 days until Christmas

I walk through the large hall, steps echoing and bouncing off the walls. My shadow follows me as I pass by the lighted torches. A maid steps aside and bows her head as I pass her. I can't think of how I got here or what I'm doing. I'm just going. The halls seem endless.

"Gilbert, is it?"

I turn around and see a man behind me. His frame is tall and strong. He is dressed in something I haven't seen in hundreds of years, covered in a black cloak that brushes the floor as he moves. His face is serious, dark green eyes practically glowing in the dark hall. His hair is jet black, hanging about his face and shoulders in loose curls.

"Who asks?" I say, hardly recognizing my own childish voice. A small smile curves his lips as he puts a hand on his hip.

"Someone who can help guide you through the labyrinth, if you wish."

"Labyrinth?" I ask, panic filling my chest.

"How long do you think you've been wondering these halls?"

"Just a few minutes. . . I-I'm trying to find my room."

"A few minutes?" He chuckles, "It has been at least a few days."

"Days? I don't understand. . . I just want to find my room, it shouldn't take that long." I turn around and begin walking with more purpose, passing more and more torches, another maid. Eventually I walk up to the man again, but this time he is in front of me, leaning with his back on the wall.

"You're back." He says.

"How is this possible?"

He stands up straight and approaches me, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"This labyrinth is difficult, little one."

"You said you were a guide, yes?" I ask.

"I did."

"Can you guide me?"

"Of course I can. Come." He begins to walk and I follow.

"What is your name?" I ask after some time of silence.

"I am called many things, but you may call me Theo if you wish."

"Theo. . . Why are you in this labyrinth?"

"To help you, of course. There is something within you that reminds me of someone I used to love."

"Something within me?"

"Yes. You have that same tragic soul he had. . . At least a part of it anyway."

We pass another maid but instead of bowing her head and going her own way, she begins to follow behind us.

"What is she doing?" I ask Theo.

"Do not pay them any mind. They are noticing that I am helping you, and wish to stop me."

"Why?"

"Now there is a question. You want them to stop us."

"I don't want that, what makes you say that?" I ask, stopping in my tracks. He turns to look at me.

"To get out of this labyrinth, you need to let the maids go. They cannot follow you out."

"I don't want them to follow me."

"Are you sure?" Theo asks, eyebrow raised.

I turn to look at the maid and notice a darkness where her face should be. Startled, I gasp and back up into Theo. He places his hands on my shoulders and I wrap my hand around his wrist.

"What is wrong with her?" I ask, frightened.

"It is the darkness that keeps you in here. As you pass by them they nod to you, hiding their absent faces, and giving you a sense of security. They lead you further and further into the dark, away from the door. I am proud of you. You can finally see them for what they are."

I nod and look up at him, his face has a bit of kindness in it now that comforts me.

"Let's keep going." I suggest.

"Alright."

We continue walking through the dark winding halls, collecting more and more maids as we do so. A sickening fear begins to build within my chest. I feel like something is pulling me, weighing down on me, telling me to turn back.

"You are slowing down?" Theo asks.

"I feel heavy, like something is pulling me back." I admit.

"Do you wish to hold my hand?" He says while stretching his arm out toward me. I nod and take his hand, feeling stronger. We seem to walk for hours, the torches burn endlessly, the halls never cease.

"You will not leave this labyrinth the same as you entered. Are you sure you want to leave it?" Theo breaks the silence.

"Do I have a choice?"

"You do. You can follow the maids further inside, and let them lead you to that door."

"That doesn't seem like much of a choice. . ." I mumble.

He is evil.

Don't follow him.

He will only trick you.

He is the devil!

Don't do it Gilbert, do not go to the door.

He is not to be trusted

Voices whisper through the halls.

"Do you hear that?" I ask, "the whispering?"

"I do." Theo says calmly.

Do you not recognize him?

Evil!

He is leading you the wrong way!

What has been done to you cannot be undone! You will never forget!

You mustn't change, Gilbert. Do not lose yourself.

"They are scaring me. . . Are they talking about you?" My voice is shaky as I ask.

"They are. The maids do not like me, they wish for you to stay. Do you still trust me?"

I look up into his green eyes then back at the maids. One of them steps forward and pulls the hood away, allowing for me to see a face. It is Germany.

"Don't trust him, Prussia. He will lead you away from me."

"Germany? What are you doing here?" I ask, astonished.

"I'm trying to help you. Follow me this way, to the other door."

I look to Theo for guidance but he remains silent.

"I-I don't know. . . Theo is the guide, he knows where to go."

"He lies! He is only tricking you! Why would I lie to you?" Germany sounds heartbroken as I doubt his intentions. I feel my hand begin to slip away from Theo's as I step closer to the maids. Germany stretches out his arm, holding his hand out to me.

"Take my hand, and I'll lead you to the right door. He is a trickster, Prussia. He is a snake in disguise, you can tell by his glowing green eyes."

Another maid steps forward and pulls down the hood, revealing Hungary.

"Gilbert take his hand, please. We don't want to lose you, not again. Do not trust the man you have been following, he is the grim reaper."

I look back to Theo and again note how his eyes glow green. His black cloak and serious face become more sinister.

"Theo, is this true?"

The poisonous green gaze falls to me as he answers.

"I am the guide to this labyrinth. If you wish to make it to the end, you must follow me, and leave them behind."

"Gilbert," Germany begins, "please come back to us. I can't live without you. It'll destroy me."

Another maid steps forth and again pulls it's hood off, revealing Canada.

"Take his hand, Gilbert, and come back to us. I'm beginning to fall for you and would be shattered if you left me like everyone else in my life." Canada says in his delicate voice.

"Y-you are?" I stutter.

"Yes. My love for you grows with each passing day. I know I can be confusing, but that is because I've been hurt before. My walls are crashing down the more I get to know you." His soft voice echoes throughout the halls, making me swoon. My hand slips further from Theo's and I am almost to Germany. As I reach out to take his hand, a dark laugh echoes through the halls, making him pull back. Hungary, Canada, and Germany look at me with fear in their eyes as I notice the laughing is coming from me.

"There he is, that tragic soul. It doesn't have to be a curse, Gilbert." Theo says softly. As I look over the maids again I notice their hoods have gone back up, darkness blanking out their faces. I hold onto Theo's hand tighter and a smirk curves his lips.

"So you have chosen me?" He asks.

"Yes. I want to be done with this labyrinth."

"Good." his grip tightens on me and he begins running through the halls, pulling me along. The maids wail, their horrifying screams following us through the winding halls. The torches begin to blow out, quicker than we can run, leaving us in darkness.

"I can't see!"

"I know!" Theo begins, "we are at the door, are you strong enough to step through?"

"Yes? I can't see it."

"Come on, Prussia! You don't have much time. The maids will take you if you do not go through."

I frantically look around the darkness, trying to find anything, any sign of a door. I look up where Theo should be and see his glowing green eyes.

"It's you. . . You're the door."

"Yes. Now go, or all of this will be for not."

I look into his eyes, and he looks into mine. Hands grab at me and I begin to panic. A red light begins to eliminate the wall behind him as he becomes lost in my eyes. I see a lot as I go through his green eyes, memories of his life flash before me quickly and again I am in darkness.

November 20th, 1991

My vision is blurry for a few moments as I look around the bedroom I'm in. Canada is by the nightstand, reading over something I'm not sure. He turns to me and smiles lightly.

"You're awake." He says softly. I groan and put a hand on my forehead. This headache is killer.

"I am. . . Thank God."

"You seemed rather restless, I hope you weren't too disturbed by my presence."

The memories of the labyrinth and Theo come rushing back to me and I sigh. The relief that floods me from being away from that place is immense.

"You are fine, quiet as always." I say while slowly sitting up.

"Alright, take it easy. You haven't really left this bed for the past couple of days." He warns me. And it feels like it. My arms and legs feel heavy and tired.

"What happened?" I ask.

"You weren't unconscious. . . More like experiencing something else that wasn't happening here. You kept calling me Frances, which was interesting."

"Well. . . You do look like her." I sigh out.

"Yeah, if she was 185 (6'1) centimeters and a man." He says with a smile. I roll my eyes playfully.

"You know what I mean. You have her," I gesture to his face, "prettiness."

"Speaking of prettiness, you look a lot better. Even your eyes are bright and red."

"Do you think I might be out of the woods?" I ask.

". . . You very well may be. Though, before you go back to Europe, I'd like to watch you for a few more days at least to make sure."