Chapter 1

The world is very different than it once was. Nearly 200 years have passed since Lilli disappeared without a trace. The country of Liechtenstein had gone into isolation, Switzerland following shortly after. Nobody entered or left the two countries, and all communication was cut off. Much like how Japan had been in isolation for many years. The other nations worried for their friend and could only hope that he was doing all right.

That was not all that had changed. As predicted, global warming took a turn for the worst. Natural disasters wreaked every continent, and eventually became a daily part of life. About 10 years ago things started to calm down. But by then it was too late. The world's population was a third of what it once was and nobody knew if it would ever come back.

Francis stood atop the hill of trash. The wind whipped through his golden hair, his blue eyes watched as dark clouds rolled in from the Northeast. "Looks like a storm is coming." A voice commented from behind him. He turned and gave a wry smile.

"Bonjour Natalya." He said. She sighed and they both turned to watch the clouds. "Best that we get going then." She nodded and the two of them made their way down the hill to patrol the border of the area known as The Wastes.

The Wastes. A large stretch of land covered in garbage, it was the size of a large desert. Nobody was quite sure how so much trash had ended up in on place, but there was one thing that they knew for certain. That it was a very dangerous place.

Francis and Natalya walked side by side along the border. The territory that they needed to cover stretched from a small toxic lake to a burnt and withered away forest about 20 kilometres from the Liechtenstein border. There had once been a small creek that ran through here but it had since dried up.

These areas needed to be patrolled for one very important reason. There were several, tribes, that lived out there. As scavengers and hunters among the mountains of trash. And they were more than willing to kill to gain more territory. They also had a habit of sneaking into houses that were along the border to steal from the occupants.

Unfortunately, this month's world meeting was taking place in a small town not far from The Wastes. So every few hours, the nations would take turns patrolling the border. And unknown to these two, there was someone following them.

Well, more like someones.

"Ah-achoo!" Erland sneezed.

"Shhh, are you trying to get us caught?" Peter hissed. Erland glared at him.

"Well, it's not my fault." He took a peek over a crate. "Looks like they're on the move."

The two of them crept forward, making sure to keep at a safe distance. After a while started to really pick up. Peter touched his hat to make sure that it had not been blown away. They were starting to near the forest. Erland shivered, "Ugh, that place really gives me the creeps." Peter nodded in agreement.

They had finally got to the edge of the forest. They heard Francis say, "We just need to check the area and then we can head back." Quickly the two of them ran and hid behind a tree just with the forest. As not to get caught. They tensed as the two adults drew nearer. Suddenly there was a gust of wind and Peter's hat flew off his head, headed right towards the approaching nations.

"Shoot!" Peter exclaimed, "Run!" Erland and Peter shot up and headed deep into the forest.

They were quickly approaching a clearing when Erland suddenly fell into a hole in the ground.

Francis and Natalya walked in sullen silence. If one looked closely you could see bags under their eyes and messy hair. "Hey, France? " Natalya asked her companion.

"Yeah?" He answered tiredly.

"Ever wonder that one day, that we will just disappear?"

Francis gave a small sigh and looked up at the sky with the eyes of a man who had experienced too much pain. "I don't know Natalya, we aren't as strong as we once were. That's for sure."

She nodded, "Even those of us who once had great empires are dying. Like you. And yet, no one notices. The others, nations who are still strong." She clenched her fists briefly. "I don't think even my own siblings have noticed."

Francis gave her a hug. After Natalya had calmed down they pulled apart. "Let's just get this over with." He said. "We just need to check the area and then we can head back." And so, the two nations headed toward the forest.

Smack. A blue and white sailor hat blew into Francis on a particularly strong gust of wind. Instantaneously the two of them were on guard. They heard someone shout "Run!" In a distinctly British accent, and two small figure ran into the forest. Natalia and Francis glanced at each other. "Should we check it out?" Natalya asked.

"I think so," Francis responded, already starting to walk into the forest. "Just to be safe."

Peter leaned over the hole and looks down. "Are you okay?" He called.

"Yeah, I'm fine!" Erland called back. "But you should come and check this out!"

Mentally shrugging, Peter climbed into the hole.

After Erland had fallen into the hole he noticed two things. One, it was far bigger than one would expect it to be, and very roomy too. Two, there was a girl down here with him, and she appeared to be asleep.

Peter called to him from above and he decided that he should see this. So he said that he should come down. Once Peter was standing beside him spoke. "Look over there. You see her right?" Peter nodded, looking mildly concerned.

"Is she okay?" The two of them looked at the girl. She wore a fushia, old-fashioned dress and had a purple ribbon in her blonde hair. "And how long do you think that she's been down here. I mean, look at those cobwebs." Indeed there were some cobwebs clinging to the girl's dress.

Erland tilted his head, "I don't know." He paused. "Should we wake her?" Peter opened his mouth to respond when they both froze. There were voices overhead, and it sounded like they were going to find their hiding spot.

Peter hissed."Quick, just wake her up. Maybe she can distract them long enough for us to escape." But just as Erland went to poke her, the girl's eyes snapped open. And found himself staring into a pair of green, almost teal eyes.