Alright so this is the first Author note I've written 'cause I was lazy and some things need explanations.
I do NOT own Hetalia. All I own is my style, the plot and the human characters. I also own Ireland who will make a slight Cameo in this story, but since this is not an OC or pairing story, she plays a very minor role. Also, although technically OCs, the kids and other human characters are what I would call "one shot stock" characters. This means they only appear in this story, unlike my country OCs who will appear multiple times. This does not mean I love them any less.
Berlin; Germany
November 18, 1995
Londoner Meets Sticky End!
Teen Girl bludgeoned to death in Lincoln-shire
Norwegian Gunner Takes Down Triplets
3 Teenagers shot by serial killer in Oslo
American Would-be Victim Saved by Passerby
"The only time I was Glad to be French!"
Rising Teen Murder Rates
What is the connection?
The conference leader fanned out the newspaper headline copies in front of him and cleared his throat halfheartedly. For the first time in history, the conference hall was dead silent. No one was arguing uselessly, in fact, most attendees weren't even making eye contact with each other.
Normally, this would make the former commander pleased and content, but the nature of this meeting made that happiness almost impossible. Almost; it did give him a certain amount of pleasure to know that even the youngest member of the meeting was quiet. Fidgety, but quiet.
"Well…" the leader began, attempting to break the silence, "we all know why this meeting was called."
All eyes instinctively migrated to the man sitting to the right of the conference leader. He buried his head in his hands in a rare display of weakness. Even his rival, sitting opposite the table from him had to look away. If the circumstances had been different, Ludwig would have been disgusted, but this time was different. He turned away and began again in a formal, detached tone.
"We are all aware of the rising danger that our children are being subjected to. The murder in Denmark ten years ago seemed to be a coincidence, but this new development is something we can not turn a blind eye to any longer."
"A sting of brutal deaths and kidnappings has been occurring as of late. If you all look at the newspaper clippings by your seats, you will see a few examples. Last month, the three Norwegian children were mowed down by an angry protester of the government. Not two weeks ago, another murder was committed that I am not going to go into specifics about because you have all heard about it already. To the public at large, there is no correlation between the deaths, especially not when the stabbing of Wang Lee has not been released by her father to the public."
"There is no reason to, aru. I was able to convince my government that it was potentially dangerous and they censored it."
The Chinese man crossed his arms and glared at the rest of the conference, daring them to challenge him.
"Yes, well, that would make the killings seem even less connected anyway, since it occurred on a different continent. And a year ago."
"Just because I didn't tell anyone about until last week, you all act like I betrayed you aru."
"Well don't you think that that might useful information for us when we were trying to make the connection?" The leader spoke through gritted teeth. The older nation was always doing his own thing and leaving everyone else in the dark.
"Mon dieu my Rosaline! So young and beautiful!"
The sudden outburst made the conference members jump. The silence had made everyone edgy, it seemed. Of course, though Mr. Bonnefoy's outbursts were hardly a rare occurrence; this one sent the Brit sitting across from him over the edge. As his rival dramatically blew his nose into a fancy handkerchief, the Englishman jumped up and slammed his palms on the table in a rage.
"Dammit Francis! Where do you get off milking and romanticizing the issue like that? You should be grateful that YOUR daughter is still ALIVE!"
"Arthur," The ginger next to him put an arm on his shoulder gently. "Come on, sit down. He's just trying to get a rise out of you."
Arthur the Brit sent a deadly glare across the table and sat down, the color draining from his face in defeat. His neighbor bit her lip and looked back to the conference leader.
"Well… yes. Vere vaz I? Oh, right. Unfortunately, though we obviously know the connection of the murders, we do not know the reasoning. This is probably the most important piece of information, and happens to be what we lack."
"Now, since all of the killings were committed by a member of the child's own nationality, we can probably trace it to National Blame. This makes the most sense… but there are still missing pieces-"
"Yeah, I think I know the real answer."
The comment was quiet, almost inaudible. Everyone turned to the young delegate in the corner who looked confused.
"Huh? I didn't say anything…"
"But you're the only one who is so meek about stuff like this, Mathiew." Francis Bonnefoy cocked his head to the side and winked at the ginger who rolled her eyes in disgust.
"Uh yeah but-"
"It was me. Surprised?" To everyone's shock, the youngest (and normally most obnoxious) member of the conference stood up. "Yeah. Brace yourself for a conspiracy theory everyone."
"What do you mean, Amerigue?"
"I mean that the kids are being targeted… by your own governments."
Ok, so can we make this appointment quick? Sorry to be so abrupt, but mom's waiting out front and I've got a lot of work to do. Hmm? Does she know? Of course she knows; I can't exactly take care of a baby on my own, and I can't drive to get out here by my self.
So soes everything look okay? I mean with the baby? Huh? Have I considered the possibility of getting an abortion? To tell the truth, no. My family would disown me; they're REALLY religious and believe that Allah makes everything happen for a reason. Plus, they're all about family, so they'd view it as a murder.
I guess you want to know how it happened, right? The usual story, a party, a stupid idea, a little too much to drink, and fwallah! His name was Jack and we'd been dating for six months. He told me he loved me and I trusted him. Sappy teen drama; especially since he broke up with me the day after. Well, I figured we were over, since he was eating his ex's face.
No, I don't hold a grudge, I mean, I definitely could. But he was just some guy. After it was over I realized I was just pretty desperate. He was my first boyfriend. I know… I was stupid. But like May says, "Let's just thank God he didn't have an STD and that I have people to help me care for the baby."
May is amazing. We've been best friends since grade-school and she's like my life line. I think I told you last time that when I first heard that I was pregnant I got really depressed. I might have been suicidal if May hadn't been there. She is the sweetest, most heavily religious and goofiest person I know. Before the… uh… incident I thought it was she who needed me. Now I know it's the opposite. Yeesh, am I crying? I'm so sappy.
Still, I gotta get to work soon. Can we wrap this meeting up please? I've got to work on a lot of weaving for the upcoming art fair. Hmmm… you wouldn't happen to be interested in a hand-made Arabian style pot-holder? Look at the detail work here, you won't get finer quality west of Pakistan… oh right, we're west of Pakistan. Yeah, that's where my mom's side's from. Dad's Turkish. He's a merchant; mom says I take after him. She calls me her "little entrepreneur" but seriously: I can give you a discount price~.
Right: back to the actual purpose of the meeting. I'm fine, I- hang on. It's my cell. Sorry doc.
"Hello? May? Hey where were you tod- hmm? Outside Benny's? Okay, just give me fifteen minutes. See ya."
Sorry, that's May. Now I really do need to get out of here. I promised I would teach her some weaving styles. So we're scheduled for next week? Ok. By the way, the offer for the potholder still stands~. You'll take it? Great! That'll be five fifty.
Thank you so much! Here, have a bracelet as my gratitude for you being a super cool gynecologist. Alright, I'll see you next time. Thanks again doctor Bonnefoy!
She couldn't believe it. This morning she'd been threatened by a scary German dude to stay away from this guy, and here she was sitting on a park bench next to him.
It had started when she'd gone to the market in town to get some special bread and turned around to find her "friend" watching her through the window. When they'd made eye contact, he'd waved and smiled that ridiculous smile. May had inwardly groaned. She'd spent all morning and half the afternoon sleeping to try to make up for the time she'd lost that morning. And here he was. Again. Was he stalking her or something?
She'd left the store to find him waiting for her.
"Oh May! I'm-a glad I could find you! Ow." He grimaced as a purse was swung into his stomach.
"Why are you here? Are you following me?"
"Mmm. Yep. Ve~," he grinned again "Sorry but I just had to explain myself. And I never got to thank-a you for taking such good care of me. Who knew old ladies could be so-a scary." He laughed and May couldn't help joining in.
It was strange, even though his story about how he'd accidently appeared in her bed (which he told her once again as they sat on the bench across from Benny's Gelati) was ludicrous, she couldn't help believing him. He was so funny in a goofy, dramatic way that she felt obliged to like him.
"So, May, do you like Pasta?" He beamed at her suddenly.
"mmm.. not really. What?"
Feliciano (he'd reintroduced himself as well) stared at her with a weird expression.
"Y..you don't like pasta?"
She could've sworn that his jaw had hit the floor.
"Well… it's okay I guess. It's just," She shifted awkwardly away from his horrified expression "I have celiac disease. It's a wheat allergy so before I was diagnosed I would eat pasta and get really sick… so I never really liked it too much. It's actually kinda funny 'cause I've got Italian on both my mom and dad's sides so I like to say that I'm the "rejected Italian"." She laughed but stopped, seeing the expression on Feliciano's face.
He stared at her for a long, awkward moment before bursting into tears.
"You poor deprived-a child!" He threw his arms around her neck and nearly killed her with a crushing hug.
"Uhhh…-"
"Itsa okay! Just-a because you can't eat no pasta doesn't mean you're less of an Italian. You should be-a proud to be special!" He looked at her with tears in his eyes and, placing both hands on her shoulders, spoke in a solemn, completely serious voice "We can work through this together."
"Errr… thanks. But it isn't really that big of a deal…"
"May! May Alex! Oi kiddo, over here!"
Sandy was waving from across the street, jumping up and down. She crossed as soon as May made eye contact, and nearly got run down by a motorcycle whose rider cursed her out.
"Yeah, yeah. May, hi! Why weren't you in school today? Mattie had to do the presentation all by himself in Algebra. Why we even do presentations in a math class is beyond me, who's your friend?"
She nodded to Feliciano who jumped to his feet and waved his arms wildy, blushing like mad.
"Ciao bella! You're so lovely! Are you a friend of May's? We only met this morning but she can't eat pasta and I'm going to help find a cure for her "Silly-Yac Disease"!"
"Uh, you mean celiac? Where did you find him?"
"In my bed."
"Wha-!"
One long explanation later (made longer my the fact that Feliciano kept apologizing and asking Sandy silly questions) Sandy sat next to her best friend nodding and stroking her "invisible beard".
"Very interesting. If I hadn't met him I'd say you were on something other than allergy pills."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. Here he comes."
In pure exasperation and the need to finish May's story, they had sent Felici across the street to get them gelatis from Benny's.
"Real Italian Gelati! I had a very nice conversation with the man behind the counter. He seemed very amiable and he came from Milan. I love Milan! One of my favorite cities! This-a one's for you!"
"Thanks Feli." Sandy took a big bite out of her peanut butter cup flavor and closed her eyes in bliss. "Wonderful, I love Benny!"
"And for you little May!~"
"Thanks!...mmm… how did you know I love cannoli?"
"You do? I just guessed, guess I was lucky."
She failed to notice that he had the same.
"The man said it didn't have gluten when I asked him."
"Yeah, I get it all the time, Benny's a friend of my auntie's. Thanks Feli!" She gave him a hug and he blushed slightly.
"GOD I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER!" Sandy groaned "And pickles… I could really go for a good pickle."
"And so said the Pregger. I thought that was a myth." May laughed, well acquainted with her friend's random cravings.
Feliciano, on the other hand, was confused.
"Prego?"
"What?"
"No, Pregger," May explained "Prego is Italian for "You're welcome".
"I thought that was a soup.
"That's Progresso."
"AH"
"What's a Pregger?" Feliciano looked at the girls in confusion as Sandy giggled and nudged her friend.
"Go on, Educate the poor man."
"Well, Pregger is American slang. It's used with someone who's pregnant."
"Oh! Wait….. you… but… whaaaa?"
They both laughed at his confusion. May sighed.
"I'm praying for you, amiga," She said with a worried look "Every night. My mom didn't make it… but I know that you will! You have to."
Feliciano looked at the girl with a pained expression.
"I'm sorry about your mother, May." He said softly, and then added to himself "You don't know how sorry I am."
She looked at him and shock.
"How do you know about it? I didn't tell you."
The man bit his lip, his eyes filled with guilt and conflicting emotions. "Well you see May, I know your father-"
"You do?" Her eyes brightened with hope and shock. Feliciano had to smile.
"Yes, actually I-"
"Ahem."
All three jumped in surprise. They turned as one and May's blood went cold. It was him.
Feliciano smiled nervously.
"Ah, Ludwig. Fancy seeing you here. Would you like a gelati? They're really good…"
"Enough of zat. Feliciano, we have to go."
"But-"
"Now." The single word rang out like a threat.
Feliciano sighed in defeat.
"Okay, you're the boss." He looked back to his friends with a smile "Bye girls, I hope we can see each other again."
"Don't count on it." The taller man growled. "Come one."
He practically dragged May's new friend away. She couldn't help watching as they walked down the path towards a waiting car. Only when Feli waved one last time before he was pulled into the car.
The girls looked at each other for a long time before Sandy broke the silence.
"Yeesh, what a creep. The tall guy I mean. Oh hey, Feli left his wallet."
"Sandy!"
"Oy vey. Fine I'll leave the cash in. You should keep it. If either of us see him again, It'll probs be you."
"I hope so.."
As she walked home that day, she couldn't seem to get him out of her head. Her dad, Feli said he knew him. Was he telling the truth?
That evening, her uncle said goodbye as usual and kissed his niece on both cheeks. May's Aunt left later that night for her nursing job at the hospital while May was asleep. Tiptoeing into her adopted daughter's room; she gave her a kiss on the forehead and looked sadly at the picture of her late sister resting May's nightstand.
"Mi frapella, I wish we could see each other again .Just one time I wish I could tell you in person about what a beautiful young woman your baby has become." She thought in a silent prayer and tiptoed back out of the room.
There are some things in this world that humans have yet to understand, but have tried very hard to explain. One of the more well known phrases associated with this truth is "Be careful what you wish for."
So true.
Dear Awesome Diary,
Cookies are awesome. Someday I will marry Elizabeta just so that I can get that recipe.
That is all.
The awesome Kevin
This chapter was pretty hard to write. I promise that the action will pick up in the next chapter. I didn't want to overload so I split the conference into two parts. Please review! I'll update anyway, but I would like to know that I have readers. Thanks everyone, especially RegalPanther who gave me my very first review. I love you all!
