America
The hero must be strong!
The hero mustn't back down!
The hero must be brave!
The hero...
Shouldn't be afraid...
It was early afternoon as the young American sat in his assigned chair in the world meeting. Looking through his notes over and over, trying to make out any of the words that were written in it. It was in English. And yet, it looked like it was written in another language.
He placed the notes down.
None of it made any sense to him. He looked toward Germany. Who currently spoke of today's topic.
But...
Something was wrong. His voice... Seemed a little faint. Growing softer and softer.
America tried to focus on his words only for it to slowly drift off.
Ba-Dump Ba-Dump Ba-Dump
The room was silent. The only thing that could be heard was pounding.
Pounding...
It was his heart. It felt as if it would pound right out his chest any second now. He didn't realized it, but his breathing was becoming hazy, unsteady.
He looked down.
His hands clutched into his pants. If he wasn't wearing any gloves he would tell that his knuckles were turning white.
He slowly looked back up.
Speaking.
Others were starting to speak now. One by one they stood, spoke, then sat back down.
Their mouths moved but America couldn't hear any of their words.
All that filled the his silence was the pounding of his heart, the shaking of his breathe, and the ticking of the clock.
Tick-Tock Tick-Tock Tick-Tock
More and more stood, spoke and sat back down.
What was today's topic again? What were the choices again?
He couldn't remember.
He couldn't remember anything. He couldn't read his work. He couldn't hear what anyone is saying. He couldn't...
Tick-Tock Tick-Tock Tick-Tock
Time still moved.
It was getting closer and closer to his turn. The pounding of his heart made him feel as if he was having a heart attack now. As if he could faint any moment now. However, he wasn't that lucky.
Tick-Tock Tick-Tock Tick-Tock
He looked to see that he was next.
That soon, all eyes would be on his. Everyone would place close attention on him. Noticing every little thing he does.
Just like always.
Their eyes would always watch his every move. Always watch his every decision. Never would their eyes move, always on him.
Always.
"AMERICA!"
He shot his gaze up.
He didn't realize they were calling him.
"Now tell us, which do you think is best. Plan A or Plan B?"
He stood, looking around.
Their eyes stared directly at him. Focusing on his every move. Never leaving, always on him. Waiting...
Waiting for him... To make a mistake.
Just like always.
The hero must be strong!
The hero mustn't back down!
The hero must be brave!
The hero...
Shouldn't be afraid...
THE HERO HAS CRUMPLED
All eyes stare at him, watching his every move, every decision. No one is perfect, and yet people will point out America's every flaw. Causing him to have the fear of making a mistake. Once that mistake is made, they'll all point it out. Just like always.