Man, that meeting had gone longer than I expected. I rubbed at my tired shoulders. Being a hero was tough sometimes. I hoped Japan wouldn't mind that I was so late.

We had gone nowhere by questioning Russia and Belarus. Both seemed unaware when we told them about the string of murders.

"That's not right, da? If you all became one with me, you'd all be safe!" Russia said.

"I didn't do it. If someone came close to my brother and I killed them, you wouldn't ever know about it."

Okay what Belarus had said was a bit scary, but both of their alibis had checked out. Russia had been stalking China, and Belarus had been sharpening her knives, waiting for her brother to come home. Lithuania had confirmed that.

I sighed. Justice seemed so far away. We had no new leads. The stress was really taking its toll on England. He looked so tired as he headed home tonight.

"You know England, you could come with me if you want. I was going to go to Japan's to play some video games. He probably won't mind if you came along." I didn't want to leave him alone. He didn't have anyone to release stress with anymore.

He looked at me with a sad expression on his face. "Sorry, I don't think I could kill anyone today, even in the virtual world. Don't stay up to late, okay? It's going to be another long day tomorrow," he said as he walked away.

I shivered a bit. Even though I wasn't with Russia I was still cold. Did that guy have the air-conditioning turned on all year round or what? I rubbed my arms up and down. Hopefully Japan would let me use his hot springs as well. I slid back the doors to his house.

"Hey, Japan! Sorry I'm late! I hope you're all warmed up because I'm ready to shoot a bunch of zombies! I am the hero after all!" I stepped through the hallway on the way to the gaming room.

I could hear the clunking of my feel resonating through the house. I looked down. I had forgotten to take off my shoes.

"Sorry Jap-," I started to say. Usually he would ask me to take off my shoes at that point. Why wasn't he saying anything?

I looked down again. I noticed something horrifyingly different. I was stepping in a pool of red sticky liquid. I looked at the paper walls. The red liquid was splattered on the white with small holes scattered everywhere.

My eyes unwillingly looked further down the hall where they found the source of the sticky liquid. Japan was lying there. His white uniform looked almost completely red from his blood.

I almost threw up. He must have been in so much pain. 1…2…3… How many times had he been shot? Some of his fingers were even missing.

I ran out of the house. I wasn't running away or anything. I just didn't want my vomit to compromise any of the evidence.

I was breathing heavy. I didn't know how much longer I could stand. I sat down along the path. I pulled out my cell phone.

"Look, America, I'm really tired. I'll play with you some other day when we've gotten this all straightened out."

"Japan's dead," I said calmly and hung up. Thunder clapped as rain began to fall from the sky. I suddenly remembered why I hate horror movies so much.

I laid in my bed listening to the sound of the storm. I could hardly believe what had been happening. It was like the people close to me were dropping dead one by one. West, France, Austria… I would never be able to see either of them again. Switzerland had gone into hiding as a last ditch ultimate neutrality effort. I was surprised when I got the phone call.

"This is the awesome Prussia," I said, but not in the same enthusiasm as I usually did.

"Um, Prussia? It's me." I could feel my eyes go wide. Hungary? Hungary of all people. And she was calling me? Te last I knew she hated my guts. Something was off.

"What? Are you crying? You're such a weak little girl!" I said, not quite sure what else I was supposed to say.

I heard sobbing on the other line. She really was crying! Oh shit! I messed up! "Look Hungary, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out like that."

"YOU'RE SUCH A JERK!" she shouted into the line. I had to hold the phone a bit away from my ear. "I finally worked up the courage t-to call you, and you treat me like this. I sure know how to pick them, don't I!"

That sounded weird. "So why did you call me, Hungary?" I said.

There was silence for a bit. "I don't know, but I think I love you," she said quietly.

It was my turn to be silent. He spent a few minutes like that. "Are you still there?" she said hesitantly.

"Y-yeah, um, I don't know what to say. Don't want to hurt your feelings, but…that's a load of crap."

"What! How can you say that? You don't know how I feel!"

"Yeah! I do! If you hadn't noticed, I just lost my brother!" Another silence. "My brother!" I repeated. Damn it I wasn't going to cry. Not in front of Hungary. "You're feeling lonely and vulnerable. You want to be with somebody, and I'm the closest person you can find."

"I loved him so much!" she cried.

"Yeah, I know, but that's the reason why you left me for him."

"But, Prussia, you should know that I love you, too. You're not alone." We were silent again. I didn't make any noise as the tears fell silently from my face.

"Is it all right if I come over?" she said interrupting the quiet.

"Y-yeah." It was late, though. "I'll be waiting."

"I'll be right there," she said and hung up the phone.

As soon as I put the phone down, I heard a knock at the door. Man, I sure was popular tonight. That couldn't have been Hungary yet. I headed down the stairs to let my mysterious visitor out of the rain.