"One more chapter? Please?"

"You've been saying 'one more chapter' for the past four chapters. It's ten. You need to go to bed. I'll read you more tomorrow night."

"But…"

"Ah. Tomorrow."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

That seemed to satisfy the kid. I set the book back on the shelf and bid him goodnight just like I always did. Then I practically dragged myself down the hall toward my own bedroom. I swore I loved my bed more and more each day. I never wanted to leave it half the time. I now knew why Greece loved and appreciated naps as I did now too.

I fell onto the surface gratefully. Just happy to be off my feet though I hadn't been up for long. Every day was getting more and more tiring. Harder and harder to pull myself up each day. Harder to do tasks I had done so easily before. But I kept going. Just for the kid. Just because I was needed. I was needed for once and it felt good. That kid was my reason for living. My reason for being. And as long as he needed me I would keep going. I would keep doing everything I could to protect him and give him everything he needed, wanted.

Sure it hurt every once in awhile, but that was ok. Just as long as he prospered. One day he would be needed. He would be in control and I… He would do great on his own. He would do this country good. He would was going take care of things.

A yawn slipped past my lips and no sooner had sleep consumed me.

Something was amiss. I woke to darkness. I was still very tired, but even through that haze of drowsiness I could tell that something just wasn't right. So I did the first thing that came to mind. Whether it be instinct or a disconnected thought I moved through the darkness toward the kids room. My steps dragging and my sight blurred, I drifted down the hall and cracked the door open.

I took a moment. Nothing seemed out of place. The kid was still sound asleep. The chair still at the desk. All books in order except for the one left on top of the bookcase. Closet door shut. Window shut and locked firmly. Fan making just the slightest noise as it cooled the room if ever so slightly. The scene was just as I had left it. So I closed the door quietly with the softest click before casting a glance down the dark hallway. I followed it and stopped at the stairs. The front door was in view at the top. My brow furrowed and I headed down, rubbing at my eyes. I checked the door out. Still locked. No windows open that shouldn't be from what I could see. Nothing broken.

Reluctantly I took a tour of my own home. Everything seemed to be in it's proper place. No broken or missing items. Not even the slightest sound from what I could pick up. Then again I was so out of it I couldn't even feel the usual dull throb that seemed to originate from my very soul when my country was suffering or changing.

Before I knew it I was heading back up the stairs. From there I took another quick look around the much smaller top floor. Most of the rooms were unused and locked up besides the bedrooms and my office which was a complete mess at the moment. Didn't want the kid getting into any old weapons or something stupid like that. What good parent leaves rooms like that unlocked? Maybe I wasn't the best, but I knew what kids shouldn't be getting into. I knew what lines shouldn't be crossed.

Checking each locked door to make sure it was just that, still locked I made my way back to check on the kid again. He hadn't moved besides the even rise and fall of his chest. Nothing was any different. Everything was as it should be. But for some reason I just wasn't satisfied. I just couldn't will myself to turn back around and go to bed though I almost desperately wanted to.

So I decided to take another look around. This time more thoroughly. I headed back to my own bedroom and reached into one of the plain vases, the ones no one would think to steal or sell, and pulled out a small ring of keys. Then I was off again. Checking out each locked door. Unlock it, enter, look around, check windows, exit, relock it, next room. This process repeated several times. Nothing. There was Nothing and yet… I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen. That something was wrong. I returned the keys to their hiding place and that was when I heard it. A click. Almost silent from where I was, but it was there. One of the doors downstairs had opened.

I didn't waste a second. My breathing had slowed considerably more out of an old habit than anything. I was low to the ground, my steps light and quick as I moved toward the stairs. I took a peek down it. Front door still secure. That left it to the door in the kitchen or a window open that I highly doubted I missed or I just didn't hear it when I came back up. I carefully moved down the stairs making sure to avoid that third step that had a bad habit of squeaking. But at least I'd know if they were headed upstairs. Toward my child. But I'd keep him safe.

Once I reached the ground floor there was a sound of something sliding off a surface. A cup maybe. But it didn't hit the ground… Really? They were stealing Cups? No no could be a makeshift weapon or a vase. So they're either really desperate and stealing food or they were looking for items that could make them a quick buck. Either I was going to be feeding some starving people, call me crazy but if someone is that desperate then a little food could be spared, or I was going to be beating some wannabe thieves senseless. Or killing them. Whatever happens happens. Not my fault they picked My house.

I took a peek into the kitchen. Back door ajar. For easy and quick escape meaning they wouldn't be here long or they were stupid. Tape held the lock open… So not stupid… A cup sat on the counter. One that wasn't out before… I made an attempt to process why. I didn't dare go near it.

Move on to the next area. Could be a trap. Careful though… Stay out of sight...

So I moved back and looped around to the living room. Nothing out of place here. Nothing stolen. Yet.

Careful. Careful. Watch your back. Avoid the moonlight. Avoid casting shadows. Check the kitchen again. Keep tabs on the area.

So I moved back around. Cup still in the same spot. I switched to the other side of the doorframe. The kitchen appeared to be abandoned, but they could be behind the counter. Moving slowly I stayed on the wall of the counter to peek into the hidden space. Nothing. So I moved toward the door, removed the tape and shut it slowly before locking it again. That could delay their escape.

The stairs squeaked.

I nearly cursed.

You have someone to protect now you idiot. You should have kept close to the stairs. Let the bastards escape if they want to. Just keep the kid Safe.

I was by the stairs in a silent flash. Adrenaline keeping all weariness and pain at bay. It was deserted. I headed up quickly. From there I made a beeline for the kids room. Nothing had changed when I looked into it… But... This was very bad. I hadn't even spotted the threat yet. I needed information. I needed to know what I was up against. Were there two? Five? How was I to know? They could be anywhere. They could have continued up or retreated back down when the stairs squeaked.

Check the floor out. If they aren't there then move back down. But watch the stairs. Protect the kid.

I retraced my steps and went about securing the second floor. Room by room. Checking locked doors to make sure they were still locked. Searching rooms. Listening for the stairs and opening doors. It was so quiet. I really didn't like this. Did they know somehow? Or were they spies? Was I just going nuts? No the tape on the door was a dead giveaway. If the door was still closed and locked then insanity was an option.

I froze as I saw a dark silhouette by the window in the library. The moonlight erasing all details. I watched carefully as they looked through one of the books. Something wasn't right here. Either they were waiting for me and wanted to bribe, make a deal, or inform me of something or this was a trap. I was going to go with trap. Why hadn't I taken a weapon from behind one of my locked doors? I would really appreciate a throwing knife or needle right now. Something to take the bastard out. But with nothing silent to use in case there were others, which I didn't doubt, so tactical retreat it was and I slowly began to back out. My low crouch hid me well in the darkness, but apparently it wasn't enough.

They turned around and rushed me as his lackeys jumped me. I bit back a curse, turning it into a hiss. I struggled to escape the trio. I kicked at the one that had been standing by the window and elbowed the one on my left as hard as I could. Despite my efforts and the hits I managed to connect I couldn't break free. Weakened or not I should be able to shake off a few humans. I hadn't gotten that weak yet-... Unless they weren't humans. If America threatened me and accused me of sending terrorists into his country again I was going to flip a switch. I had better things to do right now than bother him. I was trying to stay Under the radar. That and if he wanted the literal drop dead dedicated terrorists then he wanted Iran and such anyway.

I debated on yelling for the kid to run as I was being restrained, but decided against it. They didn't need to know about the kid.

"What the bloody hell do you want?" I hissed.

No response.

"Fuck."

I struggled to keep my wrists slightly apart as to allow a chance for escape later, but they caught onto every trick I was trying to pull. Not America then. This was too organized and careful. Then who the hell was it? I huffed angrily as I wracked my brain for an escape. I glared up at the three in the darkness as they drew back to examine their work. I froze. Nothing happened for a second. That was when something clicked.

"Don't you dare." I struggled to sound threatening, but the fear was creeping in.

"Go take care of it. I'll watch him." Egypt spoke calmly.

"No. No, don't."

"I am sorry, but it must be done."

Greece and Japan turned to leave.

"TURKEY!"

"Hurry."

The two were off. Not needing any more encouragement.

"RUN, TURKEY!"

I struggled rather pathetically though I knew it was of no use.

"GET AWAY FROM HERE!"

So I put everything I had into warning the poor kid. Warning my reason for living. Egypt made no attempt to silence me.

"YOU HAVE TO GET AWAY! RUN!

The squeak on the third step sounded.

"RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK!"

Hurry kid. You have to survive. For both of our sakes.

There was a slash of ease. Just a taste… and I knew he had been caught.

"NO! NO YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

My struggling had come back full force. Another wave of soft, cool relief came with a panicked scream. One that called my name. A plea to be saved. For help. He was so scared.

"LET HIM GO!"

Something sharp. I needed something sharp. I needed to save him. I needed to get loose. I needed just a little space to slip my hand out. Just one and my other hand would be free as well. I'd have to get by Egypt next, but I'd cross that bridge when I got there. My pain was diminishing.

"STOP IT!"

He was crying. He didn't even know why this was happening. I bit the hand that tried to still me. Egypt made a quiet sound of discomfort. The only thing that indicated that he was in pain. What the HELL were they doing to the kid?! I knew he was far more durable than he was before, but it couldn't take this long for him to die. They were either torturing him for fun or he was fighting to cling to life. Still hoping that I'd come to his rescue.

I didn't have time to wince as the thin but strong rope that bound me cut into my flesh as I pulled it out. One I quickly put to use. I struggled against the other nation who fought to pin me. His knee dug into my back in attempt to halt my fighting if only for a moment. It was in that moment where he forced an arm behind my back again when it all stopped.

The deep pang in the very center of my being ceased. The crying and begging stopped. I quit fighting. Silence reigned. Only our labored breathing could be heard. No. It was over. I was too late.

"No…"

Egypt said nothing.

I lost him. I lost him and the relief was immense.

"No… No… Dammit…"

No response as I was reluctantly released. I Lost him and the pain had vanished. Slowly being replaced gradually.

"NO! NO! NO!"

I slammed my bloodied fist on the floor. A weight had lifted and yet…

"DAMMIT!"

A deep pain was shone in Egypt's eyes though his expression was calm. Greece and Japan seemed to have decided to not come back up.

"DAMN ALL OF YOU!"

I didn't bother trying to get up. I was wasting what energy I had on cursing them. I knew I'd never make it to the kid. I'd never make it to my child. It didn't take too long before I was overcome with what was only to be described as bliss. My eyes slowly shut though I tried to fight it back. Everything just faded away. No pain. No cares. There I fell into the most restful sleep I had had in long while...