Story: Divinum Poena
Rating: T - M (in certain chapters ratings may change)
Pairing(s): Spain x Romano; others (side-pairings) are still undecided.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or its characters, they belong to Hidekaz Himaruya. I just write this story and its plot.
Chapter 1: The Darkness that Prowls
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(Romano's POV)
You know…leaving the scene dramatically in a mysterious fashion seemed a lot cooler in my head. What was NOT cool was forgetting where your hotel was and getting totally and utterly lost.
Yes. That was so not cool.
Not cool with me at all.
Regardless, here I am trying to spot any familiar landmarks and trying to avoid from being swallowed up by the crowd. Lower Manhattan, fuck was this place crowded...and a bitch to find your way around. People might mistake me for some foreigner or something – oh wait. I am. Well, there goes my cover of trying to blend in. I'm sure it doesn't help that I'm fast-walking, passively aggressive walking dammit – and no I did not shove that old lady who was in my way! Hmm…now you're going to accuse me that walking against the crowd was a bad idea too, huh?...Oh, well so sue me.
Heh, maybe everyone else should be walking my way instead…
Anyways…
Hey! Wait! I think this place is starting to look familiar!...oh wait, nope…this is where I just came from…dammit.
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Okay.
This is just plain ridiculous.
This may have been laughable an hour ago, but it's been THREE DAMN HOURS.
I was just about ready to kill someone.
Stupid phone for dying out on me. Stupid streets that end up literally nowhere. Stupid brother who was playing Cooking Mama on my phone – he installed the app not me – and thus draining the batter life of my phone. And while we're at it, let's throw in stupid German potato munchers, French perverts, and…and…Spani-
"Oof!"
I pushed myself back up as I tripped over…over…nothing? That was odd…I could have sworn my foot caught onto something and made me lose my footing.
"Merda…" I cursed under my breath and grimaced as I noticed the dirt that smeared on my black Armani coat. I sluggishly shrugged it off and shivered at the sudden coldness that crept over me and continued on my way.
On my way…my way...to my hotel of course. Yeah…
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I let out a tired sigh and frustratingly ran my hands through my hair as I sat down on the curb of an abandoned street. The roads were oddly barren and the lamp post was flickering above me every so often. The rundown buildings casted shadows onto the pavement that seemed to devour the lingering light that was present.
Yeah, this place was definitely creepy.
I stared forlornly at my dead cell phone and looked up towards the sky. Come on all mighty being up there give me something to work with here! A sign! Anything! …
Wow…I must be desperate to start asking the heavens for help. And just as I was reprimanding myself for doing something so stupid I heard the padded footsteps of someone approaching.
"Listen buddy, I don't know who the hell you are but as you can see I'm in no mood to-" I turned around and found myself talking to…thin air? That was odd…I could have sworn I heard the steps of someone behind me.
I rolled my eyes and muttered, "Great…now I'm hearing things too."
Just as I was about to stand up and gather my belongings to re-start my search for my hotel a strong gust of wind knocked me onto the pavement. I tried to stand back up but a pained shriek pierced through my senses and I choked back a scream of my own as the shrieking grew louder and the wind picked up in force slamming into my body in all directions. Then, just as quickly as it arrived, the wind stopped as did the screams. I struggled to steady myself as my legs wobbled uncertainly and my head was reeling from the screams that invaded my ear drums.
My hands trembled as I picked up my coat from the street, with only one thought running through my mind.
'What the hell just happened?'
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After that bizarre episode I was more cautious and tried to avoid lone areas as much as possible. I rather take my chances against crowds of tourists than winds that tried to kill you. In a match against Mother Nature, I unfortunately don't stand a chance. Damn.
As I entered a busier part of…wherever the hell I was I heard an ominous rumbling over head. And like a signal of what was to come, droplets began to fall from the sky. It started out as a small rain shower that gradually escalated to a heavy downpour – and with all the shitty luck I was having today, I was not surprised that this was happening. Nope. It was probably just the icing on this cake…a cake that England baked. No wonder it was so shitty and bad.
I ran and took cover under the awning of the nearest building I could find and lo and behold it was the entrance to a bar.
Oh fuck yes.
I needed something strong to get me through the remainder of the day or else I think I really will just keel over and die. Seriously, I was that tired and frustrated with the turn of events that I if I suddenly died I hoped my ghost comes back and wreaks havoc on the idiots that I had to put up with today. They all took part in my death one way or another. Just by being in my mere presence alone did they contribute to my early demise.
Anyways, I entered the lowly lit bar and seated myself down onto a bar stool. I waved over the bartender and just by the look on my face and posture could he sense the hostile vibes I was giving out and did not question me when I asked for something, and I quote, "fucking strong if you value your pathetic life". He took the threat to heart and immediately started brewing up my order. Smart man. One should never mess with a pissed of Italian.
As I waited for my drink I scanned the room and found that it was relatively empty except for a scattered few of drunks and hipsters that were probably here to get high and crap. I scoffed and placed my chin onto the palm of my hand. I tried to tune out the static of the television above me as it was giving an update on the weather and traffic reports. Blah blah, accidents, blah blah, bad news.
Jeez, what else is new?
It seemed that bad news predominated over good news these days. I don't think I have ever seen a broadcast that just reported on something good without the bad news outweighing it. Then again, with how things are going in the world maybe we've just re-directed our focus, and coincidentally, it just happens to be bad news. I guess this is what happens when reality catches up with you. It just hits you hard. I frowned at the thought and reached for my drink that was placed in front me.
I took a big gulp and ignored the stinging sensation in my eyes or the burning liquid that was making its way down my throat. I slammed the drink down onto the table loudly and sniffed. I wondered if people ever got a break. And if they did…would that apply to nations as well? Would I ever catch a break? Just as I was about to wave down the bartender for another drink I heard an all too familiar voice echoing in the room.
"WELL! CHECK THIS OUT!" A gruff voice bellowed, followed by the raucous laughter of his companions.
I internally groaned and fought the urge to repeatedly slam my head onto the table in front of me. Why? Dear god why? Of all the places to find refuge in from the rain…I end up in the same place as…as those three?
"Ah~ Gilbert, you must slow down mon cher!"
Shit, the French pervert was here.
"Sí! This isn't a competition Gil!"
…And so was stupid Spain. Ugh, just shoot me now.
"Heh, you're lucky it ain't! I could drink all of you under in no time at all!" The albino boasted and downed another shot.
France chuckled and took a sip from his wine, "I have no doubt that you'd have someone under you if they tried to drink as much as you Gilbert." The sexual innuendos going right over the heads of his two friends.
I shuddered and wondered why they actually let people like France even into public places at all. He should be confined to isolation…in Siberia or something. Far away from society and innocent victims. And speaking of victims, not so much innocent, however, I found myself staring - I mean casually observing how the Spanish bastard just grinned his stupid, dopey smile and acted as if he was not in the presence of a notorious pervert and egotistical potato jerk. That was Spain for you…
"Ohh! I have a great idea, mon amis!"
Hah. As if anything that Frenchie can come up with could be considered "great", unless it had some underlying sexual motives behind it.
"Let's play strip poker! Oh hon hon~"
See? What I tell you. You've got to be careful with that one…very…very careful. Watch yourself AND him. You never know where and when he'll attack. Trust me on this.
Just when the other two agreed – probably too out of it to even notice the lecherous glint in France's eyes – I hightailed it out of there before risking exposure to things I rather not see. I faltered in my hasty escape as I suddenly wondered how well Spain could play poker. I felt a blush coming on and immediately banished the thought and continued my fast-paced walk. No! I was not thinking of Spain losing and…losing other things! …Fucking perverts all of you!
...Damn, did it just get hotter in here or what?
…Ahh...don't answer that, dammit.
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I was walking briskly down the sidewalk – the rain had come down to a slight drizzle – when all of a sudden the temperature suddenly dropped. I gasped as the cold seemed to seep underneath my skin, chilling me to the bone. My eyes widened as I found myself alone once again. I rubbed my hands together and blew warm air into them to try and warm myself up, but to no avail. Despite the chilling temperature I trudged on forward and just as I passed by another alley the throbbing in my head from before came back.
I stopped and took deep breaths, clutching my head in my hands. Why now? Why was it happening again?
An ear-splitting scream sent me to my knees as the pain in my head intensified. The pavement in front of me was blurry – blurred by tears? Fuck, was I crying? – and small, black dots appeared in my vision before everything got swallowed up by the darkness.
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You can't run away from me.
A cloaked figure ran through the tight alley and pushed the garbage cans onto the ground in an attempt to stall the creature that was chasing him.
Every step you take brings you one step closer to me.
He could hear the creature's labored breath, its sharp claws scraping the ground it came in contact with, and could sense its blood lust. It was out for blood, his blood.
Like a game of cat and mouse.
A dead end.
Oh no….no…no! The cloaked figure turned and hoped it was not too late to turn back and found himself facing the formidable creature. Its glowering red eyes locked onto his horrified ones.
You cannot keep running you know…because eventually…
He clutched the cross that was hanging from a necklace and muttered a final prayer before the creature pounced and tortured screams pierced through the air. His anguish carried on by the gale strong winds and his remains, an open carcass ripped apart, which the rats would soon feed on.
The hunter becomes the hunted.
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A/N: Okay! So I think this is where we'll break off for this chapter. In the next one, we'll be back with Romano and find out what the hell just happened to him and what this mysterious ending part connection is to the story. Some of you might already know! There are context clues within that last part that you may just figure out what happened! And you can always find out in the next chapter to come!
P.S. PFFT. Yes, the BTT appeared out of nowhere, I know. I apologize, but mention "bar" or "drinks" or "having a good time" and I swear you'll find those three involved. xD
And thank you to all who favorite'd, story alert'ed, and reviewed in my previous chapter! It was greatly appreciated! :)
Until next time~!
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{ SilverxStarlight }