America jumped awake to the bolt on the door sliding open as two maids walked in carrying thin, white night gowns. Each of the children were striped of the torn rags that they wore and ointment was applied to the cuts and bruises that covered their little bodies. The man had been exceedingly angry that day and his blows had seemed heavier and heavier.
He looked at the others Hungary, the only female her eyes where dull and uncaring. North Italy cried silently while his brother south Italy quietly accepted the scrubbing of wounds with a stinging liquid. Japan sat next to Germany silent in a corner. Looking at his own brother America saw not much more than a skeleton that clung to a stuffed bear for the past three years they hid the little toy.
The two eldest of the group walked around talking to everyone. The albino boy: Prussia was always smiling and teasing the others, every so often he would get a smile from Canada or bring life to Hungary's eyes. Spain was kind and gentle offering half of his meals younger kid's.
Once a day they could all hear the hum as the dumbwaiter brought their meals. All the children raced to the plates and sat down in a circle. The maid gave each child a plate except for one Russia who would not leave the corner; he hadn't been right since that day. He had been taken away and didn't return for many nights. Ever since then he never left the corner and very rarely ate his food. Spain took his own plate and sat next to Russia until lights where flipped out
That night he was woken by the soft rustle he looked around everyone was curled up together. Neither blankets nor pillows had been provided since they were sent to this cell. He saw Russia still sitting up, if he was asleep America could not tell. In another corner Prussia and Spain sat back to back Spain's face was hidden by his hands shoulders slouched. Prussia on the other hand sat tall head back a silent tear rolled down the side of his check. America lowered his head curling closer to Canada leaving the two too their own thoughts and grief.
The next day the man didn't arrive, as they maids distributed the meals they walked over to Spain and Prussia for just a minute the four talked. Suddenly the maids stood taller they lifted up the sleeves on their left arms to show two ugly scares burned into their shoulders in the image of flowers they looked to the group with sad eyes.
"We are sorry, and good luck" with that they left without locking the dumbwaiter.
That night they made their escape Prussia went up the dumbwaiter first to make sure it wasn't a trap. Than he pulled each one up first his little brother Germany than Hungary after that North and South Italy, Japan, Canada, America than last was Spain. The group silently slipped their way through the mansion until they reached the outside. In the night lighting flashed in the sky and dark grey storm clouds rolled across the night sky. The guards were missing from their post and gates left cracked just enough for tiny children to slip out.
Alfred jumped awake he pressed his head into the pillows. This dream had been plaguing his memories since the day they saw Prussia, He laid back recalling that night the group had ran through the streets avoiding any shadow, skirting through dark alleys as they made their way through the city. Canada dropped his little bear Kumi that's when he and America got split from the group. As the rain started to fall the two hid in a Cardboard box. Shouts could be heard from the bar that the alley backed up to
The next morning they felt a sudden weight press against the box and the strong scent of alcohol could be smelled through the stench of mold and trash there was a gruff grunt and the box was pulled open.
"qu'avons-nous ici" a drunken French voice called out
America pulled Canada close afraid of the strike that was sure to come. After a few moments nothing happened he poked his head out. A tall man with matted blonde hair sat, head pressed against a brick wall. Mud covered what looked to be an expensive jacket and his shirt was unbuttoned and tie was torn and crumpled. The French man looked at them.
"What are you two doing in there? Come on out it can't be warm in there"
Alfred opened his eyes after that day Francis and Arthur had taken care of them. It had taken months for Francis to coax the two terrified children from under the stairs. While the whole time author yelled about finding their parents or calling the police but was always stopped by Francis claims that the kids were his "inspiration" and if they went he would never write again.
He looked across at his sleeping brother who sighed in his sleep and curled closer to the old worn bear.