"Don't cry, Israel," Italy coaxed him, "and don't look out the window."
Aviel obeyed and leaned against the Italian, wiping his eyes and grabbing the cross around his neck that Italy had given him to make him appear to be a Christian. He didn't like wearing it but he didn't have a choice in the matter, it was necessary and God, he was sure, would forgive him.
I wonder if my actual father would forgive me, he thought, he wanted me to be a Jew after all...but I'm still a Jew no matter what, I'm just pretending.
He wept as his thoughts then turned to his father and he buried his face into Italy's chest. Italy patted his head, it was usually him that was the crying one in need of comfort rather than the comforter but in this case he needed to be strong for little Israel. The poor boy, Italy had never felt so sorry for anybody in his life.
The train bumped and shock as it traveled across the Austrian atmosphere moving towards the Swiss border. Israel remained cuddled up to Italy, thinking of his father and hoping that he would be okay.
I hope the Allies are nice to him, I hope America is nice to him, he thought inside of his head, when I go home we can be friends again, I can forgive Uncle Gil for this and maybe he'll like me and me and America can ride our bikes some more and Papa can sing me the lullaby...
Israel hummed the lullaby under his breath, imagining his father saying the words to him while he was safe and sound under the covers in his bed. Home. The thought made him drowsy and he started to sleep...
"Freeze! Everybody!"
However the sudden yell in German snapped him from his drowsy state and he sat upright. Italy let out a small gasp as a Nazi SS officer entered the train cart and started walking from person to person asking their reason for traveling to the Swiss border.
"Remember how to cross yourself," hissed Italy to the young Jew just as the Nazi walked up to them.
"What about you two?" snapped the Nazi, "why are you traveling?!"
"I'm traveling to Rome," explained Israel, trying to make sure that he didn't sound too nervous or afraid even though he felt as though he was about to faint from fear.
"Really?" sneered the Nazi.
"He's my nephew, he is a catholic..." said Italy, gesturing to the cross around the boy's neck.
"Funny, he looks more like a Jew to me, look at his curly black hair, and he doesn't look like you at all," snapped the Nazi.
"No! No! I'm a Christian!" insisted the Jew.
"Prove it," snapped to the Nazi and Israel in response crossed himself and said the lord's prayer under his breath, finishing with an 'amen.'
The Nazi clicked his tongue and sighed saying, "okay, I guess you are a Christian, fine then."
With that the Nazi started to move on and Italy sighed with relief before smiling at the boy and silently congratulating him with a nod and giving him a big hug. Israel smiled and just as he was starting to calm down...
"Hold it!"
Israel's heart fell to the bottom of his stomach and his head snapped up. Italy paled as they both looked to the entrance of the train car and saw a familiar, smirking, black clad nation.
"Uncle Prussia..." gasped Aviel.