The Hetalia Global Warming Crisis; Get Out Alive
17—The Beast
~America~
Alfred staggered to a halt and leaned against a wall, cradling Arthur in his arms. Matthew's short burst of energy had lasted only a few moments after he had broken the connection, and now Alfred could feel how exhausted he really was. He doubled over, sweat dripping down his face.
The Brit gently coaxed the American to let him stand on his own. Alfred could see that already Arthur's own strength had returned. Concern glittered in his emerald eyes, without a hint of fatigue.
"Are you alright, America?" Arthur murmured. "We have to keep on moving. They will get here any minute."
"Just let me catch my breath," gasped Alfred, his breathing slowly steadying.
"Alright," the Brit continued warily, looking around the pitch-black corridor, the whites of his eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Do you know where we are? Can you find a way back?"
"I don't know where we just came from," Alfred admitted, straightening up and stretching his muscles. "And it's so dark I can't tell where we are. This is a pretty big building, you know."
"Can you contact Canada?" Arthur suddenly asked.
"You mean through tele-whatever-it-was?" Alfred scowled. He didn't have magical powers! Only Canada could reach him. He didn't know how to do it on his own.
"It's called telepathy," Arthur explained. "You're almost identical twins. You should be able to connect with Canada without even trying."
"I'm not a magician!" grumbled Alfred. Inwardly, he shivered. It sounded as if Arthur already knew Matthew could contact his mind.
"Just try!" the Brit urged. "If you can contact him, then you can get a feeling of where he is, if you try hard enough. If you can do that, you can get us back to where the others are."
"Why don't you do it, with all your magical powers and all that shit?" muttered Alfred darkly.
"I only know certain types," the Englishman replied curtly, avoiding the subject quickly. "I don't have a connection like you Americans do."
"Well I…" Alfred stopped. This wasn't getting them anywhere. They had to get out somehow. He shrugged; he might as well try.
Leaning back on the wall, he closed his eyes and imagined his brother in his mind. He reached out, calling for Canada, willing the northern country to hear him. He didn't know exactly what to do, so he simply repeated Canada's words to him.
Canada? Canada! Testing! Testing! Can you—?
Eh? America! Stop shouting! You're giving me a headache! I'm trying to concentrate here!
I'm sorry, America grumbled apologetically. I don't know how this telegraphy stuff works.
It's called telepathy, the younger country corrected gently. Are you alright? Do you need help?
I'm trying to get a feeling of where you are, replied Alfred. He sounded so stupid, and he didn't even know what he was trying to say. We're kinda lost, see? And I'm trying to find you so we can get back.
Wow that sounded so dumb.
Oh, I think I know what you're saying. Matthew replied. Here. I hope this helps.
A sharp prick of pain burned on America's left palm and he yelped.
Ow! What did you…?
Suddenly, he could feel Canada's presence in the building. He knew exactly where to find his brother and where to go, like a hound on a trail. The American could practically smell the bead of blood forming on the cut in Matthew's hand. He felt a sense of relief that he knew where to go, along with a feeling of confusion and curiosity.
Dude, I can smell the blood! Alfred exclaimed. What's going on?
I cut myself with my arrow, explained the younger country
But how did you know I would sense it? Alfred pressed, mystified.
Canada hesitated.
That's because I can smell your blood, too.
Matthew snapped the link instantly, as if he didn't have the strength to speak anymore, or he was too scared. The American opened his eyes and slowly pushed himself off the wall.
Arthur, who was keeping watch, glanced at Alfred.
"Well?"
"I know where to go," Alfred muttered distractedly, rubbing his stinging hand. He expected blood to appear on it any minute. "He hurt himself to help me…"
Arthur could feel Alfred's guilt and pain and he drew closer to the other country. He could barely see the outline of the tall American in the darkness. Reaching out, he put a hand on Alfred's chest, just to make sure he was really there. The bigger man flinched at the touch, and Arthur could feel the American's skin sticky with sweat and drying blood. He wished he could say something to comfort the younger one, but he couldn't think up any motivational speeches at the moment. His only thought was to get out alive.
Alfred twitched awkwardly as he felt the smaller man's hands slide from his chest to the small of his naked back. It felt odd to have the warm fingers touching him when he could barely see in the dark, although he felt the Brit's presence somewhat comforting. Arthur's strong fingers started to rub the spot on Alfred's back and he stifled a moan of pleasure. The taller nation knew Arthur was only trying to comfort, but it felt much more like seducing, especially with the fact that they were both half-naked and standing in a dark corridor. He shuddered and gently pushed the small man away, trying not to be drawn into the moment.
"We have to get out of here," Alfred rasped weakly. He cleared his throat and awkwardly pulled himself away from the Brit. "We have the keys, I know where to go, and you have your power. Let's go back."
He turned to walk down the corridor, staying as silent as he could, the fear of death scaring him into silence. He caught a glimpse of England's green eyes, which were wide with surprise, and he stopped, looking back.
"What?"
"I… have my power back…" stammered Arthur. "Is it because you beat them? Or is it because they're using their magic on brainwashing Australia?"
"You think I didn't notice?" Alfred growled, raising his voice impatiently. "I…"
He noticed the look of fear that crept into the Englishman's green eyes and trailed off. Arthur was staring at a point just above Alfred's head, and he could feel something wet drip onto his head and run down his hair. He slowly tipped his head up and found himself face-to-face with gleaming white teeth that were sharper than knives, and a pair of intense, blood-red eyes that glowed hypnotically.
"RUN!" America cried in terror, then turned and fled. He glanced back to see that the beast had dropped from the ceiling between him and England, cutting off the older nation from reaching him.
But the monster's glowing red eyes were aimed at him. It leaped for him, teeth bared and gleaming blood-stained claws reaching for his flesh…
England stomped on the monster's tail, cutting its leap short. With a pathetic whine, the thing tumbled back, stunned. Arthur took the chance and skirted around the monster, trying to catch up to the American.
"Use your power!" Alfred shouted over his shoulder.
"I can't!" gasped Arthur, his eyes wide in confusion and panic. "It's being blocked again!"
"Shit!" they muttered at the same time.
The monster staggered to its feet, growling in rage, then turned and pounced on the Englishman, missing the fleeing nation by a hair's breadth. But its claws managed to rake down the man's exposed side, and it howled in triumph. England's body jerked back and he let out a cry of agony that pierced Alfred's heart. The American growled and darted forward, catching the injured country as he fell.
Before the beast could prepare for another attack, Alfred retreated at a sprint down the corridor, without looking back. Blood pounded in his ears and the choking scent of Arthur's blood made him sick. Stumbling with exhaustion, he reached a dead end, the roars of the monster filling his ears. Alfred hit the wall in despair and collapsed with the Brit cradled in his arms. He hugged Arthur close to his body like a pillow and stared blankly into the dark, awaiting his end.
"I'm sorry, England," he rasped. "In the end, I couldn't be the hero."
Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya
Sorry for the deperssing cliffhanger, folks, but I gotta get my rest, eh? :P
I'm going back to school on Monday and I've got a preformance tomorrow, so it may take up to a week for me to update (sorry!)
But I've been updating like crazy this March Break. I think this is an appropriate place to stop...
SO IF U WANT ME TO CONTINUE U SHOULD REVIEW THANKS! XDDDD
~RedWolf Rocky :D