Hello, my lovelies!
So it kind of has been some time since I last updated . . . I've been doing a lot of Artworks recently, and this chapter I was stumped on for quite some time. But I knew I couldn't abandon this, but I also knew that I needed to find some inspiration. Which is why I have been drawing a LOT! But through that I did find some motivation! Yay!
Anyways, Until next time!
Don't Lean On Me (c) Bringmemisery
Hetalia (c) Hidekaz Himaruya
Chapter 18 - Un Cambio Repentino
Antonio entered the waiting room and took a seat beside Arthur. His mind had raced so much it made his head throb. He couldn't believe that he had been double crossed right under his nose. He couldn't believe his friends got attacked, and that Lovi had been shot. Hell he couldn't even believe that Gil and Ludwig were actually both alive.
He sighed as he leaned into his seat and shut his eyes.
"Antonio?" He heard Arthur ask, "How is he?"
"Better, I think," Antonio replied, "He woke up while I was there."
"Woke up?" Ludwig asked this time, "Did he say anything? Did he know you were there? Was everything alright with him?"
Antonio opened his eyes, "I just said he was better—"
"You said you thought he was," Ludwig stood, "Thinking and knowing are entirely different!"
"Okay," Antonio rolled his eyes, "He was fine, amigo. He was talking to me just fine. Kind of was in denial about being out for this long, though. Pero he knew who I was, and he told me that he didn't feel any pain or anything."
Ludwig crossed his arms, "You're sure he's fine?"
Antonio nodded, "100 percent positive. He was more worried about you than anything."
Ludwig's eyes fell to the floor, "Of course he was . . . Gott, what the hell is going on? First his nightmare, and then – ugh!"
"Ludwig," Arthur spoke, "Don't get so worked up on the matter. Everyone is fine, and that's really all that matters at the moment."
"Maybe I should check on him," Ludwig looked down the hallway.
"Amigo," Antonio sat up, "give him a little bit. Lizzie's with him anyways, so I'm pretty sure he's preoccupied."
Ludwig grunted, but he sat back down.
"Antoni?" Francis asked, "Are you still going to wait here, mon ami?"
"Not really sure," Antonio scratched his leg, "How much longer are you guys staying here?"
Arthur shrugged, "Might as well be leaving soon. Gil needs his rest, and I need to go check up on the boys."
Both Arthur and Francis stood up and said their goodbyes before they both exited the building.
Antonio was also about to stand when steps from down the hall made him turn. He noticed Lizzie slowly approach. She gave a small smile as her eyes met his. He forced one in return as she came up to him. As she took a seat beside him he noticed how puffy her eyes were.
Poor girl has gone through a lot. . .
From the corner of his eye he noticed Ludwig stand up, and a moment later the German made his way down where Lizzie had entered from.
The wait must have killed him just as much. . .
Antonio turned toward Lizzie, and placed his hand onto hers.
"Señorita?" He asked, "Are you alright?"
She nodded as she looked up, "I'm fine, thank you."
"Did something happen?"
"No, no," she smiled, "I just . . . he's tired. I know he is."
"I know you are too," Antonio smirked, "you should probably get back home."
"Yeah," Lizzie's eyes fell, "how long do you think he's going to stay here?"
He shrugged "I'm not too sure, pero probably not long. He is Gil, after all."
Lizzie sighed, "Yeah, he sure is . . ."
"Lizzie? You're sure you're okay?"
She nodded again, "Maybe I am tired."
Antonio stood up and reached out his hand, "Come on, I'll take you home."
She looked at his hand, and smiled as she took hold of it.
He helped her to her feet and led her outside. The chill air brushed against his face as he tried to remember where exactly he had parked. He pulled out his keys and pressed the alarm a few times. Off to the right he could hear the alarm beep.
He led her in that direction, and once they reached the car he pulled the passenger door open for her. Once she was inside he walked over to his side and plopped onto his seat. He started the car and looked over to her.
She hallow eyes focused straight ahead.
He frowned as he put his car in reverse, and made his way to the main road. For a while the ride was rather silent. He wanted to say something, but he had no idea what he could say to her. Of course they were friends, but they weren't very close. They knew each other mostly because of Gil being their mutual friend.
Antonio stared out at the dark road, and for a moment he forgot where he was. His eyes then fell onto a rather large Billboard a few feet high up. Upon the billboard was a large pair of bright white teeth and a '#1 Dentist Recommended' slogan written in huge font. It was then that he realized how close to Downtown they were. Once more he looked over to Lizzie, and noticed her gaze hadn't changed. Though he wanted to leave her be, he didn't remember how far her place was from here. He'd only been there maybe once or twice, but both times Gil drove.
". . .Lizzie?"
From the corner of his eye he noticed her turn her head.
"Yes, Antonio?"
Antonio scratched the back of his hand, "this is gonna sound kind of silly, pero I kinda don't remember how to get you back home."
She gave a quick laugh, "head over by Francis' Café, and turn left. Follow that road for about 10 minutes, and you'll see the apartment complex."
"Gracias!" Antonio looked to her, but he found her return her gaze out the window.
He pressed his elbow against his window and rested his cheek onto his fist. He saw the Café, and he turned left like he was told. Then he continued down a long road, and he looked over to her again. Not once did her gaze break.
He leaned his head back into the headrest and sighed.
"Lizzie?"
"Yes?" she continued to look out the window.
"I know it's none of my business, but is everything okay?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Well," He returned his other hand to the steering wheel, "You're just really quiet, so I wasn't sure if you were okay."
She nodded, but a tear slid down her cheek. She rubbed it away, but more continued to fall.
"Liz?" Antonio scratched his chin, "did something happen?"
She shook her head, "no, no, nothing happened it's just . . ."
"Just?" He bit his lip, and pondered whether he should pull over or not.
"I don't," she started, "God, I don't know, Antonio. I'm scared."
"About what? Those pendejos that did this crap? I promise me those guys aren't going to get near you again—"
"It's not that," she interrupted, "It's . . . Gil."
"What about him?" His heart raced.
"I'm scared for him," she looked over to him, "I don't know why all of this is happening to him, and it's scaring me."
"Lizzie, you shouldn't worry about him. I'm sure he'll be fine—"
"And how are you so sure?" Her tone heighted, and she turned away, "I'm sorry. I can't help it . . . I just feel so lost. . ."
"Liz, you really shouldn't be worrying so much. Gil's fine, isn't he? I mean, we both even got to talk to him, and he seemed good as new."
"Yeah, but he does that," She sighed, "he never wants anyone to worry about him, no matter how little. And if you find out about it, all he does it shrug it off and make it seem like it's nothing when it could be something. It drives me insane that he doesn't let anyone help him."
"Well, maybe he doesn't want the help? He's stubborn, and he probably just doesn't want to worry you—"
"But he does!" Lizzie folded her arms, "you wouldn't believe how many times he's told me the same thing you are. 'Oh, Liz, don't worry. I'm just being a baby,' or 'no, Liz, I'm the awesome Gil! I've got this all under fucking control!"
Antonio looked down at the steering wheel as he heard her cry more. Never had he realized how much he and Gil were alike. Neither of them wanted their friends to worry about their problems – neither of them realized how much they were actually hurting everyone. They were just too focused on settling everything alone, but now it didn't seem worth it.
They had friends who loved them, so why be so stubborn?
Antonio placed his hand onto her arm, "No llores, Bonita. I know it's hard, but you've got to keep that pretty head of yours up. I'm sure he'd lose it if he saw you crying over him like this."
"I can't help it, Antonio," She wiped her eyes, "I never realized how much he means to me until the first time I almost lost him. If he wasn't with me, I honestly don't know what I'd do. I'd probably lose my mind!"
Antonio looked at her, then back to the steering wheel. He didn't know how to respond to that. All he could do was think about her words.
What on earth would he do if he lost Gil . . . or anyone?
He gripped the wheel when he noticed the Apartments come closer. He sighed and glanced over to her once again.
"He means a lot to all of us, Lizzie," He started as he followed after a car into the complex, "But like I said, I'm sure that he'll be fine. Besides, we got rid of that thing back at Arthur's house anyways!"
"But what about those men?"
Antonio pulled his car against a curb, "the only reason they did anything to him was because of me. Had I not have done anything nothing would have happened to him."
"You shouldn't blame yourself, Antonio. It was . . . unexpected."
"But I still feel that I caused this," He frowned.
"Things have happened with him even before those men got involved. But now that they are, it is Gil we're talking about. Knowing him he'll go looking for them."
"Then we'll keep an eye on him." Antonio reassured her, "Besides, he's not really going anywhere with his leg being broken. I guess in a sick way it's almost a good thing he got in that accident."
Lizzie shook her head as she looked off somewhere, "Antonio, you don't know where to go, do you?"
"Not the slightest clue," He scratched his neck.
Lizzie pointed across the way, "Right over there. My apartment is on the bottom floor."
Antonio pulled away from the curb and parked in the closest space he could find. He leaned back in his seat as he unlocked his doors. From the corner of his eye he could see Lizzie pull off her seatbelt. A moment later he heard her door open.
"Thank you, Antonio," She said as she took a step outside.
"Sure," he replied, "Hey, Lizzie?"
"Yes, Antonio," She stood beside the open door.
"I promise you, on my life, I will not let anything happen to him."
"Antonio, you can't—"
"I promise you," he held up his hand, "nothing will happen to him. I swear on it."
†††††
"What if we stuff them with confetti?!" Jesus yelled.
"Jesus," Antonio sighed, "isn't there ever a time you don't think about confetti?"
Jesus put his finger to his lips, "the other day I was thinking about snakes!"
Miguel smacked the back of Jesus' head, "stop talking for five minutes, stupid."
Jesus started to laugh, and Antonio leaned against the wall.
He stayed up most of the night trying to understand why José would betray him, and why Gil had been attacked, and whether Lizzie got any sleep, and how Lovino was doing, and how everyone else at the party was doing, and—
"Señor?" Javier asked, "Is everything alright?"
Antonio shrugged, "my brain is all over the place, amigo. Not one thing has made sense to me these past few days."
"Doesn't make sense to us either," Miguel responded, "what would those idiotas be gaining in any of this? What, a bigger paycheck? As if they don't already have one!"
Antonio shrugged again, "Like I said, not much sense."
"I'm telling you," Jesus chimed in, "Confetti. Stuff them like a piñata!"
"Jesus," Antonio wrinkled his eyebrows, "that's disgusting!"
"What did I just say about talking?" Miguel smacked Jesus again.
Antonio squeezed the bridge of his nose with his fingertips when he heard a knock come from the door. He glanced up, then slowly made his way over. He stopped before the door, and other knock came. He peered through the peephole, and he found Detective Mendez and Officer Marshall standing outside.
Where they checking up on him?
He pulled open the door, "Hola! How can I help you both?"
"Mr. Carriedo," Officer Marshall yelled, "We have very important matters to discuss!"
"Marshall," Detective Mendez interrupted, "no need to shout. Mr. Carriedo, may we come in? These matters are quiet serious."
Antonio nodded as he moved away from the door. He watched as the two walked inside, and he shut the door.
What would be so important that they'd need to be inside?
He made his way over to them, and stood beside one of his couches.
"Mr. Carriedo," Detective Mendez spoke, "We have some news to discuss in regards to José Padilla."
"What is it?" Antonio felt his blood boil.
"Sometime last night," Officer Marshal stated, "the patrol car which was transporting José Padilla to the station got into a bizarre accident."
"Accident?" Antonio rose his eyebrow, "is everyone alright?"
"Yes," Detective Mendez replied, "the only problem is that somehow Mr. Padilla escaped—"
"W-what do you mean?"Antonio's face dropped.
"We mean," Officer Marshall crossed his arms, "the guy somehow took off. Our guys couldn't entirely explain what happened, but their back window was completely gone. Like it literally blew off and vanished into oblivion. And they're assuming the guy slid out the back and took off."
"Wait," Miguel spoke, "but how could he have gotten far? He was handcuffed, wasn't he?"
"He was," Detective Mendez responded, "which is why we're concerned about the matter as much as you must be now. Our men are trying to find him, but for some reason they're having no luck. Which is also why we came here. He may come here to look for you, Mr. Carriedo. Please, be very careful."
Antonio snorted, "That guy would have some balls coming over here again. Gracias for informing me. I'll make sure to look out for him."
"Mr. Carriedo," Detective Mendez handed him a card, "if for some reason you do stumble upon him, call me immediately. Don't rush in on him by yourself, because as of right now we don't know how dangerous he can be."
Antonio nodded as he took the card from her hand.
"Señora," Jesus said, "you don't have to worry about Señor! He's got the body of a bull, and the mind of a phoenix!"
"Jesus, Cállate!" Miguel yelled.
Antonio shoved the card into his pocket, "Again, thank you both for your help."
"Of course," Detective Mendez smiled, "now, if you will excuse us. Marshall and I have a guy to hunt down."
"Oh, joy," Officer Marshall said as he walked away, "man hunt into oblivion. Should be entertaining."
"Hey," Detective Mendez followed after him, "you're getting paid, so shut it."
Antonio couldn't help but laugh as he trailed after them to the door. Once they had left he shut the door, and walked back to the guys in the room.
"Señor!" Jesus asked, "What are you going to do now?"
"I'm not really sure," he put his hand on his hip, "think I might go check on Lov real quick, then probably going to call Arthur and let him know all this."
"Be careful," Miguel looked at him, "pay close attention wherever you go, Señor."
Antonio smiled, "Of course. You guys feel free to stay here if you'd like. I'm not too sure how long I'll be gone for."
"OH!" Jesus rose his hand, "Can I fill the pool with confetti?"
Miguel grabbed his arm, "No, you're leaving before I drown you in it. We will see you later, Señor."
"I think I'll leave too," Javier said as he put his hand on Antonio's shoulder, "Por favor, be very careful."
Antonio nodded as he watch the three men leave, and then heard the front door shut behind them. He took a deep breath as he pulled out his cell phone. He dialed Lovino's number, and pressed the phone to his ear. He waited for a few moments, then he heard the phone pick up.
"What do you want?" Lovino answered.
"How are you feeling?" Antonio leaned against the couch.
"My arm hurts, but I'm okay . . . how are you?"
"Could be better," He walked over to his keys that hung onto a hook in the wall.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing, really," he walked over to the front door, "Hey, Lov?"
"Yes?"
"I have something to tell you," He opened the front door.
"What is it? Is everything alright?"
"Sí," he turned and locked the door, "Are you home?"
"Yeah, I am. But Antonio, what is it? Tell me what's wrong!"
"I'll tell you when I get to you," he turned toward his car, "just give me a few minutes and I'll be there, okay?"
". . . You can't tell me now?"
"I'd rather tell you in person," he walked, but his keys fell from his hands.
"Fine, I guess. Hurry up then!"
"I'm on my way," He plucked up his keys, "I'll see you in a little. Te amo."
"Hurry up!"
The line cut, and Antonio laughed as he approached his car. He unlocked it and tried to put his phone in his pocket, but it also fell to the floor
Señor Butterfingers, today.
He sighed as he crouched down. He picked up his phone and brushed off the dirt on the screen. He slowly stood back up and once again tried to put it into his pocket, but then he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head. Then his vision blurred before going completely black.