Hello, my lovelies! So I just want to give you all a huge thank you for all the follows / favorites! It warms my heart how much you guys like this fic! I hope that I continue to keep your interest!~

Thank you, again, and enjoy this next chapter!

Hetalia (c) Hima

Don't Lean On Me (c) Bringmemisery

Chapter 22 – Perfecto

First there was nothing, but then Antonio felt a sharp pain in his head. He drew together his eyebrows as he struggled to open his eyes. He tried to lift his hand to his face, but for some reason he felt something wrapped around his wrist. Somehow he managed to pry open his eyes. His vision blurred momentarily until he regained focus. He found his arms being restrained by thick leather ties that coiled around a wooden arm chair. He tried to pull himself free, but failed. He groaned when he found his legs were also restrained.

He fixed his attention to room he was in: it was small. The walls were made from large, thick stones. The ground was covered in smaller stones. To his left he noticed a large metal door – a few small, spaced-out bars towards the top.

What was this place?

He slowly shook his head as he tried to comprehend how he had even gotten there. He remembered being on the phone with Lovino. He needed to tell him . . . about. . . .

The sound of a deadbolt being released caused his head to shoot up. He watched as the metal door screeched open. Someone stepped inside and he clenched his teeth – he could recognize that face anywhere.

"Oh," José grinned, "you're finally awake?"

Antonio's body tensed as he once again strained to pull himself free.

José laughed, "Are you stuck? I thought you said you had the body of a bull?"

"What do you want?" Antonio hissed as he continued to pull at his restraints.

José shrugged, "A lot, to be honest. But should I really go into detail?"

Somehow Antonio managed to twist his arms in such a way that his palms now faced the ceiling – he could feel a bit more leverage this way.

"You're gonna hurt yourself," José warned as he took a few steps forward.

Antonio laughed, "Like you care."

"Oh, but I do," José stepped closer, "he would be so upset with me if something happened to you so soon."

Antonio furrowed his brows, "what the hell are you talking about?"

José smiled as he stopped about a foot away, "That's right! You don't know! And here I am just assuming you understood everything! How silly of me!"

"You're insane," Antonio snorted as he jerked again, "Get this crap off of me."

José laughed as he leaned closer, "And ruin all the fun? No, it's too much fun to watch you struggle."

Antonio furrowed his brows, "How dare you?"

José smiled, "what? Betray you right underneath your nose? Oh, Antonio, don't blame me for that – you screwed that up all by yourself!"

"You're crazy!"

"And you're an idiot," José grabbed Antonio hard by the face, "Let's be honest, Antonio, you let so many people into your own home without even a second thought. You're too nice for your own good."

Antonio tried to pull himself away, but José's fingernails dug into his cheeks.

"Face it, Antonio. You caused all of this. Not me. Not anyone else."

Antonio spat in his face. "Fuck off!"

José quickly pulled his hand away, then he struck Antonio's cheek.

The area that was hit started to pulsate as Antonio shifted his eyes back up to the man before him. His heart rate elevated and his blood burned in his veins.

Who does this jackass think he is?

"Think you're tough, huh?" Antonio smirked, "I'd like to see how brave you. Come on, José. Fight me like a real man."

José laughed, "Can you hear how stupid you sound?"

"Can you hear how scared you sound?"

José's eyes widened for a moment before they were filled with rage, "When will you learn to keep that damn mouth of yours shut?"

"When I'm dead," Antonio barked as he pulled at his restraints again, "But I sure as hell am still breathing, aren't I?"

"For now," José started off to a corner of the room.

Antonio followed his movements as he felt the leather straps start to irritate his skin.

Along the wall Antonio noticed José pick up what looked like a small iron rod – it looked more like a miniature branding iron. Though he hadn't noticed it before there also was a fireplace against that wall that was now lit.

"Listen closely, Antonio," José said as he placed the iron into the flames, "it really didn't have to be this way, but rules are rules."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Antonio tried to tug again.

"I have orders to follow, Antonio," José replied as he moved the iron a bit, "and if they're not met some people will be angry."

"Mind sharing who those people are?"

José was silent for a moment before responding, "Might as well. After all," he lifted up the iron, "you're not leaving this place even if you tried."

Antonio's heart skipped with those words.

For one he didn't even know where he was. Even if he did manage to get out of this cell, there was no telling what was beyond its walls. Plus there wasn't any way to contact his friends to get him because he could already tell he didn't have his cell phone.

What must Lovi be thinking?

He noticed José turn around with the iron still in his hands. As he walked towards him Antonio could notice that it was a branding iron. The end that was now lighted with a bright orange tint was in the shape of a circle and there were four thick lines that protruded from it like an abstract sun or a compass of sorts. The center of the piece bore some kind of line, but he couldn't quite make it out.

"Well, Antonio," José said as he closed in, "I am not the only one who has other plans. Though I wish I did, I don't necessarily call the shots here – someone else does. And it was his idea to bring you, and your friends here."

Antonio's eyes widened, "you kidnapped my friends?"

"Not all of them," José stopped in front of him, "just one so far. I will be paying him a visit soon, too. You and your friends sure get distracted by the smallest things, don't you?"

"What do you know?" Antonio glared.

"A lot," José smiled, "we've been watching you all for some time now. You could say we know more about your personal lives than you all know each other's!"

"The more you speak the more of a coward I see you really are."

José laughed, "You don't have balls, Antonio. No need to pret—"

"Fucking try me!" Antonio spat, "I dare you and your boss! Just do it and we'll see who really has some balls then!"

José shook his head as he walked over to Antonio's left side, "One of these days I swear I will rip that tongue of yours out."

"You don't scare me, pinche cabrón!"

José heaved a sigh as he forced his hand down onto the thick strap against Antonio's wrist, "Since you don't know when to stop might as well make that mouth of yours useful."

Antonio tried to yank himself away, but José pushed down harder and his other hand rose. Within a matter of seconds the blistering hot iron pressed against Antonio's inner forearm. He shrieked as he could feel his skin sizzle from the heat. The smell of his burning flesh started to fill his nostrils. With another pull he managed to rip through the strap that held his right arm, and with momentum he slammed his knuckles straight into the bridge of José's nose.

The iron clang to the floor as José's body collapsed beside it. Antonio quickly unclasped the straps around his legs and other arm, then he bolted from the door. To his complete surprise the door was still unlocked. His heart beat pounded as sprinted down a long dark hallway. As he went farther he couldn't even see anything before him. He shot his head back, but the darkness that surrounded him made it impossible to know if he was even being followed.

He turned his head back and ran into what felt like a wall. He rubbed his forehead as he felt around the wall. His hand trailed down to something round – it felt like a doorknob. His heart skipped as he turned the knob and threw open the door.

Before him stood what looked like a wooded area. He took a reluctant step out into the crisp air as he shut the door behind him. His breath puffed before him as he looked around the massive trees that scaled above. He hadn't the slightest clue to where he was, but he needed to get out of there.

With a quick breath he dashed passed the rows of trees. A few times his shoes sank into the soft leaf-covered earth, but he tried to keep his balance. He shot back a look once more and when he was able to see no one there he let out a sigh.

Why he wasn't being followed he didn't know.

He just needed to find his way back home. . .

Where ever that was.

He pushed through more forest until his legs started to burn. It wasn't long after that he needed to take a break. He slowed his pace and stood beside one of the massive trees around him. He pressed his back against its cool bark as he tried to catch his breath. He panted as he scanned around him.

Everything looked the same.

He slid to the ground as he started to think he'd been going in a huge circle. He sighed as he glanced up to the colossal tree. Its dark green leaves that swayed above seemed miles away. He returned his gaze back to the ground where he sat. Aside from the crisp fallen leaves under him there was nothing more than deep brown dirt.

Then a sudden pain pulsed in his left arm and caused his whole body to flinch. He grit his teeth as his eyes fell to the burned imprint that rested upon his skin. Though he wasn't able to make it out earlier this time it was . . . as clear as day.

It wasn't a sun, nor was it a compass, but more of a jagged cross with a thick circle in its center– that unidentifiable line he noticed earlier seemed to resenble the eye of a serpent.

He cringed as he pulled his eyes from it. There was no way of ridding of it, he knew that. It would be a constant reminder to him – a reminder that José was trying to get the gain the upper hand.

Antonio stood up and laughed, "Like hell he'll win. This is far from over."

He took in a deep breath as he started past the trees once again. Aside from the occasional crunch of leaves under his feet all else he heard was his heavy breaths. The little sound around him was driving him crazy.

Why was he not being chased?

Why was he all alone out here?

Where the hell was he?

Then there came a loud crack from behind him and he stopped in his tracks. His heart beat rose as he slowly looked over his shoulder. Behind him . . . behind him stood that thing from Arthur's house; that thing that took over Gil; that thing that haunted his dreams.

That creature's hollowed eyes pierced through Antonio – it was like it looked straight into his soul.

That creature took a step forward, and Antonio's heart skipped. As it took another step Antonio noticed something different about the creature. There seemed to be this dark gray mist surrounding it like a cloud.

Antonio tried to turn away, but he felt frozen in place.

Where could he possibly go?

He didn't even have anything to defend himself with!

Not even a moment later that creature appeared a foot away, its breath pushed Antonio's hair from his face. Antonio tried to think of a way out of there but he still remained motionless.

"Antonio," that creature hissed, "you're in my game now!"

That's all it took for Antonio to snap out of his trance and hightail his way out of there. He pushed himself as hard as he could, but as he turned his head he found he was being chased this time.

"Antonio!" It shrieked, "YOU CAN'T ESCAPE THE GAME!"

With another push Antonio forced himself to continue his sprint. If he slowed down for one millisecond he would be a goner. He ran around the massive trees around him, and almost tumbled into a few bushes, but he still continued to go.

Was there even an end to this maze of trees?

Then as he was running the terrain chained. It was no longer the forest's leafy ground, actually there wasn't any ground at all. Instantly Antonio fell down and he screamed as he tried to reach for anything to grab hold of, but all he found was the side of a cliff to his left and everywhere else was just air.

He didn't bother to look below – he didn't want to see his end draw near. He shut his eyes and held his breath, and prayed. Prayed real hard. This was not the way to die – besides he needed to get back to Lovino.

He shot his eyes open as Lovi's face flashed in his mind. He needed to get out of here. Like hell he was going to die here. His body filled with rage as he once again struggled to find anything to help him. That was when he noticed a thick looking vine embedded in the dirt of the cliff beside him. He managed to grab hold of it, and his falling ceased.

He released a sigh and thanked God too many times to count. Then he felt a sudden pull above him. His eyes widened – that creature must have spotted him. Reluctantly he glanced up, but instead of that monster he found a young man pulling up on the thick vine. He heaved a few times before Antonio was helped to his feet on solid ground.

"Are you alright?" the man asked, "Are you hurt?"

Antonio eyed the man before him. He was just a little shorter than Antonio himself. He had jet black hair that hung just below his ears. His bangs draped over his left eyebrow. His eyes were a deep blue, and he was wearing a torn up gray t-shirt and dark brown jeans. As he stared at the man Antonio noticed something – there was a light gray aura around this guy; almost like what surrounded the bird monster, but not as foreboding.

It felt . . . brighter.

"Who," he started as the man looked at him, "who are you?"

The man gave a warm smile, "Call me Cain. I noticed Damien chasing you a bit ago, so I came to help."

"Who?" Antonio tilted his head.

"That bird monster," Cain rose his arms above his head, "Lucky for you I was in the area or you could have been done for."

Antonio scratched the back of his neck, "where did that bird thing go, anyways?"

Cain smiled once again, "Back where we left him."

Antonio brought his eyebrows together, "What does that mean, exactly?"

Cain put his hands on his hips, "That's right. You're new here. This place – it's not entirely as it seems. Think of this place as another dimension, and you've been sucked into it. But don't worry, I'll help you get out of here."

"Another dimension?" Antonio rose an eyebrow, "that doesn't make sense."

"I know it doesn't," Cain laughed, "No matter how many times I try to explain it, I always end up losing people. This place is confusing and there's a reason for it. Hopefully you'll be able to catch on soon enough."

Antonio watched as Cain turned his back and proceeded down a cobblestone path.

"This way," Cain started, "you're exit awaits."

Antonio remained in his spot as he watched Cain leave. He wasn't entirely sold on the fact of following this complete stranger that was almost as nonsensical as wherever he was.

There wasn't any real way of trusting the guy anyways.

"Hey," Antonio called out and Cain looked over his shoulder, "where exactly are you taking me?"

Cain turned around and smiled, "Right, should have explained that. Sorry, I've been a bit distracted today. Think this place doesn't make sense? Well after I say this you'll most likely think I'm insane."

"Go on," Antonio crossed his arms over his chest.

Cain started back to where Antonio stood, "This world, like I said earlier, is more like a dimension than anything else. But in this space the inhabitants that are sucked down into it are almost nothing more than spirits roaming about. Once a spirit is returned back to where its body is, that is when they're able to leave."

Antonio's eyes widened, "wait a minute! You're that dog-guy Gil was talking about, aren't you?!"

Cain laughed, "Exactly! I didn't expect him to tell you about me."

Antonio lowered his arms, "Yeah, he did, but we just thought he was acting crazy because of his pain meds. So wait a minute, how did I get here in the first place?"

Cain shrugged, "that I don't know. Like I told your friend I can only pick up on who comes in, but not how they did. This portal can be accessed almost anywhere, under any circumstance. As long as there is someone to open it someone else can be dragged in."

"But what's the purpose of this place?" Antonio fiddled with the cross tied around his neck, "Just to get people stuck?"

"Not exactly," Cain sighed, "this place is—"

Cain shot a look off to his left and remained silent.

Antonio followed his gaze, but he neither saw nor heard anything aside from his heartbeat.

A moment passed before Cain looked back to Antonio.

"Sorry about that," Cain grinned, "thought something was coming, but it's left."

Antonio's eyes darted to where Cain had looked, then back to Cain himself, "you said you can tell when people come here, right? Why is that?"

"I'm a bit different than the people that come here."

"You're not human, are you?"

Cain gave a small smile as he shook his head, "No, haven't been for a long time."

Antonio nodded as he shifted his weight to his left leg, "But, you're not exactly like Birdman either. Yet . . ."

Cain laughed, "Wow, you're going to do great here."

Antonio tilted his head, "What's that mean?"

Cain motioned Antonio over with his hand, "come with me, and I'll explain."

As Cain started off Antonio followed after him. After their rather short conversation Antonio felt that he would be able to trust this guy.

After all he did help Gil out of here, so why would this time be any different?

The two of them strode past a few trees as Cain spoke, "There are very rare instances that someone comes here and they're able to hone in on the energy that gives this place life. Now when I say rare, I mean it might only happen every couple hundred years. But if someone does have that natural ability they can be an asset not only to themselves, but to others as well."

Antonio scratched his jaw as Cain continued, "By that I mean they can also help others escape from this place. I think you might have that gift, Antonio."

"But why?" Antonio turned to him, "honestly, something like that almost seems too good to be true."

Cain nodded, "I know, but I have been here for a while and I've seen it before. Those people can learn how to bend the rules here to their favor. Now I'm not saying that's an easy thing to do, usually someone would have to be stuck here for a bit before they could even begin learning the tricks. But someone like you could learn it much quicker if you really wanted to."

"There's a catch to that, isn't there?"

Cain looked at him, "Of course there is. Wouldn't be much of an asset if it wasn't! The main problem with the ability is that if you somehow lose your sanity here in this world, the creatures here can take advantage of you very easily. So be careful."

"What do you mean by that?" Antonio shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, "lose my sanity? This is starting to sound more like a video game than another world."

Cain chucked, "Well unlike a video game, you don't have unlimited lives here. If anything happens to you here say good-bye to everything you know and love."

Antonio frowned as he noticed the two of them neared what looked just like Downtown. He recognized all the buildings – the clothing shops, the pub at the corner, even Francis' café across the block.

All the small details matched perfectly!

"Crazy, isn't it?" Cain took in a breath, "It's reasons like this that people lose their minds here. The resemblance of this place too closely mirrors their own reality. It can get so bad that some can't even tell the difference between the two any longer."

"So this place changes depending on who's here?"

"Exactly," Cain nodded, "each area changes accordingly. For you it changed to what you're used to, and the same goes for anyone else."

"But what happens if two people are in the same place?" Antonio noticed his reflection in the mirror beside him, "wouldn't it be different?"

"Not exactly," Cain replied, "certain people meet up for specific reasons. Notice how you haven't ran into anyone else besides myself and Damien out here?"

Antonio turned his head, "Yeah, it kind of has been uncomfortably quiet here. It's like a deserted ghost town in here."

Then Cain stopped walking.

Antonio was about to question him when a wave of anxiety washed over him. He didn't know why but he felt like he needed to run somewhere else. He glanced off to the left and for some reason he felt a pull in the same direction. He shot a looked towards Cain.

A deep glare was set on his face, "Brace yourself."