I gathered my dress in my hands and sprinted down the hall with Lithuania right by my side. We cut around a corner and my foot twisted under me. I yelped as I landed on my side, "shit." I groaned.

"Ms. America," Lithuania called out and kneeled down to help me up. I discarded my last shoe as Lithuania dragged me into a nearby room.

He locked the door and I ignored the pain in my ankle as I pushed a work desk to block the door. "Help me with the bed!" I ran to the queen sized bed and began to push. Lithuania took the other half as we shoved it next to the table. When we couldn't move the bed another inch we collapsed against it, finally allowing ourselves to catch our breath.

"What the hell was that guy's problem?!" I panted.

"Russia," Lithuania panted, "is a complicated country."

"Oh, really?" my voice was laced with harsh sarcasm, "What was your first clue? When he was all up on me? Or when he was all up on you?"

His color changing eyes widen into a hurtful expression and he hastily turned away from me; ashamed. He tried to wipe away the blood on his lips with the back of his hand, but the wound still bleed. The moment I saw that injured look on his face, I mentally kicked myself in the butt.

He went out of his way to try and save me from Ivan, and here I was acting like a bitch.

I sighed and pulled off my shawl, "Lithuania," I said softly and he slowly turned to face me. "Here," I offered him my shawl, "use this to stop the bleeding."

Before he could object, I swiftly covered his mouth with the cloth, "Oh look your blood is already on it, you might as well use it." I turned away from him and sat myself on the floor with my back against the bed. Lithuania adjusted himself the same way and held the shawl to his lips.

A moment of awkward silence passed before I said, "I'm sorry." He glanced to me and I continued, "I'm a little shook up right now and I use sarcasm to cover my fear. But that's no excuse for being harsh, I'm sorry."

He sighed, "No, Ms. America, I'm sorry. I tried to be something I was not, and it only led to more trouble."

I gave him a look, "What the hell are you saying? If you didn't show up when you did, I could've been in some deep shit with that guy."

"Oh, so I was a distraction then," he gave a sad smile and turned away from me.

"No, you weren't," I used two of my fingers to gently turn him back to face me. "You saved me. Thank you."

He smiled, "And you returned the favor, thank you."

I grinned, "We saved each other." I held my fist up to him and he lifted a brow in bewilderment.

"Are you going to hit me?" he asked.

"No," I grabbed his hand, formed it into a fist and touched our knuckles together. He still had a puzzled expression on his face.

"It's called a fist bump or a knuckle touch, pretty much the same thing." I explained.

He still gave me the same confused look and I shook my head, "Never mind. I forget you guys are way older than you look."

He chuckled, "Yes we are quite old."

"If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

He took a moment, "I'm over seven hundred years old."

My jaw dropped, this guy could pull off being nineteen. Twenty-one if he tried.

He noticed my shocked expression, and gave another smile, "Is it that surprising?"

I shook my head, "No, no, it's just, to live that long is a bit hard to grasp."

"Yes, but time moves fast, after hundred years or so, you will get used to it."

Something in his voice convinced me that he didn't even believe what he just said. "You don't seem to be used to it."

His eyes widened in surprise and I smirked, "Hey, can I ask another question?" I decided to change the subject quick. "Is it just me or are the rooms in this house changing places?"

Lithuania nodded, "It's not you; it is the house. That's how I got separated from Feliks and Eduard. I walked out of the room and the door closed behind me, and when I opened the door, the room changed and they were gone."

"Do you know why this is happening?"

"No, I don't."

I groaned; then asked. "What about the other nations?"

"They are out wondering the halls."

"Why?" I asked.

"Uh, well, you see, um," he began to stutter.

"What are you not telling me?" I asked; a bit irritated.

"Do you know of Prussia?" he asked me.

I made a face, "Yeah."

"Well, he called out for a game."

"What kind of game?"

"A game to find you and bring you back to the ballroom, and. . ."

"And what?"

"When a country brings you back, you are supposed to kiss them as their prize."

"Wait a minute," I took a moment to think, "Is that why Russia was out there. Is that why you are here? To get a kiss?" My anger was rising, and I poked my finger into his chest with every word I said. "Sorry to disappoint you, but you ain't getting shit from me!"

He held his hands up in surrender, "No, Ms. America, I didn't come looking for a kiss, I only came out here looking cause Raivis asked me to keep an eye on you."

I raised my brow at him, "why?"

"Russia has had his eye on you the moment he found out about you at the meeting during your spring break. Raivis asked Feliks, Eduard, and I to watch out for you."

"Why didn't Raivis tell me this?"

"You met Raivis before the party?"

I caught myself, "No I danced with him earlier this evening."

"Really?" he furrowed his brow in confusion, "I didn't see that."

"Well, it happened, we danced, we had fun. Now can we get back to the topic of Russia coming after me?! Did Raivis hear Ivan say that he wanted me?"

"Raivis said that Mr. Britain and Mr. France told him of Russia's interest." I must have given a wide-eyed expression, because Lithuania quickly added, "they didn't tell you?"

My body trembled as I rose to my feet and dung my nails into the skin of my palms. "After everything I've done," I mumbled in an eerie whisper, "They're still keeping secrets from me."

"Ms. America," Lithuania called out for me, but I ignored him and continued my rant.

"Didn't they think I had a right to know?! I mean, if did I would have been prepared to deal with this! But no! They decided not tell me and look what happened! We were sexually assaulted! You were almost thrown over broad! And now, we have a crazy psychopath after us! When I get my hands on them. . . "

I mentally counted to twenty and inhaled through my nose as I massaged the bridge of it. Once my temper was in check, I said. "I'm sorry; I'm under a lot of stress right now, and it's not helping that Russia wants to get into my pants and that the house has developed a fucking mind of its own." I leaned myself on the wall; why is this happening to me?

Lithuania's face softens, "There is no need to apologize Ms. America; anyone would be stressed under these circumstances."

I gave a small smile and before we could say anything else, the door shook as if someone was trying to force their way in. Lithuania jumped to his feet and slid to my side.

"Could Russia get through that?" I asked, pointing to the barricaded door.

He was shaking like a leaf and stared at the door with a mix of fear and alertness.

I'll take that as a yes. "Hurry! Through the bathroom!" I pushed him towards the door on our left.

"The bathroom won't lead anywhere," he proclaimed.

"Have you forgotten what's happening to the house?" I gave him a look. "It might lead us to another room or something." I opened the door and found a pitch black hallway. "What the-"

"So it is true," said Lithuania.

"What's true?" I turned to him.

"That Mr. Austria's house is filled secret passage ways."

"Shocking," I rolled my eyes.

The room door shook harder and I tensed. "Beggars can't be choosers. Let's go!" I pushed Lithuania inside and slammed the door behind us.

"Why is this bloody door locked," Arthur hissed as shook the knob.

"Let me see," Matthew proclaimed as he crouched down and pulled out a small lock pick from his blazer pocket. He quickly picks the lock and tried to push it open. "I think something's blocking it."

"All together then," Arthur exclaimed as he placed his shoulder against the door.

Francis and Matthew took their places at Arthur's sides and forced the door open. Pushing apart the furniture that was left in front, "why would someone barricade the door?" Arthur said as he placed his hands on the knees to take a breath.

Francis walked around the bed and picked up a light violet shawl, "Oh no."

Both Arthur and Matthew stared in terror at Amy's blood stained shawl.

The second I closed the door, Lithuania and I were plunged into a new degree of darkness. The kind that you can't even see your own hand if it was five inches in front your face.

"Lit!" I called out, "You're still next to me right?"

"I believe so," he answered.

"Stay where you are, I'll find you." I held my hands out and began to walk through the darkness. Before long I crashed against a warm back; my forehead slamming into a shoulder and my hands circling around a waist to regain my balance.

Lithuania screamed and I soothed, "Lit! Lit, it's me calm down."

"Oh," he breathed a sigh of relief, "Ms. America you scared me."

"Really? I couldn't tell with the girly scream," I remarked sarcastically.

I removed my hands from his torso and searched for his hand. I patted up to his shoulder and found an arm.

"Ms. America, what are you doing?" he asked in a soft whisper.

"Trying to find your hand," I stated as I slid my fingers over his forearm and clapped on to his wrist. "Do you have a cell phone on you?" I asked.

"No, I don't usually carry it around with me."

I sighed, "Okay then, let's just feel our way out of here."

"I'm sure this hall only leads one way."

"Let's hope." I mumbled and laced my fingers around his palm.

Lithuania was hesitant at first but wrapped his fingers around mine in the end. We walked through the darkness and remained quiet, allowing the eerie silence to fill the atmosphere. The pitch blackness felt like in was surrounding me, draining me of air and it didn't help that there was a chill along with it. Goose bumps spread from my arms to my toes and I began to inhale deep intakes of cold air. My nightmare was replaying in my head and I had frightening thought that Alfred would grab me from behind. Or from above, I glanced to the ceiling and I was met with darkness. Or from below, I turned to my feet and to my sides, again found nothing but blackness. The unknown was the reason why human kind were afraid of the dark for centuries.

I breathed in once more and tried to sooth myself. Pull it together Amy. Lit is right next to you, you're not alone.

"Ms. America?"

"Yes," I jumped.

"Are you okay?" Lithuania asked, worried.

"Yeah, I'm good," I tried to cover my fear with a laugh.

His doubt in my reply was obvious as he held my hand tighter. "Don't worry Ms. America you're safe."

I knew he was trying to make me feel better, and I should have just stayed quiet, but my tongue had a different idea. "Yeah, I'll be totes safe in your big strong arms." I muttered sarcastically as I pulled my hand away, and began to strut down the hall. "I can take care of myself-" I collided against an object and something fell to the floor with a crash. My hands instantly placed themselves on the object in front of me, the corners dung into my waist and my toe had jammed into a wooden leg. "Shit." I said through gritted teeth as I hopped on one foot. "What the hell was that?!"

"I think it's a table," Lithuania came from behind, his hand finding my back. He slid his hand up and over my shoulder, following my arm so he could place his hands on the table. "Feel this," he pulled my wrist to a circle of smooth wood.

"So the table is made of wood, what do you want? A cookie?"

Lithuania ignored my comment, "Feel around it." He guided my hand outside the circle to feel the dust building around the rim. "You know what this means," Lithuania proclaimed.

"That Austria needs a better cleaning service." I continued to be a smart-ass.

"No, that there was a candlestick here." He continued to feel around and jerked out a small drawer. "I think I found matches," as he said that he lit one match and I was finally able to see his face.

With the light from the match I was able to spot the scattered candles on the floor. I bent down to grab a white candle and held it up for Lithuania to light it. He blew out the match and reached for the golden candlestick.

I stood over him to offer the light from the candle as he placed the four remaining candles on the stick. I lit each one and placed the fifth candle in the middle. Lithuania lifted the candlestick to reveal a stone brick hall filled with spider webs. They crisscrossed in thick webbing, nearly covering the entire ceiling.

I yelped and wrapped my arms around myself.

"Ms. America, are you okay?" Lithuania asked, concern displaying on his face.

I decided to stop playing trough and admit, "I'm terrified of spiders; they just creep me out, you know."

His eyes widened in surprise, "Oh," then he smiled, "they won't bother you." He offered me his free hand, "Come on."

I swallowed my pride and laced my fingers around his. His smile grew wider as he guided me down the hall.

"I bet Alfred wasn't afraid of anything," I mumbled.

Lithuania picked up on that and chuckled, "No he was afraid of some things."

I raised a brow in interest, "of what?"

"Ghosts, demons, spirits, anything to do with the supernatural really," he answered.

"But we're spirits, right? I mean we're something like that, so he was afraid of himself?"

Lithuania thought for a moment, "He could've been. You see, Ms. America, Alfred was a very strong fellow. He was able to pull a car for miles with one hand, without breaking a sweat. He would break stone walls with one punch and was the only one that could hold Mr. China when he goes on a rampage."

My mind pictured China's gentle face, long black hair and sweet amber eyes."China doesn't seem the type to go on a rampage."

"If you can get him angry enough, he can."

I nodded, "So Alfred was Superman?"

Lithuania laughed, "He would usually call himself that, he loved his superheroes."

"Hey Lit, can I ask a personal question?"

"I don't see why not."

"Were you and Alfred lovers?"

His body tensed and his eyes widened in shock as he stared at me. "What? No! Why would you ask that?"

"Well, you seem to know a lot about him and it seemed like you had a close relationship with him, so I just thought-"

Lithuania shook his head, "It wasn't like that." He sighed, "Do you know of the Soviet Union?"

"It was when Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltic states were united under Russia's rule."

"Yes," he nodded slowly, "Russia forced us to live with him, and used the Baltic states as his own personal entertainment." His body began to tremble; the candlestick was shaking in his hand as he avoided eye contact with me. "He was cruel and heartless. He enjoyed causing pain to others. Being physical or mental." his voice became nothing but a whisper as his body shuddered.

I pulled my hand away from his and slid my arm around his back. He tensed the moment he felt my warmth and didn't move as I placed my head on his shoulder. My other hand wrapped around his on the candlestick, to settle his trembling hand.

"Did he save you? Alfred I mean," I asked.

Lithuania nodded, "Yes, he took me into his home, gave me a warm place to sleep, food to eat and allowed me to work for him to save money for my country. He was good, kindhearted man. We became good friends after that, almost like brothers."

I smiled, "Does that make you my uncle?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

He gave a soft laugh, "I guess so."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I stepped away from him and gave a faked pained expression, "You don't want me to be your niece? I'm adorable."

"I wouldn't use that term exactly," he grinned.

I gasped dramatically, "Your lost pal."

We both burst into laughter and the sound of it bounced off the walls. After we released the well needed laugh, I held out my hand, "Call me Amy, because no offense I'm getting really tired of people calling me 'Ms. America' sounds like I won a beauty pageant."

He smiled and shook it, "I'm Toris Laurinaitis."

"Nice to meet you Toris," I let go of his hand, "Now, let's get the hell-"

The floor broads were swept away and the next thing I knew, I was falling. Darkness engulfed me as I dropped through the floor and the warm light of the candlestick faded. Hearing nothing but my own screams mixed with Toris's terrified cry of my name.

Pain shot through my left shoulder as I landed on tiled floor. I groaned and craned my neck up to watch the large square shaped hole in the ceiling close; leaving behind no evidence of it ever being there in the first place.

"Seriously, a trap door," I muttered.

I sighed and the thought of Toris being left behind came to mind, he'll be fine, he's got candles. I soothed myself with the thought.

I rose to my feet, brushed off the dust from my dress and tapped my toes around the area, checking for anymore trap doors. I shook my head, "this is insane," I cursed.

I scanned the area and found myself in another hallway. By the windows and the number of rooms I guessed I was on the second floor. As I turned the corner I rammed into another person; our foreheads smashing into each other and groaning together in pain as we came apart.

"Ow," I whispered and turned to face Japan. "Hey, sorry about that; still trying to find my way through the dark."

"It's okay America-san," Japan nodded to me, rubbing his forehead.

"It's Amy!" Feliciano cried out happily and ran into me for a hug.

"Hey, Feliciano, it's good to see you," I said in monotone and patted his back.

Before I could react Feliciano placed his lips on mine. I instantly tensed and did nothing as he pulled away and grinned, "I win!"

I slapped him hard across his face, "You didn't win shit!"

Feliciano cried and ran to Germany's side, "Germany! She slapped me!"

"You deserved it, you shouldn't force yourself upon others," Ludwig lectured.

"But I won," he whined.

"I believe the rules were that we have to guide her back to the ballroom; then America-san gives the kiss," Japan explained.

"No one's getting anything!" I exclaimed and turned around. "I'm outta here!"

"Wait!" Ludwig called out, "You shouldn't run off on your own; the house is acting strange-"

"Yeah, I figured that out when I fell through the ceiling," I remarked harshly.

"Like a trap door?" Japan asked.

"Yup, so I suggest you look before you step," I proclaimed.

Feliciano took a moment to think; and it took all my will power not to say, 'don't hurt yourself, Italy.' "I don't think Mr. Austria's house had trap doors the last time I was here."

"And when was that?" I asked sarcastically.

"A couple of centuries ago," he smiled.

"You don't think it might have-oh I don't know-changed," I hissed at him.

"Enough bickering," a new voice joined in and I turned to find an average height man next to Japan. He had jaw length blond hair, green eyes, and carried himself with a sense authority.

"You three said you would help me find Liechtenstein," he continued, "Not stand around and argue with one another."

"We know Switzerland," Ludwig added, "but we can't just keep wondering around till we find her. We need a plan."

"Wondering around is our plan," I proclaimed, "The house has gone bonkers. The rooms are changing with every shut of a door, separating nations from one another, and if what Italy says is true about Austria's house not having any trap doors in the first place. The house is making up new tricks as it goes, its learning people!"

"I agree with America-san," Japan said but was quickly interrupted by Switzerland.

"You always agreed with America, even when Alfred was America! You barely know this child," he pointed at me.

My anger was rising but I inhaled a calming breath, "You might not know me, but I'm willing to help you guys find Liechtenstein."

"We don't need your help! You're the reason this all started in the first place!" he exclaimed. "If you just stayed in the ballroom, we wouldn't have to come searching for you."

"I was going to come back! If you need to blame it on someone blame it on Prussia for starting this whole thing."

"Typical," he shook his head, "You are just like your father, refusing to take blame for anything he did."

That hit a nerve. Before I could say anything to defend myself, a moaning grind resounded through the house.

"What was that?" Ludwig questioned as his body tensed, ready for a fight.

A wall grew out of the corner I came from out and connected into the wall across from it. Then two more walls from the ceiling grew out and slammed into the floor, leaving us trapped inside.

"What the-"

"I told you," I exclaimed at Ludwig, "The house is learning!"

Then the walls on our sides began to slide inwards.

"What's happening?!" Feliciano cried.

"The walls are closing in!" Switzerland answered.

"Fellow me quickly," Ludwig ordered as he ran down the hall.

We followed till Ludwig stopped at the blocked wall. He began to slam himself into the new wall as Switzerland and Japan placed their hands on a sliding wall and tried to push it back. Feliciano was crying and I tried to push back the other wall.

"Germany, what can we do?!" Japan called out.

"Give," he slammed into the wall, "me" he body slammed once more, "a" again, "minute!"

The walls were closing in rapidly and I screamed, "We barely have a second!"

He stopped and turned to me, "That's it! Ms. America punch the wall!" he ordered me.

"What?!" I exclaimed.

"Just do it!" Ludwig yelled and took my place at pushing against the moving wall.

I groaned, "This is insane!"

The walls were closing in almost forcing Ludwig and Japan to touch backs, Feliciano cried harder and Switzerland was cursing in various languages.

I didn't think, I just focused all of my fear and frustration into my fist and smashed it against the wall, leaving a crack in the brick. My jaw dropped, "it worked."

"Don't just stand there!" Switzerland shouted, "Get us out of here!"

I threw my fists, ignoring the pain as I beat down the wall. After a couple of punches, I was able smash open a hole, large enough for me to jump through. Ludwig flipped Feliciano over his back and chased after me. Then Switzerland and Japan leaped through after them, barely escaping the walls from crushing them.

I slumped to the ground, "I can't believe that worked," I panted.

Ludwig sat down a whimpering Feliciano and leaned himself on the wall. Japan placed his hands on his knees as he gasped and Switzerland wiped his forehead.

"Thank you America-san," Japan nodded to me.

"No problem," I gave weak smile and a thumbs up.

Feliciano screamed and I spun to find Ludwig and Feliciano being dragged in through the wall. It was like the material had become quicksand and the harder they struggled, the quicker they sank. Japan ran to their sides and tried to yank them out, but he ended up being pulled in instead. It took only a minute for them to disappear, kicking and screaming into the next room.

"Guys!" I shouted and ran to the wall, it was solid again. "What the fuck is happening!" I slammed my fists into the wall and the house groaned.

"I think you made it mad," Switzerland stated.

Then a tile fell, leaving a black square shaped hole in the floor. Another tile fell beside it, and then another, and another; till rolls of tile were falling through the floor.

Switzerland grabbed my arm, "Run!"

He pulled me into a sprint as I bundled my dress above my knees. How do girls run in these!

Tile was dropping in rapid speed as we ran down the hall and edged around corners. Still the falling tile chased us and only fell faster as we pushed ourselves to our limit.

Then two pairs of hands reached out and yanked us into a room.

Notes: There's going to be one more chapter of Amy's crazy adventure in Austria's house, but I'll end it here- casue there's trick or treaters at my door and they want candy. Happy Halloween :)