They arrived at Concord, New Hampshire at seven thirty six in the afternoon. It was hard to see the city through fat raindrops that streamed down the window, but France could make out schools, churches, and houses that they drove past. France glanced over at Vermont and New York, who were barely awake. New York rested his head on her shoulder, his breathing was steady and his eyes were closed. France even thought that he heard light snoring, but that could have also been the engine of the car. He didn't realize how cold and direct the New Yorker was to nations until he observed him around another state. While around Vermont he seemed more relaxed, and he let his body loosen up when it was tensed up before. Also he held a steady conversation with her, when he was silent almost the whole trip to Bennington. There were no arguments or negative tension between the two, and New York was more kind and patient around Vermont. France frowned at that, was there something that he did to upset the personification? He doubted it. It made since that New York would act more casually around Vermont. Everyone lets their guard down when they're near the comfort of their friends and family, right? France studied the two states for a moment, that could be a serious problem. It was clear that these states trusted each other and treated each other as family, France hoped that wasn't going to get in the way of finding America.
Vermont's eyes drooped as she tiredly murmured directions to this next state. France wondered what this third state was like, New York said that he was friendly, but he couldn't be so sure. He also said that Vermont was very similar to Canada, but Canada never tried to penetrate his neighbor with a hockey stick... at least he didn't think he did. Vermont's gaze lingered over New York's bandages, and she ran her fingers through his blood stained hair. The state looked over at France, "Where did he get these injuries? You didn't hurt him, did you?" Her voice was so soft and quiet that France had to strain to hear her.
France shook his head, "I didn't hurt him. I'm not sure that he would want you to know how he got hurt."
Vermont shook her head, "He's as stubborn as his citizens. He'll tell me later, I'll make sure he does. Sorry about earlier by the way. I really thought that New York had no good reason to tell you about us."
"It's alright." He probably would have been just as angry. He figured that revealing the truth about the states would be similar to revealing the truth about the nations to normal citizens. France closed his eyes and took a deep breath, He was getting tired of traveling already, and they haven't even reached the third state yet. The car smelled faintly of warm fudge, he made sure they stopped at the chocolate store Vermont lived above. And along the way they held a competition to see who could point out the most moose statues. Unsurprisingly Vermont won. The sound of thick raindrops softly pounding on the windshield was quite soothing, he let his eyes close but sleep didn't come. If it weren't for the fact that a super power was missing, fifty top secret personifications were spread across the nation, and that any of them could have kidnapped or killed America, he would be in a deep and comfortable slumber.
"So do you always swing a hockey stick at him? Or was that just a heat in the moment kind of thing," England asked, ending the long amount of time he drove without saying a word. France opened his eyes and yawned, England looked just as tired from what he could see through the car's mirror.
Vermont gave him a timid smile, "Well it depends on what he does. Once while I was sleeping Pennsylvania dared him to try to cut off my hair before I woke. Now that deserved what I gave him. You have no idea what it's like to live near such an idiot."
"Oh I think I have an idea," England said as he narrowed his eyes at France. He playfully blew the English nation a kiss and winked at him in response.
"So what god gave you that glorious hair? I have never seen a personification hold such beauty as you," France purred in his casually flirty tone. England rolled his eyes and turned back to the road.
A soft tone of red formed on her cheeks, "Well clearly you have never met California." For a moment she hesitated, "Us states are very expressive when it comes to our appearances. Often the look of our hair and our free eye reflect on our geography or personality. My hair represents the leaves during fall, and my eye is as green as my mountains."
France stared at her, amazed, "How interesting. What about New York?"
Vermont studied him and continued to toy with his hair, "His eye is as gray as his sky scrapers, and his hair always remains perfectly neat, because of how organized he likes to be." For the first time France noticed how throughout the whole day not a single strand of hair on New York's head has been out of place, even while certain patches of his hair were now hard from dried blood.
"Why don't nations go by the same rules?" England asked.
Vermont smiled, "They do, well at least in this case they do."
France frowned, "I highly doubt that my blond hair and blue eyes really mean anything. I was just born with it, that's all there is to it."
Vermont tilted her head, "Maybe you're just not thinking deep enough." France gave her a long, thoughtful look before she turned her head to England, "Take the next left onto Liberty Street, New Hampshire lives right across from the park." France squinted his eyes out the window when the car turned, only then did he realize that they were driving along side a park. His eyes must have been getting old. Vermont nudged New York's shoulder, "New York, we're right near New Hampshire's house."
"I fell asleep?" He asked groggily while shifting himself from Vermont's shoulder.
Vermont nodded gave him a skeptical gaze, "Maybe your sleepiness was caused by that head injury you have yet to explain to me."
New York yawned, choosing to be oblivious of her tone, "Don't think so. You know I've never really had a sleeping pattern, I just sleep whenever I tire. I'll probably be up most of the night, this has nothing to do with my head."
Vermont crossed her arms stubbornly, "Were'd you get it?"
The state shrugged casually, "Can't say I remember." France would understand that. He doubted the state would have been able to remember Russia hitting him over the head with a pipe.
"What about your hands?"
New York looked down, "Well you see, last night on the ya-" He cut himself off after looking into Vermont's intense gaze, and there was a split second where France could have sworn that the star in her eye gleamed from some white light, then New York sighed in defeat, "I may have jumped through a window this morning." France raised an eyebrow at the New Yorker, but he avoided any eye contact, and his left eye seemed to darken a tad.
Vermont shook her head, "You're an idiot, I hope you know that." She then tore her gaze from him and looked ahead, "Pull over, that's his house." New York's car came to a slow stop in front of a two story gray house. The only sort of fence the house had was a small stone wall not even a foot high. The unkempt front yard was full of wild flowers, bushes, and trees. A short stone pathway led to the front porch. On the front porch were two chairs with a cup of cold coffee placed on a small side table. France stepped out of the car, trying to ignore the sore feeling in his legs from sitting for so long.
While England and France ran towards the cover of the front porch, New York and Vermont continued walking calmly through the rain down the side of the house, "Where are you going?" England called in confusion after realizing they weren't following.
Vermont laughed, "New Hampshire only goes in that house to sleep, eat, and shower, I'd bet my life savings that he's in the garage right now."
England narrowed his eyes, "Why the bloody hell would he be in there? It's raining and it's almost nighttime, he must be in his house."
New York waved his hand, dismissing him, "You can check for yourself then, he never locks his door." France shared a quick look with England before following the two states. France felt the rain beating down on his head as he ripped his feet from the entangling weeds that covered the lawn. He scowled when he tripped over a rock and gripped the sliding on the house to catch himself. Damp dirt stuck to his hand and France made a face of disgust. Now that he got a better look, the house was supposed to be white, but the color was tainted a bit from dust and dirt. Brown water ran down the siding in a series of small streams. England watched him complain and try to shake the mud off of his hand with an amused smile. He would have to teach this state how to properly take care of his property. They stood outside the wide garage doors once they finally made their way through the jungle of a lawn the resident owned. In the small building France could hear metal clanking against each other. New York slammed his fist on the building in a furious manner, "Quiet down will you? You've always been in that garage making such a racket!"
The noise of the metal stopped for a slip second, "Which neighbor is this?"
New York placed his fist by his side and laughed, "I don't live on your street, but you're right when you say neighbor!"
"New York? Come on in! The door's unlocked."
Vermont rolled her eyes, "We know it is, New Hampshire." She lifted the garage door and everybody shuffled into the garage and away from the rain. The garage smelled of oil, metal, dirt, pollution, and a hint of rain. This man must have left the garage door open before it started pouring. Two legs were spread on the concrete floor surrounded by a series of tools lying around. The rest of the body was under a 1937 Chevrolet pickup. The truck's exterior was mostly rusted and smoke slowly drifted from the engine. The seats were ripped, the tires had no air in them, and the windshield had a deep crack running through it. "I don't remember this car being in here. When did you find this one?"
"I found it in a ditch a couple miles north about a week ago. It's a new project I'm working on," the state said in a light tone. He continued working on the truck with absolutely no regard that France and England were in the room. "So what are you guys doing here?"
"Quit working on that thing and find out," Vermont called.
Wheels squealed against the concrete floor as New Hampshire rolled himself out from under the truck. He sat up and blinked for a moment waiting for his eyes to adjust to the light. His hair was hidden behind a red bandanna tied around his head, but his eyebrows were as red a Vermont's. His skin was pale except for his hands which were tainted black from oil. He didn't have nearly as much muscle on him as New York had and he was very skinny. France would have mistaken him for a high school student if he were a stranger. His left eye was a star, and his right was black with white spots loitering around. It looked like he had a piece of granite as an eye. He sat there and blinked at New York and Vermont, then his eyes widened in shock once they landed on France and England. New Hampshire stared at them, frozen, then he was hoisted up by New York, "We're in deep shit, aren't we?" He finally asked with a slightly wavering voice.
New York nodded, "The deepest." He frowned as he inspected the oil that coated one of his bandaged hands, "You know that I hate getting oil on my hands."
New Hampshire shook himself out of his own shock and threw on a timid grin, "And you knew that I was working on a car, yet you grabbed my hand anyway." He turned to England and France with a frown, "France and England, I haven't seen you in a long time. I doubt you would remember seeing me though, the name's New Hampshire." He extended his hand and took a step forward, but neither nation would shake his hand after noticing the slick oil that covered it. New Hampshire shrugged before turning to Vermont, "Does America know about this, or no? If he doesn't, then he's going to flip."
Vermont took a step forward, "Actually, that's why they're here. America's in trouble."
New Hampshire paused, "What kind of trouble?"
The room was silent for a moment as Vermont glanced over at New York, searching for an answer for a question she never asked. New York gave her a nod, then she swallowed and took a step forward. Suddenly Vermont's star glowed, and so did New Hampshire's. England shielded his eyes, but France widened his in interest, ignoring how much they stung from the sudden change of light. New York took a step back, France noticed how he wasn't glowing at all. Their eyes were charged with some kind of foreign energy. The static in their stars seemed to have enough electricity to power a city. The room lit up and a sudden bright beam of lightning zapped from Vermont's eye to New Hampshire's, then the room darkened instantly. The light in the room flickered for a split second before every light bulb in the garage shattered to pieces. France stood there frozen in the darkness, listening to the glass shards that sprinkled onto the floor. As his eyes adjusted to the lack of light, a shadow cut through the dark and began to move boxes and rummage through them. Then a single light source emitted into the garage, and revealed New York holding a flashlight.
New Hampshire shielded his eyes with one hand, and massaged his suffering temple with the other, "Oh, that kind of trouble." The flashlight barely shown any light on his deep frown.
Vermont and New Hampshire were blinking rapidly while New York watched England and France, waiting for some kind of a reaction. France stared at them gaping with eyes wide from curiosity, England glared at them in confusion, "Is anybody going to explain to me what the bloody hell just happened?"
Vermont raised a scarlet eyebrow, "We're called the United States for a reason. We're connected under the flag, that's why we have the stars and the stripes. I can transfer memories and thoughts to others through the star in my eye."
"And we can do it with our stripes too," New York joined in.
"I can't believe you jumped through a window," New Hampshire muttered. His voice was scruffy now and he was shaking his head. For some reason Vermont seemed unfazed by what happened.
"Be quiet about the window!"
"This is insane," England burst out. "Not only do we find out that there are fifty of you that have been living as personifications without us knowing, but now you have powers!?"
Vermont laughed, "They're not powers, they're just abilities that us states have. America told me some of the abilities that you nations have, and let me just say that some of them are absolutely ridiculous."
"I don't know how much more of this I can take for one night," England muttered.
New Hampshire's eyes gleamed of amusement and he gave England a weak smile, "Just wait until you meet Massachusetts. I'm sure that will be your breaking point."
New York started to clean the oil off of his bandages with an old rag, "We're off to Maine first."
New Hampshire snatched another rag that was sitting on the hood of the car, "No we're not, he's over at Massy's place."
New York glanced up at him, "Really? That's great! Not only will we arrive at the house on time, but we'll get there early!"
Vermont stared at him in disbelief, "Are you seriously timing us right now!?"
"I can't say I'm surprised. Well thanks Vermont for giving me this torturous headache and news that will leave me unable to sleep at night. I'm just gonna get packed now." New Hampshire lifted the garage door and slipped into the rain
"So if you could do that whole weird zapping thing with the eyes, then why didn't you do that to Vermont?" France asked.
New York brought his gaze to the ground, "If we want to tell a fellow state something through a memory, we'd have to share the whole thing. The disadvantage of this ability would be that we don't have much control of it, even after all this time. Sometimes our eye just starts glowing when we do something as little as coming into contact with another state. I didn't want her to know a couple things that happened, the window would be a good example."
Vermont instantly rounded up on him, "There's more?"
New York gave her a sheepish smile, "I'm going to go help New Hampshire pack..."
Vermont watched him slip out of the garage for a moment before chasing after him, "Oh no you don't! What else did you do!?" The door was left open, leaving two nations standing against an old car watching the rain hit the pavement.
XXX
France now sat in the passenger seat next to England who was driving. Three states were seated in the back. After New York's explanation, France started to notice that the star in their eye becomes brighter or darker every couple of minutes. England started the car, "where to now?"
New Hampshire looked up, "Oh there isn't any other place Massachusetts would be other than Boston, he claims it's the best city in the world."
France laughed, "I bet he's never been to Paris then."
New York rolled his eyes, "No, but he has been to NYC before, and he still claims Boston is the best, which is a lie of course."
"Maryland never said he was lying when he said Boston was better," Vermont pointed out.
"Maryland?" England asked.
New Hampshire nodded, "Italy and Germany are going there, right? The state doesn't lie, and he can point out whenever somebody else is lying, even if he never met them before." France wondered how every other nation was doing. How many states did they collect so far? What state are they in now? Do they suspect anyone yet? Did they find America? France shook his head. France and England were most likely going to be the first ones at the house since they had the smallest region to travel through. The only thing that France knew for certain was what was happening in this region.
Wait... New Hampshire knew where every nation was located... Did New Hampshire really know everything Vermont did after she beamed him with her eye? France remembered New York explaining where everyone was going to Vermont, she must have shared the memory of him explaining that to her. What confused him was that he also knew that New York jumped through a window, which he admitted to Vermont long after they left Bennington. Exactly how much did she share with him through one simple bright gaze?
New York scoffed, "Maryland only said he was telling the truth because Massy believes that it's the truth, he's wrong though. New York City will always be the best!"
New Hampshire shrugged, "I'm not a big fan of that city, I find smaller towns more comfortable." He unwrapped the oil stained bandanna from his head, revealing leafy fiery hair similar to Vermont's, only much shorter.
France tilted his head, "You look a lot like Vermont."
New Hampshire laughed, "Yeah, she's my evil twin."
Vermont punched his shoulder, "I'm not your twin, and I'm not evil."
"Yeah, everyone says that about you until you get your hands on a hockey stick." New York muttered
"And you're not a vicious hockey player?" Vermont asked him. "I think I remember I certain New Yorker who crushed the Soviets and the Finnish to the ground in 1980 with a hockey stick."
England almost stopped the car, "Are you talking about the Olympics?"
Vermont nodded, "He shattered their hopes and dreams on the ice."
"Vermont almost hugged him to death after they won," New Hampshire joined in.
France stared at them, astonished. There were a lot of things he didn't know about these states. The more he learned, the more amazed he was. It seemed that these states were more culturally involved with their nation than any regular personification. He wondered if they had real lives, and exactly how many they lived. France dreamed of living a normal civilian life many times, even though it was never going to happen. The possibility of these states living like civilians made his eyes burn with jealousy. England gave him a look of sympathy as they drove out of the city, France stared back and silently promised he was fine.
XXX
The dark and stormful clouds cleared to show a beautiful sunset by the time they reached Boston. The city was already lit up, preparing to wash out the stars during the night. France glanced across the bay and counted the number of boats sailing through the water. The car ride had been quiet so far besides France and England's bickering. The states were silent most of the ride, it didn't even look like they needed to talk. Which was scary in a way. Personifications barely ever became so close to each other that they could practically communicate through facial expression. England and France could, but that was only because they have known each other for centuries. Usually if two personifications had this ability, it meant that they formed a powerful alliance.
England exited the highway and the car started strolling through the streets, "Where does Massachusetts live?"
New Hampshire shook his head, "If he has Maine over then the last thing they're doing is sitting in his house." He started typing on his phone, "I'll call him now, I want everybody else to be quiet."
He put the phone on speaker and it started ringing. On the third ring a voice boomed, "Hey, wassup?"
"Massachusetts, we have a serious problem," New Hampshire said with a stern voice. France stared at him cautiously, he wasn't going to explain everything over the phone, was he? "I traveled here all the way from Concord to say this." New Hampshire took a dramatic pause and hid the playful grin on his lips with his bandanna.
"What is it?"
"Massachusetts..." France held his breath, "The British are coming!" And then he sighed from relief.
Massachusetts snorted over the phone, "I think you got your history a little backwards, and the wrong Concord. What are you doing in Boston?"
"Just stopping by, where are you?"
"I'm in a bah with Maine!"
England and France stared at the phone in confusion, "In a bar," New Hampshire translated.
"Yeah, I just said that! You wanna drink?"
"Course I do!"
"Alright, I'll text you the directions, see ya latah, Cow Hampshire!"
"Same to you, Masshole!" The call ended and New Hampshire stared at the glaring personifications, "What?"
"I was about to murder you," New York stated. "I could have sworn that you were going to tell him what happened." The others nodded in agreement.
"How old are you states anyways?" France asked. "I doubt you're over twenty one."
Vermont shook her head, "We can't age past America. We age normally until we reach nineteen, then our aging stops."
"We still like to drink though," New Hampshire said with a smirk, "We're far over the age of twenty one if you don't count our physical age."
England rolled his eyes, "Did he send you any directions yet?"
New Hampshire nodded, "He's in a small bar on Tremont Street, make a U-turn." As New Hampshire called out the directions, France stared out the window and enjoyed the view. Boston sure was a beautiful sight, especially around sunset. While the buildings were lit up, the sky diffused into a series of colors.
They arrived on a one way street lined with narrow sidewalks, France stared at a green painted building he could only guess was a bar. There was a neon clover in the window and a neon outline of a beer bottle. Only the first floor looked usable, the floors above it was covered in rust and chipped paint, and windows were coated with thick dust. France guessed that anything above the bar was completely abandoned. The narrow bar was shoved between a bank and a New York Pizza. Both towered over the building due to the modern and usable apartments above. New Hampshire got out of the car and entered the bar. A couple minutes passed before he came back out with two men. One of them had a deep green eye that matched the color of pine needles, he tied his thick mud brown hair that reached his shoulders back with a rubber band and wore a blue hat over it. The other's eye was a blue bay, his jet black hair went down his face in layers and he had a large ahodge that sprung in the air.
New York rolled down his window, "LET'S GO YANKEES! LET'S GO! LET'S GO YANKEES! LET'S GO!" His chant earned a glare from almost every passerby in earshot.
The state with black hair ran up to the car, "Listen here you damn Yankees fan! You ain't in New York anymore, this is my city and Red Sox is the best!" His thick Boston accent had a hint of triumph in it.
New York laughed, "I'd die before Red Sox becomes better than the Yankees!"
"Mass...?" The other state called looking through the driver's window.
The state turned away from New York, "What, Maine?" Maine pointed to the driver. Massachusetts took a step back and looked through the window. Once he saw England staring back at him, he leaped back in surprise. "Woah, am I drunk? I only had a couple beers, nothing more than that I swear!"
Vermont shook her head, "You're not drunk."
Massachusetts narrowed his eyes, "England and France? I thought you were kidding when you said the British are coming. Alright, somebody better explain to me what the hell happened since we got off that yacht!" Without saying anything else, New Hampshire pushed away orange strands of hair in front of his left eye and it started to glow. Massachusetts' eye began to do the same without the state even realizing it. Once he caught onto what was about to happen, he threw his hand over his left eye, "I know that there is no way you're about to-" It became too late for him to protest. In the blink of an eye an electric lightning bolt crashed through the cracks of his fingers and rushed into his eye. The lights suddenly went off in the bar and the state fell to the ground. New Hampshire soon did the same to Maine (which took out a couple of street lights) and he crashed onto the sidewalk. Massachusetts used the top of the car to heave himself upwards, his shaking hand that covered his eye was now smoking. "What the hell New Hampshire!?"
"What?"
Maine found his footing on the sidewalk, "You gave absolutely no warning before you did that!" He held his head as if his shoulders were unable to support it alone. He then slowly glanced around cautiously, "Besides, we're in public!" He hissed barely loud enough for France to hear.
New Hampshire shrugged, "You wanted an explanation, you should have saw it coming. Besides, they can't see anything since the lights are out." As he spoke, citizens started to exit the bar and cautiously check out the broken street lights, but soon returned to the bar after the building suddenly flickered alight.
Massachusetts sighed and finally found the strength to open his eyes. He stared into the car, his dilated eyes now had an understanding gleam to them. "So let me get this straight, England was talking on the phone with America when he was attacked, a group of countries went to New York's apartment," He pointed to New York, "This man couldn't keep his big mouth shut and told them about us states, then he decided to spread these nations across the damn country to meet the others, and we're all going to America's house to find this weak link in the alliance."
New York nodded, "That's right."
Massachusetts nodded, "I hope you know that it's going to be absolute hell for you when you get to the house. How many countries know about this again?"
"Ten."
Massachusetts shook his head, "That's a pretty big number. You do know that we've sacrificed almost everything to keep this secret only for you to blurt it out the second a group of nations crash into your home, right?" While his voice held a mocking tone, his eyes revealed a hint of fear and annoyance.
New York glared at him and spoke through clenched teeth, "I already know the risks, and how much trouble I'm in, thank you very much, Mass."
Massachusetts shrugged, "Just making sure." He stretched his arms over his head and yawned, "Well, this is going to be a long night. Where are we off to next? Rhode Island, right?" He turned to Maine, "You have fun squeezing in there, I'm taking my car."
Maine whipped around and stared at Mass in shock, "What!?"
England glanced over, "We can find room in here for you."
Massachusetts snorted, "Really? Who's lap am I going to sit on?" He crossed his arms stubbornly, "I'd rather ride in the comfort of my own car. Besides, you guys are eventually going to need another car, unless you're planning on shoving twelve personifications in one car, which I doubt. I'm taking my car and that's final."
France opened the door and stepped out of the car, "I'll go with you then." There was no way France trusted him to drive in this car alone. If he helped attack America, then he could contact the others without anybody knowing. England gave him a questioning look, "One of us have to escort him."
"Fine by me, as long as I don't have to be crammed up in that car I'm happy with anything." France shared a quick look with England before following the state. "We'll stop at my apartment first, then we're off to wherever. Don't worry, Maine I'll pick up your shit too!"
"While you're at the apartment, we'll be getting gas," England called.
"Au revior!" France hesitated a split second, holding his wave in the air longer than he should have. Then stepped into the passenger seat of a modern red car, suddenly feeling more alone than before. Massachusetts plopped into the driver's seat next to him, "So you were the DJ at the party?"
Massachusetts closed the door and started the car, "Yeah. It was a one time thing though, I was only covering for another DJ."
France nodded in understanding, "Yes, there was another DJ with you. He covered his eyes with dark sunglasses, was he a state also?"
"Nevada, he can be quite the party animal." He stole an amused glance at France, "You can too. Don't think I didn't see you with Prussia and Spain."
France laughed as the car started to move, "How are you states able to recognize and know every country?"
Massachusetts shook his head, "We don't. We know a lot of you, but we don't know every country. You and England are easy to pick out. England raised America, and you helped during our first war. The countries we didn't meet during the revolution we just learned about along the way. America pretty much tells us everything about you nations, and we go to his parties. We know about you, you just don't know about us."
France shook his head in disbelief, he still couldn't believe this was happening, "Well then perhaps you should tell me a little bit about yourself then."
Massachusetts stared at him through the corner of his eye as he made a left turn with a guarded expression, "There really isn't anything you need to know about me, except that the states and America either call me 'Mass' or 'Massy' for short. You don't have to do that though, just letting you know so that you don't get confused or anything!"
France could understand that response. He was never too eager about giving away too much information about himself to another personification. That was why him and England were very dangerous whenever they went to war against each other, because they knew almost everything about each other. still there was still something odd about these states. It was as if they had this sort of connection that was only present when they were together. Observing Massachusetts, he saw that even through all of the horrible news he was just informed, he was still able to remain calm and collected. Now as he tapped his pale fingers on the steering wheel out of rythem, he seemed less at ease. It seemed that his confidence was decreasing by the second since they left the other states. Were they only this calm when they were together? Why would that be? With the thought in mind, he dug his phone out of his pocket and began to text.
The sunset is ending, isn't it a shame? Sunsets would last much longer if I had any say in it. -F
After sending the message he drummed his fingers on the window, causing Massachusetts to flinch. France glanced over at the young state, "What is it? Is it your head? New Hampshire had quite the headache when Vermont did that eye thing."
He gave France a hesitant nod, "That could be it." He bit his lip and kept his eyes glued to the road, causing France to frown. He seemed quite welcoming when the car ride started, now he looked like he dreaded talking to him.
I swear to god, France if you're going to continue texting me like you're running a bloody blog, I will change my number -UK
France hid his smirk from Massachusetts, then it vanished as he started thinking of the states again
How are the states in NY's car? -F
Alright I guess, I still don't trust them. How about you? -UK
I have the same answer as yours. Mass seems a little jumpy too, they the same? -F
No. That's odd. Think he's guilty? Weak link possibly? -UK
I doubt it. I think it's something more, did you notice how guarded each state is when they're alone? -F
A little, I noticed how much of a twat they can be too, just look at NY -UK
Maybe he was acting that way because he was alone -F
So basically you're saying that these states have some kind of unspoken connection that they can only use when together -UK
Did you see what they can do with their eyes? We haven't even known them for a whole day, I'd say any theory goes -F
Touché. Since we're playing by that rule, I have another theory. These state have been talking to us, but they haven't really told us any information that would help us capture these states and save America. Do you think they're doing that on purpose? Because I wouldn't be surprised. That star thing they have been doing is very suspicious also, if they can share memories, then do you think that they can share plans too? Maybe plan against us right under our noses? -UK
Why did you share that thought with me? As if this situation isn't scary enough! -F
Should we try talking to them about America to test it out? -UK
We might as well. If we're wrong and they do talk about him, then we might get some useful information out of it -F
Alright then, text me and tell me what happens. -UK
France shoved his phone in his pocket and looked up at Massachusetts. He had his blue eye on the road, his left eye that contained the star was covered with his black hair. He gripped the steering wheel with one hand and casually hung the other one out the rolled down window. France pointed towards the steering wheel, "You have a white one?"
Massachusetts paused for a moment, then he realized that France was pointing to the white stripe that wrapped around his wrist, "Yeah, I'm number six, the even stripes on the flag are white."
"So did you really take part in the midnight ride? I'm just guessing since New Hampshire told you the British are coming over the phone."
Massachusetts let out a timid laugh, "I sure did! America was with me too, we had our handful of adventures."
France tilted his head, "America never mentioned that."
"We know he didn't. He usually doesn't like to mention any adventures he had that connect to us, he doesn't want you guys asking too many questions. He did exclude the Boston Tea Party from that rule though, I'm pretty sure everybody knows he took part in that. I was right besides him the whole time, you should have seen the tea hit the water!"
France chuckled, "America told me all about it, so I'm guessing that every state had their fair share of adventures with America."
Massachusetts nodded, "That's right! We've always been besides America at one period of his history, some good, some bad, but they sure were adventures."
France frowned, "What about the bad adventures? Were there any of those lately? Something that caused anger, maybe enough to want to harm America?"
Massachusetts smile faded almost instantly and he turned his eyes back on the road. The car parked along the road and Massachusetts exited the driver's seat. His hand was about to reach for the handle, but he stopped and hovered over it. He wanted to say something, France new it. The very second a series of words were about to roll off his tongue, he closed his mouth and shook his head."Sorry, nothing that I know of! Well, we're here. I'll go pack my stuff and be down in a little bit. Maine thankfully hasn't unpacked yet, so I won't take too long! Just wait here." The state closed the door behind him and walked towards large brick building. He glanced over his shoulder at France for a split second before reaching into his pocket and slowly slipping out a phone.
"What do you think you're doing!" France leaped out of the car and went up to Massachusetts in a sprint.
"Wha-" He couldn't even finish his sentence before his phone was yanked out of his hand, catching the state off guard.
France shoved the phone into his pocket and glared at the state, "What were you going to do with that phone?"
Massachusetts stared back with eyes wide of shock, "I was just checking the time..."
"Doesn't matter," France declared. "I don't want you using it."
Suddenly he whipped around to face the nation with a hard glare, "what about you? You were using your phone!"
France crossed his arms defensibly, "I was just contacting England to see what gas station they were at."
Massachusetts rolled his eyes, "Yeah right! You guys might not trust us, but imagine how we feel! You nations have been to war with America at one point in history. Throughout our lives, we have seen you as friends, enemies, and friends again, at any moment the mood can change. Some of the nations that went off with the other states haven't even been friendly towards America recently! But here we are, spreading you over the country as you find out more and more about the secret we have been keeping for centuries. We're America's family. What are you? For all we know, it could be one of the nations who attacked America! You've seen how many nations were at the party, it could be any one of them. Maybe it's one of the ten countries with us states. And here you are, trying to take my phone, because you don't trust me. Why should I trust you? Do you think that I should trust you, or England, or any other country? Because I don't see why. How do I know that the one that shot America isn't standing right in front of me?"
France stood there stunned, "You don't," He murmured. "Anybody could have booked a flight to America's house, and went there after the party."
Massachusetts nodded, "Exactly. Now let's go around the country, gather up the states, and interrogate them when we don't even know if they actually did it or not!" He turned around and continued walking towards the apartment building.
"But... New York said that by harming America, you states will get everything that you wanted!" France yelled after him. Massachusetts stopped. "What do you states want!?"
The state's eye was glowing when he glanced over at France, his eyes burned with an emotion France couldn't identify. "Freedom. But that goal is impossible to accomplish, so we go for the second best thing; justice. Harming America is not just, so I would never do it. Somebody did though, and whether it's a state or not, I'm not going to stop until Justice is brought and we find the personification who's guilty." His gaze hardened, "Now France, he's my question for you. What side are you on?" He extended his arm and opened his palm.
France took out the phone from his pocket and studied it, then slammed it into the state's hand, "The right one. It appears that you are too. Let justice be served." Without another word being said, Massachusetts smiled and turned around, walking into the apartment alone. France was sitting in the car again by the time he pulled out his phone and checked for new messages.
Well? -UK
France hesitated a moment before deciding to reply.
Well I guess that America's capters aren't the only one who can make allies. Massachusetts can be trusted and is on our side, which in a way rules out your theory that they're trying to plan against us through their way of communication. If they were, then he would have said something -F
And if you're wrong? You can sometimes trust others too easily -UK
If I'm wrong then these states have an advantage over us that may lead to our downfall and America's death, which I'll take full responsibility over -F
You don't think you're wrong -UK
I don't -F
In that case, I'm going to have to trust this state too, aren't I. -UK
Yes -F
So be it. I guess that means I'm also going to have to take responsibility when everything goes wrong -UK
No. It means you're going to help me plan a welcome back party for America when everything goes right -F
Deal -UK
France allowed himself to smile as he gently placed the phone back into his pocket when he saw Massachusetts returning with two suitcases. When he first found out New York was a state, he worried that tagging along with them was going to be the decision that would lead to America never being seen again. But now he can only wonder how many other states that were like Massachusetts, ready to risk everything to get America back. And he wondered how many states were the exact opposite, and willing to do anything to avoid having them find America and are holding him captive right now. Then as New York said, there will be at least one who's in between; the weak link. The one who will eventually lead them to America and who attacked him. The United States is anything but united, and he was going to take advantage of that.
Massachusetts shoved the bags into the trunk and jumped into the car, "So are you ready?"
France nodded, "More than ready. Let's meet up with the others."
XXX
Author's Note: 2/3? Of France's and England's glorious adventure. Separating these chapters are physically painful, so please excuse these horrible author notes for the time being. I'll write something meaning full later. Happy one year anniversary.