The sun was rising higher and higher as the drove closer to Washington D.C. By the time they were anywhere close to the city, it was eight in the morning, and France was ready to pass out. He dozed off a couple times, but the pleasurable moments during the endless car ride of him sleeping did not last long. One thing he learned quickly about these states was that they liked to talk, laugh, and argue as loud as possible. All the states would have fit perfectly in the two cars if it weren't for France and England. Two states were left without a seat, and there couldn't be a third car in this trip since there wasn't a third country to watch them. So the two extra states had to find room in the back seat, and four people in a seat that fit three didn't leave many happy passengers.
Rhode Island was the state they picked up after Massachusetts. She was sleeping peacefully in her bed at the time, and almost chewed their heads off for waking her up. She was the smallest of all the states, and it showed in her physical features. She was short and skinny with a flat chest, she reminded France of Liechtenstein in a way. She could practically be her twin if one would examine her from a distance. Her facial features were quite different though. She had a sharp nose, thin lips, and a deep blue eye, the other eye being a star of course. Her eyes could barely be seen though, because of her hair. Her hair was the color of coffee that she wore in a bowl-cut style. Her hair neatly chopped off the top half of her eyes from anyone's field of vision.
When Rhode Island told France to search for a man wearing a polo shirt and flip flops when he was searching for Connecticut, he didn't know what to say. The state looked very similar to a college student, and since they were in Hartford at the time, France had mistaken him just for that until Massachusetts pointed out the star for him. He learned quickly that this state liked to brag about his sophisticated colleges and how he was statistically the richest. Besides his vanity, he wasn't that bad of a state. He seemed very smart, and was able to keep their conversations interesting and prevent France from falling asleep during the three hour trip to New Jersey.
New York was right when he said that New Jersey wasn't orange. What he didn't mention about New Jersey though was that he would be eating in a diner at three in the morning. They were standing outside of his house for quite some time before Connecticut decided to call him, he was surprised when the missing state answered the phone sounding wide awake, but once he told Connecticut he was at a diner, he looked as if he should have thought of that before, which made France wonder how often this state goes to the diner in the middle of the night. He was similar to Massachusetts in a way, he had dark hair, a blue eye, a ridiculous accent, and he was just as cocky as him. He was different in many aspects though. For example, he got quite irritated whenever Connecticut made a joke about how he was the "landfill of New York" or talked about the TV show Jersey Shore.
Thankfully, Pennsylvania was in Philadelphia instead of Pittsburgh, and it only took about forty minutes to reach him. Which was much better than the three hours it took to pick up New Jersey. The state also had a white stripe similar to Massachusetts', and his other eye was a slate of steel while his hair was as black as coal. The first thing he said after he found out about America missing was, "So did you eat anything before you came here?" While England wanted to scream at him, France wanted to laugh because of where his priorities were. After Pennsylvania finally realized why England was so upset, he apologized instantly, "Oh sorry! I just figured that having America go missing and everything after that would be stressful, and food helps ease all stress!" The car still faintly smelled of Philly cheese steak and warm pretzel.
Delaware was the last state they had to pick up, then it was straight to Washington D.C. New York did say he was hard to read, but France didn't take that too seriously until he finally met the state. Delaware was almost as difficult to understand as Japan. He could be quiet one moment and very loud the next, and he had a certain way of composing himself that made him look mysterious. But he sure seemed loyal. When New Jersey told him about America's attack, he looked like he was ready to kill the people who did it. France wanted to learn a little more about him to see if he could be an ally along with Massachusetts, but he went with England because Mass' car was already full. He would have to ask England about him when they arrived at the house.
Pennsylvania's obnoxious snoring came to a stop and he dozed awake, "Are we there yet?" He murmured.
Rhode Island shook her head, "we're about thirty minutes away."
He groaned, "It feels like we're never going to get there and we're destined to sit in this car forever! We've been driving for hours now."
Massachusetts rolled his eyes, "Quit complaining. I've been sitting in this car way longer than you have!"
"How do you think I feel?" France asked. "I was here since the beginning of this road trip."
Connecticut shrugged, "I bet the states in the first car feel just as tired."
"England's probably ready to pass out," France stated. He wondered how England was dealing with the other states. If they talked and argued as loud as these states, then he must be annoyed. He hasn't talked to him much after they left Boston. Even though they were together when they stopped to pick up another state, and New York's car was in front of their's the whole time, he felt quite alone being the only nation in the car. They also didn't come any closer to finding America. None of the states seemed suspicious enough to have done it, and there were no signs of him in their homes. France hoped that the other nations were having better luck.
Just as he was about to doze off once again, the car slammed on the brakes with a loud screech. France lurched forward and was winded by his seat belt. Some states called out in alarm, and Pennsylvania, who wasn't wearing a seat belt slammed his face into the back of France's seat. There was silence as everybody tried to recover from such an unexpected stop. France stared over at Massachusetts, who was gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles, "What happened?"
The state shook his head, "I-I don't know! New York's car just stopped all of a sudden and I didn't notice it a-and I could have crashed the car!" He bit his lip and leaned forward, trying to get a better look at the black car in front of him.
France nodded in understanding, "You've been driving for hours, you're probably just tired and your eyes missed it, that's all. It's alright."
"Tell that to my bloody nose!" Pennsylvania called out. He covered his nose with both of his hands.
"Get off of me!" Rhode Island complained.
"Everyone out," France commanded. "We should see why they stopped. Besides, I'm sure that everyone needs the fresh air." France opened the door and stepped outside. The day was just beginning, and it was already hot outside. The sun beat down onto the car and heated his hand as he shut the door. If it weren't for the wind, the heat would have been uncomfortable. The sky was a clear blue without a cloud in sight, showing no signs that it rained the night before. They were on a secluded road, because New York claimed it was faster than the highway to D.C. A thick forest surrounded the road on both sides, which worried him if there was a problem, because he didn't know if they could get phone service or not. The states that were in New York's car were now spread out across the road, walking around and stretching their legs. All except New Hampshire, who was bent over the car with it's hood thrown up. England stood besides him crossing his arms.
"What's wrong?" France called out as he approached them.
"That's what we're trying to figure out," England responded and gestured to New Hampshire.
"That's what I'm trying to figure out. You're just standing here and asking me questions that I already asked myself about the car before inspecting it." New Hampshire whipped his bandanna out of his pocket and tied it around his head. Then continued to inspect the engine.
"You could have gave some kind of a warning," France said. "Massachusetts almost crashed into you."
"It's not like I could have predicted that it was going to break down!" The Englishman complained. "It was driving smoothly and then it just stopped!"
"There has to be a logical explanation," New Hampshire murmured.
Connecticut walked up to the car and leaned against it. Looking at the state he said, "And what do you know? You're used to working on cars that are half a century old."
New Hampshire examined the car for a moment more before standing up, "I work on new cars too, I just like old cars better." He opened the driver's door and shoved the keys in the ignition. The car growled to life for a split second before sputtering. The state sat in the driver's seat and tested it again.
"Did you just think that if you started the car it would start working or something?" Connecticut asked.
"Or something. Now have some patience." New Hampshire turned his head to England, "When was the last time we got gas?"
England thought for a moment, "Philadelphia, why?"
"How much did you fill it?" He questioned.
"I'm fairly sure it was three quarters."
New Hampshire frowned, "it says here that it's completely full..."
France ducked his head into the car and read the gauge, "What? That's impossible."
"It's possible if there's water in the gas tank," New Hampshire stated.
New York walked up to the group, "This car is brand new. Even with all the rain we had last night I don't see how water could have gotten in it."
New Hampshire jumped out of the car with an empty plastic bottle in hand, "There's only one way to find out. I'll need some sort of a tube. I'm going to take some gas out of the car and let it settle. If there's water then it will sink to the bottom and we'll know for sure."
Connecticut pointed over his shoulder where the other car, "Mass never cleans out his trunk, I could barely fit my suitcase in there. He probably has something."
New Hampshire placed the bottle on top of the car and walked towards Massachusetts. France turned to England, "I'm no car expert, but I'd say that water in a gas tank is not good."
"I know, you're no driving expert either. I wonder if anyone can match your road rage."
France rolled his eyes, "Oh please, most of us personifications are way worse than I am."
"It's the same with us states," Connecticut said. "I swear one day Mass' head will explode from him screaming so much in a traffic jam."
France shrugged, "He was mostly calm when I was with him, but I guess that was because of the lack of sleep everybody had."
New York yawned, "Don't talk about sleep right now. I'm so tired that I'm practically brain dead."
"At least you got some sleep on your way to Vermont, I've been driving since the beginning."
"Quit complaining," Connecticut said. "Once we make it to D.C. we can sleep all we want. Until then, let's just fix the car and get this road trip over with."
New Hampshire returned with a clear plastic tube and retrieved the bottle he left, "The day you have patience is the day the world ends. We might not be able to fix the car here if there's water in the gas tank. To avoid any permanent damage, the tank will have to be drained. Since we have no extra gas and barely any supplies, we'll most likely have to have it towed."
New York gave him a horrified look, "I just got this! How did this even happen?"
New Hampshire lowered his gaze to the ground, "Well it could have been an accident, but I doubt it. I think it was done intentionally, and whoever did it added a ton of water in there to have it break down like this."
New York opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. England froze, and France took a step forward, "Are you sure?"
His blue eyes met the state's and he gave him a nod, "I don't see any explanation."
Connecticut grimaced, "In all honesty I didn't think that this small pit stop would turn into a situation like this."
France turned to England, "If the car was sabotaged, does that mean..."
"...that at least one of the states who helped attack America is in this group? Yes."
The five personifications grew silent, then New York turned to New Hampshire, "Test it. Now. Before we start pointing fingers, I want to make sure that there's really water in the gas tank."
New Hampshire nodded and rushed to the car. New York stared at them with narrowed eyes. He pointed a bandaged finger at England, "You filled the car."
England scoffed, "I filled it with gas, not water. Someone must have poured water in there when we were picking up another state!"
New York crossed his arms, "How do I know that you're telling the truth?"
"You said that it was most likely one of the states! You said that if you harmed America you would get everything you ever wanted!" France said raising his voice and taking a step forward. "Why would you count us as suspects?"
Connecticut whipped his head in New York's direction, "You told them that!? Exactly how much did you reveal about us?"
New York's eyes were as cold as ice, "I didn't tell them anything!" His shouting attracted the other states who were stretching their legs, complaining of their lack of sleep, and wondering about the car.
"What is up with you, York? First you say that you don't trust nations, then you're telling them everything about us. You claim that us states captured America, then you turn it back on the nations. Exactly what game are you playing?"
"What's going on here?" New Jersey asked as he walked up to the group. He was followed by basically every other state who wasn't involved in the conversation.
New Jersey was ignored, "You know exactly what game I'm playing! The game we're all playing, and I'm sick of it! I'm sick of everything! I'm sick of sitting in a car for hours, I'm sick of these nations and having to escort them throughout the country, I'm sick of having to give them information about us-"
"New York..." Rhode Island called out.
"I'm sick of having to keep all these secrets and tell all these lies, I'm sick of having to be hidden away every time a nation visits America, I'm sick of America's disappearance, and most of all I'm sick of that damn state who did this!"
"In that case then maybe you're just mostly sick of yourself."
New York paused, the look he wore was cold as ice, "I know you don't mean tha-"
"Why wouldn't I meant it?" Connecticut asked. He turned to the others, "You all know that our fellow state organized this entire plan."
"With the help of four other states!" He objected.
"Of your choosing! And they all just happen to be in different regions of the U.S. Very convenient if you ask me. Why is that?"
The state gritted his teeth as he spoke, "If a group of states helped capture America, then the leader must have had to be very close with these other states to convince them to help. Which means that this group is probably in one region, but not all the states in the region are in on it. So I divided the regions into sections and picked the most trustworthy state in each one."
"But are they really trustworthy states that you picked from deduction, or the states that helped you kidnap America?"
New York's eyes were burning with frustration, "I didn't do it!"
"Then prove it."
When New Hampshire returned to the side of their car with a bottle full of fluid, he saw the scene and frowned. He placed the bottle on top of the car and walked up to Connecticut and New York. He stepped between them and crossed his arms, "Come on now, what would America say if he saw you too arguing? He hates it when we get in fights you know."
"I didn't start the fight," New York growled. "It was Connecticut who started to accuse me!"
"And it was you who started to accuse England." His tone was harsh. "Listen up, there's absolutely no proof of who did it. We could sit around and suspect each other and make no progress. England was just filling the gas, does that mean he's guilty? Does it mean he's innocent? We don't know." Connecticut smirked after seeing New York getting lectured, only to have New Hampshire turn to him, "and don't you think what you did was any better! New York came up with this plan because it's what the five of them came up with together. We're almost at the house, let's at the very least enjoy some peace and not start up any drama until we get there, OK?"
Both the states muttered their agreement and apologies. Massachusetts picked up the bottle on the car and inspected it, "well even though we're close to the house, I don't think we'll be getting there for a while. It's not good if half of it is filled with water I don't think.
"It was brand new," New York complained.
New Hampshire shook his head, "It's not good at all, but at least we know what's wrong with it. Shame. Well I guess it happens to all cars. No matter old, new, preserved, or neglected, every car eventually gets some damage. The only thing to wonder about is how it's going to get it and when it's going to happen."
"What now?" New Jersey asked.
New Hampshire laughed, "Well the hardest past is identifying the problem." New Hampshire now grabbed the bottle. It was almost full, the bottom half of the liquid was water, and on top of that was the gas floating on top. "After you find the problem, you fix it. It's as simple as that."
New Jersey stared at the bottle, "I see the problem here."
New Hampshire nodded, "See? Now all we have to do is fix it." He pointed to France, "You, call a tow truck. We're going to bring this to a shop and have the gas tank drained." He moved to England, "You, you might want to watch the others closely for a while. It seems that the water didn't just appear out of thin air, and who knows who could have done it."
France stared at his phone for a moment before looking up at the state, "There's no cell phone service here."
New Hampshire frowned, "Really? Well I guess that you can take the other car and drive down the road until you get service if you want."
France looked past him and stared at England, "Will you be alright here?"
England rolled his eyes, "I was a pirate, what do you think?" France looked over to Massachusetts who gave him a small nod.
He turned to New Hampshire, "You come with me."
New Hampshire was taken aback for a small moment, "Me? Why me?"
"It's not like I can explain to the macanic what happened better than you."
The state shrugged, "Alright, I guess I'll come with you then." He gave a weary glance to the rest of the states. France didn't blame him though. New York clearly demonstrated that none of these states really trusted them, excluding Massachusetts, but France wasn't sure if the rest of the states knew that.
France turned around and headed towards Massachusetts red car. The state said a couple of short good byes to the others before catching up to France in a slow jog. "New York said that there's a town a couple miles down the road. So it shouldn't be that long of a trip."
"Good. I don't want to leave only one country to supervise a group of suspected criminals for too long. Who knows how this could end."
New Hampshire frowned, "I'm one of those suspects too. Anyways you and England are both suspects from our point of view. I'm sure you figured that out by now."
France gave the personification a nod, "With no doubt about it. Are you definite that the car was sabotaged?"
He shrugged, "I really hope that it isn't the case, but I can't think of any other reason it would have that much water in it all of a sudden."
"Well that was great work back there."
New Hampshire smiled, "I've been working on cars since they were invented, what did you expect?""
France shook his head, "Not that, I'm talking about the way you dealt with the other states. You really left a positive feeling throughout the group."
New Hampshire stopped in his tracks, "Really? I was just trying to calm them down, I thought Connecticut and York would have gotten in a fist fight if nobody stopped them."
"Well it worked. You can be a good leader when you put your mind to it." France smiled at him, but the state didn't share his enthusiasm.
He brought his gaze to the ground, "Don't say that. States aren't meant to lead, if we were then there would be no need for America. Besides, I was just trying to make my friends feel better, not lead them to destroy America. We all need him."
France froze as he rested his hand on the car door, "No, I wasn't saying that. It was just a compleme-"
"Sure it was," New Hampshire's usually friendly smile was bitter. "Don't worry, I'm not offended. It makes sense really. You're looking for a state who has leadership qualities to lead a group of states, friendly enough to convince other states to join, and knows how to destroy a car without it being too obvious. Also I was able to figure out what was wrong with the car just by a couple of quick tests, most would think that I'd only be able to know that if I were the one who put the water in the gas tank. I'm a pretty interesting suspect, right?"
France's eyes were wide, then he took a deep breathe to calm himself. He should have known that talking them into accidentally admitting their guilt wasn't going to happen. "I'm also looking for a state who's smart. You fit that quality too. You can confess if you want. Your punishment won't be very severe if you tell us where America is."
New Hampshire shook his head, "If I were smart, then I would have realized you suspected me of shooting America sooner and then I could have denied going with you. Besides, I'm innocent. You shouldn't waste your energy on me, save it for the guilty."
"If you don't have proof, then what reason do you have for claiming your innocence?"
New Hampshire laughed, "I don't have proof or a reason, but I figured that if I tell you now, then later when you find out who really did it you can apologize then go on you knees begging for my forgiveness."
France raised an eyebrow, "Cocky much? How do you know we'll say you didn't do it?"
The state shrugged, "I don't. I just might be framed. It would make sense, wouldn't it? Why not just have a state identify the problem with a car and have the nations blame them for it all? Then while you're focusing all your time on me, the state keeps America and does what they want with them. Seems like a nice plan if you ask me."
France pulled open the car door, "well if that's true then at least we would know why they would do this. But it all depends on whether you did it or not."
New Hampshire snorted, "Why would I do something like that? Even if I didn't tell you guys what's wrong with it, I would still be blamed for breaking it since I know the most about cars. Why would I want to make myself a suspect? Anyways I'm sure it's obvious tha-"
New Hampshire couldn't finish his sentence before his phone burst out into an obnoxious ring tone. France flinched and reached into his pocket to retrieve his flip phone unblinkingly. He flipped it open to see that the number was private, "Oh wow, it looks like I have phone service after all... haha!"
The red-head gave him a look that made him feel like the dumbest person on earth, "Are you serious? You pretended you didn't have cell-phone service?"
"No! We must have picked it up along the way!"
"We walked ten feet and we're still on the same secluded rode surrounded in trees. We just magically picked up some service?"
France lowered his gaze to his phone, "I thought that if I could get you alone then maybe you would..."
New Hampshire groaned, "Whatever, you suspected me. Just make sure you call a tow-truck after you're done with who-ever's calling." He whipped around and stormed back to the broken down Toyota.
France studied the phone, usually when the call was private it was his boss. He pressed answer and put it up to his ear, "Hello?"
"Hello, France."
He paused. The caller's voice was filtered so that it couldn't be recognized. The voice was not low enough to be male and not high enough to be female, but it had a slight pitch to it only caused by a computer. "Who is this?"
"I heard that England invited you and a bunch of other nations into the game. Welcome. Right now you are standing alone next to a red car that can only be Massachusetts'. There are ten states with you and one other nation who are standing near New York's black Toyota. It seems that there's a problem with it. Water in the gas tank maybe?"
"Who is this!?" France rose his voice in anger.
The robotic voice tsked, "I wouldn't speak any louder if I were you. Attract attention and who knows what would happen to Alfred."
At this point he could hear his heart beating, "Where's America and what did you do to him!?"
"Nothing... yet. As for his location I can't really say since it would give away mine as well. Now you are going to do exactly as I say."
France gritted his teeth, "No. I don't even know if you really have America."
The voice paused, "Fair enough. After you receive my instructions I will send you a picture of Alfred. I suggest you start calling him that too since he won't be America for much longer."
"He will ALWAYS be America," the nation growled with determination.
"How can you be so sure? Anyways listen closely. All I want you to do is pass on a message. I want you nations back in New York by tomorrow. You are going to pretend that nothing significant happened and that fifty certain personifications never existed. Return to your own countries by the day after tomorrow."
"You're a state."
"Oh?"
"You said 'you nations' when directing us to leave," France breathed. "Which means you're most likely not amongst us and you're a state."
The voice seemed amused by this observation, "So you're a good listener. Perfect. Now listen to this; tell my fellow states that are not already involved with my plan that soon all of their problems are going to be solved and I am going to be the solution. They are free to support me and free to deny me. All I ask is for the states who don't support me to not go against me. Tell them to sit back and watch the world change under my responsibility for the better, and that once they see the difference I have made, they will change their opinion about me. For those who support me they are welcome to join me after I am certain you nations are no longer in the country."
France's hands were now shaking so violently he could barely hold the phone, "and what if we don't do what you say?"
"Well, I can honestly say that I was planning to let Alfred free after I got what I wanted from him, but if you insist that you continue with this pathetic investigation then I think that I'll keep him in my custody. And refusing my offer to leave peacefully would also mean refusing my request to keep us states a secret. I'm afraid that it's not time to reveal our existence, and it's too risky to have any witnesses... so I'll have to kill you all."
He didn't know whether to laugh or scream, "You can't kill a nation, it's impossible!"
"Is it? I don't agree. There are ways, long forgotten ways, but they exist. And I found them. Knowledge is power, my friend. Now you know your options, spread the word and make a decision. Goodbye, France."
"No wait!" But it was too late, France was now listening to a dead line. He numbly loosened his grip on the phone and let it slam against the cooking concrete. He stared ahead seeing nothing with wide eyes. "America," he murmured, "what does this state want from you?" He leaned against the red car and covered his face, listening to the distant sound of his dangerously fast pulse.
He could have stayed in that position all day if he didn't hear his phone beep. He crouched down and picked up his phone with a trembling hand. There were a couple new scratches, but besides that it survived the fall just fine. He flipped the phone open to see that there was a new message with a photo attached. France pressed on it without even noticing he stopped breathing.
He's unconscious, not dead. The bullet wound in his head is still healing and it is nothing compared to what I will do to him if you are still in this country by the 8th of July. Choose wisely.
It was him, oh god it was him. The boy was small and pale and he was laying unconscious against a wall too dark to see what it was made out of. His weat colored hair was matted and covered in blood. The right side of his head was a complete mess. The skin was caked with dried blood and the bullet hole was covered over with weak tissue. It looked like his wound was starting to heal. He wasn't surprised that after a whole day it hasn't completely healed yet since the would would have destroyed the brain. France was shot plenty of times in the head and it usually takes at least three days for it to heal entirely. It seemed as if this state had much knowledge about America's incredible strength since they covered the nation with thick chains. He would be certain that those wouldn't be able to hold America if he were at his full strength. He could stop a car with the heel of his foot for crying out loud. But since he was severely injured France couldn't be so sure. His eyes were closed peacefully as if he were in a comma, but the way he crinkled the bridge of his nose just the slightest bit showed his distress clearly.
France couldn't stand looking at America in this state any longer. It made him want to scream and cry and do so many things when what he really should be doing is remaining calm and try to help America in some way. France turned to the other personifications and swallowed the lump in his throat. He wasn't sure if this state could really hear and see what he was doing, but he spoke anyway, "I will pass on your message, state. But I'll warn you now that you're not going to be happy with our decision. I am more than willing to play this game of yours if it means that we have the slightest chance of saving America. Before we do, if you can hear me then this is your chance to surrender."
As he started walking towards the others he wasn't surprised this time when his phone warned him that he received a text message.
I see. Well if the other nine nations have the same response as you then I wish you luck. I'm not surrendering any time soon, and if you're decision is solid then it will be you surrendering on your knees as you beg for your life. Good day, France. Let the game begin.
He clutched phone tightly and shoved it into his pocket, he had a tow truck to call and a message to deliver. "Yes, let the game begin."
XXX
I. AM. SO. SORRY. It's been months since I updated this story! For a while I lost motivation to write, and when I finally regained motivation and started writing this became the longest chapter I have ever written, so that was a little stressful. Also for the entire month of November I lost internet and didn't have this saved on anything but the internet, and trust me when I say I've learned my mistake and will now start saving my chapters on the internet AND in some file that I can reach without it so that even if I do lose internet again, next time I'll still be able to work on the chapter. I would like to thank northstarwarriorqueen for being so awesome and encouraging me! Since I am now back on track and on the internet again I can promise you guys that chapters will start being updated again at a decent pace. This has actually been the longest time I have not written since I got a Fanfiction and I do not want to repeat this involuntarily hiatus.
So what do you think? A lot has happened since last chapter and we have met the North Eastern states! I know not all of them had such a lengthy introduction as others, but don't worry! You'll get to know the states who haven't had a very grand introduction later on. So who do you trust? And who do you not trust? Well next chapter we are following Italy and Germany into the South and more will be revealed! Well until next time, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! 3/3 DONE! (For now)