I'm going to start this chapter with a little authors note. I know right? Crazy, I don't do that a lot. Hehe. Anywho, happy late thanksgiving to you American readers, and guess what? Christmas is coming up and we all need to get our shopping done like NOW. I did. Hope you guys have.

Okay, back to the main subject -sorry for getting carried away- I am AMAZED by the support that has been given to this fic, and I thank you guys a ton for it. I want to apologize for the shorter chapters -back to back hot of the press is difficult, but I know people like it (AND I have a crapload of depressing songs songs to listen to, to get me in the mood for depressing as crap writing) I've caused friends to burst into tears. Bwahahaha! - and I will continue writing as much as I can to get you guys satisfied!

Even though it IS the holidays, that simply gives me more time to write, and I will mainly be posting around Mid-Day in America, which should be early morning for my European and Asian readers. That or you'll find new chapters around the late afternoon for Americans and maybe mid-day for you Europeans and Asians, so keep an eye out! I'll be delivering when I can!

Happy holidays everyone!

Join the dark side-

~Cookie

oOoOo

Romano glanced out the window. Ludwig had insisted on driving due to Romano's questionable state, and Tino had backed the large German up with excuses about safety and concern for the Italian. But that as all they really where to Romano. Excuses.

The scenery passing by was green, and fruitful, even though the dreary weather was forcing itself down upon the landscape. Wet and soaking where the trees and bushes and whatever else was out there. Romano took another bite of the granola bar in his hand. It was tasteless, almost, all that was in the place of taste now-a-days was this metallic essence in his mouth, and it was annoying.

The trees continued to wiz by, and soon Tino spoke.

"Do you think they'll stay true to their word?"

"Huh?"

"About..." Tino hesitated. "About killing them."

Romano nodded. "Si. They never fail."

"How do you think they might try to kill them?"

"Drowning, first." Romano grimaced. "And when that doesn't work, they'll slit their throats."

Romano choked a bit at that thought. "And when then doesn't work they'll try anything."

Tino nodded in acknowledgement. It was common knowledge among representatives that they could not die from anything, unless it completely tore apart their body and there would be nothing left in the end. If there was a brain, or a torso, or even just a leg, then they would always come back. Always. And it would always be incredibly painful for them, some had even done it. But it wasn't as well known if an attribute to humans. In fact, hardly any humans knew this at all.

Romano let out a shaky breath, tears gathering in his eyes at the thought of that happening to the two.

"You gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine."

"Are you-"

"I said I'll be fine, god dammit!" Romano hissed.

Tino looked taken back for a moment, but then sighed.

"Alright."

Romano turned his head back to the window.

"It's just... What if it was Berwald or Peter? Or Matthias and Emil or Lukas?" He looked back at the Finnish native.

"I- I don't know."

"Exactly. I want them to all pay for it too, right? They're all I really have. When Nonno died... Feli was it, and Antonio showed up... And now they're gone, probably locked in somebody's basement."

Tino simply stared at him, as if unsure how to take the statement.

"Vhe aren't zhat far from San Paolo." Ludwig stated from the driver's seat.

Romano let out a relieved huff.

"Bene." Romano stated.

Tino smiled a a it as Romano appeared relieved.

But only a little.