America's POV:

Tears trailed down my cheeks as I closed my journal, its pages and binding worn from constant use. I slid the dull razor I had been using underneath my pillow and began mopping up the blood on my arm with a discarded towel. I knew my fading was coming soon, otherwise I wouldn't be acting like this. I was afraid; I didn't want to die. But there was nothing I could do. My country was too corrupt to be saved. Sighing, I stood up and straightened the army jacket I always wore. I needed to make myself at least a little presentable for the world meeting. A slight smile tried to tug at my lips, but it quickly disappeared.

"Sir, you're going to be late if you don't hurry up!" Lithuania called. I cursed under my breath and shoved the towel under my bed. I tugged on my shoes and fixed my hair as best as I could. Making sure that my scars and new cuts were covered by my jacket sleeves, I put on a fake smile and bounded out of my room, giving my surprised housekeeper a clap on the back.

"Hey, dude! What's up?" I said cheerfully, beaming. Lithuania smiled slightly at my unwavering cheerfulness and confidence. I only wished that it were real. Before I left, I peeked my head into each of the states' rooms. They were all still fast asleep. Tears threatened to spill once again when I realized that if and when I faded, these guys would be left alone to fend for themselves. They would break apart and fight like they had in the Civil War. I shuddered at the thought.

"Big brother!" little Rhode Island said as I came into his room. He and his brother Alaska were doing a puzzle together. Alaska's violet eyes were narrowed in concentration as he tried to but the pieces together, his snow-white hair falling in front of his face, covering his left eye. He looked so much like his real brother, Russia, that he scared me sometimes! Rhode Island, on the other hand, looked almost exactly like Canada and I. His light brown hair was styled in a tousled cowlick and his radiant blue eyes shone under his half-moon glasses. Unlike his other 49 siblings, he was small and frail like Canada, and he didn't seem to be growing fast enough. I always worried about him.

"I have to go guys. I've left Delaware in charge, so behave. Alaska, no sled dog races this time. Especially in the house. Okay?" Alaska sighed dejectedly and nodded, making me smile slightly. As I turned to leave, I felt a tug on my sleeve. Turning, I saw Rhode Island looking up at me with his big blue eyes. I knelt down in front of him to see they they were wet with tears.

"What is it, Rhode Island?" I asked quietly, wiping the tears from his face. He pulled on my sleeve until I followed him into the hallway and closed the door behind me. He sniffed and wrapped his arms around my right leg as he cried, looking up at me.

"Please take me and Alaska with you! All the other states ignore us and never want to play with us! Please, big brother?" Rhode Island pleaded, looking at me with wide eyes. I hesitated. The world meetings were no place for the states! But then I sighed and nodded. Rhode Island grinned and hugged me before running to get his brother. When we were finally read to go, Rhode Island and Alaska stood on either side of me, gripping my hands tightly.

"Ready to go?" I asked, and they both nodded eagerly. ​

* * *

The meeting hall, which had been filled with the sound of yelling and bickering, fell silent as I walked in with Rhode Island and Alaska. The other Nations stared at us with such intensity that Rhode Island grabbed my leg again, his face paling. Canada stood up from the large, oak table and hurried to my side, shifting in and out of visibility.

"Why'd you bring them here?! You know how the others get when they're around kids!" Canada growled, shoving me back a little. Pretending to not notice him, I gripped Alaska and Rhode Island's hands tighter and took my usual spot between Canada and Mexico at the table. Canada slumped back into his seat, refusing to even glance at me.

"Why is big brother Canada being mean?" Alaska asked innocently, curiously. I simply shrugged. I had no idea why either. Maybe I should ask him after the meeting. There's got to be a reason, right? I shook my head to clear my thoughts and looked up at China, who was speaking.

"As you all know, we are here to discuss the terrorist group ISIS. The group has already bombed numerous places including Paris, which is why France isn't here today." He paused for a moment and gestured at France's empty seat before continuing. "It has been discovered ISIS plans to attack London, and then New York City," he said, glancing at England and me. My stomach lurched and I put my head in my hands. England was pale and shaking, drops of cold sweat beading on his forehead. The last thing my country needed was another terrorist attack! Memories of 9/11 flashed before my eyes as I remembered how much it almost destroyed my country. I couldn't begin to imagine what would happen if I was attacked now!

"In our last meeting, America suggested that we-"

"No! I refuse for my country to be bombed and result in the death of innocents because a few ISIS members might be in my borders!" Syria roared, his body trembling with rage as he stood. His dark eyes stared at me with absolute malice and hate. I looked down at my feet, too ashamed to look the angry country in the eye. I felt the disapproving glares of the other nations and I shrank back into my seat.

"Hey, we all know America doesn't think before he speaks!" Germany chuckled, resting his boots on the table. My fists clenched and I stood up, trembling with rage.

"Oh, so my ideas are stupid, huh?!" I snapped, glaring at the blonde. With a smirk playing on his thin lips, he nodded. I fought tears and sat back down, staring blankly at the table. Rhode Island hugged me, but it only made me feel worse. The meeting continued as normal, with the occasional bickering and insults, most of them thrown at me. Rhode Island and Alaska huddled together behind my chair, covering their ears. The meeting resulted in a few broken noses and more conflicts than what we started with.

"Everyone is being so stupid!" Alaska yelled when we were outside the meeting hall and starting towards home. I snorted, patting him on the back.

"Tell me about it! The Nations can't decide on anything!" I sighed unhappily, thinking about how unified we used to be. I felt a tug on my sleeve and looked down to see Alaska, his eyes wide with fear.

"Somebody is following us!" he said in a loud whisper, gesturing behind him with his thumb. I saw four figures advancing towards us slowly. They all held some sort club in their hands, and they didn't look afraid to use them!

"Alaska, Rhode Island, get ready to run when I tell you to."

"America-"

"Shut up, Rhode Island! Run, now!" I growled. With tears streaming down his face, Rhode Island grabbed Alaska's hand and they ran as fast as they could. One of the men rushed past me and ran after them. Alaska screamed as the man grabbed him by the hair, yanking him to his knees. Rhode Island managed to escape.

"Alaska, no!" I screamed, running forward. Two more of the men grabbed me from behind and forced me to my knees as well. The tallest of them knelt down in front of me, gripping me by my hair and pulling my head back. I grimaced, trying not to cry out. The man pulled off his mask, revealing tanned skin, dark eyes, and curly black hair.

"Syria," I snarled, trying to wrench out of the Asian country's grip. Syria merely chuckled and gestured for the three other men, including the person holding Alaska, to come closer. Russia's face came into view as he dragged Alaska in front of me. His face was expressionless, but his eyes portrayed his real feelings. They glared at me with a mixture of hate and sympathy.

"Alfred, I'm scared," Alaska whispered, tears rolling down his face. I opened my mouth to reply when Syria stepped between us.

"Shut up!" Syria hissed, slapping Alaska.

"No! Leave him alone!" I gasped, struggling in the other man's grip. Syria laughed harshly and hefted his club, slowly walking towards Alaska. The man holding me wrapped his arms around my waist tighter as I tried to stand and run forward.

"America, stop struggling!" the voice hissed in my ear. My eyes widened as I recognized it.

"C-Canada?!" I gasped, twisting around to face my brother. He smirked at me and forced my head back towards Alaska. The forth man was nowhere to be seen. Tears sprang up in my eyes as Syria lifted his club above his head, his eyes gleaming with cruel pleasure. He turned his face towards me for a moment.

"This is what happens when you mess with Syria!" he laughed cruelly. The club came down with a sickening crack on Alaska's back. Alaska screamed in pain and Russia thrust him to the ground. He struggled to stand, but collasped again. Syria's club rose again and again, striking Alaska over and over. His sobs slowly turned to tortured screams until he finally lost conciousness, lying limply on the ground.

"Until we meet again, America," Syria said. Canada let go of me and followed Russia and Syria, kicking Alaska as he went. I scooped up Alaska's broken and bloodied body in my arms, tears dripping off of the edge of my pointed nose. A pool of blood had already begun to form around the young state, and my arms were soaked with it.

"Do you hear me, Syria?! Do you hear me, Canada?! Do you hear me, Russia?! If Alaska dies, I will track you down, ti the ends of the earth if I have to, and I. Will. Kill. You!"