Updated 1/22/25

"So let me get this straight. You invited Texas to the UN meeting because you two wanted the states to be revealed. Texas ratted out Liberia as being the person behind it, and now Dad and Uncle James are promising to punish you severely, and you want us to help get you out of the house." Nevada said as Illinois cackled at their situation.

"Yes, that's what happened, and Noi, can you please shut up," Texas said.

"Absolutely not." Illinois said through his laughter, "Oh, I can't believe Liberia got ratted out immediately by Texas."

"Oh, come on! If you planned this, you would have been ratted out, too!" Liberia insisted. Illinois shook his head, laughter calming down.

"Libby, I have ways to ensure nobody would rat me out," Illinois said.

"What, you gonna pull a Wales?" He asked.

"Well, yes, but also, I was a part of the mob during Prohibition. I picked up a thing or two," Illinois said, careful to keep his tone joking and light. It was the best way to throw off any suspicion that he was still involved.

Although Illinois hated the fact that the mob still had him under their thumb and controlled him, Illinois could still appreciate what they taught him. It's the only way he's been able to keep that secret, to protect his family and his human identity.

Also, it came in handy when Illinois worked as a spy in Lithuania. Mainly to help Dad and the Baltics keep in touch since Dad still recognized them as independent nations.

Speaking of that, Illinois would have to try to meet up with Lithuania soon. It had been too long, and she was a comfort.

"Wait, you were actually part of the mob?" Liberia asked, shock in his voice.

"Yes? Dude, that's common knowledge." Texas said.

"I thought it was just a joke! What the hell?" Liberia said. Nevada giggled at that.

"You are not ready to hear about me and Yorkie, then," Nevada said.

"YOU AND NEW YORK WERE ALSO PART OF THE MOB?" Liberia yelled. Texas and Nevada laughed while Illinois smiled uncomfortably, tense. Talking about being part of the mob always made him so nervous. Illinois didn't want them to find out what the mob was doing to him or making him do.

The knowledge of the bug on Illinois' phone only made him more uncomfortable.

Nevada must have noticed Illinois' uncomfortableness because he quickly changed the subject. Illlinois's body relaxed, and he gave Nevada a relieved smile. Thank God for his little brother and the fact that he knew. Illinois didn't think he would have been able to go through the blackmail and humiliation if it wasn't for him and New York. And Michigan, even if he didn't know.

"So Liberia, even though you are an independent nation, you are still here and letting yourself be grounded. Why?" Nevada asked.

"I fear Uncle James more than I fear anything else on Earth," Liberia said bluntly.

"He's terrifying," Texas said, shuddering slightly.

"Give me ten bucks, and I'll tell you an embarrassing story about him. I knew him when I was still a part of the system," Illinois said. Texas looked excited and pulled out ten dollars and gave it to Illinois.

"Thanks." Illinois said, pocketing it and turning to Nevada, "So Vada, how do you think we should smuggle these two out?"

"You aren't going to tell me anything?" Texas asked, incredulous.

"Nah, I just wanted ten dollars," Illinois said. Texas groaned as their brothers laughed.

"I shouldn't have trusted you," Texas said. Illinois' smile faded some at that. Of course, Texas didn't trust him. Illinois was constantly betraying them, and he needed to leave and get away. It was too much, and Illinois felt the guilt well up again, and he needed to go and—

Illinois cut off his panicked thoughts before the panic attack started and tried to swallow down the panic in his throat. Illinois couldn't let them see that something was wrong. Then they could find out, and if they found out...Illinois couldn't let them find out.

He just had to get through this. Then he could hide in his room.

"Come on, Tex, you know how Noi is. He's a conman and a liar!" Liberia said with a smile. Illinois knew Liberia was joking, but it was bringing up the guilt and the pain, and Illnois wanted to cry and hug them and confess and destroy the bug and trackers, but Illnois couldn't because they would hurt his family!

Illinois couldn't let them do that.

So he forced himself to smile.

"Any more insults to me and I'll just tell Dad about you asking me and Vada for help," Illinois said. That would stop the insults and make it easier to hide the guilt and the pain. It was only for less than an hour. Illinois could do this.

"Got it. No more insults. I really don't want to face Dee's wrath getting worse." Texas said.

"Good." Illinois said with a slight nod, "Now, here's the plan. I go with Libby and sneak him out of NASA's room. After NASA's stargazing field is the woods and once you start running in there, you shouldn't be found. Vada can go with Tex and sneak him out the outside cellar door since that opens up to where that cornfield is so that you can get lost in that."

"Running through the cornfields. It reminds me of that one time when we were with Yorkie, and we were trying to—" Nevada began before Illinois cut him off, not wanting Liberia or Texas to hear this story.

"Yes, Nevada, I remember you don't have to tell everyone," Illinois said, blushing with embarrassment. Nevada laughed.

"Sorry, but it's just so easy to embarrass you with that," Nevada said.

"Well, now I want to hear this story," Liberia said excitedly. Nevada smiled his crooked grin and put his hands behind his back.

"Oh, you do? What would you pay for it?" Nevada asked in his conman voice. Liberia's face changed to one of fear as that happened.

"Never mind, I am no longer interested in knowing. Hey Noi, let's leave now. Please?" Liberia asked. Illinois laughed quietly and nodded.

"We can go," Illinois said, walking out of Nevada's room, Liberia following him. They walked in silence for a minute before Liberia spoke up.

"Are you okay, Noi? You're too quiet, you aren't laughing as loud, and you looked uncomfortable back there." Illinois nodded and smiled.

"Of course, I'm fine, Libby. I'm just a bit worried about the last of the countries knowing about us. It's exciting but nerve-wracking." Illinois said, grateful that Liberia had accidentally given him a reason to act strange.

"Okay..." Liberia said, looking at Illinois with suspicion, "You'd tell us if something was wrong though, right?"

"Of course I would, Libby." Illinois said as he opened the window, "Now, let's get you out of here before we get caught."