Chapter Eleven ~ Scatter!

"What's wrong?" Both you and Germany ask Italy at the same time. You share a look, but you're the first to look away. 

"There's something inside the burn wooden box! Just a second. Um..." Italy responds as he pokes around in the fire.

Anxiety works up in you over his well-being. More so then is really necessary. But you're stressed and you're senses are running on high alert. 

"Be careful!" Both you and Germany warn, again talking in sync. This time you shoot Germany a more annoyed look. Germany's cheeks look pink, but you think it's just the light.

"Uh-huh," Italy agrees, "Opps- ow, hot!"

You and Germany sigh. You get up to see if he's okay while Germany stays in place. 

"What is it, Italy?" You ask, leaning over his shoulder.

He holds up a iron key, "It's a key," he says, more for the others who can't see it benefit, "It's a key to some room!"

"We got a new breach aru!" China announces with enthusiasm.

"That's great," you say, feeling your spirits lift, "It'll be useful in finding the others so we can all escape together!"

Japan nods his head, shooting you a small smile, "Exactry."

"Those three are arso tenacious peopre. They've got to be somewhere..."

"Friendz, huh?" Russia muses aloud, "Zoundz interezting. I vaz caught by zurprize before, but next time I meet te Ting, I'll have a lot to tank it for." He menacingly holds his pipe. 

"Let's hurry. I don't want anyone dropping out," England says abruptly, standing up. 

You and Italy rejoin the others from your spot at the fire place. 

"Well, then," Japan begins, taking over as leader, "We'rr sprit up into three groups, since we have so much to do. And no one can go arone. Each group should have at least two peopre." 

"Yeah, there are too many-a rooms," Italy agrees, surprising you.

((Since when does Italy pay attention to what's going on?))

"There are rooms we can-a open with a key, rooms we can't-a open, and rooms that we haven't-a checked yet."

"Yes. Now, about our unsynchronized watches..."

"Eek!! J... Japan..." Italy squeaks. 

Then the door starts to shake as what you suspect is the things beats on the door. 

((Did Italy just react before the Thing showed up?))

But you don't have time to think. You shove Italy behind you and grab the hilt of your saber. 

"... so, it found us, after all. This room is no ronger safe." Japan says, and you can see battle mode activating in his head. 

"Was it ever off-limits?!" England screeches, "Shit! What are we going to do?!"

"Japan!" You yelp, the door isn't going to hold much longer.

"My group wirr be in charge of dealring with the Thing. Germany, Itary, and San Marino, you wirr search for the room to open with that key."

You nod your head. Italy whimpers. Germany grabs his whip.

"Then I'll fight with Japan aru!" China announces, leaving little room for argument. 

"Can I join you?" Russia asks, a scary glint in his eyes, "I really have to tank it for all trouble~"

"There's a room that I want to investigate with Canada, so that's where we're heading. Italy, if your group makes any progress, come to the room with the piano." England says. 

"Okay!" Italy agrees with a shaky nod, cowering behind you, "B-be careful, Japan." He says, saying a temporary - hopefully- goodbye to the member of the Axis who isn't coming along with you three. 

You and Germany salute Japan in turn and Japan smiles, "Thank you."

"Werr everyone good ruck."

The Thing bursts into the room, "Scatter!" you yell, grabbing Italy's hand. The both of you take off to the left, running around the table. With a leap, you jump over the head board of the bed, jump off the bed, just narrowly skating around the Thing which already locking attacks with Japan.

China jumped on the table and when the Thing moves to make a blow at Italy, he was right, he is being targeted, China intercepts and you too make your escape. Germany went the other way. 

England and Canada are behind you, Germany, and Italy. At least you know they made it out. 

"Which ones are the locked doors?" You ask, your tone panicked. If the Thing really is targeting Italy it might forgo battling Japan and the others for you guys. And you guys are NOT the fighting group. No matter how tough Germany thinks he is. 

Italy takes the lead, tugging you along at his inhumane running speed. Germany takes the rear, making sure you aren't being followed. You try all the doors on the floor without luck. 

"It must be downstairs," Germany growls, pushing you and Italy forward. Italy doesn't need to be told twice. Before you can say anything you are yanked along.

Italy puts the breaks on once you reach the stairs, "That guy was a little bigger than-a before, don't you think? Maybe we really should-a go back to help them..."

You look at Germany, wondering when he became the leader. You suppose it's between you and him to lead your party, and you don't have the experience for it. 

He shakes his head, "No, first ve must accomplish the mission that vas given to us. Japan can take care of himself. Ve have to fully understand this house so that ve can also lighten his burden."

He's grabbed both you and Italy's wrists again and is jerking you down the stairs. The adrenaline coursing through you is starting to wear and your ribs are beginning to ache again. 

"Ve. All right. Besides, if we run into that Thing, I'd-a rather run away." Italy agrees, not seeming to mind being yanked down the stairs by Germany.

"Duly noted. Anyway, let's look down stairs and then.... Hum... report to England."

You never thought you'd hear Germany say 'report to England'. You guess a benefit of being in here fighting for your life is that you are all forced to get along. 

"Okay! Let's-a do our best, Germany, Marino!" Italy cheers as you reach the bottom floor.

You all begin to search the rooms, staying within sight of each other. Italy keeps glancing at you when he thinks you aren't looking, concern bubbling behind his rich brown eyes. 

"Ve~ Are you alright San Marino? You're face is-a very pale, and you're-a so quiet, and you're-a moving so slowly, and."

"I get it, Italy!" You say quickly, not wanting to listen to him rant about the symptoms of your pain that you can't hide well, "And I'm fine," you lie with a tight smile.

He gives you a funny look, "Ve... if you say so..."

You've searched almost everywhere. Italy tries to use the key on the last door in the hallway, "The key isn't-a for this room..." He pouts. 

"Vell, there's vas one more locked room- a kinda Japanese-style room. Let's try that one." Germany advices. 

You nod your head. Usually you'd be saying something but you're not sure if you can keep your discomfort - to put it mildly - out of your voice. Every step you take makes your ribs groan in protest. Each step is slower than the last and you just wanna lay down and rest. How are you supposed to keep up?

"Okay." Italy agrees, grabbing your hand.

Your face heats up. But you feel your worry wash away and the pain isn't unbearable anymore. 

((Why is he doing that?! N-not that I'm complaining but...))

Italy leads you and Germany to the Japanese-styled room Germany mentioned. It's a really creepy room and you can't say you enjoy it. 

"It must go to that door," You say pointing to the door at the end of a short hallway.

Italy nods, letting go of you're hand, which you're disappointed about, and skips over to the door, sticking the key in. 

"Here we-a are!" He chirps, but something in his tone seems wrong. 

But he opens the door and you three file in.