Book 3 - Retrievers

XLIII - Unstable Flights

A loud cheer erupts from below, and Russia's heart skips a beat. America swoops into the air, blood falling from him into the abyss from his foot, which is glowing a light blue.

On his back is a huge set of glowing, bright blue wings. They look like that of a falcon and are around twenty-five or twenty-seven meters wingspan if Russia had to guess. Russia stares up with wide eyes, and his mouth goes dry.

'Beautiful.'

America hoots and folds the wings in. He dives down and snatches Kansas up into the air. Kansas shrieks and clings to America's arms. America soars across and drops Kansas just above the ground. Kansas rolls to a stop and America snatches up New Mexico and Alabama, one under each arm.

America's foot bleeds furiously. Russia's heart sinks further.

'He's losing a lot of blood.'

America starts to get wobbly after getting Mississippi, Brazil, and the Carolinas across. Russia bites his tongue. The thing begins shredding the door, and Russia can hear it as it rips the metal.

'He's hurting himself.'

The door bends, and Russia slams against it.

'But we don't have another choice.'

America grabs North Dakota and Florida and flies them across. He sinks lower and lower. He just barely avoids crashing into a tree.

"I don't think I trust that!" Ukraine screams.

"It's our only chance!" Finland argues.

South Dakota and Alberta have been treacherously flown across. America circles around and tosses Texas and Ohio into the treeline. Russia makes eye contact with Ukraine. Mexico hoots as she's dropped into the trees.

"Go," Russia demands.

The door bows toward them and Finland pushes back. Ukraine runs over to the edge and America swoops down and grabs him. Ukraine yelps and sings wildly. America's flight becomes jerky. The door begins to push apart. Russia cringes.

'It's about to break.'

Finland looks at him and then glances at her gun that lays discarded right in front of the doors. Russia nods. Finland jumps back and Russia rolls out of the way when the creature comes crashing through. Russia looks up to Finland screaming. He freezes.

The creature has her by the upper arm, thrashing around and blood goes everywhere. Then she flies toward the wall and lands with a yelp. Russia runs over and his blood runs cold.

Finland is bleeding profusely from where her left elbow used to be. Russia freezes for a moment when he hears the creature start gnashing its teeth again. He spins to see it jumping up at America, who is slow to react and ascend. Russia charges.

"GET FIN!" Russia shouts, shoulder checking the beast.

America nods sluggishly and grabs her with some difficulty. She manages to get a handle on her gun just long enough to toss it to the other side of the ravine before she is dropped.

'They looked like a bloody raincloud.'

The thing rushed at Russia, and he side-steps. It rams into the wall at full force, leaving a dent behind. But it's quick to hop back to its feet. Russia backs up as it stalks toward him.

Rocks slide out from under his feet, and Russia looks back to see cracks of earth that lead to darkness.

'And probably death.'

The thing lunges. Russia backs up out of instinct. His feet leave the ground. Wind rushes through his ears. He flails in panic.

Hands grab him under his shoulders. He's yanked up. The arms holding him are shaky and feel unstable.