Book 1 - Puppets

Re-Homed

Once Dixie finally gets the chance to think, he nearly started screaming. He figures that New Jersey would not appreciate that, seeing as the state was driving through the dark roads of late evening.

"What's wrong, Uncle Dixie?" Virginia asks.

"What was I thinkin'?!" Dixie exclaims, throwing his arms in the air.

"We did all agree with you, so you're right about something," New York comments, typing something on his phone before setting it aside.

"What are you worried about?" Quebec questions in her heavily accented English.

"Alaska," Dixie admits, "she's a youngin and shouldn't be goin' out on monster hunts. I'm afraid she's gonna get hurt. The rest of the states can hold their own, but I worry 'bout her."

"Why don't we go send her to stay with someone else?" New York suggests.

"Like who? Canada is gone, and Aussie has enough goin' on as it is. He just got attacked a few days ago, he can't take nobody else. And I don't trust UK or those damn European countries as far as I can throw 'em," Dixie replies sullenly.

The car goes quiet.

"Well, what about Soviet?" New Jersey offers.

"Are y'all goin' crazy?" Virginia exclaims.

"No. Just...hear me out. Do you remember West and his stunt during the Cold War? Soviet didn't say a word to the other countries and didn't use any of us against Dad, not even as blackmail. The officials didn't know what happened or that we, the states, have personifications. There's a reason why Dad still respects him and told us not to hold it against him," New Jersey explains, not taking his eyes off the road. The other passengers go quiet.

"Besides, Russia spoke highly of him, and it would be far enough away to be safer," New Jersey continues, "and doesn't Russia have like 14 siblings or something? They're probably there now, so a large group of adult countries and a late superpower. Sounds pretty safe to me."

"Besides, Hawaii would be going with her. She'll keep an eye on Alaska and keep her outa trouble," Virginia adds.

"But we haven't known Russia for very long, and the commies could do something to her while she's there," New York counters.

"The only reason Russia was here was because of Soviet! Soviet sent him here to help Dad. Besides, it may not be the best option, but it might be the only one we have! Whatever is out here took down Canada, Massachusetts, Russia, Louisiana, and Texas! We shouldn't be taking extra risks right now. It might be better if we have her staying somewhere where she is safe and protected," New Jersey defends.

New York opens his mouth to deny his suggestion but closes it a few moments later. Quebec puts a hand on his shoulder in a show of support.

Dixie laughs. Their heads whip toward him in concern, and he wipes the tears off his face.

"She did always want a grandfather. What'd she say? A dadooshke?" he asks.

"Дедушка," New York corrects automatically.

"That's what I said," Dixie replies, and New York shoots him a skeptical look.

"I'll send you the phone number," New York suggests, "and you can call him about it."

"Now?" Dixie asks. New York rolls his eyes.

"Yes, I need to know our plans before I start trying to buy plane tickets," New York replies, retrieving his phone, and his fingers fly around the screen.

A few moments later, Dixie's phone buzzes and he lifts it to see a contact number.

"Thanks, kiddo," he says before tapping it.