Countryhumans Oneshots

The Not So Good Friday

Good Friday earthquake of 1964 requested by dhsakxncb. Sorry this took forever.

Alaska wasn't a big fan of cities. He preferred to live out in the woods, by himself and at peace with the world. However, that didn't mean that he avoided cities entirely. He visited them occasionally, going to Juneau for political stuff his government wanted him to get involved with now that he was a state or just to look around at shops and restaurants.

Today, Alaska was in Anchorage, looking for a restaurant. It was about 5:30, and he was starting to get hungry. He had been in the city to buy some things for his home, like scented candles and yarn—little things that made Alaska's life a little more peaceful and allowed him to make things for his siblings.

Especially NASA. The space organization realized how many stars could be seen from Alaska's home and began to spend more and more time there. Alaska figured it was about time he made his baby brother a blanket, as NASA could not handle the cold.

Suddenly, the ground began shaking under Alaska's feet, faster and faster, until it threw him to the ground, his precious bag of yarn spilling out into the street. Alaska pulled himself into the fetal position, more out of instinct than anything else, wishing he was in country form so he could have his wings to wrap around him.

He just had to wait out the earthquake.

As Alaska lay there, eyes squeezed shut. He felt the world shift around him. He heard glass shattering and buildings falling apart, and all he did was squeeze his eyes tighter, hoping it would end soon.

The earthquake seemed to last forever, a horrific symphony of shaking earth and shattering buildings, a storm that Alaska was caught in, as small pieces of debris cut at his body. It was hell on earth. Broken sobs made their way past Alaska's lips as he prayed for God to make it stop, prayed that it end soon, and prayed that he would not be killed by the earthquake, an earthquake, unlike anything Alaska had felt before.

It felt as if the Earth itself was ripping apart.

Finally, the shaking of the land seemed to stop, but Alaska stayed where he was, as he could not tell if the land was still shaking or if that was his own trembling body.

He could hear his own breath, painfully loud against that silence that only seemed broken by pained cries and the creaking of buildings. Alaska lay there for another eternity before he finally opened his eyes.

Anchorage was destroyed.

Buildings lay crumbled. Sinkholes had opened in the streets. His biggest city was gone just like that. A shaking of the earth more powerful than Alaska had ever felt before. He felt lightheaded and faint and shakily climbed to his feet, stumbling slightly.

The city looked like so many Alaska had seen destroyed by war. It was hard to believe an act of nature could do that. Alaska closed his eyes as he tried to shake the horrible memories from his mind.

Suddenly, Alaska's eyes flew open as he remembered the little brother who had been at his house. Alaska took another shaky step forward before transporting himself back to his house. It looked undamaged, but NASA was shaking in front of it, shivering and barefoot.

"Go back inside!" Alaska snapped at the organization, knowing how stupid it was for him to be outside in the weather. NASA's head snapped back to face him, fear on his face.

"What was that? Did we get hit by a meteor?" NASA asked, his mind stuck in the stars like it always was. Alaska shook his head, grabbed his brother by the elbow, and guided him back inside. "Laska, you're hurt!"

"It's not bad. I've seen worse. But you're going to be hurt worse if you stay outside." Alaska said calmly. In all honestly, he had forgotten about the cuts and bruises, so focused on checking in on NASA and processing the destruction. "And that was an earthquake—a really bad one. I've never felt one like that before. I..."

Alaska shook his head, trailing off as they stepped inside.

"Are you okay? Should I get Dad? Dad can fix things, right?" NASA asked, his wings flaring out as he asked rapid-fire questions.

"Papa will find out and come check on us. I want to make sure you have no damage from the cold." Alaska said, wanting to keep his genius little brother close before he inevitably ran off and got himself hurt, "Please, stay with me?"

NASA crossed his arms, analytical eyes scanning Alaska before he nodded.

"Fine. But I get to make sure none of your injuries are bad." NASA said.

"Sure thing, little brother. I could use the help." Alaska said, throwing a blanket over NASA's shoulders before going to grab the first aid kit from his bedroom, stumbling slightly as he did so.

Alaska still felt like he was shaking, like the earth had yet to settle and was still shaking and shaking and shaking and shaking—

Alaska was pulled out of his thoughts by a wing on his back, NASA looking at him with concerned eyes. Alaska felt a pang of shame in his chest, having worried his little brother so.

"I'm getting Dad," NASA said, his voice soft. Alaska nodded, throat seizing up as he was guided to his bed, with the blanket he had put on NASA being tucked around him. Alaska burrowed into the warmth, trying to shake the feeling of the earth heaving beneath his feet.

It did nothing to help.

Alaska still felt unstable and shaky.

He still felt like he was trapped in Anchorage as the earth pulled apart the city around him. Not even his father could remove the shakiness that had just been injected into his being.

Everything was shaking.

Nothing could stop that.