The Crimson Sky

Chapter 4

A month later, the war still hadn't ended, and many of the countries were still not faring well. Poland had been the second country to die, to the dismay of all the nations, and Sealand was sick and on his deathbed. The young micronation asked his family and friends to be with him in his final minutes.

Finland walked into Sealand's room to check on him.

"Mom," Sealand said weakly.

"Hi sweetie" he replied, sitting down on side of the bed

Sealand whimpered, "Where's da?"

"Finishing some paper work."

"Why hasn't he come to see me?" the micronation broke into a bout of coughing.

Finland sighed "I'm not sure. But I know he will today."

"What about my uncles?"

"They're coming later as well," Sweden answered from the doorway.

Finland looked over at Sweden, "Hi."

Sweden stood beside the bed and took Sealand's hand.

Finland looked at them both becoming increasingly worried as time progressed.

"Sealand..you're going to survive this."

"No, da, I'm not," Sealand choked out.

"Sure you are, Sealand," Finland said vehemently.

"Äiti, I'm dying. And I'm sorry, but there's no way to save me."

Finland knew Sealand was right, but he didn't want to believe that he was.

"I didn't have a lot of land or people to begin with, so it makes sense that I would be one of the first to go," Sealand tried to reason with his mother, "Besides, I had a good run," he added, nostalgic.

Sweden bent over and hugged both Sealand and Finland in a rare show of affection.

Finland smiled sadly and hugged Sweden and Sealand back.

"I love you both," Sealand said happily as he began to drift off to sleep.

"We love you too."

"Friends coming?"

"They're coming..."

"Good. Tell them I love them," he said sleepily, snuggling closer to his parents as he fell asleep. A sleep from which he would never awake.

The other countries stand in the doorway, sniffling and holding back tears.

Finland held the micronation close and tried to hold back tears.

Sweden kissed Finland's forehead and hugged him tightly.

Finland hugged back and started sobbing.

"He would've wanted us to be happy and hopeful," Canada said quietly.

Denmark nodded in agreement, but for once the normally loud nation could not find any words.

"We love you too, Sealand."