We all fall down... (Aph America ~ 9/11)

2

September 11th 2001 - 8:00am

"OH MICKEY YOU'RE SO FINE! YOU'RE SO FINE YOU BLOW MY MIND! HEY MICKEY! HEY MICKEY! OH MICKEY YOU'RE SO FINE! YOU'RE SO FINE YOU BLOW MY MIN-" America slammed his fist on his alarm clock, giving himself yet another mental note to change his alarm tone. Today felt like any other day. He felt pretty positive, despite his friends' foal moods the night before. He stretched as he lazily climbed out of bed. "If they can't see it themselves, I'll show them what makes this city great." He pumped himself up, prepared to take on the day. Just not prepared enough. He turned on his TV to the news channel and went about doing his morning routine, listening to what was said in the background.

"~Should be a beautiful day today; sunshine throughout, low humidity, really a splendid September day. The afternoon temperature about 80 degrees, great weather for the primary election~" America heard as he got out of his shower with a towel around his waist, getting dressed into his usual attire. He could hear the birdies chirping outside his window, his people buzzing about the streets below, everything was going the cornflower blonde's way today. As he ruffled his hair with a towel, he changed the channel to Disney channel.

After watching a half an episode of Lizzie McGuire, the American saw the time.

8:37am

Yes, he did say to be there for 8:30 but who would he be if he didn't make a dramatic entrance. Standing up, he suddenly felt light headed but shook it of as standing too quickly. He walked to his bathroom, combing and gelling his hair to correct his signature cowlick. Although he had felt so optimistic minutes earlier, his dizziness was turning into a migraine.

8:42am

After brushing his teeth, America walked into his hall way only to stop when he smelt copper. He couldn't figure were it come from until...

8:45am

...He brushed his nose with his hand, only to see a metallic red liquid dampen his knuckle. He felt a bit shaken but brushed it off, maybe something happened to some of his people in another country? Nosebleeds were usually linked to citizens traveling by plane or boat being injured, he'll just bring it up at the meeting. He went to reach for his bomber jacket from his coat hanger and that's when...

8:46am

...the best morning...
...turned into America's worst nightmare...

The young nation felt a ripping sensation rush through his body, ringing in his ears defending any sound of his own pained screeching. He fell to his knees, his glasses falling off in the process. However, they were not needed to see the copious pools of crimson reaching out his mouth onto his wooden apartment floor. He couldn't speak or call for help, he was trapped in the space, unable to move and helpless. Alfred spluttered on the copper substance, eyes clouded in terror, not just for his own condition.

This was his blood.
His nations blood.
His citizens blood.

And what terrified him?

There was a lot of it.

Screams of terror, cries of pain, racing heartbeats of his people clouded his head and he felt like his head would split. He wanted to help his citizens so much, he wanted to save them but there was nothing the hero could do but curl into a fettle position, hoping someone would come find him as he continued to choke on his people's blood, coughing nonstop as if the room was in flames. He had no clue what had happened but there was one pained thought filling his mind.

"The World Trade Centre."

~~~Meanwhile in the Meeting Hall~~~

The other nations were getting restless. They knew about how much America loved presentation, whether it was making an entrance or breaking an entrance. England and Germany were the most infuriated by this, one hating tardiness and the other wanting to get home as fast as possible. He was about to stand up and storm out when a deafening sound wave met there ears, shaking the building they stood in. All the nations were frozen, unsure what they had just experienced. It wasn't an earthquake, it was too sudden.

Fearful voices came from outside the window and sirens blared as they passed. The nations didn't have to think twice before sprinting down the staircase to the streets below. The street was smokey but only a hint, signalling they were far from the source. They ran in directions of a gathering crowd, staring at something in the sky. As they rounded the corner, there was no mistaking what the commotion was.

The north tower of the world trade centre was engulfed in thick black smoke.

Many civilians looked on in horror, unable to believe their eyes. Germany walked over to a woman, holding her young child in her arms tight, too scared something would happen to the small boy.

"Excuz me, Ma'am. Vhat on earth happened here?" He spoke in a demanding and yet surprisingly gentle voice, he did not want to scare the poor woman more than she already was.

"I-It w-w-was a p-plane! I-I saw i-it w-w-with my own t-two e-yes! Flew st-straight into th-the tower!- oh god." She whispers the last bit, eyes beginning to water, "m-my h-husband works in t-t-there! W-will he be o-okay?!" She was in hysterics, ending up clinging to Germany, looking for any and all forms of comfort. Germany could help but feel his heart break. She was by far not the only one in this position. Many of the onlookers were reduced to tears, some with phones out trying to get any form of contact from a friend, sibling, parent or child that they knew worked in that building.

The other nations felt this way too and it was quite common to find there own people in this very building, no doubt they had lost people too but not on as large a scale as America. At that moment, it hit everyone.

America never showed up.

"Everyvone. I zhink it's clear ve have a nation in distress, ve need to take action immediately. France, England and Canada, find America. He may be in a very bad condition if jou don't hurry. The rest of jou, inform jour bosses of zhe events and try and help in any vay jou can. Clear?!"

"Hai!"
"Si!"
"Oui!"
"Ja!"
"Da!"
"Yes!"
"Igen!"
"Taip!"
"Shi!"
"Joo!"
"Nai!"

Each country replied in their native tongue before hurrying off to do as told, the only ones left were Canada, France and England. The three that were most fearful of the American's condition. Unlike the other countries who see a friend in need, these three saw a family member in distress. Sure they argued relentlessly but they called each other brother once upon a time, Canada still even calls France papa, and still had a special connection none of the others could understand.

"Matthew, do you know we're America's apartment is?!" England asked urgently, even letting the Canadian's human name slip out his mouth. "As far as I know he hasn't moved, it's not far from here. Follow me." They hurried after the tall man, wanting to reach the joyful nation before the situation got too severe.