Goodbye.:EnglandxReader:.

Chapter Two: It's all down hill, or is it?

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” 

― Mark Twain

Years were going by and things only got worse. I was so happy to help but as soon as I set foot on my land, questions and accusations were thrown at me because of my land. I hadn’t known how bad the damage was, there was only about five miles of land that wasn’t touched by nuclear waste and it was used all to grow fruits and vegetables but it wasn’t enough to keep them all alive.

I helped in farming in the daytime but when night fell, I used a detector for nuclear waste to assess the damage in the ground. It was always so hard because the coughing fits started coming back and my people’s tears always flowed form my eyes.

I couldn’t even tell how bad it was, nuclear waste had enter our water supplies so we had to buy more water from other neighboring countries, thankfully Ukraine was one of them and she was so kind to me. She actually had some of her scientists to help check the damage level during the day so I could rest. Things start to look better for my country, I was so happy until war broke between the Ukrainian people over new laws and the fighting went as far to my lands, killing off even more of my beloved people. My population was once 350,000 people and now down to only a few 50,000 people but they all wanted the same thing. They wanted to die or leave my country. I knew that at this rate, I’ll end up being abolished if things didn’t turn around.

I kept working, not letting these emotions get the better of me. I was showing all of them that they matter to me and I wanted things to get better just as badly as they do. War ended in Ukraine and she said as soon as all the expenses for the war were paid, she would be back to helping me once again. But it was already too late by then.

One day, I was working in the farms; the sun was high in the sky. Another tickle came into the back of my throat that only started another fit of coughs and wheezing for my frail lungs but they were already getting worse and before I could react; I collapsed to the hard Earth. I was carried to the closest hospital there was.

It wasn’t going to do much for me; medicine did close to nothing for ill countries. I knew my time was running out. I needed to contact more of my allies; they should be able to help. I first decided on America, asking him to come quick and try to bring some of his farmers or those who are in need of work. Before I could ask him to not mention this to Arthur, he already hung up and was on his way.

Now, here I am laying in a hospital bed, just waking with a sleeping America sitting in a chair pulled close to my bed. He always looked so peaceful and young when he was sleeping. I reached out my hand to gently grab his to awaken him but soon I was face to face with a pair of sky blue eyes.

I was unsure on how bad I really looked. My skin had once been (s/c) but was now almost as pale as the sheets covering my frail body. I hadn’t eaten much these days, trying to save what little we have, so I lost quite a lot of weight. But the worst part was my eyes. They were once filled with such bright joy and determination but it was fading with my life.

For the first time in years, I watched Alfred’s face pale like he had seen a ghost then he tightly grasped my out stretched hand, unaware of his immense strength. His hands were both so much larger than mine and they were warm but it was more form the cold of my hands seeping away the heat that came from him.

I stared at him as he removed his hands form mine, removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes. He was crying…for me. This made me so sad, I didn’t want to make him cry. I reached out and gently wiped away his tears. “Alfred, don’t worry. I’ll be fine, we just need to get my land back in shape.” I said gently but he shook his head.

“No, the damage is too far gone to be fixed. If it was taken care of when the nuclear waste had hit, then you wouldn’t be in this mess. Damn England for keeping you his territory for so long.” He was seriously pissed now but I shook my head. I didn’t think it was right for him to be mad at Arthur.

“No, we cannot blame Arthur. He kept me because he needed to at least feel like someone still cared for him. After you and Matthew left, he was devastated. Do you two realize what he went through? It was horrible for him. And me. It was even harder to think of leaving him as it is. Do you realize how much he means to me? Alfred, I care deeply for Arthur but he isn’t like a father or brother to me like he is for you. It is hard to understand. Just, please don’t be mad at him, he was hurting and I couldn’t bear to make him lose another colony, another loved one.” I could feel the emotions run through my body, the longing to have him back. Yes, I terribly missed Arthur even though he was quite strict on me. I let out a sigh and shake my head then looked out the window by my bed. “Let’s just drop it for now, America. I have one favor of you to ask, besides helping me in this ordeal.”

Without hearing a response from him, I already knew he was waiting to hear the favor. “Don’t tell Arthur about what is going on or that I contacted you. The News barely covers what goes on with my country so just keep this under wraps so he won’t find out. I’m going to have to ask Matthew and Francis for help as well if I want to survive.” I said this in a calm tone, trying to keep all my emotions aligned.

As soon as a felt a hand lay on my shoulder, I looked over at Alfred and was glad to see a calm expression on his features. “Consider it done, (f/n). I won’t tell him, but promise me you will call him before tomorrow.”  I smiled at him until I heard the last part and it quickly fell. Was he crazy?! If I call Arthur, I could have another fit or one of the nurses might come or…or…or… I let out a sigh, knowing that excuses won’t work; he was as stubborn as ever.

I look up at him and nod. “Fine, I’ll call him. I can only hope he’ll believe me that things are getting better.” I let out a sigh as Alfred stands up and clears his throat, probably choked up from all this.

“I’m going to see what I can do to help. I have a couple of my troops here, they should be able to help with farming and getting samples for the scientists Ukraine sent you.” I nodded and watched as he left.

Once gone, I leaned against the thin pillows on my bed, feeling exhausted and I’ve only been up, for what, an hour? Just great, how much longer would this continue? Do I even have enough time left to contact Arthur?