An Irregular Heartbeat // Countryhumans AU

Day Two

America walked down the town's streets in the morning light. America had slept in a tree that night and even though that sounds like something he shouldn't be doing due to his condition, did America care? Hell no. He can and will sleep in trees if he truly wants to... which he doesn't anymore. It was fun, sure, but it was not worth America being so sore due to the awkward position.

America had to wait in town for the next few days. He had to wait for someone to arrive. It wouldn't be that long now. America would give it..... Four days. After those four days, America will just have to leave this town. America hoped that wouldn't happen. He didn't want to be alone.

For now, he would just look around town so that he could brainstorm stuff to do. The town seemed small, surrounded by a lot of untamed forests on one side and a beach on the other. According to some locals, there were a few bigger towns nearby that had things like amusement parks, public pools, and other various things. While walking, America noticed a really cheap motel, a small old-fashioned arcade, a forest with a few hiking trails, a beach, and... a playground?! America hadn't gone to a playground in forever! America giggled and jumped around, the childish part of him taking over. Oh, he is so going on the swings. No one can stop him now.

America practically ran into the playground, scaring the younger kids already there. He spotted the swings, apologized to the kids he terrified, and ran over to the swings, wheezing and laughing in pure, childish joy. America started swinging back and forth, reminding himself of how much he loved the swings when he was young. He was suddenly transported back to a much simpler time, a time when the entire world was in front of him, waiting to be explored.

Like watching a movie, fond memories of playing in a playground much similar to this one started playing in America's head. America could practically see himself on the teeter-totter with Canada, shouting in pure joy. America could see himself chasing his brother, and his brother chasing him back in what looked to be a game of tag.

America's eyes widened and he stopped swinging. The younger version of himself that had been playing tag with Canada suddenly fell roughly onto the mulch, coughing up a storm. Oh, no... America knew what was happening and even though he longed to look away, his eyes felt frozen in place.

A younger Canada quickly rushed over, and America could see the worry on his face. Canada started yelling something, but young America couldn't make out what he was saying, only coughing harder. America saw his mom and dad run over, his mother looking downright terrified as she held her child in her arms. America could see her shouting and crying, but it sounded like he was listening through water. All he could hear were her desperate cries for someone to help her baby, that something terribly wrong was happening, that she didn't want her son to die. America saw a terrified Britain hastily fumble for his phone and call an ambulance. Meanwhile, the younger America was only coughing harder, his heart starting to go haywire. America could only watch as his younger self collapsed, limp, into his mother's arms, his eyes fluttering closed. He could vaguely hear his mother scream in pure sorrow and terror. With that, the past memory faded away, leaving America clammy, hyperventilating, and terrified. America clutched his shirt in the area where his heart was supposed to be. America could feel its erratic beating through the shirt's fabric and hear the pumping of his own blood pounding throughout his brain.

That was the incident when he was ten. Why did he remember it now? Why did the moment he lost his only chance to be a semi-normal kid haunt him? Why did it haunt him even though he finally had the freedom he's longed for for so long? America felt bitter anger start coursing through his veins. That day was the day his dreams were shattered and dumped in the garbage for the sake of America's "survival." America stood up from the swing, suddenly wanting to leave. He didn't care where he went, he just wanted to get away. America spat on the floor spitefully and started walking away, only one thought in his mind, 'Screw you, heart failure.'