Just beyond our Borders

P A N D E M I C.

Ping!

The sound of a notification, much to Alfred's dismay, woke him up at 1AM Philippine time. Groggily, he forced himself up and let his eyes slowly adjust to the sudden blue light of his phone's screen. As soon as they did, he noticed he recieved an official text from his government. They want him to return home immediately.

'Aw damn, must be 'cause of that new virus going around.' Alfred thought. He sat up and sighed before turning on the light. As he did, he jumped at the sight of his brother finishing up packing his things.

"Who the hell are you?!"

"Al, quit messing around and get your things ready. We're leaving in 2 hours."

"Oh damn, you really ain't having it tonight, are you, Mattie?"

"Al, it's 1AM and I'm hecking tired right now. What do you want from me?"

Alfred
"Hetalia, drufu!~"

It was 3AM. The roads were empty. Yet on the way to the airport was filled with silence.

... for the most part, anyway.

"Man, can jou all believe it?" Gilbert asked. "Our governments bring us together to travel and bond vith other nations, only to be called back because of some rapidly-spreading virus."

"Yeah, I blame China."

Yao's head shot up to face the American's. "Aiya, Alfred, we talked about this, aru."

"My citizens are threatened with unemployment because someone decided to try some bat-"

The van suddenly came to a halt with a loud screeeeeech!

"What the bloody hell-"

"In front of them was a pale woman in a white nightgown, save for the few bloodstains on it and her skin. Her long, tangled, jet black hair covered most of her face.

The Philippine duo's color from their faces drained at the sight.

"Aye shet..."

Maria looked back at her guests. "Alright everybody, compress amd make some space. We have an unexpected guests who will be riding with us tonight."

The gang's jaws dropped in shock. "You have to be ****ing kidding us right now."

"It would be rude to leave a poor lady just standing there in the middle of the road now, diba?" Juan said nervously.

Lovino
"Hetalia, CHIGI!!"

It felt like an eternity passed when they finally reached the end of Balete Drive and back onto the highway, amongst other fellow vehicles.

For those that dared to look back, they found that the mysterious and creepy female hitchiker was gone.

"Oh thank God that creepy ass b!*** is gone," Lovino exhaled.

"Romano, language."

"Spain, I swear to God-"

"Yeah, dudes, I gotta admit - I've never been so happy to be back in traffic."

  Matthew
"Hetalia, eh!"

"Lo siento once again for leaving so soon, mi hijo y hija." Antonio apologized, trying to forget what happened back at the road.

But Maria shook her head. "Hindi po, Juan and I are the ones who should be apologizing." Maria glanced at Juan and nudged him in the arm.

"Y-Yeah... I really had no intention of taking you through there-"

"Vhat matters iz zhat ve're alive right now," Ludwig said as he placed his hand on Juan's shoulders. "and zhat, ve're grateful for." He smiled as the others nodded in agreement.

Juan smiled back at them. "Maraming salamat po, Mr. Beilschmidt."

Ludwig
"Ja, Hetalia!"

The gang and the Philippine duo were shouting their final farewells at each other at the entrance, when Maria suddenly shouted for them to stop.

"Really? Right when we're already at the-"

Feliciano nudged his brother at his arm, signaling him to shut up for a minute.

"I almost forgot to give you these." Maria handed Alfred a large, plastic ziploc bag with a few white, hand-sewn masks.

"One for each of you. They're reusable, just throw them in the washing machine."

With her brother running up to them from behind her, Juan came up to Arthur and handed him a separate large, plasic ziploc bag filled with a few surgical masks.

"One for each of you, as well. Just put them on after the white masks." The Philippine duo smiled and said in unison, "Stay safe, po!"

The gang replied, "You too." In their respective native tounges and returned the smile.

Arthur
"Hetalia."

During the airplane ride...

It was early in the morning and still dark out. The plane was already high in the sky and the cabin lights were down low. Almost everyone was asleep.

Almost everyone.

Alfred was trying to get some sleep, but to no avail. Something was bothering him at he couldn't umderstand what pr why.

'Why do I have the sudden urge to buy out a grocery store's entire stock of toilet paper?'

Suddenly, Lovino - who was sitting on his left, started talking in his sleep.

"CHIGI!!! THEY'RE OUT OF PASTA, DAMNIT!"

...

Dang, I haven't written this in maybe a year or so, I think I lost my writing pizzaz or something, lol. I'm so sorry.

But stay tuned, 'cause a part 2 to this filler will be coming soon. But until then, stay safe, stay indoors, stay healthy,,,

and ayye, thank you!