Book 1 - Puppets

II - The Arrival

The house smells unfamiliar, but nothing Russia would classify as unpleasant.

It smells like grass, wood, and something meaty in the oven. Something beeps in the kitchen and kids run through the house in a chaotic mess. One of them catches his attention. She stands at his height and smiles smugly. Some others freeze, staring at Russia with surprise and confusion. A hand pushes Russia inside.

As soon as the door closes, America cups his hands around his mouth and shouts, "Family meeting in the Living Room!"

Russia flinches at the volume. America grabs Russia's arm and yanks him forward and into a room with lofted ceilings and various seats around a rug in the center.

There is a momentary silence before the floor shakes under Russia's feet. People of all ages rush in from unseen directions to crowd into a large room. One of the teens rolls in on a wheelchair and another puts on a prosthetic arm. Russia pulls his eyes away from them, trying his best not to stare.

A sickly yellow catches his eye, and he examines the almost familiar flag. The teen sits next to New York, looking significantly shorter. His shoulders are wide and sharp, and his face is wider. A scar marks the state's upper lip, and his arms have scars and a red tattoo on his shoulder. His hair is swept forward to a point, light blue streaks painting the yellow.

Some of the teens squeeze onto couches and press into chairs, and others sit down on the rug. Russia finds himself standing awkwardly beside America until one of the states gives up a seat near the room's front. The teen stands, wearing comfortable clothes. His color is a strange green.

Once everyone is seated, America gets their attention with five loud claps, and the children give two claps in return and grow quiet.

"Alright," America begins loudly, waving at Russia, "first of all, this is Russia. He will be staying with us until further notice."

Russia suddenly finds himself under the scrutinous gaze of the teens. All of them have gold eyes much like his own, save the teen in the cowboy hat, who hosts a star for a pupil in one of his eyes. Then, quiet talking starts and shushing echoes through the group. After a few moments, the states settle back down again, turning back to America.

"Second, this house is on total lockdown until further notice."

Shocked expressions and exclamations rise from the crowd.

"Oh, hush! All of you!" America says, waving his finger, "I'll answer your questions at the end."

America stands upfront with his arms crossed, waiting for the kids to quiet down. They hush soon after.

"You're all staying here because something is attacking personifications, and some of them have already disappeared," America says sternly, "It's the same reason why all of you are here instead of back in your own states. Whatever it is, it mimics the appearance of someone you know and then attacks you. It happened to New York earlier today."

"Happened to me too," the state with a star for an eye interjects, "it looked like New Mexico, but it didn't say nothin' and jumped at me. I panicked, and I shot it. I don't think I hit it neither, but it disappeared right after I pulled the trigger."

America listens to the state's account with a furrowed brow before continuing, "Thank you, Texas. Does anyone else have anything relevant to add?"

No one speaks up, so America moves on.

"So far, we don't know what it is, why it's here, how it has been disappearing, or its motives. What we do know is that it does seem to be connected to the attacks and disappearances. As for the attacks, both New York and Texas were very fortunate that nothing else happened. The bunk-buddy system is back in place. We will also be sounding off at every meal. Are there any questions? Ohio?"