Elemental | Countryhumans AU

Chapter 3

White. All Poland could see was white. 

He didn't know where was. Did he die? Is this what the after life looked like? White everywhere?

Then he heard a distant steady beeping. It seemed to get louder and louder, and soon Poland's ears began to hurt. He winced. His eyes slowly opened. He saw more white.

What was up with the whiteness today?

He heard voices, but he couldn't understand what they said. He felt presence next to him. His vision was clear enough to make out a figure standing next to him. He tried to say something, but only a few unclear sounds came out of his mouth. Someone's hand gently stroke his head and he heard a something said in a soft tone. Poland could feel himself slipping into unconsciousness again, and he had no strength to fight it. He just let the darkness consume him.

***

When Poland came to his senses for the second time, he could see better. Glancing around the room, he slowly realized he's in a... hospital? 

He slowly began remembering what had happened. The fire, the fall, it all came back to him. How he didn't die was beyond him. He had a million questions and nobody to ask them.

Poland heard a door open and footsteps approaching. Someone stood next to the hospital bed. A doctor. She smiled.

"Good, you're awake. Let's see if everything's okay with you."

She started messing around with the machines around him. Poland let her do her thing and didn't say anything. 

"Alright, you're good", the doctor concluded after a minute. "Now, can you speak?"

"Yes, I think."

Poland's own voice startled him. It sounded rusty, like he had eaten a few spoonfulls of sand.   

"Alright. Do you remember what happened?" after Poland nodded, the doctor continued. "You got out of that fire with very little injuries. It's unbelievable actually. You should have severe burns, but you don't. You only have bruises and a broken leg."

The doctor sighed.

"I have no explanation why you're pretty much unharmed. It's a miracle, truly. I can't believe it" she shook her head.

"Anyways. You actually had visitors, you just missed them. If I'm not mistaken they were your friends that were with you yesterday."

Yesterday? So a day had passed, and the friends the doctor was talking about must have been Hungary, Czech and Slovakia. 

"If you want to I can call them for you", the doctor offered. "Maybe you'd want to see them?"

Poland thought that he would want his friends to visit him. But someone else came to his mind instead, and Poland knew he'd prefer it if he was here. Just imagining his soft, comforting voice made the Pole smile.

"Actually", he said. "Can you call this number?"

***

Since it was Saturday, Germany laid on his bed and aimlessly scrolled through social media. He was bored out of his mind. He was about get up and grab a snack from the kitchen when his phone rang. It was an unknown number. Germany furrowed his eyebrows, wondering who might be calling, and picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Germany I'm talking to?" a woman's voice sounded through the phone.

"Yes, that's me", he replied, wondering who she is, how she knew his name and how in the world did she get his number.

"My name is Diana Parker, and I am a doctor at the local hospital. I'm calling you on behalf of a patient, his name is Poland."

Germany felt his heart drop.

"He's in the hospital!?" 

"Yes, and he would like you to visit him" for a second doctor Parker went quiet. "Only if you want to", she added. "His words, not mine."

"Of course I'll come!"

"Great. I suppose I'll see you soon", doctor Parker said and hung up.

Germany wanted to ask her why Poland was in the hospital, but he didn't get a chance to. He got dressed as quickly as possible and was outside in a few minutes. He waved down a taxi.

During the ride his mind played dozens of scenarios that could have led to Poland being hospitalized. Germany had never felt so scared. All he wanted was his friend to be okay. Friend... For some reason that word didn't feel right.

When the taxi arrived Germany jumped out and rushed to the entrance. At the reception he asked for Poland and was told he's in room 208 on the second floor. Germany took the elevator, and while walking through the corridor he was hit with a wave of fear. He could not pinpoint what he feared, and he didn't have time for wondering. He approached the door and knocked.

When Germany entered the room his heart broke a little. He couldn't bear the sight of Poland laying on a bed, looking so tired and pale, when he usually was lively and bright. Their eyes met and a smile tugged at Poland's lips. 

"You're here", he softly said.

Germany returned the smile.

"I am, and I'm not going anywhere."

He walked over to the bed and looked at Poland. A sigh escaped his lips.

"What did you get yourself into..."

The Polish boy smirked.

"Oh you know, I was in a fire and fell from a high tree, just normal weekend activities."

"It's not funny, Polen." 

Poland looked away and muttered "sorry". An awkward silence followed.  

Germany sighed.

"How did this happen?"

Poland told him what he remembered. Slovakia knocking the lamp over, fire breaking out in seconds, and him suddenly being left behind and terrified. Germany listened without interrupting. Poland finished talking and was quiet for a minute.

"There's also another thing..." he then softly admitted. "It's weird and creepy, but I need to discuss it with someone."

"You know you can tell me anything" Germany's voice was gentle. It gave Poland courage to continue.

"When I was in the fire, I felt... amazing. More alive than ever. I don't know what it was, but it's not normal, right? I mean of course it's not normal! People don't enjoy being burned! I mean maybe some do but I- I mean... Never mind! I actually didn't even feel pain! And I got out without any burns. How do you explain that? Something weird is going on, and I don't like it..."

Germany didn't speak for a solid minute, processing everything. Poland sighed, and closed his eyes.

"Sorry, I probably freaked you out."

"A little", Germany agreed. "But not enough to scare me away. I think you should try to let it go for now. You're alive. That's all that matters." he took Poland's hand. "We'll figure it out soon, okay? Together, I promise."

Poland beamed and squeezed Germany's hand.

"Yeah, together."

I have crawled into the light after months and the only thing I have for you is this short filler chapter. Bad author, bad! >:(

Well I hope you enjoyed this disappointment of a chapter. I promise things should be getting interesting soon (if the author doesn't disappear again)