Chains part 22
It was barely half an hour after Prussia and Denmark had left, but Germany was already twitchy. Neither Hesse nor Norway were around. Hesse was in his study, talking on the phone and Norway was somewhere-Germany wasn't sure. He wandered through the house, sticking his head into rooms he hadn't had reason to venture into. Eventually, he found Norway in the library.
Norway was sitting in an old armchair, reading a copy of Hildebrandslied. He was muttering the text to himself, the syllables drawn out slightly. The German sounded different than what Germany was used to and he could feel himself relaxing. He tiptoed in, curled up on the couch near the armchair and listened to Norway read. Before he knew it, he fell asleep.
He woke up to the sound of the front door being kicked open.
Immediately, his eyes snapped open and he scanned the room. Norway was gone. Carefully, he crept up to the doorway and peered around it. The hallway was empty. He inched down it, towards the front door. He had barely reached the kitchen, when there was a crash and the sound of glass hitting wood.
"I will not ask again. Where is Germany?" Germany jumped and ducked inside the kitchen as he heard his former boss's voice. He flattened himself against the wall, breath coming in rapid gasps. He could hear the sound of dripping again and could feel stone beneath him. He pushed himself off the wall and spun around. The carmine color seemed to brighten and spead across the stone. Germany dug his nails into his palms and closed his eyes. Focus
"He's not here." he heard Norway growl. There was the sound of a slap and a snarled obscenity. Germany slid along the wall until he reached the counter. Another thump, a gunshot, Germany grabbed the meat knife from the knife stand.He nearly dropped it when he heard Hesse scream. He froze when the sound of another gunshot richoched through the house. Utter silence He took a deep breath and gripped the knife tightly. He was trembling and the world seemed to spin a little. He took another breath and shook harder. The kitchen twisted and became the room. No! A crunch, the rasp of the chain on the floor, footsteps. Germany's eyes focused on the doorway. There were footsteps in his direction. He flattened himself against the wall.
"Come out Ger~ma~ny. I know you~re the~re." Germany pressed himself further into the wall. His spine ached and his nerves prickled. Barnabas's voice turned dark. "I suggest you come out Germany, unless you want to end up like your friends." Germany held his breath. The footsteps came closer. Germany slid towards the corner. The door opened.
Barnabas smiled, cruelly. "There you are." He stepped into the kitchen.
"S-stay away from me." Germany's voice shook.
Barnabas snickered. "Look at you, trembling. I haven't even done anything.....yet."
"What did you do to Norway and Hesse?" Germany tried to put as much strength as he could into his voice.
"They're not in any position to bother us." He took another step and Germany moved towards the door. Barnabas laughed when he saw the knife. "You can't hurt me. You're too terrified." Germany took a step towards the side. Almost there Suddenly, Barnabas grabbed his wrist. "Where do you think you're going?" He pulled Germany towards him and licked his neck. Germany shuddered. "It's been so long, since I had a taste of you." he hissed, sliding a hand down to unbutton Germany's shirt.
Barnabas screamed and stumbled back, clutching at his wrist.
"Stay the hell away from me." Barnabas's face twisted and he lunged at Germany. They grappled, crashing into the counters and cabinets. Barnabas managed to get his gun out, but Germany's knife manuevered the gun out of his hands. Barnabas snarled and lunged at him, arms outstreched. Germany thrust the knife up. There was a crunch and Barnabas slumped forward. Startled, Germany pushed him off. Barnabas fell onto his back, the knife pushed in, until only the handle was visible. Blood flowed down his chest and splashed onto the kitchen floor. Hesitantly, Germany stepped forward and checked for a pulse.
There was none.