ЦАРЬ KAISER - A Race to Conquer (Countryhumans)

Captive

(Germany POV - In case anyone forgot)

The day was starting to feel as if autumn had started to give in to winter. The dreary fog nestled deep into every niche, and I felt the cold seep through the open windows in our two bedroom flat. Without opening my eyes, I reached over to the bed adjacent to mine to feel the sheets. Still a little warm, but somewhat fresh. Uncle Weimar must have woken up not a long time ago.

I traipsed down the hallway to the dark bathroom, and not turning on the lights, doused myself with cold water from a large blue basin. Recently, our building's water had turned hot in the tap and wouldn't turn cold. Even in the semi darkness, the one square metre room was packed with an assortment of tubs and jugs of cooling water. The nearest to me was a pink metal bucket with steaming water. I filled the now empty blue basin with the scalding liquid and went back to my room.

In a half-hour, I was sitting in the kitchen, chewing on the remains of the cold breakfast. My father was methodically layering thin slices of fish and celery on his bread so slowly that it was driving Onkel mad. My father smiled in his direction, and started to eat equally slowly. I decided that I had to talk now or never.

"Nice day outside," I commented. "sort of middle ground."

"It'll get cold soon," Onkel sighed. "the snows will come. I'll have to shovel, as usual."

I pursed my lips tightly. Onkel could go on for hours about shoveling in the right mood. "Um...well, I have to go now."

Father dropped his spoon in the process of ladling cottage cheese. Onkel snapped out of his lamenting trance. "Where?" they both said. I resisted the urge to grimace.

"Out," I shrugged.

"Out where?' Father narrowed his eyes.

"Can't I just have some personal time?" I asked, quite boldly for my situation. "I'd promised a friend that I'd come sometime at noon."

"A friend..." Father said slowly, chewing the word. "and who is this friend...unless it invades your personal space?"

His comment ruffled me slightly. I bit my lip and tried to not snap back. "Supposedly it does?"

Father flicked the spoon and the cheese narrowly missed my shirt. "Ooh, if it is...then well...I am in no position to argue..."

Onkel stayed silent during this exchange but nevertheless agreed with Father and demanded to know where I'd be, who I'd be with, and when I'd come back. When I relayed sufficient information, I was let free with a warning.

"Be back here before nine sharp," Onkel warned. "Or I call law enforcement!"

I rolled my eyes out of view. "Yes, Onkel. May I go now?"

"Be my guest," he closed the door behind me and I dashed down as quickly as I dared. I climbed into my car and barrelled down the rocky road. It was only after I drove past the high arch into the street did I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding.

I decided to spend the morning in a bookshop while the drizzle gradually turned into rain. I wondered if I could spend the day at the book store instead of at the bridge, when someone called my mobile. I gritted my teeth, bracing for my uncle's snap or Father's jeer.

It wasn't them. It was Russia.

I picked up immediately. "Hello?"

"Hi Germany," he sounded apprehensive. "Er, listen, I'm actually in the middle of a very bad situation right now. I think we need to reschedule our meeting today."

My heart sank. That meant spending the day either alone or back home. But his voice had a frantic note that I myself felt worried.

"I mean, of course." I said. "But may I ask what happened? Did something happen to your dad?"