Handling a Crisis

Chapter Sixty-Six: Found and Lost

Sorry this got posted a little later than usual! My body decided to not let me do anything until after my COVID vaccine 😅

So far, I only have a slightly sore arm and a bit of a headache, but other than that, I'm fine! 😁

Chapter warnings: Spanish Empire, Schutzstaffel, death, talk of past colonization and slavery, implied racism, ableism, and discrimination against LGBTQ+ community

Someone figured out the sentences are a countdown! I decided I wanna be the one to cause the chaos for this, so I'm revealing to you that the countdown is for the chapters.

Anywho, here's the update: There once was a brother in a set of five... He, his four brothers, and everyone they knew were in danger... There will be three alive... Two will not survive...

Oh, and PS, Irene1578, this is where that thing I asked you about comes in. No spoiling! =)

Now...

Let's rewind.

The ground opened up beneath the countryhumans' vehicles, and gravity pulled them away from the surface and underground for a second time. Everyone let out shouts of surprise as they felt themselves fall and braced themselves for impact. When they hit the ground, some people hit their heads against others or their vehicles. Above them, the hole closed, putting everyone in the dark.

"What in the fuck is going on?" Australia muttered.

"No idea, but I think it's best that we stay in the car," Cambodia suggested.

There was a loud thud that sounded from around the vehicles. Lights turned on, illuminating a ring of people wearing full face masks standing around them with weapons. "Okay, we're gonna fuckin' die," Minnesota muttered.

"Countryhumans, what is your business in this area?" a woman's voice boomed.

The countryhumans looked at each other. She sounded familiar. Ever the diplomat, UN spoke up. "Many apologies. We didn't mean to come into your area. We were just trying to get away from a group of people chasing us."

"You're all wanted because you've been accused of trying to destroy our country's most important government buildings."

"That is true, but–"

The door to one of the vehicles burst open and Drew came tumbling out with his IV bag in his hand. "I know that mask!" he exclaimed. "Dad?!"

One of the people lowered their gun and slowly slid their mask off their face, revealing a man with brown hair, dark eyes, and tanned skin. "Drew?" he asked, rushing over. He held onto the boy and looked him over. Once he was done, he glared at the vehicles. "What did you guys do to him?!"

Drew held up his available hand. "Wait, no, Dad, they didn't do anything! They saved me!"

Drew's dad's eyes scanned over his face. "Hypothetically-speaking, if you're not being bribed into telling the truth, then who did this to you guys?"

"I, uh." Drew began to tug at his left sleeve, looking away. "I– I don't..." He fell silent.

"Are you having trouble remembering?"

Drew shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut. When he opened his eyes, he rubbed his sleeve harder and blinked rapidly, still not looking at his dad. "I– I don't– it– I– I–"

Angola rolled down a window and held her hands up. "Drew, be careful. You still have your IV in," she warned.

"You don't have to talk now," Drew's dad told him gently. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried, okay?"