The Secret

Chapter 12

"Mr. Japan, where are we going?"

Japan looked down to the young girl at his side. He didn't say anything. He stopped at the door at the end of the hall and pushed it open.

"Finally, Kuro! What took so long?" Luciano stood at the head of the table. Beside him sat Launa.

Though Alaska wanted to see her, she felt nervous at all the new people in the room. They all looked her way, and Launa looked scared, too. Alaska was walked up to the head of the table and seated beside Launa. The rest of the people in the room didn't pay attention to them. They were all talking about a spell or something.

Alaska leaned towards Launa and whispered, "What's going on?"

"I don't know," she whispered back. "Are you scared?"

She shook her head, her lips held closed.

"Neither am I."

Rose reached out to take her hand. Launa held tight and nodded with a confident smile. They both felt each other's fingers tremble in their grasp. Neither of them said a word.

-

America had already been on his way when he called. In little time he was rushing inside to find the four of them with Alan in the dining room.

"What's going on?"

"That's what I'd like to know," Alan said. His arms crossed over his chest, a finger tapping his arm. "I felt these two and seven others leave."

"Where's Rose?"

"Calm down. Launa is missing as well."

Alfred nodded, his teeth clenched. He sat down opposite Alan at the table. "Do we know what happened to them? Any idea at all?"

"I'm most certain Rose doesn't know how to access a doorway to other worlds," Dakota stated. "She was probably taken by someone."

"If that's true, that means that Launa was probably taken from the house," Adelynn said.

"If we can find the same doorway that they used here, maybe we can use it to get to wherever they took Rose," Alan suggested.

Alfred nodded. "Maybe. But, we'd need help in focusing the power of the doorway. One doorway isn't usually used for more than two trips. If we want to get back-"

"We'll need to strengthen it. We'll have to get England or Norway or someone to help with that."

Alfred felt his pocket vibrate as his phone rang. He pulled out the device and read the name on the screen. "Speak of the devil." He answered the call, holding the device to his ear. "Hi, England."

"Hello, America. I'm with Norway and Romania. We're reading some very strange reading for doorways in your area. Care to explain?"

Alfred looked up to the small group gathered at the table. Thy couldn't do this by themselves. They needed help. He sighed. "We've actually got a problem. One of my states has been taken. I don't know where and I don't know by whom, but they were taken through a doorway."

There was silence over the line for what seemed like a minute. "Jesus," he heard him mutter. "America, that's serious. Why don't I call a meeting right now and we can get help with this."

"We don't have time for a meeting."

"Do you want to save your state? Or do you want to die trying and fail?" He did have a good point. "I'll tell everyone to meet in New York in an hour." Without another word, the line ended. America wasn't sure if he was more relieved or irritated.

"So?"

"There's a meeting in New York in an hour with everyone. They're going to help us get them back."

"We hope." Alan turned to Adelynn and Michael. "Take the states back home. Stay there."

"I want to help!" Adelynn argued. "I want to help get my sister back!"

"I know you do. But. We don't know why they took Launa and they might want the rest of you as well."

"If they really wanted us, they would have taken is when they took Launa," Michael pointed out.

Alan stared at the two for a moment. "Fine. But, you follow me and you don't wander anywhere!" They both nodded.

Alfred turned to Dakota and Jackson, both with the se determined look. "I suppose you two aren't going to stay either."

"Nope," Jackson said.

"We should at least get your states back to their home," Alfred suggested.

"Where are they?" Alan asked.

"I'm the music room," Dakota answered.

Alan left, and soon there was a great noise of voices and feet as Alan lead his states back the same way he had come. Once they had all left, he came back just as Alfred had left to explain things to his states. He didn't tell them everything. Just that they were going out and that they were to remain inside the house.

-

None of the nations really knew why they were there. They all seemed very nervous when they saw Alan, though.

England started. "Now that we're all here; America, would you start?"

America stood from his seat, his two states at his side. "If England didn't tell you, doorways have been opened in my area recently. I can only assume this has been done by the '2ps'. My state, Alaska, has been taken, and I have no idea why." As he said these last things, his eyes found Russia. His body went stuff and his eyes were wide when he mentioned Alaska. Alfred did his best to keep a straight face. He couldn't let anyone else know who Alaska really is.

"You're saying the '2ps' have taken Alaska?" China asked.

"As well as my Alaska," Alan spoke up.

"And who are they?" Germany asked, motioning to the states.

"My states, and his," he said, nodding towards Alfred.

"You would like our help in getting them both back?" Germany asked.

Alfred nodded. "We don't know how many we'll be going up against. We will need help."

Germany nodded. "I will help in any way I can, America."

"Thank you."

"So will I." America looked to Russia, along with many others. America didn't think about it at all.

All the other nations didn't understand why Russia was so quick to help America. It troubled some of them. More so because it didn't seem normal for the two to be getting along. Although, this was a serious matter.