Dedicated to those who remember, those who lost and those we lost on
9/11
September eleventh, a day that still scarred Alfred deeply.
It had been ten years since the actual attack. Ten years to the day. He’d
noticed how over the past few years no ever talked about it. There were no
remembrances at the schools, no moment of silence for the lives lost in the
twin towers. Children who’d been born after the incident barely knew how
important this day was. It added to the weight Alfred felt every year when this
day came around.
He sighed and sat up, throwing his legs over the side of the
bed. They had a World Meeting today and he knew he needed to attend. He stood
and started getting dressed, grabbing his flight jacket on the way out.
At his arrival no one really noticed his strange mood. Even
his comrades had forgotten about 9/11. That saddened him even deeper. He didn’t
contribute to the meeting at all that day. All they ever did was arguing anyway
and Alfred wasn’t in the mood to argue with them.
There was one who noticed the American’s sadness. Matthew
sat quietly in his seat feeling helpless as his brother remembered the pain
he’d gone through that day. The pain his citizens felt. The loss and
helplessness so many of them had known. Alfred stood from the table and walked
out of the room.
“What’s the matter with him?” Arthur asked frowning. Matthew
glared at the older country. Arthur felt amethyst eyes on him and turned
towards the shy Canadian country.
“Check the date, Britain,” Matthew said standing. He jogged
out of the room and started looking for his brother. He found him sitting on
the floor, leaning against the wall. He was staring at the ceiling. Matthew sat
down beside him and sighed. “I’m sorry…” He said softly.
“None of them seem to care anymore,” Alfred whispered,
shaking his head. “Why don’t they remember?” Matthew sighed.
“I don’t know,” He said. Alfred sniffled quietly. Matthew
wrapped is arm around his brother’s shoulders. “I’m sorry…” He said again as
Alfred cried quietly.
“I still feel it…” The American said wiping at his teary
blue eyes. “Ten damn years and I still feel it like it’s happening right now.”
Matthew hugged his brother comfortingly. “No one cares anymore. Why am I the
only one who remembers?” Matthew could tell that Alfred was getting angry. He
turned the American to face him.
“I remember,” He said sternly. “I will never forget.” Alfred
sniffled softly and grinned thankfully.
“I’ll remember that,” He said. Matthew gave him a small,
comforting smile and Alfred laughed lightly in relief. They stood and Alfred
wiped his blue eyes of any trace of his tears.
“America,” Someone called from behind them. The turned to
see Arthur standing there with a slight frown on his face. “I apologize for
forgetting the day. It was quite insensitive of me.” Alfred smiled at the
nation.
“Thanks,” He said. Arthur sighed in relief.
“Can we please get down to business?” He asked seriously.
“After the meeting we’re have a remembrance ceremony. Japan requested it…with
the backing of most of the countries. …Minus Russia.” Alfred laughed.
The meeting went like it always did; lots of arguing and
nothing really getting done. But Alfred did feel better. At the remembrance,
Japan and China set up a Buddhist style shrine with a picture of the twin
towers. It was quiet and short, but it lifted Alfred’s spirits easily. By the
end of the day he was his usual cheery self again. He had thanked the other
nations and left the World Meeting.
Looking at the sky as he walked to his hotel his breathed in
deep and sighed. It was really a beautiful day.
Fin
