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Today's the day.
Spain had hardly gotten any sleep the night before, but he was too excited to care. He slid out of bed and started getting dressed.
It had all started a few years ago when Spain and the Italy brothers were hanging out on the beach. There they had come across a massive mound of trash. On a whim Italy had decided to set it on fire.
That fire awakened something in them. They realized how much they loved the thrill of arson. Now once a year every summer the three got together again to relive the experience and set some fires.
*HOOOONK*
Spain looked out the window, the Italy brothers were parked outside, waiting. North Italy rolled down the drivers side window.
"C'mon Spain! We've gotta get there early!"
"Just a minute!" Spain yelled back, happy to see his friends. He hurriedly put on his shoes, slipped on his backpack, and ran out the door.
On the car ride the three cracked jokes and sang along to the radio.
This really is the best time of year, Spain thought to himself.
***
As usual the beach was completely littered with garbage. Everything from old clothing, to tires, driftwood, trash-bags, and used needles. The nations got to work with their trash-grabbers. This was the hard part, but by the end of the day they would have a respectable mound of trash. Each year they tried to go bigger than the last. This year was no different, and by the end of the day they had a large circular pile that towered far above their heads.
The three of them together doused the pile in gasoline.
It was finally time. This year Spain did the honors. He lit a match and tossed it into the garbage. It lit up immediately like the burner on a stove. The three gazed in awe at the brilliant red glow.
After a while Spain opened his backpack and took out the hotdogs. The three put them on pikes and roasted them over the flame.
All day they’d been chatting, but now they were almost completely silent as they admired the fire they had made.
Spain briefly looked over at his mates and noticed that Romano was looking down at the ground.
"What's wrong Romano? You look like you've got something on your mind."
Romano finally spoke up.
"You know guys, I know it's kind of a family tradition for us to get together and burn this garbage on the beach, but I've been thinking that this year maybe we could kick it up a notch..."
"What did you have in mind?" Spain asked supportively.
"Well you know there are all those guest houses further up the beach..."
The three looked at each other.
"You're thinking..." Spain began.
"We could burn them down?" North Italy finished, a twinkle in his eye.
Romano looked down again, embarrassed. "It's just a thought" he said. "I don't know, it's stupid, forget I said anything."
"No, Romano." Spain put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I think it's a wonderful idea."
Romano smiled. "We've got more gas cans in the car..."
"Lets do it!" North Italy exclaimed.
The three sat excitedly in anticipation of what was to come.
***
They walked along the beach for almost an hour before they found the perfect target: a beautiful tudor home, tucked behind a fence and some trees. The lights were all out, it didn't appear anyone was home.
"I think this is the one." Romano said to his compatriots.
The three got to work dousing the house in gasoline. Spain pulled out another match and set the house ablaze.
The three stood back and admired their work as the house went up in flames, when suddenly someone came rushing out of the front door.
"I've called the cops! Show yourselves you damned ruffians!" England was holding a shotgun.
"Run!" Romano whispered harshly. They leaped the fence and took off into the trees, gunshots sounding off behind them. They ran for miles through dense forest. Occasionally falling down and scraping knees and elbows. England continued chasing and firing, but after a while the gunshots began to get more distant.
They finally reached a small clearing and took a moment to catch their breath. All three were stooped over and wheezing.
"I really.... didn't think we were gonna make it" Spain let out between gasps.
"Me too" North Italy managed to say.
In the distance sirens could be heard. Fire fighters and police were arriving on the scene, but too late to save England's house, or to catch the perpetrators.
Having finally caught his breath, Spain began to laugh aloud. The Italy brothers followed suit, and the three pyromaniacs laughed together in relief.
After a long while the laughter finally died down. The three began walking back to the car. Periodically one of the nations would start giggling and the three would break down laughing again. It was a long walk back, the car was parked about a mile from the beach, and the three nations had run far in the opposite direction, but they were all just happy to enjoy each others company.
The friends were relieved to find that the police hadn't found their vehicle. North Italy got into the drivers seat and Spain took shotgun.
North Italy paused for a moment before starting the car, he turned towards Spain.
"So are we doing this again next year?"
Spain looked back with a grin. "Is that even a question?"
Fun fact: To this day, Spain and the Italy brothers still get together every summer to commit acts of arson.