Chapter 1: The Start-ish Of The End-ish
This is a new Fanfic so enjoy and leave a comment guys!!
VIVIVI
Again. He can't do this again. A low growl slipped through his lips; his mouth was fashioned into a snarl revealing his blood covered teeth. He stared at his distorted reflection in the murky puddle centimetres away from his face. The thick stubble scattered across his face, his swollen as well as split lip, the black bags beneath his tired eyes – he came to the simple conclusion that he looked like shit. Emerald eyes blazed with fury as he heaved out a throaty cough, spitting out a worrisome amount of blood. Its metallic taste lingered on his tongue helping him to keep grasp of the situation. He shakily raised himself to his feet. Pain jolted through him like a bolt of lightning, his legs buckled beneath him threatening to give out. He raised both arms in a defensive stance despite their constant protesting.
"I'll tell you what, kid." The broad figure in front of him started. "You're nothing like your father but you certainly inherited his stubbornness." He grinned maniacally, his scarred, crooked nose twitched with the small movement. "It's a shame that's what got him killed."
Hiccup watched the man between his narrowed eyes, paying no attention to the dead bodies that were sprawled around him. His gaze burned into the man's eyes but seemingly had no effect on him. His thin lips were set in a firm line of determination. "What did you do with Astrid?" He rasped, his throat sore from all the shouting he did in the previous hours.
The man shrugged nonchalantly, his metal arm made a clattering noise as it rose and fell. "If you want to see your girlfriend again you need to swallow your pride and do what your father couldn't."
"And what's that?" Hiccup growled through his gritted teeth.
He pointed his bloody bullhook at Hiccup's neck. "Kneel to me."
Hiccup trembled. It wasn't fear. It was pure hatred and anger; two emotions he had pent up for the whole of his life. His gloved hand was balled into a fist by his side and it took all of his will power not to lash out. 'How dare he, after everything that he's done. After he single-handedly destroyed my life'. Hiccup drew his fist back but paused mid-punch. 'Astrid...' His hand dropped back to his side and he brokenly stared at the ground. The man smiled as if this was how he had expected the scenario to play out.
"Kneel." The man repeated. Hiccup didn't move he just stared blankly at the floor. "This is your last chance Haddock. Kneel."
Hiccup stiffly lowered himself to his knees, his legs objected to the simple movements and cried out in pain but he ignored it. He scowled at the blood soaked floor, aware that some of it was probably his friend's.
"If you want to see the Hofferson girl you'll do as I say, won't you young Hiccup?"
"Yes." Hiccup replied brokenly.
"Yes, who?" The man sneered smugly.
"Yes...Lord Drago." Hiccup reiterated, keeping his gaze lowered. He palmed his last remaining knife behind his back in his right hand. The next few moments will be vital to his and Astrid's survival, and if he can't survive this then there's no way he's allowing that monster to get out of this unscathed. He palmed a grenade in his left hand. 'If I die then he's coming with me.' It suddenly sunk in that this all could have been avoided if he had not made one fateful decision. One decision that shaped his past and will continue to shape his future -If he has one.
-2 years earlier-
Hiccup grimaced. Don't stare into his eyes. I will not stare into his eyes. I refuse, that's what he wants.
Hiccup's eyes snapped up to spot dirt brown pupils glaring back at him. He shifted uncomfortably in the solid oak chair he had been forced into, the steely scowl set on him piercing whatever confidence he once grasped. His father sat by him at the wooden desk with a disapproving look set on his ageing features.
"Your son continues to ignore my instructions." Mr Sven spat, his brown eyes stayed fixed on the young boy.
Stephen spared his son one last exasperated glance before returning his attention to the seething teacher. "What did he do this time?" He sighed.
"He was on his phone throughout my whole lesson and -despite me asking nicely- refused to put it away. He claims that the class is pointless," the teacher fashioned his fingers into air quotations "and that I'm 'naive' to my stupidity."
Stephen's eyebrows rose and Hiccup's head snapped up at the incredibly inaccurate statement. "Actually," he raised a single thin finger to accentuate his point. "I said that you're ignorant to how mentally challenged you truly are."
Stephen released a low chuckle, his red beard bounced up and down, flickering like a large flame.
The bald Teacher scowled, baring his crooked yellow teeth at the pair. "I'm sorry, is there something funny Mr... um?"
Hiccup's dad composed himself and sat straighter. "It's Mr Haddock."
"-Mr Haddock?" The teacher finished.
He gave his son a brief glance before answering. "No." Stephen crossed his large arms over his pronounced chest. "Then how would you suggest that we deal with this issue?"
The teacher gave a cynical smile then rested his hands on the desk, his overgrown nails curled, resembling the vicious talons of a falcon. "I suggest that you leave this sack of shit to look after his dying mother by himself. That'll teach him to disrespect me."
Hiccup's eyebrows furrowed. "What?" He asked alarmed. He turned to his dad. "Are you just going to let him say that?"
Stephen didn't reply. He wore a neutral expression and stroked his beard in thought.
"Dad?..." Hiccup trailed off. "You're not actually considering this are y-"
Stephen rose a hand to silence Hiccup then gestured for the teacher to keep talking. "Go on." He encouraged.
The teacher's cruel grin grew larger with each passing second. "leave the boy to fend for himself and his mother, that should be a good enough punishment for him even existing."
Hiccup's eyes read pure shock. He opened his mouth to talk but words refused to leave. He felt strangled. It was as if a noose was tied around his neck, slowly pulling tighter, and tighter, and tighter yet his breathing was uninterrupted.
Stephen sat back then turned to his son. "Do you think that's fair Hiccup?"
Hiccup tried to talk but not a whisper passed his lips.
Stephen nodded then vanished. Just like that he disappeared from his chair. Not a single clue that he was once there remained, only the vacant chair.
A single tear fell from Hiccup's eye as he turned his attention back to the teacher. The old man stood the best his hunched back would allow then slowly walked around the table to the boy and there was nothing he could do. Hiccup was paralyzed by shock, all he did was watch as the old man raised a jagged knife then plunged it into his heart.
Hiccup woke up with a start, his eyes snapped open and their glassy green gaze settled on the ceiling fan as it performed its cyclical duties. An uneasiness settled at the pit of his stomach as he pried his sweat soaked covers from off his bare chest. These dreams, they're just getting wilder and wilder. Hiccup released a bitter laugh. He's been plagued by these dreams since his dad disappeared just as his mum was diagnosed with cancer. Hiccup shook his head to clear his mind, his shock of untameable auburn strands clung to his forehead with an unparalleled determination to obscure his vision. He slowly sat up on his small bed, exposing his lean body to the thick humid air that circulated his room. There was no point debating it anymore, he knew he needed help, and he needed it fast. He wasn't sure how much more he could endure before he just... gave up.
He glanced at himself in the small mirror sitting by the bed and he could make out his bruised face despite the small amount of light in the room. Hiccup stood up weakly then gazed expressionlessly out of his window. It was early in the morning, the grass was white and frosty from the extreme cold and everything metal had become a spectacular ice display with frozen patterns stretching out along the various surfaces. Berk was what you would call extremely densely populated but at times like these you could guarantee nobody was out -nobody was even up; the silence seemed surreal for a place that was usually buzzing with life so it was moments like these that needed to be savoured. Hiccup decided that he needed to get back to his house so he pulled on a dark grey sweater and tapered joggers then slowly slid his window open with great care not to rouse Gobber from his sleep.
He made sure that his steps were light as he put distance between himself and the house -not that his thin body was even capable of making too much disturbance but as his dad used to say, "don't take risks it if you don't have to" because he knew that if Gobber found out that he was going back to his house -back to his abusive stepfather- he would manage to dissuade him. Hiccup let out a sigh once he was sure it was safe and slowed down his pace, allowing himself to take more relaxed strides. He rubbed his hands together then wrapped his arms around his lean frame to calm down his violent shivers, his lips tipped upwards slightly, he didn't mind the weather. The cold took his mind off everything going on and it's not like it dampened the stunning view. The sun was rising steadily and casting its light on everything, bathing the city in its vibrant shades of orange. The ice was melting away but still had many fantastic patterns spreading across the area reaching upwards towards the baby blue sky. Hiccup nodded to himself in approval of the setting, the negative thoughts slipped from his mind granting him a temporary relief as he wondered through the streets idly. He had roughly an hour until the city began to blink back to life and he would make the most of it like he usually does when he journeys home.
Home. Hiccup growled at the word. Home was a bit of a stretch, the only reason why he hasn't moved in with Gobber is because he knows he can't leave his mother with that man, he doesn't even know what she sees in him. 'Maybe it's because he pays for her chemo.' Hiccup can respect the fact that he served twelve years in the military but he's simply just not set out to be a father, Gobber -who happened to serve in the same regiment as his stepfather- was. He's understanding and doesn't try to force himself into the role of father and despite his inexperience, always knows what to say. Hiccup smiled at the memories of Gobber and his father arguing over the most petty things, like true best friends
Hiccup rounded a corner still enveloped in the rare peace and serenity surrounding him when he heard a voice -a hushed whisper that slowly grew louder. He halted mid-step then quickly scanned the maze of houses trying to find the sound's point of origin. 'Apparently I'm not the only person that enjoys being out at this time'. He heard the crunch of gravel and his eyes narrowed slightly, the deep thud of each step indicated that the person was wearing some heavy footwear. 'Nobody goes for leisurely walks wearing combat boots, especially at these times'. He crouched slightly then quickly pressed his back against a grey muscle car as a broad silhouette emerged from an alleyway, completely shrouded in mystery. This instantly awoke a deep suspicion in Hiccup as he peered through the car's window to catch a glimpse of a head covered with short blond hair that barely qualified as 'not stubble' and a phone pressed firmly against his barely visible face. He decided to name the man 'Boots' just because it amused him.
The figure turned away from Hiccup's direction, fully immersed in whatever conversation he was having and Hiccup used this as a chance to take another look at him. He was wearing military grade armour and- Hiccup's eyes grew large- he was armed with multiple guns. 'What's going on?' Every inch of Hiccup was screaming for him to leave while he still had a chance, to run away and never look back... but another part of him found this thrilling, another part of him was craving for the action. His heart thrummed against the wall of his chest and he could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He ignored his conscience's warnings and discretely followed Boots the best he could, staying behind cars and trees so he wouldn't be spotted. After about fifteen minutes of sneaking about and hiding in shadows, the roar of waves became present and the smell of salty water invaded his nostrils. 'We're near the coast' Hiccup thought to himself. He glanced at his watch then back at the Boots to see that he had been joined by five more men, all similar in appearance. They walked in unison with tense gaits as if they were on alert for danger. Eventually, they found their way to an excessively tinted Jeep with an armoured exterior and chrome rims that gave off a seemingly impossible sheen. A tan man swaggered out, leisurely strolling to the row of men with a cool blank gaze. A small black phone was in his grasp, signalling that he was the person Boots had been talking to before. He sported a smart navy-blue pinstriped suit with a matching fedora setting him apart from everybody around, and the way he walked- he walked with purpose and Hiccup noticed the lack of bounce in his steps. 'He's probably ex-military' Hiccup deduced. He had no clue what was happening between the men but he did know that it was probably nothing legitimate, and definitely something Gobber would absolutely chew him out for if he knew how close he was to the shady business.
In no less than two minutes a pristine white limo showed and Hiccup watched it with a scrutinizing gaze, curiosity gnawed at his brain. 'Who could be in there?' He didn't have to wait long as his answer presented itself almost immediately. His neutral expression morphed into shock but internally he was able to make sense of the situation, in fact it made so much sense. Mayor Mildew had been the one to exit the limo. Hiccup was able to make out his yellow smile from where he stood and his offset nose stood proud on his pale shrivelled face. Mildew must have his hands in some shady business, that's why the level of police corruption was at an all time high.
To some the situation may have been deemed quite humorous if they took notice of how juxtaposed Mildew and the Pinstriped man appeared to be. One was meticulously presented while the other barely looked better than a hobo, despite his expensive clothing. Boots and his five armoured buddies moved to stand by Mildew, they appeared to be working for him. Hiccup watched Mildew and the Pinstriped man exchange words as they negotiated. Hiccup strained his ears to hear what they were saying but could only make out partial sections of their sentences.
"Access... docks...the shipment..."
Hiccup didn't need to hear anything else, he gave himself a brief pat down, searching through his pockets. He pulled his battered phone from out of his back pocket then quickly selected the camera app. He raised a shaky hand and took a photo with all the discretion he could muster, sadly that just wasn't adequate. The morning's dingy conditions triggered the automatic flash that bathed all of the men in light, but that wasn't so much what gave away his position, it was the small high pitched yelp of panic he released. He ducked back behind cover immediately, heaving out heavy breaths of alarm. Heads snapped to his direction, and the armoured men immediately raised their silenced weapons as the training drilled into them kicked in.
Hiccup screwed his eyes shut and let out a few panicked words. "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit."
