Authors Notes:
Hello all! This chapter is super long to make up for the lost time! Thank you for reviewing in my absence, it's been a hectic couple of weeks so I'm happy to finally be able to get going with this! Anyways, I thought I would give some shutouts to my recent reviewers! You guys are all awesome and deserve to be known for it:
Masks of JM and JS: Your reviews ALWAYS leave me with a smile on my face! Your theories are always so good and it's great watching you put the pieces together! And, you were totally right. Hiccup should have told his father off - but the way I see it is he's shocked to see him there. Stoick wasn't someone he was prepared to see so it was a giant wake up call. I see him as being a little confused, scared and lonely because he misses his dad!
Raxacoricofallapatoreous -THANK YOU for those kind words! I always try to take pride in updating regularly. It bothers me when I can't get my chapters up on time (mostly an OCD thing) and I feel so bad for my readers and reviewers. Good on you for getting your sister on this journey!
Gemini Genim - What you're doing out there is beyond any words I can give you. You're giving your country hope and protection - thank you for being a great person and taking that responsibility! I't brought tears to my eyes, hearing that my story makes you happy (thank you for that!) and I can't wait for everyone to see how it continues! I have some real twists and turns ahead, hehehe.
Girlmixi - Thank you for reviewing! I think your question is great and I don't mind saying. I got really swamped during my spring break with school. I finally have found some time to get look at this chapter and go through it. I'm glad you're liking the story so far!
Amara - All of your comments are so kind! Thank you for those words of advice and encouragement! I hope you're still enjoying the progress, there's more to come!
^.^
I didn't know how to deal with this new bit of information that I had learnt. My mind wouldn't - couldn't - stop reeling from the encounter with Hiro. He was just about my age and yet he seemed so much darker. He seemed as if he lived in a world without any happiness. I felt sick - my whole body shook no matter how hard I tried to push past it and will it away.
I needed to tell Jack I realized. But every time I called his cell, it went straight to voicemail. I swore under my breath and began pacing as I took my frustrations outside. The family had a pretty front porch that was large enough to fit a swing on. After a few moments, Merida joined me at the front of the house.
"Where did Tasha go?" I already knew the answer, but to calm myself down, I asked anyways.
"Mark took her to the hospital. Those burn marks were no joke - something here is telling us to leave," Merida sighed. She was changed out of her priestess clothes now, wearing a tan sweater and black tights.
"We really need Jack," it was the truth. We were like a pack of wolves and missing our alpha.
"If you two are okay with it, I'm going to go check the office for him. If he's not there, he's at home."
"We'll be fine. Since, Mark and Tasha are going to be away for a while, it'll give us more time alone with the house and more time to figure out what's happening," I said and turned back towards the house - determined to get started.
"Speaking of which, Hiccup can we talk for a moment?" Merida instead grabbed my arm lightly before turning and heading towards the SUV in the driveway. Without a choice, I followed her, confused. She had 'rescued' me earlier from Hiro and since I hadn't been able to form a proper sentence after the ordeal maybe she was worried.
Merida rounded to the driver side of the SUV, arms crossed.
"Hiccup, we've worked with each other for a while now. I'd like to think we're all pretty close in these situations. But, earlier, when you went outside, you looked like you saw something that really disturbed you. What happened out there, and be honest." She leaned back, giving me space. I stared at her, wide-eyed. Her fiery blue ones stared back at me. "No BS."
"I can't explain." I ran a hand through my hair, averting from her gaze. It wasn't a lie - or the truth.
"Tell me what you saw, Hiccup. Please, I want to help you if I can."
"Okay," I took a breathe in and started from the beginning. "Jack wasn't convinced there was anything here and I wanted to prove him wrong. But, when I - uh - projected myself, I didn't see anything. Then, after Tasha was attacked, I saw Hiro outside. He wasn't acting normal either - it's like there's no one staring back at me when I look at him. I -I can' explain it, but seeing him back there, I know deep inside of me that this house isn't haunted. I think something is wrong with him and, this may sound crazy, that's why all this is happening."
After my explanation was out, Merida continued to stare at me. Carefully analyzing what I had said. This was most definitely human induced - something Jack had started to piece together at the very beginning.
"You have some very strong abilities and you haven't been wrong so far. I believe what you're saying and if it's something human induced maybe that will help us solve this case." She stepped towards the driver side of the SUV and opened the door.
"I'm sure I know where Jack is - so you and Bunny hold down fort, alright?" She climbed into the seat and I nodded. There was a feeling of relief that lifted off my shoulders - a feeling I thought I had made up. That, maybe, it was all in my head and it wasn't real.
Maybe I had made it up to make it feel like I wasn't so different. To avoid having to explain why I thought what I did and why it didn't make sense. But, Merida didn't treat me like I was different or strange. In fact, she treated me like I would imagine a big sister would. All of them had made me feel like I was part of this team. They embraced my 'gifts' and maybe I had to embrace them a little more.
I had to start believing in myself a little more.
"Merida?" I asked just before she was about to close the door.
"Thank you, for saying that. It means a lot to me - you make me feel like I'm not so...different. Or crazy." I smiled up at her and she winked back.
"Aye, Hiccup, you are a little different - we all are. That's how we all found each other." She pulled out her retro shades.
I grinned, "even Bunny? You two seem like you never get along."
"He can be a pain in the arse every now and then, but at the end of the day he's a great guy. Although, don't get him singin' at karaoke - he'll have your ears a' ringin and give you a headache."
"You guys all go out?" I was intrigued and Merida grinned.
"Aye; Anna, Bunny, Zel and I all go out once in awhile, even Jack goes too. It's a nice way to leave all this stuff in the office, you know?" I only nodded before she glanced at her phone and flipped it open, talking coolly to whoever was on the other line. She kindly waved me off and I watched her drive out of the small street. I felt bad, I hadn't ever tried to get to know these people because to me it was just a job I had to do. I needed to pay back for the camera I broke. And, besides Jack, I wasn't interested in getting to know Merida and Bunny. These people were just my co-workers, and building bonds wasn't something I had ever been good at. That, and I didn't know how long I would be around. It was my weakness to push people out so I could protect myself.
Perhaps, it was time to change that. I got the feeling, if things kept up the way they did, I would be around them for a long time.
^.^
Once I came back inside, Bunny was sitting at the monitors. He stretched out and looked back at me lazily as I sat on a couch by the door. Being back inside of the house, my previous dark thoughts began to swirl within my mind. Things like how Hiro could be involved in this or if it had something to do with his brother. It bothered me that I couldn't see anything last time I went into the spirit realm.
"What's bothering you, mate?" Bunny noticed my frustrated look.
I took a breath in, "you remember in the first case, where you guessed you may have been blocked?" He nodded at the memory.
"What did that feel like?"
"It's hard to explain. It was like, seeing through a cup of water. You could see something - knew something was there, but you just couldn't see it clearly. Why?" He asked, leaning back into the seat.
"I-I know I'm not as experienced as any of you, but this place seems to be messing with me. I can't seem to see anything." I confessed.
"Look here, Hiccup. Two things you need to understand, one, you have just as much psychic abilities here as any of us. Think of all the work you were able to do on our last cases - that's raw and pure talent. And two, because you're talented you can get through this. I think, if anyone can figure this out, it is you. And Jack, of course. Merida and I are here for our own talents in our professions and, believe it or not, so are you."
I choked on a laugh, "it's weird though, how this all worked out."
"All things in this profession are, as you said, 'weird'. No workin around that one." Bunny chuckled to himself.
"Now, it seems you perform best when you're meditating or dreamin', right? Leave worrying about Jack and the other logistics to good ol' Bunny. Try to clear your thoughts and you'll see it can have an affect your sixth sense."
"You're sure? You don't want me to watch the monitors or anything?" Bunny waved me off and turned back around to face the screens.
"Have a good nap, Hiccup. One of us deserves it."
Bunny was right, I realized. I needed to just clear my head from everything happening. My stress was interfering with my ability to connect to that other side.
However, I remembered what I had thought earlier about getting to know everyone a little more and hesitated on the door for a moment.
"Bunny, do you have any family back in Australia?"
"Mum and dad are back in Perth. I'm an only child though. Why do you ask?" He turned back to face me.
"I'm just curious at what made you want to do this - to be so far away from them and join the monk hood?"
His eyebrows dropped, "it was a healthier lifestyle than the one I was livin' at the time. I guess you could say it's a way to repay for my past sins." Bunny's voice shuddered as he was lost in a memory. But, he snapped out of it pretty quick and smiled up at me.
I couldn't imagine Bunny doing anything beyond what his faith had defined - couldn't imagine what he had done to make him feel so regretful. I realized, I didn't want to - didn't want to see him in any other way than I knew him now. If he told me, I would listen, but I wouldn't go digging. We all had a past, I realized.
"Merida says you're not very good karaoke; she says your singing made her ears hurt." I smirked and his eyes brightened at the thought.
"Oh, mate, you'll have to come along to Rita's one of these days and hear for yourself whose singin' is worst." He grinned, widely.
I felt my face brighten, grinning I said. "Yeah, I would like that."
^.^
As I walked upstairs, I made sure to pass Hiro's room - just to check if he was here. The door was closed so I carefully pressed my ear up against it, but didn't hear anything. I took that as a good sign and continued to my room. It was still a little unnerving seeing the third bed which had been completely unused - I hoped Merida could find Jack.
I realized now that I pushed too hard - I owed it to him to apologize. He was the first to even think that somehow Hiro was involved.
However, I didn't spare him any more thoughts as I dove into that world. It become like second nature now - almost like breathing. One moment, I was in the living and the next I was here, among those who were lost.
I hadn't ever had the nerve to visit Pitch on that dark plane, though. Since the last case, I wasn't able to bring him those last two souls - Elsa's parents - and I wondered if he was mad. What would he do to me if he was? I shivered from the thought, truly not wanting to go back to that realm unless he pulled me there. And since I hadn't been summoned by my mysterious other half, I took it that I was not needed.
At least, for now.
That didn't matter right now, though - this did. I felt that small bit of spirit that I projected into the other realm leave my body. Toothless' green eyes materialized from the darkness in the corner of the room before he was by my side and I reached my hand out to touch him. His scales felt dry and I scratched his large head before pulling back.
"There's something here and we need to find it." I watched his green eyes respond to me before they darted towards the sound of another voice.
"You won't find it." I spun around, not expecting anyone to be here since last time there wasn't.
Oliver stood in front of me - looking just as I remembered. Maybe a little more disheveled than usual. His black tunic was still perfect, but his hair seemed more ruffled and his eyes more lifeless. Now that I knew he was Jack's twin, I could see the differences. Small things like his clothes and how he posed himself. I could sometimes see Jack had a flaw in his outward appearance - as if he wanted to be less poised and more laid back. But instantly, that would disappear and be replaced with his favorite mask.
His twin, however, seemed to fit those shoes better. I had the feeling, suddenly, that Jack had never intended to wear a mask - that maybe it was more of a necessity.
I frowned at Oliver though, it seemed typical the one time I actually hadn't been trying to summon him, here he was - it irked me a little.
"How convenient you decide to come around, I've only been trying to contact you for days now." Oliver cracked a smile, but it never touched his eyes. Not the way Jack smile and it lit his blue jewels.
"You learn a few tricks when you're here long enough. I wasn't lying when I said you won't find anything here," he frowned and turned from me. Toothless moved away and turned into the dark mist - ready for when I needed to call for him.
"It's like any spirit here have the ability to completely become invisible. I only sensed it twice and just as I tried to locate it, it was gone."
"Is it a spirit? Or could it be something else?" I walked over to him. The world hadn't restricted our vision and the walls were no longer made of any substance, which allowed us to see all of the interior of the house freely. Below us, Bunny was monitoring in the base room - he and I were the only living beings in the house.
"I don't know."
Just then, someone entered the house - Hiro. He came in through the front door, Oliver and I walked downstairs, watching him as he rushed to the sink and began scrubbing at something intently.
"What's he up to?" I whispered and Hiro spun around, his eyes wide.
And, for once, they looked as if they were full of emotion. Brown, tear-filled eyes widened. Fear and dread colored his face as he scanned the room and turned back around. Oliver placed a finger over his mouth, signalling me to stay quiet. He stared intently at Hiro and we slowly ducked behind a wall.
Somehow, Hiro was able to sense this world - hear it and possibly see it.
I stayed quiet, as he continued scrubbing at his hands before placing them in his black sweater pockets. It was soaked by the time he reached the stairs, and Bunny came out of the base room, walking up to Hiro.
"You know your parents are at the hospital, your mum was really hurt." Bunny's voice was a mix of tight and stern - like he was scolding Hiro.
"And?" Hiro answered harshly. There was a shift in his demeanor - those black pits were again, dark and emotionless.
"What's wrong with you, kid? You should make sure she's okay. I've watched you, seen how you act. I don't think you understand just how worried they are about you." Bunny crossed his arms.
"You don't know anything about me. You, and the rest of those people they brought, are making things much worse. If you want things to get better, then you need to leave us alone." The dark teen warned, his tone dripping venom.
"Are you the reason this is happening? The reason your parents are still suffering so much? Look, kid, your parents are doin' everything they can for you. They are trying to help you heal from this. But you treat them like complete garbage. You treat Tadashi like complete garbage for what he did. You mock him 'cause he risked his life for someone, but you've never been in his shoes before. You mocked everyone who called him a hero because you can never understand the feeling of putting someone else first. You're a selfish little brat who can't see past his own grief."
There was a thick feeling surrounding the air. Something thick and sticky - it coated my skin. Made me feel like I was heavy and pushed on my chest.
"There it is." Oliver said, but I couldn't hear anything else past the pounding of my skull. A dark shadow engulfed Hiro - no, it was attached to him. It morphed from dark purple to black, like waves - like it was breathing and alive.
Between Bunny and Hiro, there were no more exchange of words and Hiro spun around, darting up the stairs. But that thing stayed glued to him like a parasite.
I wanted to follow, when I tried though, Oliver struck out an arm, holding me back.
"Tell Jack he's not dealing with a spirit or a haunting," Oliver said in a low voice.
"This is something far more sinister."
^.^
He didn't tell me what though. Because the moment he spoke, the world began to swirl together - someone was waking me up.
But, I wasn't prepared to see Hiro standing over top the bed. His black, pits for eyes stared back at me.
"What are you doing?" I couldn't keep the tremble from my voice and glanced at the camera, praying it was on - praying Bunny would see us.
"It's off." Hiro said blandly.
"What do you want?" I wasn't talking to Hiro - I understood that as a fact now. That teenager, the fearful one I saw briefly downstairs was no longer here - no longer existed.
"You need help, Hiro." I started to say slowly and that sinister laughter began to fill the room. Hiro cocked his head back, his lungs filling with air as he drew out the last of the cruel laugh. It reminded me of this afternoon, when he was eating that mouse.
I needed to get out of here - needed to go to Bunny. And tell Jack what I had seen.
"You're all the help I've been looking for - you're the anchor," the owner of the cruel voice said. It wasn't Hiro, he was just the vessel - the body for something dark to control.
I couldn't understand it earlier, because I wouldn't have ever guessed - Hiro was possessed.
That endless stare held me like dark tendrils. There was no way anyone who hadn't known me (or heard from me) that I was the anchor - just no way. He couldn't have known and yet he did.
He had to have known because he must have seen me in that realm.
"You're going to help me come back to the living," a voice coated with venom caressed me, spiking the fear in me. It took all my power to will my mind to think - I needed to get out of here.
"Like hell," I threw the pillow at him, square in the face and flew off the bed - racing for the door. Hiro didn't try to catch me though, he stayed in the room and all I heard as I ran down the stairs was his laughter.
"Hiccup, what's gotten into you?" Bunny exclaimed, rising from his seat when I burst through the door and braced myself on my knees, breathing in deeply - trying to slow my heart rate.
"Have you heard from Merida?"
"She text me about a half hour ago, they'll be here any minute now."
"And the parents?" I asked eagerly.
"Probably back later in the evening, what's wrong?"
"This might sound crazy - like really out there. But, I think Hiro is possessed. In my dream, I saw something on him. And he was acting strange this afternoon, I know it sounds crazy but I think that's what's happening here." I explained.
"It's not crazy, it would make sense. If Hiro has been possessed by something that would explain why things have gotten so bad around here -" He didn't get the chance to finish over the sudden screeching. Both of us covered our ears, looking for the sound which was coming off the earphones plugged into the monitors. Just like last night.
Bunny lunged for the controls and flicked the volume switch off. As the sound died, from above us, there was shuffling, like something was being slid across the floor. The smell of rotten meat filled my nostrils, and I resisted the urge to gag. There were three loud banging noises when the monitors simultaneously began flicking on and off, until they turned into static.
My heartbeat quickened as the lights flickered on and off, adding to the intensity of the noise. Bunny ruffled in his tailored jacket and extracted a charm.
"Take this," he handed the paper to me and lifted another one up, for himself. The door started chattering, as if someone was trying to turn the handle. Over and over again, it got faster and more intense until I thought the door would break from the pressure.
During the last case, I had been able to summon Toothless to this world. But, every time I tried, I lost the concentration - kept hitting that wall of fear.
"When I say the incantation, you need to run. Get outside to the street." Bunny said over the noises and, without warning the door swung open. I jumped back, but Bunny launched into his incantation. A flurry of words left his lips and I made a run for it as a white light sparked in front of me. I half expected to run into Hiro - but nobody was there.
It reminded me of our first case, where I ran from the demon in the park. When it had the power to manifest itself to me. I hated that I had to power to protect everyone and couldn't do it.
I didn't' stop until I was across the road and down the block, my lungs were screaming for air as a pair of car headlights filled the quiet street. The black Mercedes rolled up to me.
Some part of me wanted to scream at him - to tell him he was a coward for leaving us behind. But, that's what got us into this mess to begin with. A wave of dizziness washed over me and the world turned upside down for a moment, I fell back, landing on the grass and Jack was out of his car.
"Jesus, Hic, what happened?" He kneeled over me, keeping me up with his steady grip.
"There was an attack - a spiritual one. Bunny stayed inside and told me to leave. Jack, you were right." I looked into those blue eyes and even though it was only a day without seeing them, it felt like much longer.
"Oliver told me this wasn't a haunting - Hiro is causing all of this to happen."
"Come on, let's get you up." Jack said instead, helping me to the car.
"What about Bunny? We should make sure he's okay."
"We're going back, but get in the car and just take a moment to calm down."
He helped me to the passenger side, making sure I was in before shutting the door and walking around to the driver side.
"I wish I could have helped more. This place has been messing with me and I can't get any solid grasps on what's happening." I looked down at my hands. Jack pulled off the middle of the road and parked on the street, in front of the house.
"I know you would have, but Bunny and Merida are more skilled in defensive incantations. Maybe, if you ask, they'll teach you a thing or two."
"Your not surprised I saw Oliver?" I peeked at him from the corner of my eye.
"No, I had a feeling he never passed on. And every time I tried to contact him, he eluded me." Jack leaned back in his seat, turning his head and stared at me. That sounded like Oliver though, since he was able to elude me on more occasions than one. Jack leaned his head on his seat, and I had to admit he stilled looked handsome, even though he looked disheveled; almost like Oliver had. His usual perfect hair was laying flattened on his head, his clothes were simple, no tunics or fancy suit jackets. He was wearing a white long sleeve and a pair of dark slacks.
"I shouldn't have lashed out at you," he said, slowly. "I'm sorry about what I said, yesterday."
"I'm sorry too - I said some really terrible, selfish things to you. I'm really sorry - I didn't mean it," I turned to face him. He was looking at me, but I could tell his mind was somewhere else. "Well, I meant it more about myself than you. And I'm sorry."
"You were right, though. I stayed away because you were right and I was pissed off - even though it drove me mental, staying away from you."
We were silent again, and I studied the lines on his face. He wasn't lying, I could tell he must have stayed up all night to keep his mind busy.
I was about to speak when something caught our attention: the silver Nissan pulling into the driveway. Hiro's parents were back. My heart sunk as Jack opened the door - I joined him instantly as we walked over to the young couple.
This couldn't get any worse, I thought. Just what we needed; them to be back here and to get into anymore harm's way. But, this was their house and they had every right to be here. I felt sick, though, seeing Mark go over to the passenger side and help Tasha out. It was beautiful, how much their love radiated off them.
"Jack, is everything okay?" Tasha sounded sincere as we approached them.
"I heard about the incident and I am very sorry. If there's anything I can help compensate you for, please let me." Jack smiled at the young couple and it was truly sincere.
"It's all right, thank you for that though." Tasha looked between us. "Is everything alright? Where is Hiro? Is he he home?"
"He is, but I'm afraid this case has began to take a turn for the worst. My team and I strongly believe that the house itself isn't haunted. Since I don't want what happened this afternoon to be repeated, I have to ask, if you're willing, to leave the house for tonight"
Mark and Tasha shifted uncomfortably as Jack continued.
"I'll pay for your stay at the nearest hotel, or whichever hotel you two prefer. We believe there is a very strong demonic presence here and want to try to expel it."
"What about Hiro?" Mark didn't miss Jacks implication - a hotel for just the two of them.
Jack stepped towards the couple, gently herding them and looking away from the house. I followed, closely behind them.
"This may sound startling; very startling, so you have to believe me when I say that I don't think Hiro is sick. I think he's in desperate need of help."
"Oh, Hiro," Tasha cooed sadly and glanced back at the house, then towards me. Tears brimmed her eyes and I couldn't imagine what it felt like - the horror of not knowing what was wrong with your child. Or what would happen to them. She was afraid - scared for Hiro and what could happen to him.
"I think Hiro has gotten himself into something very dark and has gotten to the point where he has become dangerous. We may not have very much time left with him if we don't act fast."
Shock appeared on the young couples face as they looked at one another, then back at Jack.
"What do you mean, why don't we have much time with him?" Tasha asked, fearfully.
"Demonic possessions happen slowly; usually it's in the demons best interest to completely consume the vessel they are inhibiting. They will do that by isolating the victim so they feel alone and vulnerable. I think Hiro is in the very last stages of possession and if we don't act fast, he might become fully possessed and -" Jack stopped himself as Tasha began sobbing.
Mark continued to rub her back, pressing her close to him, "and what?" He urged Jack to continue. But, even his tone sounded broken.
"A-and demons don't care for becoming human. They care about taking human souls. If Hiro continues to stay possessed, I'm afraid the demon could push him to do something irreversible."
"You mean, the demon will kill him?" I asked and it was barley a whisper. I felt my knees buckle from the thought, a whirl of emotion slamming into my chest.
Jack nodded, grimly. "Yes, and the demon will consume the soul."
Tasha sobbed out loud, gripping Marks neck who held onto his dear wife tighter. "What do we do then?" His voice was shaken.
"We need to make sure this is a possession and try to coax the demon out. If that doesn't work - well, I know experts in demonology. They could help."
"Then we'll need to leave it to you, we'll do whatever you need us to do." Mark said, glancing down at Tasha who snapped her head up.
"No!" She cried.
"Darling, they need to do what they can to help him." Mark pleaded over her sobs. It was one of the most horrible things I had ever heard. Gut-wrenching and sad and full of grief.
It was then, that I remembered they had already lost a child. I stopped hearing everything around us, holding back my own tears as I watched Tasha grapple with the fact that she might be losing another child.
"My little boy!" She dropped to her knees and put her face into her hands. Mark sunk on his knees too, gently cooing reassuring words into her ear and rubbing her back. He looked up at Jack, sadness filling his eyes. Stubbornly, he held back the tears - scrunching his nose.
"Please, do what you can. We'll accept your offer and stay out of the way. Please, help our son," Mark pleaded, the words were shaky and broken.
A tear slipped from my eyes and I wiped it away. Watching them was painful; my chest hurt and my body felt so cold. I felt numb and had to walk away; afraid that numbness would freeze my core. I couldn't watch anymore because they reminded me of my parents - before mom was sick.
Visions flashed before my eyes of the last time I saw my mom healthy.
.::.
"Hiccup!" Astrid giggled, running over to Hiccup with her arms wide open and a grin on her face. They had been friends for a long time, even though she was a girl. She was better at sports and games than he was, but he enjoyed reading and learning new things at school. The both of them had a play date at his house and were sitting in the back yard.
"Yes, Astrid?"
"I'm bored. Let's play a game!" The small blonde leaned across the wooden bench.
"What kind of game?" Hiccup put down his pencil, he was drawing a picture for his mom with some new colors he got from school.
"I know, we can pretend that we're vikings and we have to slay all the dragons to get out of the cave and find our way home or the dragons will kill us!" Hiccup made a face - Astrid always loved playing games that involved fighting or killing dragons.
"Or we can train the dragons." Hiccup suggested and Astrid frowned before jumping up onto the table.
"We still need to get out of the cave - where the dragons live. Or they'll eat us, so we need to escape." She made a motion, as if she was pulling out a sword from a sheath.
"Astrid," Hiccup whined, "you know I don't like playing those games!"
"Okay, okay fine. Oh, loook!" The young blonde pointed to the porch.
Hiccup looked back and saw his parents; Valka and Stoick in each others arms, slowly dancing on the porch. Hiccups dad was a large, husky man - he had bulging biceps and chest. His red-brown beard was long and often used it as a tickle-machine when he play-wrestled with Astrid and Hiccup. Hiccup always knew his mom was pretty, and watching the way the sun light her up in her white, flowing gown - she looked like an angel. She had fair skin and long auburn hair - Hiccup was always told he looked like his mother. He had her eyes; the kind jade eyes that never stopped smiling.
Hiccup watched them move; they moved together, smoothly and fluidly. They were in love, he thought. And that's what love must look like. Beautiful and fluid.
The youngsters watched a little longer, giggling at the performance. And when Stoick and Valka kissed, both Hiccup and Astrid made gagging noises.
"That's gross!" Astrid accused and crossed her arms.
"What're you two hoodlem's up to?" Stoick shouted across the small yard, grinning from ear to ear.
"We're not 'hooded-lims'" Astrid, still standing on the bench, now pointed at Stoick. "We're children!"
Both Valka and Stoick burst out laughing. But something changed when Hiccups mom clenched at her stomach, gasping as if she had been kicked. Her legs gave out on her and she fell on the wooden porch. Stoick was by her side, lifting her up gently.
Hiccup and Astrid ran over, to make sure she was okay.
"Mommy?" Hiccup gently touched her hand, she looked up at him, tears streaming from her eyes and her lower lip quivered.
"Oh, my boy. I'm sorry." She sniffled.
"Mommy, what's wrong?"
"Darling, I'm so sorry." Hiccups mom sobbed, grabbing him and hugging her son. She kissed the top of his head over and over, sobbing hard. It shook her entire body and Hiccup felt scared. He didn't know why she was so upset or why she was crying. The only thing he knew was to hug her back and maybe that would help take away mommy's pain.
"It's okay, mommy. Everything will be okay," Hiccup said sweetly.
..::..
Jack shook my shoulder gently and I jumped, taken out of the memory.
That was the day I found out about her cancer - I blinked away the tears and looked away from Jack's peering baby blue ones. My heart slammed into my chest as the emotions from the memory ran through my veins. I was too young to understand in that moment, exactly what she was sorry for. It hurt that I had no idea how much pain she was in. And yet, she was afraid for me - just like Tasha. A mothers love, I realized.
"They'll stay at nearest hotel, are you okay?" I nodded, running a hand through my hair, gripping it tightly.
"I hope we can help them. Seeing her like that is...painful. God, I feel bad for this family - they don't deserve this," I whispered and Jack leaned closer to me, rubbing soothing circles into my back.
"I know, I want to help them too, and we'll do everything in our power to," he said and I lowered my head. Emotions were swirling around, and I took several jagged breathes to try to calm myself down. I would do what ever I needed to make sure this family found peace. They didn't deserve to suffer anymore - even Hiro was suffering, but he didn't know it.
I clenched my hands at my sides, anger pushing aside my sorrow and fear.
With Jack back, we would be able to help this family. That thing possessing Hiro wanted me for something. Now, I was ready for it. I was ready to show it the power I possessed being the anchor.
A thought rose in the back of my mind, what if it was here for me? No, it wasn't. It was feeding off this family's grief - I was just a bonus. And, if it still wanted me; still needed me, I would be there.
Then, I would drag it back to hell.
^.^