Yay! Chapter 10!
I'm going to cry if someone finds my USB drive and goes through it.
Jack approached the woman, who sat by the fireplace sewing a quilt. "Hi." Glenda looked up, unsure if the boy was talking to her. She looked around, and seeing nobody else in the room she asked, "Is somethin wrong?" "No." She looked at him curiously. "Ya actually just came to talk to me?"
"No," Jack's voice was monotone, "I'm going to leave and go on an adventure." Glenda began laughing hysterically. He frowned, "I'm not sure I'll ever see you again." Her expression turned serious, "Now what makes ya think that ya can jist get up and leave?" He was about to speak, but was cut off by, "Where will ya go? What will ya do without any money?"
Jack looked directly at the older woman, "I'm leaving with Hiccup and Astrid tonight." She stood up, abandoning her sewing, "Ya can't jist go Jack. Ya can't jist leave everythin ya ever loved behind." Jack gulped, looked around the room a moment, and then decided to man up. "You're not even my real parents!"
She looked into his soul in utter horror, almost enough to make him cry. He was a man now. He wasn't allowed to cry. "Goodbye Glenda," he said, retreating upstairs. A single tear left his eye, and as he came through the door, he was hugged by Hiccup. "You did the right thing."
"Are you guys packed up yet?" Jack asked as he threw extra clothing in a bag. "Yeah," Astrid told him. He went faster, sure that he was going to forget something. He went through all of the drawers, making sure that not a scrap of clothing was left behind, and then he knelt down to the floor.
"What are you-" Hiccup was stopped by Jack pulling a wooden plank off of the edge of the floor. There was a small box and Jack took it, neatly replacing the floorboard, although he didn't really have to anymore. When he opened it, there was a small book and charcoal. He took these out and put them in his bag. Underneath them was a medium sized coin purse. He took this also.
Hiccup was in awe at the secret compartment. Jack left the box on the bed and turned towards a hook on the wall. He pulled a small dragon tooth necklace off of it and put it around his neck. "My mother gave it to me…" he explained. Hiccup and Astrid decided to keep their mouths shut.
Jack tried to leave the room but was cut off by a short freckled boy "Jack," he reminded him, "shoes." When Jack looked at the boy in confusion, he was pointing at something. He followed his gaze to a pair of shoes sitting against the wall. He really didn't like wearing shoes, but supposed that he would have to.
He slipped his shoes on quickly. "Are you ready Jack?" Hiccup asked in a soft tone, Astrid behind him looking on eagerly. "Yes," Jack said firmly. He felt good for once. He felt like he was in control of something for once. "I mean, I want to say goodbye to the room. Can I have a moment alone?"
Astrid nodded and they both left. Jack spared no time in reaching under the bed to take a dagger, quickly put it in the hilt and shoved it in his bag. He looked at the sword on the wall, still completely useful. He took its hilt out and carefully put it away, attaching it to his waist. It was his father's, after all. He wasn't stealing.
He took one last look at the room and walked out the door. His stomach turned in anticipation. Hiccup and Astrid stood by the door, along with the rest of the family crowded in. "Well, goodbye everyone," Hiccup said faintly. Astrid waved and they left Jack to say some final words to his family. "Goodbye everyone," he held his head high, "I'm a grown man now; I want to see the world. And although I may never see you again, you'll be in my thoughts."
Jack hugged his adoptive parents and was almost knocked over by his younger siblings. He patted them all on the head and was handed a large basket of food. "Thank you."
When he stood in the snow, going past his waist, a small wind picking up hit his face and he longed to be near a warm fire. He hoped that they would stay the night in that cave. Hiccup and Astrid were smiling at him, happy that there was someone to come along.
It was a new start, and although he liked the idea of traveling with them very much, he felt like he was going to miss having a home and a warm fire to go back to. He was attached to it, but that which had been severed would heal.
Other than the basket of fish, they had no food. Much of that would probably go to the dragons anyways. It was still during the daytime, and although not many people were out and about, they couldn't risk stealing in plain sight. Maybe if they went down to the cellar they could just take what they needed and leave.
Jack handed the basket to Hiccup. "I'm going to get us more food." Hiccup was about to protest when Astrid placed a hand on his shoulder, "We're gonna need it." Hiccup didn't like stealing, but that would have to do for now-until they had found a place to settle a few days anyways.
They had no plan for the immediate future besides heading south. It would be warmer there. Jack came out with two more baskets around his shoulders, "Let's get out of here quick!"
Astrid pulled Hiccup along. They were stealing a lot of food, and Hiccup was not particularly fond of stealing. The teenagers trudged through the snow as fast as they could, becoming tired and stopping every few minutes.
It was silent until they slowed their pace. Astrid turned to Hiccup, "Toothless has been doing well." Hiccup just moved on, upset that they had to resort to taking food from people who probably needed it.
Once they reached the cave, Hiccup took control. As Astrid fed the dragons, Hiccup took the time to explain the situation that they were in better.
"We ran away because of the dragons, and we're staying away for the dragons. Well, that and the fact that we'd be thrown in prison." Jack watched eagerly as Hiccup told their whole story again, memorizing every detail.
"We leave tonight," Hiccup said, "I'll keep watch. You guys get some rest." Astrid nodded and sat down next to Stormfly, telling her that they'd be okay. Jack laid down on the hard ground and tried to sleep.
About fifteen minutes later, Hiccup was startled by a snowy-white haired boy placing a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you," he said. "Hey, if somebody needs help, that's what I'm going to do."
Jack's gaze drifted outside the cave. "Why don't you try to get some sleep?" Jack shrugged and leaned up against the side of the entryway, "Can't sleep."
"Hm," Hiccup kept quiet and looked back. Astrid was too far in to see. The boys kept silent for another few minutes, which felt like an eternity to Jack. "Hey Hiccup?" "yeah?" "Can I talk to you about something?"
Hiccup glanced over at the boy, obviously nervous, and already knew what the conversation would be about. "Of course."
"If we find Ivar, I might not stay with you." Hiccup knew about that. "Okay," he was alright with this, as long as he could see his newfound friend again. He really liked Jack in a strange way. He knew it was wrong, and it would most definitely not be pursued. He had Astrid anyways. He liked her. It was a strange feeling.
He looked straight out the mouth of the cave, following Jack's gaze, "we will get to see you though right?" Jack thought. There was no reason that they wouldn't. Heck, they might not even find his lover. "Yeah."
The boys stood for a few more minutes. "I think it's about time we get going," Hiccup said. The sky was only beginning to darken, but there were preparations to be made. They would have to change Stomfly's bandages and make sure that they had enough supplies.
"Astrid," Hiccup softly touched her shoulder, trying not to startle her. "Wha?" the blond girl sat up and stretched her arms, yawning loudly. "Is it time to go already?"
Hiccup only nodded and began to fiddle with Stormfly's bandages. Astrid thought that if anyone knew about the dragons' well-being, it would be Hiccup.
She gathered baskets and began to attach them to Toothless. He looked back at her excitedly, knowing that they would be leaving the boring cave soon. It almost seemed like there was nothing wrong with the place that they were in. They were used to the stench by now.
It only took twenty minutes for the sky to completely darken. By then, all of the baskets of supplies were strapped onto the dragons, weighing them down. Hiccup would take Jack on Toothless due to Stormfly's injury.
The teenagers mounted their dragons, making sure that they had all of the necessary provisions.
As he looked back on the island, Jack shed a single tear, and looked forward, into the sky that was now his home.
Now I realize that I've been slacking off on the quality of writing here. Whoops. Working on it. Oh and by the way, here's some personal advice:
If you have an extremely religious family, it's really not a good idea to tell them that you're gay as a prank. Then its really really not a good idea to have a relationship that is not a secret with a member of the opposite sex who is three years older.
My family hates me right now lol.