Chapter 1 - A Youthful Summer of Despair - Normal Days F

Jack's POV

I didn't have a good night sleep at all, but that was to be expected. After everything that happened yesterday, it was a surprise that I even fell asleep. Ever since that fake quiz show, my mind has been plagued by unpleasant thoughts.

And some of them were related to a certain Viking.

What was that memory? Was it even a memory? Was it a prank of my subconscious? But then... what did that say about me?

Did I... want that memory... if it even is a memory... to be true?

I talked to Sandy through IM for a few hours yesterday, hoping to get some answers... and even though nothing concrete came out of that conversation, I did manage to learn some things from the Ultimate Dream Interpreter.

The first thing was that the blonde haired boy loved to tease me about my confusion. All of his messages ended with winky faces and if it weren't for the fact that I liked Sandy and that I needed his help, I would've shut him off.

The second thing was far more helpful. Even though he couldn't really tell me if my memory was real or not (Even I wasn't sure about that), he did theorize that certain actions will trigger specific memories... and so far it made sense. All of the memories I've gotten back came back to me after I did something with Hiccup.

So... was that a real memory then?

And thus, I struggled through the night with these thoughts. If only I could confirm these things by myself.

Briefly, Monobear's offer flashed on my mind, but I dismissed the thought instantly.

I... had considered it, though. And that was scary. I truly considered taking a life however briefly, and that repulsed me. Even if Monobear did take my memories away, I wouldn't be able to force myself to kill...

Death wasn't right. And killing? Even less so.

That... was... something I couldn't abide with. I would find another way to get my memories back... yes, I'll just keep doing what I've been doing until now: Hang around Hic.

Suddenly, a vision of he and I holding hands flashes in my mind, and I feel apprehension in my heart. Or... is it nervousness?

This... isn't going to be easy... right?

How do I even... proceed? If these random flashes of memory keep happening whenever I'm around Hiccup... will I be able to act as if nothing happened? Maybe he will notice? Hiccup is smart, after all. He will notice if I start acting up in front of him?

Should I avoid him, then? ...No, that'd be running away from the problem... plus... he'd surely get the wrong idea and I would end up hurting him... and I don't want that.

...Gah! Why is this so complicated?! I JUST want to be his friend! Right?!

...Right... yeah, just friends... I only want that...

Then why do I... don't believe that?

Monobear's morning announcement came and I hastily left my cottage. The morning air was cool and the camp grounds were wet due to rain. Reluctantly, I put on some shoes. Hiccup would surely throw a fit if I walked barefooted in the mud.

Speaking of that Viking, it's about time we pick him up.

"Yo, Jack."

I turn around at the greeting. I see Merida waving at me, and though she's smiling, I can see there's something in her mind because of the look on her face.

"Sup, Mer?"

"Stop calling me that, Jack!", she threatens.

"Make me!", I say as I stick my tongue out, barely avoiding the swing she took at me. She chases me around, shouting obscenities all the while, but I manage to run circles around her. One thing I learned is that I'm a pretty good runner, so why shouldn't I use that for my advantage?

"When I get my hands on you...!", says Merida, panting a few feet away from me.

"In your dreams!", I taunt. I'm gonna get it later, but I'm savoring my victory right now.

"Looks like someone is full of energy this morning."

We all turn to see Astrid slowly approaching us, a smirk on her face.

"Sure am, miss-Ow!", My greeting gets interrupted by a punch on my arm, courtesy of Merida, who grins triumphantly as I rub my arm. Such a sore loser...!

"I can see that. Are we going to pick up Hiccup?", asks Astrid, laughing in-between at my pain.

"Yeah! We just need to wake up the sleeping beaut-", and that's all I manage to say before I'm pushed to the ground and I'm assaulted by a giant pink tongue and a familiar dragon breath.

"There's no need for that. You guys are the perfect alarm clock, y'know?"

The familiar, sarcastic nasally voice of his makes me happier than I dare to admit. Toothless gets off me and runs back to his auburn haired friend, who places a small hand on the dragon's head.

"Well, good morning to you too.", I retort as I try to get the saliva out of my hoodie, without much success.

"It doesn't watch out, just so you know.", says Hiccup as he smiles at my vain attempts. I have to groan at that. I love this hoodie!

"Well, the saliva actually helps his looks.", says Merida, to which everyone else laughs.

"Thanks, Mer.", I deadpan. What a nice way to start the morning...

...Though I'd rather start my mornings like this... with laughter and friends. Yes, this guys are my friends... despite everything that happened yesterday. Despite what Monobear said about me... these guys aren't judging me or condeming me. Yeah... starting every day just like this... I wouldn't mind that...

"Say... aren't we missing someone?", says Hiccup as he looks around.

Now that you mention it...

"Ya... hey, where's Sandy?", asks Merida, mimicking Hiccup.

"I haven't seen him since yesterday...", says Astrid.

A sense of dread fills me suddenly.

Nah... I'm... overthinking this... I mean. I talked to him yesterday! So... he must be late... just a little behind schedule, yes...

"Are those... mud tracks?", asks Hiccup as he points out to a set of footprints leaving a cottage towards the Meeting Spot.

My heart sinks as I see the cottage. I fumble for my ElectroID and a look at the map confirms my fears.

Sandy's cottage.

I barely hear my friend's voice as I sprint away towards the Meeting Spot, following the muddy tracks.

Why am I panicking? There's no need to panic. I'm sure... I'm overreacting... so there's no need to be afraid! I'm sure... he just went for a morning walk... yes... that's right! I'm sure I'll find him in the Meeting Spot, greeting me with that silent smile of his...! I can see the flagpole already...

It was sudden.

Like a sucker punch. Completely unexpected... but then again... you never expect to find something like this in your life.

Because although it's inevitable, you're never ready to see it face-to-face.

The dead body of Sandy Onirico, The Ultimate Dream Interpreter... a calm, understanding and kind person... was hung up on the camp's flagpole, his corpse wrapped with the flag itself... completely inert and devoid of anything that made him Sandy.

And in that moment, as I fell to my knees in disbelief, I wanted nothing more than to scream. To deny the scene in front of my eyes.

But just like death itself, the scene in front of me was the truth.

The horrible, undeniable truth.

CHAPTER 1 - A YOUTHFUL SUMMER OF DESPAIR - NORMAL DAYS END

Puhuhuhuhuh! See ya guys later!