The journey felt immensely long but incredibly short at the same time. And by the time he halted I feared it was because we were dead. Inching open my eyes I could just barely see the edge of the forest. I breathed a sigh of relief, for two reasons. One, I was alive, two, he'd stopped before the village.

Sliding off his back I took a few moments to regain my footing, a task easier said than done as my muscles had turned to jelly.

"A-are you alright?" I asked, referring back to the scene back by the sea. He'd taken on two dragons, the names of which were lost on me, and he couldn't have come out unscathed.

He didn't answer, obviously, but he did give me a small nod.

"You sure?" Another nod. "Alright then, I can't see anyone so I think it's safe. Still, stay near me." I tried to think of any place that was large enough to hide a fire breathing dragon in them. A moment of genius hit me. "You can stay in the garage. My dad's away!" Smirking at my idea I crept forwards, trying to scan the area as I moved to ensure he wouldn't be seen.

I turned to look back at him, he'd stayed put, thankfully, but I couldn't turn my back to him. I kept thinking he's going to follow after me.

"Can you sit?" I asked, tilting my head to him. And he did. Breathing a sigh of relief I nodded in thanks moving with slightly more confidence. I'm not supposed to be out, but with the lack of sleeping at home it seems that I'm out more than in. At least I'd have my bed tonight. I've had enough of burnt grass and logs for pillows. Inching forwards I blocked out all tiny noises, knowing they'd do more harm than good to me.

I was sure if I was listening to every leaf rustle I'd become so paranoid I would be frozen. Now though, I was able to almost walk, I was still spinning at every twig snap, but that was just Toothless settling down.

"Can you not" I whispered, seeing he was preparing to burn the ground. "We're not sleeping here." He rolled his eyes in a patronising manner. But I ignored him for the most part.

Weighing up my odds I turned to look back at him briefly. He seemed quite content with lying there, and with it being pitch black I could probably leave him and everyone would be no wiser he even existed. It was only his eyes that could be seen. Yet the possibility that he could be seen and could attack someone wouldn't leave my mind. Biting my lip I fought the urge to turn and whispered instead.

"Toothless, come with me."

Twigs snapped and leaves rustled as the giant creature stood and stretched. I could hear him plodding across the ground to reach me.

"A little quieter please Toothless" I begged, reaching behind to feel for his head. My hand connected with his scaly head and I patted it. Just to make sure it was there. My mind told me if I didn't he'd vaporise. Paranoia was really starting to eat at me.

Not removing my hand I led him through the, thankfully, large space between the houses. I kept applying slight pressure when he tried to pass me, I knew he was trying to be protective. But still, I had to keep him behind me so I could keep him under my control.

I was sure there'd be no dragons in the village, and if there were I'd be running in the opposite direction, so Toothless had nothing to worry about. I just wished I knew how to tell him that in the quietest voice possible while walking past houses filled with people who hated me. And would have no problem ratting me out to my dad as 'crazy'.

He let out a small sound, one I wasn't familiar with. It was a purr but not. I couldn't tell if it was good or bad. I halted, trying to detect the slightest sound. Nothing...snap. I stiffened, not moving so much as the muscles around my eyes. Snap. There it was again. Toothless growled, my hand clamping around his mouth, silencing him.

I could feel his gums indicating that he'd bared his teeth. But I couldn't feel any blood so he must have retracted them. I could only be grateful for that. The snaps were coming again, they sounded closer, and the final one was just around the corner of the nearest house.

Half a head poked out, and my blood ran cold. I couldn't see who it was, but I was sure it couldn't be anything good.

Was it a hunter?!

"Toothless, Toothless attack" I hissed, hoping he'd scare off whoever it was. Though I hoped it wasn't a school kid and they'd be scarred for life. Though that would make things easier. I shook my head, no I couldn't scar someone.

He didn't respond to my pushing, he just stayed there, staring up at me bemused. Why was he confused? Who was it?

"Sarah?" A familiar voice asked, though I was so nervous I stiffened letting out a gasp. "What the hell are you doing here? And why bring Toothless? Go away, you're scaring my mum, she thought we were being robbed."

I deflated again, great, just who I didn't want to see. I would have much preferred scarring someone.

"Arden, go away. I thought you were a hunter! Go back inside. I'm taking him away." I brought up my best cold façade. And hopefully it wasn't as obvious to him that it was fake as it was to me. Just for good measure though I added a glare.

"Whatever, I'm moving from our seat in English. See ya later Hiccup" he didn't even bother giving me a wave turning his back on me and leaving my jaw hanging open.

I wanted to say something, anything, but I couldn't. He'd called me Hiccup.

How did this happen?

Glaring at the spot where he'd once been I turned my back on the vacant space. Dragging Toothless with me.

I knew I couldn't really drag Toothless, but he spared my pride by letting me pull him along. Seemed he could understand when something was important to me, thankfully he stayed quiet and didn't try to pull me back to Arden.

"God, I hate him. How the hell did I let myself like him?" I was seething, and, I admit, it may have been a little over the top, but still I was hurt. I had liked him for so long and I thought he was starting to like me. But no, boys make no sense and do a 180 on you. I hate him.

Toothless brushed up against my hand, trying to gain my attention. Staring down at him I saw his eyes were wide.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me." I assured, patting his head softly. At least some boys still made relative sense. That's implying he's a boy. For all we-I know he's a girl. "You're a boy aren't you Toothless?" I asked, just making sure. But from the tilt of his head I'd sounded like I was insane.

Thankfully though, he nodded his head. I kept my mouth shut after that, knowing that it'd be best if we stayed quiet.

We weaved through the houses, both of us silent. Thankfully the lights were off in most, the curfew in strong effect. That or it was far later than I thought it was.

My house was starting to near us, and I sighed in relief at the lack of light. My dad always stayed up late, he was late to bed early to rise. At least this meant I hadn't missed his return, there'd be a village wide search otherwise.

As we continued to walk, my house growing larger by the step I felt my hand pass through air. Strange, Toothless' head should have been there. Turning in my spot I saw Toothless frozen, his teeth bared and a hissing noise filling the air.

"Toothless! Stop it!" I hissed back, running over to quieten him. But he didn't stop. He just hunched over more. "Toothless?" Was it me? Was he hissing at me? No, that couldn't be right, why'd he be doing that?

Turning I saw what it was, it wasn't me, rather where I was going. A light had flicked on in one of the windows. The person inside visible for all to see. It wasn't my dad.

It was a hunter.

My breath caught in my throat, a hunter? What the hell were they doing? Why were they in my house? Another figure joined the scarred hunter. A burly man with a long beard platted.

Of course, that was my dad.

"We need another plan" I stated, earning a blow of air from my dragon. It was his equivalent of rolling his eyes. "Don't. Honestly Toothless, this is going to be bad. Let's...let's...oh! I know! We'll hide in Gobber's house. He never going into his garden and he has no neighbours, you can be in the back and I'll sleep in the garage. It'll be perfect." I smirked at my on the spot plan. I loved my on the spot moments of eureka. They were few and far between but they did happen.

No one ever listened but they existed.

Tapping his shoulder I led him away from my house, infested with hunters, towards the hopefully safer world of Gobber's home. Walking quiet and close to my dragon, my only lasting friend I ignored the eyes staring at me from Arden's home. I knew it was him so felt no reason to worry. But I couldn't find it in me to turn to him. He snapped at me, why? I don't know. So, until he apologises and grovels like a child I'm not speaking to him. Not in the slightest.

I hope he feels guilty.

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