Author's Note: Sorry for the wait, I have been busy. I'm working on my next chapter of Family Ties, the second to last chapter, and it has proved a bit tricky. Still i'm working hard on it and i'm trying to get it finished. I'm sorry for the wait on that one. Anyway things will get big in a way in this chapter so I hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 10: Unforeseen Situation

The calming sound of the ocean waves splashing against the sea stacks and sandy shore is something that could relax any Viking, even if they were having the worst of days. One would just have to stare out and get lost in watching the water move, almost as if it was hypnotic, in a good way. Hiccup tried to find this kind of serenity as he sat down on the sand, legs bent and pressed against his chest with both arms wrapped around them. Small bouts of trembling could be seen as he tried to ignore the sickly crimson that stained his clothes along with the knife that laid before him.

After a while he could no longer focus on the ocean, but instead closed his eyes, and bowed his head as his body let out a huge shudder. Nothing but stress, fear and….loneliness gripping, especially as he took a look around him. Nothing but Outcasts and Berserkers laid, spread out on the ground…dead. Nothing but red staining their bodies as their injuries varied…that same red staining his own body as Hiccup was responsible for the reason why they were dead. Yet as Hiccup looked around, he could recognize all those faces before him…how could he forget them?

To his left he saw the five outcasts he killed on Dragon Island, the very ones that held his friends, they were grouped together with stabs in their chests or heads. To his right he saw his more recent ones. The Outcast that nearly caught him when he ran out of the village, a wound right where his head is, the same one he gave to stop him from call out. Nearby is one of the Berserkers, arrow sticking out of his throat, where he shot him with his shield. His body trembled more as both eyes closed as he looked forward…yet he couldn't escape the sight of his kills.

"Please…go away," Hiccup responded in a near whimper, he wanted to keep his eyes closed but could see all their faces clear as day. They glared at im with anger and malice. The boy couldn't stand seeing them anymore and opened his eyes back up.

Yet when he did, he saw two more bodies before him…both of them very familiar, as he could never forget them. The first one is an Outcast, who's body is riddled with many stabs, which were caused by the very knife in front of him. This man was the root cause of Hiccup's stress as this was the first man he had killed, which had started him on this path he finds himself on, his face forever burned into his mind. Both eyes looking over his dead form sent cold chills down his body to the point of-

"Ugh…" a groan came, prompting Hiccup to freeze stiff, eyes for some reason focusing on the last body in front of him. The trembles growing more violent as he recognizes it as a Berserker, his most recent kill. Hiccup could see very clearly that his throat sliced, something no one could survive…but it seemed like he is still alive somehow. There is movement as those cold eyes flutter open and head moves to look and lock eyes onto the teen. A hand raising up almost as if he tried to grab the kid, yet an accusing finger pointed right at him, "Y…You did this…you…murderer…"

"Leave me alone…leave me alone!" Hiccup's eyes closed and hands shot up to cover his ears, not wanting to experience this anymore. Yet for some reason he could still hear the man's words, his accusing words, calling him a murderer…yet for a quick moment Hiccup had to wonder if the Berserker was correct.

Hiccup's body jerked up as a small shout of fright left his mouth, yet his senses jolted as he nearly fell off the branch he is on. He felt a pull around his legs, which stopped him from falling off to his surprise. Reaching around he grabbed at the branches to help keep himself stable. Being kept in place Hiccup looked around as his breathing was hitched, finding himself within a tree, concealed by the branches and leaves. This caused a small bit of relief to overcome him upon realizing he's still in the tree. It took him a moment to try and regain his composure, only for his hand to press against his chest, feeling as if his heart will burst through.

It took a few minutes to calm down, only for his hand to clench into a fist, as anger and fear washed over him. "Why can't these nightmares leave me alone? I just want to sleep…"

Ever since this all started Hiccup hasn't been able to sleep properly, only catching a couple of hours. Not enough for him, but he couldn't help it as with every kill it just made things even worse for him, fueling the nightmares as he slept. It's bad enough that he sees their faces whenever he closes his eyes, but they were invading his dreams now. Every time he opened his eyes, he would be shaken up even more, feeling more and more of his sanity slipping…it was like a part of his resistance and drive is diminishing as a result. All because of all the killing he's doing…something he didn't want to do but it couldn't be avoided. If he didn't kill those men, then…it all would have been over with a long time ago.

"Don't think about it…Don't do it Hiccup," he told himself, trying to shift his mind onto something else. Yet, the last time he did it things only got worse, but in this case maybe it would help him…hopefully. There wasn't anyone to talk to about this…even though he wanted it so badly to have that one person there…but he doesn't and is slowly sinking deeper. He suddenly shook his head, trying to rid himself of those thoughts, but he then reached into his vest and pulled out his journal. Flipping it open to a fresh page it took his charcoal pen and started writing in it.

He wasn't sure why, but he started listing down the kills he did, and where they took place not too long ago. There was no real reason for it but he did it anyway. He did another count, but this time adding in the latest one he did. There wasn't a reason to be keeping a log for the lives he taken but…it felt like something he should do. His hands kept going and he didn't stop himself as he counted them once more. One on Berk….five on Dragon island…three…out here in the forest. He then scratched out the number already written and put down another one, circling it as a small cringe came out, "Nine…nine people in total I've killed…"

He nearly dropped his charcoal pencil before he snapped his notebook closed and stuffed it back into his vest. Not the best way to not think about it when he counts how many he has been through. Now he should really try and focus on something else. Prompting him to reach up to grab at his bag and laying it in his lap. Opening it he ruffled inside until he pulled out the map of Berk, unfolding it he started to scan the map, trying to find where he was, until he tapped a certain spot. The beach was a walk away but If he left, he could maybe make it by sunset. This prompted him to look up through the branches seeing the sky still bright. This made him frown upon realizing he must have not been asleep for long and disheartened him some as he could feel the fatigue returning back to him. As much as he just wanted to go back to sleep, he didn't want to experience that nightmare again. He didn't want to experience any of that anymore, so it's best if he just keeps moving and try and get to the beach cave so he can be safe, and then wait it out.

Looking away from the map he reached down and touched his left leg, rubbing at the stump softly. A small sigh of relief coming out as there is no pain, a slight twinge but nothing serious. The small sleep helped as his stump is feeling a bit better, maybe now he could walk some more without pain for the time being. Folding the map back up and placing it back into the bag, he then reached for his shield before undoing the rope holding him up. Thankfully he didn't have to cut it, so it was still usable. Once untiled he started to unwind and roll it back up and placing it back within his bag before he started climbing down. It took him a while, but he eventually got back down to land, sighing as he patted his clothes off, but stopping as his hand touched the dried blood.

"Don't think about it," Hiccup told himself as he stopped, not wanting the blood to take over his train of thought. Turning in one direction he started off, the beach his primary destination, and his only safe haven. All the while he kept a good look out trying to see if anyone was around, the last thing he wanted was to run into an ambush. Yet, So far so good as no one is around but that didn't mean it couldn't change at a moment's notice. He kept walking and walking for a bit, a moment later reaching back for the map once more, unfolding and looking it over. He managed to find his location once more and was surprised to find that he was close to another set of traps. Not only that these happened to be the traps he never heard of, so possible the human traps.

Yet, it reminded him of the Pit trap…and how it was the cause of his newer kill. A chilling shudder shot through him as he tried to push it out of his mind. Despite what it caused before, curiosity got the better of him as his feet took him to where they were located, after all he would pass them on the way. He approached some trees but stopped as soon as something caught his eye on the ground. Taking a closer look he could see a trip line, yet not just one, but a couple more, all of which were hidden some. Both eyes followed the rope, finding that it was leading up one of the nearby trees, as well as the other trip wires. They disappeared behind the branches up top, making it a bit harder for him to see, but then something else caught his eye hidden behind the branches as well.

"Are those…sandbags?" Hiccup couldn't help but say to himself as he saw what looked like large bags, which seemed to be filled with something. It wasn't all bulky and pointy at certain sides, so it wasn't rocks. It could be dirt but didn't count on it, so the only logical thing that it would be is sand. Filled to the brim with the top of the bag tied off with rope yet is positioned in a way that if it dropped it would swing and hit anyone in its path. The force that could generate from it looked to be enough to knock anyone off their feet, even any stocky Viking. "Huh…this must be the sander…clever name." Hiccup said to himself as he decided to move on, being careful to step over the ropes. Once clear of them he kept moving forward yet had to go up a slanted part of the land, basically a small hill. An annoyed sighed left Hiccup's mouth as he hated having to go uphill, as with his metal leg it made it difficult and took a lot out of him.

Still, he kept walking up it but once more something apparently at the top, catching his attention once more. At the top of the hill…is an overturned log? Now It wasn't uncommon for a turned over tree trunk to be found but this one looked odd. All the branches and leaves seemed to be cut off, and the way it was positioned it seemed like it could tip over the edge of the hill and roll down. Matter of fact, there seemed to be some to be something small, wedged underneath to keep it from rolling down on accident, maybe a good push and it'll go, maybe? He was about to inspect it more when some sort of crunching could be heard. Looking around he couldn't really find anything, but instinct took over and he ran and ducked behind the log, back pressed against it just in time as footsteps could be heard.

"More Berserkers or Outcasts?" Hiccup said to himself as he could hear faint voices.

"…It's a large island, how do we find someone so small here?" one voice annoyingly asked.

"By combing every single part of the island," the second voice said.

"This is all too much of a chore, why do we have to do this?" a third voice spoke up with a groan.

"It's better than being back in the village where we could possibly face Dagur's unstable attitude," finally a fourth voice said, showing that there were about four of them through just listening.

The voices got louder as well as the footsteps, indicating that they were closing in. Hiccup had to hold his breath as he didn't trust himself not to make a sound. Unlike last time if he remained hidden then maybe they could pass by and leave him alone. Yeah, he could just wait here for a while and allow them to walk by…yet that means he'll have to be extra careful walking through the forest as they will be close by.

"Where else can we check?" The first voice asked.

"I think I remember a place that the Berkians use as a hiding spot," A third voice spoke up. "It was some sort of cave at the beach near here."

Both of Hiccup's eyes widen upon hearing that, wanting to have heard that wrong, but he heard it clear as day. "T-They can't mean the same spot I'm going for…can they?" he asked himself, not wanting to believe it but it was the only beach cave that was using for hiding out, and everyone on Berk knows about it, no one else could find it. Then how would this one know it existed?

"How do you know about that?" the fourth voice asked questioningly.

"I've done plenty of scouting for Alvin in the past, I've found a few spots that are good for hiding…yet I've kept most of them to myself…and you all," the third voice responded.

"Maybe with you we can find the kid and be done with it," the second voice said with some glee. "Maybe Dagur will reward us…wait does he know about this spot?"

"No, like I said I kept a lot of info to myself just in case I needed to use it to get out of trouble with him," the third voice spoke up, sounding a bit cheeky about it. "I find that if you have something important to trade he won't care about a passed incident you caused."

"We'll deal with that later, for now lets go check out that cave you talked about, maybe stake it out in an attempt if he comes," the first voice spoke up, getting affirmative responses from his companions.

"Oh I really think he'll be going for there, it's one of the most secluded places on the island," the third voice affirmed.

Hiccup couldn't believe it; they were heading for the same spot he was heading for…and were going to camp out there! His one and only solace gone, as they were going to get there before him. This is bad, where else can he go now? He can't stay here as he could be found easily, and there weren't really any other places he could go to hide out. Why and how did this one guy know about it? What other things did he know of and-

Just then both of his eyes rose up as he felt movement…the log he's leaned against is moving!

Both eyes widen as he fell on his back completely as the added presser of him leaning on it caused it to start rolling down the incline he was on. The tumbling of the log could be heard upon gaining momentum, echoing as far as it could, which caught the attention of the teen's pursuers….who were right in its path!

"Look out!" one of them shouted, as all of them scattered in hopes to avoid the log, some running the opposite direction of the log, seeing that the nearby trees in their path could stop it.

Hiccup got back up and turned, looking at the scene in front of him as he could finally see that the voices belonged to four Outcasts. He watched as two dived out of the way of the log on opposite sides, landing on their bellies which knocked the wind out of them. The other two ran towards the tree line, where the filled sandbag traps were set up. They got into the tree line just as the giant log crashing and stopped in its tracks against the trees, which remained unmoving. Yet this caused the two Outcasts feet to step on the hidden rope. Almost immediately there is a loud snap as one of the bags then dropped down, swinging fast and hard due to the weight.

"Oof!" one of the Outcast cried out as he was smacked right in the face with the sandbag, being launched back to the ground.

"Whoa!" the second one shouted as turned towards his friend, looking, but not noticing he tripped the rope. He is blindsided by one of the bags swinging and knocking him right in the head, propelling him forward some and onto the ground.

"What the hel!?" one of the Outcasts on the ground wheezed, as he tried to get his breathing back after being robbed of air.

Hiccup saw this contemplated on running as they were confused, putting some distance between them, yet, for some reason that side wasn't being listened to. Almost as if someone was controlling him, he ran down the slope he was on, reaching and grabbing his shield off his back. Both arms round back as he came up to one of the Outcasts and swung with all his might.

*Clang!*

The Gronkle metal hit the helmet, adding enough force to disorient the down Outcast and make his head spin, making him fall back to the ground. Apparently, the blow knocked the Outcast out as he laid unmoving. That surprised the teen big time as he didn't expect that to happen, but that was good as that was one less Outcast to do with.

"Y-You!" a voice caught Hiccup's attention, prompting him to look over. He saw the last Outcast getting up, reaching to draw his sword. "I got you now!"

"Oh no, oh no!" Hiccup started to panic as he's exposed again, and the Outcast is coming towards him now in a staggering manner.

"I'll get you and take you back to Dagur!" he quickly approached and raised his sword up, bringing it down, but Hiccup moved out of the way quickly. Unfortunately, he fell down in order to avoid the strike, leaving himself vulnerable. In a split second he then remembered about his shield functions and brought it up. Pressing the button on the side and activating the bola, the front part of the shield opening as the rope shot out. Thanks to the close proximity the Outcast before him couldn't dodge as the rope wrapped around his arms, pinning them to his sides.

"Ack! You little…" he cried out as he tried to get free.

Seeing that the man before him is bound Hiccup raised his metal leg up and kicked him in the shin. A loud cry of pain came out of his mouth as the blow caused him to lose his balance and fall down to the ground, hard. A loud, painful, groan left his mouth as his back and shin radiated in pain. Yet as the pain started to subside some, he opened his eyes, yet they widened upon seeing the teen right above him, bringing his shield down.

*Clang!*

Hiccup panted heavily as he stood over the down Outcast, out of breath and arms aching a bit from the amount of strength he had to use in the strike. It did the trick as the man is knocked out, unmoving and no longer a threat. A loud sigh of relief left the teen's mouth as it was over, they were out and he's safe once again. Just to be sure Hiccup looked around the area to make sure he didn't miss anyone, no stragglers or anything, and to his luck there wasn't anyone else. Once this settled within him, he then shifted his attention to the down Outcasts, locating them all. This was good, they were all out…and he had to say that he was impressed. The rolling log was used to usher anyone to the sandbags, which would do the rest like now. It was effective…but that left a problem, in his wake, what does he do with them? Yet, one of the most important revelations came back to mind as his eyes rose once more.

"They know about the cave at the beach…that is my one and only hiding spot right now," Hiccup said to himself in disbelief. He really needed a place to hide out right now, and that cave was the only solace for him as it would be well hidden from his pursuers. Yet it was then another fact came to mind, only one of them knew about the cave…well actually they all know about it now, but only one of them knew the exact location. Either way, they were a danger to his plans now…well unless he found somewhere else to hide. "No…I can't, the cave is the only good hiding spot, plus it's far away from Dagur and anyone else…I won't find another perfect spot than that…but these four know about it and once they wake up, they'll check the cave…whether I am in it or not."

Yet…Dagur didn't know the location…only these four. So…if Hiccup could only somehow detain these four…or…he could-

"No, no!" Hiccup shook the idea from his head, not wanting to go there. Yet as he looked at the down Outcasts the thought couldn't help but come back to his mind…One course of action coming back, one idea he didn't want to do. He stood there motionless for a bit, before slowly parting his vest, showing the knife on his belt. It was such a simple answer, and with them knocked out like this it would be easy to just end their lives. All of a sudden Hiccup's breathing started to get quick as it deepen, a sudden feeling of Deja vu overcame him. His mind immediately flashing back to Dragon island a couple of months ago, after saving his friends, how all the Berserkers that ambushed them were tied up and left helpless. The teen remembering how he wanted to kill them all…how he wanted to show that he wasn't weak.

"No, no, no, I can't do that, not this time!" Hiccup cradled his head into his hands, gripping at his hair as he tried to ride himself of those thoughts, but it wouldn't leave him. If he wanted to be safe and keep his hiding spot…then he would have to kill them. Back then the circumstances behind them wasn't the same, as Hiccup wasn't in the right frame of mind. He wanted to show he wasn't weak…yet now…this was completely different. Yes, they are defenseless as they are knocked out, but the reason why they need to be killed is different as they could give away the only hiding spot he has. He needed a place to fully rest up, and like mentioned before the beachside cave is his only chance.

He could leave them but when they wake up, they will know he was in this area, and then maybe head towards the cave. Or worse, get reinforcements, and then he couldn't escape. He could just do that and go to a different part of the island…but sadly a new thought came to mind. What else did that one Outcast know? He said that he knew other hiding spots in the island, but which ones did he know about? That was too risky as he could lead them all to him at some point and it would be the end of it. Yet the more he thinks about it, there is one remedy to the situation. If he killed that one Outcast he could silence him and avoid this worry…It would just be taking one life and that's it, his secret spot would be safe and he could keep moving…but then came the main problem at hand.

Which Outcast is it?

Hiccup looked them all over, and over again, his breathing once again quickening as he didn't know which one is which. Why didn't he take a peek like he's used to doing? "I…I can't tell which one is which…how can I…how can I tell which one is who?"

If he was going to silence the one Outcast that knew all the hiding spots…how can he be sure if he getting it right? It was too much of a risk, he would have to kill them all to be sure…yet could he go through with it? Could he actually do this? "I'm not a killer….i'm not a killer…" He said to himself, can't believe he's actually thinking about killing…this time willingly.

Hiccup isn't a normal Viking, so killing was something he wasn't accustom to…well not recently but those kills were accidents and spur of the moment that were done to defend himself. This time…he was thinking of doing it not out of the spur of the moment, but to protect the secret of his main hiding spot. What should he do? Both of his eyes closed as he clutched his head once more, at a loss of what he should do. Does he leave them and try to find a better spot? But then risk having that one spot being found out? Or does he protect himself by killing all four of them? Yet he gets blood on his hands from doing the job willingly.

"Dad…what should I do?" Hiccup said out loud, needing some guidance here, anyone in general. Yet, that wasn't the case as no one could help him right now and he would need to make the decision right here and now. "I don't want to add anymore faces to what I see…but I don't want to get caught…not when I'm so close…"

Nearly coming to tears Hiccup looks around at the down bodies again, not able to take his eyes off of them. If he did this…would there be coming back from it? Does this make him the kind of person who will crave killing? Or will it make him the kind that will crumble under the pressure? Either choice had many pros and cons…yet in the end only one of them was the true one…to him to be honest. Closing his eyes for a moment he could see the faces of the men he killed, all of them with their cold dead eyes, looking right at him. Opening them up they disappeared, but they were still with him.

Trying to suppress some tears Hiccup reached down and shakily pulled his knife out, hand trembling the whole time. He looked down at the stained mental, using a lot of willpower not to drop it or put it back as his heart started to race, feeling as if it would burst through his chest. In the end…he knew what he had to do. "Odin…forgive me for what I'm about to do…"

With that Hiccup went over to the closes Outcast, kneeling down next to him. He took one look at his knocked-out face, hesitating for a brief moment before grasping the blade with both hands. He then raised the weapon up high in the air, both hands trembling as he hesitated once more, not sure if he should go through with it.

Yet, after what seemed liked forever, Hiccup brought the blade down with all his might.

A/N: Hope you like. Didn't expect that did you? Hiccup needed to make an important choice one that would benefit him. Plus it showed shades from the first one, as this time he went through with killing willingly. Now that will haunt him, not going to say how as that is in the next chapter. Either way things are going to be taking a turn in the next chapter. Thank you for sticking by this story so far, I appreciate it all, and if you have any questions let me know and I love to hear your feedback. Next one will come out soon.