=Astrid's POV=

{Saturday, November 13, 2021-12:05 am}

(Hofferson Residence)

I don't think I'd ever run so far or fast in my entire life, but I got home and struggled with the scene before me. Cops, the ambulances, firetrucks; just as I'd seen on TV only fifteen minutes ago. That's how long it took me to get here. I made hard breaths, then began working my way through the crowd to get forward.

"Excuse me. Sorry. Pardon me…" I kept saying as I shoved my way to the front. I was stopped by an officer. "Let me through!" I begged.

"I'm sorry, Miss. You need to stay back," the officer informed.

"N-No! You don't understand…Please, I need to go through," I tried.

"It's not safe, Miss. You need to remain here, no one needs to get hu-, he started.

"That's my house! My parents are in there!" I enlightened with worry.

The officer looked at me, surprised. "A-Are you the mayor's daughter?" the man asked. I nodded my head quickly, concern in my eyes. "Chief, I got Astrid Hofferson with me," he said into his radio. I glared and stomped on the man's foot, getting out of his arms and hurrying forward. I saw Spitelout and Alvin right away, plus others.

"Ch-Chief Jorgenson! What happened? Please, tell me. Where are my parents? Are they okay?!" I demanded quickly, trying to locate my parents. "MOM! DAD!" I shouted for them. Obviously no response. I felt my phone vibrate seconds later and cast a quick glance at the screen.

Dad[12:11 am]
We're glad you're okay, sweetheart. Everything is going to be alright.

I felt tears pricking my eyes as I quickly typed back a response.

You[12:11 am]
I'll never sneak out again. I'm so sorry! Rescuers will get you out. I love you both so much!

A minute later, another reply came through as the tears that formed began slipping as I read it.

Dad[12:12 am]
We're not upset you snuck out; it means you're safe out there, and that's all that matters to us. We love you more than anything else in this world, Astrid. -Dad & Mom

Without warning, I was being held by a fireman as if to be shielded. And then there was an explosion. I felt my heart skip a beat as my eyes widened.

"Get these flames out!" the fire chief demanded. I quickly ripped away from the fireman and stared in horror at the damage done, and that the fire was still burning strong. Oh, Gods! My parents! Tears again falling, I sent a message to my dad.

You[12:14 am]
Are you both okay?!

No reply. I tried again.

You[12:14 am]
Answer me, please?!

Once more. Nothing. Ignoring my phone now, I faced the house.

"MOM! DAD!" I yelled out wanting to get closer, but Alvin stopped me. "MAMA! DADDY!" No. This couldn't be happening. Why weren't they answering!? I didn't know what to do; I was shaking with fear, panting, and just praying to the Gods my parents weren't seriously hurt.

. . .

{1:06 am}

Firefighters worked nonstop to put out the flames of the raging fire after the explosion occurred. Finally, it was out, and waiting for the all clear to go inside. I never left where I was, and Alvin at some point put a blanket around me because it was November and freezing outside. My eyes never left the house, praying and hoping that my parents were okay, and maybe just knocked out. I never got a response in texts. I also never replied to my friends.

"Fire out," I heard the fire chief call. I quickly tensed, standing now instead of leaning against the police cruiser as I had been. I knew while firefighters had been putting out the blaze, there would be nothing I could do except stay out of the way. But now…Rescuers were in the house to get my parents out. Everything would be fine…Just like Dad promised. Seconds turned to minutes, and maybe longer. I never saw anyone come out, but the fire chief approached me.

"Astrid Hofferson?" the man asked.

"Y-Yes…That's me…" I nodded nervously. "Are my parents okay? Where are they?" I asked quickly.

The male's face changed to sadness and sympathy. I got a knot in my stomach. "I got this, Andy," Spitelout put his hand on the man's shoulder as he walked away and I faced Spitelout now. "Astrid, I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you," he said.

"Then tell me! My parents got hurt in the explosion, a-and on their way to the hospital? A-Are you going to be taking me? If not, I c-can take my-," I rambled quickly.

Spitelout put his hands on my shoulders, looking sad just as the fire chief had. "Astrid, your parents' bodies were found inside the home on the second floor in the master bedroom," Spitelout began gravely. My body had started shaking again. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. Your parents didn't survive,"

"N-No. That's…Not right. I-They…messaged me an hour ago…And said everything was going to be al-," I tried to process what I'd been told.

"Astrid…Your parents are gone. Mayor Colden Hofferson, and his wife, Alva, died in the fire," Spitelout said grimly now. My heart felt like it stopped, and my body refused to move. Tears began falling from my eyes. My parents were dead? Both of them…? No, it wasn't right. Dad promised that everything would be alright! I pulled away from Spitelout, looking around quickly and running past him and the firetrucks to see two body bags on the ground. I stepped closer, hesitantly and was able to see my mother and father. The two were lying motionless, lifeless there. Before I could get any closer, Alvin and Spitelout stopped me. I struggled to get free, but couldn't against the large men holding me back. I paramedics zip up the bags, and I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. I began breathing rapidly, and then everything blurred and went black.

. . .

=Normal POV=

{Sunday, November 14, 2021-5:30 am}

(Berk Isle General Hospital)

Astrid awoke to the sounds of beeping around her. Opening her eyes slowly, she quickly realized she was in the hospital.

Why am I here? Astrid thought. What happened? She wondered. Astrid looked at herself, still in the clothes she wore from the party. But that had been at night, and the sun was just beginning to rise. Astrid shifted a little, trying to sit up in the hospital bed. Astrid grabbed her phone off the bedside table, opening it up to see tons of messages from her boyfriend and friends, all wondering what happened.

My Boyfriend[12:20 am]
Babe, u ok? Saw the explosion on TV.

What explosion? Astrid asked herself.

Cami[12:23 am]
Ast! Girl, what's goin on?

Nadia[12:24 am]
Ur folks okay from the fire?

Gruff[12:26 am]
Dudette, Msg us bak!

Ragna[12:31 am]
Gurl, this isn't cool. R u okay?!

My Boyfriend[12:32 am]
Baby girl, I'm worried 'bout u! Plz, answer?

Thug[12:37 am]
Yo, we heard the fire is out of control. Update, Ast?

Nadia[12:40 am]
Hey, news stopped giving reports. Chief had them cut cameras. Answer us, Ast!

There were missed calls and voicemails too, all of them saying the same thing. Worried for her and wanting to know what happened. Astrid didn't even know! Explosion? Fire? Her parents? Astrid didn't understand, and she felt like she needed to?

Was there a fire? Did I get hurt in it? Astrid questioned. Astrid tried to recall what happened, but there was nothing but blurred images and a nagging feeling of pain. Astrid figured she was in the Emergency Room, a bay in the hospital for emergencies, but nothing major. More like a quick-fix place. Astrid continued checkingover messages, hoping it would give her any clue to jog her memory.

Cami[12:43 am]
Ast! Come on; we're freaking out over here!

Ragna[12:48 am]
Should we come over?

Thug[12:52 am]
Astrid, seriously! We're worried. Just answer, anything, so we know you're okay!

Nadia[12:56 am]
We've heard that the fire is out; is everything alright?

Gruff[1:05 am]
U good? Ur parents good? Give us something…

Eret[1:17 am]
Babe, 4 the luv of Thor…Call me! I'm srsly scared if ur ok or not!

That seemed to be the last message, followed by more missed calls and voicemails. Astrid wouldn't check them right now; she figured they all had to be the same thing as texts.

"Do you think she's awake yet?" came a female's voice.

"I don't know. Doctor said trauma could be a factor; that Astrid blocks out what happened because of how painful it is," responded a male. Astrid saw shadowed figures outside the curtain to her area.

"The poor girl…She must be heartbroken," Astrid heard a female voice say.

"I told her what happened, and she ran to them, but I guess seeing it…I don't know she just passed out. My only thought was that it was too much to handle," replied a male, but Astrid knew that voice; it was Spitelout Jorgenson's.

"You did the right thing to bring her here, Spitelout…The girl lost her parents, and probably her home because of the damage all at once," the female said. Astrid's eyes widened.

Lost her parents and home from the damage? Astrid inquired silently. Had the fire and explosion been at…My house? Are my…Parents dead? No. No, that couldn't be right! "Mom?...Dad?" Astrid said looking around quickly. Nothing. However, it did get the curtain to move and reveal Spitelout there with another woman, then a nurse. "Mom! Dad!" she tried again. No answer.

"Sweetheart, please…" the woman beside Spitelout tried with her hands up. Astrid vigorously shook in the bed, trying to get free.

"MAMA! DADDY! Where are you!?" Astrid panicked, then stopped, breathing hard again. Suddenly, everything came forward. Astrid saw herself at Eret's, then the news report about the fire breaking out at her house, finally arriving, the explosion, and seeing their dead bodies just as the paramedics zipped the bags. Tears were streaming down her face as the woman beside Spitelout rushed forward to embrace Astrid gently.

"Ssh…Ssh, sweetie…" the female tried to soothe. Astrid could only sob loudly against the woman, not caring who she was. Astrid just wanted to be held and cry. Her parents were dead, and that broke her heart.

. . .

{7 am}

It took hours for Astrid to calm down in the arms of Spitelout Jorgenson's wife, Frida Jorgenson as Astrid learned she was when Spitelout told the nurse who the woman with him was. Astrid knew that it couldn't be just a joke that her parents were playing on her as punishment for her sneaking out. Astrid had found the last text messages between her and her folks, which only brought on more tears. Nothing in the world could hurt this much except realizing that you've lost your home and parents at the same time. And Astrid still didn't even know what was going to happen next; she wasn't prepared for something like this to happen. There was no preparing to lose both of your parents and your house in one night.

Frida handed Astrid a couple of tissues to blow her nose and wipe away tears; the woman remained sitting on the edge of Astrid's bed to comfort her. Spitelout was by the window, looking outside of it with his hands behind his back. Frida rubbed Astrid's back, trying to calm her.

"S-So they're really gone?" Astrid managed, coughing and sniffling a little.

"Sadly, I'm afraid so," Spitelout turned to face her.

"Wa-Was it the explosion?" Astrid tried, feeling like she needed to know more.

"We're not sure at this time, Astrid. I'm having the fire department and my officers run a thorough investigation into the matter of the fire, and how your parents died. I promise that as soon as I hear something; you will too," Spitelout informed. Astrid looked down, nodding.

"Is there…Anyone we can call for you dear?" Frida asked.

"Aunt, uncle, grandparents perhaps?" Spitelout followed the question up.

"No…I-I don't have anyone left in my family…I-I'm the last of the Hofferson Clan…" Astrid began to tear up again but tried hard not to break down once more. Who could I call for me?...My friends and boyfriend wanted to know what was up? I guess I could use that comfort right now… Astrid thought. "C-Could you…Call my boyfriend?" I got my phone and pulled up his number.

"It's…Eret Trapp, right?" Spitelout eyed Astrid, and she nodded. "I'll dial him. Frida, will you stay with Astrid?" Spitelout inquired. His wife nodded as Spitelout stepped out. Astrid put her head down as Frida continued to hold her, hoping it might be helping, even if just a little.

. . .

{7:45 am}

Eret rushed past the curtain to see Astrid on the bed in Frida's arms, and he hurried to take the other side. Astrid quickly hugged her boyfriend, crying lightly.

"You came…" Astrid whimpered.

"Of course…And the others are here too. We all stayed at my house after you left…" Eret informed gently, releasing from the hug and revealing the others who were coming in. Spitelout motioned for his wife to step out.

"I won't be far, Astrid," Spitelout told her. Astrid nodded, accepting the hugs from Camicazi, Nadia, and Ragna. Gruffnut and Thuggory did the same.

"What happened? The Chief just asked me to come down because you wanted me here," Eret said.

Astrid sniffled a few times, looking down. "M-My parents…They're dead," A round of gasps filled the room, shock falling about the news.

"Oh, my Gods!" Nadia exclaimed.

"Astrid…Honey…Why didn't you tell us sooner?!" Camicazi hugged Astrid again.

"I-I just woke up a few hours ago…A-And after I realized what happened; I broke down on Snotlout's mom…" Astrid replied quietly.

"What do you mean, woke up?" Thuggory asked.

"I-I guess after Spitelout told me my folks were gone…I ran away from him, a-and found my parents in the body bags. I passed out, and he brought me here…I was out until about 5:30 this morning. I couldn't remember what happened until I heard Spitelout and his wife talking outside the curtain…" Astrid informed slowly, still looking down. Eret hugged Astrid, kissing her cheek.

"Everything will be okay; we're here for you," Ragna offered.

"Yes, absolutely. If you need anything; you let us know!" Nadia added with a nod.

"How much damage is there to your house?" Gruffnut asked.

"Not sure, but I know it's bad…Frida, Snotlout's mom, said; losing your parents and home due to damage at the same time, so I feel like it's destroyed…" Astrid closed her eyes.

"The insurance will probably cover it, or just give you the payout for what was lost," Eret stated.

"And you'll get whatever they left for you in the will. You're their only child, so they likely left it all to you," Thuggory mentioned. Astrid just nodded, assuming that would be what probably happened.

"Until all that comes through, I might just need a place to stay…" Astrid sighed.

"You got me, Ragna, and Nadia to help with that," Camicazi smiled, putting her hand on Astrid's.

"Or me," Eret offered.

"Thank you," Astrid said, her voice betraying her and beginning to crack again. Eret embraced her lovingly as she buried her face against his chest. Twenty minutes went by, then the curtain opened as a nurse walked in, then surprisingly, Hiccup Haddock did too. And in his arms was little Runa.

"What are you doing here?" Gruffnut asked.

"Here with dad; he's talking to Uncle Spitelout about a few things," Hiccup responded.

"That doesn't tell us why you came?" Nadia mentioned.

"And I see you've still failed to stay out of matters that don't concern you," Hiccup remarked, then his attention turned on Astrid. "However, it does have to do with you," he added.

"M-Me? What does you being here have to do with me?" Astrid inquired, shocked.

"My dad is the Hofferson Family lawyer, and one of your father's best friends. Spitelout, Gobber, Colden, Alvin grew up together. Spitelout contacted dad this morning, and let us know what happened, so my father is here to help you handle the arrangements, then the will and what not," Hiccup explained.

"O-Oh," Astrid replied. "That still doesn't say why you came?"

"Dad asked me to drive him since mom is working," Hiccup shrugged as he adjusted Runa in his arms.

"Aren't you going to apologize to me?" Eret snarked with a huff.

"Nope," Hiccup replied.

"You punched me," Eret said.

"You deserved it," Hiccup responded calmly. "And if you were smart; you'd avoid getting punched in the nose again by keeping it out of my business," he added.

"Eret…Don't fight with him…Please? I don't need that right now…" Astrid pleaded. Eret just went back to hugging Astrid as the nurse took began to unhook the monitors. Spitelout and Stoick walked in showing saddened, sensitive eyes.

"Hi, lass. How are we doing?" Stoick asked.

"I don't really know…" Astrid answered honestly.

"I can imagine there's a lot of mixed feelings. My family and I offer our sincerest condolences at this time of loss," Stoick said softly.

"Thank you…" Astrid tried not to cry as the nurse helped her out of the bed.

"If my dear son hasn't already told you, I'm your family lawyer. Spitelout thought you might like to get a start on things, so I received a phone call at 6:30 this morning, and began rounding up all the files. I know we can't discuss it at your house, would you like to come to mine and speak in my office?" Stoick inquired.

"Yeah…Th-That's fine," Astrid nodded. "C-Can my friends come too?"

"No," Hiccup interrupted his father.

"Hiccup…" Stoick warned.

"No, Dad. I don't care what the situation is; I told you that I don't want them at the house, and I have perfectly valid reasons why that I gave on Tuesday night when I got home from detention. They've already used what they learned about my life in a month and a half against me, and I refuse to give them anything else. Astrid can come because she has business with you, but the others…No," Hiccup retorted coldly.

"You're being unreasonable, boy," Spitelout sighed.

"Come on, Hiccup; it's not like you to be this way," Frida added.

"Yeah? Well, maybe I wouldn't have to be if people could learn to stay out of my business and shut their mouths when warned twice to do so," Hiccup glared.

"They just want to be there to support their friend; you would want the same, son. Your mother and I raised you better than to be petty," Stoick reminded. Hiccup's eyes softened a little but still showed annoyance and frustration.

"Fine. Whatever. They aren't riding in my car, and I'm staying at Dagur and Heather's until they leave…" Hiccup grumbled as he exited the room with Runa. Nadia and Eret helped Astrid get to Hiccup's vehicle as Stoick followed. Eret told Astrid that he and their friends would be right behind Hiccup to Haddock Manor. Stoick got in the back seat next to Runa's carrier, allowing Astrid to ride shotgun. Spitelout and Frida left but would be in touch soon. Astrid buckled herself, eyes closing with her head tilted off to the side near the window. So her parents were dead, and now she had to make all the arrangements for the service and funeral. Could it get any worse?