=Astrid's POV=
{Thursday, February 17, 2022-3:45 pm}
(Archia Isle Police Station)
Almost being run down at school opened my eyes to remember what Stoick told me; that someone was after my family and the reason I likely didn't get killed in the fire was that I snuck out that night to go to Eret's party. I'd been beaten up once on the streets, and nearly grabbed on my way into the school. Now, nearly run down? It was much more than a coincidence; someone was trying to get rid of me. I couldn't believe Hiccup saved me, though. I wasn't expecting him to be the one; I didn't think anyone would have been able to. Hiccup was the farthest person away because he'd gone back to the stables for something. A lot of students were in the lot, but who would put themselves at risk to push someone else out of the way. Hiccup did without hesitation, and he helped catch the guy responsible too. I was indebted to Hiccup for saving my life; I needed to do something to show my thanks. I didn't know what, but I would figure it out after I had some time to sit down and relax a bit.
Currently; Hiccup and I are at the station with Spitelout. Alvin handed the man who tried to kill me over to other officers for processing while Hiccup and I went into Spitelout's office.
"Alright, Astrid. Now, I want you to tell me about any other incidents of you being attacked," Spitelout said firmly.
"There was only two other; both of them in January. The first was on the 7th, I was walking home from work around 9 pm to the homeless shelter, and someone attacked me in an alleyway. Thrown into the wall, kneed in the side. I hit the ground, and then concerned citizens showed up, and the person ran off," I explained.
"And you never saw this person's face?" Spitelout asked.
I shook my head. "No; it was too dark. I know it was a male, a little taller than me for sure. But I don't have any other details to give you, Chief Jorgenson," I admitted.
"And the second incident?" Spitelout urged.
"The next one was on the 31st of January," I informed.
"The night I brought you to my house because you were sleeping in an alley during a snowstorm?" Hiccup inquired. I nodded to him.
"What happened?" Spitelout invited.
"I wasn't attacked, and it happened that morning. I was being followed for some time; then as I reached the school, someone grabbed my backpack to pull me back. I jerked away and got onto school grounds. But the time I turned around; the person was taking off down the streets. He was tall, thin, muscular upper body, dark, olive-toned skin with shaved, black hair and a goatee. If I had to guess an age…Maybe in his mid to late forties?" Astrid raised her hands a little, slightly unsure.
Spitelout sat back a little, rubbing his chin after writing the information down on a notepad. "What are you thinking, Uncle Spitelout?"
"As you are aware, Astrid; your parents got tragically killed by an arsonist, meaning their deaths were no accidents, my dear. At the same time; I am led to believe that that fire was meant to kill your parents and you. With you alive, someone is still trying to get rid of you," Spitelout informed.
I tensed, so I'd been right about being targeted. "I-I haven't done anything to anyone, though…" I said.
"I'm not saying you have, Astrid, but something bigger must be going on for you to be attacked on the streets once, then again less than two weeks later with someone grabbing you. And today with the guy driving the van. I can only assume that someone wants you dead or trying to kidnap you for a specific reason that I do not understand. And because of this; I'm calling in someone who handles cases like these that we work closely with," Spitelout informed as he lifted the phone from the cradle, and pressed a button. "This is Chief Jorgenson; I need to speak with Agent Haggard, please?" a pause. "Thank you,"
I tuned out for most of the conversation. Someone or several people were after me, and I didn't know why. Also, why did anyone want my parents gone? Nothing made sense to me, but I sincerely wanted answers on the matter. I saw Spitelout place the phone back in its position; then he sat forward at his desk. "Not to worry, Miss. Hofferson; we'll ensure your safety from here on out," Spitelout assured me. I managed a nod but remained confused, and a bit scared.
"I'm gonna get her some water," Hiccup said as he got up and left the office. I sat there, not sure what to say, think, or do.
. . .
=Normal POV=
{4:20 pm}
Hiccup couldn't believe this; Astrid was straight up being targeted by probably the same people who killed her parents. The worst part was; Hiccup didn't know if it was just one or many. It seemed there were several involved as Astrid could describe the 31st of January grabbing, but not the night she got attacked walking to the shelter from work. And today, the guy Dagur and Hiccup cornered was a young individual. The male had dark brown hair, shaved face, pale green eyes, a scar on the side of his face, and appeared to be in his early to mid-twenties. Hiccup brought Astrid a cup of cold water to help settle her down, but Hiccup knew that learning you were a target for unknown reasons was a perfectly valid excuse to be worried.
There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Spitelout said. The door opened revealing a male with light brown and the same colored beard; he had brown eyes and was wearing a brown suit, white shirt, and black tie, and brown shoes. "Agent Haggard, so good to see you again," Spitelout greeted.
"You as well, Chief Jorgenson," Agent Haggard replied as the two shook hands. "Are these the two who have information on the case?"
"Just the young lady, Hoark. My nephew is here as…Emotional support," Spitelout clarified. "Hoark, this is Astrid Hofferson. Astrid, might I introduce Agent Hoark Haggard from the Archipelago Investigation Bureau," Spitelout introduced.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss. Hofferson," Hoark shook Astrid's hand.
"Astrid is fine, sir," Astrid replied. "And you as well," she added.
"And your nephew, Spitelout?" Hoark asked.
"Stoick's boy, Hiccup," Spitelout confirmed.
"Ah, yes. I remember. Now, let's get down to why I'm here, Spitelout. Could you explain it to me one more time?" Hoark asked.
"I called you in because Miss. Hofferson has been targeted three times since the untimely and unfortunate death of her parents. The first was January 7th, the second; January 31st. And the third is today. As I explained on the phone, Astrid's parents were killed in an arson attack on the Hofferson Residence. I believe that the fire was meant to kill her parents, and her, but Astrid was not home at the time. And now, I feel that she is in danger due to these attacks," Spitelout enlightened.
"I'm inclined to believe your theory, Chief Jorgenson, but this is a police matter. Why bring me into it?" Hoark inquired.
"Because the attacks were done by separate people. One of them is in custody with us now, and the other, I think is someone you've been after. Miss. Hofferson's description is similar," Spitelout explained.
"You think one of her attackers is someone from my case?" Hoark stared.
"Hoark, this isn't some random attack; it's happened three times from different people in various ways. Astrid was attacked on the streets by someone she couldn't see. Someone tried to grab her on the 31st, and able to give me a description. And the last is the one we have going through processing now for trying to run her down in the school parking lot. It's much more the coincidence that she's being targeted by someone, I don't know who, mere months after her parents were killed," Spitelout informed firmly.
"Is the fire still being investigated?" Hoark asked.
"Yes, we're working around the clock to find out who is responsible. Sadly, no matter how much time is spent locating who set the fire; it won't bring Colden and Alva Hofferson back to life. And while it's important to find their killers; I have to ensure that Miss. Hofferson stays alive. And I can't do that without your help, Hoark. I'm telling you, this is bigger than we think. You can't tell me as a top agent that you don't see it," Spitelout remarked.
Hoark sighed. "I suppose I cannot disagree with you knowing all this. You've said one of her attacker's descriptions matches one of my targets?"
"In the Bludvist case, one of his workers. A man in his mid to late forties, black hair, shaved head, goatee. Dark, olive-toned skin, thin body, muscular upper-half?" Spitelout responded. Hoard scratched his beard a few times, thinking about it. Finally, he pulled out his phone. "Fax me Hunters' picture to Chief Jorgenson's office. Thank you,"
"What's…All this about?" Astrid asked.
"We think our cases are one in the same. Hoark has been after a man named Drago Bludvist for a long time, and he has many people who work for him. The description of your attacker from the 31st of January matches one of Drago's workers," Spitelout informed. A fax came through, and Spitelout picked up the paper, then gave it to Hoark. The man looked it over and set it down in front of Astrid.
"Is this the man who grabbed you?" Hoark asked. Astrid looked at the picture.
"That's him," Astrid nodded. "He was following me while I walked to school, then as I reached the academy; he grabbed my backpack. I jerked away and got on the grounds, and when I turned away; he was running off,"
"And do we have any information on this other guy you caught?" Hoark questioned. Spitelout held up a folder for him, then opened it.
"Brynjar Holt, male, twenty-one-years-old. The residence is listed as Dragon Hunter Island. No father listed. Mother is Truda Holt, also from Dragon Hunter Island and recently deceased as of a year ago. Occupation is a Dragon Hunter. Never graduated High School, dropped out at sixteen," Spitelout informed, then handed over the folder to Hoark, who began to skim over the information.
"What's this Drago's guy deal? Why are you after him?" Hiccup asked.
"And why are his people trying to kill me?" Astrid questioned.
"We should tell them, Hoark," Spitelout mentioned.
"And get more people involved? The less they kn-," Hoark began.
"The more we know, Agent Haggard, the better. Astrid is being targeted already; if they can't get to her, who do you think they will go after next? Anyone she's close to. Me, my friends, even my family. This is…Not something we can be in the dark about. So for the sake of more lives spared…Tell us what we need to know," Hiccup said firmly.
Hoark sighed again, grabbing a seat and sitting down. "Drago Bludvist is a madman, with no conscience or mercy…" Hoark began. "We have evidence to believe that he's trying to take over the world. And I know how mad-scientist out of a comic book that sounds, but it's the honest truth. He's someone who has tried to gain control of Archia Isle multiple times by having one of his workers run against your father, Miss. Hofferson. Drago is not a man who likes to lose, and I feel that if he was desperate enough, might have been the person who ordered the hit to destroy your family. And it was likely meant to include you, but you were not home,"
"No, I was at my ex-boyfriend's house for a party. I saw the report and TV and rushed home, but it was too late," Astrid looked down.
"And it's been made known you survived, so Drago must have a hit out on you. I don't see why, though; it's not as if you're a threat to him," Spitelout said.
"But my dad being the Mayor is, Uncle Spitelout…" Hiccup interjected softly. "If Astrid's parents were killed because they were in the way of Drago's world domination or whatever…And my dad was elected now; who is to say Drago doesn't try something with my family?" he added. "You, Snotlout, Adelaide, Aunt Frida, Fishlegs, Uncle Alvin, Aunt Termagant...Runa..." Hiccup trailed off a little.
"Unfortunately, Hiccup is right, Hoark. It's only a matter of time before Drago strikes again. I'm not sure why Drago needs Astrid gone, but regardless; we need to do something. Miss. Hofferson isn't safe, neither is Hiccup and his family. Do we have anything on this guy?" Spitelout asked.
"Nothing. We know he's trouble, but we can't link him to anything. We can't catch him in the act; we can't prove anything without evidence, so we can't touch him," Hoark muttered. "Even with all this speculation, that's all it is," he added.
"Is there anything that we can keep a watch for outside of your agency?" Spitelout inquired.
"He has a lot of dragon hunters and trappers on his payroll. He works with dragons; he has several training locations outside of the Archipelago. All legal, though. Adequate food sources, everyone and everything on the books, licensed trainers," Hoark informed. "Our best bet might be to question this Brynjar fellow you have," he added.
"Alvin can question him, and we'll watch. What are we to do for Miss. Hofferson's safety?" Spitelout said.
"Putting a detail on her would be uncomfortable and draw attention that she doesn't need," Hoark stated.
"And no doubt that Drago could have kids working for him, people blending in her classes. This Brynjar guy looked young enough to pass as a student at her school," Spitelout remarked. "Astrid, how many classes do you have alone with no one else?"
"None. I have something with everyone I associate with. Math with Ruffnut, Fishlegs, and Minden. Language Arts with Hiccup and Snotlout. Gym with all of them. History with Minden and Tuffnut. Science with Hiccup, Heather, and Fishlegs. Dragon Training with all," Astrid listed off.
"Well, we don't want to involve anyone else…" Hoark said.
"Can I make a suggestion?" Hiccup offered. "Talk to the headmaster, and change my schedule to match hers, or hers to mine. I'm someone who can always be around to defend her," Astrid blinked a little at the idea. "Come on, Uncle Spitelout. You know I've been trained by Gobber, a former military man. I know how to use a dagger, a gun, and how to disarm someone with either. Astrid already lives with me and is on my work shifts. I've fought people three times my size, and I can handle myself against more than one. Astrid will be safe with me; this I can assure you,"
"It's not a bad idea," Spitelout looked at Hoark.
"And if something happens to him?" Hoark arched a brow.
"For Thor's sake; I have a Night Fury, Agent Haggard…Who is incredibly overprotective of me. I will be fine; I can take care of myself," Hiccup said assuringly.
"Alright, but I want anything if it happens, reported directly to your uncle or me, understand?" Hoark stated firmly.
"Perfectly, sir," Hiccup nodded.
"And what about the bathroom?" Spitelout asked.
"I'll have one of the girls go with her," Hiccup said.
"Very well; we'll keep you in the loop about what's going on with only what you need to know. Spitelout, see the schedule changes at the school," Hoark remarked.
"I will go first thing in the morning," Spitelout nodded. "You two are free to go. We'll handle Mr. Holt in lock-up," he added.
"Thank you, Chief Jorgenson, and you too, Agent Haggard," Astrid said softly as she stood and exited with Hiccup who got a look from Spitelout and Hoark, which he understood fully the message being given. Getting to the Jeep; Astrid and Hiccup bucked themselves in, then Hiccup started the vehicle up.
"So are you my undercover bodyguard now?" Astrid asked.
"I am the same thing I've always been, Astrid," Hiccup remarked as Astrid looked at him curiously. "Your friend,"
"Are we still going to work?" Astrid wondered.
"I think it's been enough of a hard day for us both," Hiccup stated as he drove away from the station and Astrid closed her eyes relaxing against the passenger seat in Hiccup's Jeep.
. . .
{5:10 pm}
(Berk; Haddock Manor)
Once getting inside the home, Astrid was ready to eat dinner, get a hot shower, and sleep early. Of course, somewhere in that list of wants; she had homework to do. Hiccup had to take care of Runa first, then once she was down for a nap; he got started on his homework until 6:30 pm. At that point, Gobber, Stoick, and Valka were home, so it was dinner time. Hiccup and Astrid didn't say anything about what happened at school because they were sure Spitelout would say something to them. However, Hiccup did message his uncle Spitelout and asked him not to say anything about being Astrid's bodyguard, and his uncle responded with he wouldn't since he knew Valka and Stoick would flip out if they knew Hiccup was putting himself in danger to keep Astrid safe. At the same time; Spitelout understood that it was the most inconspicuous way to keep Astrid out of harm's way by always have someone with her in all classes, at work, at home.
When dinner finished, Valka and Stoick took Runa for a bit so Hiccup could do homework. Astrid went to finish her homework as well. By 8:30 pm, she was done and went to take a hot bath to relax her body from the soreness of the hit on the ground earlier when Hiccup saved her. Hiccup completed his homework by 8 pm, then went to take over caring for Runa. However, once it was later and Hiccup had Runa asleep in her nursery, he sat at his bedroom desk and pulled a small, old-fashioned phone. Hiccup selected the contact he wanted, then pressed the green button and put it to his ear.
"Hiccup Haddock! My my, what a pleasant surprise; it's been too long. How are you, old friend? We must catch up!" a voice replied.
"Raincheck on the catching up, and I've been better," Hiccup replied.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I trust you've called in high hopes of us fixing said mood then?" the man chuckled.
"I do hope and have faith you're able to accomplish such a task. I have a job for you and your brother," Hiccup remarked.
"Right down to business as usual. That's why you're the favorite," said another male with a slight accent.
"We're listening," the first man responded.
"Ever heard of a Drago Bludvist?" Hiccup said in a relaxed tone.
"Yeah, he's a psycho from what we've heard in rumors. And this mission has to do with him?" the man with an accent asked.
"Yes," Hiccup said.
"You have mine and my brother's undivided attention, boss," the male informed.
"I knew I would," Hiccup sat back in his chair with a calm smile.
