=Normal POV=
{Monday, June 13, 2022-6:30 pm}
(Berk; Haddock Manor)
Regardless of the attack on Hiccup that took place on Saturday, Runa's birthday was a success! And she took her first steps too. Sunday was a day where Hiccup had to spend more time with Hoark and Spitelout to discuss the matter of him being targeted by Drago Bludvist. The idea was once again brought up for a police detail or witness protection, but Hiccup refused and being eighteen; he was allowed to do that. Hiccup had full confidence that he could handle this without endangering anyone else. Astrid asked him why he refused the help, and that was his explanation; if he got a guard, then that person would be killed to get at Hiccup. Or if Hiccup chose witness protection; Drago would order for family and friends to get used in order to lure Hiccup out. And Hiccup would not allow anyone else to be hurt; that he got himself into this and he would find a way to get out safely. Astrid was worried, but she had to trust in Hiccup's words. And Astrid explained that to everyone else too; that they had to believe in him.
Sunday was quiet after Hiccup returned home from the station. Hiccup just wanted to relax with his daughter and girlfriend, so they had a quiet picnic in the backyard with Toothless and Stormfly. Hiccup continued working on his song piece for graduation too, and the friends didn't come over as they suspected Hiccup needed some downtime after everything that had happened on Saturday. Monday was more graduation prep; going through the motions of how the night would go. Lining up in alphabetical order by last name, how to file into their seats for the ceremony, who would talk and when; then being called on to cross the stage and receive their diploma. It was an all-day affair that Hiccup was glad to be done with and get home to relax a bit. However, he did allow for his friends to come over and join for dinner and hang out. Now everyone was sitting around the Great Room, which the window had been fixed finally.
"How is Runa doing with her walking?" Camicazi asked.
"Getting better. A few steps at a time each day; I think she made it to ten this morning before school," Hiccup informed.
"Any more words?" Snotlout inquired.
"A couple, but it's not uncommon for a one-year-old to only know a few. She's got Mama, Dada, No, Uppy, and shockingly, Ast. I guess she picks up on me calling Astrid that," Hiccup shrugged.
"But does she know who Astrid is?" Thuggory wondered.
"Not sure," Hiccup said as Runa was sitting in his lap playing with a teething ring, biting on it a bit. "Runa…Hey, Lil Lady…Where's Astrid?" he questioned. Runa looked up at him, then around the room. "Where is she, baby girl? Where's Astrid?" Runa's eyes finally locked onto Astrid, staring at her a moment; then she clapped her hands and touched Astrid's arm with her teething toy.
"As-Ast..y. Asty! Asty!" Runa said cheerfully.
"Guess that answers that question," Astrid laughed a little as she lifted her finger and poked Runa's nose, making the one-year-old laugh excitedly. Runa dropped her toy as Astrid bend over to pick it up, wipe it off, then hand it back to her. Runa dropped it again as Astrid reached for it.
"And now she's got you locked into the game," Hiccup said. "She drops it on purpose," he added. "That's the game. She drops, you pick up,"
"I don't mind," Astrid assured. One of the times Astrid tried to give it back, Runa rejected it and reached her hands out. Astrid tried the toy again, but Runa pushed it out of her hands. "What's this game?"
"That's not a game, babe. Runa wants you, not the toy," Hiccup informed. Astrid blinked and looked back at Runa who was trying to get out of her father's lap. Hiccup set her down as Runa held Hiccup's knees then slowly moved across and held onto Astrid's legs this time, looking at her.
"Uppy. Asty uppy," Runa lifted her arms, her fingers making a grabbing motion for her.
"See?" Hiccup stated. Astrid stared at Runa before reaching down and picking her up; then setting her feet down on Astrid's legs. Runa smiled and used her hands to hold Astrid's cheeks and giggle. "She likes you,"
"Why, though? I'm not really an active person in her life," Astrid wondered.
"I think it's because she always sees you with Hiccup, and knows you make him happy. Babies can sense those kinds of things," Valka said softly with a smile. Astrid turned Runa side to side while sitting back and making it seem like she was flying. Runa giggled excitedly as Hiccup could only smile; he was glad that Runa liked Astrid. Runa and Astrid played for about ten minutes, then Runa tried to grab Astrid's face and pull her in. Runa planted her mouth on Astrid's nose, open mouth and all.
"That's not a binky, Roo," Astrid laughed a little.
"She knows that, Milady. I weened Runa off the binky a month ago; that's her giving you a kiss," Hiccup chuckled a little. "Because I kiss her on the nose all the time," Astrid understood as she pulled her nose away and kissed Runa's nose back. Runa bent her knees and ended up laying on Astrid's chest and stomach. The one-year-old laid her head on Astrid's chest a bit, yawning and slowly drifting to sleep within five minutes.
"Aw, that's adorable," Heather and Camicazi said quietly.
"Yeah, she really likes you," Hiccup smiled. Astrid just put her arms around her and closed her eyes a bit. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing, babe. I'm okay, don't worry," Astrid stated. "Relaxing, so I don't disturb her," Hiccup knew it was a lie, and he wanted to know what was wrong, but perhaps Astrid wasn't saying anything because she didn't want everyone to know what was bothering her. Astrid looked at Hiccup, giving him that look saying; Tell you later. Hiccup understood and relaxed a bit.
"How's your graduation song coming?" Ragna inquired.
"Almost done; just gotta mesh the music together and record with the lyrics," Hiccup enlightened.
"Can we hear it?" Nadia wondered.
"Sure. At graduation with everyone else," Hiccup stated as the rest huffed. "Do you want me to take her from you?"
"No, it's okay. I don't mind, babe. But she's your daughter, so you make that call," Astrid replied.
"She seems pretty content with you right now, so as long as you're good with it; I'm not gonna move her," Hiccup stated while leaning over to kiss Runa's cheek, then Astrid's. Hiccup was glad today was a calm day and in five days…He would be a High School graduate. Hiccup knew it was time to buckle down and figure out what he was going to do with the rest of his life since the military was out. It still bothered him, but Astrid's words kept his spirits high. Hiccup sacrificed his chance in the army when he risked his life to protect the island, so that was okay with him.
. . .
{Tuesday, June 14, 2022-1:30 pm}
(Archian Preparatory)
It warmed Hiccup's heart to see how Runa was with Astrid. Truthfully; he worried about it a bit. How Runa would do with Astrid in his life, and he was surprised and happy with the overall results. If Hiccup and Astrid were going to be together, Hiccup had to know that Astrid and Runa would get along. Also, Hiccup had one other concern; how attached Runa could get to Astrid the more they were around each other. Hiccup was not ready for Runa to start possibly thinking that Astrid was her mother; there needed to be a lot more time put in before the idea of being together forever was considered. Astrid was now on birth control; she started her period this morning and took the pill as instructed at 7 am over breakfast.
Today was Ruffnut and Tuffnut's 18th birthday, and it was another day of graduation prep; more practice for Saturday. We had to line ourselves up and file in; then they'd run through how it would go for being called up to receive our diplomas. A lot of birthdays have passed since the start of the school year. Nadia turned eighteen in March. Minden is now nineteen as of February. Snotlout is eighteen; his birthday was in May. Heather turned eighteen in April. Thuggory's birthday was back in October 2021; he's eighteen too. Fishlegs would be turning seventeen in December. Eret would be twenty in July and Camicazi was going to turn eighteen in August. Oh, and Adelaide, Snotlout's little sister would be turning sixteen in September. Hiccup and Astrid are also eighteen; he turned in February, and Astrid in March.
Astrid wasn't sure what to make of Hiccup today; he didn't seem like he was all with it. And the friends had taken notice too over the lunch hour. Right now, the Senior Class was in the auditorium to practice graduation things since the weather outside was awful. Mr. Meatsen and a couple of others were on stage, going over how Saturday would go from start to finish. Hiccup was sitting with his friends, but he looked exhausted a bit pale. And the worst part is that this started halfway through lunch. Hiccup just seemed quiet and drained all of a sudden. Astrid watched as Hiccup put his head down and put his fingers to his temples, rubbing in a circle. That was a sure-fire sign that Hiccup was developing a headache, or worse, a migraine.
Astrid put her hand on his shoulder. "Hiccup, are you okay?" Hiccup shook his head a few times as the others looked over wondering what was wrong. "What's wrong?"
"I-I don't feel good, babe…" Hiccup replied.
"A migraine?" Snotlout asked.
"Feels like one is coming on," Hiccup said.
"Do you have your pills?" Heather whispered from a few seats down their row. Hiccup shook his head. "What else is bothering you?" Astrid inquired.
"My stomach…I feel tired, and-," Hiccup jerked a bit as if he were going to throw up, but swallowed and panted a bit. "Nauseated, like I'm gonna throw up," he finished. Astrid checked his forehead and frowned.
"You're burning up, Hiccup. Go see Mala…" Astrid stated. Hiccup jerked again before getting up and hurrying out of the auditorium.
"Where is Mr. Haddock going?" Mogadon inquired.
"Said he didn't feel good, Dad," Thuggory remarked.
"I see," Mogadon stated. "Well, I'm sure he won't miss much. Check on him in a few minutes," he added.
"Yes, sir," the friends replied, and Mogadon began talking again.
. . .
{1:45 pm}
Fifteen minutes when by and Hiccup didn't come back. Mogadon sent Thuggory to go check on him, and Thuggory came back reporting to his father that Hiccup was throwing up; then planned to see the nurse when it passed. Thuggory had passed that to his father and friend quietly, so no one else would hear it. In the bathroom; Hiccup was leaning against the wall, moaning in pain and miserable. Something was wrong; it had to be. All this came on after lunch, had he gotten food poisoning? Hiccup felt his phone vibrate as he checked the screen.
Milady[1:47 pm]
How're u doin, babe?
Just as he was about to reply, he leaned over the toilet bowl to throw up again. This made three times total, and nausea hadn't passed. Hiccup panted a bit as he went to reply to Astrid.
You[1:49 pm]
Puked 3 times, migraine, nausea, stomachache…Headin 2 nurse.
Hiccup sent it and forced himself to get up slowly. "Come on, Hiccup…You're okay for another hour…" he pushed himself. Hiccup flushed the toilet and made his way to the sink to wash his hands. After that, Hiccup left the bathroom and went to the nurse's office. Hiccup opened the door to find Mala sitting with Dagur on one of the beds.
"Hiccup? You look like hell, brother," Dagur pointed out.
"Love you too," Hiccup mumbled. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, Mala mentioned she had some free time and was hungry, so I brought lunch for us. You alright?" Dagur moved next to him.
"What's bothering you, Hiccup?" Mala stood now.
"A migraine, stomachache, fatigue…I just threw up three times in the bathroom," Hiccup explained.
"Oh, dear; you should go home dear," Mala informed. Hiccup shook his head.
"There's only an hour left…Just give me something for nausea and headache to get through the next hour and a half," Hiccup mumbled. Mala moved to check his forehead.
"You have a fever as well," Mala stated while going to the medicine chest and pulling a couple of things. Mala put two pills in a cup and gave it to him with water. "One should help nausea, and the other one will take care of pain and the fever," she added. Hiccup took both with the water, then tossed the cups away. "Would you like to lie down for a bit?"
Hiccup shook his head. "No, thank you,"
"Feel better, brother," Dagur called as Hiccup waved and walked out the door. Hiccup moved into the auditorium hallway as he had seen that students weren't sitting in the seats; Hiccup assumed that maybe they were practicing the lineup process. Hiccup moved to get backstage when suddenly; he was grabbed from behind with a hand over his mouth. Hiccup tried to yell, but it was useless. Hiccup jerked to get away, but he was so exhausted; it didn't do much.
"Get the damn rag! This kid is stronger than he looks and definitely has got some fight in him," someone said quickly. Hiccup elbowed one guy in the face as he grabbed his phone and pressed the lock button five times as the Emergency SOS started a five-second countdown to call the police.
"Little shit!" Someone punched Hiccup in the face, causing his lip to split. Hiccup glared as he spat out some blood. Another person grabbed his phone away from him and tossed it under a table.
"HEL-," Hiccup started to yell before someone drove their fist into his stomach, making him cough and hit his knees. A rag was placed over his face, and Hiccup slipped into darkness.
"Alright, he's out. Let's move," someone said as they picked up Hiccup and carried him out the back doors and onto a red and orange Singetail dragon. "Go, Krogan," the dragon lifted into the air and took off fast as Hiccup remained unconscious with his legs and arms bound tightly with rope. Back behind the stage; Astrid and the friends were with everyone else having finally filed in backstage to practice getting in order and being called on.
"So he's heading to the nurse, huh?" Eret asked.
"That's what his text said at 1:50," Astrid replied. Mogadon was busy organizing the A last names while the friends talked near some tables. Something was giving off a faint alarm and vibrating. "Do you hear that?" she asked.
"What?" Heather asked. "Oh, and I just talked to Dagur; he said Hiccup stopped in the nurse to get something to get through the rest of the day five minutes ago, and was on his way back here to join us,"
"So where is Hiccup then?" Snotlout asked.
"I can check the bathroom," Fishlegs offered. Astrid was looking around the area and finally down on her hands and knees to hear the sound closer. Astrid lifted the cloth up and saw a cell phone under there. Astrid brought it out and looked over it carefully before gasped. "What?"
"I-It's Hiccup's phone!" Astrid said quickly. "It was under the table, and trying to call emergency services," Astrid's phone started ringing as she answered it slowly. "Hello?" Astrid asked.
"Astrid. It's Spitelout. Where is Hiccup?" Spitelout asked.
"To be entirely honest with you, Chief Jorgenson…I don't know where he is…Why?" Astrid replied.
"Dispatch informed me that an Emergency SOS call was placed, but no one answered. When I looked at the number; it was Hiccup's," Spitelout informed. Astrid looked worried now.
"I have Hiccup's cell phone in my hand; it was found under a table backstage giving off an alert and vibrating. The message on the screen was asking to place another call to Emergency SOS. Hiccup is nowhere in sight," Astrid said. "I think something has happened to him," she admitted.
"Where's the principal?"
"Organizing students," Astrid said.
"Bring him the phone and put it on speaker, now, please," Spitelout said. Astrid put it on speakerphone and went next to Mr. Meatsen.
"Yes, Astrid?" Mogadon inquired.
"Mr. Meatsen, hi; it's Chief Jorgenson of the Archia Isle Police Department. I need you to lock your school down, now. No one in or out," Spitelout ordered.
"What has happened?" Mogadon questioned. The area was quiet.
"Recent discoveries have left me no choice but to believe student Hiccup Haddock has been kidnapped," Spitelout said gravely. "Lock the school down, and keep everyone exactly where they are,"
"Understood. Shall I contact his parents?" Mogadon questioned.
"No. I'll take care of it," Spitelout informed. "I'll be there soon with Alvin and a team to investigate," the call ended as Astrid looked at Hiccup's phone in her hand while tears formed in her eyes; the worry set in that Hiccup had likely been kidnapped and taken to Drago to be killed, and that meant that time was not on their side to rescue him.
. . .
{2:30 pm}
Everything was in motion. Spitelout arrived with Alvin, Hoark, and a team to investigate. The entire school was checked for Hiccup, but there was nothing, which only made Astrid, Stoick, Valka, Gobber, and everyone else worry more. Spitelout approached Astrid now as she looked at him.
"Astrid, I need you to tell me what happened," Spitelout asked softly.
"Hiccup started feeling sick after lunch. When we were sitting out in the auditorium; he said he had a migraine and stomachache. Before anyone asked anything else; he ran out. Mr. Meatsen sent Thuggory to check on Hiccup and reported Hiccup was throwing up; then planned to go to the nurse. I texted Hiccup at 1:47 asking if he was okay and he texted back that he threw up three times and was going to the nurse; that came through at 1:49," Astrid began.
"Dagur texted me at 1:56 saying Hiccup came in to get something from Mala for whatever was bothering him; then headed back this way. We never saw Hiccup come back," Heather interjected.
"I heard a sound keep repeating and buzzing while we were back here to practice lining up in order. I found Hiccup's phone under the table asking if he wanted to call Emergency Services again; then you called me to ask where he was," Astrid finished.
"Calling SOS can only be activated on the iPhone but pressing the lock button five times fast. A five-second countdown will initiate and then try to call dispatch," Alvin reminded. "Hiccup must have had time to do that before the phone was either dropped or taken from him to avoid a trace,"
"Hiccup was sick, and he couldn't fight back. Especially with a migraine; he can't do much of anything," Gobber pointed out.
"Well, he put up some kind of fight," one of the investigators said. "We've got blood over here. Looks like some saliva too,"
"Collect a sample, and we'll test to see who it belongs to. Anything else?" Spitelout asked.
"We should take the phone, run it for prints and exclude Astrid's and Hiccup's," Alvin suggested.
"Good call, Al. Astrid, do you still have it?" Spitelout asked. Astrid hadn't let go of it since she found it, but reluctantly, she lifted it from her side, and Hiccup's screen lit up as Astrid saw a photo of Hiccup, Runa, and herself there. Astrid remembered that picture, and it made a few tears fall. "Astrid, you have my word that we will find him and bring him home," Astrid handed the phone over into a bag Spitelout held out. "Alright people, let's get to work. The search for Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is officially on," Spitelout called.
