=Hayden's POV=
(Thursday, February 28, 2019-6:45 pm)
[Main Island; Fort Archian]
I've been here at Fort Archian since January 2, 2019, for Receiving Week, and Boot Camp began on Monday the 7th. Receiving Week wasn't difficult to manage. A lot of it was getting on a schedule; up at 5 am and in bed by 9 pm. However, the days were long and trying; in-processing, haircuts, uniform, gear issue along with medical evaluations and an initial strength test to make sure we were ready for actual training. In the end, we got assigned to a lettered Company with a Commander, Lieutenant, and two Drill Sergeants. Also, the Company was broken down into Platoons, then placed into Barracks. As it turned out, we were staying right at Fort Archian for Boot Camp. Thankfully, Troy and I got put in the same Platoon with twenty-two others. The girls and boys were split up, but we were right next to one another barrack wise. Technically, I'm part of the 1st Infantry Warrior Battalion, and this is lead by a Lieutenant Colonel, but I can't remember his name. Oh, and there are women in this Battalion too. Initially, girls weren't permitted to become Infantry; I guess it's a new thing where women can now, but they are limited to being Infantry Combat Medics. The girls are allowed to fight alongside the men, but if someone gets wounded, they take over in that department. Again, it's new, so we have no idea how this will work out. Anyway, I'm in Alpha Company with Commander Donovan Bludvist. My Platoon is named Inferno with Second Lieutenant Kristopher Hunters leading. Our Drill Sergeants each run a Squad, which is a Platoon split into two groups.
I am on the Viking Squad with Troy and eight others; we have Sergeant Major Vincent Grimborn. And his brother, Master Sergeant Ryan Grimborn has leadership over the Dragon Squad, another ten warriors. Out of the entire Company; Inferno Platoon is the smallest group, but who cares right? We're all here to do the same job. Currently, we're in Section Three of training as of February 25th and will go until March 17th. After that, we move to Phase Four, which is only two weeks long, and I believe just final preparation for graduation from Boot Camp. Segments One and Two weren't awful, but it tested you for sure. The first three weeks were mainly classroom work, then drill instruction, and hand to hand combat along with some minor hiking. Week Four consisted of all water training. Section Two was a small break to help out the base and longer hike for Week Five. Six and Seven involved weapons work and a hike. Here in this segment; we'll be doing a lot more. Proper use of gas masks, land navigation, maneuvering enemy fire, necessary survival combat, and combat marksmanship skills. Next week was supposed to be more testing, but we hadn't been told what yet.
Today is supposed to be my birthday, even though it's not the 29th of February. My birthday as a Leap Year kid got labeled for the last day of February, so if it's not a year where the 29th comes, then my birthday is technically the 28th. As for updates on things back home; I still haven't spoken to my parents, but Uncle Gabriel knows where I am. I did call him when Receiving Week was over. I did get yelled at, but Uncle Gabe also added that he was wicked proud of me for choosing a military career. Troy is still my best friend, but I've made tons more since being here. The twenty-four in my Platoon is me, Troy, Theodore Meatsen, Nicole Fury, Ethan Trapp, Chelsea Boggs, Jannike Fredrikson, Andrew Kingsley, Eira Solveig, Madison Flinter, Willow Spears, Brian Gassur, Amber Solvig, Blake Sparks, Harry Andersen, Harvey Burnall, Grant Lazzi, Stacy Avia, Kody Nyght, Seymour Wilde, Tucker Wayver, Maria Ramirson, Sydney Ostberg, and Sonny Stones. An interesting mix for sure, but we worked well together. Currently, the Platoon was returning to their barracks for Personal Time; two hours every night unless directed otherwise for night training. I planned to call my uncle because he sent a text at breakfast asking me if I could find a minute to phone him so he could wish me a happy birthday in person.
"Hayden?" I glanced at Troy now. "Are you okay?"
I knew why he was wondering too. Five days after we started Boot Camp, Dustin sent me a text saying that he did as I had asked, and went to my parents to tell them that my friendlink profile got hacked, also that I got terminated unfairly. At first, I wasn't going to do it, and I didn't care about the rest of the things; I figured there was no way ever to get that truth revealed, but I wanted two significant factors cleared up. I was indebted to Dustin for doing me that favor, and acting like he didn't know where I was. However, I did get a bit of a shocker to learn that my ex-friends were there and wondered what happened to me as much as my parents did. I wanted to tell them what was going on, at the same time; I didn't think they deserved to know. Why should I explain myself now when they wouldn't let me before?
"Yeah, why do you ask?" I replied after a moment of reflection.
"You just don't seem all here tonight," Troy shrugged.
"Just a bit tired, and have a headache too. I'm gonna call Uncle Gabe, then take a shower, and hit the hay," I informed.
"You'll tell me if something is wrong, won't you?" Troy looked at him.
"Of course," I nodded.
"Good. And Happy Birthday, Hayden," Troy gave me a one-armed hug.
"Thanks, Troy," I wrapped my arm around his back and squeezed back. Not long after, all of them entered the barrack as I stayed outside to make the call. I pressed Gabriel's contact ID on the screen, then the icon for Video Chat.
. . .
[Berk; Haddock House]
=Normal POV=
(Thursday, February 28, 2019-6:30 pm)
Spencer and Vivian didn't know what to do after the reveal from Director Dustin Raseri that Hayden's profile got hacked, and that's how he lost his friends that he had since Kindergarten. Also, the two didn't know how to react to knowing that Hayden was framed at work, and terminated unfairly. The worst part of everything is that because they all chose not to listen when Hayden tried to defend himself and prove his innocence; now, Hayden was Thor only knew. It had been almost five months that Hayden couldn't be found at all. Spencer never filled out the missing person report, but he did try to have the other island stations keep an eye out for his now nineteen-year-old son. So far, there had been no reports from any of them, not even the main island; Archia. Tonight; the family decided to get everyone together for one more try at putting together all the pieces in place to figure out what happened that fateful day in October when Hayden was seen at the Raven Point Park, and then an hour later, Avery found the Haddock family gun at The Cove. It was the last time any of them had seen Hayden; so that was where the group needed to start.
At the moment; the former friends were just arriving at the home. Shane knocked twice as Vivian answered the door. "Come on in," she greeted.
"Thank you, Mrs. Haddock," Rylee said as the small group of seven entered the house, then Vivian closed the door while everyone took a seat.
"I can't believe he'd be nineteen today," Shane sighed.
"You know we have a mountain of things to make up for," Drew muttered.
"Well, we have to find and bring him home first," Avery informed.
"Right you are, Avery," Spencer entered with a notepad and pen, then took a seat in his chair. "I believe we need to begin at where we all last saw him,"
"We spotted him at Raven Point Park, entering, exchanged few words before Hayden ran off in the direction of The Cove," Hailey stated.
"And that was at what time?" Spencer asked.
"12:40 pm, 12:45 by the time he rushed away," Drew remarked.
"And he was here at until 11:15 am because that's when we walked away after informing Hayden that he needed to start paying rent or we'd kick him out," Vivian reminded her husband.
"So we have no affirmative location for Hayden between 11:15 am and 12:40 pm. That's an hour and twenty minutes," Avery confirmed.
"Which brings us to the gun situation. You found it at 2 pm at The Cove in Raven Point Park?" Spencer questioned.
"That's correct, sir," Fisher nodded.
"And Hayden wasn't there?" Vivian checked.
"No. We looked all over, but there was nothing but the weapon. And we brought that right here," Tyler mentioned.
"The only three people who know the safe combination are me, Viv, and Hayden. If you saw Hayden at the park at 12:40 pm, then he probably had the gun with him when you ran into him. Hayden runs off to The Cove, upset, as you informed. Then, at 2 pm, you go to The Cove to look for Hayden; he's gone, but you found the weapon. The next time we can confirm he was here was on the 8th, but we don't know what time. Hayden took $200, his social, and birth certificate. Hayden leaves his key, and we haven't seen or heard from him at all," Spencer sighed.
"So, we still have nothing," Shane mumbled. "12:45, when Hayden got away from us to 2 pm, that's an hour an hour and fifteen minutes of also not knowing what Hayden was up to,"
"And there was a bullet in the chamber," Drew put a finger up to remind them.
"So, the question isn't so much where Hayden is; it's why did Hayden take the gun, then leave it loaded? Perhaps that has something to do with why he took off," Avery enlightened.
"We have no trail, and still no answers," Vivian frowned sadly. There was another knock at the door as Spencer stood up the answer it.
"Gabriel?" Spencer blinked in surprise.
"Hi, Spencer. Hey, Viv!" Gabriel greeted with a smile.
"What, uh, brings you by?" Vivian inquired after Gabriel came in and Spencer closed the door.
"It's been a while since I've been over, and now that I only work one job; I thought to stop in on the laddie's account since it's his birthday," Gabriel informed.
"Gabriel, Hayden isn't here; he's been gone for months," Spencer told his long-time friend.
"Oh, I know that! I figured that he'd call home on a day like this, so to save him some time; I'm in the same spot!" Gabriel chuckled.
"What makes you think he'll call?" Shane arched a brow.
"Because I know my Godson/Nephew, and he talks to me every birthday no matter what," Gabriel said with a proud look on his face. "What brings this meeting on with all of you here? Did ya finally figure out that Hayden never talked about ya? And did you two realize that Hayden was set up to look like a thief at Barbarian Burger?"
"Wait, how did you know about all that?" Spencer asked quickly.
"Uh, the lad called me in November and said he moved out to avoid eviction by you two," Gabriel remarked. Their eyes widened. "What?"
"You've heard from him?!" the group screeched in shock.
"Yeah? Haven't you?" Gabriel stared at them.
"We haven't heard from Hayden since October," Vivian stood up. "How did you hear from him? Hayden left his phone here,"
"Lad got a new one and called me the beginning of November. Told me everything about the accident, the two situations with police, losing his friends, his job, respect from you two. Hayden was pretty torn up about everything; you hurt him when you were demanded he pay rent, or would kick him out," Gabriel rolled his eyes. "If you haven't heard from him, then he's probably still hurting,"
"Gabriel, do you know where Hayden is?" Spencer demanded.
"The same place he's been since the start of January; Archia Isle," Gabriel informed. Hayden had been on the main island all this time?
"Do you have a way to con-," Vivian began, but then Gabriel's phone rang as he smiled.
"Ah, there he is. See? I told you he'd call," Gabriel huffed as he accepted the Video Call, then held it away a bit. Seconds later, Gabriel saw Hayden's face pop up on screen. "Happy Birthday, Laddie!"
{Thanks, Uncle Gabe. How are you?}
"Eh, can't complain. How was your day?" Gabriel asked.
{Exhausting. Probably gonna grab a shower and get some sleep.}
"I can imagine you'd be tired, kiddo. Getting up at 5 am and not getting to relax until 7 pm," Gabriel smiled. "Oh, by the way! Been meaning to ask; you plan on talking to your family?" Gabriel questioned. Hayden's face fell a bit.
{Can we not talk about them? I don't want my good mood ruined.}
"Hayden, I know what they did, but they are yo-," Gabriel started.
{What does that matter, Uncle Gabriel? It doesn't. I refuse to waste my time and breath, again, on people who never gave me a chance before, and obviously, don't care.}
"Hayden Haddock!" Spencer yelled. Hayden's eyes widened.
{I'll call you another time when you're not with them. Love you, Uncle Gabe.}
"Love you too, lad!" Gabriel got out quickly.
"Hayden! Don't you dare hang-," Spencer started. The call ended a moment later after Hayden glared at anyone standing behind Gabriel. "up," he finished as everyone sighed out. Gabriel glanced down at his phone when it vibrated as he saw a Skype message from Hayden.
TheVikingWarrior_0019{Hayden}, 6:53 PM-2/28/2019; None of them know my number, or that joined the Marines. I haven't spoken to them since 10/7/18. Don't say anything, please?
"Give me his number, now, Gabriel," Spencer demanded.
"I don't have it, Spencer. Hayden calls me private," Gabriel lied.
"Where is he on Archia Isle?" Vivian inquired.
"Don't know his address. Sorry, Hayden's been keeping a low profile since he moved out I guess. Hayden calls me when he wants to talk," Gabriel stated. "And who are either of you to demand information from me? It's not my fault that you messed up and made him leave," he remarked as Vivian and Spencer's eyes widened. "You two are very old, and dear friends to me, but you hurt your son a lot. Sadly, I don't know you'll ever know how much. I am aware of this, though. Hayden decided to move out, and work towards his future. Last I heard Hayden is working a fantastic, stable job where he's made tons of friends. Maybe one day he'll let go of the pain he still feels from what you all did, but until then; it's best you leave him alone with the knowledge he's happy,"
"Gabriel; we want nothing more than to fix things. Help us, please?" Spencer asked.
"Regretting your decisions now does not change what has already happened. Hayden only sees you as people who betrayed him because you refused to hear or believe a word he said. Unfortunately, regaining that trust and recovering from the hurt takes a great deal of time. I can't help fix your mistake; that's up to you, but trying to push him is only going to make Hayden pull away, and you could lose him forever. I will try to get Hayden to agree to speak with you, but I promise nothing because I know he's busy with work and you heard how he reacted when I brought you into the conversation. In the meantime; you best figure out a way to make up for what you've done," Gabriel stated.
"We will do that. Thank you, Gabriel. I think we can…rest a little more comfortable knowing he's alive and about an hour away," Vivian tried to relax a bit.
Gabriel nodded. "I should get going. Goodnight," then the man left the house.
"What now?" Shane inquired.
"We have to take Gabriel's advice; he's right. If we persist, Hayden will never forgive what happened and give us a chance to make up everything. All we can do is hope now," Spencer informed firmly as everyone in the room sighed; there was no other choice but to agree and give Hayden his time to heal so that maybe they would have a shot at fixing things and earning Hayden's trust back.