Struck with inspiration again for yet another retelling. This time….a horror story. Warning, major swearing. Also, all the main characters will be British since the movie is British.
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with HTTYD or The Ritual. You can find it on Netflix I highly recommend you give it a view. Great movie.
Chapter 1: Prologue
Cigarette smoke. The clinking of glassware. The inebriated chatter of dozens of people who'd be nursing hangovers in the morning. A football game was playing on the TV at the bar. What was it with American's calling it soccer? Your not supposed to use your hands for football, not unless you're the goalie.
"Take your time." The young man with blonde deadlocks says to the barkeep.
"You all right?" asked the barman handing him three glasses of foamy and alcoholic.
"Big head on that, mate. Thanks.
"No problem."
He gathers up the drinks and heads from the bar. His table wasn't far and he could hear his friends chatting over the bar's din he headed their way. They were seated at one of the tables beside the wall. On the left end of the table was a short, stocky man with dark hair and blue eyes, Steven "Snotlout" Jorgensen. On his right beside the wall was a taller dark haired man with brown eyes and three blue lines tattooed on his chin. Eric "Eret" Eretson.
On the opposite side was a chubby blonde man with green eyes behind his glasses, Francis "Fishlegs" Ingerman. Flanking him was a skinny auburn headed man with an auburn hair and beard and green eyes, Harrison "Hiccup" Haddock.
He rounded out the end of the group. Trevor "Tuffnut" Thorston, grey eyed and blonde dreds and all. They'd been mates ever since their first year at university, and it continued on through their adult years. Even as three moved on into marriage. Hiccup married his long time girlfriend , Astrid Hofferson. They've been going strong together for ten years now, with two children, oldest daughter Zephyr and little Nuffink.
Eret had married a lovely young woman named Atali and had fathered two daughters. Camcazi and Valhallarama.
Then Fishlegs, much to everyone's surprise, had married who practically ever male in their uni grade thought was the most beautiful girl in their year, Heather Oswaldson, and together they had a pair of two boys and a girl.
"Nothing like two weeks straight drinking. Man what a great time." Eret said
Hiccup responded with a chuckle. " Yeah, I had a great time. Felt even better when I got home.
"Here he comes." Snotlout said as Tuffnut set the beers on the table and passed him one and the second down to Eret, keeping the third to himself.
"Easy. What about… What about Ibiza?"
"No, we're too old for Ibiza." Hiccup sipped from his wine glass as Tuffnut sat down.
"What are you talking about? You're never to old for the island, mate." Tuffnut said slightly taken aback.
"That's what people who are too old for Ibiza say. Fishlegs glanced down at the table. Where are the crisps?"
" Oh I said, "Can I have some crisps for that guy?" I pointed to you, and the barman said you're not allowed to have crisps anymore. Said you're only allowed salad." Tuffnut jokingly said.
"Fucking dickhead. Fishlegs chuckled good-naturedly.
"That's what he said, Fishy. Sorry.
"That's harsh, man." Eret said leaning against the wall.
"Ok, no Ibiza. Why don't we go to, Tuffnut banged on the table with a thud. " Boom! Amsterdam?"
"Nah, it's too touristy now, innit?
Snotlout scoffed" Yeah, all right, Mr. TripAdvisor."
"I'm not getting off my head again. " Hiccup said with a shake of his head.
"Tuscany?" Fishlegs piped up.
"Yeah, you know, good wines. Snotlout agreed with voice dripping with sarcasm.
"No." responded Tuffnut.
"Berlin, then?"
"Nein"
"Belgium?"
"Belgium? Fish, no one's ever been to Belgium by choice." Tuffnut shot down. "What? What's in Belgium?"
"I don't know. Beers that are, like, 42% or something."
A brief silence, then…
"What about hiking? Hiccup suggested, earning a look of disbelief from each of his mates. Hiking in Sweden."
"Hiking?"
"Yeah. Hiccup answered. Hiking."
"That's good shout. That's good shout. Eret said amusedly.
"Come on, man. Let's do something good." Tuffnut snorted.
The five of them bantered back and fourth. Each speaking up what they believed they should do, but none if them seemed able to agree. Each shooting down and defending what he thought they should or shouldn't do. Hiccup adamantly stuck with hiking, even as they all finished their drinks and headed out. It was a crisp, chilly night on the shop lite street. The five zipped up their jackets with Hiccup and Snotlout wrapping scarfs around their necks as well, before walking along the busy street, continuing the conversation.
"What's it called again?"
"The King's Trail. Hiccup answered. It kind of runs up between Sweden and Norway. You can go there in the summer."
"Yeah, yeah. Think I heard of it. Snotlout said. It's like the Appalachian trail, right?
"Yeah, apart from there's more history than hillbillies. Hiccup replied. I just want to do something different. I don't want to go to Amsterdam. Know what I mean? Mix things up a bit."
"Yeah, it's not like we're 21 anymore. Heck, Tuff's the only single guy here. Snotlout laughed. Even I got someone."
"Yeah, what's his name? Eret wanted to know.
"Piss off."
They headed past the shops and café's until Tuffnut glanced to the side as they passed one in particular, an all night liquor store.
"Oh, look, there's that.. He turned to the others. Look, I'm gonna get a bottle. Who's on it?
" No way. School night, mate." Fishlegs said.
"I want to crack on." .
"No. Fishlegs replied again. It's my turn to drive the kids to school tomorrow. Heather would be furious if I had a hang-over."
It wasn't like he was asking them to get wasted with him or whatnot. He just wasn't in the mood to go in alone. It was getting harder to get nights like this. The five mates, back together, and he wanted to enjoy it while he could. Home lives were almost always interfering, even though he was genuinely happy to see them enjoying the marriage lifestyle. Tuffnut looked at the rest of his friends. See if any of them would humor him. Each one was shaking their heads.
"Nope". Eret stared into the sidewalk.
"So, no one wanna… Anyone wanna come with me? He settles on Hiccup. Come on, Hic."
Hiccup sighed but relented. "Yeah. Go on, then.
"Oh, man! Eret snorted.
"Bad idea." Fishlegs added.
"Anyone want any sweets or anything?" Tuffnut offered as the two head for the door.
"You're not getting involved in that, are you?" Snotlout said to Fishlegs as he saw the latter pull out his phone.
"No, I'm getting an Uber for Tuff.
"Yeah, good call."
The bell above the door dings as Hiccup and Tuffnut walked inside and head for the shelf on the furthest shelf and Tuffnut studies the rows of bottles. " You think, when we meet up, it's getting harder to have a good time? Tuffnut asked Hiccup. Do you know that Snot actually suggested making this brunch? Fucking brunch. I'm not… I'm not… Hiccup laughed at the look of incrudiousness on the blonde's face. Look, I'm not gonna plan a lad's holiday over a fuckin' avocado on toast, mate. I'm just… I'm not doing it."
"Avocado's all right." Hiccup muttered.
"Yeah, whatever. Tuffnut perused the shelves of bottles before continuing. So do you really wanna go hiking? Like, hiking for fun?"
"Yeah."
"In fucking Sweden?"
"Yeah, I do. Hiccup said with a lopsided smile. I don't know, I just wanna test myself a little, have a challenge."
"I'll tell you what's a challenge? Getting 'Legs on the side of a mountain. Guy used to get winded going up stairs at Uni.
"He's lost weight."
Tuffnut's eyes went back to the rack of drinks.
"Where's the Vodka? He said to himself as spots the drink in question and grabs a bottle. "I know and I'm happy for him. Really I am, but it's a shame, it's a shame what he's…what he's become.
Hiccup sighed " Yeah. Yeah, big shame. Yeah, a big successful businessman with a beautiful wife and children.
"Yeah, no. It's a…
Tuffnut's words stopped on his lips as he spots something behind the auburn headed man. Hiccup followed his gaze to the cash register. Only now did they see the cashier on the floor. Her face bruised and already swelling. Blood streaming from her nostrils. Lying against the wall as if she'd been thrown there .
Then the shouting started. The door that lead into the back rooms was ajar, and they could hear angry voices within.
"What else gave you got?!
Then it opened completely and two men walked into the store, pushing a third person that had the looks of the store's manager.
"Don't fucking argue! There's more! Where the fuck is it, huh?
Without even thinking Tuffnut slipped around the shelf while the second robber shouted at the shopkeep to be quite, until he was out of sight and crouched down. His back hit the shelf and the bottles rattled. He cursed himself.
Hiccup's head jerked around at the sound. But before he could do anything the thieves looked over and noticed him.
"Don't fucking move." The taller of the two spoke up as he started over. They were both youngish. Dirty and greasy, the one that spoke had cheeks and jaws clouded with stubble and a worn beanie covered his longish hair. The other was shorter and wilder looking, almost twitchy and jerky in his movements. Junkies. Hiccup remained were he was as the first robber stopped in front of him.
"Give me you wallet."
"Right, give it to him.
"Ok, Hiccup replied. Look, it's ok.
"Don't just stand there. Do it! The second robber yelled.
"Give me you wallet. " The first on said again.
Hiccup pulled his wallet out of his pants pocket and let it be snatched away.
"What else you got?"
"What else you got?" The shorter one repeated. Was he high already? Or suffering withdraws? Wanting to hurry up and steals much as he could so he could go and get his fix? There was the sound of glass smashing and Tuffnut winced from behind the shelf.
"Take his watch."
"The watch. Give me the fucking watch.
Just like his wallet, Hiccup fingers fumbled at the clasp. Hiccup remained stock through the whole thing. Nine times out of ten, Robbers just wanted to steal and run with too much drama. It was best and just comply until they left. Hiccup had a good description of them, since they were right in front of him. Once they were gone, he could phone the police. If they got away, wallets and watches could be replaced.
"Give the watch."
"Do it!"
"Ok, fine." Hiccup said still speaking in his calm tone as he undid the watch and handed it over without hesitation.
Behind the shelf, Tuffnut knew he couldn't just sit there. His friend was being mugged. He wanted to move, but his legs felt like jelly. He still held the bottle of vodka and he flipped it to hold it by the neck, wanting to use it as a weapon. But still, he didn't move. His while body had basically just froze.
"Come on, Tuff. Don't just sit here. Do something!" He ordered himself. He could sneak around the shelf, take them out. They'd never even knew what hit them. If only he would move.
"And the ring." The first robber said , catching the glint of gold on Hiccup's left hand. The response held no hesitation.
"No. Hiccup refused firmly. It's my wedding ring."
"We don't give a fuck!" the short robber hollered from the register.
"Just give me the fuckin' ring. The first one repeated.
"Just take it off him!" cried the second one.
"Would you just shut up?" the first one glared at him.
"No, look, you… you've done enough. It… Just leave. Hiccup reasoned.
The sound of feet reached Tuff's ears as the second robber rushed over.
"Just take it the fuck off him!"
Hiccup could tell the first robber wasn't looking for too much drama. He just wanted to take what he came for and leave. The second was a loose cannon. And the steel pipe in his hand didn't help say otherwise either.
"Come on." Hiccup said to the taller one, soft and calm. He had to see it was pointless, they'd done enough. One ring would make much difference.
"Listen you take that ring off, or I will fuck you up!
Tuffnut peered around the shelf at the same time Hiccup turned his head towards him. Tuffnut hated himself. He wanted to do something, knew he could do something. But he just couldn't. Hiccup sighed and turned back around.
"Look, I'm not gonna—
It was the cracking sound that made Tuff jump. Not a glass shattering cracking sound. But wetter and louder, sharper with a heavier thud as a body hit the floor. Further back he heard the shopkeeper let out a croaking sob. His head spun around and what he saw almost made him sick.
Hiccup was lying face down on the floor with the second robber standing over him, the pipe shaking in his hand. Blood splattering the tip. He'd had enough and took a swing at Hiccup as he turned back.
"Oh fuck! Mate, what are you doing?"
Hiccup's head weakly lifted. Enough for Tuffnut to the blood spurting from the deep gash that had been made in his cheek, camouflaging as it dripped soaked in and dripped from his beard.
"I told you! The pipe came down again on Hiccup's head, slamming it against the floor. Tuffnut's head jerked away as the blow fell.
"Fuckin' hell, mate! The first robber said in disbelief. What are you doing?
From the tone of his voice this clearly hadn't been part if the plan. He was just as shocked as the rest of them over what had transpired. The shorter one wasn't even fazed. He was already working at removing the ring from Hiccup's finger.
"It's all right. I got it."
"For fuck's sake, leave it!
"No, I got it!"
"Leave it! Let's go!
Two pairs of feet sounded as they fled. Tuffnut could only gasp for breath as the shopkeeper started crying. On the floor, the blood from Hiccup's wounds pooled around him .
And that's it. Sorry if the chapter feels rushed. But the first minutes of this film moves by fast, with the characters planning a guy's holiday and the liquor store robbery. Now there's a book Ritual and a movie Ritual. I'm following the movie, since Hiccup's character didn't exist in the book. Plus this is one of the first times I'm not attempting script writing.
Till next time…read and review.
