Chapter 3.
The entire day was spent cleaning and dusting, which surprisingly, with all three of them working with only stopping for meals, the work was quick doing. Not long until the kitchen and dining were scrubbed till they shone, while Tom went about and vacuumed and dusted the higher places of the room. The hardest part was getting the chandeliers, which were coated in a thin layer of dust. Once removed, it shone and the lights were brighter, especially when they added a few new lightbulbs.
Astrid worked in the living area next, clearing out all the sheets and vacuuming the furniture off. It was the hardest room to do, for there was more fabric chairs and what-not that took the dust even more, not like the hard wood floors and tables of the other rooms.
It was late evening when Astrid deemed the room livable, as Taylor had also done for the near empty music room. Thomas was still cleaning the entry, so both girls jumped in to help finish it up, and before long the five main rooms of the first level were cleaned.
"Hm, a job well done." Astrid grinned and motioned for the others to follow her into the kitchen, where she used Taylor's phone to order pizza and fries. A half hour later they were all munching on their late supper, from which afterwards Taylor hurried off to clean her own room, while Astrid lead Tom back to his room.
They paused by the door, where Astrid gave him one final look over, wondering if any trace of guilt could be found. Her phone was still missing, and she was still suspicious. But the boy merely looked exhausted and dirty, hair array and eyes half lidded.
"G'night?" he mumbled, fumbling for his door handle.
Astrid grabbed his arm, the boy flinching and looking up worriedly. She looked away, sighing before letting her hand drop to swing at her side.
"I want to apologize." She said hastily, gesturing softly with her hand. "I haven't been the friendliest to you, but… it is hard when you show up and a strange man is living in your house." He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand for silence. "But there's truly no excuse for my behavior. I'm sorry, and thank you for all your help today." She cleared her throat, before looking down at her shoes. "As I said, I've been cruel and thoughtless, and today you've proved that you're capable of your keep."
Tom remained silent for a few moments longer, before he looked up and quirked a smile, green eyes sparkling. "Your welcome, and thank you for letting me stay and… and giving me a chance. I won't let you down, I promise." His face lost all traces of happiness, replaced with sorrow as he eyes fell. "And I am awfully sorry about your phone, I do hope you find it soon."
Astrid nodded, watching Tom carefully for any signs of dishonesty. But again, she found none, so let it slide and tried to forget. "Goodnight, Tom, see you in the morning for breakfast."
"Goodnight, miss."
She was just about to turn around and head back to her room, but at this goodbye she spun back around. "Astrid. You can call me Astrid."
He blinked owlishly, but nodded. "O-oh… well, goodnight… Astrid."
"Goodnight."
With that she spun around and began to make her way down the hall, pausing at the end to glance back, catching sight of Tom disappearing into his room, door clicking shut when he closed it.
I still can't quite… Astrid shook her head, warding off the rest of the thought. No, Tom had proved today that he was of great help and service, and followed the rules well. She'd just leave well enough alone for the time being.
She trotted back down the hall, using her flashlight to find her way to the Ballroom. She rushed down the stairs onto the marble floor, taking time to do a little twirl before hurrying back towards the doors.
She heard a sound, her hand hovering over the knobs. She turned back around, peering through the darkness to try and catch sight of the rat that most likely was scuttling about searching for food. She flicked her flashlight about, but caught no signs.
"Odd." She whispered, double clicking her flashlight for a brighter lens.
The sound came again, as a soft whisper, almost like a hum. She narrowed her eyes, the sound making chills crawl up and down her spine, fear beginning to tinge her heart.
"Tay..?" She whispered loudly. "Taylor, if that's you, I'm gonna skin you alive." She hissed, flashing the light about some more. No figures, and no more sounds.
She waited a few seconds more, and finally her fear fell away when nothing more became of it. She shrugged and hastily pulled the doors open, ducking into the dimly lit entry, lights flooding in from the dining area.
"Hey, Astrid, that you?" Came Taylor's voice floating through the doorways. "I seem to have lost the sheets. Know where any are?"
Great, more lost items. Astrid thought, beginning to grow worried. It couldn't be Tom this time, for certain. She'd been with him the entire time.
She hastened past the table and into the servant's quarters, skidding to a stop with a roll of her eyes when she noticed the bundle of blankets sitting outside her door. She picked them up and hauled them into Taylor's newly cleaned room, dumping them onto the bed.
"Did you even look, Taylor?" Astrid teased, tossing a pillow at her sister. "Right there- in the hall."
Taylor picked up the pillow and glared playfully. "I did too, for your information. But I try not to think too hard when something goes missing. Especially when someone else isn't around."
Astrid bit her lip and decided to keep her little… secret of what happened in the ballroom quiet. She had intended to give her sister a hard time about it, perhaps to tease her playfully, but now she double thought it over. If she did so, Taylor would probably end up sleeping in Astrid's room again, or worse, be so suspicious as to leave. So she merely nodded with a smile, covering up true feelings
"You all good then?"
Taylor paused, hands slowing until they hung above the bed. But with a heavy sigh she nodded, motioning towards the doorway. "If I come crawling into bed with you tonight, don't be surprised."
Astrid grinned and shook her head, "I won't be."
She escaped to her room, a small pillow flying after her. She laughed pleasantly before opening her door and slipping inside, clicking the switch to lighten the room.
After gathering her pajamas and some clean underclothes, she went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. It felt nice to feel the clean water against her dirty skin, grimy from a hard day's work. The only thing amiss she noticed was that the water refused to get any hotter than lukewarm, which wasn't too horrible. It was better than having to take a shower in ice-cold water. But she'd have to remember to call someone out to take a look at the water heater.
She jumped out of the shower and scurried to get dressed, hastily brushing out her slightly kinky blonde hair, braiding it to one side for some hopes of curls in the morning. With that she padded out of the bathroom, tossed her wet towel and dirty clothes in a pile by the door, then climbed into bed.
She stared up at the ceiling, the prospect of sleeping alone normally not bothering her. But today, it felt suspiciously odd and… quiet, without someone else in the room. Or maybe it was the whispers from earlier in the ballroom, she couldn't be sure. All she knew was that it felt eerie, and for a short dashing moment she seriously thought about going to Taylor's room and sleeping with her.
Nope, nope, nope. That wouldn't do. Taylor would freak out for certain, especially since Astrid had been so strong willed the previous two days about the matters of hauntings.
So with a firm set of her jaw, Astrid rolled over and stared at the wall, determined not to let these childish fears get the best of her.
With those thoughts, she eventually drifted off into a restless sleep.
…
Beep, bleep! Beep, bleep! Beep, ble-
Astrid slammed her hand on top of the alarm clock, effectively shutting the annoying thing up. She glared at its face through half open eyes, not pleased to be woken after finally getting some peaceful rest only a few hours before. She growled but rolled out of bed, stumbling to her dresser to dig out some clothes.
It was nearly seven by the time she exited, bright eyed and ready for the day after getting dressed in clean clothes and having pulled her hair back into a loose and messy braid (her hair was being extra rebellious, go figure) with a leather headband over her forehead to keep the most of it in place.
She walked to Taylor's room, rapping her knuckles against it to hopefully wake her sister. When a moan came as a reply, she knew she'd succeeded.
"Get up, Tay! We've got more work to do." She called, ear pressed against the wood to catch whatever remark Taylor had in store.
"Kill it." Taylor murmured grouchily.
Astrid shook her head with a smile, then marched down the hall and past the dining into the entry. She hesitated at the steps, but remembered her thoughts of the previous night, so struck on with more vigor and determination.
"TOM!" she shouted through the ballrooms doors. "GET UP, IT'S MORNING!" she stumbled back and rubbed her throat, noting that it would probably be a good idea to get a loudhailer.
There was the sound of frantic pattering feet from above, and not much later the doors swung open to reveal a sloppily dressed Tom, whose hair was array and face sleepy.
"So early?" He moaned, rubbing his face with his hands. "The suns hardly up!"
"Stop your whining." Astrid rolled her eyes and swung around, trotting down the stairs. "We get to clean the ballroom today- and if we have time we can vacuum the halls to your room, too."
"Yay…" Tom cheered gloomily. "I'd rather sleep." He muttered under his breath, stumbling after her.
"I agree, I vote for rebellion." Taylor grouched from the doorway, still in her pjs. "But ballroom will be fun, at least. Maybe we could do some dancing? We even have a dude!"
Tom paled, and Astrid couldn't help but snort in laughter.
"Know how to dance, my man?" Astrid teased in a high pitched, extra girly voice.
"Oh please…" He groaned, sending the two girls into a laughing fit.
Astrid straightened herself out, smiling all the same. "Alright, but first things first. Food."
They all walked to the kitchen, where Taylor made coffee and Tom slumped in one of the kitchen chairs, still looking like he wasn't entirely awake. Astrid meanwhile called Sven's Corner, where she ordered a homemade breakfast delivery of pancakes and hash browns.
"We should… probably do some grocery shopping today or something." Taylor deduced after going through the empty cupboards.
"Yes, but first we have to figure out if that antique of a fridge still works." Astrid pointed out, glancing over at the bulky piece of fifties equipment. At least it was white, and not the mint green or muddy orange that many others had been during that time period.
Breakfast was a quick and quiet affair, until they finally had dishes put away and food thrown out. They gathered the cleaning tools, more mops then the day before, and hastened to the ballroom, where they all instantly jumped to work.
It was around noon when the floor was washed clean, and the walls and windows were dusted or washed. Tom was finishing up with the chandelier, which handily had a rope from a little room on the fourth floor, allowing it to be lowered or heightened.
"It's beautiful!" Taylor praised, clapping her hands giddily. "I wish there was a music player- looks like the only music provided back in the days would've been an orchestra." She pointed towards the small platform against the wall. What she said was probably true.
Astrid nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe we could get some small speakers under the balcony or something- where they aren't seen. I hate to ruin old things with modern day electronics."
Tom stepped back from the chandelier then, dusting his hands off as he eyed it professionally. "Clean as a whistle! And new bulbs…" He motioned for them to switch the light on, and once done the chandelier practically shown.
"Beautiful!" Astrid admired with a smile. "Perfect job, Tom, thank you."
He looked to her, grinning proudly under the praise, like a boy would to his mother. Taylor hummed, also grinning.
"Does this mean you trust the poor boy now?" Taylor asked, jabbing her elbow into her sister's ribs.
Rubbing her side, Astrid replied, "Not entirely, but we're getting there."
Tom disappeared back up the stairs to lift the chandelier back to its designated spot, leaving the girls to dance and twirl for fun. Astrid ended up tripping on her own feet, landing with uncontrollable giggles on her rear.
Taylor, who'd always been the better dancer of the two, danced expertly across the shiny floor, twirling and humming as she went.
"Wonderful, sis!" Astrid called, clapping. "You need a man though. Maybe we could talk Tom into dancing with you."
Taylor froze, cheeks reddening and eyes sparkling. "Think he would?" She whispered, as though frightful of the answer.
"If you ask him nicely." Astrid teased.
"Ask me?" Tom called, trotting down the steps. "Ask me what?"
Taylor laughed, then twirled her hand elegantly and said in a pish-posh voice, "If you would dance with me, kind sir?"
He laughed nervously, side stepping around her. "I… I can't dance."
"Sure you can! It's not hard- especially the box waltz. Come on." She pleaded, pulling a puppy eye pout. "Please?"
Tom looked to Astrid, who merely crossed her arms and smirked.
"Fine." He huffed, taking her hand in his and placing hesitating, as though not quite certain where the other went. "But… you're gonna have to show me. I don't know the first things about dancing."
"Okay…" Taylor set his hand on her waist, showing him how to hold her hand. "Next, you merely step your right leg back, let your left slide to your left… like that. I'll follow, see? Then you slide your left forward, right to the right, repeat!"
With a few clumsy stumbles, along with rambled apologies and the stepping on feet, Tom had the movement down fairly well. Astrid took Taylor's phone and brought up some slow music, making it easier for them to dance smoothly.
Tom was focused on not getting the steps messed up, while Taylor tried to make it easier for him by giving an occasional direction or suggestion. Astrid watched in the background, humming and swaying as she watched.
The song ended, and the two stepped away from each other, both a little red faced from the exertion, as well as embarrassed- especially Tom, for he instantly withdrew his hand that was settled on her waist.
"Thank you for the dance." He said smoothly, ducking a bow that sent Taylor into snorts of laughter. Tom grinned boyishly, flashing them both smiles.
"Alright, time for some vacuuming…" Astrid paused, then pulled her car keys from her pocket, tossing them to Taylor who caught them easily. "You want to run into town and get some grocery's? Try not to get any refrigerated items- although you could get some eggs for in the morning."
Taylor nodded and gave a short goodbye as she left the room, leaving only Tom and Astrid to finish the cleaning.
"Alright, Tom…" Astrid stared at the boy for a moment, noticing how he appeared slightly nervous. "I'm going to trust you, alright?"
The poor guy looked doubly nervous, fingers twitching and eyes widening.
"I'm going to have you dust off and wash the banister of the balcony." She gestured to said steps that sloped above her. Tom blinked, then let out a sigh of relief with a small smile.
"Why is that-"
"The thing is, I'll be vacuuming the halls. So you better watch yourself and not try to steal anything- or touch anything for that matter. Besides the balcony." She waved a finger threateningly. "Understood?"
"Yes." He squeaked. "Thanks, Astrid."
She tossed him a bucket and some rags, nodding in acknowledgement. "I'll just be doing the halls to you room, and we can dust later if they need it- I noticed some of the mirrors and tables could really use a rag."
She departed, suspicious and not fully trusting the boy but finding it necessary to give him the small test. This would let her know if he was indeed sincere, or if he was just there to wait for their guard to let down before attacking them and stealing them blind.
Again, she had a hard time imagining Tom doing such things, but who knew? Maybe his entire figure was just a trick- his boyish innocence and honesty. Only time would tell, and during that time, she'd have 911 handy.
She began vacuuming after the first door that exited the ballroom. Luckily for her, that area had a window, but further on it grew black from lack of electricity. So once pacing further down, she was forced to click on her flashlight.
The vacuum bumped into something that clicked, making Astrid focus her beam on the item. She frowned when nothing appeared, making her glance suspiciously about the hallway.
She continued on, only to hear a similar sound- something like a yelp- that nearly scared her out of her wits. She instantly stopped what she was doing and turned off the vacuum, flashing her light about in desperate attempts to spot something… living.
The sound hadn't sounded human- at all, which frightened her ever so slightly. Yet… it sounded more like an animal. A dog perhaps, when someone stepped on its paw.
After scanning the perimeter of the entire hall and finding nothing out of the ordinary, Astrid resumed her work, watching carefully for any more signs of… anything. She wasn't even sure what she was looking for at this point.
She felt something tickle her cheek, and that was enough. She slammed her foot on the vacuum pedal, turning it off once more as she swung around, flashlight flicking over every object in search of the mystery. She noticed she was near that table beneath the portrait of the man… Stoick. Yes, that was his name.
She stared at the man, wondering if he was the cause of all of this. His ghost?
She grit her teeth and shook her head. She was crazy, since when did she believe in spirits? It was all in her head. Her mind was playing tricks on her.
"Astrid…"
Great.
Astrid whirled around, trying to find the source of the voice. It was whispery, and undefinable. Emotion and toneless, so as she couldn't even tell if it was a man's voice or a woman's. It was like a breath, that repeated itself several more times through the halls.
"Y-yes..?" She called back, voice echoing. "Who… who's there?"
"Astrid…"
She bit her lip, gnawing on it as fear began to creep up her spine. She took a tentative step forward, not sure what to expect.
She halted when a whisper came from against the wall- near the table. She whipped around, eyes widening as she stared in disbelieve.
Her phone sat on the tabletop, where moments before there was nothing.
She looked about, before hesitantly stepping forward and picking up her phone, staring at it in disbelief and slight horror. She clicked the screen. It was dead.
"H-h-hello?" She whispered, yet her voice still carried a quiet echo.
The whispers came again, from further down. Astrid turned and stared, feeling her knees quaking. She'd never been so… afraid… in all her life.
Astrid Fearless Hofferson… afraid..? Hofferson's feared nothing! How could she afraid of something that most likely didn't exist? Yet here she stood, quaking in her shoes and voice quivering.
And she didn't give a hoot.
She swallowed thickly, turning back to the table in a mixture of confusion and shock. She blinked, realizing with curiosity how something else was sitting on the table now.
She flicked her flashlight up, the object twinkling and glittering under it. It was of worn metal, design light and delicate, yet sturdy.
It was a key.
"O-okay..?" she picked it up, waiting for the whispery shadow of a voice to pick up once more. But after moments, nothing happened.
Her head snapped up, and her eyes widened. She already knew, she knew. This key belonged to the room across from Tom's. The only room in the house without a key.
Without a moment's hesitation, curiosity and adrenaline rushing through her, she dashed down the hall towards the West Wing. Upon reaching the hall of doors, she skidded to a stop, and stared up at the large oak door.
She looked back at the knob, took a deep breath, and slipped the key inside. It fit perfectly, but now to see if it would unlock-
click.
She closed her eyes, tried not to overthink what she was doing… for literally anything could lie beyond the door. A pile of dead bodies? For whatever reason, that was the first thing that appeared in her mind's eye.
Before she could chicken out, she pushed the door open.
Nothing happened after a minute of standing there, fists clenched and eyes squeezed shut, so she hesitantly peered through her eyelashes. She gave a little gasp at the sight, not expecting what she saw.
The room was large, a giant four poster bed in the middle, with two bay windows on either side. That was all she could generally see, although she caught sight of other pieces of furniture, as well as what looked to be a wall of books.
She carefully stepped across the hard-wooden floor of the room, till she came to the windows. She found the tasseled string easily, and pulled, the drapes parting and letting the afternoon sun shine through.
"Wow…" She breathed, eyes fixed on the West side of the room. The entire wall was a bookshelf, covered in books of every kind. Some were obviously older than others, more worn and beginning to fall apart, while others looked like they were in perfect condition. Astrid was surprised by the lack of dust that covered them, some only having a barely see through layer.
On the far left and right of that part of the room, were two large overstuffed chairs, the one nearest to Astrid the one nearest to the window. In the middle, right in front of the bookshelves, was a small desk, littered with papers and open books.
Astrid spared the other part of the room a mere glance, for it wasn't nearly as astounding as the West side. It had only a dresser and mirror, but upon a second more closer look, Astrid spotted a portrait.
She walked to it, curiously looking at the picture of a young man- he looked to be near nineteen or twenty- hugging a small black puppy. It was a touching painting, one that portrayed the action well. It looked like the puppy was squirming, it's tongue on its holder's cheek. The young man had messy and slightly longish auburn hair, with a sharp jaw and lopsided, gap tooth smile, yet somehow it only managed to make him look more attractive. From what she could tell from the portrait, he looked lean, but not thin or scrawny.
The biggest thing that caught her attention… were his eyes. They were those bright, vibrant green orbs from the painting down the hall of the Haddock family.
Without a doubt, this was Hiccup Haddock's room.
She turned back to the desk, hesitantly walking around it as she tried to catch what the papers said. She didn't wish to touch anything, not knowing what would happen if she did so, and yet her curiosity was getting the best of her.
There were sketches, clearly. Lots and lots of sketches. Some doodles of a black dog, others full fledge drawings with more detail then she thought could possibly come from a pen and pencil.
The air seemed to move, as though there was a slight breeze, and a couple of papers fluttered into the air, shifting positions. Astrid blinked nervously, and glanced up, but not before her eyes caught sight of something leather bound and worn.
She peered closer at it, the book tucked under some papers, yet she could just read the title. Her eyes widened, and her heartbeat quickened.
It simply read "Diary".