Chapter Ten

A/N: We're nearing the climax guys! I predict there will be about four or five more chapters... (the climax is going to be a long one, just FYI.)

"Ohh..." Astrid moans, rubbing her head as she sits up. There's a throbbing pain behind her eyes as well as a sore spot on her right temple. Did I fall...? She wonders as she gazes around the room, momentarily disoriented. Where am I...? She blinks a few times and surveys her surroundings, gasping when she remembers where she is. "Hiccup...?" She spins around to face his bed, a feeling of dread settling in her stomach.

Empty.

Hiccup is gone.

There's a bitter cold chill in the air. The woods are dark, as always. Everything is silent. No animals dare make a peep as Hinrik slowly, casually passes by. The spirit who has stolen Hiccup's body smiles to himself. Even Hiccup doesn't yell at him anymore. He hasn't heard the other soul's voice in almost an hour. This might actually go as planned, he muses. That would be nice. Compliant hosts are always the best. It makes it easier for everyone when they don't struggle.

But then, as if on que, Hinrik feels something stirring inside him. He sighs in frustration when Hiccup begins to squirm. He's coming back again. But, with a confident grin, Hinrik realizes he won't be able to take his body back anymore. He's simply another spirit trapped within this body, a prisoner. Unable to do anything to stop Hinrik's plan.

When he sense Hiccup is about to say something, he expects his voice to be loud and furious, like always. But instead, he's got a more...thoughtful tone.

"Why are you doing this...? Hiccup asks him in a quiet voice. He sounds scared and, as always, that sends a stab of regret through Hinrik.

I have no choice. Hinrik replies, dully. He doesn't want to talk to Hiccup anymore. He's afraid of weakening and accidentally slipping in his hold. He still might disappear... He needs to focus.

"What do you mean?" Hiccup continues.

At first, Hinrik simply doesn't answer.

"Hinrik, please..." Hiccup whispers in his head. "I'm in here too, you know. I can feel it. You're not a bad person."

Psh, you don't know anything about me. You're just a prisoner here.

"Only because you're the jailer..." Hiccup reminds him in a soft voice. "And I do know something about you...I know that Aragwen killed you."

She had to.

"Why?"

Hinrik groans and stops walking. You're really annoying, you know that?

"Answer me."

Don't tell me what to do! He can feel Hiccup beginning to get irritated. There's a jab of pain near his heart as Hiccup tries to take hold, only to fail miserably.

When Hiccup speaks again, his voice is so quiet Hinrik has to strain to hear him. He's beginning to sink again, drowning in the depths of his own mind. "Hinrik...why did your mother drown you?"

Hinrik bites his lip and starts to walk again. The sooner he finds his mother, the sooner he'll be rid of this pest once and for all. But until then...it can't hurt to talk to him, right? She killed me because...that's our game. Hiccup doesn't respond which, for some unknown reason, sends a jolt of fear through Hinrik. Are you still there? He asks.

There's a sort of echoing whisper that rings through his ears and then, "Still...here..." Hiccup answers, weakly.

Hinrik pauses. Maybe he could lighten up just a little... Hiccup is really struggling. And so he does. Hinrik pulls away just a bit and immediately, he feels Hiccup's presence strengthen.

"Thank you." Hiccup says, his voice much easier to hear then before. "What do you mean it's a game?" He wonders.

Well, that's how mother gains her status in the eyes of the Dark One. It's like scoring points so...that makes it sort of like a game. Hinrik explains, matter-of-factly.

"The...Dark One?" Hiccup asks and his fear is plainly presented in his echoing words. "Who is that?"

Hinrik shrugs. I'm not sure. But mother really wants to impress him for some reason. She says the best way to do that is by playing the Game.

"Hinrik, no offense but...that's kind of creepy." Hiccup tells him.

No offense, but you're annoying. Hinrik retorts. Why are you asking me all these questions. It won't matter in the long run, anyway. You're going to die and I'm going to be revived again so we can keep playing the Game.

It takes such a long time for Hiccup to respond, that Hinrik wonders if he's drowned again. But then, he replies in a very soft, almost sad voice, "I guess I'm just curious why you're trying to kill me..."

Oh gods, here it comes. The time in every host's life that they start crying and begging for mercy. Maybe Hinrik should just block him off now and get it over it. Oh please, He snorts. It's not YOU I'm trying to kill, here. Really, it's nothing personal. Your body was just available and the right fit for me. You're nothing more than another casualty to our Game.

But Hiccup doesn't cry for mercy or beg for his life, like all the others. Instead, he asks another question. This one, however, sends a chill down Hinrik's new spine. "Do you like the Game?"

Hinrik's legs freeze up and he stops walking. His eyes lower to the ground. He knows the answer. He's known it for a long time. But should he tell it to Hiccup? He might use it to weaken him and steal back his body...

"I'm no danger to you." Hiccup assures him. "I can't move in here, anyway. I'm as good as paralyzed. I just...want to know."

Hinrik heaves a big sigh but doesn't start to walk again. No. He says as he turns his gaze to the midnight sky, staring longingly at the bright, shining stars. How could I? I have to steal people's bodies...destroy their will...kill them... I hate the Game.

"So...why do you keep playing?"

Because I have to. He responds numbly. My mother needs me.

"She killed you, Hinrik. She can't possibly-"

DON'T SAY IT! He shouts, stopping Hiccup before he can tell him his mother can't possibly love him. Maybe she doesn't. But that doesn't matter to me. She's my MOTHER, Hiccup. I have to do what she says...

"No, you don't."

"YES I DO!" He screams as he starts to run. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! HOW COULD YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

"You're right, Hinrik!" Hiccup gasps as he begins to slip again. "I don't understand! So why don't you help me understand?! Maybe I can help!"

NO ONE can help me now. I'm as much of a slave as you... There's nothing I can do to help you or myself or anyone.

Hiccup waits, knowing he's going to continue.

I'm sorry, Hiccup. I really am. I wish you didn't have to get caught up in this, you don't deserve it. But there's really nothing I can do to stop this. Even if I were to run away, I'd still be trapped in your body. My mother would find us and she'd kill us anyway. She needs to impress the Dark One and she'll do WHATEVER it takes to do so. His eyes narrow and he swallows the sorrow that rises in his throat. Even murder her own son...

A/N: Next chapter will be the start of the climax! Thanks for bearing with me, guys! Love you!