Chapter 2
The road home was muddy and stuck to Hiccup's boots as he walked alone. Not even Toothless was around to keep him company. Where could he be wandering off to? He was not this wanderous. That's not a word is it?
The next thing Hiccup knew, he was face down in the mud. He stumbled to his feet, grumbling and trying to get the mud off himself before it hardened. But of course it wouldn't, it was raining far too profusely for anything to dry.
The crack of lightning made Hiccup jump. He had not been a big fan of lightning since the time he was struck by it. Storms made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.
At last Hiccup was home, and he could still see the remaining rays of the setting sun.
Hiccup pushed open the heavy door and was met with a warm fireplace. Clambering up the stairs and discarding his now very muddy coat, Hiccup sat down on his bed.
Not a minute later, Toothless climbed through the large, open window in the roof. The dragon plopped down on his slab of rock, pretending not to notice Hiccup.
"Hey bud, what've you been up to?" He addressed the dragon with a smile.
Toothless snorted and shifted a bit.
"Not talking to me? Fine, then I wouldn't talk to you either," Hiccup crossed his arms in fake anger.
Toothless turned his head in Hiccup's direction and let out an aggressive snarl. Was it something he did? Hiccup sighed, giving up on the dragon.
What sort of sound could be so interesting that a little girl would seek out of her home to hear it again? A growl or snarl? Of a dragon or something worse?
A human.
A shiver shot down his back at that thought. What in the world would give him that idea?
Hiccup pushed the thought out of his, deciding to try his luck at sleeping.
The hole.
That was what he dreamed about. Not that it was a surprise.
The dream proceeded as usual, the hole deep and dark. He could not look around, the dream would not allow it. The longer Hiccup stared into it, the more unnerved he became. The dread was overwhelming, but he could not explain why.
Then something different happened.
A small noise, from the bottom of the pit. Confused, Hiccup concentrated harder so maybe he could identify it.
Two green, glowing eyes appeared in the dark, staring unblinkingly back at him.
Suddenly a large black... tentacle burst from the darkness and locked itself around Hiccup's waist. It soundlessly drug him in to its hole.
He woke with a start, sitting straight up in his bed. Sweat dripped down his face and he shook all over. Hiccup's face burned, but the rest of him was freezing. Coughing and sputtering he glanced around the room. Toothless slept soundly against the wall as thunder rumbled outside.
Hiccup jumped out of bed and threw on his coat. He gently nudged Toothless awake.
"Sorry Toothless, I know it's late," He whispered. "This is very important, meet me outside."
The dragon snorted in annoyance, but did as he was asked. Hiccup went down the stairs as quietly as he could. He opened the front door and walked out in to rain once again.
That sound... he had heard in his dream... it was a scream...
Hiccup stopped and vomited. His stomach churned even though he had ate nothing that day.
Toothless trotted around the corner of the house to see Hiccup vomit again. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and climbed up on to the Night Fury's back.
As they took off into the storm, Astrid watched from her porch. She had come out a moment ago due to the fact she couldn't sleep with the rain rapping on the roof.
"Toothless?"
She squinted at the black creature flying farther and farther north. Toothless could fly that far, not without...
"Hiccup," She breathed, running to find her dragon.
Stormfly followed Hiccup closely, just out of his line of vision. Where was he going?
Toothless dropped down amongst the trees of the northern forest.
Oh no.
The rain was still pouring from the heavens, soaking the earth. Astrid rushed toward the tunnel.
Hiccup stood at the end, leaning in. He looked like he was trying to hear something.
"Hiccup!"
The soaked, loose earth beneath his feet gave way and Hiccup fell into the pit.