The Gentle Sniper

Chapter 18: Routine Changes Part 1

Ringing ears

Raging headache

Gunfire

Hiccup shot up in bed, covered in sweat, breathing hard for several seconds before he gradually calmed down when he found that he wasn't trapped in a Humvee. A Humvee that was stuck, tipped on its side on a dusty road in Afghanistan.

Then once he had managed to calm down, he heard it.

"Karl... no... don't do it..."

The muted whimpering was coming from the bunk bed directly opposite his own.

Sitting up, he took in the sight of Bekker's red hair, an unruly mess, as she continued muttering words while asleep.

"No... Karl... don't leave me..."

That must be the name of her partner who she said she lost, thought Hiccup.

"I need you, babe... stay with me..."

Sighing, Hiccup got up and headed for the bathroom in the next room, not content to keep listening, but he did spare her one last glance before entering the room to take a shower just as she cried out, stirring awake the room's other occupants.

"Don't die on me... I need you!"

...

"So, Haddock, you want to talk about that shouting match you had with the limousine while you were in the garage yesterday? I won't judge your habit of swearing at vehicles or the rooms that contain them," said Lieutenant Kai with a smirk in his direction.

There was a brief murmur of laughter among the group as they patrolled the house together before Hiccup responded to Kai, who was walking ahead of him. "Well if I must, then I think Bekker should also tell us if she's doing okay since we all heard her mention Karl in her sleep."

"Fair enough. Do you concur, Bekker?" asked Kai, looking back at her as she walked beside Hiccup.

"Not a chance," Bekker retorted.

"Then that settles it. Now, let's focus on getting this patrol done guys," interjected Lam.

As ordered by their detail leader, the entire group fell silent until they completed their patrol around the immediate perimeter, then dispersed to patrol elsewhere.

Hiccup opted to head into the main section of the house, climbing the stairs and exploring the rooms there.

As he did so, he came across one such room with a sheet of paper taped to its door, practically begging to be read.

'Emil, if you're reading this, then Aksel and I will have left for Copenhagen Airport to start our holiday. Be good to your bodyguards and I hope you enjoy your time at home. Oh, and of course, keep doing well in school.'

Hiccup turned and walked away, resuming his patrol while feeling like he had intruded on something he shouldn't have.

But more importantly, Hiccup felt oddly nostalgic and was shocked to feel his eyes water of their own accord. Wiping them dry and pausing for a moment to regain his composure, Hiccup continued on.

...

When the time for breakfast arrived, upon entering the dining room the group was greeted by a selection of Danish pastries, Grød (Porridge), buttered rye bread, bacon, soft boiled eggs to eat and either freshly-made stewed fruit squash or coffee to drink.

"I love me some Vienna bread," said Hiccup, eagerly biting into a danish as he sat at the table with the others.

In addition to having picked a couple of danishes, Hiccup had also selected a bowl of Grød and stewed blackcurrant squash.