A Hiccstrid Story | When worlds collide

All Hallow's Eve

"Guys, am I the only one excited about the Halloween party at the fraternity house?" Fishlegs asked as the gang all joined in the clubhouse.

"Ooo," Heather bounced in excitement. "Let's talk costumes. I'm at a loss."

Astrid and Hiccup smirked at one another knowing they were both thinking the same thing.

"Astrid and I already have our costumes." Hiccup informed. 

"Really? What are they?" Fishlegs asked, curiously. 

"Valkyrie." Astrid raised her hand.

"Dragon Trainer." Hiccup did the same.

"Of course." Heather chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Hey, why don't we all just dress up as dragon trainers?" Ruffnut suggested as if the idea was written in bold, neon letters right in front of them.

"That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard!" Her brother declared. "I hereby disown you!"

"You know what?" Hiccup thought. "I kind of like it."

"Me too." Astrid and Heather agreed. 

"Yeah, I'm in." Fishlegs joined.

Ruffnut smirked at her brother.

"Welcome back to the family." Tuffnut teased.

***

"Everybody ready?" Hayden checked as they approached the front gate of the appropriately named scary house of the evening. 

Fishlegs hummed nervously.

"Need me to hold your hand there, Fishlegs?" Hiccup teased.

"Got it." Heather raised her hand to show that it was locked with Justin's.

"I don't know guys, this place is a lot more realistic than I thought," Fishlegs whined.

"Come on, Fishface." Snotlout moaned. "You've been bugging us about this for a week now."

"Okay, guys. We have to get through the entire house to get to the party in the attic." Astrid explained.

"So, stay together," Hayden suggested.

***

Pushing the heavy gates open the touch of the iron bars, as cold as ice, seized up Hayden's hand completely. Even though they could feel the unevenness of the old cobbled path beneath them, they were smooth in contrast to the crunching of the odd dead leaf that they stepped on. Carrying on up the path the grass carried on forever into the horizon, a dull grey color as if it had lost the will to live and stopped growing altogether.

One lonesome Oak tree stood by the house swaying in the wind and as the windswept by the tree whispered to the air and its surroundings. The moon shone bright white, in the cloudless sky, it was the only source of light that could be seen for miles, with the exception of the small attic window. Owls occasionally fluttered by overhead, their silhouettes passing over the grass. The air was cold and numb and with every breath, they drew a misty, chilly exhale followed.

As the house drew nearer everything around them became quieter and more distant. The trees murmuring couldn't be heard anymore and the cold iron gates were far, far back in the distance. Owls couldn't be heard anymore and there were no leaves on the ground, just some aged concrete steps, and a doorway that stood in front of the gang.

From the outside, the house was tall and thin, made from large deep grey bricks that had a rugged feel all of this sandwiched together by crumbling cement. Plants grew up the house snaking around the drainpipes reaching for the little sunlight that reached this seemingly desolate place. The windows rattled vigorously from the howling wind, as though they were about to fall out of the frames. A few potted plants lay next to the door, once there for neat presentation now wilted and brown, almost certainly dead. The door had been left ajar. Hayden was the first to enter the creaking doorway. These college boys really knew how to throw together an awesome Halloween house.

The hallway was dull and smelt of dust mixed with old age. Paintings hung up of what looked to be important rich people, their eyes following your every move. To the left was an old wooden stairway leading upwards to the second floor each step looked so delicate and worn that if you were to walk up them you would step right through them. Of course, it was all just for show. But, if the group hadn't seen this house in perfect condition just a few days before, I don't think they'd believe it. Straight ahead led to two more rooms, which looked to be a kitchen, from all the cups and plates left out, a dining room, and to the right was the lounge area. 

The lounge had large bookcases on each wall stacked with thick data books caped in dust. There was no television just a sofa, two chairs, and a fireplace; the thick smell of charcoal from the once burning fireplace had spread around the room choking them up on the inside. The chairs and sofa were made from black leather once soft and comfy now thin and worn away from all the use. Under the chairs and in front of the fireplace lay a red and dusty grey rug stained from the charcoal and shredded at the sides.

As they entered the kitchen they could see the moonlight shining through the windows casting a reflection on the wall opposite. Mugs and plates lay on the surface cold and stained by tea. The sink and taps made from brass, eroded and layered in dirt, still leaking water into the sink and every time a drop of water fell an echo passed around the house as though symbols were being smashed together. They could feel the coldness from the musty orange and black tiled floor even though they were wearing shoes it felt as though it had frozen over.

They moved on to the dining room – a big table made from oak and six chairs filled the room. The table had been laid, the plates and silverware lay there untouched and unused like a forgotten date. Above the table hung a beautiful chandelier twinkling in the moonlight. The walls were plastered with cream wallpaper curling in at the corners. 

They made their way up the creaking stairs, finding themselves in an impossibly endless corridor, the only light was the moon fighting its way through the steamed-up windows. 

Fishlegs hummed nervously as the wind moaned through the cracks. 

They continued down the hall that felt as though it went on for miles and miles. Suddenly a large figure jumped out of one of the rooms.

Fishlegs yelped and hid his face in Heather's shoulder. Snotlout shrieked and his behind the rest of the group. Tuff jumped into his sister's arms. She dropped him to the ground with a loud thud. 

"Guys, relax. It's just a fake zombie." Hiccup flinched, mostly scared of everyone's sudden noise. Astrid just continued walking. The others soon followed.

"Then why is he following us?!" Snotlout whimpered. Astrid ignored him and kept walking. The others turned around to see the undead following close behind them.

"AHHHHH!"