The Impossible Boy (HTTYD)

Chapter 5

Toothless:

It had been days since I'd seen Hiccup; I've tried to escape every day since. Alvin let us say goodbye and I prayed he would come back alive. Vikings, especially Berkians, are cruel and vicious. He was most likely shot down, killed even. I was in my cell, wings pinned to my back and tail stolen. 

Steps began to approach from outside my cage, and I pressed my head against the bars, craning to see who was coming. I growled and bared my teeth, hoping to ward them away. I could normally sense who it was based on the footsteps, frequency, weight, etc., but these steps were new: small and quick. A child.

The footsteps stopped, just out of eyesight, except for the tips of two tiny, leather boots. I could smell the fear radiated from the child and a hint of fish? The steps inched closer apprehensively and the child came into view. It was a little girl with short brown pigtails poking out from underneath a helmet much too big.

She looked at me with widened, scared eyes, clutched in her hands. I immediately stopped growling but kept my teeth out. Though it was a child, it could also be a ploy of Alvin's: he's pretty crafty, I'll give him that.

She started to talk nervously, stuttering and mumbling throughout. Though, of course, I understood none of it, except maybe "help" and "fish." She tentatively extended her arm, offering me the fish. I cautiously retracted my teeth and took the fish. Mmh. Licking my lips, I ventured further, poking my head through the bars slightly. She looked scared and waved her hands, mumbling again.

I backed off, disappointed. She reached forward again, hand empty to my disappointment, for the lock. I shrunk back, not wanting to scare her off. I think she was letting me go? She unlocked the cave and ran backward a few steps. I lunged forward, pushing open the gate, and she gasped. I gave her my best doe-eyed 'I promise not to brutally murder you' look, and she relaxed slightly.

Keeping eye contact, she reached back around a corner and brought out something red with a hint of white. My tail! I did my best to smile, as Hiccup taught me and she giggled. I lowered my head, giving her permission to attach it to my tail. She slowly walked around behind me and bent down, tying the fake tail to my real tail. It wasn't as good as when Hiccup attaches it, of course, but it would get the job done.

She reached into her pocket with her other hand outstretch and brought out a knife. I jumped back and snarled. I knew it!

"No, no, no!" 'No' was one of the few vikings words I knew. She dropped the knife and put her hands up defensively. She motioned to my wings, scared. I stopped growling but kept my teeth out, just in case... She picked up the knife and approached me slowly. Against all better judgment, I stayed still. She swiftly grabbed my wings and cut through the rope binding them together before I could protest. Oh-

She dropped the knife and raised her hands again. I approached her slowly, and I could hear her heartbeat racing. I nuzzled against her hand and torso, and she relaxed. She extended a hand and pet my head. Thank you.

She started to talk again - humans never learn. Upon realization, she gestured to me and seemed to be pleading for something? I think she wants to come with me. I pitied her and lowered my head and right wing, allowing her to climb aboard. She started to laugh and pet my head again. First time?

I raised my wings, letting her know we were leaving, and she leaned forward and grabbed my ears to hold on. I snarled slightly, but let it slide. I waited as she settled into the saddle and as soon as the stirrup clicked, we flew off into the night. I'm surprised we weren't caught with all of her screaming and laughing.