Happily Never After

Part 19

Chapter 18

"What are we going to do now? Astrid murmured as Hiccup held them close. The detective had left not too long ago after Hiccup told him off.

"Everything is going to be alright," Hiccup told himself more than her but Astrid just sobbed more. "How can you say that Hiccup?!" She asked back. "Your parents are with the police at our home and there hasn't been any news about a ransom at all!" She swallowed a sob. "Hiccup, I'm afraid! The kids are probably scared out of their minds! Nuffink needs to eat every few hours! And... And... Zephyr... I just... You heard the detectives in the hospital. The first 24 hours are key to finding missing children!" Hiccup just hugged her and rubbed her back as Astrid broke down. He wanted to break down too but he had to be strong for his partner and the kids.

The couple had been comforting each other so they had most likely missed the commotion going on outside the room. That was until the same detective from before came back in, though this time he seemed somewhat harried.

"There has been a development..." The detective uttered which got both Hiccup and Astrid's attention. "If you would come with me please,"

The couple was led out of the interrogation room and down a hallway to a nondescript door. Once the detective opened it they could see two more people in the room. The room also sported what seemed to be a two-way mirror and Astrid was shocked by who she saw in the interrogation room on the other side. "ERET?!" She questioned aloud as she looked between the people and the room and the mirror.

"Ms. Hofferson. Mr. Haddock. I'm sorry to ask this of you but we are in a precarious situation right now." One of the people uttered. Hiccup noticed the badges and surmised that they must be detectives as well, or probably even higher ranking. Astrid however was looking at the person who spoke with a confused look. Said person decided to elaborate further.

"Mr. Eretson came into the precinct not too long ago screaming that he had information about your children. The only problem was that he stated that he would only speak to you Ms. Hofferson,"

"That's absurd!" Hiccup interjected. "Do you know what he's done to Astrid?! He nearly killed her and you want to put them in a room together?!"

"I'll do it," Astrid spoke up as a look of determination was seen in her eyes.

"Astrid!"

"Hiccup, I have to do it. He might know where our kids are. We'd be wasting time if I don't talk to the bastard and time is something we don't have a lot of right now." She uttered while giving Hiccup a peck on the cheek. She then turned back towards the detectives and asked. "Is there any advice you can give me?"

"You're a civilian, normally we wouldn't allow this but as you said. Time is of the essence. We'll be right here. If anything drastic occurs to you we can immediately jump in." One of the men answered.

"So all I have to do is get him to talk, right? No good cop bad cop thing? I'm free to approach this how I want?" Astrid asked just to be sure.

After confirming everything with the detective Astrid was ready to enter the interrogation room housing Eret. A uniformed police officer escorted her while a worried Hiccup stayed behind in the small room with the two-way mirror. "You should probably have a First Aid kit at the ready," Hiccup told the three detectives as the door to the interrogation room opened and Astrid stepped inside.

"Your partner will be fine Mr. Haddock," One of the other detectives assured.

"The First Aid kit isn't for Astrid," Hiccup relayed just as Astrid, before Eret could even utter a word, kicked the metal table separating them into his gut, causing the man still seated in the chair to actually skid back a few inches.