Light in the Shadows

Chapter 3 (CN3)

Astrid had noticed the bruising around Hiccup's face. Would she say anything about it though? Nope.

She was currently in the gym, looking for a few soccer balls for her coach. She was just behind a wall when the gym door opened and the sounds of three footsteps could be heard.

"Now, now, twerp! Listen here, give me the money and I won't hit you!" Annnnddd it was Snotlout.

Astrid peeked around the corner and saw Hiccup on the floor. Dogsbreath, Thuggery, and Snotlout hovered over Hiccup.

Hiccup shakes his head, defiant.

"Well," Snot cracked his knuckles, Thugg and Dog pounded their fist into their hands. "Looks like you're dead!" Hiccup curled up into a tight ball. From what Astrid could see, Hiccup was breathing fast.

The punches raided down in Hiccup. Punch after punch after punch.

When Snot and his mini gang walked out laughing, Astrid ran straight out the gym doors.

Nope! Nuh uh! Not helping! She thought while speed walking down the halls. "Crap.... I forgot the soccer ball!" She wheeled around to get the soccer balls.

"Soooo... how's working with public enemy number one?" Heather appeared by her side.

"Thrilling," Astrid grumbled. "We haven't even worked on the story! All we did last was...." She looked from side to side. "Share a pizza. If you tell anybody, you're dead!" She hissed.

"These lips are locked tight!" Heather zipped her lips shut.

"His cat was left outside my house and Stormfly had terrorized the poor thing so bad he ran away!" Astrid threw her hands up in the air. "Oh, and my three-year cat Luna has taken interest in a five month old kitten!"

"Oh dear,"

"And that's only the tip of my mute iceberg!"

As Astrid opened the door to the gym, a wave of blood filled her nose. What?

"Who died?" Heather said, smelling the blood too.

"No-one," Astrid looked around, only a small puddle of blood remained where Hiccup had been.

(...)

Hiccup ran. Oh he ran. Ran all the way back to Alvin's place. He didn't even call it his home, it was just a place.

I late! I late! I'm not thinking straight! He thought while running.when he got to the house, lights were off and the sports cars that had previously been in the drive were gone. Oh thank goodness! The princes are gone!

When he tried opening the door, he couldn't. And I'm locked out! Perfect! He turned around and headed back for Berk Veterans Memorial Park. He had a bench there, calling out his name.

As he walked down 'Blacksmith' path, he saw a little kid get a hot dog from a food vender. His stomach growled. He checked his pocket for some extra cash, he had just enough. As he was at the front of the line the man turned him down, saying he was a homeless scum who didn't deserve his 'perfect hot dogs'.

Bet they aren't perfect little man! Hiccup walked away. He had expected this, which was the sad thing. Being turned down from food because you only ever could afford one set of clothes at a time so your clothes always looked run down. The worst part was when he was six he couldn't explain that he hadn't eaten all day to a food vender.

He walked to the 'Chiefs of Berk' path. He walked to that oak tree with the bench and pond next to it. He sat down and looked at the setting sun. Dark clouds formed at the horizon, and Hiccup's heart sank. It would rain again. He was surprised he didn't catch a cold from yesterday's rain - now he was sure he would. Not to mention he was glad that he had finished his homework in the library before coming home. He was also glad he left his backpack at his locker.