Battle For The Thundering Twister

Lost Castaway

Chapter 9:Lost Castaway

I ran up to Castaway's shed.The lock was lying on the ground,broken into two.I looked over at the door,which was wide open.The shed was empty,with no sign of Castaway.My screams had brought a few Vikings out of their houses,yawning widely.

"What's the matter,Yannied?I could hear your screams from my doorstep!"Astrid yelled as she came flying on Stormfly."Castaway!He's gone!"I panicked,tears threatening to spill out of my eyes.Astrid landed and slid off Stormfly."I locked him in his shed properly last night,and now,he's gone!"I told Astrid.She suddenly cupped her hand over her mouth and made a dragon roar that sounded like a Night Fury's call.A few seconds later,Hiccup and Toothless were seen flying towards us.Hiccup landed with Toothless."What happened here?"he asked,staring at the broken-down shed."Castaway is gone,according to Yannied,"Astrid reported.Hiccup's jaw dropped.He went to examine the broken lock and door.Toothless sniffed at the lock.He suddenly growled.Hiccup seemed very interested in the door.

"The side of the door that faces the inside has scratches on it.Big,ugly ones.Come see,"he said.I went to see the scratches.They were long and deep and narrow."Castaway loves me!He would never try to escape!"I protested before Hiccup could suggest Castaway had escaped."I'll get Fishlegs to see if the scratches match Castaway's claws,"Astrid offered.

A few minutes later,Fishlegs and Astrid came back on their dragons.Fishlegs dismounted Meatlug and tottered over to the door."Wow.Those sure are really deep cuts!"he exclaimed.Hiccup sighed."Fishlegs,we need you to find out if those marks belong to Castaway,"Hiccup said.Fishlegs peered at the scratch marks for a while."They certainly do look like dragon claw marks at a glance,but..,"Fishlegs trailed off as he studied the marks more intensely,"They weren't made by any dragon I know!The scratch marks of dragons look big,but they are also narrow at the deep part of the scratch mark.This mark,however,is broad all the way through the scratch mark!(Sorry if you don't understand,but it doesn't really matter.)So,it probably isn't a dragon who made these marks,"Fishlegs explained in detail.I cheered up a little to know that Castaway was not trying to desert me.

"Then what made the marks?This is a real puzzle,"Hiccup placed his hand on his chin as he pondered."Yannied,have you offended anyone in your life?They would probably steal your dragon to spite you,"Hiccup suddenly asked.I shook my head.Then,my thoughts flashed back to last night.Gustav!I had offended him by not letting him ride Castaway and telling him that he was careless!"Gustav!I think I insulted him,"I proceeded to explain to Hiccup what happened the previous night.He looked very grave and angry at the same time."I thought Gustav would be more mature than to steal Castaway and fly away with your dragon,"he shrugged his shoulders in annoyance."Astrid,Fishlegs,we have to find Gustav.And if we find Gustav,we find Castaway too,"he instructed before patting my shoulder."We'll find Castaway for you,don't worry.And we'll deal with Gustav too,"he reassured me."Thanks,Hiccup,but I think I'll deal with Gustav myself,"I replied.Hiccup nodded.The three dragon-riders mounted their dragons and flew off in search of Gustav.

I sighed."Castaway,please don't be hurt,"I silently prayed.