Escaping to You -Book I of the Journey Series

Chapter 4

===Heather===

Having Hiccup join me on my vendetta for justice and revenge against Dagur has me having a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. Him, flying next to me on Toothless on a beautiful morning. I feel like I'm having the best dream ever! I even had to secretly pinch myself just to make sure that I was awake. And I was.

This morning, waking up in Hiccup's arms felt so surreal. Ever since he rescued my parents from the Outcasts, I haven't been able to stop thinking about him. Even after three years he never left my thoughts, let alone........... my heart.

And last night, when he said, unintentionally, that he was thinking about me for three years, I could feel my heart soaring as my cheeks started heating up. And the way he held me close to him, I felt safe and........ at home in his arms. He held me tight, like he never wanted to let me go. As if he was afraid that I might run away. I hugged him tight, scared that he might pull away and this is all a dream. But, he didn't and the two of us fell asleep, never letting go of each other.

As I sneaked a glance at him, I can't help but notice how much he has changed over the last three years. He didn't look like the cute and dorky boy I knew three years ago. He looked.................. well....................HOTTER!!!

His auburn hair looking messier than before. His emerald green eyes shinning in the sunlight. And his smile that melted my heart over and over again. He has gotten taller, and he gained muscles. Probably from working at the forge. And trust me, I wasn't complaining. Its safe to say that Puberty has hit Hiccup, ROCK HARD! He went from cute, skinny and dorky to LEAN, HOT, and SEXY. Let's not forget, he gained a charsima that can make even the toughest woman swoon.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Hiccup's voice from my side. "Heather, there it is!" He pointed to a ship sailing westward. It was Trader Johann's Ship! "Right..... Let's go!" I manage to stutter out. 'Control yourself, Heather. The two of you are on a mission!' I angrily scolded myself.

We dived and landed gently on Johann's deck. We saw him, emerging from a huge pile of crates. "Ah, Miss Heather. Always a pleasure to see you." He greeted as he slowly walked towards us. Then, he looked from behind me and greeted Hiccup, "Master Hiccup. To what do I owe this visit?"

"Actually Johann, Hiccup is now accompanying me on my mission to hunt down Dagur.." I answered for Hiccup, and he just nodded in confirmation. "Oh, and Master Hiccup. The items that you have ordered are down below." He addressed to Hiccup, and Hiccup went down below the deck.

"Alright, fill me in." I told Johann, and he took out the map that pinpoints Dagur's location. "Dagur has been said to purchase a new shipment of dragon-proof weapons on an island called Heroes' End. It is unwise to attack alone, Miss Heather. And that is why I'm pleased to know the great Master Hiccup is accompanying you on this mission." He gave me a knowing smile. What is he on about?

"Johann, can you come here for a moment?" Hiccup called in a muffled voice. "Excuse me, Miss Heather." He said as he went below deck to help Hiccup. Their voices are low and inaudible, So, its no use finding out what Hiccup needs Johann for. I looked around the deck and was fascinated by the odd devices and crafts that were displayed. The weird thing was, that were mostly made by Hiccup. Just thinking about his creativity and effort in making them made me admire him more.

Other items were books, scrolls, maps, charts, exotic fruits, fabrics, trinkets and weapons. This ship is filled from stem to stern with treasures of all sorts. As I was busy, wandering around the ship, I heard footsteps coming up on the main deck. I turned and saw Hiccup with a rucksack in his hands. "I hope you have everything you need, Master Hiccup?" Johann asked him. "Yes, everything is accounted for." He replied with a a smile. "And I hope also hope that you like the 'little-something' that I gave you." Johann said. "I do, Johann. I'll put it to good use." Hiccup said as he gave Johann a pointed look. What happened down there?

"Well, we should be going now." Hiccup said as he strapped the rucksack tightly unto Toothless' saddle. "Yes. See you soon, Trader Johann." I bid Trader Johann. "'Til we meet again Miss Heather and Master Hiccup!" And the two of us flew away.

"What did the two of you do below the deck, anyway?" I asked him when we were up in the air. "Oh, I needed some help with the rucksack." He said, not looking me in the eye. He is acting very strange. "Well, what was the 'little-something' that Johann gave you?" I tried again. "Just a vile of squid ink." He replied, still not looking at me. What could he be hiding from me?

We were silent for the rest of the flight. It was kind of awkward. Until, Hiccup spoke up, "So......" He began. "So........" I saod. "Where is Dagur located?" He asked, and all the awkwardness between us vanished like smoke. "Johann said that Dagur is purchasing a shipment of Dragon Proof weapons at and island called Heroes' End." I informed him. "Dragon Proof Weapons?" He asked in disbelief.

"Even I can't believe it." I told him. "Heroes' End? That's an island somewhere in the west." Hiccup said. How did he know that? He must've read my mind, because he then said, "I read." I just looked at him, oddly, as we headed to Heroes' End.

Heroes' End is an island located in the far west. The island is divided into two; a desert and a jungle. The Desert rests in the middle of the island, while the jungle surrounds it. It was said to host the bloodiest battles in the archipelago. Its said that when it rains, the sand in the desert turns to red. It was stained with the blood of many viking warriors. The jungle on Heroes' End, is said to be haunted with the souls of the warriors who were slaughtered on the island. Their skeletons were scattered all throughout the jungle. Their armor and weapons are still in the jungle, not moving an inch since the day of the battle.

Many vikings said believe that Heroes' End is a myth. But here we are. Looking at it. The legends don't do the island justice. It was massive.

"Hey Heather. Isn't Heroes' End supposed to be a myth?" Hiccup asked me as we approached the island. "I thought so too. And yet..." I began , still in awe from what I'm seeing. "... And yet, here we are. Looking at it with our own two eyes." Hiccup finished for me.

We hung back and hovered for a moment to gaze at thee island that was said to be a myth. It was amazing! Fine white sand smoothly placed in the middle of a lush green jungle. I let my eyes wander around the island, until I spot a port right by the beach. It was Dagur! He's purchasing the shipment of Dragon Proof Weapons.

"Hiccup! Dagur is at the port!" I called out to him as I pointed to his ship. "Okay, so what's the plan?" He asked me. "Well, for one thing; Avoid getting caught in the grappling hooks and nets." I informed him. "You think?" He remarked sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at him and continued, "I'll deal with Dagur while you deal with his supplier." I told him, he nodded, and the two of us dived towards the island. Hiccup went for the port, while I went for Dagur's ships. "Windshear, let's cancel this deal." I told my dragon. We swooped down and tore their sails in half, blasted and sunk their ships. Hiccup started shooting the port, turning the docks and the supplier ships to ash. When I was about to help Hiccup, a grappling hook latched itself unto Windshear's tail, another at her foot.

"We got this girl." I encouraged her as we pulled the ships, trying hard to break free. When I looked up, I saw more ships approaching us. "Or not." I said. More grappling hooks were launched at us and it binded Windshear. Two more were launched, but I ducked them and it missed me. Then it coiled itself around Windshear's neck, pulling me down and choking me. I couldn't breathe.

"Come on, Windshear. Get us out of here!" I manage to choke out while trying to pry the chains off. I can barely breathe! I feel like the chains are tightening itself around us.

"Heather!" I heard Hiccup scream, and I saw him rush to save me. I looked at him, pleading with my eyes to help me. He flew around us and blasted one of the chains. It was no use!

He went around and tried to find a way to free us. My vision is starting to dim, and my breathing was cut short. I heard an explosion and felt the chains around me loosen up. The last thing I remember was sliding off of Windshear and falling before blacking out.