Behind the mask

The End of Time

The cast and crutches went at the beginning of February and Hiccup resumed walking, initially with one arm-crutch to help him but he shed it after three days and limped around the school, glad to be back on his feet and marginally less obvious. But only marginally...because he was Astrid Hofferson's boyfriend, friend of the Football Team and the boy who got the Principal suspended.

Mr Grimborn was reinstated after two weeks but his marks were subject to external scrutiny. Astrid and Hiccup were readmitted to Viking History but both were very wary in his presence and carefully sat together at the back, as far as they could get from the sinister man. For some reason, Mildew hadn't been suspended but the older man knew he was subject to scrutiny as well and was contenting himself with extremely sarcastic remarks. An interim external Principal, Mr Johann, had been appointed and suddenly school was not such a terrifying place for the auburn-haired boy. Hiccup was back working with Gobber and the man was grateful his best worker was back. Eret had been rehired while Hiccup was injured and had accepted that the auburn-haired boy was a much better mechanic than he was, so he had admitted he was willing to learn from Hiccup and improve his own skills.

They still travelled from home to School with Snotlout because the boy was still worried about any lingering bad feeling towards the former bad boy...and he secretly liked having company on the journey. Astrid hadn't complained because Snotlout had stopped hitting on her and accepted that she was in a relationship with Hiccup. And Hiccup was wracking his brains to try to find the perfect Valentine's gift for his girlfriend, though lack of funds and even greater lack of access to shops was hampering him. He had finally managed to nip in to the Mall and finally found a lovely bracelet of two fine interlinked chains interspersed with hearts that he had just afforded, then walked home. It was two days to go and he had his handmade Valentine's card already painted and ready for the girl he loved.

The next day, he was at School when his phone buzzed and he frowned, seeing the number for the hospital. He glanced up, then dashed for the door. It was two minutes to the end of English and Mr Larson had already told them their homework. Breathing hard, he thumbed the phone to accept the call and leaned against the wall outside the door. It was an unfamiliar woman's voice.

"Hiccup Haddock?"

He swallowed and nodded.

"Um, yeah...that's me," he replied, very wary.

"I am ringing on behalf of a Mrs Valka Treacher. I believe she is your mother?" He nodded dumbly...then realised she couldn't see him.

"Um...yeah?" he managed. His heart was hammering in his chest and there was a horrible sick feeling tumbling in the pit of his stomach. It was suddenly very hard to breathe.

"I regret to tell you Mrs Treacher is critically ill on the ICU. She is asking for you."

He felt the world spinning.

"How-how is she?" he asked, breathless.

"She is critically ill," the woman repeated. "She...doesn't have much time..."

She rang off as the bell rang, the corridor exploding into noise and students pushing roughly past the motionless Hiccup. Numb, shocked, he went back into the class and grabbed his bag. Mr Larson called him and he numbly stood there, his head down, taking the scolding for running out of class. The man finally asked him what was so important and the boy lifted his head, desolate emerald eyes meeting the scornful expression.

"My mother is dying in Berk General," he said and left before the teacher could splutter a single word of apology or of empty platitude. He headed towards his locker, grabbing his coat and things and heading out. He grabbed his phone and texted Astrid and his friends, letting them know where he would be. He asked Astrid to let her parents know as he walked out into the freezing day and set out to walk to the hospital.