(HTTYD) To Protect Its Own

Confrontation

Hiccup POV

Darkness. It was so dark. There was no flickering of a light or a flash. I couldn't move, having only to stand motionless, alone. Then, I heard a voice. It was a deep, chilling sound, but a familiar one. It sent shivers down my spine. He repeated one phrase over and over again.

I'm coming.

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I woke in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. I clamped my hand over my mouth, feeling the bile rising up. I stood up quickly, grabbing my trashcan to heave into it. I felt sick as I retched out last night's dinner into the container. Tears rimmed in my eyes and I hastily wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. I went to the basin of water beside my bed and dipped my hands into it, washing my face.  The water calmed me down, my heartbeat slowly going back to normal. I can hear the quiet snores from Toothless and I sighed in an attempt to calm my breathing. It's been so long since I had a nightmare like this one.

I opened my door and walked out. It's still dawn, the sun barely going up. I hear Toothless's light snores coming from his stone bed and decided to let him sleep. After all, we have a big day ahead of us. It was Winter Feast, after all.

I started to walk around the Heart of the Nest, looking through the main halls. The Nest is big as always and it's been a long time since I visited --well everything. I smiled as I glanced at the peaceful dragons, sleeping in slumber.  Families of dragons would curl around each other, giving me a satisfied feeling. Suddenly, I heard a rustle and paused walking. It was a person's footsteps and I strained to hear more. I frowned. They were following me. 

"Who are you?" It didn't say anything. I pressed my hand toward Inferno, tightening my grip on it. We both didn't move, so I decided to play a trick. I resumed walking, feigning ignorance as I walked into one of the main halls. When I got inside, I hid behind a wall, hearing their footsteps. The minute I saw a footstep inside,  braced myself and threw myself over the intruder. I immediately pinned his or her arms to the ground with one hand and held my lit Inferno to its neck.

My eyebrow raised at the identity of the stalker. It was Mala.

"Mala, what are you doing?" She didn't say anything, only that she scoffed and pushed me off her. I can hear a slight grumble from her and I was confused about why she would follow me without a word. I figured it out the minute I heard laughter from behind. I sighed and turned to see Eret, Camicazi, Dagur, and Heather laughing at my expense.

"Really?" I said, my hands on my hips.

"We thought you looked defenseless as you were walking around with an absentminded look on your face. We wanted to see if it was true." Camicazi said with a seemingly innocent face.

I gave Camicazi a well-deserved smirk. "And what did you learn?"

Mala grumbled, looking away. "You can still kick our arses." Everyone just shrugged. I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement.

"I forgive you." I frowned. It's early. Aside from Mala and Throk, my friends aren't one to be awake at this hour.  "Why are you guys awake anyway?"

No one said anything. I waited for a response, knowing that they needed time. I can assume why they were awake and as displeasing the conversation will be, it was high time that I give answers. "We couldn't sleep."

I asked the obvious question, just following along with the conservation. "Why?"

Eret whistled to lighten the mood because what said next set the atmosphere down a few negative degrees. "It's been a long time since we had new visitors."