The Contract

15: Monster

Fifteen: Monster

Time slowed and for Hiccup Haddock, former First Lieutenant in Berk Special Forces (Blacks Ops Division) and now the hitman known as Night Fury, every detail sharpened to crystal clarity. He could almost count the stubble on Savage's chin and where he had once worn a moustache, he could see the sweat suddenly beading Snotlout's broad and shocked face; he could hear the slightest creak as Astrid tensed, her fists balling as she took a sharp intake of breath, ready for action...and he could smell the burning of meat on the barbecue and the acrid scent of smoke. And he could see Dagur's men tensing their fingers on the triggers of the weapons.

"And why should I come with you?" he asked dryly. Savage lurched forward, his pale brown eyes furious.

"Because you made me look like an idiot and I want to make you scream before you die," he hissed.

"Not really selling the dream there," Hiccup deadpanned back. Savage almost jabbed the muzzle of his gun in the hitman's still-bruised face.

"And I won't kill your friends if you come quietly," he breathed. "In fact, we'll bring them along so they can watch..."

"Not sure I really want to watch..." Snotlout muttered, earning a kick from one of the henchmen.

"Not sure I want an audience either," Hiccup added. Savage sneered at him.

"I can kill them now-starting with her..." he threatened, swinging the gun round to point right between Astrid's eyes.

Astrid's beautiful sea-blue eyes, almost the mirror of Cami's...

"No!" he jumped in too quickly even for his ears. "No-I'll come...just leave them alone..." Deliberately, he brushed his hand against hers, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her. "Play along," he murmured under his breath, one hand digging into her hair an the other pressing her body hard against his, kissing her firmly as her hands slid down his back-and finding the gun in the back on his waistband. He felt her slide it out as he kissed her, his arms wrapped tightly around her, obscuring the small motion as she slid the gun into her own clothing.

Savage hauled her back and grasped her face in his hand, staring into her shocked eyes and leering.

"Hmm. Maybe I can have a piece of you myself, girl...once Dagur's killed him," he breathed. She head-butted him.

"I'll neuter you first," she spat as Hiccup leapt forward.

"Whoa...very feisty, Milady...but we don't want to do anything rash. I need you with me," he said in a firm voice, his emerald eyes locking with hers. There was a silent plea-play along-and she lowered her eyes slightly in acknowledgement that she would help him. Then she plunged forward, wrapping her arms around him again and pressing a quick kiss on his mouth.

"Be careful," she murmured. "We'll come for you." He smiled.

"Take care," he said as Savage gestured with the pistol..and as Hiccup walked past, he cracked the hitman over the head with the weapon. As he collapsed, Astrid gasped before she and the others were rounded up. Fish, Toothless, Snotlout and Ruffnut reluctantly exited the room but when the henchman opened the shower room, all they found was a barbecue with some burnt ribs, incinerated onions and a thick cloud of smoke, billowing in their faces. There was no sign of anyone else.

Spraying the room with his machine gun for good measure, the man emerged with a nasty grin and followed his friend with their prisoners...

oOo

The van roared along the roads of Berserk, seemingly deliberately hitting every pothole. Snotlout was sitting with his back to the cab, grumbling while Ruffnut was staring at the door, an unreadable expression on her face.