A/N: Hey guys! I'm happy to give you chapter 7! So much is planned for this story and i have yet to average how many chapters it will be. Hopefully long enough for a sequel...eh? ;) This chapter is longer than the normal 3,000 words. Anyway, enjoy this chapter. Things are about to start getting REALLY interesting.
"This is bad," I extend my arms farther from my body, and calmly try to step back without making any sudden moves, "really, really bad."
The purple Nadder spreads its wings above its head and makes a scary noise, making me jump out of my skin. I feel like running away, scurrying towards the dark shadows of a boulder and hiding until the dragon passes by. But something inside of me stops, my feet don't want to move even when my brain screams.You'll get carried off my a dragon or something.Snotlouts words echo, like he was there speaking them himself. In a way I wish I listened to him, even knowing dragons weren't a threat didn't help.
But there was something else.
As I stare into the eyes of this dragon, I see something. Something I saw in Oleander when we bonded the day we met, something I hadn't seen in any other dragon before. I saw myself. A outcast from the group, yet someone looked up to, someone who was loved and cared for. Reckless in decision making. Trying to understand other people. trying so hard to fit in. I saw me...a reflection of my own soul.
Then fear takes over, I remember seeing the yellow Nadder on the ground, dead and my heart clenches. I back up, the dragon making more noises as it approaches. Then, I take off into a run and pray as I take each step that the dragon does not follow. But just when I believe I've lost it, I hear its thumping feet following behind me.
I panic.
Then my feet makes contact with a rock as I make the clearing by Sven's farm, and trip out of the thick forest and land in the clearing, my face planting into the ground.
The thumping stops, and something is breathing from above me. I hear the dragon, making noises like Stormfly would. Slowly, I turn my head to face the dragon. Its wings are still up, and it growls.
"Okay," I put my hands up, "okay. You got me. Go ahead. Do your business."
The dragon doesn't move, or even lower its defense
I tilt my head, "Make it quick. If you're going to kill me, do it now."
Still no response.
"You're scaring me," I speak honestly, "I say you kill that dragon today. So, just get it over with."
The dragon lifts its wings, its tail lifting above its head, and it growls, making a dash for me. I go to scream, putting my hands in front of my face, waiting for the pain to begin. But against my skin I feel a light wind. It wasn't windy today, however. Its warm and calming. I open my eyes slowly, the dragon close to my face. It sniffs my arm, lifting its wings when it gets to my bad arm and growling again. Then just like that, it disappears.
I frown, contemplating what just happened. The dragon seemed comfortable, yet at edge for some reason. What's worse, was what seemed to be its reaction...its reaction to my bad arm. I glance at it, scared of what exactly was wrong with me. Something that would cause a dragon to go against its protective instincts, and run away. But maybe it was because we were strangers, from different worlds.
When the crickets chirp, and I have sat there for who knows how long, I feel exhaustion wash over me and panic again. If its too late, and I get back, mom would be angry. Sure it hadn't been hours, barely an hour since I left the house, but a strict bedtime was part of my upbringing.
Quickly, I push myself up off the ground on to my feet, my bad arm aching a little bit, and dash down the path and towards home. I try to keep my running light against the ground to not make any noises because I don't want to wake anyone up.
I get into town, and its not hard to find my house. One of the few on a hill, and hanging out with Oleander enough made it second nature to find my housei in the dark. When it comes to view, I sigh in relief. Today the lights are out, which means mom and dad went to bed earlier than normal.
Scurrying up the hill, I open the door slowly, noting the snoring noises coming my parents bedroom. With every effort I have, I try my best to make as little noise as possible as I walk up the stairs to my small, simple room. There is a bed up underneath the window that is near the inner part of the roof. A lamp stand sits by my bed, with a candle stick on top though it is not lit. To my my right is a small wooden desk with a chair, several books piled on top. I try to maneuver around the clutter; garbage, clothes, etc. around my room in order to get to my bed safely. But I stumble several times, and fall once against a pair of pants.
Finally, I'm snuggled under my covers. I stare at the ceiling, wide eyed. My hand aches a little, still sore, yet there is a sting. A sting that I didn't feel until earlier that night. It concerns me and I don't know what to think about it. Even as I drift off to sleep, I worry about what the future may hold. What awful things may happen, and yet I hope that I as a person can overcome them as anyone should.
The next morning found me at dusk, standing by the cliff with Toothless, who hoped out the window of Hiccups room and bounded towards me with a smile on his face. There was some hesitation, but why wouldn't there be? Even though Toothless loved to ride with me, he clung to that hope that Hiccup would be the one riding him into the sunrise. And I'm glad he does. But we had to start acting, so today would be different.
We head into the clouds, me on Toothless's saddle, and him aiming for heights I couldn't imagine. But it was okay, we had to practice for the race the next day. Despite knowing that my mother would explode, Grease pestering me for not showing up, I don't care at all. Because this is what I love. This is what I can do. They try to take it away from me, but I won't let them anymore.
"Alright Toothless," I pat his back, "lets aim for new records."
The dragon grunts, picking up acceleration but as we reach the clouds we take a sudden dive right for the ocean. Then we're at the sea stacks, and we begin to weave through them, I arrow my eyes as the wind presses against them. I smile a little and duck into the saddle as we go under a large rock attached to two sea stacks.
Then its open water.
"Wow Toothless," I exclaim, "you've got a lot in you. Is there anything else you want to show off?"
Toothless sneezes, then accelerates towards the island, and pulling back, the force lifts his wings higher. He heads for the large rock behind Berk, weaving around it and heading towards the forest. I look around and see a few wild dragons playing, but not many since most are on Dragon Island, "Nice!" He grunts again, picking up speed and weaving in between tree's, near the end he spins, then pushes himself up back to the clouds.
I yell, "Yeah! That's how you do it!"
He smiles, now we can see Berk. The sunrise casts a shadow on the island, I see it in a way i never had before, "Beautiful. We should fly at this time often."
Silence.
"Lets head for the sea stacks."
More hesitation, but Toothless obeys, flying back around the island and landing on top of a sea stack.
"We gotta do something," I say quickly, jumping on to the ground, "if we don't, Hiccup will never ride you again. No one will come back to the training academy. That...thing may attack again, and we won't be prepared."
Silence. Toothless is watching me, I can't read his mind, but I want to try and get this thing out of the way.
I sigh, "I bet i'm the only one who cares. The only who...wants this to succeed. Berk needs protection, not angry immature students running around in hatred. But what am i suppose to do?"
Silence.
"I can do nothing," I laugh sarcastically, "but i've been doing that all along. Not asking questions. Keeping myself locked in this circle..." I sigh, "I'm a wimp. A cold hearted wimp. Thinking selfishly, understanding little, not wanting to understand." True or not, its how I felt, "What can I do?"
My mind is empty, I can't think of a solution. I want to, I want to with all my might. To find a way to end this sadness, to find a way to make this problem go away. But I can't, I just can't. I feel useless. My friends crumbling, and I can do nothing.
This was something I hated most; that useless feeling I got when thinking about these problems. I sigh and watch as the sun is almost high in the sky. Toothless bumps my shoulder, "What?"
He does it again.
"Maybe flying would make me feel better."
He does it again.
"Lets go flying." Toothless shakes his head, bounding away from me, "Toothless. C'mon."
The dragon snorts, running up to me and bumping my stomach, "Are you trying to make me feel better?" He makes a affectionate noise and bumps my stomach again, looking at me with big eyes, "thanks. I'm not your rider but..." I look out to the sky, "...I will always have your back. Thank you."
We spend a couple more minutes on the sea stack, but my stomach starts rumbling, its time to eat. Toothless takes me back to Berk. After dropping him off, I head back home.
As I turn the corner I see Ruffnut climbing a tree near my house that leads to the window in my room. For a moment I watch her as she struggles, but then I'm standing under the tree, "What are you doing?"
She falls on to a branch, "Trying to get into Penny's room."
"And why are you trying to climb into my room?" Its kinda creepy.
"Because..." She looks over, "oh its you." Ruffnut lets go of the branch she is hanging off of.
"Ruffnut, I wouldn't-"
She lands on her behind, getting up, rubbing the spot she fell on, she grabs my shoulders, "I need your help!"
"With what?"
"Snotlout!"
I swallow hard, "W-what about Snotlout?"
Ruffnut looks to the left and right, "Can you keep a secret?"
Uh onh "Uh, yes?" I squint as I speak.
She gestures for me to lean in closer and I do, "I...have..." My heart is pound, "a top secret mission!" She pumps her air arms in the air, and her leg.
"A what?"
"A top secret mission! You know, spies, gadgets, secrecy?"
"Oh."
"But, I need to do this by myself. So...could you keep Snotlout busy for me?"
"What now?"
"Snotlout. Busy. Not follow me," She crosses her arms, "Get the picture?"
"Yeah..." I scratch my neck, good gracious, "...so how long am I suppose to...keep him busy."
"Until sunset."
"Sunset!? Do you realize how hard that's going to be!?"
She nods, "I thought of that. But its YOU, so...it shouldn't be too hard, right? I mean the two of you use to date. You know all the little details."
I cringe, "Did you have to say that?"
"Well yeah. Its not like I never noticed, or notice."
"Notice?" I hesitate, "what?"
"Some stuff," She smiles, "anyway, I'm going." And without a word she runs off towards the beach. Awkward. And how am I suppose to pull this off?
Snotlout appears, giving me no time to think at all. I knew he was going to be mad at me, I mean I did glare at him...but I put that aside, and force a smile, "Hey Snotlout!"
He looks at me, a frown appearing on his face, "What do YOU want?" Yup he's still angry.
But I have to ignore it, forcing myself to attempt to be jolly. I swing my good arm as I force another smile, "Hey...wouldn't it be jolly if we went for a jog?"
"I hate jogging," Snotlout snaps, "besides. I have important things to do."
I laugh nervously, "But what's better than looking good."
"My looks have been earned," Snotlout boasts, "there's no need to work now. Maybe later."
He starts towards the beach, where Ruffnut had headed earlier. I have to stop him, "Well, what about a good old fashion talk?"
"Not interested."
"Not even a hello?"
"You already said hello," He frowns, "would you quit following me?"
I watch him as he continues to walk, and I am dead in my tracks. I don't know what to say, how to stop him. At least for the period of time Ruffnut wants him out of his hair. And why am I doing this anyway, its just going to start all over again tomorrow. I glare at his back, then turn and head in the opposite direction.
And then I couldn't my breath. It was like something was clogging my exhales from coming out of my mouth, my nose. My left hand is at my throat, and I try to breath. A sharp pain shoots through my right wrist, I can feel it strongly. I squint, in pain and desperate and kneel to the ground, ignoring everyone else around me. I can faintly hear my name being called, some villagers coming to help, others watching from a distance. I feel like i'm about to die. Like i'm about to leave this world.
The pain doesn't stop, it gets worse and worse. I'm starting to get dizzy, I'm still not breathing. My eyesight is blurring.
It seemed like forever, but the pain begins to subside and I can breath again. This was weird, never had I encountered something like this before. When I'm back into focus I notice a few things. Most of the villagers are gathered, Stinky is standing there concerned. The others are confused, I note it on their faces.
I notice Snotlout, not close enough to touch me, but not far away like the crowd, "What was that?"
If only I knew. I push myself up, stumbling a little, almost falling but keeping myself balanced.
"You really must sit," Stinky insists, trying to push me back on to the ground.
"I'm fine," Its not true, this isn't true, but I have to lie, "really."
Stinky shakes her head, keeping my gaze, "Then you need to go to the great hall," She smiles, "i'll send someone to fetch you some water."
"There's no need," I insist.
"I say there is," She argues, "and take Snotlout with you. In case it happens again. We will go get Gothi."
"No!" I snap, a little loud. But calm myself, "I'll take the water. But don't get Gothi." For fear that they may find out.
I think she's going to argue like she always does, but she doesn't, signaling for me to go to the Great Hall. I walk slowly, trying to get my eyes to the ground and not make eye contact. This was embarrassing, I wanted to cry. I rarely did, but I wish I didn't feel this way. Helpless, weak, pathetic. It didn't make me a viking, but a emotional crybaby.
"Hey!" Snotlout calls, "are you just gonna walk off?" Like usually I don't answer. Mainly because I don't want to, and because I fear that yelling will bring this back. I fear for my life now, this must be the result of that strange goo. When Snotlout doesn't get a response he rushes so he's in front of me, stopping me in my tracks, "You're not going to explain what just happened."
"No," I say quickly, "its none of your business." For once, I really feel like crying. My secret was out, my out of control toxic killing me secret was out. Not in details, but enough to make me want to kneel down and press my face against the ground to hide, "I'm going to the Great Hall whether you're going to come or not."
Now I don't care about Ruffnut's stupid secrecy, just getting away from everyone and hiding in the corner. To hide a side of me that rarely came out, besides Oleanders funeral. I continue walking, brushing past him and slowly making my way to the Great Hall.
When I get to the steps I look at them, something like that would surely give me another breathing problem. But I have to try at least. I take one step, trying to steady my breathing, but I'm having a hard time. I feel like i'm going to faint. Instead I lower myself on to the stair and try to keep my heart rate normal. I couldn't get up those steps, anyone thinking I could was stubborn.
"I thought you were going to the Great Hall?" Snotlout is in front of me.
I shake my head, trying to talk, but its difficult. I have to wait until the dizziness passes, "Can't..." I look up the steps, "too many." I feel like an idiot giving up.
"C'mon, you're a warrior," He points out, "warriors don't give up."
"They do when they have breathing problems," I say in between breaths.
He nods his head, "I guess that's true," Did he actually agree with me? I must be having another spams of pain without knowing it. In a few minutes, he sits beside me, "Never fear, Snotlouts here. I'll make sure you don't have to suffer anymore."
"Thanks. But you can't really control it," It's getting easier to steady my heart rate. I take a deep breath,
"You can do it," Snotlout encourages patting my shoulders really hard. Did you just do that. I nod my head, and then try again. It takes longer than normal, whoever thought of all theses stairs is REALLY retarded. Snotlout is helpful, encouraging for once, and when I finally reach the top I smile in victory, "I told you you could do it!"
We go inside, and sit down at a bench.
"What's with that?"
"With what?"
"That..." He points to the door, "what just happened out there."
I don't want to tell him, "Its nothing to worry."
"Are you sick or something? Isn't breathing important to live?"
"Really Snotlout, its-"
"Penny..." I turn to see Hiccup and astrid. In Hiccups hand is a cup of water, they walk quickly over and he passes to me, "what happened?"
Astrid is worried, I can tell by the look on her face.
I shrug, "I stopped breathing. Wrist pain. You know, normal stuff..." I don't want to face this...this reality. That I'm going to die, that this is the beginning. The beginning of the end.
"You really need to see Gothi."
"I don't want to."
"Before this thing gets any worse."
"Thing?" Snotlout glares, "so they know about this?"
I want to lie again, but I can't bring myself to, even if I could I'm still emotional. I can feel it building up, "Yup."
"And you don't trust the snot man?"
"No."
"Excuse me? Did you just say no? After everything I did for you?"
"Everything you did...?" Yeah, the emotional side of me was on the brink of overflowing. I couldn't just say it, but I couldn't just hold it in anymore. I had to let it out, I had to say what my heart said, "You want to know what I remember?"
Silence.
"I remember you walking away; giving me NO reason for that break-up,"
"Penny..."
"No Hiccup. I'm tired of holding this in," I glare at Snotlout, "You're a COWARD. You walked around, pretending that I was invisible while I hid a corner, taking the blame for something you did. And now you want to know EVERYTHING about my life?" I'm angry, I'm upset, but more than ever. Snotlouts's surprised, I can see it on his face.
I should say more, but that's all I want to say right now. Anymore and I'd cry harder than anything else, so instead I turn and leave.
Then, when I'm outside, the tears fall.
"This is bad," I extend my arms farther from my body, and calmly try to step back without making any sudden moves, "really, really bad."
The purple Nadder spreads its wings above its head and makes a scary noise, making me jump out of my skin. I feel like running away, scurrying towards the dark shadows of a boulder and hiding until the dragon passes by. But something inside of me stops, my feet don't want to move even when my brain screams.You'll get carried off my a dragon or something.Snotlouts words echo, like he was there speaking them himself. In a way I wish I listened to him, even knowing dragons weren't a threat didn't help.
But there was something else.
As I stare into the eyes of this dragon, I see something. Something I saw in Oleander when we bonded the day we met, something I hadn't seen in any other dragon before. I saw myself. A outcast from the group, yet someone looked up to, someone who was loved and cared for. Reckless in decision making. Trying to understand other people. trying so hard to fit in. I saw me...a reflection of my own soul.
Then fear takes over, I remember seeing the yellow Nadder on the ground, dead and my heart clenches. I back up, the dragon making more noises as it approaches. Then, I take off into a run and pray as I take each step that the dragon does not follow. But just when I believe I've lost it, I hear its thumping feet following behind me.
I panic.
Then my feet makes contact with a rock as I make the clearing by Sven's farm, and trip out of the thick forest and land in the clearing, my face planting into the ground.
The thumping stops, and something is breathing from above me. I hear the dragon, making noises like Stormfly would. Slowly, I turn my head to face the dragon. Its wings are still up, and it growls.
"Okay," I put my hands up, "okay. You got me. Go ahead. Do your business."
The dragon doesn't move, or even lower its defense
I tilt my head, "Make it quick. If you're going to kill me, do it now."
Still no response.
"You're scaring me," I speak honestly, "I say you kill that dragon today. So, just get it over with."
The dragon lifts its wings, its tail lifting above its head, and it growls, making a dash for me. I go to scream, putting my hands in front of my face, waiting for the pain to begin. But against my skin I feel a light wind. It wasn't windy today, however. Its warm and calming. I open my eyes slowly, the dragon close to my face. It sniffs my arm, lifting its wings when it gets to my bad arm and growling again. Then just like that, it disappears.
I frown, contemplating what just happened. The dragon seemed comfortable, yet at edge for some reason. What's worse, was what seemed to be its reaction...its reaction to my bad arm. I glance at it, scared of what exactly was wrong with me. Something that would cause a dragon to go against its protective instincts, and run away. But maybe it was because we were strangers, from different worlds.
When the crickets chirp, and I have sat there for who knows how long, I feel exhaustion wash over me and panic again. If its too late, and I get back, mom would be angry. Sure it hadn't been hours, barely an hour since I left the house, but a strict bedtime was part of my upbringing.
Quickly, I push myself up off the ground on to my feet, my bad arm aching a little bit, and dash down the path and towards home. I try to keep my running light against the ground to not make any noises because I don't want to wake anyone up.
I get into town, and its not hard to find my house. One of the few on a hill, and hanging out with Oleander enough made it second nature to find my housei in the dark. When it comes to view, I sigh in relief. Today the lights are out, which means mom and dad went to bed earlier than normal.
Scurrying up the hill, I open the door slowly, noting the snoring noises coming my parents bedroom. With every effort I have, I try my best to make as little noise as possible as I walk up the stairs to my small, simple room. There is a bed up underneath the window that is near the inner part of the roof. A lamp stand sits by my bed, with a candle stick on top though it is not lit. To my my right is a small wooden desk with a chair, several books piled on top. I try to maneuver around the clutter; garbage, clothes, etc. around my room in order to get to my bed safely. But I stumble several times, and fall once against a pair of pants.
Finally, I'm snuggled under my covers. I stare at the ceiling, wide eyed. My hand aches a little, still sore, yet there is a sting. A sting that I didn't feel until earlier that night. It concerns me and I don't know what to think about it. Even as I drift off to sleep, I worry about what the future may hold. What awful things may happen, and yet I hope that I as a person can overcome them as anyone should.
The next morning found me at dusk, standing by the cliff with Toothless, who hoped out the window of Hiccups room and bounded towards me with a smile on his face. There was some hesitation, but why wouldn't there be? Even though Toothless loved to ride with me, he clung to that hope that Hiccup would be the one riding him into the sunrise. And I'm glad he does. But we had to start acting, so today would be different.
We head into the clouds, me on Toothless's saddle, and him aiming for heights I couldn't imagine. But it was okay, we had to practice for the race the next day. Despite knowing that my mother would explode, Grease pestering me for not showing up, I don't care at all. Because this is what I love. This is what I can do. They try to take it away from me, but I won't let them anymore.
"Alright Toothless," I pat his back, "lets aim for new records."
The dragon grunts, picking up acceleration but as we reach the clouds we take a sudden dive right for the ocean. Then we're at the sea stacks, and we begin to weave through them, I arrow my eyes as the wind presses against them. I smile a little and duck into the saddle as we go under a large rock attached to two sea stacks.
Then its open water.
"Wow Toothless," I exclaim, "you've got a lot in you. Is there anything else you want to show off?"
Toothless sneezes, then accelerates towards the island, and pulling back, the force lifts his wings higher. He heads for the large rock behind Berk, weaving around it and heading towards the forest. I look around and see a few wild dragons playing, but not many since most are on Dragon Island, "Nice!" He grunts again, picking up speed and weaving in between tree's, near the end he spins, then pushes himself up back to the clouds.
I yell, "Yeah! That's how you do it!"
He smiles, now we can see Berk. The sunrise casts a shadow on the island, I see it in a way i never had before, "Beautiful. We should fly at this time often."
Silence.
"Lets head for the sea stacks."
More hesitation, but Toothless obeys, flying back around the island and landing on top of a sea stack.
"We gotta do something," I say quickly, jumping on to the ground, "if we don't, Hiccup will never ride you again. No one will come back to the training academy. That...thing may attack again, and we won't be prepared."
Silence. Toothless is watching me, I can't read his mind, but I want to try and get this thing out of the way.
I sigh, "I bet i'm the only one who cares. The only who...wants this to succeed. Berk needs protection, not angry immature students running around in hatred. But what am i suppose to do?"
Silence.
"I can do nothing," I laugh sarcastically, "but i've been doing that all along. Not asking questions. Keeping myself locked in this circle..." I sigh, "I'm a wimp. A cold hearted wimp. Thinking selfishly, understanding little, not wanting to understand." True or not, its how I felt, "What can I do?"
My mind is empty, I can't think of a solution. I want to, I want to with all my might. To find a way to end this sadness, to find a way to make this problem go away. But I can't, I just can't. I feel useless. My friends crumbling, and I can do nothing.
This was something I hated most; that useless feeling I got when thinking about these problems. I sigh and watch as the sun is almost high in the sky. Toothless bumps my shoulder, "What?"
He does it again.
"Maybe flying would make me feel better."
He does it again.
"Lets go flying." Toothless shakes his head, bounding away from me, "Toothless. C'mon."
The dragon snorts, running up to me and bumping my stomach, "Are you trying to make me feel better?" He makes a affectionate noise and bumps my stomach again, looking at me with big eyes, "thanks. I'm not your rider but..." I look out to the sky, "...I will always have your back. Thank you."
We spend a couple more minutes on the sea stack, but my stomach starts rumbling, its time to eat. Toothless takes me back to Berk. After dropping him off, I head back home.
As I turn the corner I see Ruffnut climbing a tree near my house that leads to the window in my room. For a moment I watch her as she struggles, but then I'm standing under the tree, "What are you doing?"
She falls on to a branch, "Trying to get into Penny's room."
"And why are you trying to climb into my room?" Its kinda creepy.
"Because..." She looks over, "oh its you." Ruffnut lets go of the branch she is hanging off of.
"Ruffnut, I wouldn't-"
She lands on her behind, getting up, rubbing the spot she fell on, she grabs my shoulders, "I need your help!"
"With what?"
"Snotlout!"
I swallow hard, "W-what about Snotlout?"
Ruffnut looks to the left and right, "Can you keep a secret?"
Uh onh "Uh, yes?" I squint as I speak.
She gestures for me to lean in closer and I do, "I...have..." My heart is pound, "a top secret mission!" She pumps her air arms in the air, and her leg.
"A what?"
"A top secret mission! You know, spies, gadgets, secrecy?"
"Oh."
"But, I need to do this by myself. So...could you keep Snotlout busy for me?"
"What now?"
"Snotlout. Busy. Not follow me," She crosses her arms, "Get the picture?"
"Yeah..." I scratch my neck, good gracious, "...so how long am I suppose to...keep him busy."
"Until sunset."
"Sunset!? Do you realize how hard that's going to be!?"
She nods, "I thought of that. But its YOU, so...it shouldn't be too hard, right? I mean the two of you use to date. You know all the little details."
I cringe, "Did you have to say that?"
"Well yeah. Its not like I never noticed, or notice."
"Notice?" I hesitate, "what?"
"Some stuff," She smiles, "anyway, I'm going." And without a word she runs off towards the beach. Awkward. And how am I suppose to pull this off?
Snotlout appears, giving me no time to think at all. I knew he was going to be mad at me, I mean I did glare at him...but I put that aside, and force a smile, "Hey Snotlout!"
He looks at me, a frown appearing on his face, "What do YOU want?" Yup he's still angry.
But I have to ignore it, forcing myself to attempt to be jolly. I swing my good arm as I force another smile, "Hey...wouldn't it be jolly if we went for a jog?"
"I hate jogging," Snotlout snaps, "besides. I have important things to do."
I laugh nervously, "But what's better than looking good."
"My looks have been earned," Snotlout boasts, "there's no need to work now. Maybe later."
He starts towards the beach, where Ruffnut had headed earlier. I have to stop him, "Well, what about a good old fashion talk?"
"Not interested."
"Not even a hello?"
"You already said hello," He frowns, "would you quit following me?"
I watch him as he continues to walk, and I am dead in my tracks. I don't know what to say, how to stop him. At least for the period of time Ruffnut wants him out of his hair. And why am I doing this anyway, its just going to start all over again tomorrow. I glare at his back, then turn and head in the opposite direction.
And then I couldn't my breath. It was like something was clogging my exhales from coming out of my mouth, my nose. My left hand is at my throat, and I try to breath. A sharp pain shoots through my right wrist, I can feel it strongly. I squint, in pain and desperate and kneel to the ground, ignoring everyone else around me. I can faintly hear my name being called, some villagers coming to help, others watching from a distance. I feel like i'm about to die. Like i'm about to leave this world.
The pain doesn't stop, it gets worse and worse. I'm starting to get dizzy, I'm still not breathing. My eyesight is blurring.
It seemed like forever, but the pain begins to subside and I can breath again. This was weird, never had I encountered something like this before. When I'm back into focus I notice a few things. Most of the villagers are gathered, Stinky is standing there concerned. The others are confused, I note it on their faces.
I notice Snotlout, not close enough to touch me, but not far away like the crowd, "What was that?"
If only I knew. I push myself up, stumbling a little, almost falling but keeping myself balanced.
"You really must sit," Stinky insists, trying to push me back on to the ground.
"I'm fine," Its not true, this isn't true, but I have to lie, "really."
Stinky shakes her head, keeping my gaze, "Then you need to go to the great hall," She smiles, "i'll send someone to fetch you some water."
"There's no need," I insist.
"I say there is," She argues, "and take Snotlout with you. In case it happens again. We will go get Gothi."
"No!" I snap, a little loud. But calm myself, "I'll take the water. But don't get Gothi." For fear that they may find out.
I think she's going to argue like she always does, but she doesn't, signaling for me to go to the Great Hall. I walk slowly, trying to get my eyes to the ground and not make eye contact. This was embarrassing, I wanted to cry. I rarely did, but I wish I didn't feel this way. Helpless, weak, pathetic. It didn't make me a viking, but a emotional crybaby.
"Hey!" Snotlout calls, "are you just gonna walk off?" Like usually I don't answer. Mainly because I don't want to, and because I fear that yelling will bring this back. I fear for my life now, this must be the result of that strange goo. When Snotlout doesn't get a response he rushes so he's in front of me, stopping me in my tracks, "You're not going to explain what just happened."
"No," I say quickly, "its none of your business." For once, I really feel like crying. My secret was out, my out of control toxic killing me secret was out. Not in details, but enough to make me want to kneel down and press my face against the ground to hide, "I'm going to the Great Hall whether you're going to come or not."
Now I don't care about Ruffnut's stupid secrecy, just getting away from everyone and hiding in the corner. To hide a side of me that rarely came out, besides Oleanders funeral. I continue walking, brushing past him and slowly making my way to the Great Hall.
When I get to the steps I look at them, something like that would surely give me another breathing problem. But I have to try at least. I take one step, trying to steady my breathing, but I'm having a hard time. I feel like i'm going to faint. Instead I lower myself on to the stair and try to keep my heart rate normal. I couldn't get up those steps, anyone thinking I could was stubborn.
"I thought you were going to the Great Hall?" Snotlout is in front of me.
I shake my head, trying to talk, but its difficult. I have to wait until the dizziness passes, "Can't..." I look up the steps, "too many." I feel like an idiot giving up.
"C'mon, you're a warrior," He points out, "warriors don't give up."
"They do when they have breathing problems," I say in between breaths.
He nods his head, "I guess that's true," Did he actually agree with me? I must be having another spams of pain without knowing it. In a few minutes, he sits beside me, "Never fear, Snotlouts here. I'll make sure you don't have to suffer anymore."
"Thanks. But you can't really control it," It's getting easier to steady my heart rate. I take a deep breath,
"You can do it," Snotlout encourages patting my shoulders really hard. Did you just do that. I nod my head, and then try again. It takes longer than normal, whoever thought of all theses stairs is REALLY retarded. Snotlout is helpful, encouraging for once, and when I finally reach the top I smile in victory, "I told you you could do it!"
We go inside, and sit down at a bench.
"What's with that?"
"With what?"
"That..." He points to the door, "what just happened out there."
I don't want to tell him, "Its nothing to worry."
"Are you sick or something? Isn't breathing important to live?"
"Really Snotlout, its-"
"Penny..." I turn to see Hiccup and astrid. In Hiccups hand is a cup of water, they walk quickly over and he passes to me, "what happened?"
Astrid is worried, I can tell by the look on her face.
I shrug, "I stopped breathing. Wrist pain. You know, normal stuff..." I don't want to face this...this reality. That I'm going to die, that this is the beginning. The beginning of the end.
"You really need to see Gothi."
"I don't want to."
"Before this thing gets any worse."
"Thing?" Snotlout glares, "so they know about this?"
I want to lie again, but I can't bring myself to, even if I could I'm still emotional. I can feel it building up, "Yup."
"And you don't trust the snot man?"
"No."
"Excuse me? Did you just say no? After everything I did for you?"
"Everything you did...?" Yeah, the emotional side of me was on the brink of overflowing. I couldn't just say it, but I couldn't just hold it in anymore. I had to let it out, I had to say what my heart said, "You want to know what I remember?"
Silence.
"I remember you walking away; giving me NO reason for that break-up,"
"Penny..."
"No Hiccup. I'm tired of holding this in," I glare at Snotlout, "You're a COWARD. You walked around, pretending that I was invisible while I hid a corner, taking the blame for something you did. And now you want to know EVERYTHING about my life?" I'm angry, I'm upset, but more than ever. Snotlouts's surprised, I can see it on his face.
I should say more, but that's all I want to say right now. Anymore and I'd cry harder than anything else, so instead I turn and leave.
Then, when I'm outside, the tears fall.