A/N: Was anyone surprised Penny lashed out? With all the stress piling on here from everything that's happening, it makes sense :P Anyway, we're starting our climb to a major plot change, so prepare for that! :D If you have any questions for me, I'm happy to answer them. I'll be picking four for the next chapter to answer. Send them to me via PM :) Let me tell you, writing this chapter was VERY difficult. Mainly because I didn't know what to write. The stuff in this was suppose to be in chapter 9 :/ But, whatever, lets read Chapter 8!
For the rest of the morning, leading into a good portion of the afternoon, I stay locked up in my room. Not wanting to ignore the world, but control my emotions long enough to calm them down. I don't cry loudly, rather I allow the tears to fall as I sit at my desk and write in my secret journal. I write letters to myself, asking why I do what I do. Why I can't be the person I want to be. I don't regret lashing out, maybe how I spoke was wrong, but I don't regret saying what I did. He deserved it. I let him walk all over me. I don't take Snotlouts choices personally anymore, but when your heart crashes and it burns, you don't normally forget.
I pour all the words on to the page, all my emotions. Hopefully I will read back and improve on further actions, but I find this method soothing. No longer do I need to be a burden on to others, but use this as a way of remembering the emotions I felt, and knowing that I can use it to reach my children one day.
Quickly I finish a sentence and reread the paragraph I just finished:
During the long months that have been passing by, I find myself sitting in a daze, not knowing what is going on around me. But then when the daze fades, death stands in the way of my happiness. I know death is close, but I don't know how close. Today's attack proved that. It was unexpected, but if I sit at home waiting to die, how will I be healed?
The words weren't made up, they flowed as the charcoal hit the parchment. I wish death wouldn't attack, that it would just stay away until everything worked out. I don't understand...I just don't
The sun is high in the sky, when I look through my upper window by my bed, I'm finally beginning to feel claustrophobic. I don't know if I'm going to run into anyone or not, but I feel fine now. My breathing is normal. My wrist is in no pain, just slightly sore. I decide its time to venture out.
When I go downstairs my mother is down there, she gestures to me, "Remember. You're going with Grease to the race tomorrow," she is knitting at the table, "there will be serious consequences if you don't."
I know, disowning me was serious. She didn't have to say it, it was a big thing to be disowned, almost at the same as level as banishing. Reasons didn't matter at all. It's almost like I couldn't think for myself.
Without another word, I open and close the front door behind me, the afternoon breeze hitting my face. I feel a chill, the breeze making me feel cold. I rub my arms, winter was approaching before devastating winter would snow us in. Fishlegs is in the town square with Meatlug, they have a sheep. When Fishlegs goes to pick up the sheep, he see's me, and waves.
I decide to go over to him, and as I get close I wave back, "What are you doing?"
"Toss the sheep," Fishlegs picks it up and tosses it to Meatlug, "its a acquired taste. But with a Gronckle, the best game ever."
"Neato."
"Wanna try?"
I feel bad for intruding, but Meatlug tosses the sheep to Fishlegs, who puts it in my arms. Why not, "Why not?" I toss the sheep to Meatlug, too far, and she runs after it, "Oops."
"It takes some practice," Fishlegs notes as Meatlug picks the sheep up and brings it back. Meatlug tosses the sheep to Fishlegs, "so, I heard you had a fight with Snotlout." He tosses the sheep to Meatlug.
"Fight?" I can't quite remember. Oh yeah, now I do, "oh that." I shrug my shoulders, "I think it was one sided. Snotlout said nothing."
"That's a first," Fishlegs notes. Meatlug passes me the sheep, "his comebacks are endless. I never knew anyone could...shut him up so to speak."
"You'd be surprised," I laugh, "when we were dating, he would make some rude comments. Most days I would ignore him or laugh, but once and a while I'd snap. He usually stopped talking for a while. Sometimes glare. But normally, he'd be all disoriented," I giggle passing the sheep back to Meatlug, "once he asked a dead man for a ax to throw at his dragon."
"Wow..that's..." Fishlegs puts his hands against his hips, "...disturbing."
"That's Snotlout for you," I watch Meatlug toss the sheep to Fishlegs, "but what else is new?"
Fishlegs shrugs, "I wish I knew. The only news around here right now is either dragon racing, that goo spraying thing or Snotlouts sudden disorientation." He tosses the sheep to Meatlug again.
I laugh again, "I didn't realize that was still possible."
"I heard he got on Toothless and said 'Up Hookfang!"
"Seriously?" I catch the sheep, "I swear he gets worse by the day."
"Love does that to you."
"Love?" I shake my head, passing the the sheep to Meatlug again, then laughing a little "that's funny."
"What?"
"You talk as if Snotlout still likes me," I laugh, "its ridiculous." This time I throw the sheep too far again, and Meatlug has to run to get it.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Maybe to everyone else," I sigh, "but we broke up. End of story. No more heart felt love, no more talking, no more sharing of secrets. Just awkwardness in a pretty package."
"Hey! Love does strange things."
"Like make you like Ruffnut."
"I've always liked her."
I shake my head, "I can remember days when you said otherwise."
"Like what?"
"What about the time they made fun of your painted face? You were pretty upset then."
"That was Tuffnut."
"Ruffnut was laughing too."
"Then my darling found it funny," He looks like a love sick puppy, "she can laugh at me any day."
I feel like gagging; but I try to keep my expression neutral. Meatlug returns with the sheep, "Weird stuff is right..."
"Hey! Dating Snotlout was weird too you know."
"Made sense to me."
"I do not see how it made sense. He's obnoxious, mean, prideful and self centered." Fishlegs has the sheep now.
I smile a little, "And then he changed. Sure he's still obnoxious, boasting, but he turned into someone I felt I could trust."
Fishlegs shakes his head, "Still kinda weird."
"I found myself...wanting to be like him. Not obnoxious or boasting but...confident, brave. I find him more silly than anything," I know my face is going red, I can feel the heat, but its all true.
"Wow. Sounds odd for someone whose angry at him..."
"Wouldn't you be angry if-" I remember Fishlegs is a boy, not to stereotype, but I feel like it would be harder for him to understand. Just because Girls can be so emotional and stuff, "nevermind."
"No, tell me."
I try to find the words, Meatlug bumps Fishleg's arm and he throws the sheep before I speak, "Okay, lets say Ruffnut decided that you and her were an item."
"Did she say something to you!?" He gets excited.
"No Fishlegs. This is an example, an illustration."
"Oh. Okay."
"But, lets say it happened. You guys date, and fall in love and stuff...and then she dumps you without giving you a reason. What you do?"
"Hmm..." Fishlegs thinks, "its a no brainer actually. I'd hug Meatlug until I felt better, then cry in my room for a few weeks."
"That's what happened between me and Snotlout. You can imagine how I felt. I didn't cy much though"
"I guess I can understand. It still boggles my mind how you can handle someone Snotlout."
I nod my head, "It boggles my mind too."
For a while longer I play with Meatlug and Fishlegs, discussing other topics. Soon I decide that I want to go for a walk. I say goodbye to Fishlegs and head for the beach. But no sooner do I get to the beach, that I spot Astrid standing there with Stormfly, "Astrid..." She see's me.
"Hey, whats up? Feeling better?"
"Yeah," I nod, "just needed some time to cool."
"I'm surprised you even held it in that long,"
I smile, "You know me. The 'hold it in without talking' girl."
"You talk to me,"
"Yeah, its true," I nod, "it was just really stressful."
"What happened anyway?"
"What do you mean?"
"Before we arrived."
"Oh that..." I scratch my neck, "I assumed you know."
"I do. But what happened; were you choked, or in a fight."
This was going to be interesting, "I was in the square and I felt like my chest was exploding, then my wrist was in pain. By the time I was able to breath, the entire town was staring at me. Even Snotlout."
"Are you okay? Should you be home?"
"No. I rested today. I'm good," I sigh, "by the time Snotlout made that comment I just..." I put my hands through my hair, "...I just couldn't handle it. Emotionally I mean. Normally, yeah. But it was just..."
Astrid nods, "I wish I could understand how you feel. It wouldn't hurt to tell him about your situation."
"What difference would it make? It would only hinder this issue."
"What issue?"
I sigh, "Everything. The awkwardness between us. The academy's broken spirits. It wouldn't solve the problem. Just make it worse." It was a sure thing in my mind, worse than the world collapsing. If I told him, he'd laugh at me probably, say I was making it up. No I can't tell him.
"But it might make things bearable,"
"He'd make some speech about strength. I really don't want that right now."
Before she could reply the ground started to shake, there are ripples everywhere in the ocean. Rocks are falling from the large rock overpowering the Great Hall.
"What's happening?" Astrid asks
I think for a moment, trying to keep my balance, "I think we're having an earthquake."
"An earthquake?"
"Yeah."
"But we've never had one before."
"There's always a first."
We look at each other for a moment, pausing as the earth continues to shake. Suddenly, Astrid points up towards Gothi's hut, "Gothi's up there. Her house might fall."
I nod, "You go get her. I'll see if I can get everyone out of the Great Hall before its crushed."
Astrid nods her head, trying her best to get on Stormfly and fly up towards Gothi's hut. I stagger over to the beach, then up the stairs. At one point I fall back towards the beach, but grab the railing and push myself back on to the stairs, avoiding a fall. Its getting hard to breath, I'm getting dizzy. But I can only assume that's from the shaking.
Once I get into the square, I look up to see Astrid struggling to get to Gothi who is standing away from the edge of her home. Hiccup is coming from the direction of his home, and I meet him in the centre of the square, "Gothi's house has a chance of falling. And there are rocks..." I point to some huge, loose rock pieces. They looked like they were going to fall soon, "...there may be people inside."
"That's what I was thinking," Hiccup yells, "lets see if we can get them out."
As we try to get to the Great Hall, Toothless trailing us, we urge everyone to get on their dragons and fly off towards the ocean until this earthquake passed. In the air, maybe they had a chance. There was nowhere on Berk safe for the people.
"Wait here," Hiccup yells over the noise when we reach the stairs.
I glare, "I can climb stairs. I'm not helpless you know." I push past him before he can answer and go up the stairs. Secretly I'm praying that I had enough time to recover. Even with the night air beginning to appear as the sun was disappearing over the horizon, one never knew what could happen.
"There are people inside," I yell.
We go inside, and yell for everyone to get on their dragons and out of here. Fishlegs is inside with Meatlug and he goes to leave, but I stop him, "Fishlegs! Go check the homes!"
"But its not safe!"
"People will die if we don't," I note, "go get everyone out of their homes."
He goes to protest, but Hiccup speaks up, "Fishlegs!"
"Fine!" Fishlegs and Meatlug disappear out the door. Hiccup and I work together to try and get everyone out as fast as we can, and we finally follow the last woman out. Just as we get out a large rock falls and slams against the Great Hall crushing it. Thank goodness no one was inside.
Then the earthquake stops.
There is silence, everyone flies back down to the ground and gets off of their dragons. I think it was reckless of us to send them into the air, but we've never had a earthquake before. All around us, people stare at the village.
Homes are damaged, the square is full of small rocks.
Snotlout pushes his way through the crowd where Hiccup and I stand, looking around at the damage. Fishlegs appears beside Hiccup. we are all standing and staring at the Great Hall.
The statue of Stoick has also been altered by the rock slide, Stoick's nose is now missing.
"Where's Astrid?" Hiccup asks, turning around to scan the crowd. I see her approaching from the sky, still on Stormfly, "and the twins?"
I shake my head, "Ruffnut said something about a top secret mission or whatever."
"We need to find them,"
"Hey!"
"What is it Snotlout?"
He looks at me and freezes, "Well uh...the rock and...ummm..."
"English Snotlout. English."
"Help!" I hear Ruffnut call, I turn in of the voice and see Ruffnut running towards us, "stuck...in..."
"Calm down," Hiccup exclaims, "where's Tuffnut?"
"He's stuck in his secret...soggy alone place," She manages to speak.
I frown, "Stuck!?"
"Cave-in. I don't know what happened. We were arguing and then the rocks fell."
Snotlout goes to say something, but hesitates, and Fishlegs takes advantage of it quickly, "Are you okay?"
"Don't focus on me! Gotta save Tuffnut."
Without another word we jump on our dragons, Ruffnut getting on Hookfang with Snotlout and she leads us to the cave. I remember it only a little, not enough to recall exactly where it was. But I remember it when I see it.
The cave itself isn't blocked, I note its dark, slimy look. Snotlout is quiet, sometimes bumping into walls, and then he'd stare at me. Really? I shake my head and we follow Ruffnut deep into the cave.
"Help!" I hear a voice in the distance, despite not hearing it for a long time I recognize it. Tuffnut.
"I got Hiccup."
"Hiccup? I don't need Hiccup. Wait? What's a Hiccup?"
"Me Tuffnut."
"You're a Hiccup?"
"No. Just..." He shakes his head, "we're here to get you out." Everyone starts digging, grabbing rocks and throwing them away.
"Don't bother. I'm not going anywhere. I won't accept any help from my sister."
I jump in, "Tuffnut. You can't stay in there. You'll die."
"How do you know that for sure?"
"I don't."
"Don't lie to me!"
Again I speak quickly, "Why are you so mad?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"Because I asked."
"Maybe I don't want to say anything."
"Tuffnut!"
"You're so pushy," Everyone listens, "Ruffnut doesn't spend anytime with me anymore. And when she did, she was with that loser Snotlout."
"Hey!" Snotlout exclaims, "I'm not a loser."
"Don't blame me for your emotional problems." Ruffnut says quickly to Tuffnut.
"I'm not emotional!" Tuffnut pauses, "okay, maybe I am. But you won't hang out with me anymore. And I'm sick of seeing Snotlouts face. Why can't we just hang out anymore?"
Ruffnut doesn't say anything, she crosses her arms over her chest. I see the hesitation in her eye, "Look. I'm sorry okay. It just happened."
"What do you mean? Are you tricking me?"
"No. I'll hang out with you more. Things are not going to be the same. But I promise that we can hang out again."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Good. Now get me out of here!"
"Yeah. Yeah. Quit your whining,"
We continue to work together to get the rocks out of the way so Tuffnut can get out of the cave. I go to pick up on a rock and a hand appears on mine. I look up and see Snotlout. Both of us pull away. I try to focus on a different rock, my hand pushes a bang out of my eyes.
Snotlout goes to take another rock, but when he pulls it out a larger rock comes rolling down. He pauses, and before he can move, I push him out of the way, barely making an escape myself, "If you're not going to watch what you're doing," I say, rolling my sleeves up, "then just sit there. Getting killed would be really bad."
And then I turn around and continue to dig through the rocks.
For the rest of the morning, leading into a good portion of the afternoon, I stay locked up in my room. Not wanting to ignore the world, but control my emotions long enough to calm them down. I don't cry loudly, rather I allow the tears to fall as I sit at my desk and write in my secret journal. I write letters to myself, asking why I do what I do. Why I can't be the person I want to be. I don't regret lashing out, maybe how I spoke was wrong, but I don't regret saying what I did. He deserved it. I let him walk all over me. I don't take Snotlouts choices personally anymore, but when your heart crashes and it burns, you don't normally forget.
I pour all the words on to the page, all my emotions. Hopefully I will read back and improve on further actions, but I find this method soothing. No longer do I need to be a burden on to others, but use this as a way of remembering the emotions I felt, and knowing that I can use it to reach my children one day.
Quickly I finish a sentence and reread the paragraph I just finished:
During the long months that have been passing by, I find myself sitting in a daze, not knowing what is going on around me. But then when the daze fades, death stands in the way of my happiness. I know death is close, but I don't know how close. Today's attack proved that. It was unexpected, but if I sit at home waiting to die, how will I be healed?
The words weren't made up, they flowed as the charcoal hit the parchment. I wish death wouldn't attack, that it would just stay away until everything worked out. I don't understand...I just don't
The sun is high in the sky, when I look through my upper window by my bed, I'm finally beginning to feel claustrophobic. I don't know if I'm going to run into anyone or not, but I feel fine now. My breathing is normal. My wrist is in no pain, just slightly sore. I decide its time to venture out.
When I go downstairs my mother is down there, she gestures to me, "Remember. You're going with Grease to the race tomorrow," she is knitting at the table, "there will be serious consequences if you don't."
I know, disowning me was serious. She didn't have to say it, it was a big thing to be disowned, almost at the same as level as banishing. Reasons didn't matter at all. It's almost like I couldn't think for myself.
Without another word, I open and close the front door behind me, the afternoon breeze hitting my face. I feel a chill, the breeze making me feel cold. I rub my arms, winter was approaching before devastating winter would snow us in. Fishlegs is in the town square with Meatlug, they have a sheep. When Fishlegs goes to pick up the sheep, he see's me, and waves.
I decide to go over to him, and as I get close I wave back, "What are you doing?"
"Toss the sheep," Fishlegs picks it up and tosses it to Meatlug, "its a acquired taste. But with a Gronckle, the best game ever."
"Neato."
"Wanna try?"
I feel bad for intruding, but Meatlug tosses the sheep to Fishlegs, who puts it in my arms. Why not, "Why not?" I toss the sheep to Meatlug, too far, and she runs after it, "Oops."
"It takes some practice," Fishlegs notes as Meatlug picks the sheep up and brings it back. Meatlug tosses the sheep to Fishlegs, "so, I heard you had a fight with Snotlout." He tosses the sheep to Meatlug.
"Fight?" I can't quite remember. Oh yeah, now I do, "oh that." I shrug my shoulders, "I think it was one sided. Snotlout said nothing."
"That's a first," Fishlegs notes. Meatlug passes me the sheep, "his comebacks are endless. I never knew anyone could...shut him up so to speak."
"You'd be surprised," I laugh, "when we were dating, he would make some rude comments. Most days I would ignore him or laugh, but once and a while I'd snap. He usually stopped talking for a while. Sometimes glare. But normally, he'd be all disoriented," I giggle passing the sheep back to Meatlug, "once he asked a dead man for a ax to throw at his dragon."
"Wow..that's..." Fishlegs puts his hands against his hips, "...disturbing."
"That's Snotlout for you," I watch Meatlug toss the sheep to Fishlegs, "but what else is new?"
Fishlegs shrugs, "I wish I knew. The only news around here right now is either dragon racing, that goo spraying thing or Snotlouts sudden disorientation." He tosses the sheep to Meatlug again.
I laugh again, "I didn't realize that was still possible."
"I heard he got on Toothless and said 'Up Hookfang!"
"Seriously?" I catch the sheep, "I swear he gets worse by the day."
"Love does that to you."
"Love?" I shake my head, passing the the sheep to Meatlug again, then laughing a little "that's funny."
"What?"
"You talk as if Snotlout still likes me," I laugh, "its ridiculous." This time I throw the sheep too far again, and Meatlug has to run to get it.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Maybe to everyone else," I sigh, "but we broke up. End of story. No more heart felt love, no more talking, no more sharing of secrets. Just awkwardness in a pretty package."
"Hey! Love does strange things."
"Like make you like Ruffnut."
"I've always liked her."
I shake my head, "I can remember days when you said otherwise."
"Like what?"
"What about the time they made fun of your painted face? You were pretty upset then."
"That was Tuffnut."
"Ruffnut was laughing too."
"Then my darling found it funny," He looks like a love sick puppy, "she can laugh at me any day."
I feel like gagging; but I try to keep my expression neutral. Meatlug returns with the sheep, "Weird stuff is right..."
"Hey! Dating Snotlout was weird too you know."
"Made sense to me."
"I do not see how it made sense. He's obnoxious, mean, prideful and self centered." Fishlegs has the sheep now.
I smile a little, "And then he changed. Sure he's still obnoxious, boasting, but he turned into someone I felt I could trust."
Fishlegs shakes his head, "Still kinda weird."
"I found myself...wanting to be like him. Not obnoxious or boasting but...confident, brave. I find him more silly than anything," I know my face is going red, I can feel the heat, but its all true.
"Wow. Sounds odd for someone whose angry at him..."
"Wouldn't you be angry if-" I remember Fishlegs is a boy, not to stereotype, but I feel like it would be harder for him to understand. Just because Girls can be so emotional and stuff, "nevermind."
"No, tell me."
I try to find the words, Meatlug bumps Fishleg's arm and he throws the sheep before I speak, "Okay, lets say Ruffnut decided that you and her were an item."
"Did she say something to you!?" He gets excited.
"No Fishlegs. This is an example, an illustration."
"Oh. Okay."
"But, lets say it happened. You guys date, and fall in love and stuff...and then she dumps you without giving you a reason. What you do?"
"Hmm..." Fishlegs thinks, "its a no brainer actually. I'd hug Meatlug until I felt better, then cry in my room for a few weeks."
"That's what happened between me and Snotlout. You can imagine how I felt. I didn't cy much though"
"I guess I can understand. It still boggles my mind how you can handle someone Snotlout."
I nod my head, "It boggles my mind too."
For a while longer I play with Meatlug and Fishlegs, discussing other topics. Soon I decide that I want to go for a walk. I say goodbye to Fishlegs and head for the beach. But no sooner do I get to the beach, that I spot Astrid standing there with Stormfly, "Astrid..." She see's me.
"Hey, whats up? Feeling better?"
"Yeah," I nod, "just needed some time to cool."
"I'm surprised you even held it in that long,"
I smile, "You know me. The 'hold it in without talking' girl."
"You talk to me,"
"Yeah, its true," I nod, "it was just really stressful."
"What happened anyway?"
"What do you mean?"
"Before we arrived."
"Oh that..." I scratch my neck, "I assumed you know."
"I do. But what happened; were you choked, or in a fight."
This was going to be interesting, "I was in the square and I felt like my chest was exploding, then my wrist was in pain. By the time I was able to breath, the entire town was staring at me. Even Snotlout."
"Are you okay? Should you be home?"
"No. I rested today. I'm good," I sigh, "by the time Snotlout made that comment I just..." I put my hands through my hair, "...I just couldn't handle it. Emotionally I mean. Normally, yeah. But it was just..."
Astrid nods, "I wish I could understand how you feel. It wouldn't hurt to tell him about your situation."
"What difference would it make? It would only hinder this issue."
"What issue?"
I sigh, "Everything. The awkwardness between us. The academy's broken spirits. It wouldn't solve the problem. Just make it worse." It was a sure thing in my mind, worse than the world collapsing. If I told him, he'd laugh at me probably, say I was making it up. No I can't tell him.
"But it might make things bearable,"
"He'd make some speech about strength. I really don't want that right now."
Before she could reply the ground started to shake, there are ripples everywhere in the ocean. Rocks are falling from the large rock overpowering the Great Hall.
"What's happening?" Astrid asks
I think for a moment, trying to keep my balance, "I think we're having an earthquake."
"An earthquake?"
"Yeah."
"But we've never had one before."
"There's always a first."
We look at each other for a moment, pausing as the earth continues to shake. Suddenly, Astrid points up towards Gothi's hut, "Gothi's up there. Her house might fall."
I nod, "You go get her. I'll see if I can get everyone out of the Great Hall before its crushed."
Astrid nods her head, trying her best to get on Stormfly and fly up towards Gothi's hut. I stagger over to the beach, then up the stairs. At one point I fall back towards the beach, but grab the railing and push myself back on to the stairs, avoiding a fall. Its getting hard to breath, I'm getting dizzy. But I can only assume that's from the shaking.
Once I get into the square, I look up to see Astrid struggling to get to Gothi who is standing away from the edge of her home. Hiccup is coming from the direction of his home, and I meet him in the centre of the square, "Gothi's house has a chance of falling. And there are rocks..." I point to some huge, loose rock pieces. They looked like they were going to fall soon, "...there may be people inside."
"That's what I was thinking," Hiccup yells, "lets see if we can get them out."
As we try to get to the Great Hall, Toothless trailing us, we urge everyone to get on their dragons and fly off towards the ocean until this earthquake passed. In the air, maybe they had a chance. There was nowhere on Berk safe for the people.
"Wait here," Hiccup yells over the noise when we reach the stairs.
I glare, "I can climb stairs. I'm not helpless you know." I push past him before he can answer and go up the stairs. Secretly I'm praying that I had enough time to recover. Even with the night air beginning to appear as the sun was disappearing over the horizon, one never knew what could happen.
"There are people inside," I yell.
We go inside, and yell for everyone to get on their dragons and out of here. Fishlegs is inside with Meatlug and he goes to leave, but I stop him, "Fishlegs! Go check the homes!"
"But its not safe!"
"People will die if we don't," I note, "go get everyone out of their homes."
He goes to protest, but Hiccup speaks up, "Fishlegs!"
"Fine!" Fishlegs and Meatlug disappear out the door. Hiccup and I work together to try and get everyone out as fast as we can, and we finally follow the last woman out. Just as we get out a large rock falls and slams against the Great Hall crushing it. Thank goodness no one was inside.
Then the earthquake stops.
There is silence, everyone flies back down to the ground and gets off of their dragons. I think it was reckless of us to send them into the air, but we've never had a earthquake before. All around us, people stare at the village.
Homes are damaged, the square is full of small rocks.
Snotlout pushes his way through the crowd where Hiccup and I stand, looking around at the damage. Fishlegs appears beside Hiccup. we are all standing and staring at the Great Hall.
The statue of Stoick has also been altered by the rock slide, Stoick's nose is now missing.
"Where's Astrid?" Hiccup asks, turning around to scan the crowd. I see her approaching from the sky, still on Stormfly, "and the twins?"
I shake my head, "Ruffnut said something about a top secret mission or whatever."
"We need to find them,"
"Hey!"
"What is it Snotlout?"
He looks at me and freezes, "Well uh...the rock and...ummm..."
"English Snotlout. English."
"Help!" I hear Ruffnut call, I turn in of the voice and see Ruffnut running towards us, "stuck...in..."
"Calm down," Hiccup exclaims, "where's Tuffnut?"
"He's stuck in his secret...soggy alone place," She manages to speak.
I frown, "Stuck!?"
"Cave-in. I don't know what happened. We were arguing and then the rocks fell."
Snotlout goes to say something, but hesitates, and Fishlegs takes advantage of it quickly, "Are you okay?"
"Don't focus on me! Gotta save Tuffnut."
Without another word we jump on our dragons, Ruffnut getting on Hookfang with Snotlout and she leads us to the cave. I remember it only a little, not enough to recall exactly where it was. But I remember it when I see it.
The cave itself isn't blocked, I note its dark, slimy look. Snotlout is quiet, sometimes bumping into walls, and then he'd stare at me. Really? I shake my head and we follow Ruffnut deep into the cave.
"Help!" I hear a voice in the distance, despite not hearing it for a long time I recognize it. Tuffnut.
"I got Hiccup."
"Hiccup? I don't need Hiccup. Wait? What's a Hiccup?"
"Me Tuffnut."
"You're a Hiccup?"
"No. Just..." He shakes his head, "we're here to get you out." Everyone starts digging, grabbing rocks and throwing them away.
"Don't bother. I'm not going anywhere. I won't accept any help from my sister."
I jump in, "Tuffnut. You can't stay in there. You'll die."
"How do you know that for sure?"
"I don't."
"Don't lie to me!"
Again I speak quickly, "Why are you so mad?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"Because I asked."
"Maybe I don't want to say anything."
"Tuffnut!"
"You're so pushy," Everyone listens, "Ruffnut doesn't spend anytime with me anymore. And when she did, she was with that loser Snotlout."
"Hey!" Snotlout exclaims, "I'm not a loser."
"Don't blame me for your emotional problems." Ruffnut says quickly to Tuffnut.
"I'm not emotional!" Tuffnut pauses, "okay, maybe I am. But you won't hang out with me anymore. And I'm sick of seeing Snotlouts face. Why can't we just hang out anymore?"
Ruffnut doesn't say anything, she crosses her arms over her chest. I see the hesitation in her eye, "Look. I'm sorry okay. It just happened."
"What do you mean? Are you tricking me?"
"No. I'll hang out with you more. Things are not going to be the same. But I promise that we can hang out again."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Good. Now get me out of here!"
"Yeah. Yeah. Quit your whining,"
We continue to work together to get the rocks out of the way so Tuffnut can get out of the cave. I go to pick up on a rock and a hand appears on mine. I look up and see Snotlout. Both of us pull away. I try to focus on a different rock, my hand pushes a bang out of my eyes.
Snotlout goes to take another rock, but when he pulls it out a larger rock comes rolling down. He pauses, and before he can move, I push him out of the way, barely making an escape myself, "If you're not going to watch what you're doing," I say, rolling my sleeves up, "then just sit there. Getting killed would be really bad."
And then I turn around and continue to dig through the rocks.