Behind the mask

Hope

Ingrid opened the door with Astrid at her side to see a tall, skinny shape standing in the cold. The boy almost started at seeing the woman and his wide emerald gaze looked wary as he automatically backed up a pace. He stared, then ran his hand through his dishevelled auburn hair, pushing the hood off with the same movement. His hoodie was grimy and stained, his baggy jeans had mud on the knees and he had no coat. There was a school bag on his shoulder and a skinny black dog was sitting at his side, panting and almost smiling.

"You didn't say anything about a dog," Ingrid told her daughter and Astrid rolled her eyes, glaring at Hiccup.

"He didn't say anything about a dog, Mom," she protested.

"Um, he-he'll be no trouble, Mrs Hofferson," he said, his teeth chattering. "If-if he could maybe just stay in the yard, he'll be fine..." The woman stared at him and he swallowed. Then his shoulders sagged, reading her stony expression and making the the conclusion he was on his own. "I-I understand..." he muttered. "Th-thank you anyway..." He turned to the dog. "Cmon, bud...we gotta go..." The green eyes looked up trustingly and the dog whined as the boy began coughing again, almost doubling up. Astrid looked at him worriedly: that sounded even worse than over the phone.

"Wait...Hiccup, isn't it?" Ingrid said as he turned back to the road.  He nodded.

"Hiccup Haddock, Ma'am," he said roughly, offering her a hand. She shook it: his skin was freezing. Ingrid swept her keen gaze over him again, seeing him shivering, feeling the icy skin and noting the bruises on his face...including a new and still-livid welt in the shape of a hand.

"We need to get you out of the cold," she decided, hearing his teeth chattering. He blinked, surprised then turned back to Toothless.

"Um...about Toothless?" he asked, coughing again. "He-he's my best friend...I can't l-leave him..." Ingrid paused then nodded to Astrid.

"Can you open the side door, please Astrid?" she asked as the girl raced away out back. Hiccup led the dog round in the direction she pointed and tried not to feel anxious as the front door slammed shut...but after a few moments, the gate creaked open and Astrid peeked through, smiling shyly as the boy warily walked in...though Toothless was happily trotting into the yard, his tail wagging wildly. Astrid closed and bolted the door and then turned to the dog.

"He's so cute!" she said, leaning forward and rubbing him behind the ears. The dog's green eyes rolled back appreciatively and his tail wagged wildly. He gave a little moan of pleasure.

"Traitor," Hiccup grumbled. She glanced up, amused at his words as he coughed again.

"Why Toothless?" she asked, straightening up and walking back towards the house. There was a kennel there with a full bowl of water and an empty food bowl. Hiccup shrugged.

"He's lost a few teeth," he admitted, crouching down and rubbing the dog behind the ears affectionately. "He's a stray...kinda like me. If...you have a rag or something he could lie on...?" She shook her head, not sure they had anything. He sighed. "Sorry, bud," he sighed, then fished in his school bag and hauled out a plain bowl, pouring in a small helping of biscuits from an almost empty bag. "Sorry it's not more, bud," he sighed. "I'll have to get some more tomorrow..." Toothless fell on the bowl, scraping away at top speed, his tail wagging wildly. And then a fine golden dog emerged from the kennel.

It was obvious the owner of the kennel was pedigree, a fine hound with shining coat and feathered tail. She had amber eyes and inspected Toothless thoughtfully. The stray flattened his ears and backed away. "He's just a softie," Hiccup explained, stuffing his hands under his folded arms.

"Stormfly, be a good girl," Astrid suggested.

"Stormfly?" he asked incredulously. "Are you kidding me?" She gave him an irritated look as she rubbed the dog's head.