Behind the mask

Demons

The Gym didn't burn down but the cops were called and the Meathead intruders were arrested...along with Tuffnut who stole a cop's cap and ran off round the school grounds with it. The gang all caught up at Astrid's the next afternoon, the boys looking the worse for wear with various bruises and black eyes. But Fishlegs was astonishingly philosophical.

"You should have seen the other guys...no, seriously!" he told Astrid and Hiccup, who were snuggled on the couch, Astrid sitting on Hiccup's lap. "Half the year attacked them...including Roland. Boy, he can punch when he's mad!"

"Who knew?" Eret murmured, sitting back and allowing his eyes to drift to Tuff. Hiccup wrapped his arm around Astrid.

"Yeah...people never stop surprising you, right?" he added. Astrid snuggled back against him.

"And you pulled the fire alarm!" she grinned.

"The Gym was on fire!"

"Yay!" Tuff grinned. "My bad!" Astrid and Hiccup shared a look.

"You were right, Milady," he murmured. "Thorstons." Then Ingrid walked in, the phone in her hand.

"Sorry to break this up, guys...but I've a call for Hiccup," she said.The boy's green eyes widened.

"M-me?" he said, his face suddenly uncertain. He accepted the phone and gulped. "Hello?"

"Hiccup? It's Mala Tydon here. The Judge just called me. A case has just been withdrawn from court and the case starts tomorrow."

"The case? You-you mean...?" His faced blanched.

"Alvin Treacher's Trial," she confirmed. "It's not ideal. Can I come round to see you in...an hour? I need to talk you through what will be happening..."

"Sure...you know the address?" he said faintly and then nodded. "Okay, see you then." He handed the phone back to Ingrid.

"What is it, babe? You look like you've seen a ghost?" Astrid asked, rising to stand by him. He nodded.

"Al's Trial has been moved up. Starts tomorrow," he said tonelessly. Heather glanced at Astrid and nudged Fishlegs.

"It's time we were going anyway," she said. "I know DA Mala will contact us when she needs us, won't she?" Astrid nodded and murmured a few goodbyes. Hiccup forced himself to smile and nod as they left...but Astrid grasped his hands and stared into his ashen face.

"You okay?" she asked and he stared into her face, then shook his head.

"Not right now, not facing him," he admitted. "Mrs H-DA Mala is coming here to talk to me. Is that okay? I...um...can't really see her in my bedroom..."

"Use my study," Martin offered. Hiccup stared at him and then nodded.

"Um...thanks, Mr H," he said quietly. "Promise not to break anything..." Martin patted his shoulder.

"I know you won't...or I'll set my daughter on you!"

Mala Tydon arrived an hour later as promised, dressed in a dark suit even on Sunday and followed Hiccup into the study. Astrid watched the door close and looked at her parents: they looked as concerned as she felt.

"He's not okay," she murmured, feeling her mother wrap an arm around her and hug her. Martin stared thoughtfully at the door.

"It's likely he'll have to relive a lot of the abuse during the Trial," he murmured. "I doubt Treacher will go down without a fight. And he's done a lot of damage to that boy." Then he turned to his daughter. "And that damage lasts, Astrid. Just...be careful. He may have anger and trust issues..." She sighed.