A Bit of a Hiccup

"Astrid, can we just take it a little slower?"

"Why?" she says mockingly. "The loops getting to your queasy tummy? Is that it?"

"No." I say defensively. Even though it is exactly that. I don't know what is up with me today. Aerial tricks on Toothless were on any other day, no problem. Today, however, I just feel downright…dare I say it? Sick. I watch Astrid spur Stormfly to go faster and one quick, eager lurch from Toothless in order to catch up is enough for my stomach. I feel the warm, acrid liquid in the back of my throat and lean over the side of Toothless and let go of my breakfast from this morning. Oatmeal is no longer my favorite.

I hear Astrid a couple feet up laughing. "Oh come on, Hiccup! You have to have a stronger stomach than that!"

I feel my stomach cramp even further and the sky around me gets shaky. "Toothless." I groan inwardly as I curl into myself on his back. I hear Toothless let out a low whimper and can hear Stormfly turn around back towards us.

"Hiccup?" Astrid says concern laced in her voice now.

I mumble afraid to open my mouth and clench my eyes tighter trying to quell the sudden nausea.

I feel her place her hand on my forehead and take a sudden intake of breath. "You've got a fever." She climbs onto Toothless behind me. "Stormfly, fly home and get Stoic."

Great. Not my father.

"Toothless." She orders "Get us home. Hiccup is sick."