I promise that this is the last new HTTYD story I will post for awhile. For this story, I, again, have a basic outline of how I envision the story going, but it's pretty open at this point. The storyline's already been altered a bit since I started planning it. Hope you all enjoy anyway.

P.S. Title options? I originally was going to call this story Personal Jesus because that's the title of the song I'm using as my inspiration for the story, but I didn't want to offend anyone, so I went with "Your Own Personal Savior". Which is better for the story: "Personal Jesus" or "Your Own Personal Savior"?

Chapter 1:Heavenly Hopes Hotline

Astrid Hofferson was depressed…and she did not even know why. She had been depressed for as long as she could remember. It came and went. For days she would be fine, able to suppress it and hide it with a practiced mask. Then, it would return; it always came back.

She had tried many methods to make herself feel better. Everything from prescription anti-depressants to more physical temporary solutions, but nothing helped. They were all just that. Temporary.

What had brought the depression on for the first time, Astrid did not know? All she remembered was a crushing feeling in her chest, as if her very body was crumbling in upon itself. She had read up on depression and learned that many in the world lived with depression, but were able to successfully hide it. Often it came without warning or reason.

As a 20-year old college student, Astrid knew that she should be living it up and enjoying these years of her life, but it was just too hard. She wasn't very good at making friends…or keeping friends that she made. Everyone she knew was intimidated by her. How she managed to keep a tough front day in and day out while the depression tore her apart from the inside out, Astrid would never know.

888

Astrid was walking back to her dormitory room after class when she noticed the flyer. She did not make it a habit to look at the posters on the bulletin boards in the buildings where her classes were held. Most often, Astrid did not care what was posted as they were usually for clubs that she had no interest in or people looking for roommates for the upcoming semester or schoolyear. Again, she didn't care; she tried to avoid living with others. Her roommate, Heather, was bad enough. That girl's bubbly personality was enough to send her spiraling back down into the depths of the depression.

The flyer had caught its attention because it had been so plain. Its background showed a painted representation of a blue sky with fluffy white clothes. Letters on the flyer spelled out "Heavenly Hopes Hotline". Astrid scoffed and was about to walk away, but she kept reading. "Having struggles in your life? Depression bringing you down? Our angels are standing by to talk with you. Call today to speak with your own personal savior." Below the words was the number that would connect callers to this hotline.

Despite her best attempts to keep walking and forget about the flyer, Astrid pulled out her phone and typed the number into her phone's notes application. So she wouldn't forget, Astrid, also typed down the name of the hotline.

The flyer did not say how much it cost to dial the hotline and talk with these so-called angels and Astrid doubted she would ever call this number, but she just had to copy it down. Just in case.

Lately, the depression had subsided and Astrid found that avoiding her roommate helped with that. Staying on top of deadlines for her class assignments also helped. Stress tended to bring on her depression.

Unfortunately, Astrid was unable to avoid her roommate this time. As Astrid entered her dormitory suite, Heather was preparing to leave, claiming that she was going to her job. Astrid had always suspected that this "job" of hers was a lie. Heather would leave wearing the same designer (but casual) clothing she wore to her classes. What kind of job would allow their workers to dress that way?

"Oh, Astrid, I feel like I never see you anymore. Are you free sometime soon? We should get dinner together."

Heather's bubbly voice, like always, churned Astrid's stomach and she could feel the tightening in her chest. "Not hungry. I have work to do." Astrid brushed past the other girl. Before she could make it to her private bedroom and shut the door, she heard Heather tell her to "get back to her" about making dinner plans. Like that would ever happen!

Placing her phone on her nightstand, Astrid plopped down on her bed and stared up at the plaster ceiling above her. From outside, she could hear the familiar sounds of campus: students conversing, students skateboarding on their way to class, just students in general—they could be pretty loud sometimes.

The crushing feeling in her chest intensified. She had not anti-depressant pills to take; she had not yet refilled that prescription. Glancing over to her nightstand, Astrid saw the sunlight glint off the blade of her razor. Reaching for it, Astrid stopped as her fingertips slid over the smooth screen of her iPhone. Rolling onto her side, Astrid looked between the two, attempting to make a decision.

The pain she could cause with the razor and the blood she could draw from those wounds was sounding like a good option right now, but it would still only be temporary. Still, she knew so little about this hotline. That might only be a temporary solution too. Her hand hovered over the razor, ready to grab for it and drag the blade over her skin. Yet, she couldn't; the phone number for the hotline was calling to her, telling her that talking with the angels would be a much better solution. But what if it isn't?

Astrid's hand hovered between the two options for another minute. Before she could change her mind, Astrid quickly grabbed her iPhone and typed the hotline number onto the keypad. She did not immediately press the call button, but, instead, stared down at the waiting number. I only have to try this once. Then I can trash the number and never think of it again.

Pressing the green call button, Astrid waited as the number dialed and connected her with the hotline. On the second ring, an automated answering system picked up, thanking her for calling Heavenly Hopes Hotline and stating again that "their angels are standing by and waiting to talk to you". The recording asked if there was a specific angel she wanted to talk with and that, if there was, to press 1. Astrid waited to hear the other options. The next option was for those who wanted to be randomly paired with an available angel to press 2 or stay on the line.

That's the option I need. Astrid pressed 2 and waited as the hotline connected her with an available angel. It did not take long before a young man's voice came onto the line. "Thank you for calling the Heavenly Hopes Hotline. My name is Hiccup and I will be your personal angel tonight. What can I help you with tonight?"

Wow…I can tell that I haven't written in a while. This isn't my best work…well, in my opinion at least. Still, I'm really excited to write this story for you all, because I…well, I guess I have a lot planned for it and it's one of those ideas that wouldn't leave me alone until it got written.

There might be a touch of dual perspectives in this story because I have some great backstory ideas for our "Hiccup" character. Still debating that.

P.S. Yes, I have a type of depression similar to the one Astrid mentions in this story. I'm writing that from personal experience, so some things mentioned in this story might not apply to all types of depression. Just wanted to throw that out there. I tend to like to write about things I know and can relate to. That is all.

Anyway, I hope that everyone enjoyed. Thank you all for reading and supporting Your Own Personal Savior!

Posted: October 12, 2014