Disclaimer: I own diddly squat.
I had awakened when someone shouted "Hey Arnold, Hey Arnold" over and over again much to my dismay. Causing me to bolt right up against my will. Drenched in my own sweat reeking of cheap alcohol, and bodily ordor. My head was throbbing not remembering what had happened in the early morning. With the slightest noise brought migraines and headaches. The two foul smells mingled with each other, making me want to vomit even more. Interrupting my quest of finding the source of my contempt.
Until I realized my stupid alarm clock was the place of origin. Unplugging my potato powered alarm clock, it read 7 p.m. it was a Saturday. It was the beginning of June and Summer vacation had just settled in. I was supposed to meet up with Curly's crazy ass and the rest of the gang at Gerald's field. Curly and Sid had something big planned for the summer. Quickly shifting myself to the edge of my bed, grabbing a gray hooded sweater for my night out on the streets again. I looked down at the floor only to look down upon empty beer and liquor bottles scattered across the floor by discarded bags of potato chips and roaches. Grabbing a roach off the carpet covered floor. Holding it between my fingers as I pulled out a zippo from my nearby drawer where I kept my pocket knife and gun in. Attempting to light it. "Fuck that hurt!" I muttered harshly, only to burn my fingertips in doing so. Throwing it to the floor on impulse, I looked where it had landed finding my shoes near the diminutive sized joint near the doorway that led downstairs. Quickly slipping on each shoe before I was to leave my room. My mind was screaming trying to telling me, that I had forgotten something. My gun! I quickly walked over to the drawer pulling out a nine millimeter handgun, stuffing it into my pants. I proceeded down my pull down stairs, to the darkened hallway below. It was pitch black I couldn't see a thing!
I ran my hand across the hallways wall trying to feel for the light switch that was always there. I flipped it on as I watched the few functioning light bulbs flicker on and off repeatedly, desperately trying to stay lit. I watched it struggle as the roaches scattered well you know like roaches, scattering under the doors in every direction if they weren't already bashed in. Or taking refuge underneath the loosened floorboards where the rats had reigned supreme. They scattered as if a tenant of a cheap run down apartment had turned on the light in the kitchen scurrying under the refrigerator their safe haven. The brightness of the light bulbs caused momentarily blindness, only to induce my migraines. I was a night owl to begin with.. Observing every little detail, the walls were cracked, the floorboards were loose. Making a squeaking sound with each step I took. I made it down the flight of stairs, where the surroundings were unchanged.
I'm surprised the city hasn't condemned the boarding house by now, after all it was nothing but urban decay anyway. All of this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for them. If grandpa were here he wouldn't have let the house become it's present state. He'd actually set them straight, if Omaha couldn't have stopped him in World War II nothing could. All of the boarders moved out years ago, since my parents refused to maintain the boarding house.
As I walked past the kitchen I heard a feminine voice call out my name, stopping me dead in my tracks. It was my mothers, I don't know why they even bother with me anyways. It actually surprised me she actually used my name for the first time in over five fucking years. Now I know how Helga must've felt all these years, concluding her bitchie-ness and the constant name calling of my football shaped head. Being ignored by the parents who're suppose to love you and acknowledge you. Slowly I began to walk to the door grabbing the door knob, as I turned it I heard it click open followed by her annoying voice saying my name. "Arnold!" She called out once more this time more determined and adamant.
I shook my head once I was outside, slamming the door as hard as I could. Hopefully sending her a message that would finally get through that thick skull of hers. Remembering all the way back to fourth grade the only thing I've really wanted most was my parents. And now that they're back the only thing they care about most is money and him. Stalling their research for a cure combating a horrible disease known as The Sleeping Sickness, devastating all Latin American countries in the name of corporate greed. I had lost all respect for my parents long ago, when they put my grandparents in a home five years ago the week they returned. Threatening them with death if they ever spoke, seen, or even supported me in any way they would get killed. But they send me money through dead drops like a spy would in a movie through my great aunt Mitzi. They'd help me with whatever they could.
I stood there on the sidewalk in front of a run down building I proudly call home with time to spare. Wondering if I wanted to live the life I was already living. But I don't want to go back to that bitch that birthed me and that ass-wipe I call a father. The only family I had and will ever have is my grandparents, my friends and the streets alone. I didn't choose my life they chose it for me. My mom to be more specific, the day they miraculously returned I heard her call my cousin Arnie son. Kissing him on the cheek and hugging him with dear life.
While my dad began small talk about their adventures and how the government has my mom and himself under contract with the CDC. Trying to find a possible cure or vaccine for The Sleeping Sickness pandemic. We never had a personal connection to begin with, the month they came back they moved to Georgia to be closer to the CDC. Arnie tagged along as well, every other week he flys in and out of Hillwood just to fuck my ex-girlfriend Lila. She only went out with me just to get closer to him. I knew I was replaced that day they came back. I basically get as much attention as a white crayon.
With rage coursing through my veins, I couldn't help but walk away from The SunSet Arms my home. There are times when I actually wanted to end it all, but I keep reminding myself I'll prove all these motherfuckers wrong. There are days where I'd just wanna pack up my shit and disappear but a small voice in the back of my head constantly reminds that'll I'll win this losing battle with depression and triumph in victory at the end of this unseen war the others know nothing about. The only ones that know of my present state are only my grandparents, my great aunt Mitzi, those people I'm suppose to call parents, Arnie, myself and God..
Turns out he wasn't a cousin after all, more like a half brother to be precise. I've always known he was something else, hell even grandpa and grandma knew that cretin was hers. The day they came back into my life my grandfather bravely confronted her about Arnies origin.
Like the snake did to Eve she manipulated her husband. Seducing my father like Eve did to Adam, biting into the forbidden fruit. But the fruit he bit was no fruit but her words of persuasion alone. Manipulating and brainwashing his state of mind with those marvelous green eyes and her so called innocence. How much I loathe her and her green eyes making me eventually hate myself for having them.. Urging him to put my elderly grandparents into a home.
I continued my trek towards Gerald's field which was down on Vine Street just a couple of blocks down from the boarding house. While thoughts of suicide or just vanishing gnawed at me. Off in the distance I found my best friend Gerald leaning on the bleachers side that was in Gerald's field. Talking to Phoebe, I watched as she giggled; while Wolfgang had Helga sitting on his lap looking my way. His armed snared around her waist laughing un-suppressed. They looked my way once more, whispering to each as I neared them and the gang. Nearly everybody was a couple, Lorenzo was with Sheena, Peapod also known as Pearce was with Nadine, and Harold was with Rhonda. How I envied them all, for their happiness. The only ones that are single is Curly, Sid, Stinky, Patty, and myself.
Authors Note: Don't like it? Don't read it! Simple as that don't be a troll. This story will be POVs (point of view) from Arnolds perspective and the gangs as well. 3rd person will be here and there.
