Chapter two: My Mom and Dad

Deep within a jungle a jeep with someone with binoculars watch's a near by camp that is heavily guarded. And at the very center are two prisoners who are under interrogation by a man hidden within the shadows. A shadow man.

"Be reasonable Miles, it is not a lot I'm asking for. Give me the information I want and I will set you both free."

Miles spat in his face, yet the shadow man was completely un phased.

"If you are going to resort to rudeness, so will I." he says while walking over to Miles's wife.

"You look amazing, Stella isn't?"

"Stay away from her!" Miles growled.

The shadow man only laughed, as he touched her cheek only to further antagonize him. Stella would have liked nothing better to bite his hand but she was to worn out.

"Your wife is gorgeous Miles. It would be such a shame if something happened to her. So here's the deal, You tell me what I want, and live or it's over for you and your wife. Either way, I will eventfully get what I want."

Miles and Stella stare at each other, and they make decision, with a great sadness knowing they will never see what would now be their ten year old child.

"We will never tell you anything!" Miles exclaims.

The shadow man frowns.

"Well then, goodbye."

Then out of no where, a jeep bursts into the camp scaring the thugs and almost hitting the shadow man. The door to the jeep open and a blue cap falls to the ground. A pair of combat boots land in front of the cap and a hand scoops up the cap and places it atop his head.

"Arnold! You came for us!" Stella yells with tears in her eyes.

Arnold in tan clothing smirks at his mother while preparing his whip for combat.

"Arnold, behind you!" His father exclaims.

Arnold uses his peripheral vision to see a thug with a rusty dagger about to lunge at him and with speed and accuracy snaps his whip at the thug's knife to disarm him. Arnold then lashes the whip on the ground to intimidate the thug to stay away.

"Rush him! The foolish thug says like a battle cry.

Arnold grins as he drops his whip and prepares his karate stance. A man swings his blade from behind and he ducks while quickly taking the man in front of him out with ease. Arnold swipe the feet of the man behind him and hold him down and K.O.'s him right there on the ground. Another man charges like a mad man straight at Arnold and he jumps right over him. The thug is hit in the kidney and he falls to the ground. More men attack Arnold while the shadow man watch's with a calculating stare, and the men are being thrown like rag dolls.

After Arnold is finished the Shadow man just has to ask.

"Just how did you learn to fight like that kid?"

Arnold ready for another go around looks at him curiously.

"Would it be to hard to believe, my grandma?"

"That's some grandma you have kid, I surrender."

Arnold is surprised but works quickly to tie the shadow man up.

But the next thing on Arnold's mind is to untie his parents, and he does his best to hold back tears.

His parent both grab tightly and without a doubt, suffocating him. But he doesn't care. He's found them, he's finally found them. He finally found his Mom and Dad.

"We missed you so much Arnold." His mother whispered.

His father looked down at him sadly. "I'm so sorry that we weren't there for you when you needed us."

Arnold looks up at his father with a bright smile on his face.

"It doesn't matter, I found you. We are a family agai-" Arnold is cut short as he hears two gunshots. His parents are expressionless. They quickly become cold. Arnold drops them and every thing slows goes into slow motion. His parents have their arms thrown up as if they are reaching out to him. They are just laying there. And Arnold can only here the sound of laughter.

Arnold looks up to see the laughing shadow man, with his ghoulish grin and a gun in his hand. At first , he is confused. Trying to figure out what just happened. But within in a few moments everything is made clear, this man, no, monster had murdered his parents. A rage like nothing he has ever felt boils within him. Wanting vengeance, he decides to make his move. But the problem is, he can't. Was it shock or fear. It didn't matter. Fear was enveloping him as the murder stepped closer to him. He was like He was like a animal being sent to the slaughter.

The Shadow man finally stops laughing as he prepares his gun.

"Shame about your parents, that was such a touching reunion. It made me all blubbery."

Arnold just stands there with sweat on his face, powerless.

"But don't you worry young man, you about to see them again real soon."

The Shadow man point's the gun, at Arnold ready to fire.

"Hhheeeyy Arrnolld!" The Shadow man shouts.

The gun fires.

Everything goes blank.


Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold!

Arnold's eyes open and he sees his glass ceiling. It was all just a dream. He yawns while stretching for his alarm clock.

"Gotta lay off the Indiana Jones movies."

Arnold sits up from his bed see's the stash all over his bed and floor. He groaned at the idea of going back at that essay. But he knew it was his only chance to go to San Lorenzo. To find his parents. Arnold goes for his dad's journal and begins to reread it.

I am going to find them, I will find them. And that's why this essay is so crucial. Without money, this contest is only way I can make it. I mean, it's destiny. This letter came to MY door, saying that the first prize winner will get a free trip for the winner and his class to San Lorenzo. It's absolutely perfect.

He thought about his parents for a few moments. The thought of finally finding his missing family. And he thought about the deep hole inside of him. Arnold was tired of the dreams. He wanted what was real. He wanted to really hold them. He wanted his parents. He had to do it. He had to try.

Arnold with a fierce new determination was ready to begin his work yet again. He gets his pencil sharpened a fresh new piece of scratch paper and his research notes. He gather his thoughts and scans his notes and with a smile he is ready. He stares at the page for a few moments and the smile began to die down. He looked at the scattered papers everywhere and his hopes were all ready dying along with his smile. I was not that Arnold couldn't write an essay, it was just that he nervous that it would not be good enough.

I'm going to need help. Someone with a lot of skill in their writing ability. He thought of all of his friends who would be good, and he groaned when he thought of the perfect candidate.

Arnold was on his way to the vacant lot, trying to figure out if anyone else was capable of helping him with his essay.

Helga? I must be crazy. Not only is working with her crazy, but it's crazy to think she'll help me. But I do know she is good writer. Though most don't notice, but I can see how hard she works to make her writing great. I wonder if she's the one responsible for those poems that Mr. Simmons reads under anonymous. But either way, I can't get rid of this knot in my stomach.


While walking, Arnold noticed the buildings with their families. He notices Mrs. Vitelo's flower shop and Mr. Green's Butcher shop. And all the other shops. Real progress he thought. Then his thoughts went back to Helga, none of that was possible without her. What she did was turn the tide, he and Gerald would have never saved the neighborhood without her. Whatever she says, Helga's his friend.

"It's worth a try."

Everyone had just finished a game of baseball. Helga was walking home after she had said goodbye to Phoebe.

"Here I go." Arnold said with little enthusiasm.

"Hey Arnold!" Gerald says from behind.

"Where were you Arnold, you missed the game."

"Sorry Gerald, I just been under a lot of stress the last two days. I'm only here to talk Helga."

"Helga?" Gerald asked confused.

"I'll explain later!" Arnold says while trying to catch up with Helga.

When he finally makes it to her, he gathers his courage in hopes she won't be to mad.

"Hey Helga!"

Helga stops and notices him right behind her.

"Arnold…what are you want?" she says nervously.

"Can I walk with you?"

She looks at him curiously.

"I don't know why, but I guess I'll indulge your disgusting presence. What exactly do you want?"

"How do you feel about your parents?"

"Football head! You know how about the two people who would spend all their energy on my perfect sister. What's with the stupid question?"

"Just, what would you do if had no parents?"

Helga looks down sadly. "It wouldn't make a difference."

"You have your grandparents." She said sympathetically.

"Yeah their great, but it's not the same."

Arnold is quiet for a moment. "Helga, two days ago I got this letter about a contest where all I have to do is send in an essay about San Lorenzo. The winner and his class gets a free trip to San Lorenzo."

"Arnold, Mr. Simmons is not going turn our class into a search party."

Arnold does not say anything. Helga gets it; he's going to run off on his own.

"What does this have to do with me?"

Arnold smiles to show his enthusiasm.

"Helga, you're the best writer in P.S. 1.18. I NEED, you to help me make sure that my essay is perfect. Proofread, edit or put your creative input."

She stares at him in awe. "You actually think I'm a good writer."

"Yeah, without a doubt."

"What if I just ruin it for laughs?"

"I trust you Helga."

She is shocked, but her face becomes serious. "Alright, I'll do it. But there is a condition.

"What is it.?"

"I want in. When you run off and play hero, I come with you."

"Helga! I can't risk your safety. Besides, why would you come with me?"

Helga shrugs, how could he ask such a stupid question? She thought.

"Look, if something happened you this neighborhood will never be the same. It's not that I care or anything but you need me. Just don't think I'm going to be your baby sitter."

"I don't know Helga."

"It's up to you, but I won't help other wise."

Arnold was hesitant but he finally made his choice.

"Alright, it's a deal."

"Good, meet me after school ASAP ad bring all your notes."


After his conversation with Helga, Arnold runs off to hopefully find Gerald.

When he finds him Arnold tells him about the essay, just not his plans to go MIA. Nor does he say that this has anything about his parents.

"But why Helga?" Gerald asks.

"She's the best, isn't that obvious. Even when she's not working on a writing assignment."

"I guess. I still think its crazy Arnold."

But it didn't matter to Arnold, with Helga's help, he might find his parents.

"I don't care Gerald; this means a lot to me."

"Hey Arnold. What do you think she writes about in her spare time anyway?"

Next Chapter: Dear Diary