Hey guys! I'm not going to lie this chapter gave me some trouble. I worry about the timing between everything, I apologize for all the grammar issues. I haven't really had time to proof read my work, because I write a lot of it while I'm literally at work, lol. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter :) reviews and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
-Arnold-
I trailed the pirates back to the San Lorenzo island. I didn't want them to notice me so I jumped off the back of my parents boat. I seen the pirates head straight towards my hut. The shipped came to a halt and I seen three men drop the anchor and climb down. I knew there was probably a whole crew of pirates on the ship. My best bet was to sneak on and avoid getting caught. I do not like to fight but I will fight to protect the people I love.
Once i seen the three pirates out of sight. I swam towards the pirate ship and climbed up the rope holding the anchor.
I saw two pirates and I backed against a wall and listened to their conversation.
"Did you tie them up?!"
"Aye, sir."
"Now all we need is the two keys and we can have all the treasure we want."
"Three of my men are already on it , sir."
I heard them laugh and head the other direction.
"What key are they talking about?" I whispered to myself.
I jumped down below deck and instantly got punched in the face. I fell backwards.
"You're a fool boy! Do you honestly think I didn't see your boat trail my ship?" He yelled and took out his sword.
I rose to my feet and ducked before he hit me again. Grandma's karate lessons really paid off as I remembered to, be as the frog in the pond. I waited for his next move then I tripped him and he fell down. I took the opportunity to pin him down and steal his sword and threw it across the room.
"Where's my parents?!"
He laughed in my face and I slammed him harder against the ground.
"WHERE ARE MY PARENTS?!" I demanded.
"I'll never tell you anything, you fool!" He spat in my face.
I punched him as hard as I could and knocked him out.
I still had his shirt grasped in my hand with my fist still in the air as if I would punch him again at any moment.
"I'll find them myself then."
I rose up and continued my search. I seen the sword I chucked across the room and I picked it up. I looked up and found a hidden cellar door, but it was locked. I kicked down the door using the new found strength I didn't know I had.
My conscious was relieved when I seen my parents alive, tied to a chair with their mouth gagged, but they were alright.
I took the sword and cut the rope that had them bound. With their hands free they ungagged their mouths.
"Arnold, listen to me." I heard my mom, Stella say in a anxious voice.
"Yes, mom?"
"You have to find the two amulets. Together they make a key. You have to find them Arnold, it's crucial."
"What about you, and dad? I'm not leaving you again."
"Don't worry about us. We'll keep the pirates off your back. Just go."
"Mom.. Dad.."
"Arnold, GO!" They yelled in unison. I threw them my sword and my dad caught it and nodded at me.
"I love you mom, I love you dad." I spoke as I backed away slowly.
"We love you too son, now go find the key. One key is locked away in the cabinet in our room. You just have the find the other Arnold. You can do this, you have to help the Green-Eyes."
I seen my dad reach up behind his neck to untie his necklace that had a little gold key on the end of it. He threw it to me and I caught it.
I ran out before more pirates flooded in. I know my parents can take care of themselves but there's always that fear in the pit of my stomach of losing them again. I have never been so scared in my life, but I knew I had to do this. I had to help not only the Green-Eyes but my family. I made it to the edge of the ship and jumped off. I poked my head up through the water and stared at my house.
That must of been why the three pirates ran in. They're trying to find the keys! Then I heard a familiar scream.
"Helga?!" I swam as fast as I could to the shore and ran through the open door of my hut. What I saw before my eyes cleared any thought I was having at that very moment.
"HELGA?!"
I ran over to the pirate who was hovering over top of her and pushed him off. I punched him several times and kicked him in the groin.
The other pirate hopped on my back and I backed against the wall as hard as I could until he dropped on the floor.
"Oh my god," I heard my mother say as she and dad ran in the room and mom quickly pointed the sword at the pirate so he wouldn't get up.
The third pirate ran out the door quickly and dad ran after him.
I ran over to Helga.
Helga was laying there unconscious, bruised, and half naked. I took my shirt off and covered her top half. I slowly picked her up and carried her bridal style to the bed.
Stella arched her sword forward and dared the pirate to move.
I'm only going to tell you this once, get out." Stella said through her teeth, as she raised her sword and the pirate ran out of the hut.
"Arnold! The key!" I heard my mom gasped as she picked the object up.
The key was laying it in the spot where Helga was laying. As if she was protecting it.
"How did she know about the keys?" My mom asked.
"She didn't.. I guess she came all this way to return it."
Stella raised her eyebrow and rolled her eyes at her son. Stella was no fool. She knew Helga was deeply in love with Arnold from the moment she saw them together. It broke her heart when Arnold had to say goodbye to her six years ago when we moved here. To be honest, she loved Helga. If Arnold ever wanted a relationship with someone, she hoped it would be with Helga. Her heart broke seeing Helga like this.
"They're gone, the pirates. They fled, but were not safe here. We have to leave now." My father said as he walked in the door.
I stared down at Helga who was still unconscious.
"Arnold.."
"Yeah, mom?"
"I need to check Helga..to make sure she hasn't been raped." Stella frowned.
Arnold nodded knowing his mom was a doctor and a botanist.
"I understand." I said as dad and I walked out of the hut.
"This is all my fault, dad." I slid down on my butt and put my hands over my eyes and cried."
"Arnold, you didn't know Helga was here." Miles kneeled down to his son.
"What if she was raped? How am I going to tell her that?"
Miles hugged his son and let him cry it out on his shoulder.
"It's okay son, well figure it out. She may not have been. Don't jump to conclusions just yet."
Stella walked out and faced her husband and son.
"Luckily Helga was not raped."
"Oh thank God." I said.
"Is she awake? Can I talk to her?"
The look on my moms face made my heart feel like it was about to stop beating.
"Is she going to be okay?"
"Arnold, she was beaten pretty badly. She's still unconscious, she hasn't woken up once, but she'll be okay."
"The bad news is that she's apart of this now we can't leave her or send her back home, she'll have to come with us." Miles said sternly.
"What about her family? We have no idea if they're even aware that she's in San Lorenzo."
"I'm sure they do, regardless, we can't speak a word for their own safety as well."
"What do they want with these keys?" I asked out of curiosity.
"There's an ancient myth that within the emerald eyes of both pieces is a treasure map, but you need both pieces in order to complete the map. You hold the key up to the sun and it'll shine down a treasure map onto the sand. It's only a myth though." Miles explained.
"So why are they searching for it if it's just a myth?" I asked.
"Because treasure is hard to come by during these times. Piracy hasn't been popular since the 1600s-1800s, but now that the average dollar means nothing, the demand for gold is higher now. They pretty much have to rely on a myth, plus if you have both pieces of the key they're worth about six million dollars."
"Wow, but if the myth is true, are the Green-Eyes really that rich?"
"The Green-Eyed people have no need for money. They live off the land. It's a big reason why we moved down here Arnold. Not only to help the Green-Eyes, but There's more to life than money and material possessions. It's easier to live where there's no corruption or bankruptcy. Your mother and I wanted to show you different cultures and societies. There's more than one way to live and there's easier ways to live."
"I never thought of it that way.. I guess that makes sense.. I'm going to go see if Helga is awake yet.."
"Okay, Arnold." Miles smiled at his son.
"Oh, and Arnold?"
"Yeah, dad?"
"I'm very proud of you, son."
I smiled.
"Thanks, dad."
All my life I've wanted to hear my dad say those words to me. I wanted to enjoy them, and I did. It's so hard to focus on anything. All I could think of was Helga's safety.
I ran back in the hut to where Helga was laying. Mom must have dressed her in some extra clothes she had. She was wearing a white tank top and the gothic style mini skirt she was wearing when she came here. I wet a cool rag and wiped off her face. She's grown so beautifully. I bet she doesn't even know how beautiful she is.
I watched as her eyes slowly fluttered open. She has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. I smiled at her. Then she slapped me randomly and forcefully off the bed.
"Helga, it's okay it's me Arnold."
"Arnold? What happened? Oh.. Oh my God.. Arnold?" She said as if the memories were slowly creeping back into her mind.
I ran back over to her and hugged her.
"It's okay. Shh I'm here."
"Was I raped, Arnold?" She asked as she broke down crying."
"No, they just beat you up pretty badly."
"Oh thank God. If I ever see those assholes again ill kill them. I swear."
"What happened, Helga?" I asked.
"I came to see you.. A surprise visit, I guess you could say, and when I showed up I got attacked and I guess it was all too much for me and I blacked out."
"Does your parents know you're here?"
"Of course they know Football Head I mean criminy."
Somehow I wasn't buying her story. I notice Helga isn't her usual self. Where's all the defensive excuses and the fighting? Maybe she's matured. There's obviously more to it than that but I don't want to pressure her. I know she'll tell me in her own way on her own time.
"Well it's a pretty big possibility. You're going to have to tag along with us now for your own safety."
"I understand."
"Arnold? Thank you.. For rescuing me."
I was surprised when she thanked me I was even more surprised at what happened next.
Cut! lol end of chapter. Sorry guys lol I desperately want to tell the next chapter from Helga's POV. I'll update as soon as I can 3