CHAPTER 13: HUNT THE GREEN EYE
In the early hours in the city of Hillwood, the city finds more peace than it has ever known in years. Crime is down significantly, many wrongdoers sit behind bars where they may no longer harm the innocent, and the sense of community and peace has returned.
After just one night, the city has a newfound relief from pain that it had never known, and it is owed all to the efforts of Arnold Shortman, now having begun his crusade for justice as The Green Eye, the watchman of his city.
On this morning, in the Sunset Arms Boarding House, he sat at breakfast with his family, nearly worn out from his first night. As he tried to get whatever sleep he could, the other occupants of the table all talk about the news of The Green Eye, unaware that the same savior that they praise and denounce is among them.
"That's amazing! All those gangsters defeated like nothing? Who is this guy?" Miles asked.
"Some poor boy who could most likely get himself or someone else hurt. Imagine if he had some mother who looked after him, what would she think?" Stella said.
"I'd think she'd be very proud for making the streets safer for herself and others, I sure would be. Someone like him can make the world a better place, and it looks like he already has. What do you think, Arnold?" Helga asked.
Arnold, still extremely tired, did not answer Helga, being still caught in a mild sleep.
"Hey Arnold." Helga said.
With a gentle shake from Helga, Arnold finally mustered up enough energy to answer her question.
"Huh? What? Oh, well... a guy who thinks that a green hoodie and a cheap mask was a good costume idea might want to read a comic book or two." Arnold said.
"Arnold? Are you okay? You weren't in your bedroom last night and I wanted to ask you about... something." Helga asked.
"Ask me about what?"
"You know, about the wedding thing."
Helga mouthed the word 'wedding', making sure not to reveal their plans to his parents. Being officially together for only a few days now, it would be a bit much for Arnold's parents to take in. Forgetting about the affair in his sleep-deprived haze, Arnold was in a tad of a surprise.
"Oh, yeah, about that..." Arnold said.
"What? You're not having second thoughts?!" Helga asked.
"No, no, it's just... there's something else that came up."
"Something else?"
Upon assuming the worst with his sudden disappearance and sleepy haze, Helga's expression turned very angry, grabbing Arnold and shaking him violently.
"You're seeing someone else, you sneaky shit?! First, you propose to me and then you pull this off, you goddamn stupid football head?! After all I've suffered for you?!" Helga screamed.
Arnold tried to calm her down, but his efforts were far too late. His parents heard everything, taking note of her mentioning the wedding. Breaking the two from their fight, they both sat them down again for a more civilized discussion.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you proposed to Helga already?" Miles asked.
"And you went and saw someone else right after?" Stella asked.
"No, that's not- Well, I did- I just..." Arnold stammered.
Arnold let out a big sigh, trying his best to compose himself to explain his intentions.
"I did propose to Helga, but I'm not seeing anyone else." Arnold said.
Arnold held Helga's hands, physically reassuring her that he would never betray her trust.
"I love you, Helga, and I only love you. I don't want to see anyone else." Arnold said.
Helga was now calmed down, reassured from Arnold's words and sentiments.
"But you proposed already? And you're planning the wedding? Arnold, you've only been back 5 days. How are you so sure that you want to do this? It took me and Miles months before we got married." Stella asked.
"I've known Helga my whole life. She's loved me all that time. She might have bullied me a lot, but Grandma bullied Grandpa when they were kids, and they knew they were perfect for each other when she came clean. Helga's come clean with me years ago, but I knew that deep down she really did care about me. We know each other so well. We're soulmates. It'd be wrong for us not to get married." Arnold said.
Miles and Stella were touched by Arnold's story, and Helga was completely happy with what she heard, now completely calmed down and no longer hostile.
"But something else came up. A Green-Eye thing. Something I have to take care of first. That was part of why I wasn't in my room that night. But I promise what I have to take care of will be over soon. And Helga, I promise I won't waste another second delaying being with you." Arnold finished.
Helga gave Arnold a kiss.
"Okay, football head, I trust you. But hurry up with whatever your 'thing' is so we can get planning again." Helga said.
Stella shed a tear, becoming far too emotional for the moment, typical for any mother in her position.
"It's hard to believe my baby boy grew up this fast." Stella said.
Predictably, Arnold blushed in embarrassment. Miles got up, prompting Stella to come with him in an attempt to spare him any further embarrassment.
"Sweetheart, I think we'd better give them some alone time." Miles said.
Taking the hint, Stella left the dining room with Miles. As Miles left, he gave Arnold a wink. Even though he tried his best to spare Arnold from any further embarrassment, his last action ended up proving the opposite. Helga, joining in on the fun, decided to continue the streak.
"You did grow a lot though, remember when I was taller than you? Guess your name isn't 'Shortman' for no reason." Helga said.
Helga gave a smug smile with her joke.
"Shut up, Helga." Arnold said.
Arnold's returning flirt gave Helga a giggle.
"Usually I'm the one telling that to people. Guess some my bad nature rubbed off on you and some of your good nature rubbed off on me." Helga said.
"Maybe it did, and probably for the better. I like seeing you being nice to people. I like that a lot in you, it makes you a much more likable person." Arnold said.
"True, but I don't really care what people think of me-"
"And I find it very attractive."
Arnold gave a suggestive smile, giving an encouragement to Helga's new good nature. Feeling encouragement for something else, however, Helga knocked all the plates and silverware off the table and laid seductively on it, giving Arnold a sly look.
Arnold gave a surprised look, not expecting Helga to offer a different kind of egg for breakfast.
"Here? Now?" Arnold asked.
"I can't help it. You make my girlhood tremble." Helga said.
Arnold gave a sly smile, accepting Helga's initiation.
"That's not all I'll make tremble." Arnold said.
Arnold climbed on the table with Helga, preparing to get very busy, but unfortunately had no more stamina left in his body to do anything after a long sleep. Exhausted, Arnold collapsed on top of Helga, snoring loudly.
Understandably, Helga became extremely frustrated.
Criminy, I've heard of guys falling asleep right after, but not before even starting! Helga thought.
Meanwhile, a skyscraper known as Russoti Tower stands over the city, casting its evil shadow over the people. This tower is home to the Russoti family, a crime family whose current head is 'Big' Gino Russoti, who sat inside, brooding over his legal affair at the docks and quickly planning retaliation on the man who wronged him.
"I didn't get on bail for nuttin'. I back came here to ensure that this problem to my business is dealt with fast and properly. Tony, who is this guy?" Gino asked.
"We have no idea, boss." A henchman replied.
Gino looked visibly angry, not satisfied with the answer he was given.
"Excuse me?" Gino asked.
Tony looked nervous, afraid that his error would cost him his life.
"We- We checked everywhere, boss. We interrogated the witnesses on the news, the news reporters, we even had our bought-off cops look into this Green Eye shmuck. We have no idea who this guy is! He's like a ghost!" Tony said.
Gino sat for a moment, contemplating his next move carefully. Low on options, he had to be careful on how to handle his situation.
"Alright. We're obviously dealing with some new player, maybe from outta town. I want you to put a price on his head. 1 million dollars for him dead, 2 mil alive. If we get him alive, we make an example of this cocksucker and show these people who really runs Hillwood." Gino said.
To all the mobster's surprise, a man now known only as The Freak walked in the room, his horrific appearance startling all but Gino himself, with everyone else immediately drawing their weapons.
"How about half-dead, half alive? Will I get all 3 million dollars?" The Freak asked.
"Who the hell are you and how did you get into my office? And how did you get past my security?" Gino asked.
The Freak held up a severed leg that once belonged to one of Gino's security guards.
"Your security doesn't have a leg to stand on." The Freak said.
Gino assessed the situation he was in. While he could easily have The Freak gunned down and no longer have him be a problem, his skills against the security guards and direct approach displayed a desire for a job. Impressed with his approach, Gino decided to further their conversation.
Gino prompted his men to lower their weapons, to which they skeptically followed his order.
"Okay, you seem like a man of very useful talents. Why don't you take a seat? We'll talk." Gino said.
The Freak tossed the leg aside and intimidated one of Gino's henchmen to move out of his seat. With Gino's approval, the henchman got up for The Freak to take the seat for himself, rudely laying his legs on the table.
"Those security guards were the best money could buy, emphasis on 'were'. I'll have to get my money back from that agency since I no longer have a financial obligation to give them money. Anyway, I digress. You obviously know how to kill people who are very hard to kill." Gino said.
Gino held up a newspaper chronicling the first night of The Green Eye, showing a vague silhouette showing him leaping in the air with his staff in his hand.
"I want this man brought to me. You heard my terms. Dead, 1 mil. Alive, 2 mil. You find him and get him." Gino said.
The Freak gave an amused smile, giving a slight chuckle to accompany it.
"For a man who runs a big business, you're not very smart, are you?" The Freak asked.
Gino raised an eyebrow, less than impressed with his insulting remark.
"Care to rephrase that, Alice Cooper-wannabe?" Gino asked.
"A man like this isn't someone you find. He is the type of man who finds you. Someone like him you have to catch." The Freak said.
"So you're saying we have to lure him out with bait."
"Exactly, bait him and catch him, just like a fish."
Gino became frustrated with The Freak's games, choosing to address his frustrations in a sarcastic way.
"That's a very interesting idea, My Chemical Romance fanboy, but would you care to explain how we bait this 'fish'?" Gino asked.
"Isn't it obvious? This man rushes to help people. Hurt someone and let him come find you. It couldn't be easier." The Freak said.
"Oh, yeah? If it's that easy, why didn't you do it already?"
"A wise man once said: 'If you're good at something, never do it for free'. You wanted him gone for a price, so I came to claim the prize."
"Seems like a wise man, indeed. I admire your eye-on-the-prize attitude. What's your name, off-brand Marilyn Manson?"
"My name is The Freak, Mr. Russoti."
"Oh, yeah, The Freak. I heard of you, you shot and raped that rich kid, Rhonda Lloyd, right? What'd she do, cheat on you?"
"She never loved me. She hurt me. I just returned the favor."
Gino scoffed, unimpressed with The Freak's motivation.
"Emo kids. They're all the same-" Gino began to say.
"That was after I shot both my parents dead. Well, if you consider those two psychopaths human beings, that is." The Freak interrupted.
Gino gave a chuckle, showing a slight amusement with The Freak's seeming lapse in logic.
"You know what? I think I like you, you're crazy." Gino said.
The Freak's smile disappeared, taking offense to Gino's remark.
"I'm not crazy. If you plan on living a long, healthy life, I suggest you don't call me crazy again." The Freak said.
"Whatever. Get me this Green Eye, and I'll arrange your payment, Mr. The Freak." Gino said.
"Not yet. You have to do something for me."
Gino raised an eyebrow, once again surprised by The Freak's direct approach.
"Oh, really? And what would that something be?" Gino asked.
"You have to ask me nicely." The Freak said.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence for a moment. Gino knew what The Freak was doing, as did the rest of the occupants of the room. He was trying to make himself look like the bigger man than Gino, demanding respect out of others for the sake of respect.
Gino, needing The Green Eye dealt with, met his request, but in a sarcastic way.
"Okay. Mr. The Freak, will you please kill or capture this person for me? I'll pay you a shitload of money." Gino asked.
The Freak's smile returned, getting a crime boss to bend to his will.
"Of course, Mr. Russoti. I'd only be to happy to." The Freak said.
At the high school known as P.S. 1018, lunch hour arrives for the students, who all rush to the cafeteria. The group of friends consisting of Arnold, Helga, Gerald, Phoebe, Harold, Stinky, Sid, Eugene, Nadine, and Sheena talk at lunch.
"I heard this Green Eye can shoot lasers out of his eyes!" Sid said.
"Don't be ridiculous, Sid. I reckon the feller got himself a magic ring that can make him do all them neat tricks." Sticky replied.
"No way, I say he was bitten by a radioactive eyeball." Harold said.
"'Bitten by a radioactive eyeball'? Harold, do you have any idea how dumb that sounds? Why would an eyeball be alive on its own?" Gerald asked.
"Because it's radioactive?"
"And why would it bite someone?"
"Because it's radioactive?"
"And why is it radioactive?"
Harold thought for a moment, unable to analyze his own theory.
"...I don't know, but why else would it be green? I say it's radioactive." Harold concluded.
Gerald put his face into his palms, sighing heavily at Harold's moronic theory.
"Well, regardless of how this man came here, he is significantly dropping the crime rate in Hillwood. I didn't even get mugged today. He's obviously doing some good." Phoebe said.
"The man certainly needs a new wardrobe. I think that a tight rubber suit would fit best, especially one with Greek influence, if you know what I mean." Eugene said.
"Eugene, that's not what he needs. That's just what you want to see." Nadine added.
"Well, a man can dream, can't he?"
"Fair enough. But I do wish Rhonda was here, she'd know everything about fashion and she'd have a field day on him."
The group went silent, all still too shocked about the horrifying events that fell before Rhonda. Arnold decided to step in to give comfort out of the uncomfortable silence.
"Don't worry, Nadine, I'm sure she'll be out of the hospital any day now." Arnold said.
"Maybe we should plan a surprise party for her when she gets out. Y'know, to help cheer her up a bit." Helga added.
Not expecting Helga to give a helpful suggestion, the entire group gave her odd looks.
"What?" Helga asked.
"Helga? Are you feeling alright? Usually you're not the one coming up with positive ideas for everyone." Gerald asked.
"Well, people can change."
Helga held Arnold's hand across the table.
"With a little help from others." Helga finished.
"I still think he was bitten by a radioactive eyeball." Harold said.
The class groaned at Harold's stupidity, still unable to accept Harold's preposterous theory.
As the group continued their friendly conversations, someone with less-than-friendly intentions came along, looking for trouble.
"Hey, you 11th grade dorks! Having some fun?" Wolfgang proclaimed.
The class tried to ignore him, hoping in vain that he would leave them alone.
"Wolfgang, don't you have something better to do with your time?" Gerald asked.
"Gerald. Always the fighter. Why don't I show you what a real fight looks like, jigaboo?" Wolfgang asked.
Harold immediately stood up, ready to defend his friend after he received the racist remark.
"Why don't I show you, Wolfgang?" Harold said.
"Oh, you wanna start some shit now, Abe?" Wolfgang asked.
"You started this, I'll finish it!"
Arnold now stood up, putting himself between the two in order to resolve the conflict himself.
"Harold, sit back down. I've got this." Arnold said.
Wolfgang scoffed, unimpressed by Arnold's actions and unconvinced that Arnold would be able to fight him off.
"You? Jungle boy? You wanna take me?" Wolfgang said.
"Arnold, you remember Wolfgang, he'll-" Harold began to say.
Arnold turned to Harold and flashed his eyes green for a moment, reminding him of who he was.
"...Oh, right. I forgot." Harold said.
Harold then leaned in to Arnold's ear, eager to ask him a question that would resolve his curiosity.
"Were you bitten by a radioactive eyeball?" He whispered.
Arnold gave an annoyed groan at Harold's ridiculous question.
"No, Harold. Please sit down." Arnold answered.
Harold sat back down, complying with Arnold's request. Now face to face, Arnold and Wolfgang stood off against each other.
"Okay, jungle boy, I'm a fair man. You might not have blue eyes, but otherwise you fit the bill good enough for the Aryan race. I'll give you a free shot." Wolfgang said.
"I won't need it. We're not going to fight." Arnold said.
Wolfgang gave a short laugh, amused at Arnold's statement.
"Oh, really? Then what are you gonna do, jungle boy?" Wolfgang asked.
Arnold's eyes lit up green, activating his telepathic powers.
You will not fight nor harm anyone here. You will apologize to my friends for your actions and your hateful words. You will end your racist tendencies and you will work towards a better future for yourself. There is no master race, there is only the human race. Arnold said telepathically.
While his suggestion powers were not quite enough to fully reverse the hatred and bigotry in Wolfgang's heart, they were still enough to make him back down from the fight and leave the group alone.
"Ah, you know what? Forget it. This is a waste of my time." Wolfgang said.
Wolfgang turned around and walked away, completely ignoring the group and leaving the cafeteria.
Arnold sat back down with the whole group was looking at him, surprised that he made Wolfgang leave them be by seemingly doing absolutely nothing.
"You got the dude to just walk away by standing there. How'd you do that?" Gerald asked.
"Secret of the Green-Eyed People, Gerald." Arnold went back to his food.
As the school day ended, the students immediately rushed out to begin the other activities in their lives, all quickly moving on to their homework, afterschool activities, and to spend time with their friends.
As Arnold and Helga walked home together, however, each of them make plans of their own, each separate from the other.
"Hey Arnold, I found out about this really great bakery that does all kinds of cake flavors. How about we stop in and sample some of their cakes before we decide on what we want for the wedding?" Helga asked.
"Actually, Helga, I have some other things to take care of before I get home. I'll meet you at home after school." Arnold said.
"More important than the wedding? What do you have to do?"
"It's Green-Eye stuff, Helga. I wish I didn't have to do it, but I have to. Believe me, I'd rather be planning with you, Helga. Besides, any cake you pick is fine with me. If you like it, I probably will."
Helga gave a sad sigh, disappointed that she wasn't able to plan their wedding together.
"Ok, football head. Don't keep me waiting too long." Helga said.
As Arnold left to handle his own affairs, Helga walked home from school on her own, making her way to begin the wedding plans. Without Arnold to talk to, and having many frustrations to vent, she started talking to herself like in the days of her youth.
"'Take care of some things'? What could that football head have going on that's more important than me? Than our wedding? 'Green-Eye stuff'? Why won't he just talk to me? Man, I hate that stupid football head!" Helga said.
Feeling regret over her harsh words, she pulled out her locket of Arnold and looked at the picture, the locket never having left her after all these years.
"Oh, but how I love him. My knight in shining armor has finally returned to save me, my Romeo has reunited with my Juliet, and now we are to be joined in holy matrimony! Oh, what joy! What ecstasy! What happiness! ...But... I cannot help but think there is something wrong with him, some issue he will not share with me. Perhaps he is embarrassed of it, perhaps he is trying to protect me." Helga said.
After a minute of contemplation, Helga shook her head, ending her monologue.
"Pfft! I don't need protection. Maybe a little present would open him up a little. But what could I get him that's really meaningful?" Helga pondered.
As Helga began to think of a good gift for Arnold, she began to hear an all-too familiar wheezing sound behind her. She turned around to see a familiar face that met her expectations.
"Uh... Hi." Brainy said.
"Brainy? You're still following me after all this time?" Helga asked.
"Uh... yeah?"
"Why?"
"Uh... something?"
Annoyed with Brainy's unsatisfactory answer, Helga then began to rant over her frustrations with Brainy's unexplained actions.
"Dammit, Brainy, even after five years you still don't have anything insightful or more detailed that that?! You constantly stalk me when I talk about Arnold to myself, and you never seem to want anything. You even got me sent to a counselor once. What is it you want, Brainy? Why are you always following me?!" Helga yelled.
After taking a deep breath using an inhaler and clearing his throat, Brainy replied in an unexpectedly clear voice.
"Helga, the reason I've been following you is because that I love you, in the same way that you love Arnold. People always look at me like some geek, and no one will even give me a second's chance. Ever since preschool, you were the only one who noticed me. Sure, you punched me in the face every time, but every punch has felt like a gentle touch from a goddess. Seeing how much you really love Arnold, though, I love you enough to know that you want to be with him, and being with him will make you happy. And, through you, I experience your love vicariously. I'm glad to see you two not only getting together, but also tying the knot. That is far better than I could ever expect. Seeing a poor soul like you have moments of happiness gives me happiness, and I wanted to see you fully happy. That's why I helped you back in San Lorenzo. I want to make you happy."
Helga found herself at a loss for words, not expecting Brainy's clear voice or his articulate reasoning.
"Wow, Brainy. I had no idea you sounded like that. Or that you actually had all that reason to follow me. You really love me?" Helga asked.
"Always and forever." Brainy said.
"Well, then, why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't you tell Arnold you loved him?"
"I was afraid that he wouldn't love me back."
"Well, I was afraid that you wouldn't love me back, especially since you wanted Arnold. I accept that, and now I still want to help you."
"Okay, then how exactly are you gonna help me get something for Arnold?"
"Well, he had a pet pig for awhile, didn't he?"
"Yeah, his name was Abner. He died while Arnold was gone, but how does that-"
Before Helga could finish her sentence, she turned around to find a pet store with a pig sitting in the front window, inspiring her with an idea for a gift.
"That's it! Brainy, you're a genius, you're- Hey, what's your real name, anyway?" Helga asked.
"Craig." Brainy replied.
"Huh. Funny. You don't look like a Craig. Well, if you'll excuse me, I've got to bring home the bacon."
Before Helga walked into the pet store, Brainy stopped her for one last request.
"Wait, Helga, there's one more thing." Brainy asked.
"What is it?" Helga asked.
"Well, I was wondering if you could..."
Brainy leaned into Helga's ear and whispered the rest of his request.
"Of course, Brainy. Had no idea you actually enjoyed this." Helga said.
Helga turned around and hit Brainy in the face with the back of her fist, bringing a smile to both their faces.
Helga walked in the pet store, while Brainy laid on the ground with broken glasses, happy that once again he aided Helga.
"Wow, what a woman." Brainy said.
With nightfall arriving, The Green Eye climbed a building as if it were a tree, heading to its rooftop. Picking a good vantage point, he tuned his enhanced senses to the city, taking in all its sounds, smells, and tastes all at once, scanning the area for a new crime to thwart.
A mile away, a mother and son walked out of an ice cream parlor. The mother ate a strawberry cone, the son ate a chocolate cone. No threat.
Another mile away, a college student went to the library to study for a test. No threat.
Yet another mile away, however, he lucked out. Two muggers began attacking a young man in an alleyway.
"Come on, little man, just give us your money and we'll let you go. You really wanna die?" One mugger asked.
"No, please, leave me alone! Someone help me!" The victim shouted.
Hearing the innocent man's cry for help, the dark avenger leapt to the crime scene, preparing himself for battle. With purpose and drive in his eyes, The Green Eye once again set out into the night, beginning a new night in his crusade for justice.