A/N: I turned this chapter into some more darkness. Keep in mind that in my other stories from Hey Arnold I didn't write Bob as the villain as I am in this story. I'm not a fan of the Lila character. Never was when she was introduced. So while I will try to make that character stray away from the dark side she put herself under, Bob is just now a plain ass mess.

Thanks for the reviews. The part in italics in this chapter is Helga's dream.


Ruth wandered up to Arnold with the fullest smile on her face. "I want to tell you my good news, Arnold."

Closing his locker up, Arnold turned to her wondering what it could be. "What is it?"

"Well yesterday after school this guy said I was a natural so he took some test shots of me. You should of seen me. I took some pictures of myself in lingerie and nude just so he can send them around to agents." Placing her hands on his shoulders she half bounced in the air. "I'm going to be famous. I can smell it already."

Giving her an odd look, Arnold smelled something funny in the air. "Was it just nude and lingerie shots?" She nodded her head. "Did you pay him?" She nodded her head again. "Ruth, you were scammed. He just took nude pictures of you and your money, but if he is going to send you pictures anywheres it will be nudie magazines."

"No Arnold. This is how business is conducted." Ruth tapped her finger to her lips. "Isn't that girl you love once a model."

Signaling for Helga to come over, Arnold decided to have her talk to Ruth. "Briefly and here she comes right now."

Looking behind her, Ruth whispered quickly to him. "Have you told her yet?"

"No."

"Oh. Alright." Straightening up, Ruth smiled at Helga. "Hello. Arnold says that because this guy took pictures of me naked and lingerie shots."

"Also he took money from her." Arnold added in quickly.

"Right." Ruth felt foolish now speaking to Helga about this. "Well he says that I'm being taken advantage of."

Helga felt sorry for Ruth. Really sorry. She truly wasn't a bad egg, just really naive. "You are. The only time an agent is supposed to take any money is only a percentage of what you make from a booking. He doesn't take it up front." Taking a deep breath, Helga had to lower her voice for her sake. "Did you sleep with this guy?"

"Yes, but he says it is completely normal." Ruth flashed a concerned look towards them both. "It isn't?"

Shaking her head, Helga groaned. "No it isn't. Ruth if you are to survive an industry like that you need to get to know it better. It will eat you alive if you don't. Research it before you go out there. If this is really what you want to do with your life than be educated about it."

Moving away from them to lean against the locker, Ruth felt stupid. "Can I get my money and pictures back?"

"You can try. I wish you luck there." Helga turned her head to Arnold.

"I really am stupid."

Arnold applauded Helga for holding back though he saw some soft emotion dwelling from her eyes. "You are just naive. Ruth I know you have what it takes."

"Yeah you have to in order to survive this horrible world." Helga was mostly griping about her own past life as the girl sent an cursory stare at her own friends. "What's the matter?"

Ruth crinkled her eyebrows together while netting her fingers. "They are my age and they don't know any better. They acted like it was normal."

"Some don't know." Helga told her honestly.

Nodding her head, Ruth pushed away from the locker she was leaning on. "Well thanks for what you said. I wish now I've known."

Arnold almost reached out to her to say something, but felt the words falling short as he looked to Helga. "You were really nice with her."

"Yeah well, she isn't all that bad of a person. She is just a little daft." Patting him on the shoulder, Helga wanted to get going on this day to get it over with.


Bob pinned her underneath him. The blonde was seen near the grave looking upon it, and in his anger he thought it was Helga. The eyes weren't right. They were lighter in shade which was the same with her eyebrows. Still it didn't bother him too much finding practice with this one as the girl pleaded with him. The girl's thin face was replaced with Helga's. While the frame of her body was the same as Helga's he took absolute delight in putting her in a strangled grip.

"I'll teach you. You won't get away from me anymore." Bob's eyes were turning red even as he heard the yelp from the girl accompanied by a crack from her neck. Going back on his knees to rest he smiled till he remembered that it wasn't Helga. "Great." He muttered as he stood up to survey the graveyard.


Seeing Helga visibly tremble as they were making their way out of first period, Ludwig felt concerned for her. "Are you alright?"

Helga really didn't know how to explain it as she placed her hand to her neck. Why was her neck feeling sore all of a sudden? Why did she feel this sudden rage? Glancing out the window her eyes went wide before heading to the teacher to whisper in their ear. As the teacher called the office, Helga looked back to Ludwig and to also see Lila also peering outside.

"Helga, I'm ever so certain you should stay within this building today." Lila's voice sounded tinny as she wandered closer to her.

Ludwig looked to where they were to see Big Bob Pataki outside the gate gripping the fencing for dear life. His attention was solely in this room it seemed prompting him to walk closer to Helga to cover her from view. "Are you going to contact Arnold?"

"Just texted him." Helga felt herself falling to the ground till a pair of strong arms reached around to support her. Tilting her head up she peered into Ludwig's concerned face. "I'm so happy you are on our side."

He could only smile even as Lila left the classroom. The teacher was telling the students in the next class to wait in the hall. As for Arnold he came into the classroom to see Bob still staring before he spotted Lila approaching him.

"What is she doing?" Arnold whispered before walking out of there.

"Huh?" Helga felt like she was slapped awake by his voice as she bolted a bit to see Lila going up to her ex-father. "What the hell?"

XX

"Mr Pataki, how may I help you?" Lila immediately wondered if this was the correct question to start off with. "It has been so long since I've seen you."

Bob barely glanced at her as she spoke. He didn't need to to judge that she was just here to waste his time. "Olga would be disappointed in you."

Lila felt startled by that. She never wanted to be that to her friend. "Whatever do you mean, Mr Pataki?"

"You siding with a murderer." Bob could still see, Helga in the classroom. Anger continued to course through him.

"But Mr Pataki," It was now or never for her. "She never would of wanted that to happen to Olga." Lila felt pulled back from feeling a couple of arms wrap around her as another pair try to reach out to grab for her. She looked at him in horror as he cursed.

Arnold brought Lila around him to shield her from the large man's attack. "Mr Pataki! What would Olga think of you doing this? What would she think of you wanting to harm her own sister? Her own friend."

Bob hit the fence as hard as possible bringing the clanging of metal against metal being heard. "You stay out of this kid."

"No!" Arnold stood his ground even as he spotted a squad car rolling up. "Helga is innocent. Please listen."

One of the officers came sidling up to him to announce themselves. "Mr Pataki. You are in violation of the restraining order against you."

Turning around, Arnold faced Lila. "What did you hope to gain by doing that?"

Lila felt like her body was about to fall apart from how nervous she felt. "I just wanted him to stop and leave. I hoped to calm him. I failed."

"Lila!" Baxter came forward to take his step-sister. "Come on."

"I think he wants to kill her, Baxter." Lila whimpered out before stopping to turn her head to Arnold. "Protect her, Arnold."

Arnold nodded his head as he watched her being led away by Baxter. Turning his head back to see the cop car pulling away had him rushing back inside to see how Helga was doing. At least thankfully she wasn't alone with, Ludwig and the teacher beside her.

"He really wants to kill me." Helga spoke softly to him as he came closer. "How's Lila?"

"I think Baxter will see to that. She's shaken though. She wanted to calm Bob down, but it didn't help." Taking her hand, Arnold nodded to Ludwig silently thanking him for sticking by her side.

Helga's eyes lifted up more as they made their way silently out of the classroom. When they got out they were met by a school counselor telling them to follow him to a private area. An area where they can both gather themselves, and if need be, do their class work there. As they sat there side by side, Helga couldn't help herself as she placed her hands to her neck.

"What is it?" Arnold was understandably worried about her as his hand still remained in hers.

She felt like she swallowed dirt. She heard screaming in her head before something more. "It felt so real. Before he was out there I felt I was being strangled. I felt like I swallowed dirt and could see his angry face."

That concerned him. "Did you fall asleep in class?"

"No. I was wide awake just working away. Ask Ludwig." Helga than thought of something. "Third strike and he's out."

"Meaning?"

"That was the term of the restraining order. He wanted to kill me." Turning towards him, Helga was seeking safety as one of their teachers wandered in. "Would Miles accompany me to the cemetery with me later? I know you have to work later."

He nodded his head. "My dad would do that. All you have to do is contact him."

"Ms Pataki, your Guardians have already been contacted about your father being here." Ms Witz told her as she sat down in front of them. "You are both welcome to stay in this room for the duration of the day if that will please you."

Hearing rushed footsteps, Arnold stood up having a feeling who that was as he went to the door to flag them down. Finding himself engulfed in his parents embrace he only had to tell them that he was all right before they rushed over to Helga.

"Oh Helga." Stella came over to her to wrap her arms around her. "I'm so happy you are all right. We should press charges on him today."

Helga choked at the thought. She was such a brave person until she felt so beat down that she could only just shake her head. "I'm not ready to face him."

Arnold got down on his knees next to her. "When you are we will be here for you. Do you know this, Helga?"

She could only nod her answer to him.


It felt like a fog as she wandered up towards where her sister was. Helga still couldn't erase the nagging feeling from the back of her mind that she should of been paying attention to some detail. She felt Miles beside her standing watch of her like some type of guard. The wind was whipping against them both as she neared the area she wanted to be at. Ahead of her was Lila. Helga didn't care today.

As she got up to the grave, Helga noticed something odd about the lay of the land as she questioned Lila about it. Lila was confused as she even looked down and around. Spotting a pink ribbon the feeling of dirt inside of her throat started to scratch at her. Her hand went to Miles arm for support as he questioned her. Still her worry was with the area as she found a grave that was readied for the next body.

Helga felt a magnet pulling her as she went to that grave. Behind her, Lila and Miles were worried about her as she continued coughing. Helga wouldn't stop. She just can't as she found herself standing above the grave. Another ribbon was there. The ground very much disturbed below.

Miles moved towards the front of the grave to catch sight of something before yelling at the girls not to move a muscle. Soon he had to leave the area so he can get a signal on his phone to call the police.

Lila turned to the side once she spotted it herself. She was horrified but even more so as she looked at the blonde in front of her. Grabbing her hand, Lila pulled Helga away but it only served to make her tumble onto the ground. Lila apologized to her, but Helga was caught up in a fog still.

Miles came back to pick Helga up and to tell Lila to come with him. The girl in his arms was like a statue as if seeing her own grave and in her own right she did. To see a blonde with blue eyes popping up from the ground was not anyones idea of a good time.

When the police came along with the crime unit, Miles still had a still Helga in his arms. She was still surprisingly warm given how still she was. Medics checked her out to see she was fine. Arnold and Stella came in along with Lila's family.

When Helga was left alone with Arnold she looked at him. "They won't believe me if I told them." She whispered.

"What's that?"

She shook her head as she looked down. "I know he killed her. Bob. Just because she looks a little like me."

He moved closer to her to wrap her up in his arms. "What else?" He believed her. This was too big to make up.

"I felt this rage. My neck felt sore and than I felt like I was choking on dirt. So much dirt. When I stood up I saw him staring at me from the fence." Her eyes sought him out. "Am I crazy?"

"You aren't, Helga. You are far from crazy." He assured her.

Lila came closer to where they were. "Helga?" Getting up into the Paramedics van, Lila examined her. "I hope this doesn't follow you in your sleep. I really wish this didn't happen to the girl, but at least she was found for her family's sake." She hoped that didn't sound stupid. "I'm glad you are in a place that loves you."

Helga lifted her face up to see the girl was trying. "I feel bad for her too and I'm glad you have a bigger family now." She tried to smile at her, but it quickly faltered.

"Take care of her, Arnold." Lila told him before getting out of the van to leave with her family.

"That was really nice to say to her."

"Yeah well." Helga drifted off as her attention went back to everyone bustling around outside. Her thoughts seemed to gotten away with the wind right now as she leaned against Arnold for safety.


Miriam wished that Fred didn't go down to get Bob released from jail. He violated his restraining order a second time. Also with him being held for suspicion of murder to a teenager found in the cemetery, Miriam heard Bob boasting how they didn't find any evidence. While he went on about not murdering anyone, Miriam held a strong feeling as she continued to listen to him.

She feared deeply for her daughter's life.


Stella was scratching her arm in thought. They had to run from La Sombra through the jungle. That was dangerous. Give birth to Arnold with an active volcano. Now they had to deal with, Helga's nut case of a father.

"Stella?"

Her head turned tiredly to her husband. "I couldn't sleep."

Coming over, Miles placed his arm around her shoulders. "Worried about Helga."

"Yes. I don't want anything to happen to her." Curling herself against him, Stella enjoyed the warmth of him.

He kissed the top of her head. "No one does. I believe Arnold is sleeping by her door as we speak."

A tiny smile met her face as she thought of her son's fondness over the girl. "I'm sure he is."

"He loves her after all."

Giving his leg a slight pinch, Stella knew he was like his parents. "Dreaming of them both getting married aren't you." She stated.

"You are too." He pointed out lightly as he enjoyed how his wife continued to curl up more against him.

Stella couldn't deny something like that when she fell in love with her when she was younger, and the girl still continued to wrap her up around her heart. "She is special."

XXX

Arnold found himself with another body going under the covers with him. Helga's cerulean eyes shone impossibly brightly still under the dim lighting as she mouthed her apology to him. Shaking his head to signal she didn't need to apologize had him wrapping his arms around her.

"Did you speak to Kyoyo?" Sometimes he hated himself for bringing his name up, but if it provided her relief and comfort he would.

Helga adjusted herself hoping not to hog up the whole bed. "Yes and he almost thought of cutting school short to come down here, but I stopped him. I told him I have a lot of people who are looking out for me."

What would her boyfriend say to her in bed with another guy right now? "You do and we'll all stick by you. I know, you know that school is important for him to keep going."

"I know." Yawning, Helga felt weak at doing this. "One day I'll sleep in my own bed without any problems."

"I know, but I want you to know that this doesn't bother me. I want you comfortable." Arnold assured her.

Cuddling against him, Helga glanced up towards the sky. "You always do."


Bare feet met against the cold wet ground as she neared the headstone. It was unusual for her to meet in a place like this instead of from the sidewalk.

The chill met against the bare flesh of her arms as she felt a siren call to look up at the face of the angel. An angel that transformed into her own sister as she descended down upon her. White flowing gown. Translucent skin and always impossibly beautiful in, Helga's opinion.

"Baby sister." Her arms went wide with acceptance while her voice spoke with love.

Helga stepped closer, but was still cautious of stepping on her grave. "Olga, why are you here?"

A sadness crept on her face. A sadness that use to spell an eye roll from Helga, but now she stood there waiting on what she will say. "Baby sister. Beware. I was witness of a tragic and terrifying event. An event I didn't think possible of daddy."

Was this Helga's own paranoia creeping in? Hearing a sniffling sound she turned her attention to a blonde crying into a ribbon. Helga stepped closer recognizing the face even as Olga placed a comforting hand on her.

"At least her family will know she isn't one of the lost ones." Olga's mouth looked strange whenever she use to have it downturned the way she did. "What you felt today was real."

Stepping away from her sister, Helga shook her head. "No. I don't believe in that hooey. What that was is me probably coming down with something. That's all it is. If that kind of thing is true than it would of helped me to stop you from walking that day or something."

Olga was her calm self as she wandered over to the crying teenager. "I was meant to go, Helga. It was my time. If I tried to avoid it than something even worse could of happened."

"That's bullshit!" Of course she was going to protest this. "What is worse than that?!" Choking on her own sobs, Helga turned away from her ashamed. "You didn't deserve that at all."

Feeling her arms wrap around her, Helga could tell that Olga was holding back. Hearing her sing a tune Helga felt taken back to when she was a baby. It was strange to hear after all these years. The one song she remembered that soothed her early shattered soul.

"I fell in love with you when you were born. I'm sorry I made you feel inferior when you weren't." Olga kissed her cheek. "Mummy is looking out for you and so am I."

Bowing her head, Helga felt tears rolling down her cheeks. "The nightmares."

Feeling a hand brush against her hair, Olga cooed to her in that tinkling voice of hers. "Those nightmares are just manifestations of the guilt that mummy and daddy put you through. You had nothing to do with my death. Listen to your friends. Listen to this, Dr Bliss. Listen to the Shortman's. I'm just sorry you had to witness it."

The girl's crying was becoming more to the point it felt like she was making her own river. Helga took Olga's hand to lead her to the girl.

"I wanted to do so much with my life. Why?" Standing up on wobbly legs, the girl wandered off without another word.

Helga extended her hand out. "Wait! What's your name?"

The girl continued to walk until falling into the same grave she found her in, Turning around to bury her head against Olga, Olga could only try to ease her mind.

"Only one person is to blame, Helga. Remember that. Justice will be served to that person." Olga spoke so sternly that she wasn't sure it was her own sister.


Slipping into her bedroom, Baxter sat on the side of Lila's bed to wake her up. Watching her jump in fright he grabbed her by the hand to bring her closer to him. "Shh." First confronting a psycho and than finding a body. Baxter knew she was fit to be tied. "It's just me."

"I'm sorry. I was having these awful nightmares." Pulling away from him, Lila brought her legs up. "What if he really harms her?"

Tilting his head, Baxter was surprised. "You're concerned?"

"Yes. The way he lunged after me I felt it. Than seeing that girl." Covering her face up, Lila started to sob. "It was ever so horrible, Baxter. Nothing like that should of happened to her. To anyone."

It was nice seeing this side of her. Readjusting himself so he can sit beside her on the bed, Baxter pulled her against him. "I know it was and I'm actually sorry that both of you had to see it."

"Mom stayed with me. I know she left after I fell asleep." Lila at least loved that. Having her mother's comforting arms around her felt almost like heaven. "It felt like a dream when she did that. Something I always wanted."

Smiling just a bit, Baxter understood. "Don't tell anyone this or else I will smother you right now." While it was a threat he had a good natured tone to his voice. "It was when she was first married to my dad and it was this horrible thunder storm. It was so bad that a lightening strike actually went right through the roof going into my bedroom. I screamed so badly that she was the first one in there. She held me telling me I was alright and said she won't leave until I felt better." He did a hiccup type of laugh at the memory. "My mother never did that. While so many hate their step parent for whatever reason, I was thankful to her at that moment. She gave me something I always craved."

Turning to him, Lila kissed his cheek. "I promise I won't tell anyone. It is a special memory and last night she gave me another."

He guessed she wasn't all so bad now that she seemed to be showing more of herself. Still, Baxter was bored with looking at her face.

"Your mother is something else, but tell me something." Baxter paused as he readied the question. "Have you forgiven your father for what he has done?"

Lila considered the answer as she studied her fingers. "I will. I know I will because he is a good man. He just took his protection too far."

Kissing her forehead, Baxter settled her back against him. "We should take a shower before school."

Lila smiled in his embrace enjoying how safe she felt in his arms. She knew he didn't feel the same for her, and that made her wish she looked a little different in order to attract him.


Helga and Arnold didn't speak to one another as they got ready in the morning or when they ate. Only when they were on the bus they sat there when Helga finally opened up her mouth to speak.

"I finally had a good dream last night."

It alerted Arnold in a way of hope for her. "What was it?"

Helga thought he seemed to be salivating. Even Phoebe as she popped her head up to look at them along with Gerald. To her they appeared like a couple of Prairie Dogs. "Well I was drawn to the cemetery towards Olga's grave. I went there and there Olga appeared like an angel. Also that girl was there, but all she could do was cry." The disbelieving look on her friends faces told her another story to her positive note making her roll her eyes. "I know that doesn't sound positive, at least that part, but it is the part with my sister."

Phoebe was brimming with curiosity as she looked to her sister-at-arms. "Do you mind telling us that part."

Smiling, Helga described the dream as vividly as she could. In the back of her mind she knew she would never of been this open about things before. It was obviously the effect of living under the roof of the Sunset Arms that has done that to her. Still as she told her dream she saw, Phoebe's smile seem to light up more.

"Oh Helga that does sound very positive indeed. Maybe it is her giving you a hopeful message. I know Olga would never blame you for what happened." Phoebe wished to hug her friend tight, but with a bench seat separating them, it made it impossible. "As for the girl, justice will be served to the one responsible."

Helga hoped so as she felt the bus slow down once more to let in another passenger. Seeing Eugene step in with Sheena behind him, she began to do a countdown sequence until the inevitable moment Eugene tripped on his own shoe laces.

"I'm okay." Came Eugene's weak reply to the world as he began to get helped up by, Sheena.

Gerald shook his head at their friend. "At least we can count on some things that never change. Right guys?"

Helga and Arnold smiled in response to that question while Phoebe nuzzled against, Gerald. As Helga looked upon the outside world passing by, she couldn't wait to tell Kyoyo about her dream. She hoped to have many more positive ones like that in the future.