Therapy
Written by MarySueIsDead
Chapter 19: Goodnight - Part 2
Author's Note: This is not the last chapter, go figure. There is another chapter for a few reasons. First of all, I added more content and I didn't want the last chapter to be 20,000 words long, again, go figure. Second, I decided to be nice and not spring NSFW content on unsuspecting readers, however, if you've been reading the story this long, you should know what I'm about by now! Third, now that you know there will be NSFW content in the last chapter, it is your decision at the end of this chapter to keep reading or stop reading. Also, on that note, I want to spend a liiiiiiiiittle more time on the last chapter. So it will be coming soon, and I mean it this time! And if it doesn't come soon, then IDK what to tell ya'. I'm also working on my new cover. I'M JUST ONE WOMAN, OKAY!? Enjoy.
~5 Months Ago~
They never talked much about their mother. Last time Olga visited her was about a year ago. And then for no reason she was taken off the visitation list. Miriam stopped calling and wouldn't answer any of Olga's calls.
Helga knew it hurt her sister more than she showed it. Maybe Miriam just had enough. Maybe sleeping in her cell all day was all that she could muster. Maybe she found a new lover that took alcohol's place. They'd never know and Olga wasn't the greatest at dealing with rejection. But they had each other. Olga had helped her cope through all her edgy teenage crap. The least she could do was try and emotionally be there for her sister as well.
They sat in the waiting room after signing in and placed their items in a nearby locker. The room was cold; it was bleak. The sisters didn't talk much. Not like she had much to say. Helga's throat felt like it had closed up with all the nervousness she felt. Quiet minutes passed until a guard appeared in the room and gestured for the sisters to follow him. They were thoroughly searched at first, then they went through the metal detectors and the first prison gate.
Cha-CHUNG!
Helga flinched when she heard the heavy gate close behind her. The reality was settling in. Olga had to do this procedure everytime she came? Did it not unsettle her? But yet, maybe that feeling had worn off for her older sister, as she had visited Bob on numerous occasions over the years.
The blonde teen gulped as they passed the second gate, and many more gates after that until they reached the visiting room.
There were many rows of seating. It reminded her of the Cafeteria tables at Hillwood High. There were a few other visitors with inmates, however, she tried not to overhear what they were talking about. Maybe she was trying to be respectful. Or maybe...a part of her was fighting the empathy she might feel if she listened too long.
Helga sat down at one of the tables with Olga and her thoughts began to wander. Bob was really...trapped here. They could leave whenever they wanted and he...couldn't. She actually felt...bad.
Olga gestured to the vending machine near them in the large space. "I always make sure to get him a Mr Fudgie from the machine."
"Why?" Helga questioned meekly.
Olga altered her head to meet her sister's blue eyes. "It's the only time he gets to eat non-prison food."
Her stomach churned unpleasantly. She knew she would regret coming. This was...a horrible feeling. Not only had Bob been here for years, but she almost felt like she was partially responsible for putting him here.
The teen glanced over at one of the guards in the room, intently watching them.
"Are you, alright?" Olga asked.
Helga released a heavy sigh. "Do you think...I'm partially responsible for putting him in here?"
The older sister's brows wrinkled in confusion. "Helga, whatever are you talking about?"
"I told the police he wasn't really dead. If I played along with his scheme...I don't know...maybe we'd be in Costa Rica right now."
"Oh, Helga, you told the truth. That was the right thing to do. I would've told the truth if I had any idea of what was going on at the time." She shook her head. "This is what he deserves right now and he understands that. None of this is or was your fault." Olga placed a gentle hand upon her sibling's shoulder. "I'm proud of you for coming. It means alot to me, and I know Daddy will have the biggest smile on his face when he sees you."
Helga felt a tightness in her chest and drew in a deep breath. "Alright."
It was a few more minutes until a man in prison clothes entered the space by one of the guards. He was skinny, tall and lean. Grey stubble dotted his jawline; his peppered hair cut short. He had the same face as Bob, but she had never seen Bob without a beer gut and a stink eye.
The teen's jaw nearly dropped in shock and a shiver trailed down her spine.
His face beamed and his bright blue eyes sparkled as he jogged towards them. "My girls!"
Olga stood up from the table and met her father in a loving embrace.
Helga hesitantly got up from the table too as the two parted. He altered his gaze over to the teenager. "Helga!" He greeted excitedly and went in for a hug, but she reactively jerked back. There was a moment of tension and Bob's hands fell onto his hips instead. He cleared his throat. "You're looking good, girl. Looking strong!"
She awkwardly crossed her arms. "Yeah, well..you look like shit."
Despite her defensive posture, Bob laughed loud in response and gleefully wrapped his arms around Helga, lifting her into the air. "Aww, I missed ya'!"
Helga finally understood where Olga got her death grip hugging style from. The older man eventually set her down and they all sat at the nearby table. "Tell me, what's new with you?"
The blonde teen was rather speechless. This whole situation was something she wasn't used to. Talking about...her life...with her father.
Olga decided to respond. "Well, Daddy, Helga's been doing marvelous in school, she's got a brand new job and she plans on getting her driver's license soon." She winked at her younger sister.
"That right? Where ya' working, girl?"
The youngest Pataki scratched her arm. "Um, Joe's Eats."
"Joe's Eats! Damn, do I miss their barbecue. Olga's been teaching you how to cook, huh?"
Helga glanced over at her sister. "She brushes off on me more than I'd care to admit."
"Well, I'm glad you're there for her and she's there for you." He hesitated for a moment as if he were lost in his thoughts.
She looked back to him and noticed the grim expression on his face. And then it hit her. Bob didn't have the Empire anymore. Bob didn't have much of anything anymore. He didn't have a wife. He didn't have a house. He probably didn't even have his own underwear. But he did have one thing to be proud of. Two things. His daughters. He wanted a connection to something. Something that he could call his own that he wouldn't lose. She finally understood why he wanted to see her all these years. There wasn't anything distracting him from being her dad anymore.
Helga shifted in her seat, attempting to keep her emotions in check. She stayed cool. "We balance each other out pretty well."
Olga warmly smiled and placed her hand upon Helga's shoulder. "That we do."
The girls shared a moment and Bob rubbed his eyes, changing the subject. "Um, Helga, you watch any good matches lately?"
"I caught a couple matches of SummerSlam last year, but I had to go to Charlie's to watch it because Olga didn't want to pay for pay-per-view."
The older sister's tone was curious. "What's Charlie's?"
"It's a sports bar just a couple blocks away."
"You went to a sports bar? You didn't tell me that."
The teenager shrugged. "I mean, obviously they didn't serve me any alcohol, I just ate a shit ton of hot wings."
The woman stared at her sibling and nodded. "Well, tell me next time it's on. I still won't get the pay-per-view, but I'd like to go out and eat with you."
"For real?"
"It's important to you...so, yes."
Bob clasped his fingers together and shook his head. "Crimany. What I wouldn't give to watch a match in Charlie's again. I was at Charlie's when I saw De La Hoya's first match back in 1992." He sighed. "Good times. You girls will have to tell me how it goes this year."
"By the way, Daddy, Helga was very thoughtful and sent a care package your way. Once it gets approved, you should receive it very soon."
His facial features brightened. "Oh yeah? What's in it?"
Helga scratched the back of her neck. "It's nothing too crazy. I found, um...your copy of 'The Professional' by WC Heinz in the attic. I thought you might want it. Olga said you could have reading materials."
A huge grin found its way upon his mouth. "You found it!? Damn! I thought I lost it years ago! It's always been my favorite book."
The teenager pursed her lips and smirked. "I know. When I was like, three, instead of bedtime stories, you would read me excerpts of that book."
The older man nodded. "Yeah...I remember." He sniffled and rubbed his nose with his hand, tears brewing at the corners of his eyes.
Olga so much wanted to comfort her father, but physical contact was reserved for greetings and goodbyes. "Aww, Daddy."
He swallowed and cleared his throat. "Thank you, Helga. I really look forward to getting that." More water filled his blue eyes. "A lot of good memories, reading that book to you."
The corners of her mouth curled into a small smile. "You're welcome, Dad."
They continued to chat about how Bob spent his days in prison. About sports. About Olga's duties as a vice principal. Helga thought if they weren't sitting in a prison, they might have looked like a normal family.
Then, Bob was called by a nearby guard with a polaroid camera. "Pataki! You're up!"
His shoulders lifted. "Come on girls, let's go get our picture taken!"
The family walked over to the far end of the large visiting room where the guard resided. There was a cheap backdrop painting of a beach and they stood in front of it, casually posing. Helga and Olga stood on each side of Bob. He wrapped his skinny arms over each daughter's shoulders.
"Alright, smile." The guard stated and brought the view port up to his eye.
And for the first time, Helga smiled in a family photo.
~Present~
Rhonda had dropped off the dogs back at Lillian's house and made sure they had food and water for the night. Curly would be able to check up on them tomorrow morning while she and Helga did whatever Helga had planned for them that night.
She headed home, set her mother's planter on the kitchen table and took a shower. She also did her makeup and dressed herself for the night's festivities. Then, it was time to pack. My oh my, whatever could Helga have planned? Should she bring sexy attire? Should she bring clothes for multiple days? Just in case, she packed both and with the extra money she had, Rhonda hailed a cab and made her way on over to the familiar blue condo.
When she arrived, she exited the vehicle with the luggage and walked up the stoop to the door. After she knocked politely, a few moments passed and the older Pataki sister answered.
Olga greeted hospitably. "Hello, Rhonda! We've been expecting you. Come on in."
"Thank you, Olga." Rhonda entered the foyer and the older sister closed the door behind her.
She questioned. "Now what's all this about tonight? Helga won't tell me anything about the rendezvous she has planned for you two."
"I'm in the dark just as much as you are."
Olga squinted her eyes suspiciously. "Well, you two don't have TOO much fun. I don't need any calls in the middle of the night from your father."
Rhonda smiled innocently. "I can't make any promises about not having too much fun. However, if it makes you feel any better, the plans have been approved by my mother."
The woman's hands fell onto her hips. "Alright. Anyway, how are my old skates treating you?"
"They've been wonderful! My crossovers get better everyday!"
"That's great. Helga's upstairs in her room getting ready if you want to keep her company. Just don't leave until I get a picture of you two!"
Rhonda left her suitcase at the door and walked up the stairs, finding her way to Helga's room. She slowly pushed the door open, revealing Helga standing in front of the mirror that hung on the wall by her closet. The dark haired teen leaned upon the door frame and commented. "Ooo, Nancy Spumoni's Winter Collection 2001. It's aged well on you."
Helga had changed her clothes since she had gotten home to something more fitting for a party. She wore the NS boots and matching pom pom hat along with a woolen coat and pants. She smirked as she looked over at her guest, noticing that her girlfriend had dressed up too. Rhonda wore her maroon peacoat from earlier adorned with a charcoal scarf. There was the addition of a black skirt with long leggings and heeled booties. Her makeup was done to perfection. "Oh yeah? You were so kind to find it in pink."
Rhonda strolled into the familiar room and sat upon Helga's bed, noticing a thick photo album within the comforter. She curiously picked up the heavy album. "What's this?"
Helga turned around and adjusted her glasses. "Oh...Olga gave me that for Christmas. It's a photo album...my photo album actually. She found a bunch of undeveloped film in the attic, so she got it developed and...put it together. Surprisingly, there were several photos of me. I'm assuming she took them all."
Rhonda opened it and her eyes were drawn to all the pictures of Helga as a child. Playing in the mud. Wearing Bob's crown. Sitting atop the piano bench where Olga played. "Aww, how precious." She flipped the vinyl coated page, noticing a recent photo. "That's a really sweet picture of you two with Bob."
The blonde sat down next to her on the mattress. "Yeah. Took that one a couple months back when we visited him."
Miss Lloyd continued to look through the album, finding an old photo of the two of them together. "Oh, I remember this trip! Summer of 1998. Look at how cute we are!" She pulled the polaroid picture out of the sleeve and held it up to get a closer inspection. She glanced over at her girlfriend and pursed her lips cutely. "I want it."
Helga chuckled softly. "You can have it."
Rhonda gently placed the photo in the pocket of her peacoat. "That's so sweet she made this for you."
"Yeah...a lot of those photos I've never seen before."
"By the way, she wants to get a picture of us before we leave."
"Of course she does. She's been obsessed with documenting my life lately."
"I think it's darling. She cares."
Helga nudged her guest's shoulder with her own. "You're as mushy as her."
"Someone has to balance you out." Rhonda closed the album and sat it back where it was on the bed prior.
"Did you bring clothes and stuff for tonight?" The blonde asked.
"Yes! Well…" Her brown eyes glazed over with mischief. "Everything but my panties."
Helga laughed and rolled her blue eyes. "Come on. I'm sure Olga's just waiting anxiously at the bottom of the staircase with her camera." She stood up and held out her hand.
Rhonda took her girlfriend's palm and they walked out of her room. As she expected, Olga was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with a disposable camera.
"Aww! Look at you two!" She cooed.
"Where do you want us?" The younger sister asked.
Olga took a few steps back and gestured with her hand. "Right there, at the bottom of the staircase."
Rhonda flipped her jet black hair and wrapped her arms over Helga's shoulders. The blonde placed her hand upon her companion's back.
"Okay, say Beeper!"
Helga gritted her teeth together for a moment before smiling. Her sister was such a cornball.
Rhonda grinned brilliantly. "Beeper!"
SNAP!
The woman twirled the cog on the plastic camera, rotating the film inside. "One more for your album!"
Helga strolled over and grabbed Rhonda's luggage as Miss Lloyd headed for the door.
Olga walked alongside her sister like a hovering mother. "Alright, now do you have your phone charger?"
"Yes, Olga."
"Do you have your toothbrush?"
"Yes."
"Do you have your-"
"OLGA!" The blonde snapped.
"Whatever she forgets, Olga, she can borrow mine." Rhonda winked at her girlfriend.
Helga released an exhausted breath. She knew Olga meant well. "I will text you when we get to where...I have planned. Okay?"
The older sibling wrapped her arms over Helga's shoulders and hugged her younger sister. "Alright, Alright. You two go have fun."
The two girls descended the stoop and reached Helga's truck parked out front on the curb. With a grunt, the blonde teen threw Rhonda's luggage into the bed of the pick-up next to her own. They both entered the vehicle, and Helga started up the older engine.
"Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?" Rhonda asked as Helga pulled away from the curb.
She raised her thick brow suspiciously. "Are you asking to see if there's anything else you can buy me?"
"I just want to make sure you're set for the new year!"
"I'm plenty set. What about you?"
The dark haired girl shrugged and gazed out the window at the passing buildings, sighing slightly. "...Almost."
"What's 'almost' mean?"
Rhonda chewed on the inner part of her mouth before confessing. "Well...if you must know. I ordered a personal massager for myself and it said it would arrive before Christmas but it hasn't come yet. I had the handle bedazzled and everything! I hope someone else didn't get it."
Helga scoffed and shook her head. "That's so you, Princess."
Rhonda's tone was innocent, yet modesty was something she wasn't very good at. "What can I say? These past couple months have been rather lonely…"
The blonde then chuckled. "Can you go five seconds without thinking about sex?"
"Hey! It's not my fault my girlfriend is extremely hot." She shivered in her seat. "All that muscle and vigor under those clothes."
Amusement graced Helga's facial features. "There is something I actually want to ask you before we get to Arnold's place. So, I know it's going to be hard, but you're going to have to use all that brainpower for something other than my hot naked bod' for a minute."
"Shoot."
She tapped her fingers upon the steering wheel. "Why didn't you and Nadine keep in touch? What happened?"
Rhonda paused for a moment, not expecting that question to come out of Helga's mouth. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just something we never really talk about. And...I've been thinking about it lately. So…?"
The dark haired teen simply shrugged, yet there was a twinge of regret in her voice. "Hmm...we did...here and there, eventually it just...faded off. Nadine and I spent a lot of time doing activities together. Our emotions were expressed mainly through our actions, so when she left...there was nothing to really talk about. Not that I don't miss her or think of her often...it's just what could I say? 'I wish you were here? I wish we could go shopping together or…go to the museum?'"
Helga glanced over at her girlfriend for a moment. "I'm assuming the museum trips were her idea?"
"Yes. She loved looking at all those little creepy crawly things up on display."
There was a pause in their conversation as Helga pondered how to respond. "Well...thanks for answering. I'm sorry you two didn't keep in touch."
"It's alright. I don't mind sharing these things with you." She glanced over at her blonde companion. "There, can I go back to thinking about your hot naked bod' now?"
Helga laughed out loud. "Whatever floats your boat, Princess."
XOXOX
Around 7:45 PM, Gerald picked up Phoebe from her house in his muscle car, and they were off to the boarding house.
The rumbling of the engine filled the small space of the vehicle and he casually glanced over at her in the passenger seat. She looked very cute in his opinion. Her bangs were braided and trailed over her hairline into her faded purple-blue shoulder length hair. She wore a periwinkle sweater along with navy colored leggings and black flats. He noticed himself staring so he initiated small talk. "How's the packing going?"
"It's…bittersweet." She responded politely. "However, exciting. It's a small step to something grander."
He smiled a little to himself and scratched his whiskery chin. "Do I get to visit you when you start your new life as a college student?"
"Of course. I would love to receive visits from Gerald Johanssen." She changed the subject. "So, are you finally going to enlighten me about this surprise you have planned?"
"Your surprise should be at Arnold's house already."
She eyed him suspiciously. "Hmm, whatever could it be..."
Gerald felt a twist in his gut and anxiously wrung his sweaty palms on the steering wheel. "There is something I kind of want to confess, if that's okay?"
"Of course. What's on your mind?"
He licked his lips before proceeding. He had thought about this moment all day, wishing he had more preparation, but it was now or never. "Um...I really like you, Phoebe. I really like you a lot. I mean...I have for a long time." He glanced over at her for a moment before returning his eyes to the road. "I really wish this was...more romantic, but I, uh...I wanted to say it before I got cold feet. So...I guess it had to happen in my car." He cleared his throat. "Anyway...I know you're still figuring things out with, uh, what you like and all. It's totally cool if you like both girls and guys."
Phoebe blushed and reactively sunk into the bucket seat. Not that she didn't mind talking about this sort of thing with people...but those people were mostly her female friends. To be honest, she was so busy with her college preparations she didn't think much about the topic.
Gerald continued. "Uh, my point is. I want it to be a fair competition. So, I invited Lex to Arnold's party tonight."
Her hazel eyes widened and she quickly looked over at him. "You invited Lex? From 'The Ware'?"
The dark skinned teenager nodded. "Yeah. It wasn't cool for me to intrude on you girls at the marina and...It wouldn't be right for my feelings to get in your way like that."
Phoebe's cheeks flushed with embarrassment even more and she was now suddenly nervous. "Gerald, that's...incredibly sweet. Although...I haven't had much time to think about...matters like that." She reached over and gently touched his arm. "If you're curious...I do like you alot as well…"
His brows rose. "Like...like-like or just...like?"
She smiled warmly at him. "Well...I would eventually like to see where things go...once I get to college. As per Lex, I haven't seen her in months, so...who knows how I'll feel about her now…"
He grinned as they neared the boarding house and he pulled up to the curb, his headlights spotlighting a teen girl parked in front of them, sitting on the edge of her motorcycle seat, waiting. She looked up from the cell phone in her hand and grinned.
"Guess we'll find out." Gerald said as he put the vehicle and park and unhooked his seatbelt.
Phoebe unhooked hers as well, feeling the butterflies swarm around the pit of her stomach. They both exited the muscle car and Lex waved, standing up from her motorcycle. She put her cellphone into her pocket.
Gerald strolled up to the punk teenager first and greeted. "Hey Lex, where's Mo'?"
She scratched the back of her buzzed head. "He got food poisoning, so he won't be able to make it."
"Bummer. I hope he gets better." Gerald glanced over and placed his hand on Phoebe's shoulder. Miss Heyerdahl shyly grinned in the taller girl's presence. "You remember Phoebe don't you?"
Lex smiled with charm and looked down at the shorter teen. "I definitely remember Phoebe."
Phoebe's blush returned and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Long time, no see. But it is good to see you again, I m-mean."
There was an awkward pause in the chilly winter air and Gerald finally spoke up. "Alright, well, I'll let you ladies get reacquainted. I'm going to go find my buddy, Stinky, so, I'll catch up with ya' in a bit." He gave Phoebe a gentle nudge and a wink before jogging up the stoop and into the boarding house.
Lex watched him leave and turned back to Miss Heyerdahl. "He seems pretty eager to leave us alone."
Phoebe studied the features of the girl before her. She had the same long reddish-orange mohawk hanging down the side of her face. Her attire was more suited for cold weather since the last time they met. She wore a grey beanie along with a black leather jacket and clean blue jeans. And instead of high top sneakers, her feet were now covered by buckled motorcycle boots. She anxiously chuckled. "I think he mentioned something earlier about a card game...so...you know how he is with cards."
Lex crossed her arms and scoffed. "Figures. I'm assuming you've been here before?"
Phoebe nodded earnestly, as if it were some question from a teacher in class and she had just the right answer. "Oh, yes. Arnold and I have had many school projects together. I mean, in the past when we were much younger. Not right now, of course." She mentally scolded herself for sounding like a dweeb. Keep it together, Phoebe.
"Cool. Want to take us someplace warmer? I'll follow you?"
Phoebe spoke to herself again. Okay, Phoebe, quit dwelling on school for a moment. You don't need to give her the entire tour of Arnold's boarding house. Just find someplace warm, sit down and talk to her. You can do this! The shorter girl gulped and ascended the stoop. "Of course, of course. Yes, please follow me."
XOXOX
Around twenty minutes later, Helga parked her truck behind one of the many vehicles outside of the boarding house when her phone buzzed in her pocket and she took it out. She flipped it open to read the incoming message.
Footballhead, 8:13 PM: Nadine is here and so is Alan. Are you ever going to tell me why you wanted me to invite him?
Helga, 8:13 PM: No.
Footballhead, 8:14 PM: Please? :(
Helga, 8:14 PM: No. :)
Helga, 8:14 PM: Where's Nadine right now?
Footballhead, 8:15 PM: We're on the roof. She's over by the coco counter talking to Sid.
Helga, 8:15 PM: In approximately 5 minutes, distract Sid and draw him away from her.
Footballhead, 8:15 PM: Why?
Helga, 8:16 PM: JUST DO IT!
Rhonda glanced over and noticed her girlfriend furiously punching in the keys on her flip phone. "Dearest, are we attending a party or are you going to spend the night texting?"
Helga's face brightened and she quickly snapped her phone shut. "Sorry. Just texting Olg' that we arrived."
"Aww. How thoughtful of you."
"I'm the bestest littlest sister."
The girls left the truck and walked down the sidewalk and up the stoop. Helga opened the green door, letting in a stampede of cats, dogs, and Abner. Pookie greeted them in the foyer.
The older woman was dressed in a red spandex jumpsuit, with wings stuck to her back. A halo attached to a wire, bounced above her head. "Oh, Eleanor, I'm so happy you could make it for Valentine's Day!"
Helga grinned at the older woman's outfit and closed the door behind them. "Thanks, Mrs Shortman. Once I received your grandson's invitation, I left the White House immediately and flew over on Air Force One." She snickered to herself, remembering Curlys joke from earlier.
Pookie wagged her finger at the two teens. "Now, have you and Miss Hickok been behaving? You haven't met me for tea in a while!"
"I apologize. Being the first lady keeps me very busy. And…we've been behaving the best we can? Which isn't much." She shrugged. "But I'm practically running the country so, I think I've earned the right to misbehave a little."
Gertie leaned forward and pinched her cheek. "You're my favorite first lady! Let me know if you need anything."
Helga playfully rolled her eyes as the Grandmother left and tended to her other guests. There were many people throughout the boarding house for the party. Families, friends and neighbors. The blonde took Rhonda's hand into hers and led them up the stairs. "Most likely the real party is on the roof."
"You're not nervous?" Her dark haired companion asked.
"What do I have to be nervous about?"
"Of being seen holding my hand?"
Helga stopped on the second floor, before they reached the next set of stairs that led to the roof. She smiled curiously at her not-usually timid girlfriend. "I'm not nervous. Are you…?"
Rhonda shrugged meekly. "Just a little. But out of excitement! It's just...you know, it's all happening. It's a dream. Maybe I'm just nervous I might wake up."
The blonde grinned softly and took a step forward, closing the gap between their faces. Her lips met Rhonda's and they shared a tender kiss for a few moments, not caring who saw. When she pulled back, she whispered. "You're awake, Princess."
Miss Lloyd swooned and squeezed her girlfriend's hand as they continued their trek, up the stairs that led to the roof.
Once they reached their destination, Helga immediately scoped the area, looking over all the people that populated the roof. There were fire barrels placed about, warming up the guests. There were tables for eating on, folding chairs for sitting and conversing. A few speakers to play holiday music and really set the festive mood.
Once she saw the long table filled with baskets of snacks and coco that Arnold was referring to earlier, she saw her. Her features were recognizable. Tanned skin. Long sandy blonde dreadlocks, tied up into a ponytail. She even wore a teal colored hoodie with black leather lace up boots.
She was indeed talking with Sid, however, Arnold approached them, struck up a convo with the long nosed boy and lured him away, just like Helga had asked.
Perfect timing!
Helga turned to Rhonda. Her dark haired girlfriend was reveling in the beautiful view overlooking the neighborhood when the blonde spoke up, rather dramatically. "Rhonda Wellington Lloyd, light of my life, apple of my eye, pulse of my corazón, would you be a dear and get us some coco from the table over there, please?"
Rhonda was pulled out of her trance and blushed at her companion's affectionate words. "My my my, Helga Pataki. Well, since you asked so nicely, I'd be happy to."
"Thank you, beloved." Helga let go of her hand, watched her walk through the crowd, and then sneakily slipped over to peep behind a large object to watch the scene unfold.
Turns out, the large object was Trish. "What're you doing?" The burly teen asked in a weird tone. She had been standing there, going through text messages on her phone.
"Don't make any sudden movements. Rhonda and Nadine are about to unite for the first time in six years. It's going to be glorious!"
Trish's brows perked up. "Oh shit, really? Where?"
"Over by the coco. Now shush!"
...
Rhonda strolled rather happily through the crowd making her way to the table where a teen was brewing her coco with the hot water dispenser. Remembering her valedictorian manners, Miss Lloyd cleared her throat and spoke. "Excuse me."
"Sorry." The teenage girl turned around. "Didn't mean to hog the wa-" Her words faded away when she saw the dark haired girl.
Rhonda's brown eyes widened in surprise.
"Rhonda?"
"Nadine?"
"Rhonda! Oh my God, is that really you? You look so great!"
Rhonda looked her long time friend up and down. "I mean, you're right but...Oh my goodness Nadine, you look incredible! I can't believe you're here!" She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Nadine's shoulders in a hug.
The tan skinned teenager giggled. "Wow! I don't think you've ever called me incredible before." She returned the embrace. "It's really nice to see you too, Rhon'."
Miss Lloyd pulled back. "Nadine. Oh Lord, Nadine. There are so many things I want to say! I'm so sorry I didn't keep in touch. It was foolish and childish and...and-"
"Woah. Hey. No worries. Why don't you grab some coco, we can grab a seat and catch up?"
"I would love that. But, I..um.." She peered back into the crowd to see Helga, but she couldn't find her. Assuming her blonde girlfriend might have sparked a conversation of her own, she thought it would probably be okay to sit with Nadine for a while. For heaven's sake, Helga of all people should understand. Rhonda altered her gaze back to Nadine. "I mean, yes, yes, please, let's chat for a while."
...
Helga was still hiding behind Trish. "Is she still looking for me?"
The burly teenager continued to watch the two girls. "No. Now she's grabbing a coco and they're sitting by one of the barrels. Aww, they look really happy. "
"Success."
Trish hesitated for a moment. "Wait, you planned this?
"Hell yeah, I did. What do you think I am, some normal girlfriend? Or the best damn girlfriend in the whole world?"
Trish chuckled. "Pretty smooth, Pataki. I also have some info you might be interested in."
"What's that?" Helga curiously asked.
"I saw Pheebs earlier with some unknown biker chick. They were holding hands and making goo-goo eyes at each other."
The blonde hastily came out of hiding and stared up at her strong friend. "Goo-goo eyes!?"
Trish shrugged calmly. "Yeah, want to check it out? Make sure there's no funny bid-ness?"
Helga squinted her now fiery blue eyes. "Where are they?"
XOXOX
Phoebe and Lex had found some chairs by one of the fire barrels on the roof. So they sat and conversed about the past five months. In fact, the conversation had been going so well, that Miss Heyerdahl didn't even notice when their hands touched. Or when their fingers intertwined. When she did finally take note of the situation, she didn't want to be rude and pull away. Not like she wanted to.
Lex smiled warmly in Phoebe's direction. "That's really awesome you decided to go to college. You're so smart, any college should be honored to have you attend their school."
A blush had been resting on her cheeks for some time now. Whether it was the weather or the touch of Lex's hand...well... "That's very kind of you to say." She responded and bashfully tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with her free hand.
"You know, before you go, I would like to snag one of your paintings. How much do you usually charge for one?"
"Oh? I'd be happy to give you one, there's no need to pay.'
Lex pondered for a moment. "Well, I'd like to pay in some sort of way. How about I take you out to dinner one night? Say…sometime this upcoming week?"
The redness upon Phoebe's cheeks deepened. "That's a very tempting offer."
Suddenly, they were interrupted by a blonde teenager and her stomping. Helga charged up to the girls and put it rather blunt. "Um...excuse me? Who are you?"
Phoebe's posture stiffened at her friend's presence. "Helga!"
The two girls dropped their hands and Lex stood up from the chair. She calmly held out her palm in greeting. "Hey, the name's Lex Richardson."
Helga ignored her friendly gesture and crossed her arms. "Helga Pataki. So, uh, what's going on between you and Pheebs here? Are you treating her well?"
Phoebe groaned and covered her face, she was wildly embarrassed at her friend's intrusion.
Lex kept her cool composure. She shrugged. "Of course. We were just catching up."
"Catching up, huh?"
"Yep. Is there a problem?"
Phoebe finally intervened and stood up. "No, there isn't, she's just giving you a hard time."
Helga and Lex stared at each other firmly when Trish entered the scene and spoke up. "Damn, you look JUST like Helga. It's totally there in the face."
Helga's blue eyes widened and her gaze altered to the burly teenager. "What!? We look nothing alike!"
Lex held out her hand towards Trish this time. "You must be Phoebe's other muscular friend. What's your name?"
Trish extended her arm and accepted the greeting. She shook Lex's hand. "You don't want to know." She then turned her attention back to Helga. "Have you looked in the mirror lately? She could be your double."
Helga adjusted her glasses and doubtfully glanced back at the punk teen. "So, we may have similar looking eyes."
"And noses and everything else."
The blonde defensively crossed her arms. "Whatever, but I guarantee she isn't stronger than me."
Lex snickered and raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? I grew up with five brothers."
"Yeah? Well, I'm Helga G. Pataki." Helga stated toughly.
"Is that supposed to mean something?"
Trish snorted at the red head's comeback. "She's cute. I like her."
"Look." Helga pointed sternly in Lex's direction. "I have an engagement later tonight that I'm probably going to need a lot of my energy for. So, I'm going to let you walk this time. But if I see your face on these streets in the future, OR if I hear you've been messing with Pheebs, you're going down, sister."
Lex confidently nodded. "Deal."
Helga grumbled aloud and looked over regretfully at her friend. "Sorry, Pheebs." She said and then trudged away.
Trish grinned awkwardly. "Heh, don't mind, Helga. That's just her way of saying she likes you. Anyway, carry on." She ended and then walked away to follow her blonde friend.
Lex smiled calmly. "Both of them look like they could totally kick my ass, but I wouldn't go down easy."
Phoebe's face was beet red with embarrassment. "My friends can be...a little overprotective. I sincerely apologize."
"Hey." The red head gently grabbed Phoebe's hand with her own. Obviously wanting to resume what they were doing before they were interrupted. "It's all good. My brothers are very protective as well." She chewed on her bottom lip. "So...about that dinner date...I would need to get your number. I wasn't able to get it last time we met."
Phoebe's features perked up. "Oh, of course. Of course. And...um...maybe I could acquire yours in return?"
Lex grinned and shuffled around in her pocket for her phone, handing it over to Miss Heyerdahl to put in her number. "Definitely."
XOXOX
Helga grumbled to herself and attempted to calm down. She didn't mean to embarrass Phoebe like that, but her vigilant intuition took over. "Who does that punk think she is anyway? Talking to me like that? She doesn't even know that I beat up three, count em', THREE football players in the past month!"
"She probably thinks she's you, on account, she's your clone. Anyway, take a chill pill, Pataki. You're not on the clock."
"Urg, I know but…" She released a heavy sigh. "Fine, you're right. I'm sure she's just some...nice girl." Helga shook her head at her own arrogance. "Poor Pheebs...You know what? I'm going back there to apologize and reintroduce myself."
The blonde began to walk back when Trish grabbed her by the arm. "Oh, no you're not. Leave them alone. Let Miss Punk work her magic. It looks like Phoebe is pretty receptive to it. Besides, I need you to go check on Harold for me."
"What? Why can't you?"
"Well, I'm going to go meet up with my cousin." Trish checked her phone again. "Looks like he's throwing a banger across town and needs me to clean up some ruffians that crashed their party.
Helga crossed her arms. "What has the boob gotten himself into this time?"
The burly teen placed her phone back into her pocket. "I'm pretty sure Stinky coerced him into a game of poker, and I don't need him losing forty bucks like he did last time."
"Egh, babysitting duty. On the other hand, what if I win the forty bucks?"
The mighty girl shrugged and chuckled. "Do whatever you want, Pataki. As long as the money goes to Team Trish.
"Alright, alright. Go help your cousin. I'll sit on the annoying baby, but only for a little bit!"
Trish turned and headed down the stairs that led to the roof. Now it was time to find the thick headed moron. If the boys would be playing anywhere, it would be Arnold's room. She also walked down the stairs, to the second story. People now crowded the hallway. There were Valentine streamers hanging about, stuck to the ceiling. Helga made her way through the partiers and to Arnold's room. When she entered, four boys sitting around a table all glanced up at her from their cards.
"What's going on in here?" She asked casually, closing the door behind her.
Stinky placed his cards face down on the table. "Just a measly game of hold em'. Why?"
Helga curiously shrugged. "I want to play."
Harold spoke up and snickered. "Shouldn't you be with your ball and chain right now?"
The blonde teen scowled and placed her hands on her hips. "Yeah, yeah, very funny. Say something like that again and you'll be eating your cards."
Stinky knowingly smiled. "Buy-in is ten bucks."
"Deal." She felt around in her coat pocket and slapped a ten dollar bill on the table, sitting down next to their dark skinned friend. "How much do you have left, Geraldo?"
He sighed as he looked down at his hand. "I'm down seven."
Helga clasped her fingers together as she waited for the next game to begin. "Striking out with the ladies and striking out in poker. Is that your new M.O.?"
He glared at her and rolled his eyes, choosing not to respond to that comment.
Eugene spoke up as he placed a few chips into the pot. "Hmm, I'll call!" He then looked over to the only female at the table. "Who does Harold mean by ball and chain?"
The southern teen then eyed Helga. "Do ya' want to tell our friend here or should we?"
Miss Pataki groaned very loudly. "If EVERYONE must know. Rhonda and I are dating, and we are very happy together. Satisfied?"
"Awww." Eugene cooed. "How precious! OW! Ooo, paper cut. I'm okay."
Gerald squinted his eyes as he called the bet as well, throwing in a few chips. "How do you get a paper cut on card stock?"
Helga raised her thick brow and asked the red head, "Are you sure you should be playing a game based on luck, Eugene?"
He stuck his finger in his mouth, and mumbled. "I only had to buy-in three times this game! Most times I have to buy-in five before I get a winning hand!"
XOXOX
Curly rode on his bike towards the red bricked boarding house. He parked it outside by the stoop and made his way into the bustling household. Grateful for the heat that greeted him once he entered the foyer, the teenage boy removed his gloves and looked for the living room where he found a crackling fire in the fireplace.
He released a sigh and stood in front of it, holding out his hands towards it's warm glow. He would be able to greet his friends in a moment, first he needed to thaw. He probably looked like a maniac, riding his bike through the snowy sidewalks of Hillwood at this time, but he didn't have much other choice. His parents were hosting a party at their dry cleaner business for all their employees, friends and family. He would have attended, however, he was much more keen to hang out with party-goers his own age.
A figure came up beside him and began to warm their hands as well. They spoke up. "Hey."
Curly curiously looked over at the person that joined him, however once he did, the redness on his face deepened into a blush. "Oh. Hello, Alan."
The taller lanky boy had brunette hair and wore a black turtleneck under a letterman's jacket. He commented kindly. "You look really nice tonight."
Curly awkwardly shifted in his thick coat and responded in a defensive tone. "I know. You look..." He finally inspected the boy closer. The jacket on Alan looked familiar. Actually, it looked too familiar. It was a Hillwood High Drama Club letterman jacket. Curly bit his tongue, rather embarrassed and now slightly annoyed. He restrained his mixed emotions in a lowered voice. "I've been looking for that jacket everywhere...and you had it the whole time?"
Alan noticed his changed demeanor and dropped his hands. "Um…" He thought the jacket might've incited a positive or funny response, but now he realized his mistake. "Look, I heard you were coming. I just wanted to bring it back. I didn't mean to offend you by wearing it." He removed the jacket and held it out.
Curly hesitated for a moment and released a breath to calm himself. He responded neutrally. "You can keep it. It fits you better anyway."
"Are you sure?"
The shorter teen bit his bottom lip. As much as he hated to admit it, old feelings arose inside him. "Yes."
"Thanks." Alan put the jacket back on. "I mean, if it makes you feel better, I took really good care of it."
"I can see that." He wanted to drop his hands and leave, however, he was still rather cold so he remained. "Anyway, you look...nice as well. What have you been up to?"
Alan raised his hands towards the fireplace again. "Just taking photos...like always. What about you?"
Curly didn't need much time to ponder about that question. "What don't I have going on? I'm always busy. I was assistant coach on the football team. I don't know if you attended any of the games to notice, but that was a fun endeavor. Now I just want to go back to playwriting and stage directing."
"I, um…" The taller teen rubbed the back of his neck. "I actually snapped a lot of candid pictures of the football games for yearbook."
Curlys eyebrows perked up. "Oh? Did you get my good side?"
"Is there any other side?"
He resisted a smile and rolled his amber eyes. "Oh, stop it."
Alan hesitated for a moment. "If you want we could look through them together sometime?"
Curly paused and chewed on his tongue before responding. "I don't know..." He finally dropped his hands and turned his back on the lanky teen, now ready to walk away. Not that he wanted to be rude, but now he really wanted to find Rhonda. He came here to have fun! Not deal with emotional turmoil!
"Thad, wait." Alan called out as Curly began to make his way towards the stairs that led to the second floor.
The shorter boy stopped in his tracks, a shiver went down his spine. "What?" He responded sharply.
Alan tapped his fingers together nervously. "Can we...talk? Somewhere...more private?"
Curly huffed and turned towards the taller teen again. "Fine." He looked around the room and crossed his arms. "Is the broom closet satisfactory for you?"
Alan nodded and glanced around at the bystanders nearby. Most people were too busy in their own conversations to pay any attention to the two boys. They both went into the nearby closet and closed the door behind them.
Curly coughed once they were inside and Alan reached up to pull the chain leading to a lightbulb. "These poor rotting garments, just reeking of moth balls until they get thrown away." Once the light flickered on, he looked up at Alan and blushed at their proximity. "What do you want to talk about?"
The taller teen released a sigh. "I want to apologize."
"There's nothing to apologize for. I understand the predicament you're in or...were in."
Alan's face revealed the troubling emotions he felt inside. "Look, I never said it but...even though it was short, you were the best relationship I was ever in with anyone. And...I'm sorry if in the end...I acted like it was a mistake...It was the opposite of a mistake. I really regret hurting you."
Curly's lower lip quivered and he glanced away, not making eye contact. He crossed his arms again and his tone was callous. "How assumptive of you to think I cared in the end."
Alan nodded bashfully. "You're right. I don't mean to assume." He sighed again and his hand went up to rub the back of his neck. "I just…I think about it all the time and...I wanted to say that."
Curly's demeanor softened and Alan's hand went for the doorknob to leave the small space.
"Alan, wait."
He curiously looked back at the shorter boy.
Curly dropped his crossed arms and they went behind his back. He asked civilly, "What're you doing...later?"
The taller teen's brows rose. "Oh, well. I was going to stay here until midnight, and then probably go home and crash."
Curly twiddled his thumbs behind his back. Maybe he was being foolish. Maybe he wanted to give this sensitive photographer the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was being insightful and actually understood things from Alan's perspective. Maybe deep down, he wanted them to have another chance as well...if things led to that. "If you brought your car, I mean...would you be interested in a moonlit walk around City Park? You could bring your little camera."
Alan sheepishly grinned and his demeanor perked up. "Yeah, I would love that."
"Okay, then. I'll come find you around midnight."
The taller teen nodded and opened the door, and the two boys parted...for now.
XOXOX
Helga counted the bills in her hand; high on the wins she made back at the poker table in Arnold's room. She mosied about the roof of the boarding house, now attempting to find her girlfriend to share the good news.
After a few moments of making her way through the groups of people and wondering how on earth the floor didn't cave beneath them all, she found her dark haired paramour along with Curly and Nadine. They sat in a few chairs, surrounding a lit barrel.
"Hey!" Helga called over and made her way towards the trio. "Guess who just won sixty bucks?"
Curly was the first to respond. "I'm assuming you did?"
The blonde found a nearby folding chair and moved it between Rhonda and Curly. She sat down. "Yep! And I'm pretty proud, if I do say so myself."
Rhonda blushed for a moment and scooted her chair closer to the blonde that joined them. "Nadine, you remember Helga Pataki."
The tan skinned girl nodded and crossed her legs. "How could I forget? How'd you win sixty bucks?
Helga finally rolled up the bills and stuck them into her woolen coat. "Well, in the end, the entire table busted out, except for Harold. And I knew, lard boy did NOT have a good hand, no matter how much he bluffed. So, we both went all in. He had a pair of twos, I had a pair of aces. Dumbass starts jumping around, thinking he's won. It took us ten minutes to explain to him why aces beat twos." She shook her head and chuckled. "Idiot."
Curly smirked and raised his brows. "Remind me to play with him next time."
Nadine hesitated for a moment, not entirely understanding what they were talking about. "Ah, well...it's good to see you again, Helga."
"Likewise." She rubbed her hands on her thighs and glanced over at Rhonda who was now rather quiet. "So...what were you all talking about before I joined in?"
Curly grinned slyly. "Rhonda was just telling us ALL about her girlfriend."
"Oh, really?"
Nadine gestured towards Helga. "Have you met her?"
The blonde paused awkwardly. It was now obvious Nadine was not in the loop just yet. "Um, yeah, she and I are very close. Isn't that right Rhonda?" She nudged her girlfriend.
Rhonda bit her lip for a second and drew in a deep breath of the chilly air, preparing to confess.
Nadine looked around at the groups of people on the roof. She noticed Phoebe still conversing with Lex over at another barrel. "Is it Phoebe? I mean, she looks a little preoccupied with someone else right now."
"No." Rhonda spoke up and confidently wrapped her arm over Helga's shoulders. "Miss Moneybags is my girlfriend."
Nadine hesitated for a moment and then laughed out loud. She slapped her thigh. "Good one! I know I've been gone for several years... but uh, I'm not that dense, Rhon'. It's a good joke though."
Helga raised her thick brow, rather insulted. "Why don't you think we'd end up together?"
"Oh, well. It's no offense to you, Helga. I mean, back in the day, everyone pretty much knew you were madly in love with Arnold. And Rhon's well…" She then stopped and noticed their close proximity. The cogs in her head started turning. "Wait...you're serious? But...you two...never really got along...right?"
Curly smiled coyly. "Maybe she needs some proof, ladies?"
Rhonda turned her face towards her girlfriend. "Come here, Precious." She placed her hands upon the blonde's cheeks and pulled their mouths together.
Nadine's eyes widened and she yelped. "GYAH! WHAT!? You ARE serious! Never in my lifetime did I ever think I would see something like that!"
The two girls lips parted; Helga had a smirk on hers. "Satisfied?"
"Um...I'm honestly at a loss for words." She adjusted in her chair. "I just, uh...uh...feel like a total ass now. Helga, I didn't mean any-"
Helga's posture softened. "It's cool, Nadine. I was just giving you shit. I'm sure anyone would laugh at the thought of me being in a relationship. Especially with Rhonda."
Rhonda petted the back of her girlfriend's head in response. "Aww, that's not true, darling. You have tons of admirable qualities and anyone would be happy to be with you."
The blonde now blushed at Miss Lloyd's affectionate words and the fact that she said them in front of her closest friends. Helga nudged Rhonda gently. "Maybe you're just attracted to crazy...but thank you, babe."
Nadine scooted forward on her chair and sat at the edge of her seat. She gestured her hands excitedly. "Okay, now you two need to tell me EVERYTHING."
XOXOX
It was 10:06 PM. Rhonda and Helga descended the boarding house stairs and exited out the front door, releasing the stampede of pets.
"Are you sure we can't stay until midnight?" The dark haired teen asked as they walked towards the truck, hand in hand.
Helga stopped and looked over at her girlfriend, she smiled cunningly. "You aren't curious about what else I have in store?"
Rhonda drew in a heavy breath. Her imagination reeling with possibilities. "I am very curious."
Helga continued their stride and opened up the passenger door for her companion to get in. "If you're worried about Nadine, she said she would be here the rest of the week, so I'm sure you two will be able to catch up again very soon."
She closed the door and rounded the truck to the driver's side, getting into the vehicle as well.
"The look on her face was priceless when she saw us kiss."
Helga started up the engine, put the truck into drive and pulled away from the curb. "If Nadine didn't approve of us, would you have dumped me right then and there?"
Rhonda stared over at her partner. "No, of course not. She would just have to get over it. She didn't approve of Blake though."
"You told her stories about Blake?"
"A long time ago. She always told me, he just didn't seem right for me. And I would ask her then who does seem right for me? And she said she would know when she met them. So... You should feel very honored."
Helga coyly tapped her finger upon her chin. "Hmm, so when Nadine and I met in preschool, she knew. Fascinating. And she was withholding that information from you the whole time."
Rhonda scoffed and shook her head. "Who knows? Her parents are gypsies." Miss Lloyd then gazed out the window, a small smile gracing her lips.
There was a stillness about her and the blonde decided to ask, "Are you okay?"
Rhonda responded benevolently. "Of course. I'm just...blissful and content. I'm with the love of my life, I'm on cloud nine. Where to now?"
Helga gripped the steering wheel. "Well, it's about an hour's drive away. I was thinking...you could read to me?" She winked at her passenger.
"Read to you?"
"Yes. In the glove compartment is the novel I was reading earlier."
Rhonda opened the cubby and took out the soft cover book. "The Space Between Us...By Rebecca Platt. Is this an erotic novel perchance?"
The blonde teen chuckled. "You wish, Princess. Can you read from the bookmarked page, please?"
"I'd be happy to, darling." She licked her finger and opened to the page Helga was referring to. She began to read out loud as her girlfriend watched the road and drove to their next destination.
The short haired woman jerked as she woke, but she found herself restricted. Blorp shook her wrists, shackled behind her back; confined to a metal chair. She winced her eyes as they adjusted to the light before her; a hologram of a large Gorillian glitched and sputtered.
The ape man clapped his massive black hands in glee. "Ah good, she's awake!"
Blorp blinked weakly as she stared at his hollow electronic figure.
Gallacto had an Earth type accent. She wasn't too familiar with the different clans of Earth but from her knowledge of watching Earth films, she figured it was European. "How do you like Callisto, Blorp? It's come a long way from being an arctic wasteland. It's no Europa, but once the atmospheric protector is finished, we might be able to grow a damn crop or two."
"A meteor eater…" Jupiter had been colonized for hundreds of years now, with scarce numbers of the population migrating to its moons. Only outlaws and adventure-seekers lived out in a tundra like this. "I doubt you'll be growing anything."
He chuckled deeply. "Yes, yes, I'll leave that to the filthy humans. I do hope you're comfortable in your new living quarters."
The injured and tired woman cut to the chase. "Where's Multo?"
He appeared curious as if he wasn't expecting Blorp to ask. "That lizard bloke? Oh, I have plans for him. Just like all the little gremlins that align themselves with you."
"He's my partner."
"Is that all? Tsk tsk, I know you better than that, Blorp. I know you enjoy his...scaley company at night."
She heard screams nearby, coming from an air vent towards the corner of the room. "He's in this building."
"Wouldn't be much fun if you couldn't hear him dying, now would it?"
She gritted her teeth and glared at him. "You won't get away with this."
He laughed out loud and shifted in his big chair. The hologram twitched. "See, that's why I love you, Blorp. I don't need to torture you or kill you, talking to you is much more entertaining!" He pointed a big meaty finger in her direction. "I'll make you a deal though. You already know where my base is. From where you are, it's a hundred mile ride on hovercycle. If you go at top speed that gives you...barely enough time to reach me before I leave the moon in one hour. Or, you can waste your time saving that slithering fool. The choice is yours."
She pondered her next words and licked her dry chapped lips. "I'm not heading to you...I don't want to be near that building when the bomb blows."
His eyes widened and he busted out a laugh along with a few ape noises. "Oh, this is rich! You're going to blow me up, are you? And how is this bomb supposed to go off? Timer? Detonator?"
"Detonator."
"Pathetic bluff, Blorp. We searched you and removed all weapons and devices."
"You didn't search everywhere."
"You mean your lady bits? Yes, I'm sure my men searched there thoroughly. Nothing of the sort."
She scowled. "I meant my mouth."
He raised his black burly brow and hesitated. Gallacto tapped his hand on the armrest of his chair. "Blorp, even if you did have a detonator, the range would never reach me."
"It would if you're connected to GalaxyNet. It can be detonated anywhere as long as it's in range of the net connection."
He slammed his humongous fist on the armrest this time. "Enough of these games, BLORP! You don't have a bomb or a bloody detonator!" He breathed heavily, his massive body heaving up and down with irritation. "You never were even inside my base. There would be no way you could plant a bomb!"
She resisted the urge to smile, getting under his furry skin. The edge of her mouth curled upward. "Maybe you shouldn't trust your goons as much as you do."
His eyes burned with anger so much that she could even see it through the cheap hologram. "Are you insinuating that one of my men betrayed me and helped you!? Over my rotting corpse, Blorp!"
"Be careful what you wish for." She pushed a button implanted to the roof of her mouth with her tongue.
There was an explosion heard over the electronic connection and the hologram cut out.
Blorp struggled with the cuffs wrapped around her wrists. She thought of situations like this. She thought of everything. There was an illegal implant at the back of her neck, wired into her spine. If she could just tap it, it would release a capsule of adrenaline throughout her body. The police-approved implants were too weak versus the street installed implants in her opinion. Sure, she might get in trouble with the Chief, but staying alive was her priority in all situations. Maybe it would give her enough strength to break free.
She jerked her neck, the back of her head hitting the spot. There was a click which released the powerful liquid into her body. It was instant, she could feel her heartbeat pick up in pace.
Blorp broke free from the cuffs, as if they were made of plastic. She picked up the chair and exited the chamber she was in.
In the hallway outside, two guards stood by the door of the chamber. She knocked one upside the head with the chair, tossing him back. She then slammed the metal chair into the other guard. He yelled in agony.
Before they could react, she quickly tossed the furniture aside and grabbed the laser rifle off the guard that had fallen to the floor. She shot both of them and they both died instantly. Searching rapidly through their belongings, she grabbed a medi-pen off the first guard.
Blorp then ran over to the chamber next to hers and kicked down the door. Aiming the gun towards anyone or anything that moved.
The scene before her was gruesome. Multo was tied to a medical bed; a couple of his limbs had been severed by doctors nearby; they were keeping him alive through the pain. She shot the two human men hovering around Multo.
Blorp ran up to his side. He was alive, but barely; missing his right arm and his left leg.
"Multo!" She shouted and touched his face. "Multo, can you hear me?!"
He weakly opened his yellow reptilian eyes. "Blorp...am I...in the Holy Land?"
"Not yet." She stabbed him in the neck with the medi-pen she salvaged. "Stay with me, Multo. We're going to find a health center…" She tried to be careful, but she didn't know how much time he had left, so she picked him up into her arms and jogged as fast as she could; attempting to find a way out of whatever place they were in.
He mumbled; his forked tongue dry. "I don't know if I can hold on that long…"
"Multo, if you die on me I'll…" She started to tear up. "I'll break up with you and kick your ass."
He chuckled and winced in agony. "Don't make me laugh."
"Then don't say stupid shit."
He groaned and shed a few crocodile tears. "Oh, Blorp...It'll take a year to grow back my limbs."
"Thank Venus they didn't chop your dick off."
Eventually they made it outside. The weather was currently chilly but bearable. Blorp gazed up into the sky, viewing the electronic field that covered the entire planet. Meteor Eater.
The day cycle was almost up, meaning it was about to get a lot colder and they needed to find a city and fast. She jogged over to one of the nearby hovercycles and sat Multo onto the back seat. She then searched through the saddle bag, finding another pen.
"Bless the heavens. I love you, Blorp…"
The woman stabbed him in the neck again with the medical device and discarded it. "Shut up and hold onto me." She responded as she sat in front and started up the cycle.
"I'll do my best."
The two rode off towards the artificial sunset created by the atmospheric protector and Jupiter massively loomed over the horizon.