CHAPTER 3:

Arnold had trouble sleeping that night, he pretty much had an all-nighter. Constant tossing and turning, the inability to calm down, the mass amount of looking behind your back in fear of that man being there. It was horrid. No person should have to endure this suffering.

Arnold dragged himself to the breakfast table. He looked to his left to see Phil reading the newspaper and to his right, his grandmother cooking breakfast. Phil turned to him and smiled, "Well, good to see you up, Shortman!" Phil said, but that cheerfulness turned to worry, "Hey, what happened? Rough night?"

Arnold groaned at the memory of that long night, "That's one way of saying it." he replied, looking down to see eggs on a plate. His grandma smiled, "Specially made for you, Tex!" she said cheerfully, making Arnold grin, "Thanks, Grandma!" Maybe this day would be better than the last.

However, it was not meant to be, as Phil spat out his drink, "Oh man, Shortman! This isn't good!" he said frantically, causing Arnold to panic alongside him.

"Why? What's wrong, Grandpa?!"

Phil sighed, "Arnold, you know that ugly friend of yours with the one eyebrow?"

Arnold raised an eyebrow, "Helga?" That's weird, why would his Grandpa ask him about Helga?

Could it be?

Arnold shook his head, no way. Helga would never do something like that.

Phil nodded, "Yeah, her!"

Arnold dreaded asking this, however, he had to know, "U-uh, w-why Grandpa?"

Sighing, Phil turned his complete attention to Arnold, "Well, Shortman, I'm sad to say that your little friend's gone missing."

Arnold spat out his drink, "W-WHAT?!"

Phil handed Arnold the newspaper to show that Helga G. Pataki was indeed missing, but no reason was given. There are no details on how or what happened. It was scary, he had just seen her yesterday!

Could she be dead? Or could she actually be-no Arnold! Helga would NEVER do something like that!

"W-well Grandpa, I gotta get going! I promised the gang we'd meet at Gerald Field."

Phil smiled, "Alright, Arnold! But don't be out too late, alright? There's a curfew!"

Arnold smiled back, "I know!" And like that, he ran off.

By the time Arnold made it to Gerald Field, he was panting viciously. He was totally exhausted. Gerald couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, "I was wondering when you would show up!" he said, grinning like a maniac. Arnold rolled his eyes, "Very funny, Gerald. So, what's going on? Aren't we going to play?" Arnold asked, causing Gerald to sigh, "That was the plan," he said, "but look at these nutcases! They're all just talking!"

Arnold looked up, and it was true! All the conversations were just coherent ramblings on who the killer could be. And when Arnold was seen, they barraged him like a pack of hungry wolves.

"What did you see, Arnold?"

"Gosh, Arnold. What did he look like?"

"Did he have a scary face? I bet he wore an eyepatch just to strike fear!"

"How do we know it's a he? Be more open minded!"

Arnold waved his arms in exasperation, "Guys, stop it! I didn't see his face!"

Everyone gasped, "WHAT?!"

Arnold shrugged, "Yeah, I didn't see his face. So let's just play, huh?"

They looked at him before immediately going back to rambling, "I still think it's Harold," Sid said, making Harold angry, "WHYYY, I OUGHTA!" he growled before grabbing Sid, making Sid glare back, "Hey, if you hurt me that would make you the killer, because why else would you be hurting people?!" Sid said, making Harold groan, "B-BUT I LIKE IIIIIIT!"

"Y'know who I think it is?" Stinky said, "I think it's Helga." Gerald nodded his head.

"Thank you, Stinky! Finally, someone with a brain!"

Phoebe frowned, "What's that supposed to mean? And where's the evidence that it's Helga?"

Stinky looked at her, "Well, think about it! She's so aggressive and mean, and she clearly doesn't like Rhonda! And why else would she just be missing out of nowhere, if she was killed her body would've been found just like Rhonda's!"

This caused everyone to pause, and for Gerald to clap, "Bravo, Stinky! Hey, when did you get so smart anyway?" he asked, causing Lila to gasp offensively, "My Stink-a-roo was always smart!" she said, smooching Stinky on the cheek, which made him blush. Phoebe's eyes narrowed in disgust, "I don't know when this became a thing, but I'm not sure I like it."

"Oh yeah, Phoebe? How do we know if it's not you?" Lila asked.

Arnold immediately got in the middle of everyone, "Guys, GUYS! Don't you hear yourselves?! You're turning against eachother for no good reason!" he yelled, but it couldn't take away the thought from his head. It was weird how Helga just vanished out of nowhere the same night he was attacked. After all, she harassed him more than anyone else.

Stinky thought for a second, "Hey Arnold? Isn't yer house gettin free tonight?"

"Uh, yeah? Why?"

"How about a party, Arnold?" the group asked, making Arnold sweat.

"U-uh, w-w-w-"

"Yeah!"

"Thanks Arnold, you're the best!" the group cheered and ran off, making Arnold completely confused on what just occurred.

A few hours later, he and his borders went to the boarding home to see over a dozen kids standing outside, waiting for Arnold to open the door. Phil raised an eyebrow but Arnold shook his head, "Don't ask."

As the door opened, the kids ran inside in a millisecond. Arnold even fell down from the shock of it.

He and the borders looked inside; it was a mess already. They glared at Arnold, "Alright, Shortman. You just gave us adults an idea. You're in charge here, got it? We'll be out for supper and we'll be back by midnight! By then, I expect a very clean house, got it?!' Phil yelled, making Arnold pause and shily nod, "Yes Grandpa."

Phil smiled, "Good! See ya!" and just like that, they ran off. Arnold looked inside and sighed.

This was gonna be a long night.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Arnold's right about that!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!