Chapter 4
She ran home as fast as she could. The cold rain poured onto her face, making her vision blurry. She didn't seem to care however. She just wanted to get home. Get away from all the madness. Get away from him.
She kept running and running. A lonely homeless man watched her run past from a nearby alleyway. He could only look in confusion as the woman ran past him.
Finally, she made it to her home. She quickly fumbled her keys in her hand, frantically trying to find the right one to fit the lock.
After a few failed attempts and wrong keys, she finally found the right one. She unlocked the door with a click and frantically ran inside, carefully closing the door behind her.
Her family was asleep. All the lights were off in her house. However, she knew the layout of her house like the palm of her right hand.
She frantically made her way up the dreaded staircase, and basically flung herself into her bathroom. She quickly flung her soaked clothes off of her cold body and turned the shower on.
Before the steam could rise up in the small bathroom, she threw the shower curtain to the side and jumped in as fast as she could.
The warm water quickly warmed her cold skin. Seeming to turn her blood from ice and back to its original warm and thick form.
She felt herself seemingly start to breath again. She quickly caught her breath as the bathroom finally started to fill with steam.
She quickly slid down the side of the shower and sat down. The warm water slid down her face as she closed her eyes and laid her head back.
Her mind was moving at a million miles a minute. Thoughts raced and rushed through her head.
She finally started to catch her breath. The thoughts throughout her mind seemed to slow and time finally started to slow back down for her once again.
She took a sigh of relief, she then reached up and touched the sore skin on her cheek.
'Nothing a little bit of makeup can't fix.' She thought herself and leaned her head back against the shower once again.
She just wanted to forget everything that had happened to her. Every single last thing she had endured through the day, she just wanted to forget about it. She wanted to wake up a new person, maybe from a new state.
She wanted to be far away from this God forsaken town for sure.
As she continued to collect her thoughts, images of a certain teenage boy started to fill her mind once again.
She tried to forget about it, but she couldn't. He had practically just saved her life. She couldn't quit thinking about his brave actions, his quick thinking, his muscles.
Okay that's it she really needed to stop.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" She asked herself as she shook the thoughts from her now sore head, she stood back up in the shower, feeling the hot water run back down her slim form.
…
2 Hours Earlier
"What's the next move, Arnold?" Gerald asked as he and Phoebe dug into their banana split across the table from Arnold.
Arnold thanked the waiter as he sat down Arnold's hot fudge sundae on the table in front of him. He picked up his spoon to take a giant bite out of the delicious combination in front of him before he heard Gerald clear his throat.
"Oh, sorry Gerald." Arnold replied with a small grin."I wasn't listening.
Gerald rolled his eyes and asked the question once again.
Arnold listened to Gerald carefully this time as he took a huge bite out of the ice cream before him.
"Well, we can hit the boardwalk and look at the lights before we go to that movie that's supposed to start at 10." Arnold replied.
"Agreed." Gerald said with a mouthful of ice cream." We just don't have much time to waste, so we can't stay too long."
"Sounds like a plan." Arnold said with a carefree shrug as he returned his attention back to his ice cream.
Gerald fiddled his red spoon between his fingers before he looked over at Phoebe." Is Helga coming with us tonight, dear?"
Arnold nearly choked on his spoon. A tried to swallow his ice cream but a series of rough coughs quickly escaped from his lungs.
Phoebe and Gerald suddenly shot their attention to Arnold, giving him a concerned look.
"You okay, buddy?" Gerald asked his best friend.
"Yeah." Arnold said, gaining his composure once again." J-just went down the wrong pipe."
Gerald looked to Phoebe and she looked back at him. They gave each other a knowing smirk and looked back to Arnold.
Arnold noticed their stares and smirks and he looked at them with confusion on his face.
"What is it?" He asked, wiping his face." I got syrup on my face?"
"No." Gerald said with a snicker." That's not it."
Arnold then looked at Phoebe, the same confused look still painted on his face.
"Phoebe?" He asked, trying to get an answer.
"Nothing Arnold." She said with a giggle." Nothing at all."
"Okay." Arnold said, frustration rising in his voice." What is going on here? What am I missing?"
"You think we should tell him?" Gerald asked Phoebe, getting a nod in return.
"Tell me what?" Arnold asked, now interested in what Gerald had to say.
"You, my friend, have a crush on Helga Pataki." Gerald replied, sounding quite amused with himself.
Arnold felt his skin go pale." I beg your pardon?" Arnold asked, feeling a little uneasy." I do not have a crush on Helga Pataki!"
It was a half lie. Sure, his feelings for the short tempered blonde were confusing. After the whole FTI incident back in fourth grade, he didn't know what to think of her. Sure, when she kissed him passionately on top of that building, it had opened his eyes and he saw the real girl Helga was. He thought he had seen glimpses of it before, but he really saw the real girl at the moment.
The moment she kissed him. Her lips smooth like silk. Her warm breath felt so sweet on his face as she cupped his face in her hands.
Sure, it had been some time ago, but Arnold still wondered what would have happened. What would have happened if things in Hillwood would have ended differently so long ago.
"Sure you do!" Gerald said, clapping his hands together." It's obvious, you almost choked on your ice cream!"
Arnold's cheeks started to burn bright red with blush now." I do not have a crush on Helga. The reason I choked on my ice cream was it went down the wrong pipe. End of story."
"Well, why are you blushing, buddy?" Gerald asked, a huge smile coming to his face.
"B-because I-I was." God he needed to think of a good lie.
"B-because." Damnit, he couldn't lie!
DING
The thoughts of the group were suddenly broken at the sound of a new customer walking into Slausen's.
They quickly turned around to see the slim figure of one Rhonda Lloyd Wellington.
"Shit." Arnold muttered as he quickly turned around. This wasn't good." Maybe she didn't see-"
"Well lookie at who is back in town." Rhonda said as she drunkenly stumbled towards the booth with a smoother smile on her face." If it isn't this hunk of a man named Arnold."
"Hi, Rhonda." Arnold said, staring at Gerald and Phoebe. They just gave him surprised looks in return.
"Mind if I sit?" Rhonda asked, pointing to the empty seat next to Arnold." Yes, I do m-"
Before he could finish his sentence Rhonda sat down and scrunched up to Arnold as close as she could.
"Okay Rhonda. Why are you here?" Gerald asked in a snobbish tone as he glared at the eccentric girl sitting next to his best friend.
Rhonda just sighed and rolled her eyes." I'm just out on the town and I'm bored Gerald. I wanted to see if Arnold wanted to spend any time with me."
She looked up at Arnold with big puppy dog eyes. Arnold looked away as fast as he could.
This particular situation had happened to him just a few times in the past few months. It wasn't that Rhonda was obsessed with him per say. She was just obsessed with any guy who had muscles on his arms.
However, Arnold had never done anything with Rhonda. He would never even think of it. He or Gerald always just tell her to buzz off and leave him alone.
"I'm spending time with Gerald and Phoebe tonight." Arnold said, nodding to the couple sitting across from him.
"Ugh." Rhonda said." You never have time for me Arnold. Come on, just one date." She then reached into her giant oversized, cheetah print purse and pulled out a wad of cash." I'll even pay for dinner." She added with a giggle.
WHAM
Rhonda and Arnold both jumped in surprise to see Gerald with a clenched fist and an angry face." Rhonda." He said through his teeth." Get this through your head you stuck up little sl-"
"Gerald!" Phoebe scolded him." As much I agree with your current state of anger, I do think you should try handling it in a much nicer fashion." She whispered in his ear.
"Ugh." Rhonda said with a huff as she rolled her eyes." Gerald why do you always act like this?"
"Rhonda." Arnold said, giving her a concerned look." You're drunk. You need to get home."
"I'm fine." She said, turning to Arnold. Arnold could clearly smell the sharp smell of vodka on her breath burned his nose.
"Rhonda, you need to go home." Arnold said, his voice more direct now." Maybe I can take you-"
"NO." Rhonda said dramatically." God Arnold, why are you being such a negative Nancy. I'm perfectly fi-"
"Rhonda?"
The girl suddenly swung her head to look and see who had called her name.
"Wolfgang!" She announced loudly as she jumped up from her seat and embraced him in a huge hug.
"Well if it isn't my favorite neighborhood hottie." Wolfgang added with a laugh as he ran his large hand through her dark hair.
Rhonda swung her head backwards dramatically with a laugh." You're too funny Wolfgang." She said as she ran a hand up his well toned six pack.
Over the years, Wolfgang had kept much of his strong stature and good health. He was the best athlete in the entire school of P.S.118.
"Where you trying to go tonight sexy?" Wolfgang asked as he snuck a hand up her shirt.
"She better be going home." A voice said, startling the jock.
"Who said that?" He asked aloud. Arnold just looked up from his ice cream and raised his hand.
"I said it." Arnold said with tons of confidence in his voice." She is drunk Wolfgang."
A picture of pure anger was suddenly painted on the jock's face.
"Arnold." Gerald whispered across the table." What the hell are you doing?!"
"You talking to me punk?" Wolfgang asked in an angry tone as he stomped over to the occupied booth.
"Yes I am." Arnold said as he turned to be face to face with the giant of a boy.
"Let me make this clear, so I don't end up hurting you tonight." Wolfgang whispered. His breath smelled like cheap beer and cigarettes." That drunk slut over there, belongs to me. She belongs to me and me only. You don't want her to get home. You want her to stay with you."
Arnold sighed and replied in a calm whisper." As much as I disagree with what she is doing, she needs to be stopped and taken home, Wolfgang. It's what's best for her."
"Well I'm not taking her home." Wolfgang whispered back aggressively." So I have no clue who's gonna take her home."
"I will." Arnold whispered back.
Wolfgang snorted a laugh." Yeah, you and what army is gonna stop me? Definitely not those two sitting here with you."
Arnold heaved a sigh. He didn't wanna do this. But, he couldn't see Wolfgang take advantage of Rhonda like this. No matter what she had done. No woman deserved this.
Arnold slowly lifted up his shirt, revealing the butt of his pistol stuffed into the front of his jeans.
Wolfgang looked down and his eyes widened significantly. From across the table, Gerald and Phoebe just looked awestruck at what they had just witnessed.
"Fine." Wolfgang said with a sigh." You wanna take the slut home? Be my guest, you can do it."
"Thanks." Arnold said as Wolfgang finally walked away.
"Where are you going, sugar?" Rhonda asked as she observed Wolfgang walking out of the door.
"Football head over there is taking you home." He said, shoving his thumb back in Arnold's direction as he walked out the door.
"Arnold." Gerald scolded his best friend from across the table." Are you serious right now?"
"Yes." Arnold said calmly as he sat up from the table." I'll pay you back for the movie ticket. I need to make sure Rhonda gets home safe."
"Well, since when has Rhonda ever meant this much to you?" Gerald said, lowering his voice significantly so the girl couldn't hear him.
"She doesn't mean that much to me." Arnold said as he approached Gerald and leaned down to whisper back." But no girl needs to be taken advantage of like that. I couldn't let that happen."
Gerald looked back over to Phoebe and smiled." That's our Arnold." He said to her calmly." Always doing what's best for everyone."
"Come on Arnold." Rhonda said in an annoyed tone as she stumbled towards him." I'll drive us to my house."
"Nope." Arnold said as he turned around to face the drunken teen." You are going to let me drive."
"Ugh." Rhonda replied with an eye roll. She then dug in her giant purse and threw her car keys at him. Arnold recoiled backwards and surprised himself by catching them.
"Bye guys." Arnold said with a smile as he waved back his friends.
"Hey." Gerald called out just as Arnold reached the door." Be careful man. The streets are dangerous around these parts."
"I'll try my best." Arnold said, his smile never fading as he opened the door, let Rhonda out, and followed her outside.
For the first time in twenty minutes the ice cream joint was dead quiet.
Gerald and Phoebe just sat there, staring at Arnold's empty seat.
"I hope he stays safe out there." Gerald said with a nervous sigh as he cupped his hands together and buried his face into them.
"He will babe." Phoebe said in a soothing tone as she embraced him in a small hug." It's Arnold. Even if he gets himself into a mess out there, he'll find his way out of it."
…
"OLGA, GET DOWN HERE!"
"Criminy." Helga muttered as she slumped down the stairs of her family home." What is it Bob?"
Bob slurped on a yahoo soda and belched loudly as Helga approached him." I need you to run down to the convenience store a few blocks away and pick me up some pork rinds."
Helga's jaw almost hit the floor." But dad! I have homework to do! And it's late! What if I run into-"
"Hey hey hey, little lady." Bob said, waving his hand dismissively in her face." Watch that tone! It'll only take five minutes for you to drive there."
"But-"
"No buts." Bob said, interrupting her and turning his attention back to the family television." Now go on. The wheel is coming on!"
Helga wanted to argue. She wanted to cause a scene. But, there was no fighting this. It would just result in Bob getting even more pissed off at her.
"Okay fine." Helga said with a huff as she walked out of the living room. She grabbed her coat, her keys, her wallet, and headed out the front door.
The wind outside almost blew her away! The freezing cold wind tried to freeze her bare legs in place, but she pushed through it.
Olga was still gone in her car.
"You gotta be friggin kidding me!" Helga said with frustration in her voice." Well shit, I guess I'll just walk! It's only a few blocks away anyways."
…
"Are you sure you don't want to come inside Arnold? Mommy and daddy aren't home." She said in a seducing tone as she drunkenly leaned on her doorway.
"No, I'm good Rhonda." Arnold said as he waved dismissively." Go get in your bed and get some good rest."
"Ugh." She groaned as she walked inside and slammed her door shut.
"Thank God." Arnold said with a sigh. That had been the most awkward car ride of his life. The whole time Rhonda had been blabbering drunkenly about how nobody ever shows her attention anymore.
He shuddered at the fact she still wanted to sleep with him. It wasn't no new thing to Arnold. He just tried to avoid her every time he came into town. But he couldn't this time. Wolfgang was trying to take advantage of her, and Arnold couldn't let that happen.
Arnold had been taught his whole life to always stand up for a woman, when she was in a situation like that. No matter what she had done. No woman should be taken advantage of like that.
Arnold shook the thoughts from his head to see if Rhonda's car was locked. He quickly pulled at the knob and the door did not come open.
He let out a quick sigh as he felt the cold wind whip around him. All he had on was an unbuttoned plaid shirt over a navy blue T-shirt and a comfortable pair of blue jeans.
"Shouldn't be too long of a walk." Arnold muttered to himself." Just a few blocks away."
Arnold steadied his blue cap upon his head and made his way into the dark streets.
…
"Are you sure there are no more pork rinds in stock?" Helga asked the store clerk.
The older Caucasian lady flared her nostrils at her and let out a sigh." No ma'am. We ran out of those earlier today. But, we're supposed to get some more tomorrow."
Helga let out a sigh now.' Bob's gonna be pissed.' She thought to herself.
"Well, thank you." Helga said with an expressionless look on her face.
She made her way out of the convenience store to have someone suddenly grab her arm!
"Hey!" She yelled out as she was dragged into a nearby alleyway.
"Shhhhh." She suddenly felt a cold finger come across her lips. She looked to see two men, with grey masks covering their faces.
"What the hell is-" Helga tried to argue, but the man to her right covered her mouth.
"Don't try to argue, baby." He said in a low, raspy, and creepy voice." We just wanna have a little bit of fun."
Helga's eyes widened at the sound of that. Her heart immediately hit the floor.
"Yeah. Let's have some fun." Said the man on the right side, slowly reaching up inside her shirt and pink jacket.
"Hey!" Helga said as she slapped his arm away with a hard blow." Don't you touch me!"
"Ohhhhhh." The man to her laugh said with a laugh." We got a feisty one Billy! I love it!"
The man on the right shoved her back against the brick wall, causing rays of pain to fly throughout her body.
"Come on baby." He said in a low creepy voice." Give me a big kiss."
SMACK
The man to the right recoiled back from the powerful slap from Helga. He wiped at his nose and a bright red stain appeared across his hand.
"You're gonna regret that, bitch." He growled at Helga before he was suddenly tackled from the side.
He hit the ground with a hard "oof" as the secret assailant punched him hard in the side.
The other man suddenly figured out what was going on, and pulled the assailant off of his friend.
That's when the sudden realization came to Helga. This wasn't just some old guy coming to save her. This was the guy. This guy was none other than Arnold Shortman.
Helga watched in awe as Arnold quickly swung around and smacked one of the creeps with a hard right hook to the face. The man stumbled backwards and hit the ground.
Arnold turned back around to be faced with the other, much taller creep. Arnold quickly threw a strong punch into his ribs, causing the man the lurch forward in pain.
Arnold then kicked the man in the face, effectively knocking him out cold.
He then turned back around to receive a hard right hook from the other man. Arnold fell to the ground hard as he saw the man above him pull a long knife out of his right pants pocket.
Without thinking, Arnold pulled out his pistol from his pants and cocked the hammer back. The man instantly dropped his knife and put his hands up.
"Hey man." The man said in a nervous tone." I-I'm not trying to die here."
"And you won't." Arnold said calmly as he picked himself off the ground and wiped blood from his nose.
"Oh, thank God." The man replied as he looked down to pick up his knife from the street. However, before he could react, Arnold pushed him up against the brick wall of the alleyway and stuck his gun to the side of his head.
"Listen to me, and listen to me carefully." Arnold said sternly as he pressed the cold metal of the gun to the side of his head. The man just nodded frantically with fear in his eyes.
"If I ever see you doing that to women ever again." He said with a huff, lowering his voice to a whisper." I won't think twice about wasting you right there on the spot."
The man nodded frantically once more before Arnold threw him on top of his knocked out friend.
"Now get the hell out of here." Arnold said quietly as the man nodded and stumbled away from him.
The streets grew quiet once more. Arnold looked back to see the woman wasn't still there. He quickly put his gun back in his pants and ran out onto the street.
"Ma'am!" he called out, hoping for an answer. He needed to make sure the woman was okay.
He looked across the street, no one was walking past. Nothing at all. Just the sound of cars passing by on the nearby streets.
"Shit." Arnold said as he kicked a pebble in frustration." What the hell is this city coming to?"
…
"What the hell is wrong with me?" Helga asked herself as the warm water of the shower washed her tears away.
"Arnold saved my life and I didn't even thank him. Just because I was scared to talk to him. Criminy I'm just screwed up in the head." She said quietly with a sniffle.
"Come on Helga girl." She said as she wiped her face frantically." Pick yourself up. Arnold saved your life, everything is okay."
She inhaled a deep breath and slowly let it out." The next time I see Arnold. I have to thank him. I have to make everything right."
Author's note: hey guys, I am back again! Sorry if this chapter seems a bit rushed, I've been loaded down with school work this past week and I have tried to make time for this story, but I'm just now getting around to it again. So, I am very sorry!
Don't forget to drop a review and I will see you guys next time!