CHAPTER 8:

I found myself having a hard time up trying to say what I wanted to say. I knew what I wanted to ask but it was stuck in my throat.

"Oh brother, Arnold! Just ask him already! The sooner you ask, the sooner you know I'm NOT dead!"

"Uh, Mr. Bailey, do you mind if we um…have a moment to sit down and talk? I have a few things I wanted to ask." Mr Bailey let out a long sigh,"Alright kid but not too long, I got a job to do!"

I sighed, shaking, "W-well, I just wanted to ask about what happened on Christmas 2 years ago."

He groaned, "Oh brother! I got your girl kid, what more could you possibly want?!"

"I don't want to cause you any trouble Mr. Bailey, I just wanted to know why or…how you changed your mind and had the person we were trying to find sent to us? Did someone get you to change your mind or did you find the boots? I'm so confused as it happened after you sent us back a-and I was happy at first so I didn't question but-"

"Catch your breath kid, you're turning blue."

"Thanks, uh, so why did you find Mai after you sent us away?"

"Uh, this girl, she insisted that I go back and find her."

"Now ask him what the girl looked like, you'll see!"

"Uh, w-what did she look like?"

"I don't know, kid! You think I remember that kinda junk?!"

"O-oh, uh, s-s-sorry-"

Mr. Bailey was fuming right now, his head was red as a tomato! "Get outta here, kid! And quit wasting my time with these stupid questions!" I sighed as I walked towards the door. However, the voice had other ideas.

"W-w-w-wait! Don't leave just yet! Ask for the nam-oh criminy! I never told him my name!"

"OUT!' he hollered. I reached towards the knob.

"U-uh-"

I twisted the knob.

"U-u-uh-"

I opened the door, welp, guess that idea went down the drai-

"THE BOOTS!"

H-huh?

"ASK HIM ABOUT NANCY SPUMONI BOOTS!"

What? Why-

"DO IT!"

Alright, fine! "U-uh, Mr. Bailey?"

"What?!"

"Remember the Nancy Spumoni boots?"

It took a moment for Mr. Bailey to respond. "The snow boots? My daughter...she was so happy to get them."

"How did you get them?" I asked.

"The girl...the blonde girl gave me a pair."

"Blonde?"

"Blonde, pigtails, unibrow...she made my daughter's Christmas. My daughter's smile...she has such a bright smile..."

Blonde. Pigtails. Unibrow. Apparently Helga had been responsible for the Christmas miracle, but...there's no way my BRAIN would've known that. The voice...wasn't just a voice. Helga's soul was STILL here, still alive.

"I'm glad you finally realized that!"

But I HAVE to make sure!

"Pardon?"

Shaking, I reached into my pocket and found my small wallet. There was nothing but a 5 and a picture, a picture I hold dear to my heart. It was Helga, smiling that beautiful smile of hers. Just seeing it brought shivers up my spine.

"Oh calm it, lover boy! What's your 'making sure' plan?"

Oh yeah, thanks.

I looked at Mr. Bailey, "Was this her?" I asked, looking like a complete mess. He snapped his fingers and leaned back on his chair, "That's her, alright! You know what, seeing that girl really humbled me that da-hey, where did he go?"

I ran out of the building with tears falling from my eyes, she was telling the truth! She's not a voice! I'M NOT GOING CRAZY!

MY GIRLFRIEND IS ALIVE!

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

IT'S ALIIIIIIIVE! Big thanks again to celestial_lore and BowlingAesthetic!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!