You Never Know... Chapter 2
by Serena
~ Just a little side note here...I want to thank everybody who reviewed the first
chapter. I really didn't expect to get such a big response, so since you requested it,
here's the next chapter. Part 3 should be out by Friday since I already know I'm gonna be
majorly stressed out this week. Thanks again, and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold, only the plot is mine so please don't sue me, Nickelodeon.
Arnold, Gerald,
and Mr. Simmons had ridden along in the ambulance with Helga, who was unconscious, and now
the doctors were rushing her into the emergency room. A nurse had ushered them into a
waiting room.
The nurse said to Arnold, "Don't
worry, kiddo. From the look on your face, one would think it was your fault or
something." She snapped her gum and walked off.
Mr. Simmons stood up and said, "Oh, dear.
Arnold and Gerald, please wait here. I must go notify Helga's parents
immediately." He walked out of the room as well.
Gerald sighed and took one look at his friend.
"Don't, Arnold. I know what you're thinking, and stop it."
Arnold stared ahead. "I can't help
it, Gerald. If I hadn't been so dumb, standing in the middle of the
street—"
"It's not your fault man! I
mean, who knew she would have pushed you out of the way? This is Helga G. Pataki we're
talking about. Besides, that truck was comin' at a million miles per
hour!"
"Still Gerald. If I had been paying
attention, nobody would have gotten hurt."
Gerald said nothing more. He had a feeling
nothing he would say would make Arnold feel better. After a few minutes, Mr. Simmons
returned with Helga's parents. Arnold could hear Big Bob Pataki yelling even before
he walked in the door.
"What was Helga thinking, running out into
the middle of the street?! Olga would never have gotten run over"
Mr. Simmons spoke up, "Actually, Mr.
Pataki, your daughter did a very special thing. She pushed Arnold here out of the path of
the truck. You should be proud."
Arnold gulped as Big Bob glared at him.
"You mean this is all your fault, orphan
boy?! I should have known you'd be at the root of this! What with Helga
always--"
Just then the doctor came out. He was in his
30's with a friendly and distinguished look about him. "Hello there, I'm
Dr. Brightman. You must be" He paused to look at his clipboard.
"Helga's parents. Pleased to meet you." He held out his hand to Bob.
Bob scowled.
The doctor coughed into his hand.
"I'll get straight to the point, Mr. Pataki. Most of the injuries to your
daughter have been fixed, but she's not quite out of the clear. Your daughter is in a
coma."
Big Bob blinked. "I don't need your
fancy schmancy doctor terms. What does that mean in English?!"
"Well, what that means is that your
daughter is in a state of deep unconsciousness. Comas usually last for a couple of days,
maybe weeks. In rare cases however, they can last for years...all we can do now is
wait."
"Oh." Bob scowled again. "Is
this gonna cost me anything?"
The doctor looked exasperated. "Maybe you
didn't understand me correctly"
Bob and the doctor continued talking while
Miriam sighed and said, "I need a smoothiewhere's the cafeteria?"
Arnold couldn't believe it. He knew
Helga's parents were a little unconventional, but this was ridiculous. They barely
looked upset, and all Bob cared about was whether he had to pay.
Gerald stood up. "Arnold buddy, it's
gettin' late. I gotta get home before my mom has a cow. You comin'?" he
said.
"You go ahead, Gerald. There's
something I have to do," Arnold replied.
"It's cool. I'll see you at
school tomorrow." Gerald and Arnold did their handshake.
After Mr. Simmons left and Helga's parents
went to go fill out some papers, Arnold found out what room Helga was in. As he stood in
front of the door, he took a deep breath and stepped inside. There she was, in bed. It
looked like she was just sleeping, but Arnold knew better. He stood by her bed and gazed
down upon her face. Her skin was paler than usual and her hair was disheveled. Again
Arnold was hit with a pang of guilt. "It should be me in here, not you," he said
softly.
"That's a good idea, you know.
Talking to her, I mean," a voice said from behind him. He turned around and saw Dr.
Brightman standing in the doorway. "Sometimes people in comas react to outside
influences. Talking to her, touching her, things like that might make her come around
sooner. And since she saved you, I'd say you're vital to her now."
He smiled and left, closing the door.
Arnold turned back to Helga. "That's
it! I'll come by and see you every day, and I'll help you come out of the coma.
And maybe I'll get rid of my guilt." He tentatively reached out and put his hand
on Helga's.
"I'll stay with you, Helga. I
promise."