1999

DISCOVERY
Part Two: The Rescue


(This fic is written entirely from Arnold's point of view. I really tried to get into his head, even as HE tries to understand Helga.)



"Help!" Arnold called out, panicking.

"Hang on, Arnold, I'm coming!" he heard someone yell.

"Helga?"

It surprised him just enough to push the panic away, just enough so that he noticed the stinging scrapes on his face, hands, legs and ribs. His body was tensed up with fear--it was tingling and buzzing as if he'd stuck his finger in an electric socket. Arnold closed his eyes, feeling the branch twitch and shake as the wood snapped. If he fell, he would have a long, terrifying fall to the hard ground so far below.


He could hear Helga huffing and puffing as she climbed as fast as she could. "Arnold, are you all right?" she cried, an amazingly short time later. His eyes popped open.


Helga was trying to get to him but there were no nearby branches under him, only off to the side. She had scrapes on her face, hands, and arms, and a fearful, worried look in her eyes.


"Arnold! Speak to me!" she cried out.

" I think I'm okay," he answered, and saw a look of relief pass over her face, "but this branch isn't going to last much longer!"


"Okay, stay calm." She had a very serious look on her face. As he watched, her lips pressed into a tight line of determination, though her eyes were still fearful.


"I'm gonna climb out onto the branch next to the one that broke. Then you've gotta grab my hand when I tell you to."


"Be careful, Helga!" he cautioned as she slowly crawled out onto the branch and lay facedown on it. "Come on, reach!" she cried, stretching out her arms as far as she could.


He didn't let go. "You're too far away!"


"You're right." Helga said. She was silent for a few seconds. His arms were beginning to ache from holding on so tightly. Arnold looked down, and sucked in his breath as he realized that the end of his life could be just seconds away. I'm sorry, Grandma, Grandpa. he thought sadly. First you lost my parents, and now...


Helga interrupted his thoughts.


"Arnold, I'm gonna try something." He watched as she got up and sat sideways on the branch. "Oh, please, let this work!" he heard her whisper in a pleading voice, surprising him again.


Then Helga flipped backwards so that she was hanging upside down.


"Okay, Arnold, grab my hands!" she commanded, holding out both hands, straining, her face starting to turn red as the blood rushed to it.


He tried to let go and felt the branch give a jolt as another connecting piece splintered. "Ahh!" he yelped, tightening his grip as he swayed back and forth.


"Come on, Arnold, it's about to fall, and you will too if you don't TAKE MY HAND!" Helga yelled.


He tried again, but another, harder jolt made him gasp and clutch at the branch, convinced he was falling.


"Please, Arnold!" she begged. "Take my hand! PLEASE!" Helga actually sounded on the verge of tears!


Arnold opened his eyes and looked her full in the face. There was such a look of fear in her eyes, of pleading and.....something else he wasn't able to put a name to...that he knew he had to try one more time.


Yes! He caught her hand. She grabbed it in a grip that was so tight it was painful, but he was grateful for it. The branch creaked.


"Okay Arnold. When I say "three", grab my other hand."


He nodded. "One, two, THREE!" He let go and grabbed, just as the branch broke free and dropped with a series of thuds to the ground below.


Then he was dangling from her hands like a trapeze artist. "Arnold," Helga panted from the strain of holding his weight. "There's no way-I can pull you up-so I'm gonna swing you until you can-hook your leg over the branch I'm on."


"Right." He nodded.


He tried to help her swing him, ans eventually Arnold was able to scramble up onto the branch. Helga was so tired he had to help her upright.


For a few seconds they just sat, panting and getting their strength back. Arnold had to get used to the idea that he wasn't going to die after all. Helga had one hand against her chest as if to keep her heart from bursting through. Arnold smiled at her with half--shut eyes, feeling a warm rush of affection and gratitude toward her. She smiled back, looking tired and happy. Helga might be a bully at times, but she really came through when you needed her.


Arnold became aware that his scrapes were stinging badly, and Helga must have, too, for she touched one on her arm and winced.


"We better go take care of these." Arnold said. Helga looked up at him, and suddenly her lower lip trembled, her eyes filling with tears. With a little whimper she turned away from him, sitting with her head down, shoulders heaving, her hands clenched into fists on the branch. She made almost no sound, except when she gasped for air.


"Helga, what's the matter?" Arnold moved a little closer down the branch toward her, still sitting astride it. "It's all right, Helga, we're safe." He wasn't sure exactly what she was crying about--but he didn't think it was from the pain. Helga Pataki was as tough as any boy.


"Come on, Helga." He reached out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She twisted away. "It's okay. We're safe now... I'M safe--thanks to you. You saved my life." he said, smiling.


She whirled to face him. There were tears streaming down her cheeks, and a look of agony on her face. "Don't you ever, EVER do that again! You hear me? I almost lost you!.....I almost lost you." she repeated in a quieter voice.