Within
A fanfic by Miss Matched and Baniigaaru
AKA: Whatever we decide to change our name to.
Disclamer: It's called FANfiction for a reason, folks. We only own this twisted little plot.
The exit was so near, Arnold smiled as he crouched low and hid behind the crowd's backpacks.
Freedom was so close, he could taste it.
Then Freedom was snatched away.
"Mr. Arnold.." Mr. Bird's voice rose above the mild roar of the students as they all hurried out of the door to their next class. "I want to talk to you for a sec."
Arnold groaned inwardly, then turned around to face the teacher. He tried his hardest not to let the day's stress show on his face. "Yes, Mr. Bird?" he queried.
"Son, what's with you?" Arnold blanched. "Isn't that what the hip people say nowadays? 'What's with the 'tude, dude?'" He started to laugh to himself.
"Um, right." Arnold said, stretching out the last word. "And, not to be disrespectful sir, there's nothing that you can really do to help me." He feigned a smile for proof.
"Are you sure?" Mr. Bird adjusted his large, heavy looking glasses that made his eyes larger than life. "You're not usually so late and so..." he paused and rolled out his hands, searching for the right word, "disrespectful to the classroom rules."
Arnold shook his head "I'm really, really sorry. There's just some things I need to... sort out now. I'll be fine."
Mr. Bird sighed. "Well, if you ever need a," he paused again to make exclamations to his next words, "'proper role model,' I'll be right here. 'Kay?"
Arnold was stung at those words, but he said nothing in return. He simply turned on his heel and ran, trying to beat the tardy bell to his next class.
Yellow dots of varying hues decorated his vision, and he cursed the school's cruel lighting. Nick laughed to himself, sometimes when he spaced off he would forget to blink, causing these unsightly blobs. He blinked rapidly several times until his vision cleared. He was seated at a circular lunch table in what had been most appropriately dubbed "the Mess Hall". A few flecks of a random liquid-y item flew across the room, probably from or aimed at Sid or Harold... he didn't bother to look any more. Pouring out the contents of his brown bagged lunch onto the smooth ivory colored table, his eyes didn't move off of the figure ahead of him. That Arnold kid. He had sat down at his respective table already, and was nearly done with his meal. This act was harmless enough, so Nick let his guard down. Whatever this Arnold character had up his sleeve, he wasn't going to pull it out today.
"A new Revealer." Nick thought to himself, shaking his head. "Who would have imagined?" For the longest time, he had been led to believe that he was the one and only Revealer. The thought had not been so comforting at first, it had actually been very alienating and frightening. He wished deep down that this new Chosen One could be his confide, but he quickly pushed that thought away. Perhaps Arnold had already begun his evil work, permeating his mind in such a manner! He would never let that happen.
When he first discovered he was the Chosen One, different feelings passed through him. Him? Him?? The one that held and would protect the fate of the world? It was a different feeling for him. It made him feel suddenly important and... cared for. When he found his Interpreter, Tiana, he felt cared for. Something he hadn't felt in a while. His parents were always so busy..this and that, have to go darling, dinner's in the oven, see you at nine, don't wait up, isn't this fun? You're like a grown-up, baby! He sighed and picked at his food.
He could clearly detail his first visions of the people...when they showed their ugly and deformed selves. At ten, they looked frightening, always out to get him, but soon Tiana told him he had to have the courage. The courage to face up and confront these demons that once were people.
He could still remember the first time he had met Tiana... It had been an unusually warm day in Spring...
"Bernie! Wait up, you dumb dog!" He laughed, racing through the empty field next to his house. Father had bought a lot of land to make sure that no "distasteful" neighbors moved in next door, which also gave young Nick an extensive place to play. Finally, he had caught up to his chocolate colored lab. "Good Bernie! Whoza good dog? Whoza goo--" His voice caught in his throat as his dog suddenly began to growl, bearing it's teeth. It foamed at the mouth, and began to snap at the air. Should he move? No, then Bernie would chase him... what was happening?
He was standing there one moment, chilled with fear, and the next moment, brave, protected. He threw an arm out to the side. His mouth opened, and words that were not his poured forth. "Begone, ye son of Satan!" He cried, and a black form emerged from the dog, and disappeared.
"Stronger than I thought." He heard a female voice say from behind him. He spun around in shock. "Sure, I had to give you the words, but your power expelled that demon rather quickly. Of course, it was only a small one I supplied for the test..."
"BUT MY DOG!" Nick was bawling now. "What did you do to my dog?? Who are you?"
"Your dog is just fine, my child." The woman smiled, holding out a pale hand. "Here, Bernie! Here boy!" The dog rose up and walked back to it's master's side.
He stared stunned. His dog was now licking his limp arm. Nick looked down and petted Bernie's head then stared at the girl. "He's...he's real.."
Tiana had then revealed to him his destiny. He was chosen to look into the inner demon of every living soul, and to someday cast them out. He would save the world, she had said... but one thing bothered him still. Not all faces were so distorted. There were some that shone with the brilliance of the sun...
"Nick!" The familiar voice caused him to lose his train of thought. "You're losing your focus. Stay focused on that..." She shuddered, "Boy, he could even be Satan himself! I don't trust the vibes I'm getting from him, Nicholas, and I fear for you."
"You need not worry, " he assured her, biting into his peanut butter sandwich, "I'm not one to be caught off guard."
Arnold chewed his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, staring at the table. There was a glow beside him on his right that was formerly known as Gerald. The battered looking boy on his left that was called Sid. In front of him was a pale, ashy-gray chubby boy named Harold. Beside Harold was a lanky boy with dark circles and ashy skin that gave him the rather scary appearance of a vampire, who was Stinky.
These were his friends.
These weren't his friends.
It was the same yet it... wasn't. Arnold was silent. He finally learned to keep his eyes on the table rather than to stare at the gore that consumed his friends. Gerald seemed like the only one unaffected.
"Arnold?"
"Huh?" He closed his eyes hard and jerked his head, almost looking up, but the glowing reminded him not to. He didn't want to vomit up his lunch since he was so hungry. He never even had breakfast!
He rushed down the stairs, fixing his backpack and shirt at once. The smell of bacon and eggs was too sweet to resist and he opened the door. The thoughts of last night and dinner left his mind completely. Probably just a dream, Arnold rationalized to himself after he woke up and started to dress.
"Hey Gran-" He nearly fell back and went blind with the load of light he was receiving.
Woah. He thought as he pressed himself against to the wall. Woah.
"Grand..Grandma.." He stuttered. THIS explained the blinding light from last night. It was no electricity and it sure as hell wasn't a kerosene lamp!
"Yeah Tex? Sit 'er down and eat some grub."
He shakily moved to a chair, shielding his eyes. He squinted and was glad when she left. But there was still a shine...
He looked and faintly saw his grandpa there, reading the newspaper. "Mornin' Short Man."
"Morn..Morning Grandpa." He stared through his palm and squinted eyes at the old man.
Grandpa finally noticed. He looked from over the newspaper. "You okay?"
"Ye-yeah.." Arnold said, and looked around the room. It was only him and Grandpa in the room. Then an old woman walked in.
Susie, his mind whispered.
"Hey Arnold." 'Susie' smiled.
She sat down in the chair next to him, so Arnold adverted his eyes even more.
"So, Arnold, feeling any better?" Susie asked, pouring from the jug of orange juice on the counter. The citrus smell stung his nose as she did so.
"I suppose so," Arnold answered, "Not the best though."
To properly conduct a conversation, one must look at the person they are speaking to in the eyes. Arnold reminded himself this... however the cheap way out was to focus in the middle of their forehead.
This Arnold did, focusing on an indent in her forehead, and trying to ignore the scrapes and gashes along side it.
"Something wrong, Arnold?" Susie asked.
"I..." His breath was caught in his throat. What was it his Interpreter said? Oh what did she say??
"She's not who she projects herself to be," his Interpreter whispered. He widened his eyes.
"You're in my head??"
"My vessel is simply sleeping. I will soon awaken, I'm afraid."
He wasn't aware that Susie and Grandpa were staring him funny as he continue to stare into space.
"What do I do about Susie?"
"For one, don't misinterpret," she scolded. "You see her as a suffering old woman. What do you think this means?"
"I think this means," Arnold started, "that ... that some stress was put on her?"
"Close," his Interpreter said. He felt her smile. "Tell me her situation."
"Susie is married to a man named Oskar Kakoshka." Arnold moved his gaze to the table. "They ... they have problems in their marriage. Oskar keeps spending money and is, well, a little lazy in making it. Susie works really hard and.."
"So basically Oskar's the bum and Susie's just being used?" The Interpreter frowned.
"Something like that. I know they love each other under it all," Arnold said
"I think I know what's happening, his Interpreter said. Since she works probably two, three jobs at once, she's maturing too fast. She knows the world too soon. She feels as if..." his Interpreter trailed off.
As if what?? Arnold gripped the table, causing both Grandpa and Susie to look at each other, mouthing 'Is he okay?'
"As if... oh no. I'm waking uhhhh-" then Arnold felt alone. He suddenly stood up and yelled, "NO! DON'T GO! TELL ME WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY!"
"....Arnold..?" Susie asked, getting slowly up from her chair. She held up her hands. "Its okay." She said slowly. "We're here. Just stay calm.."
"Pookie's on a first name basis with the best loony bin in the state... We can get you a check up!" Grandpa exclaimed.
Grandma poked her head into the room, "Three cheers for the bouncy walls!"
Susie shook her head, her gray hair swaying a bit, "No, I think Phil is right. You need a check up." She shot a glance at Grandpa, "Though with a doctor, not a psychologist."
Arnold pushed away from the table, "How about if my symptoms carry on to tomorrow?" He grabbed his jacket and backpack from the other room, "I gotta go. I'll be late for school. Bye!" And with that, he darted out the door.
"But--" Susie shouted as the door slammed. She finished her sentence softly, "But it's only 7:15."
He breathed heavily as soon as he shut the door.
Too close.
"HEY ARNOLD!" The shouts of four voices in unison caused him to jump out of his chair, and nearly out of his skin.
In this moment of insanity, Arnold's eyes flung wide open. So many overwhelming sights filled his view, that he let out a soft, though still audible screech, as he scrunched his eyes shut.
"Weell, gosh. I think we done gave him a heart attack." He heard Stinky exclaim.
Then there was Gerald's trademarked "Mmm mmm MMM. My man Fuzzy Slippers always said to never wake up a sleeping person. And Fuzzy Slippers tells no lies."
"Sorry" Arnold mumbled, "I'm just... really tired."
It was an excuse he seemed to be using too much of as of late.
"And on the edge. You're worse than... that Sid today!" That was Harold speaking
"Hey!" Sid mumbled. "That's not nice."
Arnold blinked and smiled, attempting at a laugh but it came out hoarse.
All words seemed to die down, the chatter around him diminish. Someone was looking at him, he could feel the eyes burning into his head... two pairs, one on either side. Timidly, he opened his eyes to see. One was Nick, he noted and groaned inwardly. Arnold turned around to see to whom the other set belonged. Sharp, blue eyes met contact with his own green ones, and then looked down. Arnold shook his head as he watched skin crack and bleed... Helga's skin. Against his better judgment, he knew with whom his next talk would be.