Author's Note: Before we proceed, I want to ask something. I've been reading the some of the past chapters a few times, and I find it kind of depressing - especially the last one. Do any of you feel the same way as I do? Because if it is, I'd gladly tone it down a bit. Okay, now that's off my chest, time to say a few things about this chapter. Heh, yeah the brother thing is pretty much easy since the foreshadowing is very obvious. I need to think up more ways to make the readers guess what's gonna happen next. :) And about Mona... yeah, I've completely forgotten about the bus driver's girlfriend, oh boy. But, in this fic the Mona depicted isn't the same Mona in the movie, she's actually a character in the novel that I mentioned earlier, but she's not an old lady though. And thanks for the Spanish translations, man! And with 'Changing of the Guards' is over (my other fic) this fic can finally be updated quicker than usual! Hopefully. If I could just stop procrastinate... meh, maybe later.

Legal junk: I don't own Hey Arnold, but Nickelodeon does and Mr. Craig Bartlett created it. But this fic belongs to me. Clear? Good.

Chapter 11: Decision

"I've never seen something like that in my entire life before…" Helga said weakly, as Mona comforted her by stroking her hair gently again and again, "It happened right in front of my eyes too… it's so scary…"

"Well child…" Mona replied back, sighing, "If you live for nearly 50 years in this country like I do, you've seen more than enough." She lowered her head. She looked at Helga again, and asked, "So tell me Helga, why are you here? Why did you leave home to go to this godforsaken place? Does a country riddled with pestilence, decay and unending conflict excites you?"

Helga was stunned at her question. Nothing had prepared her to answer a question such as that. It had never occurred to her that San Lorenzo was this terrible before. She originally came here not to witness the deplorable conditions of San Lorenzo, but to seek help from her childhood friend, to have him listen to her and comfort her in her time of needs. But right now, she felt guilty that she felt so selfish because she wanted the center of attention to be on her, instead of the people that surrounded her. Obviously they were the ones that needed help more than her. Helga chocked, sniffed and replied, "I'm so sorry…" she replied, sobbing, "I came down here not because I'm interested in helping this country, but I want someone to help me out…"

Mona nodded.

"But now… I don't even know why am I here!" She cried brokenly, "I haven't told anybody my problems are yet… or asking him to help me with my troubles… and I feel so powerless to help these people…" Helga cried on Mona's lap as she told her the predicament she was facing. Mona was intrigued when she said 'him' to her. Who was this 'him', she thought to herself. "There, there now, child." She lifted Helga up and hugged her to give a sense of security. "I'm not going to ask you to tell me about your problems, because I think you already have someone in your mind that you are willing to tell your troubles to instead of me…"

After listening to Mona's last question, Helga had wondered if Arnold even wanted to help her out since he had other, bigger things to do. She lifted her head away from her and asked, "But what if he wouldn't help me?" she replied as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"How long have you known… this person?" Mona asked back.

Helga sniffed, and replied back, "A very long time… but I don't know if he wanted to help me…"

"If you've known him for a very long time, then I suppose he's a very good companion, no?" Mona asked her, "You trust him, don't you? He must be a very special person to you since you're brave enough to travel half across the world just to see him…" she said with a warm voice, smiling at Helga. Helga looked at her back, beginning to chuckle softly. "I'm very sure he's willing to hear you out."

Helga laughed softly and replied, "Thanks Mona…" and she gave her a hug again. To Mona, this was close as she could get to have a granddaughter of her own. Mona too, had tears rolled down from her eyes as she embraced Helga tightly.

"Helga, our van is arriving anytime now, so I—" Stella stopped when she saw Helga being comforted by the malaria stricken old lady. It didn't worry her however since the disease couldn't be transmitted by close proximity gesture of any kind. She developed a bit of smile as she looked at them. Maybe it was a good idea to have Helga around the sick camp. She did her job commendably. Stella then supposed that they should hang around for a while with each other, and only when their carpool van arrived, then she would call her out.

---

The time was a quarter before 7PM, and Arnold still hadn't moved himself out of the chair he was sitting since four in the afternoon. He just sat there, with his left cheek on the table, staring at a book in front of him, while tapping a pen on it repeatedly. He was bored out of his skull. There were stacks of books, all three of them around his head. The books hadn't been opened once. The table he sat at was a very long table, old, wobbly at times, but strong nonetheless. And the wooden chair that he sat on was more or less the same condition too. There was nothing but silence, with the exception of the low tone hum of the air vent above him, with the occasional cough coming from it once in a while. A girl, almost as old as him, walked pass behind him and went over to a bookshelf. She looked at Arnold and shook her head in disbelief. "What is he doing in this library, anyway?" she thought to herself.

Arnold was in San Lorenzo's only library to do research for his home schooling assignment. He thought that it would be better to go to the library once in a while to study, rather than getting cooped up in his house staring at the computer screen for hours on end. But after 20 minutes or so after he started studying, all the enthusiasm died down since he could not find anything interesting to put in his assignment, so he just picked up some random old books –relics from the San Lorenzo's Communist era, and built some sort of a fort around his head. During the idle time that quickly passed by without him noticing it, he had been doing a lot of thinking, and it mostly about Helga.

Arnold reminisce his memories in the past few days about her, and he thought that he had an absolutely fantastic time with her. He smiled when he remembered the time when he first saw her in front of his house, or the time when he took her on a tour of his adopted country, and the time where they were spending together on top of that beautiful hill. And in those places where he collected the memories, he felt that he had discovered a new Helga, something that he had felt about her ever since they were in grade school: a caring, compassionate, friendly, and kind version of Helga Pataki. Could this be that he actually began to fall for her?

It was already dark outside, but still, Arnold didn't notice it. Then there was a bright flash of lightning coming from the window and a loud thunder was heard soon after that. Arnold instantly got up from his daydreaming upon hearing the cracking sound. He looked at the window, and it began to rain. It hadn't been raining since two weeks ago, and by now he thought, all the sugar cane and cacao cultivators in the country were really happy right now. It was a heavy rain at that, too. A tropical torrential rain. Water began to drip into the library from the holes up on the roof and library staffs quickly scrambled over to hold the water in readily available buckets that they have prepared if such occasions happened. Arnold gave them a lending hand too. After the librarians said thanks to him, he looked at the clock.

HOLY CRAP! He should've head home an hour ago! That's what you get for having your head so high in the clouds. Now with the day quickly turning to night, with the rain pouring and the dirt road would get wet and unstable, it would be impossible for him just to navigate through the jungles. But he had to, or else he wouldn't have the chance to go home today, and was forced to spend a night in Bolivar, was something he really didn't want to. He quickly ran to his seat and picked his stuff up and dashed out from the library, braving the rain and into his jeep. He closed the door shut and took a very deep breath. He was completely drenched in rainwater right now. After catching up with his breath, he started the engine and drove away.

"Aw nuts, I forgot to put the books back…" he said to himself as he smacked the steering wheel in front him. It was too late for him to drive back there, because he wanted to go home as soon as possible. The jeep splashed some mud and dirt away as Arnold zoomed through the jungle, hitting branches and leaves from right and left. There was some instance where he got one of the wheels stuck on the mud, but after flooring the gas pedal repeatedly, the jeep moved again. Hopefully he'll survive this dangerous episode, he thought to himself as he shifted the gear up.

---

The van stopped right in front of Arnold's family's residence and Stella and Helga quickly ran to the house while protecting themselves from the rain by putting only their hands on top of their head. They didn't even know why they even bothered doing it, as ineffective as it sounded. After they managed to get back into the house, the both of them quickly ran to their towels to dry themselves up. As Helga wiped herself dry, she saw the answering machine beeping. "Mrs.—"

Thunder cracked loudly.

"Yes, Helga?" Stella replied back from her room.

"The answering machine is beeping."

"Well, please be a dear and go see who called, okay?" Stella said back. Helga then pushed a button on the machine.

"You have one new message. First Message:" the computerized voice said. It was then replaced by Miles' voice, "Stella? Anyone there in the house? Well, I guess I have to come home late today until after the storm is over. Sorry." Then there was a beep. "End message."

"Well, who was it?" Stella asked back.

"It's Mr.—" thunder cracked again. "He'll be coming back late." Helga let a soft sigh, put her towel on the computer chair and sat on the mattress. She then crawled to her pillow and rested her head on it. After the talk with Mona, she had been thinking about Arnold a lot. It had been about five days now since her arrival in San Lorenzo, and in that short period of time, she had learned pretty much about everything. She learned that there was so much suffering in other parts of the world. She learned that she wasn't the only one in the world who had problems. She also learned that in spite of it all, every cloud has a silver lining. And for coming to San Lorenzo, she felt that it was a blessing.

She also learned that Arnold was still the same boy she recognized, someone that she knew very well and whom she really loved. But did she now have the strength to tell Arnold about her dilemma she was facing right now? Five days. Five days in this country and she hadn't told anybody about her problems yet, not to even the ones who were close to her. She knew she couldn't hold it forever, and since she promised herself that she wanted Arnold to be first to learn about her problems, she would tell him at the very first chance given. She was determined. She made her decision. She would tell him today. Speaking of Arnold, he was supposed to be home at this time of hour…

And the horribly bad weather didn't make her feelings any better too. All sorts of crazy thoughts began to develop in Helga's mind. With the addition of the unfortunate incident that happened in the sick camp being inserted into her thoughts about Arnold, it made her became tense and worried about her love. She tried to repel them off, but was met with futile results. She tried harder, but she couldn't. At last, she couldn't help but to cry again. But despite of it, her heart and instincts told her that he'd be fine. And she hoped and prayed that it would stay that way.

Stella knocked her door and opened it, "Helga?" she called softly. Helga turned around and looked at Stella with her saddened face. Stella understood, she was worried about her family too. "They'll be all right." Stella nodded weakly, "Miles is staying put at the site and Arnold is an excellent driver. They'll be home soon." She said to calm herself, and Helga up. But Helga didn't share her optimism, and could only reply her back with a skeptical and worried smile.

Stella looked at her back. Maybe the images from the sick camp still hadn't gone out from her thoughts. She then said to her in a warm, comforting voice, "You want to talk about something?" Helga shook her head. Still, Stella didn't give up, "I'm willing to help." Helga shook her head again. Stella let a soft sigh, and understood that Helga needed to be alone for a while. Or maybe, she'd rather have Arnold to talk with her, Stella thought to herself. "If you need me, I'll be in the living room."

Helga finally nodded weakly, and replied, "Thanks." And Stella closed the door softly behind her.

---

It had been half hour past eight, and the torrential tropical rain finally began to weaken, but Arnold and Miles still hadn't arrived home yet. This worried Helga and Stella a lot. Stella was sitting at the kitchen table with a steaming cup of java in front of her. Helga still hadn't gone out from her room. She just sat at the wide opened window of her room, looking outside forlornly. The sound of the falling rainwater, the occasional thunder and wind howling were the only thing that accompanied her in her loneliness. Sanctuary.

Amidst the rainfall, Stella could vaguely hear an engine sound coming from outside of the house. Helga on the other hand couldn't hear a thing because the door to her room was closed and loud noise of the water falling from the rain gutter dimmed the sound of the engine. Stella quickly opened the door and to her relief that her son just made it back home. He switched off the light, and he quickly made his way into his house.

"Arnold! Thank goodness, I'm so worried!" Stella heaved a sigh of relief as she looked at her son completely soaked in rainwater. She then gave him a towel to dry himself off.

"Yeah mom, thanks." Arnold replied back as he closed the door behind him. "Wow, I never really thought that I made it home safely, trying to outrun the rain and all…" Suddenly his mom smacked the back of his head.

"Ow!" Arnold rubbed his head, "What the heck was that for?"

"Are you being stupid? You could've get killed Arnold!" his mom replied back. "You know better than to drive under those conditions! You could've got lost, or… buried under a mudslide or… fell into a gorge!" Typical for a mother bring so overly concern about her son.

Arnold raised an eyebrow in disbelief, "What? C'mon mom! You know they have a kill-on-sight curfew in Bolivar after eight! I don't want to get shot nor have the military men to confiscate the jeep!"

"Does it ever occur to you to head to the traveler's hostel, spend a night there for a while and call me after that?" Stella yelled back. Arnold was lost on words to reply back. His mother was right after all. He had always hated it when his mother stumped him. Stella expression changed, from an angry disbelief to calm relief. "Look Arnold, I'm sorry." She replied back, sighing. "I'm just so glad you're all right."

"No mom," Arnold replied back, raising his palm as to say no to her, "You were right. I'm stupid for doing that." Then he chuckled disbelievingly, "What was I thinking? I could've killed myself!" he slapped his forehead as he turned away from his mother. Stella looked at her son and began to develop a weak smile. She was in disbelief of Arnold. He may be dumb, but at least he was safe. Or maybe there was a reason why did he blindly following his instincts, cheating death and all that. Maybe it had something to do with Helga?

"Arnold," Stella said, "Helga is feeling down today…"

Arnold immediately turned around, showing her a concerned face, "Why? What happened to her?" he asked.

"Come here and sit with me." She brought him to the kitchen table and sat on opposite of each other. Arnold was perplexed. Stella gazed at her son deeply. After a while and much contemplation, she said to him, "She's very distraught."

Arnold furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Why is she behaving like that?" he asked.

Stella sighed deeply, and replied, "She saw something terrible happened today. I wanted to help her, but she just wouldn't want to tell me about it."

Arnold nodded in understanding. "What should I do?"

"Go to her." Stella replied softly. "I have a feeling that she's going to tell you something more than just the thing she saw today. She needs you more than ever."

He was stunned. "But why me?" he asked back. "Why not someone else?"

"Because she knows you the most. She trusts you."

"But, what about you?" Arnold asked back, "Shouldn't she need a motherly comfort now more than ever?"

"Arnold, as a mother, my instincts tells me that she needs you now."

Arnold gazed back at his mother, full in thought. And then he nodded in agreement with his mother instincts, and slowly got up from his seat. Stella looked at him as he walked pass her. She then let out a weak sigh and questioned her instincts whether this was the right decision to do. She was skeptical herself. But she trusted her instincts and decided that she should let Arnold confront Helga alone without her intervening. Probably, this would be the best way if they ever wanted to help Helga about her problems and to know why she chose San Lorenzo to run away.

Arnold stood in front of Helga's door but did nothing. He then let out a soft sigh, and raised his fist to knock the door. But just before his fist hit the door, he stopped, and turned to Stella, looking at her. He wanted a reassurance from her. Stella nodded weakly. He then responded by nodding at her back and finally he knocked the door.

There was no answer. Arnold tried again.

Still, there was no answer.

"Helga? It's me, Arnold."

Still no answer. After a lengthy pause, Arnold then decided that he just should open it, with or without Helga's permission. After he took a long breath, he then opened the door up. Thankfully it didn't meet with any resistance from Helga. He went in, and closed the door. After seeing his son out of her sight, Stella buried her head inside of her crossed arms on the table and hoped for the best.

---

Helga was seen at the window as she rested her left arm that she put on the frame, with her chin on it. She wasn't seemed to be disturbed by Arnold's presence inside the room. She continued to stare blankly at the sight with her dejected and forlorn face. Arnold stepped forward slowly. Helga still didn't move. She must be extraordinarily sad, Arnold thought to himself. He never saw Helga behaved like this before in his entire life. There must something that really disturbed her if she was this wistful. Arnold took a deep breath, and proceeded to sit on the computer chair. He stared at her for a while and said:

"Helga…"

"I'm glad you're back…" she interjected suddenly. But her tone didn't sound welcoming, but rather, sorrowful.

"Thanks." Arnold replied softly. "Is there something bothering you?" he tried to ease his way in. But Helga didn't answer back. Having hearing no answer from her, he tried again. "I might help you out."

"Tch." Helga scoffed. "Help? And just how are you going to help me?"

Arnold was stunned since this pretty much was a hostile response from Helga. "Well, if you could just tell your problems…" he replied calmly, "I'll be—"

"Typical of you." Helga said back. A tear started rolling down from her eye. After a sob, she continued again, "Tell me… just how you endured all the misery of this place?" The question stunned Arnold. "You want to know what happened to me today…?" she chocked as she turned to him, "I saw someone died today Arnold! Right in front of my eyes! It's so terrifying! He was gasping for breath, and blood and—" and at this moment, Arnold quickly ran to her and hugged her tightly to give her comfort, security and to calm her down.

Stella got up from her seat upon indistinctly hearing Helga crying. She walked hastily to the room to make sure whether she was okay. But as soon as she placed her hand on the doorknob, she stopped immediately, thinking about Arnold. She made her decision. She then slowly lifted her hand away from the knob, and put it far away from it. She reassured herself again that her son had the situation being handled perfectly. She then took a deep breath, and slowly walked over to her room and closed the door.

"It's okay… it's okay." Arnold tried to soothe her. Helga continued to cry on his shoulder, babbling melancholically about the incident. He repeatedly asked her to calm down again and again. And after much assurance, Helga began to calm down somewhat, and slowly released her grasp from Arnold. He then brought her to the mattress and sat with her. Arnold waited for her to calm down as he watched her sob and cry. He too began to feel stressed and sympathized with her. After he was convinced that Helga had finally quiet down, Arnold let a sigh out and answered her question.

"Helga, San Lorenzo isn't a tropical paradise. It's not a utopia. It's full of many horrible stories that you can think of. Everything, from genocide, pestilence to extreme famine has occurred here. But despite of all the sad, miserable stories, I'm able to cope with it because I find myself fortunate and to my comfort that I have my family here, and it makes me happy every time when I see a smile on a person's face when you know that you've help them. It shows that their burden, even by a miniscule, has been lifted. And what you do at my mother's camp – helping all those unfortunate people, is a very thoughtful thing to do."

Helga began to brighten a bit, as she sniffed.

"Even by helping them a little you've a made a huge difference in their lives." He smiled at her, "I'm very proud of you."

Helga chuckled at the statement. He had such a way with words. And with this particular conversation it made Helga convinced that Arnold would be able to help with her personal problem that was the reason why she left home. "Thanks Arnold…" she spoke softly. Arnold smiled back at her. She made her decision: she wanted to tell him now, without any hesitation or reluctance.

"Arnold, you're lucky to have your family to give you comfort…" she said, "but me… do you want to know the reason why am I here?"

Yet another cliffhanger. I hate myself for doing that. I think some of you may complain about the many tearjerking moments from Helga and might argue she may be a teency-weency bit out of character. She's a tough girl, you may say. Well, while I do agree, but consider this: she just saw a very terrifiying occurence developed before her eyes and it can be traumatizing. But Arnold is there for her, doing the best he can to help her. Chemistry rocks! Well, that's enough from me. Enjoy it, and please leave a review.