Chapter Seven

That night, Helga felt restless as she went over the day's misfortunes. She climbed out of bed and decided to go for a short walk. The night air was cool and refreshing and the stars shimmered in the navy blue sky. As she made her way down the sidewalk she spotted a man dressed in an overcoat with a hood that covered his eyes whispering to a woman across the street. The woman was wearing dark sunglasses and had a clipboard in her hand. Curious, she dashed behind a bush about ten feet away and listened carefully.

"What should we do with them now?" the woman said in a low voice, shifting her eyes from side to side to see if anyone was watching.

"It's all going according to planned. They're captured and it's only a matter of time before we take over the green-eyed people and then wipe them out and steal their land. Our people have been in a feud with their people for generations, ever since they beat us in that battle fifty years ago for the treasure that WE discovered. They thought it was theirs just because it was on their territory!" He shook his head, disgusted. "Stella and her ancestors have been on their side, but now Stella and Miles are locked away...sweet revenge...my great grandfather would be so proud."

The woman nodded. "And then that stupid football-headed kid won't follow in their footsteps," she whispered. "Because his grandparents on his father's side don't really know what the two have been up to all these years, and so Arnold will never figure it out. Mr. Andrew Smith, you are a genius." (Note to readers: I don't really know his first name. I just used the name "Andrew" so she could call him by his first name because she knows him personally.)

"The only thing I'm worried about is that dumb pig-tailed girl. Tony's been watching her--she's in love with Arnold, and the kid's a genius in disguise. Now that she's living in the boarding house, I'm afraid she's going to catch on to our plan and reveal us. She tried breaking into my room today, and I think she's suspicious. I've got to get rid of her, before she confesses her love to Arnold and he decides to like her back and she stays here forever and they discover our plan. And if Arnold knows what we're up to, he WILL fix it. I'm trying to find her parents and get her out of Hillwood and out of the city before she destroys everything we've worked for."

Helga gasped under her breath, and suddenly everything was clear to her. She had to tell Arnold...she had to help him...but first, she needed some proof. She waited until they had left and then dashed across the street and around the corner to the boarding house when she ran into someone. It was pitch black and she couldn't tell who it was until she heard his raspy breathing.