Chapter 1: Passed

The hallways of the school were packed.

But she felt alone.

Phoebe and Gerald walked to her left, having a conversation about what they were going to do for the evening.

"Helga, do you have any particular activities that you are going to attend to this evening?" Phoebe asked.

Helga Geraldine Pataki, already knew what her plans for the evening were.

"Ehh, I think I'm just gonna go home, Pheebs. Not really feeling anything today."

Phoebe and Gerald shot each a concerned glance before turning their attention back to Helga.

"Are you sure Helga?" Phoebe asked looking up at Helga. However, Helga just kept her same blank expression on her face as she stared at the ground.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

She caught Phoebe and Gerald eyeing each other, seeming concerned for her.

Oh well, this wouldn't be the first time she turned down an invitation to hang out with a duo.

Gerald suddenly leaned down and whispered into his girlfriend's ear.

"Babe, we got to get her out to do something. She just doesn't look like she's okay."

"Gerald." Phoebe whispered back." She hasn't been since Arnold you know." She then lowered her voice even more." Passed."

"Babe." Gerald replied back with a hurt look on his face." I understand that she's hurting. I mean, we all are. But, you know what she believes. Why can't she just see the truth."

"I know." Phoebe whispered back." She doesn't seem to listen to anyone."

"I'll try talking to her again." Gerald replied with a shaky huff of air.

Meanwhile, Helga had mainly been ignoring what the couple next to her was whispering about. She had been too deep in her own thoughts.

'Maybe if I go check farther on the east side of the city today. No… I don't think he would be hidden over there. There aren't many broken down buildings on that side of the city. But wait maybe that means that-'

"Helga?" Gerald asked, looking at her with concern.

"Yes Geraldo?" Helga asked, shooting him an annoyed look for breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Can I talk to you for a minute? When we get outside?"

'Criminy… I know where this is going.' Helga thought to herself as she looked away from Gerald to roll her eyes for just a moment

"Sure." Helga replied unenthusiastically.

Gerald just nodded to her as they continued to make their way down the hallway.

...

"Alright Helga. What are you really doing this evening?"

Helga scowled at Gerald who was giving her a smug look. They were talking in an alleyway, just across the street from the school.

"I'm just going home." Helga lied. That was her strong suit. It always had been. She could lie about anything she wanted to, and to anyone she wanted to.

"Pataki look." Gerald said with a sigh as he dropped his hands by his sides." I want to believe you, like I really do."

He then dropped his head to stare at the dirty pavement below him." But, everytime me and Phoebe try to make plans and get you to tag along, you always make up the same excuse that you're going home."

Helga could feel herself start to get very impatient and irritated with Gerald." Look, I'm going home Geraldo. Now, get over it, okay? I had a bad day."

She crossed her arms across her chest as Gerald sighed. The cold winter air blew around them, blowing some of Helga's long blonde hair blow into her face.

"Well, you're not the only one who's had a bad day." Gerald said in a low voice." Hell Pataki, it's been forty five days since he died! I haven't had a good day since."

If there was one thing Helga hated to hear, it was people saying that Arnold had died. Especially his best friend saying it. However, she didn't snap on Gerald. Not yet.

"Forty six to be exact." Helga said with a huff." It's Tuesday, remember? He disappeared on Friday, November the twenty third."

Gerald just continued to stare at the ground." Helga, he's dead. You know this."

Helga sighed and averted her eyes to the ground as well. She scratched her right arm as they fell into an awkward silence for just a moment.

She wanted to respond to Gerald. She wanted to tell him that he wasn't dead. However, Helga wasn't completely sure herself. I mean, sure, there wasn't any evidence that he died in the fire. But, there was also the chance that he was dead and his body was never found. Nevertheless, she wasn't going to quit looking for him until she got the answer she wanted. She needed to find him. She needed to bring him back home.

"You know." Gerald said in a somber tone, still staring at the ground." Me and Phoebe have been trying to make these plans with you, because they've helped us move on a little. I mean, just go out for the evening, find a few of your friends, and just forget about all your worries for the night."

"I know." Helga said calmly as she let out a shaky breath." But, I just feel like going home today."

"I hope so." Gerald said with a huff as he looked up at her, wiping a tear from his cheek." Promise me Pataki. Promise me that you won't go looking for him anymore. I need you to at least try and move on. Just like the rest of us."

Helga could see the sincere look in his eyes. How could she say no?

"Of course." Helga said with a deep sigh." I promise I won't go looking for him anymore."

Gerald just nodded." Good."

Helga sighed as she cheeked her small pink watch on her right wrist. It had been a Christmas present from Miriam. It was small and cheap, but Helga was just happy her mother remembered to get her something.

"I'm gonna uh, head home for the day." Helga said as she gripped her pink backpack straps and walked past Gerald." You and Pheebs have fun today, okay?"

Gerald just simply nodded as he looked over his shoulder at her." We will."

…

'Oh come on Helga, how bad could breaking one lousy promise really be? I mean, sure you and Gerald are better friends now. And sure, this could possibly hurt your friendship with him if he finds out, but still! I need to keep trying. I need to find him!'

Helga Pataki walked down the steps to the subway. She needed to take the one that would bring her to the west side of town.

She hadn't explored much of the west side of town. It was where more of the rich population of the town resided. But, she knew that whoever this crazy maniac was, he was surely good at picking his spots to hide Arnold.

She took a seat on the dimly lit subway. The air inside wasn't cold, but it was cool enough to make a chill run down her back. She looked across the car and saw a couple sitting across from her. A small Hispanic lady with long black hair had her face nuzzled close to her boyfriend's chest. He was a tall, muscular, African American man. He had his arms around her as she seemed to sleep soundly on his chest.

Helga sighed and crossed her arms across her chest, huddling them close to her body to try and gain some warmth. She had on a pink rain jacket over her black long sleeve, but she was still fairly cold.

That's when her thoughts went back to Arnold.

Words couldn't describe how much she missed her muse. Her everything. She couldn't help but feel partly responsible for his disappearance. Maybe if she would have checked the abandoned building across the street, then maybe Arnold would be safe and back in her arms. But no, life isn't just that simple. It never is that simple.

She wouldn't believe he was dead, not yet at least. Everyone in the hallways looked at her like she was crazy. Like she was some kind of freak for believing her boyfriend was still alive. But she needed evidence. She needed some more to go off of.

She felt the train pull to a stop and looked up to see the doors opening. Quietly, she stepped off of the train and up to the busy streets above her.

Skyscrapers towered above her. It wasn't her first time in this part of town. One time when she was in fourth grade she had ventured into this part of town. Back when she was the official "It Girl" of Hillwood.

She stood in front of a huge clothing designer store. Inside, huge mink coats lined up the front window. The coats had prices ranging from eight thousand to twelve thousand dollars. She just rolled her eyes and muttered." Criminy."

After rolling her eyes one more time at the ridiculous sight of the over priced coats, she slowly started to make her way down the street.

The west part of town surely was nice, it had many nice skyscrapers, shops, and restaurants. However, the more blocks she started to pass around, the more homeless people she started to notice wandering the streets around her.

They didn't just give her warm smiles as she passed by either. They all looked at her with scowls on their faces. Almost like they were mad at her about something.

She was just a few blocks away from the subway when a pair of strong hands suddenly grabbed her and threw her into the nearby alleyway!

She looked up in fear at the huge mountain of a man that stood above her. He was an African American man with a large, black, and bushy beard.

He grabbed Helga by her collar and smiled at her with a toothy grin.

"You're all mine now." He said in a very low voice. Helga almost gagged. His breath smelled of sardines and alcohol. Not a good combination.

However, before the homeless man could do anything else to her, she heard the cocking of a gun behind him.

She suddenly felt her body drop to the ground with a loud THUD.

"Hey. L-look man. I-I'm sorry." The man spoke with fear in his tone.

"Anthony, my good friend, what did I tell you about messing with innocent women like that?" A very familiar voice finally responded.

"Y-you said not t-to do it."

"That's right. I don't like it." The stranger then pressed his gun barrel against the man's head." Now get out of here, before I waste you right here in this alleyway!"

Before Helga knew it, the crazy man had ran away, only to be replaced with someone else just as crazy.

Oh well, at least it was someone she somewhat trusted.

"Helga. You know it's dangerous for a pretty woman like you to be venturing the streets alone." Curly said with a smirk as she outstretched his right hand for Helga to grab ahold of.

"Shut up you sap." Helga said, rolling her eyes as she reached her hand to take his hand.

"What are you doing in this part of town?" Curly asked as he lifted her up with a grunt.

"Oh, you know. The normal." Helga replied as she dusted the dirt off of her jeans.

"Ah." Curly said as he fixed his glasses on his face." So, you're still looking for him?"

Helga rolled her eyes." Well doi!"

"Helga." Curly replied with a sigh." Maybe it's time to move on and accept what happened."

"Excuse me." Helga replied, looking offended." But, who do you think you're talking to? I'm Helga G Pataki. I never give up."

Curly sighed as he took a step away from her and fixed his glasses." Look, I'm just trying to help you out. We're friends and the last thing I want you to do is-"

"Listen." Helga said, cutting him off." I really appreciate your concern for me. But we aren't friends. We have barely talked since Arnold disappeared! So, I think I'm going to be on my way."

Sure, maybe she was a little harsh. But hell, it was Curly for crying out loud. He could handle it.

Curly just nodded as he crossed his arms across his chest." Okay, I understand. I was just trying to be friendly."

Helga scoffed a laugh as she walked past him." Since when did you act friendly?! You literally watched my father beat me one time!"

He just stared at her with a smirk on his face as she stormed past him.

"Listen to me!" She said, pointing a finger back at him." Just stay away out of my way bucko! I'm here for one thing and one thing only, to find Arnold! And I don't need your help!"

Satisfied with her response, she stormed away, leaving Curly all alone.

Curly angrily kicked the dirt beneath his sneakers. He suddenly felt a large presence form a shadow from behind him.

"Did it work boss?"

Curly turned around and stared at the mountain of a man. The same exact man who has just pretended to hurt Helga.

"No, it didn't." Curly replied, disappointment in his voice.

"Well, don't worry." Anthony replied back." I'm sure she'll come around."

Curly sighed, still looking at the ground in disappointment." I still don't see why she thinks that Arnold is still alive."

"Probably because he is alive." Anthony replied back, looking down at Curly with a toothy grin.

"You idiot." Curly said, looking up at Anthony with a smug look." I know that already! I just don't see why she still believes he is. Everyone else thinks he's dead!"

"Well, it was your choice to keep him alive." Anthony said, stating the obvious once again.

"I know this." Curly said, clearly annoyed now." I just need to change her mind."

"Well, what did you have in mind boss?" Anthony asked, curiosity in his tone.

Curly placed his right hand on his chin and looked up at the sky in thought." Well I might have something to my sleeve…"

…

Meanwhile…

"Gerald." Phoebe said from across his room. She was sitting in his comfy office chair while Gerald laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Yes baby?" Gerald asked, eyeing her to his right in interest.

"How did your talk with Helga go? You haven't mentioned anything about it since you two talked."

She didn't want to ask, but she did anyway. She knew that her friend was going through an extremely rough time. But hell, everyone else was too!

Gerald let out an audible sigh." She told me she'd stop looking for him, again." He said, sounding annoyed." I just wish she would see the truth. I mean, Arnold is gone. I miss him more than anyone else in the world."

He let out a shaky breath, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to run down his cheeks." But, Arnold is gone, Phoebe. Sure, there was no actual evidence of his body, but if he was alive, we would have heard from him by now. The police confirmed it themselves."

"Well." Phoebe said, crossing her legs and averting her eyes to the ground." What if Helga is right. What if Arnold really is alive. Maybe somebody is holding him captive and-"

"HEY LITTLE BRO! Guess who's coming home for the next two weeks?! I call dibs on your new skateboard!"

Gerald shot up from his bed, clearly annoyed." Jamie O!" Gerald shouted as he sat up from his bed.

"Come and catch me if you can, you little twerp!" Jamie O shouted back as he took off, away from Gerald's door.

"Gerald wait!" Phoebe yelled just as Gerald reached his bedroom door.

"I'm sorry babe." Gerald replied, shooting her a sour look." We can talk about this later!"

"But, I have to leave soon!" Phoebe yelled as Gerald suddenly opened his door.

"Well, we'll talk about it tomorrow!" Gerald shouted back, his voice now faint as he took chase after Jamie O.

…

"We are not friends!"

"Since when did you act friendly?!"

"Stay out of my way bucko!"

"I don't need your help!"

Her voice rang over and over in his head. He paced back and forth. The sewer he was located in, stank to high heaven. Thank goodness he had become used to the awful smell by now.

Of course he had hidden Arnold down in the sewers. It was the perfect place. After all, it was where he did all of his dirty work. No one ever came down here, the only living creatures he ever saw was the occasional rat that scampered by.

"Come on Curly." He mumbled to himself, rubbing his fingers through his long hair as he paced to his left.

"You can do this. Don't kill Arnold. Make him watch you steal his life away from him. Make his heart burn. Make him want to die." He mumbled to himself as he paced back to his right.

"Now you just gotta make Helga believe that he is dead. But how to do it…"

Suddenly an idea popped into his head. He suddenly looked to his right at the closed door.

He suddenly rushed at the door and unlocked it as fast as he could.

"Curly?" He heard Arnold ask him. He looked up to see the half naked boy looking at him with fear in his eyes.

"Why hello Arnold." Curly said with a sly smile now curving on his lips." I ran into your girlfriend today."

"You did?!" Arnold replied, sounding flabbergasted." What did you say to her?!"

Curly just sent him a sly smile back. Arnold suddenly stood up on his feet. All he could see through the dark light was the glare off of Curly's glasses.

"I didn't say much." Curly replied in a sly tone." Why would I tell her that you are still alive. She's going to be mine soon anyway."

"You keep on believing that, you son of a bitch!" Arnold said through his teeth as he took a step towards Curly. However, before he took another step, Curly suddenly jerked his pistol out of his pants and pointed it right at Arnold.

Curly knew his torture room would come in handy one day. He had this room set up many months ago. For whenever he would need to use it.

Curly suddenly fumbled with something in his left pocket. He brought out a small key ring. He suddenly cut his attention to the small table sitting to his right.

During this time, Arnold didn't move a muscle.

Curly took a key from the key ring and put it into one of the drawers on the top right. He turned the key over to the right and opened the drawer.

Once it was open, he grabbed a small article of clothing from inside.

"Oh, she'll be mine alright."

Before Arnold could respond Curly had shut the door, leaving Arnold all alone.

"Curly!" Arnold shouted into the dark." You get back here you son a bitch! You come ba-"

BLAM BLAM BLAM!

Arnold was quickly shut down by the muffled sound of gunshots. He quickly backed up, back to the cold stone wall behind him.

"Helga. Please be safe." He mumbled to himself as he felt his bare chest to feel his heart beating spastically.

…

"Yes Miriam, I am headed home!" Helga rolled her eyes to herself.

Yes, I'll be home in about thirty minutes! And yes, I love you too. Bye mom."

Helga was very thankful Miriam was still turning her life around, but sober Miriam really was a clingy mom.

Helga sighed to herself as she shoved her phone back into the pocket of her jeans. Another long day of searching for Arnold and yet, still nothing to show for.

Frustrated at the long day she had endured, she quickly got lost in her thoughts.' Maybe everyone is right. Maybe I am just crazy. Maybe Arnold actually is dead and maybe I should move on. Maybe I-'

She was quickly brought back down to reality when she suddenly kicked something with her foot.

She quickly looked down and felt her eyes widen in shock.

"Oh my God…"

She leaned down to pick it up. Her hand practically shook as she held the soft fabric in front of her.

It was Arnold's hat. However, it looked a little different. It looked different because it was covered in bullet holes.

Author's note: Finally! I have the first chapter of this story up and posted! I hope you guys enjoyed this! I was just trying to set up the vibe of this story with chapter. Don't worry. We'll go more in depth with Arnold's family next chapter!

Anyways, I'm really tired. I'm fixing to take go to sleep. So, once again, thank you everyone for making this story possible.

Don't forget to review and I'll see you guys next time!