A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I've been so busy, you know how those holiday school days go! But I'm back with another stormy chapter…No worries for all those who will probably not want to read this anymore, remember there will be a happy ending at the end of this, but we gotta hit up a few stormy days. Also please remember that there is a mystery and message involved with this whole ordeal. So if anyone figures it out, let me know! I might give prizes!
One of the things that I have found apparent in life is how unfair it can be. Sometimes it can be downright cruel and feel like it has its own vendetta against your existence whether you did something to deserve it or not. Once again, it sounds like I'm being dramatic, which makes sense I guess since most people tend to say that, as a result of things not going their way…But isn't it amazing how tragic events can happen so suddenly that either throw you off guard or change you forever in the twinkle of a moment? It can be as small as an unexpected rainy day, or…the tragic loss of a loved one that suddenly turns your life to sh**.
...How I wished it was just the rainy day in my case…
"Okay Halie, open wide for mama! And Philie! No knocking the spoon out of my hand this time!" Helga cooed as she fed a spoonful of baby food to her daughter, while making sure her son didn't swipe his hand at the spoon again. She suddenly heard the doors of the boarding house fly open as all the animals ran out.
"Did you need any help with those bags Stella?" Helga asked as she watched her mother-in-law stumble into the kitchen with an armful of groceries.
"Oh no sweetheart! That's okay, I got it." Stella smiled as she set them down on a nearby table.
"ONWARDS MY PRETTY MINIONS! MUAHAHAHA!"
"Mom?! What the-?! Ow! Gah Abner! Really?! I think I pulled something! Honey?!"
"Miles on the other hand…" Stella started with a sigh.
"No worries, I'm on it." Helga saluted and rushed to help Miles outside.
"Aw, isn't it exciting kids? Your daddy's going to be coming home today!" Stella cooed, watching the kids clap and smile in unison.
"Da-da!" They cheered from their high chairs.
"That's right! So make sure that you be good for mommy today! We have a lot to prepare for the welcome home party! Almost everyone in the whole city is going to be here! The whole family, the borders, daddy and mommy's friends, we even invited half of the Hillwood community including Harvey the mailman! So we're going to have so much fun today!" She continued as she finished feeding the twins.
"WHAT IN BLUE BLAZES?! STELLA?! WHAT IS THIS DIABOLICAL HELLISH MONSTROSITY THAT YOU BROUGHT INTO MY HOUSE?!" Phil shouted in horror as he searched through the grocery bags.
"They're raspberries dad. For the cobbler I'm making later for the party?" Stella raised an eyebrow at her father-in-law.
"WHAT ARE YA MAD?! YOU'LL KILL US ALL!" Phil shouted once more.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh here we go again…I never understood just what your problem is with raspberries! They're very healthy for you! Are you allergic or something?" Stella put her hands on her hips.
"IT'S A MURDER CONSPIRACY I TELL YA! A MURDER CONSPIRACY!" He exclaimed running around the house while flailing his arms.
"Oh don't mind him. He's just being dad." Miles smiled as he limped into the kitchen.
"Honey! Are you alright? What happened?" Stella asked with concern as she watched her husband limp to a chair.
"It was raining cats and dogs out there…In more ways than one…" Miles mumbled.
Stella blinked in confusion.
"He tripped over Abner and his animal gang pulling Gertie on her skateboard as he went up the stairs." Helga explained bluntly as she carried the rest of the groceries inside.
"Ah, makes sense." Stella nodded as she went to fetch her first aid kit.
"Criminy…Then again, it does look like it's going to pour down anytime…That's just great! So much for throwing a perfect party in perfect weather!" Helga grumbled.
"Don't worry about it dear. We'll improvise. Besides, considering who's coming home today I don't think anything can ruin this day for us." Stella smiled. Helga smiled back and nodded in excitement. Once she was alone, she pulled out her locket and swooned.
"Oh my love! The day has finally come upon us at last! We shall be reunited again! How long I have waited for this moment my dearest! The nights have been so cold, and the days so waning without you. But alas, today will be the day where it all changes! A moment where we both receive a comforting revelation. For you, it is the validation of breaking a torturous cycle of history, and for me, it is the validation that nothing will ever set us apart again. Our family will forever be complete my darling!" She hugged her locket to her chest. "…And you better have brought back something good while you were there Bucko. I got some clients there who loved my shrines and promised to pay me as soon as you arrived…"
She put her locket away and continued to help everyone prepare for the party.
"I await for you anxiously my love…"
Meanwhile…
Roberto and Maria rushed out of the lair and into the nearby getaway car, pressured more than ever as time worked against them as the bomb continued to countdown, but feeling more than relieved and hopeful to finally escape the chaos.
"How much time to do we have?" Roberto asked briskly as he scrambled to put the keys into the ignition.
"Less than 5 minutes left! We did it Roberto! Our people are free!" Maria breathed as she strapped on her seat belt.
"Well, no celebrating yet, we need to hurry and get out of this warzone before it explodes!"
Maria nodded anxiously, but then paused as she looked in the back seat to find it empty. "Wait a minute…where's Arnold?!"
"He was just with us a few minutes ago! Wasn't he right behind you?" Roberto asked with concern.
"HE WAS BUT HE'S NOT WITH US NOW! WE'VE GOT TO GO BACK FOR HIM!" Maria quickly undid her seat belt and flew out of the car, before Roberto could protest otherwise.
She ran as fast as she could, calling out for him. "ARNOLD?! ARNOLD! HEY ARNOLD?! WHERE ARE YOU?! ¡¿dónde estás?! (Where are you?!)"
she searched high and low, before she found herself back in the basement's entryway. Her eyes widened in horror at what she saw.
"ARNOLD!" She screamed and rushed to where she found her friend on the ground, bleeding heavily, and barely breathing as he struggled to drag himself out to meet her.
"M-mar…ria…" He gasped weakly as he groaned, not able to move any further.
"MARIA WHAT THE-?! ARNOLD!" Roberto cried as he also ran to meet his fallen friend. "WHAT THE FU** HAPPENED?!" He panicked as he and Maria tried to help, him only for their hands to be covered in blood.
"H-HE'S HURT! T-THAT BASTARDO M-MUST HAVE SHOT HIM WHEN WE WEREN'T L-LOOKING!" Maria cried bitterly as she looked behind to find Los Diablo's corpse next to the fallen gun.
"SH**! He's already lost way too much blood! I'm putting enough pressure to stop the bleeding, but we need to get him out of here and to a hospital! NOW!" Roberto explained.
"ARNOLD?! Arnold can you hear me?! Stay with me here please! Arnold?!" Maria cried.
"…Cold…I-I'm cold…Why is it…s-so c-c-cold?" Arnold murmured sluggishly as he shivered.
she cursed under her breath in Spanish as more tears filled her eyes. "Stay with us Arnold! W-we're going to get you h-help! Please just stay with us!"
"Maria help me hold him up!" Roberto ordered, trying to stay strong as he was on the verge of breaking down with Maria as she struggled to keep Arnold conscious.
"A-are y-you c-crazy?! I-if w-we touch him like this in such a f-fragile s-state w-won't it only make things worse?! W-we need to get him hel-"
"-IF WE DON'T MOVE HIM THIS PLACE WILL EXPLODE AND HE WILL NOT ONLY DIE, WE WILL DIE AS WELL!" Roberto shouted.
The two Green-Eyed friends then worked to lift Arnold up, rushed out of the facility, and into the getaway car where Roberto pounded on the gas pedal and drove away before the entire lair suddenly combusted into flames. The impact made him swerve off of the dirt road and into a nearby jungle river. The two quickly made their way out of the vehicle, while still carrying the bleeding football headed man and made it onto the dry land, where Roberto cursed loudly at their fate; knowing that his efforts of making it to the hospital on time were ultimately foiled.
"Arnold?! ARNOLD?! A-are y-you st-still with us?! Please say something! A-anything!" Maria coughed through her cries.
"H-Helga...P-Philip…H-Halenie…M-my family…Please…I-I need to s-see them...I-I need t-to t-tell th-them…P-please…take me to them…please…" Arnold strained while coughing violently.
"W-we will Arnold…W-we will! Y-you're going to see your wife again! Y-you're going to see them all again! W-we're going to get you help, and y-you're going to be okay! I pr-promise…Just stay with us please! Please!" Maria cried, trying to sound reassuring as she held his hand.
"M-my…b-backpack…h-has….m-my j-journal…inside…Y-you h-have to g-give it t-to m-my wife…Letters…there…For them…In…incase…I…I di…didn't…m-make it…" He slurred.
"DON'T TALK LIKE THAT! I-I Just sent an emergency distress signal! T-there are people that are of our clan nearby! T-they are responding now! We're going to get you help mi amigo! Y-you're going to make it!" Roberto cried kneeling down next to Maria.
"Yes! Y-you see Arnold? T-there's hope! Y-you're going to be okay! T-there's a bright side in this! Y-you just have to keep looking at it. Keep…looking on the bright side l-like always…Right?" Maria and Roberto tried to smile with reassurance as tears continued to pour down their faces.
"Y-you two…were always...good…friends…" Arnold tried to smile through the pain. "T-take…c-care of the G-Green Eyed people…a-and…each other…You two… belong…together…always had…"
"Arnold…" They both cried softly as they held each other's hand. Arnold coughed up more blood, straining to continue.
"And...Gerald…and my other friends…my mom…my dad…Grandpa…Grandma…my family…my…" He coughed again.
"Arnold please! S-save y-your strength! The Green Eyes are on their way now! I-I can hear them!" Roberto pleaded.
Arnold managed to shake his head, as he used his remaining strength to tightly grasp onto their already clenched hands.
"My…wife…and my baby boy and girl…Please…help…t-take…care of them too…" Arnold pleaded, waiting for them to reassure him, only for them to hesitate. As if doing so, would finalize…everything that was about to happen. They sobbed even more, but nodded in unison.
"Nosotros prometemos! (We promise)" They murmured.
"Th-thank you…" Arnold smiled weakly, ignoring the tears that streamed down his cheeks. "And…Helga…please…tell her…that I love her…and that I'm s-sorry…I broke…our promise…tell them all…that I love…them…" He breathed as his dreary yet hopeful green eyes closed and his body went limp.
"Arnold…Arnold?! ARNOLD?! NO NO NO NO NO! STAY WITH US! OPEN YOUR EYES! PLEASE! ARNOLD?!" Maria cried and then screamed once he failed to respond. Roberto held onto the broken girl, but cried all the more with her as their friend remained lifeless before them.
Finally, the medical team arrived and examined the Football headed man, only to later shake their heads as they validated Roberto and Maria's worst fears.
"I am sorry mi señor…He is gone…"
Meanwhile…
Stella was humming happily as she put up streamers on the doors, when she suddenly paused with a frown putting a hand up to her chest. "Hm…That's strange…"
"You alright mom?" Helga asked softly as she held the ladder steady.
"Y-yeah…I guess…Phil had a point after all about the raspberries…I must have taste tested too much that's all…" Stella tried to laugh it off.
"LIKE I SAID A MURDER CONSPIRACY!" Phil yelled from upstairs.
"Why don't you take a break for a moment? I can handle the decorations. You go rest." Helga suggested.
"A-are you sure? There's still a lot that needs to get done and the guests should be arriving at any moment now."
"All the more reason to put their butts to work then. Don't worry, we'll handle it." Helga smirked.
"Okay, I think I'll go check up on Arnold. Maybe they're already on their way."
"Okay. Good luck, I tried earlier but I didn't get a response…In fact, I got one of those 'the number you dialed has been disconnected' messages. How weird is that? I mean I just bought him that phone not too long ago, so it can't be disconnected. I figured it was because of his location or something…" Helga frowned.
"That is strange…Well, luckily I've got other numbers to try." Stella replied.
Helga nodded. "Well, let me know if ya hear anything."
Stella nodded and went upstairs.
Helga waited for her to be out of sight, before she put a hand to her chest in worry, despising the strange feeling she also felt.
"Criminy…where are you Arnold?"
Once she made it upstairs, Stella pulled out her phone and dialed her son's number only to hear a disconnect message. She tried other numbers that would connect her to the sacred Green Eyes, but received no response.
The strange feeling returned.
"That's odd…The ceremony should have been over by now. What could possibly be going on?"
Somewhere in the hidden plains of the jungle, a sacred city filled with the entire Green Eyed clan wept and cried bitterly as their newest leader addressed them with all the events that had happened; including the death of their chosen one. Roberto struggled to keep up a professional front, as tears streamed down his face during his speech. Maria, not faring any better, translated for him as she stood by his side, both dressed in sacred yet highly appointed apparel for the occasion.
"My people…Today Maria and I join you with our hearts filled with sadness. Although a tragedy has been avoided with our people being rid of the severe threat to our clan's existence, an even greater tragedy has occurred…the death of our ultimate leader and the one that held a sacred place in all of our hearts, souls, and custom…The chosen one himself, a-and our closest friend, Arnold Philip Shortman…Rather than celebrate our newly found freedom, or even the coronation of my leadership, we shall all be in a time of mourning for the Chosen one and his loved ones as we now prepare to return him unto his home, and let his family have the honor in preparing his burial. Please take the time to give your respects accordingly. We leave in an hour…"
Everyone made no hesitation to line up and place their flowers, sacred treasures, and other ornaments that held value into the coffin that contained their lifeless leader.
"Wow! You weren't kidding when you said you had everything handled Helga! The decorations look wonderful!" Stella smiled as she saw the boarding house covered in streamers and balloons, and the tables covered in delicious baked goods and meals. After receiving a message from a Green Eyed member recently, informing her of her son's arrival, but getting disconnected again before she could hear anything else, she felt more at ease and ready to celebrate with everyone else.
"Yep. Like I said, no sweat. Though I did have some pretty handy help." Helga smiled back as she bumped her shoulder up against Phoebe who giggled next to her husband who just rolled his eyes with a smile as he held their giggling baby daughter.
"We're more than happy to help Helga!" Phoebe chirped.
"Psh! Speak for yourself babe. But hey, if it's for my main man, then I'm down for pitching in too." Gerald smirked.
"HEY HELGA?! WHEN DO WE GET TO EAT SOME GRUB?! AW MAN I'M SO HUNGRY!"
"Yeah I reckon you've been workin' us like Glue boy the mule since we dun got here!"
"Last I checked, it was the host and or hostess that was in charge of assembling a party. NOT THE GUESTS!"
"AH PIPE DOWN YA NINNIES! You'll be done when I say you'll be done! If you're gonna' have any part of this shindig, then you're gonna' pitch in to help put it together! Simple as that! What you didn't actually think that you were just gonna' eat and slouch around for the he** of it did you?" Helga scowled at Harold, Stinky, and Rhonda as they complained while helping to set up the party.
"HE** YEAH I THOUGHT THAT! THAT'S WHAT PARTIES ARE FOR HELGA! MAN HOW DUMB CAN YOU GET?!" Harold complained as he continued to slice up a bunch of cold cut meat for sandwiches.
"Ignore my husband Helga…We don't mind pitching in at all isn't that right Ethan? Daddy's just being a big fat grump." Patty cooed as she her baby son clapped in amusement.
"HEY! I'M NOT FAT! Okay, so I accidently broke the gym weighing scale last week. Just let it go already woman!" Harold grumbled under his breath.
"I agree with Patty! We are just ever so happy to help out in any way we can Helga! Isn't that right dear?" Lila smiled at her monotone sounding husband while helping to take a cake out of the oven with the other women of the gang.
"Yeah." Arnie replied with a snort.
"Helga dear? Where is your family? Aren't they coming too?" Stella asked as she looked around.
"Well, Olga would have but she had some fancy premier to attend in London at the last minute so…" Helga shrugged.
"…And your parents? Won't they be joining us?" Stella tried gently.
"No. Hey have you seen Phil and Hal?" Helga replied shortly, changing the subject without hesitation. Before Stella could say anything, however, Miles came into the room, holding the twins.
"Well looks like we're just about set up here Helga! Everyone's accounted for, all our friends, family, borders, and even half of the community. We've got just about everything we need…" Miles started.
"…Except?" Helga raised an eyebrow.
"Ice. I kind of forgot that as a last minute thing at the store…" Miles rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh Criminy...Ok no big deal. I'll make a quick run to the store and be back in no time. Halie? Philie? Wanna' come with mommy on an adventure?" Helga smiled at her children.
"Yay! Venture!" They clapped in unison.
"Okay, let's get going. Get your coats on, it looks like it's going to rain!" Helga advised as she helped her twins with their rain coats and left the house.
Not too soon after they left, Stella heard the doorbell ring. Thinking that it was Arnold at the door, she nearly squealed for everyone to get to their places and shout surprise, only to open the door and find the new leader of the Green Eyed people and Maria standing with their heads down, along with half of the Green Eyed people disguised to fit in with the American culture, but wore their sacred emblems around their necks. She and Miles frowned immediately, knowing something was not right; especially with the men that were carrying something that looked heavy, but it seemed to be covered up so they could not tell what it was.
Roberto sighed as he finally looked up. "Señor Miles… Señora Stella…I am afraid that we come with bad news…"
"Criminy! I can NOT believe how long that line was! I was just trying to get some dumb da** ice! Why did everyone and their mother decide to show up in the checkout line when I just needed it for one simple thing?!" Helga scowled as she pushed the stroller with her sleeping twins and the bag of ice around the corner, coming closer to the boarding house when she suddenly heard the sounds of piercing screaming and crying like a crescendo all at once.
It was a horrifying sound indeed; like the sound of agony, mourning, and death all at the same time…
She hurried into the house with the stroller, her children now awake and crying from being woken out of their nap. What she saw, was even more horrifying.
Everyone was crying.
The men of the gang were silent as tears streamed down their faces, as if trying to be strong for the women of the gang, most of them being their wives or significant others save for Gerald, as he sobbed uncontrollably in his wife's arms. Even Arnie, still holding the emotionless expression on his face, looked down with tears escaping his eyes as he held his sobbing wife. The borders surrounded Miles and Stella, as Miles held his hysteric wife, being only seconds away from breaking down himself. Phil and Gertie just held each other in the corner, shoulders shaking as they sobbed silently. Finally, Helga turned her eyes to see the Green Eyed members huddled together over something in the center of the room. Maria walked up to Helga and hugged her.
"Helga…I-I'm so sorry…"
"Ma-Maria? W-what the fu** is going on here?! What happened?! Why is everyone crying?!" Helga asked clearly shaken up from everything.
"Your husband…attended Elder's funeral with us…But there was an ambush at the ceremony. We thought it was from La Sambra's followers, but it was much worse…It was his son himself…Los Diablos. He killed a good half of our tribe a-and had a vendetta against Arnold who offered to go with him if he would cease the massacre. He captured him and Maria and…tortured them in unspeakable ways meaning to only keep them alive until after his big plan to wipe out our entire clan and take our treasures and gosh knows what else…He also captured more of our people and held them captive. He had men on the inside of every law enforcement, medical, and travel facility and cut off all communication to where we could not reach out for any help whatsoever…Those who have tried…were killed instantly by the generations…but…Arnold did not lose hope. He devised a plan to take control from the inside and managed to set our people free and stop Los Diablos and his men at the same time…But it was not without a cost…He was prepared to kill Diablos, but Maria did it before he could…However…before taking his last dying breath…Los Diablos…shot him…We did everything we could to save him but…to no avail…" Roberto explained.
"He…he made us promise to help take care of you and your family…We owe it to him…our lives…And he wanted us to give this to you as well…" Maria handed Helga the journal as she just stared in shock as if she was just existing. "He said for us to tell you that he was sorry…for breaking his promise…and that he loves you…That he loves your children…and everyone here…" Maria cried.
Helga continued to stare into nothing as her lips trembled. "…Where is he?" She whispered. "DA**IT WHERE IS HE NOW?! IS-IS HE IN THE HOSPITAL?! IS HE IN CRITICAL CONDITION?! I WANT TO SEE HIM! TAKE ME TO HIM NOW! PLEASE! WHERE IS MY HUSBAND?!" Helga screamed in hysterics.
Roberto and Maria moved out of the way, making the covered coffin come into view.
Helga's eyes widened even more as tears filled her blue eyes. As if in a trance, she walked up to the coffin and removed its cover only to find the body of the man who had always been her true love since the tender age of three...
"I'm sorry Señora…Please know that he died with the highest honor…as a hero…" Roberto finished.
Helga failed to catch her breath.
She wanted to scream.
She wanted to cry with the others…
But the loss was too much…
She could not process what was before her…
She felt sick…
She felt dizzy…
The whole world was spinning and wouldn't stop…
Time kept moving as if nothing happened…
Her eyes then rolled back in her head as she met blackness.
Wife…
Managed to stabilize…
Matter of time…
Hopefully it will be soon…