Hello everyone, thank you for reading my second book sequel to Arnold's greatest treasure.
This is a very special chapter, I personally loved it, even if its sad news. Here it is.
Silence pain.
All those years he imagine the day his parents would walked through the front door of the boarder house or coming home from school to find them seating in the living room. But never Eduardo. He knew who Eduardo was and how he look like from the pictures, but he never imagine the day, he was going to show up at the boarder house much less eighteen years later after his parents departure.
His mind went blank the moment he saw Eduardo. All those thoughts he had, wondering why his grandfather had called him, disappeared. Arnold was stepping in to new ground, he didn't know what to expect or how he was going to react to what he was about to hear.
"Por Dios Arnold, you're a full grown young man and you look so much like...your parents." Said Eduardo looking straight at Arnold with sad eyes.
Arnold was still stunned his eyes wide staring at Eduardo. For the first time in his life he didn't know what to say. He imagine hundreds of times how it was going to be, the day when he finally visits San Lorenzo and all the questions he would ask Eduardo to know what happen to his parents and now that Eduardo was in-front of him, in his living room, he didn't know what to say.
"Arnold you better seat down. Let's all seat down." Said the grandmother.
Arnold sat on the sofa chair still quiet and shocked. His mind was trying to process the fact that Eduardo was there for a reason and maybe the reason was not pleasant.
His grandfather stared at him scratching his head. "Oh boy, how do I began...Arnold. Eduardo came all the way from San Lorenzo to...bring us news about...your parents"
News of your parents, those were the key words that jumped start his heart again. Arnold's breathing became heavy, his hands felt cold and sweaty. He was trying to look steady but it felt impossible trying to hide his accelerated chest. His grandmother stood up and walked next to Arnold and place her hands on his shoulders for comfort and support. His grandfather leaned closer to Arnold and grabbed his hands and said.
"Arnold, your parents remains have been found...Apparently they died, many years ago."
Arnold felt a cold chill all over his body, his world had stop for a moment. He knew the possibility of his parents being alive was almost impossible, but still he had hope. He leaned forward placing his hands on his head, with his elbows resting on his knees as he was facing down with his eyes shut, taking in the devastated news.
"Arnold we are here for you" Said his grandmother as she was rubbing his shoulders.
After a minute Arnold stood up and walked a couple of steps away from his grandparents, with his hands over his head.
"But...how do you know the remains found are my parents?"
Eduardo stood up and walked up to Arnold. "We found them wearing their green eye medallions and...your father's wallet was next to the body." Eduardo handed Arnold his father's wallet. As he opened the wallet he saw the picture of his parents holding him as a baby during his one year old birthday party.
Arnold's eye began to water "I need some air" he walked out of the boarding house quickly with his father's wallet in his hand.
Arnold POV
The news of my parents death was too much for me. I had to walk out and feel the breeze on my face. I wanted to cry and yell, but I felt more rage than sorrow for knowing after so many years there bodies were finally found. The moment I saw the wallet I knew it belong to him, the texture, the color it was his wallet. I held it, once it was his, now in my hands. I felt so much anger knowing that's the only thing it came back to me. For so long in the back of my mind, I knew they were probably never coming back. Still nothing prepared me for this. The reality of their death hit me like a thousand knifes in my heart, the agony of this silent pain was suffocating me.
My parents, are...dead. Why!? What happen to them? How did they die? Where were there remains found? Was La Sombra involve in their death? Eduardo must know. I looked up at the stars and said "I won't rest, till I get to the bottom of this, I promise Dad."
He walked back to the boarding house feeling a cold emptiness in his chest with his fists shut in rage and walked up to Eduardo who was talking to his grandfather.
"Eduardo tell me everything!Where were there bodies found!?How did they die and who did this to them!?...And why, weren't you with them when they die!?" Arnold step closer to Eduardo with tears in his eyes. "YOU TOOK MY PARENTS FROM ME...AND THIS IS ALL YOU BRING BACK!"
His grandfather stood up and embraced him. "Arnold calm down, it's not Eduardo's fault he tried everything to help your parents and be with them. He has always been a good friend to your father. You can't blame him for their death."
"Here Arnold, try drinking this hot tea it will help you ease your mind, please seat down." said the grandmother.
Arnold sat again on the sofa chair, he was quiet for a minute trying to mitigate his broken heart. Finally, he began sipping the hot tea trying to calm down and think. His eyes were shut as he was gulping trying to swallow the pain.
Eduardo leaned close to Arnold and said."I'm so sorry Arnold, for your parents death. If I could change the past I would. The Red Cross and myself personally looked for your parents for months. After a year everyone gave up, but I didn't...Miles was my friends and so was your mother. I couldn't give up on them, till I found them. I know it took me almost twenty years but I couldn't rest knowing their only son needed closure and answers." Eduardo exhaled. "Your parents when to the hiding village of the green eye people to help them find a cure for the deadly sickness. Your parents found a cure and saved a lot of lives...The outsiders are strictly forbidden to see the green eye village. The green eyes trusted your parents and for that reason, I had to separate from them. Next thing I knew, they were missing."
Arnold wiped his tears and tried to understand again why his parents left in the first place and all this time, Eduardo never gave up on finding them.
"I'm sorry Eduardo for acting the way I did."said Arnold ashamed of himself looking down.
Eduardo lay his hand on his shoulder."Hey, you don't have to apologize, you're right to be angry and sad."
"Thanks Eduardo. Do you thing La Sombra had anything to do with their death?"
"I don't know for certain my friend. But, if he was I will find out and will try my best to bring justice to your parents name."
Arnold looked up to Eduardo. "Thank you for everything you have done for my parents."
"Miles did a lot more for me. He saved my life more than once when we were exploring the jungle together, it's the least I can do, for his son."
Arnold smile softly, Eduardo's kind words gave him some comfort but still it wasn't enough.
"Arnold, the Red Cross morgue won't release your parents remains or issue a death certificate till a family member can claim them. I don't know if you can come to San Lorenzo to sign off their death certificates so that we can give them proper burial."
"I'll come." Said Arnold without hesitation.
"Wait Shortman, we should talk about this first." Said the Grandpa worried.
Eduardo stood up from the sofa."I'll give you a day to think Arnold. I'll be going back to San Lorenzo tomorrow evening. The organization your parents work for, granted two plane tickets one for you and for whom ever you wish to bring along. Here's the number to the hotel I'll be staying tonight. Talk it over with your grandparents and let me know... oh and before I forget, I have something else for your Arnold."
Eduardo open his bag and pulled out two medallion."Here, this belong to your parents. It was given to them by the green eye people. This medallions represent trust, friendship and something else, I forgot...Well that's what your father told me, long ago. And now they're yours."
Arnold sighed "My father wrote about this medallion on his journal, he said it's a symbol of trust, friendship, unity and love. They're suppose to be worn by a unified couple."
"That's right Arnold, do you still have your father's journal?"
"Yes" Arnold answered
"Is there a map inside the journal by chance?" Asked Eduardo
"There is a map inside the journal."
Eduardo's eye widened "Really. Que bueno. That is good news, maybe the map can help us find the truth to what happen to your parents. If you decide to come Arnold, make sure you bring the map with you."
"I will. Thanks Eduardo."
After Eduardo left the boarder house. Arnold was left standing in the hallway looking down at the medallions.
"Arnold, we can't force you not to go to San Lorenzo but. Your grandma and I believe it's too dangerous for you to go."
He put on his father's medallion and look at his grandfather in the eyes. "I'm sorry grandpa. My mind is set, I'm going, I need to give my parents a proper burial and I need to know what happen to them."
His grandparents looked at each other fearful for Arnold and for what dangerous could await for him in San Lorenzo. "Well, take the night and try to get some sleep and think it over. Will talk about this again in the morning Shortman."
Arnold went up to his room and pulled out his father's journal from his desk drawer. He opened the journal like he has done hundreds of times. He almost knew by heart his father's notes and drawings.
"I know my grandparents are worried but I have to go, maybe the dream I had was a premonition, I still don't understand what is the meaning of that rock in my dreams... and did that had anything to do with my parents death."
Arnold kept thinking over and over again, what could had happen to his parents that cause them to die. If they were in danger, if so, from whom and the meaning of the dream. Suddenly his phone alert him. It was a text from Helga. He saw the time and it was 10:00pm.
'Hey Football Head, I'm worry, how's everything? Remember you're not alone, you have me forever and always.'
Arnold exhaled reading her text . Her words brought him courage and hope.
'I have to see you Helga...tonight'
'Of course how do you want us to meet?'
'I'll pick you up in the truck, I'll text you once I'm outside' - Arnold
'How soon will you be here?' - Helga
'I'm leaving the boarder house right now'
'Is everything okay?' - Helga
'I have to look in to your eyes. I love you'- Arnold
'I love you too, I'll be waiting for you' - Helga
Notes:
Poor Arnold, his heart is broken and his grandparents are right for being afraid to let Arnold go to San Lorenzo.
So what do you think about this chapter?
Till next one