A/N: I can't believe I got this chapter done so quickly! This probably won't be common, just warning you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold!

Berlin 1942

Apparently a lot can go wrong, Helga thought while sitting on a park bench. Seven years have gone by since her and Arnold admitted their secret. As their normal lives continued with military training and homemaking skills, they continued to congregate weekly to go over the ridiculousness of the Third Reich. They became close as time went on.

Then the war began and changed everything. Four years later, Helga went to the boarding house after Germany invaded Poland and found the building abandoned. She ran around looking for a letter indicating where he could have gone. She found a piece of paper in what was his room.

Helga,

By the time you read this letter, I'll be gone. I can't tell you why or where I've gone, but know that this is for your own safety. Don't give in to them, Helga. We both know the truth and that it will get worse before it gets better. I know this isn't what you planned, but please have faith in me. I don't know if we will ever see each other again, but I know I will miss you. Take care, and good luck.

Arnold

Helga clutched the letter to her chest. Warm teardrops fell down her cheeks as she curled up. She spent the night in his room. The next day she made her promise to Arnold. She won't let them bring her down. She will remain strong, and by doing so, she refused to marry anyone part of the Nazi party.

The next three years were filled with triumph in Germany. Their regime stretched all throughout Europe, with the help of Italy and Japan. All the Jews were relocated into ghettos or prison camps. Helga struggled with the joys that surround her from knowing this. She still had to keep a smile on her face in school and the League, but when she came home, she would write out her frustrations.

Despite all that happened, she was not expecting the news she received a few days ago. Helga was in her room writing when she heard her father yelling. "Olga! Get down here!"

"Criminy, I'm coming! And it's Helga!" She closed her journal and hid it under her pillow. She descended the staircase into the room where her parents were sitting. Well, Bob was sitting. Miriam was passed out on the floor. "Now what's going on?"

"Well, Olga-"

"Helga, Dad."

"Yeah, whatever. Well, the reason I called you down here is because we're moving to Poland."

Helga fell into a chair, her eyes widening. "Poland? Why are we going to Poland? What is there in Poland?"

"I'm being stationed at the Auschwitz camp. It's outside of Krakow. The camp will soon be bringing in Jews for removal, and I am to help run the facility."

Helga's stomach twisted into knots. She knew what he meant by that. So many innocents will be killed. She didn't know if she could handle being so close to that. But she couldn't admit it, especially to her father.

"That's… great, Dad." Helga's strained "But I'm not sure if me going to Poland is best."

"Are you engaged?" Bob asked.

"No, Bob, I'm not," muffled Helga in her hands.

"Then you're coming to Poland."

"But what about Phoebe?" Helga asked. "Does her father know about this?" Phoebe came to live with Helga's family after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor a few months ago. She couldn't take that the two countries she cared for were at war with one another, so she convinced her father and the Pataki's to live with them.

"The little China girl can come along, too. I will let her dad know."

"She's Japanese, Bob. Crimping, how do you not know our own allies?" Helga stated, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. "So when are we going to Auschwitz?"

"At the end of the week. So get packing, little lady."

"Helga, you are going to have so much fun in Poland," Miriam slurred. "Where are my glasses?"

"They're on your head, Mother."

Miriam touched her head. "Oh, that's where I left them. I'm going to get a juice."

"Beer is not juice, Miriam." Helga stood up. "I'm going to start packing and tell Phoebe the news." She went upstairs and told her half-Japanese friend about the move. Phoebe felt uncomfortable as well being so close to the "removal" of Jews, but knew she can't go back to Japan. She received a letter from her father saying that it's not safe for her to be in Japan. The girls embraced, supporting each other through this difficult time.

And so Helga sat on the park bench, going through all the changes over the years. In two days, she will be leaving her home and going to Poland. She pulled out her locket. Staring back at her was a sixteen year old Arnold. It was the more recent picture of him before he left. She grazed her thumb over his picture. Oh, my love, I'm so grateful you don't have to see this. While the world around me cheers, my world crumbles. But I refuse to give in to them. They cannot have me. Only you can, my darling. I hope one day we can meet again.

"Hey, Helga," a small voice interrupted her thoughts. Helga looked up to see her best friend standing in front of her.

"Hey, Pheebs," replied Helga. "What are you doing here?"

"Your dad sent me. He wants you to get flour for bread."

"It figures," Helga scoffed. "Did he give you any rations?"

"No, he didn't," Phoebe replied meekly.

"Of course he didn't." Helga stood up. "Come on, I know where we can get some."

"Where?" Phoebe asked following her friend.

"We're going to see Stinky."

"I'm sorry, who?" Phoebe looked at Helga with a confused look.

"Stinky is someone who I used to go to school with. His family owns a farm outside the city. Some of their crops are sent to the market, but the rest is sold in their little shop in town."

"Well, why do they sell it in the market and their store? Why not just in their store?"

Helga inhaled a deep breath and looked around to see if anyone was listening. "Because," she whispered, "their store is a private store. It's not well known."

Phoebe's eyes widened behind her glasses and her jaw dropped. "Helga! You can't mean we're getting flour from the-" Helga's hand clasped over Phoebe's mouth and gave her an 'it-is-what-you-think-but-don't-say-it-out-loud' look.

"Not so loud, Pheebs!" Helga hissed. "Do you want the soldiers to hear us?" Phoebe shook her head. Helga slowly released her hand away. "You have to keep quiet about this."

"I'm sorry, Helga," whispered Phoebe, "but isn't this illegal? I mean, it's not a registered store!"

"It's only illegal if you get caught, which we won't. I've been there several times, and Stinky gives me a good price since it we grew up together and we share similar views."

"What do you mean?"

"His best friend was Harold. Do you remember me telling you about him?" Phoebe nodded. "Well, they used to be inseparable. Then when Harold left school, Stinky was distraught. Arnold would comfort him and on occasion, he would join us for our meetings."

"That's so sad," Phoebe replied. "And no one knows where Harold went?"

"Nope. We don't know where Patty or Eugene went either."

"And still no word from Arnold?" asked the dark haired girl.

Helga sighed. "Still no. Haven't heard from him since he left." Helga kicked a pebble down the road.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." Phoebe patted her blonde friend.

"Don't worry about it. Come on, Stinky's place is right here." Helga pointed to the building in front of them. Phoebe was about enter the door when Helga pulled her down the alleyway. "It's this way, actually." They walked down the alley to a side door. Helga knocked on it. A tall man with a pointy nose and brown hair appeared in the doorway.

"Hi there, Miss Helga. What brings you here today?" the man asked.

"Hey, Stinky. I'm in need of some flour. Do you have any in stock?"

"Sure do. Who's your friend?"

"Oh, sorry. This is Phoebe. Phoebe, this is Stinky." The little girl bowed as Stinky waved his hand.

"Well, come on in," Stinky moved to the side and let the girls inside. The room was filled with shelves with various products inside. Stinky moved to the shelf with the flour. "Will this be all for you ladies?"

"Yep, this is it," Helga replied. "And I hate to say it but this will be the last time I'll be coming here."

"How come?"

"Big Bob is moving us to Poland. He got a job working at Auschwitz and we have to leave in two days."

"Well, it's a shame to be losing your business, but I do know a guy who works around that area. His name is Sid Gifaldi. He has connections all over Poland. Mention my name and he will take care of you."

Helga looked at him. "How much is this going to cost?"

"Consider it a going away present," Stinky smirked. "The flour as well."

Helga looked at him and smiled. "This is why I'm going to miss you, Stinky. Hey, have you heard anything about Harold?"

Stinky frowned. "I'm afraid not, Miss Helga. I haven't heard anything about Arnold either." Helga nodded disappointingly. "But if I hear anything, I'll make sure Sid lets you know."

"And I'll make sure to do the same for you," Helga reciprocated. Stinky wrote down Sid's address and gave it to Helga along with the flour. "Thanks for everything, Stinky. I can't believe I'm going to admit this, but I'm going to miss you. And if you tell anyone, I'll rearrange your face."

"I'll miss you, too." Stinky lightly hugged her. "It's been a pleasure. And it's been a pleasure meeting you, Miss Phoebe."

"Same with you, Stinky," replied Phoebe.

"Bye, Stinky." Helga and Stinky waved each other goodbye while the two girls left the building. The girls cautiously looked around at the outside of the alley and nonchalantly walked back onto the street. "Well, that was Stinky."

"He seems nice. And it was helpful for him to get you that information. I'm sure that will help when we go to Poland."

"Who's going to Poland?" a deep voice asked behind them. They spun around to see a large, hulking man towering over them. He had blonde hair in a crew cut, wearing a Nazi uniform. "Hey, Pigtails. Phoebe."

"Wolfgang," Helga gritted through her teeth. Ever since Arnold disappeared, Wolfgang had been trying to court Helga, with no avail. He would call her 'Pigtails' because she refused to wear them in braids like every other German girl. "As a matter of fact, Phoebe and I are leaving for Poland in two days."

"Ah, I see. Well, that gives me to try and propose one more time," Wolfgang grinned widely.

"Ugh, seriously? I've been telling you for the past three years I'm not interested. How many times do I have to say it before it enters your thick head?" Helga scowled, poking at his chest.

"No insulting names this time?" Wolfgang feigned surprise. "I guess I'm wearing you down."

Helga's hand was starting to curl up into a fist when Phoebe chimed in. "Excuse us, Wolfgang, but we need to get home before Herr Pataki becomes upset. And I'm sure you don't want Helga to get in trouble."

Wolfgang eyed Phoebe before looking back at Helga. "Of course not. I guess this is goodbye, Pigtails." He flicked the pink bow that sits on top of her head. "Phoebe." He spun on his heels and walked away. Helga immediately reached for her bow, growling softly. She couldn't believe he would have the nerve to touch it. She's had the bow ever since she was a child. It was the first thing Arnold noticed about her and the first compliment she ever received. And for someone like Wolfgang to place his unworthy hands on it made her cringe.

"Come on, Helga. Let's head back," Phoebe said, pulling on her friend's hand. "Just be glad he didn't ask about the flour." Helga sighed, turned around and followed the little brunette.

"Pheebs, I never thought I would say this, but I can't wait to get to Poland."