"Arnold!" a voice cried into the crowd. The blonde runaway turned to see a pair of sapphires staring at him. Helga, he thought. He started running towards her when he noticed a bulky man standing behind Helga. His black eyes glared into the back of her head. He was wearing a Nazi uniform. The man began to raise his arm over Helga with a lead pipe in his hand. Arnold was just about to warn her when the man struck her with the pipe. Helga fell to the ground. The attacker scooped up Helga's body and was gone in an instant.

Arnold stopped dead in his tracks from he just saw. He couldn't believe that a grown man had just hit a woman in the back of her head. Worse of all, it was Helga. His Helga. He was ready to chase after the guy when he felt something pull him back. Or rather someone.

"C'mon man, we need to get out of here!" Sid exclaimed, pulling a distraught Arnold with him.

"But, Helga…"

"Was knocked out and is now in custody of the Gestapo," Sid finished. "I promise you she is not dead. One blow isn't going to kill someone. But if you go after her now, you will be killed on the spot, along with her."

"We need to save her!" Arnold yelled, jerking his arm away.

"We will," Sid assured Arnold. "But right now, we need to get to Curly's and tell the others what happened. We're going to need the man power if we're going to get her out."

Arnold nodded, agreeing what Sid said. He knew going in alone was risky, and he didn't want Helga to die because of his impulses. "Let's go, then." The two rushed to Curly's house. Man, you were lucky that guard didn't see you. He looked like he could snap someone in two."

"If you're trying to make me feel better about the situation, it's not working."

"I'm not trying to make you feel better. I'm merely stating facts. The guy is huge."

"Seriously, stop," Arnold seethed, tugging on Sid's arm, forcing Sid to face him. "I don't need to hear about the large guy that just hit Helga and almost killed her. Seeing it was more than enough." Tears started to run down his cheeks.

Sid rubbed the back of his head, shifting his weight uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, Arnold. I just wasn't thinking. It's already been a stressful day, and then all this happened. But, I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through right now."

"Neither can I, to tell you the truth," Arnold admitted. "I think I'm in denial that this happened and I'm just expecting to walk through the door and Helga will be right there."

Sid patted his back. "She will be before you know it. We better get going so we can figure this out. Curly's place is close."

"Finally, you made it!" Phoebe exclaimed from another room the moment Arnold and Sid entered the house. She started walking towards them. "We started getting worried about you. Where's Helga?"

The two boys gulped. They soon realized that telling Phoebe was going to be the most difficult part. "Phoebe," Arnold started slowly, "while we were heading here, we got separated in a crowd. I was trying to look for Helga, and then I spotted her. I was heading her way when a guard hit her in the head with a pipe and knocked her out. He took her."

Phoebe's bottom lip trembled. Her hands shook. She looked up at Arnold and slapped him across the face. "You were supposed to keep her safe! Why didn't you go after her?"

Arnold rubbed his cheek. "I wanted to. Believe me, I did. But Sid said we should come here so we can formulate a plan to help her."

"Where is she?" Phoebe asked.

"I'll check into it," said Sid. "And I'll let everyone else know." Sid left the room.

"I'm sorry I hit you," Phoebe whispered. "Helga's my best friend, and I'm worried about her."

"I know, Phoebe," Arnold replied, hugging her. "I am too. But we will get her back. I promise."

"You mentioned a guard hit her?"

"That's right."

Phoebe looked up at him. "Do you remember what he looked like?"

"He was a big guy," Arnold described. "He was… hulking. And his eyes were so dark."

"Oh no," Phoebe gasped. "Wolfgang."

"That's Wolfgang?!" Arnold asked looking aghast.

"I'm afraid so. This just got harder."

"Hey guys, can you come in here?" Sid asked in the living room. Phoebe and Arnold followed and went into the room where everyone was sitting. "I just told them about the situation, and I called Fuzzy Slippers. He said that Helga is in the prison back in Krakow. She hasn't been sentenced yet, so we have time. Now I suggest myself, Arnold, and Curly go back, somehow infiltrate the prison, and get Helga. Gerald will take the rest of you to the appointed safe house, and we will meet you guys there. Fuzzy Slippers said he will keep an eye on the situation and will help us however he can."

"I'm up for the challenge," said Curly. "Arnold?"

"I'll do anything to get Helga back," Arnold stated firmly.

"Then it's settled," Sid said. "The three of us will head back to my place. Gerald, will you make sure the visas and passports will be ready before we head to Sweden?"

"I talked to my guy before you got here. They're almost done."

"Good. Arnold, Curly, let's go. We'll see the rest of you guys in a few days."

Arnold barely slept that night. The thought of Helga filled his mind. His mind went back to the first day they met. It was their first day of school. It was raining when his grandpa drove him to school. As he got out of the car, he noticed a little girl walking in the rain. She wasn't wearing a coat and her pink dress was covered in mud. She looked so sad. All he wanted to do was comfort her. He took his umbrella and placed it over her head. "Hi. Nice bow," he said to her.

"Huh?" the little pigtailed blonde asked, looking at him.

"I like your bow because it's pink like your dress." The little boy answered as he opened the door for her.

That was the only time she was nice to him for years. When they were in school together, she tormented him relentlessly. It wasn't until they went to different schools that she began to mellow. Then there was the day that changed everything. He didn't know what caused him to open up to her, but he was glad he did. All those days spent together bonded them in a way that he never bonded with someone before. He became attached.

It was difficult for him to leave her, but he felt it was the right thing to do at the time. It wasn't until he was hiding in Paris that he realized how much he missed her. He thought about her constantly. Arnold wondered how she was and if she was safe. When he was in Auschwitz, he knew that he loved her, and he felt guilty he never admitted his feelings to her. He finally got his second chance, and he wasn't going to give it up.

"Arnold, wake up," a voice called to him.

Arnold slowly opened his eyes. Sid was standing over him. He didn't remember falling asleep. "What is it?" he asked.

"I received a package from one of Fuzzy Slippers' informants. He brought us Gestapo uniforms and badges for the prison. They also brought us a map of the prison and guns. Do you know how to shoot?"

"Um, yeah," Arnold grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "It's been awhile, though."

"Good, because there's a chance that we may have to kill some people. Curly understands the possibility, and I need to make sure you do as well."

Arnold sighed. He didn't like shooting when he had to do it at school. It was his least favorite thing he was taught, despite being a good shot. But he would do anything for Helga. She risked her life for him, and now it was his turn to return the favor.

"I understand," Arnold said, getting up. "I better eat and try on the uniform."

The outfit fit perfectly. The rest of the morning they worked on memorizing the map and all the exits. It was in the middle of the afternoon when the phone rang. Sid answered it. Arnold sat there anxiously. He feared the worst. Sid hung up the phone and returned to Arnold and Curly.

"What is it?" Arnold asked.

"That was the informant inside the prison. Helga had several charges against her, including hiding Jews, so she's been sentenced to death in ten hours."

Arnold's stomach dropped. His worst fear is coming true. They only had ten hours to get her out alive. He felt horrible for her. He was the one who asked her to get involved, and now she was going to suffer because of it. He wished he never got her involved. He shouldn't have said anything when she went to Auschwitz. Helga would be safe right now. She may not be happy, but she would be safe.

"What type of execution is she receiving?" Arnold heard Curly ask.

"Firing squad," Sid answered.

There was a brief pause. "Actually, that might be helpful."

Arnold glared at Curly with fire in his eyes. "What the hell? How in God's name is being killed by a firing squad helpful?"

"It's outside. And it's at night. All the guards are going to expect to hear gunshots so no one will come out to check. What we have to do is get on the squad, and when they shout 'fire', we shoot them dead!"

Arnold and Sid looked at Curly in shock. "Are you crazy?" Arnold asked. "It's too dangerous! Helga could get killed!"

"Could," Curly repeated. "If we try any other way, she will be killed, along with us. I've been looking at this map, and there's no way we can get her out without getting caught. And by the time the guards find out, we'll be out of Krakow. We can even get a car from the force."

"Curly, that is the craziest plan I've ever heard," Sid said. "But you are the master of crazy, so I'm with you on this plan."

"What?!" Arnold yelled. "You're both crazy! Not to mention suicidal!"

"Arnold, you know this is the right choice. This is the best shot we have to get her out."

Arnold groaned. He was mad about the situation, but mostly he felt scared. He was scared that things may go awry and Helga will be either hurt or killed. He looked at the map. They were right. Any other way wouldn't work. He looked at Curly and Sid. "What time do we leave?"

It was around eleven thirty before the rescuers headed towards the prison in their uniforms. Arnold felt nauseous. All afternoon and evening he couldn't sit down. The adrenaline was pumping in his body. When they left the house, it dissipated. He felt himself shivering.

"Arnold, you need to be calm about this," Curly said. "If you freak out, it can hurt Helga."

Arnold breathed slowly. Curly was right. He had to keep his cool for Helga. This is all for Helga. When you finish this, I'll get her in my arms again. And this time, I'm not letting go.

They arrived at the prison and went through security with no issues. Once inside, Curly went a separate way. "I'm going to get Helga's stuff. I'll leave it near the execution block so we can make an easy getaway. You two start heading that way."

Arnold and Sid headed towards the block when they heard a voice behind them. "Halt!" They turned around to face the owner of the voice. The moment Arnold saw his face, his blood began to boil. It was Wolfgang. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"We're part of the firing squad," Sid explained, showing Wolfgang his badge. Wolfgang looked over it.

"So I see. We were only supposed to have five, but I guess two more won't hurt."

"We actually have someone else with us," Sid explained coolly. "He said he will meet us there."

"Very well," Wolfgang said. "We better head that way. It's almost time."

The three walked to the block. It was lit up by headlights from cars. At least it will be easier to steal, he thought. He saw the other four executioners Wolfgang mentioned. There were also three other guards on the side near the entrance. That made it eight guards the three saviors had to kill. Arnold didn't realize how difficult this was going to be.

Soon Curly arrived and joined the other two. "I managed to hide her stuff for now. I didn't realize how many people were going to be here for this."

"We need to make sure that at least one of us is by each guard," Sid instructed quietly. "That way we get the firing squad first and then we get the other three."

"Done."

"Men, line up!" a voice boomed. The executioners filed in a single line in front of the cars. Arnold was in the middle of the pact, with Curly near the door and Sid furthest away. Arnold looked over at the door opening. Out came Helga with two guards. Her face was bruised, but her eyes were expressionless. He hated the guards for doing that to her. How dare they put their hands on her?

"How appropriate for you to be here, Wolfgang." Helga snarled.

"Don't try to flatter me now, Pigtails," Wolfgang chuckled. "It won't help you."

"Pataki!" the guard on the side yelled. Arnold can see the other two guards lead her in front of the concrete wall. One placed a blindfold over her, and then they both went to the side.

"Men, ready!" The men lifted their guns off the ground.

"Aim!" The guns pointed to Helga. She remained motionless. Arnold could hear his heart beating quickly. It was now or never.

"Fire!" Curly laughed his maniacal way as he turned his gun. The guards were about to shoot as the other two aimed their guns to the guards next to them and pulled the triggers. Quickly they shot the squad and the guards. One by one they dropped to the ground. Curly rushed back inside to collect the belongings. The last one standing was Wolfgang, who was next to Arnold. He aimed his gun at him.

"What the hell are you doing?" Wolfgang asked. He looked at Arnold closely. "Wait a minute. You're the weird-headed freak who Helga loves!"

"Damn straight," Arnold said. "And this is for her." He pulled the trigger and shot Wolfgang between the eyes. Arnold stared down at the lifeless body before him, panting. He saw all the men they just killed. Eight corpses littered the ground, with crimson pools engulfing the ground.

"Arnold!" Sid yelled. Arnold looked to where Sid was. His eyes widened as his gun fell from his hand.

Sid was kneeling near the wall. Next to him was Helga, who was lying in the straw. Arnold rushed over to her. He could see a pool of blood starting to form around her.

This can't be happening. No, not her.