A/N: Ok so I lied…I couldn't wrap up everything in this chapter…I know that chapter 4 is going to still be the 12 year old version of Helga….I'm not sure if that chapter will conclude that time period or not…I guess we'll see. =) Please review, it encourages me to write.

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After a quick van ride, Helga found herself in a homeless shelter designed for teenagers.

"Ok miss, uh.."

"Hel…Helia, My name is Helia"

"Ok then Helia, The wash room is the third door to the left" he began, pointing down the hallway. " Towels and toiletries can be found before you enter the shower room. There are also some generic clothes, T-shirts and sweat pants which you can borrow after your shower. When you are finished you can put your clothes down the chute and they'll be washed and ready for you in about an hour."

"Thank you" Helga said simply, blinking the quickly forming tears from her eyes. She wasn't quite sure when she had turned into such a cry baby, but she also wasn't quite sure when the idea of a shower became the best thing in the world either.

She walked into the door she was pointed to, locking it securely behind her.

On the shelf to her right were assorted trial sized packets of shampoos and conditioner, body wash and shaving cream. In pull drawers below were packets of body lotion and disposable razors. Helga selected packets of each, doubling up on the shampoo and body wash.

She lined up all the toiletries and turned on the water, letting it warm to the right temperature.

When she stepped in, she let out a sigh as the water hit her skin. She stayed in the shower until she had used every drop of soap.

After she had toweled off, she slipped into a pair of grey sweat pants and a black T-shirt and dumped her dirty clothes down the chute as instructed.

After she had brushed her hair and teeth, she stepped out of the wash room and was quickly greeted by an older looking lady in a business suit.

"Hello Helia" the woman greeted. "I'm Charlotte. And you've met Greg." She said motioning to the guy from the park.

"Yes" Helga replied, nodding.

"I'd like to talk to you, but first let's get you some food." Helga was left in a small office and instructed to 'make herself at home' while Charlotte found her some food.

Minutes later, Charlotte returned carrying a tray of food. A Heaping bowl of Chili and a peanut butter sandwich. She set they tray in front of Helga and handed her a spoon. She then pulled a small carton of chocolate milk from a mini fridge by her desk and placed it next to the tray.

"Go ahead, eat up." She smiled. "I want to ask you a few questions. How old are you Helia?"

"mpf- Twelve" Helga replied between mouthfuls. The Chili was warming her up from the inside, and definitely tasted better than cashews and candy.

"Twelve? Sweetie, you're just a child. Do you know where your parents are?"

Helga sat the spoon down on the table and cleared her throat. " My mother…is dead." She said simply, fighting back a sob. "I have nowhere to go." It was then that her brave act faltered, Helga curled up in her chair and sobbed loudly.

Charlotte gave Helga a sympathetic look. She wasn't expecting that explanation. She had just assumed the girl was another run away.

She got up from her desk to pat Helga on the back.

"It's late now, you can sleep here tonight. In the morning we'll look into finding you somewhere to stay."

Helga was led to a room with about 8 sets of bunk beds, half of them full. She claimed the top of an empty bunk and crawled up the ladder. She was asleep the instant her head hit the pillow.

At 8 am an alarm sounded, alerting all the teens that it was time for breakfast.

After stuffing her face with biscuits and gravy, she was called back into Charlotte's office.

"Good morning Helia how did you sleep?"

"Well, it was better than sleeping outside on a fire escape."

"Well, I wanted to let you know that have good news and bad news. The bad news is that I'm not able to find a permanent home for you until we are sure that no one is looking for you. The good news is that there is an opening in an orphanage across town. You'll be able to stay there until we're able to release you to a foster family."

"An orphanage?" Helga repeated quietly.

Two hours later, Helga found herself on the front porch of "Sunshine's Children's Home."

"Welcome, I'm Sister Mary Katherine," a nun greeted as Helga entered the building. Helga was then directed to yet another office while a file was created with her name on it. Under the name Helia Paterson.

~*~*~*~*~

Two months later, she was still at the orphanage.

The daily routine was something she had picked up fast. It was similar to what she had always imagined a military school to be like.

Awake at 6 am. Shower, dress and make her bed by 6:30.

6:30-7:00 was breakfast. Followed by dishes and other mundane housework.

At 8 classes started. English, Math, History and Science (the religious version).

At 12 there was a lunch break followed by more dishes.

Classes resumed until 5:30. 5:30-6 pm they were allowed time outside, which usually consisted of weeding the garden or mowing the lawn.

At 6 was dinner followed by a quick clean up of the entire house.

7 until bed time was used for homework.

Lights out was at 9.

Rinse and repeat.

She had become acquainted with some of the other residents, but didn't really have time to make friends.

When month four of her stay rolled around, she was feeling pretty hopeless at the prospect of ever leaving. Which was why she was surprised when Mary Katherine called her into her office on a cold day in Mid February.

"Helia, I'd like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Meyer." The nun said gesturing towards the couple sitting inn from of her desk.

"Nice to meet you," Helga responded as Mr. Meyer shook her hand.

"I'm John and this is my wife Susan." The woman smiled at her. "We've heard a lot about you Helia and we wanted to know if you would like to come stay with us?"

Helga's eyes brightened instantly. "Really?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Phoebe was shoving her school books into her back pack, ready to head home for the weekend. She lifted the bag onto her shoulder, but struggled with the weight of the bag.

"Here let me help you with that" a voice came from beside her. She looked to see Arnold reaching out an arm.

"Sure thanks," She smiled weakly

"How are you holding up?" he asked.

"Oh you know, I'm ok. It's just hard sometimes. It seems like everyone has already forgotten about her."

Arnold touched her shoulder reassuringly, "I haven't forgotten. I'm sure no one else has either, sometimes it's just easier to put on a brave face and pretend everything is ok."

"You always know what to say Arnold. It's no wonder she loved you."

Arnold stopped walking. "She what?"

"Oh gosh I shouldn't have told you that. I'm mean to say liked you Arnold, you were a good friend to her. Even when she was not so friendly."

Arnold shrugged, "I always kind of guessed she had it rough. I never thought her home life was that bad though."

"'Was', listen to us talking about her in the past tense. I guess no one really expects for her to ever come home."