(A/N: Hello everyone here's another chapter of Asylum. I hope you like it so far. A shout out to all reviewers, Thank You, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Spasibo, Domo Arigato, Xie xie. I really appreciate it as always! Ciao Peeps;)

Friday morning.

Knock!knock!knock! "Arnold?"

Knock!knock!knock! "Arnold, are you in there?"

Waking up to the sound of the pounding door, Arnold felt a migraine coming on.

"Ugh, no...not good" he groaned.

To make matters worse his head was continually aching. He heard Mr. Hyunh pounding on the door again.

"I'm up, I'm up is something the matter?" Arnold replied as he sat up on his bed rubbing his temple.

His old friend replied, "No, nothing's wrong, I just wanted to know if you were sick or something?"

"Why would I be sick?" Arnold replied quizzically

He turned his head to look at the clock and noticed it was 9:00am.

"OH NO! I'M LATE FOR WORK!" he yelled.

Quickly, he got up and headed to his closet, grabbing some clothes.

"Mr Hyunh, actually I'm late for work" he said as he looked for his shoes.

Mr Hyunh replied,"Oh okay, just checking on you. Remember we won't be here cause the boarders and I are heading out for the holiday weekend so I'll see you on Tuesday okay? Bye Arnold!"

"Okay, bye, have fun" Arnold replied quickly putting on his dress shirt and headed to the bathroom.

"Man I feel like crap" he thought as he brushed his teeth, and quickly shaved.

Rapidly, he went downstairs, and out the door.

Arriving at Dr. Benson office, he noticed a note on the door, his mentor had gone ahead to group session.

He checked his watch and muttered, "Great, I'm in for it now."

Still feeling the effects of his headache resonating in his head, Arnold made his way to his mentor's group session, two hours late. As he walked in the room, he received a reproachful look from the doctor while taking his seat. Arnold mouthed an apology then took out his notebook and began taking notes.

As the day went on Arnold's focus wavered. His pounding headache from this morning, still had not left. It seemed that the events of yesterday was taking its toll on his health. Something that he couldn't help when it came to finding the truth, righting wrongs.

Luckily for him, Helga was his last patient of the day, and soon he'll be able to go home.

As he headed for her room, he seemed to be going through the motions.

Thoughtlessly, he swiped his clearance ID, widely opening the door.

As he was about to enter, he felt an abrupt push, which sent him falling and sliding back into the hallway's waxed floor. He stopped close to the nurses' station. And that when he heard the sirens ringing.

He cupped his hands over his ears.

"Dr. Shortman, are you okay?" an orderly inquired as he hastily approached him, helping him up.

"Huh?" Arnold said unable to hear.

"Are you okay?" the orderly yelled.

"I think so...what happened?" Arnold asked.

His head was pounding forcefully due to the commotion.

"It seems that Eleanor has escaped Dr. Shortman, AGAIN " the orderly replied displeased.

Arnold's eyes widened in surprise.

"She...escaped?" he replied shocked, but once it sunk in, he realized that he gave her the opportunity. He... was responsible as he was careless. He sighed disappointed.

"Don't worry they'll catch her within minutes." the orderly stated. "They'll shut down the facility exits so I'm sure she won't get too far."

"Are you sure that will work?" Arnold inquired.

"Why yes, of course" the orderly stated with a smug look on his face.

"Hmm, have they thought to check the air vents, can't she escape through there?"

Mentioning that brought a slight smile to his face for the first time that day. He remembered hearing of Helga's past excursions through his home from his grandparents. He quickly hid it as he looked back to the orderly who seemed to be processing the information just given to him. In one quick movement the orderly turned around.

"Darn!" he spat out as he went to inform the head of security of this new insight. As soon as the word got out of this new information, the guards all scrambled around the grounds, in hope of finding her. Their lack of experience in these circumstances was apparent as there was no organized system to conduct a thorough search of the ventilation system or any other small openings where a woman as cunning as Helga could use to escape the facility.

So far, it had been a half hour and Arnold had yet to hear of any news concerning Helga's capture. He started to worry and even contemplated going in his car to look around for her, but rescinded.

He checked his watch, 4:45pm. His work day was closing in and soon it will be time for him to go.

As soon as the clock struck 5 o'clock, Arnold's head and eyes lowered.

He felt disappointed in missing his session with her. Solemnly, he went into his car and sat there for a moment contemplating what he should do. His resolve to look for her was his conclusion. Slowly, he drove around the grounds, checking for movements or suspicious places overshadowed by trees or buildings.

However, his search of the facility grounds turned out unsuccessful. He decided to abandon the search, hoping the guards would have more success. He doubted though. Making his way to the exit of the facility, he kept on the look out one last time in hope that by chance he'd be able to find her. He saw nothing before passing the gate. Feeling defeated he ultimately made his way home.

Arriving home to an empty boarding house, Arnold went straight to his room, and to bed. He was drained from his work day and his headache seemed to linger on. His body ached all over from the rigors that some of the patients forced him through. Peace and quiet was all he heard as he turned over on his bed. It seemed the boarders had left for the Memorial Day weekend. And the house was amazingly quiet for once.

After a few hours of sleep, he was awakened by shuffling sounds coming from his roof. He quickly sat up on his bed looking up to his skylight. He saw nothing.

Taking a deep breath and releasing it, he muttered, "Hmm, that's strange... I thought I heard something."

He checked his clock, 8:03pm. About to lie down again, he heard the shuffling sound return. He looked up again and saw a shadow staring down at him. He ran to his window and climbed the ladder. When he came unto the rooftop, the shadow then had made its way towards the fire escape, "Wait!" he cried out. "Wait!" Arnold said waving his hand frantically.

The shadow stopped.

He looked around fully, observing his surroundings and noticed that the person was alone.

"Helga? Is that you?" he stated while slowly approaching.

The shadow shook its head no. "O..kay, then...who are you?" he questioned as he came closer to the shadowed figure.

"Don't come any closer!" She said.

At hearing the sound of its voice, he noticed that it was a woman's.

"Who are you?" Arnold inquired again as he squinted his eyes, trying to get a look at her face.

"I'm just...here to help you" she said as she shifted her weight from where she stood.

"Help me?" Arnold questioned not understanding what this was about, but he stopped himself and thought a moment before saying, "Are you the woman I spoke to last night?" he addressed uncertainly.

She replied emphatically, "Yes"

Arnold continued to question the woman before him not understanding her presence on his rooftop. "Why did you come here? I thought we were going to meet at midnight by the pier?"

She sighed and quickly replied, worry evident in her voice."Well... I said that to throw them off"

"Who?"Arnold asked inquisitively not quite getting what she was trying to say.

"Them" the woman simply replied.

Arnold managed to come slightly closer, he saw that the woman was a brunette from the strands peaking out from her hoody. Unfortunately, he couldn't see her face since she stood away from the light. Even the glow of the moonlight in the night sky was not enough to get a clear view of her face from where he stood.

Wanting to know what information she held he inquired, "Who are these people you speak of?"

Shifting her weight once again she lowly uttered, "I... don't know... exactly who they are, but... they're everywhere. And... they're watching, you and me. Don't ask me how I know I just...do. So far they've managed to influence most of the people in this town."

After mentioning this she grew anxious her body started to fidget and she began tugging at her sweater, although it was not needed since it was warm outside. "Listen, I don't want to get into any more trouble, but..."she paused "I have to do this" she murmured.

"Do what?" Arnold whispered following her example.

"Tell you the truth. Look Dr. Shortman, I left you an envelope right there, it explains everything" she stated as she pointed to a crevice on the brick wall near his window. "I was going to call you and tell you where it was but-" She sighed, afraid she's outed herself by letting him speak with her. "Look, I've taken a risk coming here and I'm sorry to leave you like this, but I can't stay here any longer. They probably know what I've done, and might come after me." Tension was running high and Arnold noticed that she was very much affected by this. He attempted to calm her down.

"Okay,okay, calm down...um... one more thing and I promise I won't tell anyone. What... is your name?"

She climbed up the top of the fire escape and lowly whispered as she began to descend, "It's Kristen" And she went down until she reached the ground.

As Arnold approached the ledge he looked at her shadow, he whispered back, "Thank you, Kirsten." He watched on as she disappeared into the dark alley, her retreating form fading into the darkness.

Coming back from the ledge, Arnold made his way to the crevice on the brick wall and grabbed the manila envelope and reentered his room. As he attempted to open the envelope, his stomach growled. He then realized, he skipped dinner.

Temporarily, he placed the envelope on his desk, and went downstairs to get something to eat.

When he returned to his room with soup in hand, he found someone sitting on his bed.

"Stay calm, Arnold" he said to himself "There's no reason to be alarmed"

The figure remained still as he continued to walk-in. He cautiously walked over to his desk staring at the figure and put down his tray. He turned on the lamp and as the light illuminated his room, staring straight at him was Helga.

Relieved to see that she's alright, he ran over to her and hugged her. He just couldn't resist!

She stiffened on contact and he released his hold on her blushing, "Um..s-sorry" he mumbled his cheeks showing a slight hint of pink.

The woman stared at him blankly.

Embarrassed at his action, Arnold avoided eye contact with her.

Silence prevailed for a few minutes, until he glanced in her direction and began to wonder.

Reading her body language, he guessed. "Eleanor?"

She raised one of her eyebrows and replied bluntly, "Yeah"

Arnold asked, "Um..How did you get here?"

She replied defensively, "I hitched a ride, what's it to ya?"

Not wanting to incite the woman to aggression, he muttered quickly "Nothing...really"

Once again, he turned and looked away from her. It was quiet for a few minutes until she asked, "Got anything to eat?"

He looked to his desk, pointing to it, "Sure..I have tomato soup, here. You can have that."

Eleanor eyed the soup with disinterest as he continued to speak. "I'll just go downstairs and get you a yahoo soda. Stay here, I'll be right back "

Arnold headed downstairs to the kitchen and when he entered the kitchen, he heard her yell out, "Hey while your down there, fix me a pastrami on rye sandwich will ya, I'm starvin' here." Then she quickly added, "YOU.. can have the soup."

"Fine" he replied back then mocked lowly, "fix me a pastrami on rye sandwich will ya?" He rolled his eyes and huffed,"Pfft, different personality same bossy attitude."

After stating this, a gradual smile began to cross his face as he continued to prepare her food.

He arrived back in his room a few minutes later, and they both ate in silence. Every now and then he would glance at her with a thoughtful look. She ignored it and enjoyed her food, which in her mind was a step up from the institution's menu.

Once they were done, Arnold started to speak. "So...how did you know where I live?" he asked curiously.

She looked to him baffled and stuttered, "I-I don't know? I just felt like I knew this place."

Arnold merely nodded. He wondered whether he should return her to the mental institution or to continue questioning her. Seeing that Eleanor was more responsive now, he decided on the latter. Not wanting to seem formal he opted not to acquire his notebook in order to write his observations. Right now his questioning was purely unofficial.

"Eleanor do you mind If I ask you a few questions?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Sure go ahead, you keep nagging me about it, might as well!"

"Okay...Do you know what happened to you...you know before you got locked up in the mental institution?"

She thought a moment, "Well, not really. All I remember is waking up in a room surrounded by fire and then I escaped from there. I ran to a local hospital, and soon after I blacked out and stuff."

She stood up, and began to walk around his room while contemplating. "Hm, I have been here before, long ago" she added. "This room..." she paused looking around her ".. it looks... different from the way I remembered it" she stated plainly.

Arnold, trying to make sense of her story replied absentmindedly, "Yeah, it is different."

As she looked around, she pensively made her way to the other side of his room and remarked "You know...I remember sleeping in this very same closet one time or was it in-between the couch, or... maybe both." she pondered.

Arnold's eyebrows raised in amusement, "Really now?"

"Mmm, hmm" she replied walking towards the bookshelf.

He looked on, seeing her intrigued by the little pink book. She grabbed it, opened it, and read its contents.

A few minutes later, she turned and faced Arnold with a fearful look in her crystal blue eyes, which he looked at admiringly.

"Oh! No" she whispered as the little pink book of poems fell from her hands while her eyes stared blankly ahead. The precious memento from their childhood days hit the floor, causing Arnold to snap out of his daze.

With fear, Arnold reacted by standing up from his position to get closer to her. He watched as her body language and face morphed into...something... different.

All of a sudden, she wore a scowl on her face, and her arms were crossed over her chest in all seriousness. The woman before him had resentment written all over her face as she stared at him.

Worriedly, Arnold started to walk foward, but before he could reach her, she spoke, "Well,well, well, if it isn't the ol' Football-head" she uttered teasingly.

Arnold suddenly stopped in his tracks. His features showed shock at her recognition of him, rendering him unable to speak.

"So... Arnoldo cat's got your tongue?" Helga crudely said as she scathingly stared at him.

Something occurred to Arnold, "The book of poems must have triggered the personality switch" He'd have to keep in mind for next time.

He looked to Helga and tried to respond but felt intimidated and nervous. "Uh...I..er...yeah...I mean...No" He sighed "Hi Helga"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, hey to you too." she replied in a dismissive manner as her hands waved about carelessly.

He looked to her and smiled while she raised an eyebrow at him and spoke. "So, I guess you're back for good huh?" she asked grimly.

"Yeah...I'm... back for good." he quietly replied.

"Hmph, that's great...juuuust great!" she replied her tone, sounding displeased.

"Don't like be this Helga" Arnold replied feeling dejected at her discontented attitude.

She yelled, pushing her finger repeatedly at his chest."Listen up, BUCKO, you... can't... tell me how to feel, you got that!"

Arnold winced as she poked at his chest, but then he gently grabbed her wrist, and looked into her eyes affectionately.

She violently yanked her hand away.

"Don't touch me, don't you dare...touch me!" she hissed furiously.

With pleading eyes, Arnold spoke reaching out for her once again, but she backed away. "Helga listen, I am so sorry, I really am" he continued, "I didn't know this was going to turn out this way..."

Helga began to laugh humorlessly, "Oooh! Football-head. That's rich you know that. Really!...please..stop"

Arnold pressed on, "Helga.. I know what I did hurt you, and I'm really really sorry. Can you please...please forgive me?"

Helga looked at him, eyes ablaze with anger, she gritted her teeth. "You...want me...to...forgive you?"

Facing him, she stared him down like a mother to a child would when scolding them. "Is that what you want? Is that all you want?" she said as her voice elevated slightly.

Arnold bowed his head down and lowered his eyes, nervously he muttered, "Y-Yes a-and No"

He looked up to her once more, seeing her flinch at his response to the last question.

She stiffened and clenched her fists as she walked ever so close to him, stopping mere inches from his face. "You feel guilty don't you? Want a clear conscience, right?" she bitterly asked with a scowl.

Arnold interjected defensively, "No, you know that's not it Helga"

She gritted, "Then what the heck is it Arnold...huh? What could you possibly want my forgiveness for? Because I recall you not giving a darn tootin' blaze about me back then."

Arnold sighed and with sincerity he pleaded. "Helga, please you know I lo-"

She pushed him to the floor, then towered over him. She pointed her finger at him accusingly, "Don't say it, don't you dare say it!"

She glared at him for a moment before she screamed, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU"

Turning around and pacing his room, she couldn't take it anymore. "How dare he try to-?" She thought.

Right then, she felt like she was about to rip her hair out. Stopping before him, she yelled out accusingly her hands flailing wildly.

"CRIMINY ARNOLD, YOU LEFT ME AT THE STINKIN' ALTAR. " she exclaimed as he looked down in shame.

She rambled on shaking her head pointing at him reproachfully, "No..oh no...you didn't love me. You didn't love me enough to marry me. Hmph, sometimes I wondered if you ever loved me at all." Placing her hand to her head, she berated herself, " How could I have been so stupid to think that you of all people would ever love me. Ha! I guess the joke's on me."

She continued on pacing and rambling aloud. "You know...my dad warned me... yes Arnold, he warned me alright." She mimicked her father, "He said, 'Olga, don't you dare marry that orphan boy, he'll be a big disappointment to you. Why can't you marry into a wealthy family, like your sister.'" She continued, " And you know what Arnold? I should have listened to him. Yep, I should have, but did I... NOOOOOOO."

During her rant, she didn't notice the hurt in Arnold's eyes and still she continued, "We didn't even get married, and you disappointed me."

She clutched her head with both hands in disbelief "Why didn't I for once listen to him? Why?" she questioned herself.

Arnold's eyes followed her pacing back and forth. He spoke up with remorse, "Helga, I'm really sorry for what I did, but you have to understand that... we were young and fresh out of high school. Besides, we were going in different directions how could I-" he stopped talking when he noticed she stopped pacing.

She slowly knelt down on the floor, lowered her head, and fixed her eyes on her hands interlocked on her lap.

She uttered to him, hurt apparent in her voice, "Then...why propose to me in the first place? Why did you do it, knowing you would only break it off with me...completely?"

She shook her head not understanding his logic.

Helga at that moment looked like a wounded bird and it tore at Arnold's heart to see her this way. Normally, she hid her vulnerability with anger and sarcasm, often those were the emotional tools she used to protect herself from getting hurt. But...to see her like this, he felt that it must've cut deeper than he originally thought.

She spoke further, "I mean..I would've understood had we remained engaged till we were ready." She lifted her head up and looked into his eyes sorrowfully, "But...you completely shattered my heart, leaving me empty, when you left...without a word." She concluded tilting her head slightly trying to make sense of it. She just didn't understand.

Arnold with desperation in his voice tried to explain but nearly choked on his words at the insurmountable amount of emotion going through him at that moment, " Hel-ga... I was just...scared" he continued, " You have to understand that things were happening.. so fast that I just couldn't face you. I had no one I could really talk to about this so... I panicked."He said as he looked to her, then returning his gaze ashamedly back on the floor. "I...couldn't face you after what happened. I...I needed time to think... you know...and let things cool down. Before summer ended, when I mustered up the courage to call you, they said you already went off to college. And when I contacted Phoebe to hear from you, she said you didn't want to speak to me ever again. So...I...didn't know what to do."

She replied softly, "Fight was all you needed to do, Arnold. Fight for us."

Looking to him she expressed further, "But you just gave up, you gave up on me, and on what we had. You had no fight in you for our relationship and you know why? Because you didn't... truly... love me."

She closed her eyes exhaling. "I was a fool!" she muttered hopelessly.

Arnold felt troubled and he spoke out, " Stop it Helga! You don't know what you're saying. I love you. You know I do!"

Unable to take anymore of this she screamed, "Shut up" Then she shrieked, "I said shut up!"

Her emotions at this moment were running high and she grew angrier at his stubbornness.

He yelled back, "Why? Are you afraid of the truth? Are you scared to know that...I love you!"

Through gritted teeth, she insisted. "Stop.. saying.. that!" Her clenched fist violently hit the floor as she shouted, "You did this to me you know that! I'm a wreck no thanks to you. You sent me... to hell, Arnold. I would've never been there... if it wasn't for you."

Suddenly, Arnold's face was consumed with guilt at her outburst. He ultimately felt responsible for Helga ending up this way and not only that, she blamed him for her outcome.

He was at a loss for words as he looked at Helga's fierce gaze and rigid posture as she knelt there on his floor.

Arnold's face turned somber and remorseful as he continued to watch her.

Noticing the change in his expression made her somewhat back down on the offensive, and she began to calm down. Her face softened, her eyes glistened with tears, and her tone was sorrowful as she murmured, "We would've been happy and...together."

With tears softly streaming down her face, she looked to the man before her, his face full of anguish, she added, "Don't you see Arnold... being with you was all I ever wanted."

(A/N: Don't worry folks part two of this will be coming soon it just needs some fine tuning. So stay tuned and until next time. Ciao!)