A:N Hey everyone, I appreciate all of your support for this fic and I hope you like this chapter.
Early morning, Monday. Memorial Day!
Arnold slowly woke up to see the light of the sun glimmering brightly over him. He groaned and covered his eyes with his arm. Ugh! Why couldn't it stay dark for a few more hours!
Within moments, he heard someone coming out of the bathroom. He turned his head to the door to see...Helga dressed. He blushed as he remembered a similar situation yesterday when she came out of the bathroom though she was in a towel.
Shocked to see him up, Helga blushed as well, "Oh..Good-morning Arnold. Did you...sleep well?"
Arnold smiled his boyish smile and lied. He had a restless night, but he didn't want her worrying about him. "Yes...I did and you?"
She replied turning her gaze towards the floor, "Yes, thank you for asking"
His smile grew wider, but then he remembered last night's occurrence and his smile faltered.
Arnold sat up, and ran his fingers through his hair as he placed his feet on the floor looking down all the while. He needed to get something off his chest about last night's incident.
Still feeling ashamed he said, "About last night Helga, I'm sorry for what I did, I didn't know what came over me, I...I should have known that you were in a fragile state and as your doctor I shouldn't have been-"
Helga sat down next to him and placed her hand on top of his "Arnold, it's okay, it's not your fault at all. I didn't realize that I would..." she trailed off and continued again, "It's just hard for me right now. I didn't expect-"
Arnold interjected, "I understand Helga" He sighed. "Really, I do!" They both sat there quietly letting the weight of the conversation linger. But after a moment Arnold tried to change the atmosphere in the room.
He looked down momentarily at her hand on his and slowly slid his hand back on top of hers. He circled his thumb along the back of her hand tracing heart shapes repetitively on her pale silky skin like he used to do when they were teenagers.
Helga gasped, she remembered their code. She looked to him adoringly as he sent her a loving smile. He patted her hand and gently kissed her on the lips. He then got up to head for the bathroom.
Slightly glancing back, he saw her swoon giddily and smiled as he entered and closed the door.
A few minutes later, Arnold sat across from Helga on the bed. "Listen Helga, I didn't want to bother you with this last night after all we went through yesterday, escaping from city hall and all, but I think you should know that we're sort of…." He cleared the lump in his throat. Helga looked to him expectantly as he stalled. She uttered impatiently, "Spit it out Football-head!"
"Well Helga, were sort of…. wanted suspects." Arnold winced slightly, awaiting Helga's reaction.
Helga shocked at what she heard, slowly repeated. "Wanted?"
Arnold slowly nodded awaiting the typical Helga outburst.
"Suspects?" she finished in disbelief.
Arnold nodded once again and quickly added, "Yeeeaah, it seems we made the news last night, although they didn't release our identities yet, it's just a matter of time before they do. I'm sure the mayor is getting desperate in finding us, he'll probably put out all the stops to keep us from reaching the state's district attorney."
Helga's eyes widened. "This is not good!" Her mind was running different scenarios, none of them ended well.
She looked to Arnold in despair and uttered, "What… do we do? We can't leave town if they're searching for us. The streets are probably swarmed with cops right now, they'll probably think to check hotels and motels soon enough"
As soon as she finished speaking, they heard 3 loud bangs on the door. Both of them jumped up from the bed with panic in their eyes.
"Housekeeping" the person behind the door said.
Arnold took a deep breath to compose himself and slowly approached the window. He shifted a light portion of the curtain to see who was standing outside their door. He looked to Helga signaling for her to come and stand behind him. A woman banged on the door, making them jump again. "Helloooo, it's housekeeping, check out time" she repeated irritated.
Arnold looked to his watch and saw that it was 12:10 pm.
He gradually reached for the doorknob and twisted the door, slowly pulling it open. He saw the housekeeper standing before him, hands on her hips, annoyed. She rolled her eyes at him as he stood still not moving, and brushed past him to get inside the room.
In a fit she began muttering, "The nerve of these people, thinking they can do whatever they want. I mean can't they check out on time. UGH! Now they threw me off-schedule. I mean they did their business last night why can't they just get up and move on. Bunch of freaks!" Arnold ignoring the housekeeper's rant scoped outside the door to check for the authorities. The coast was clear.
So, he grabbed Helga who was at the moment glaring at the maid a hand on her hip, looking prepared to mouth her off. Pulling her towards the door, a small yelp escaped her as he led her across the threshold and onto the stairs. They approached the entrance and checked the street for any suspicious characters before quickly heading towards the diner to get breakfast.
As Arnold and Helga sat in the booth at the diner munching on eggs, bacon, and a biscuit, he revealed to her about the mayor being the infamous Fuzzy Slippers, and all the events that occurred during his tenure in the mental facility. One specific event he left out though was his 'encounter' with Gerald…and Phoebe.
He also conferred with her as to what their next step should be. Their conclusion….getting out of Hillwood as soon as possible.
Helga offered, "Well, since they have several check points in town and on the outskirts of it as well we cannot rent a car or take yours, besides they probably placed a tracking device on your car by now."
Arnold placed his hand on his head trying to think.
He spoke, the fatigue evident in his eyes, "How about we ask someone for help?"
Helga replied. "From who? Our friends? Yeah right, they'll be the first to sell us out. They won't help even if you asked them for it. They sure didn't help me before, why would they now?" Arnold's brow furrowed as he huffed. Helga continued, "Well…we can sneak in the train cars if we're careful enough, and that'll save us some money which we don't have much of."
Arnold replied, " I guess. It's not like I can go to the bank. They probably targeted those places. Alright, we'll go with your idea, but first I need to stop somewhere."
"Where Arnold?"
"P.S.118" He replied.
"Why there?" Helga asked
"Because I stored the documents there, it's the only incriminating evidence we have against Fuzzy Slippers." He stated.
Helga asked, "Why would you hide the documents there? Won't someone find it?"
Arnold sighed, "No, where I hid it no one knows about that place" he said nodding proudly.
Helga looked uneasy for a moment, "O-kay, so how are we going to get there without being seen?"
Arnold smirked at her, "I'm sure you know. Weren't you the one who told me you knew the neighborhood like the back of your hand?"
Helga smiled then replied, "You got that right Bucko, and don't you forget it."
Helga stood up as Arnold paid for the meal and left the diner. Both blondes headed towards the back of the diner approaching an alley. Helga thought, "Eleanor...time to do your stuff!" And they both ran off.
Helga led him through alleyways, trying to remain unseen until they reached the school. As soon as they came closer, Arnold took note of the atmosphere around it. He eyed Helga with his two fingers for her to keep a look out while they crossed the street. The schoolyard was empty due to holiday.
"Perfect, football-head is bringing us back to another place I despise. Sometimes I wonder what his logic is for doing things like this. Football brain and his over the top schemes! Hasn't he ever heard of a safe! Sheesh" Helga thought as they crossed the empty schoolyard.
They both headed to the back of the school when Arnold knelt down against the red brick building feeling on it. Helga leaned on the wall still looking out, but also scoffing at Arnold's lame hiding place.
"Let me see…." He uttered feeling on the bricks
"Hey Sherlock, would you mind hurrying it up already!" Helga lowly hissed.
Arnold looked at Helga annoyed, "Look I'm going as fast as I can, okay!"
She asked, "What are you doing anyway not that care, all of a sudden." Arnold rolled his eyes and replied, ignoring her moody attitude, "I'm trying to find the loose brick."
Astounded, Helga inquired. "Loose brick? You hid the evidence there? Are you out of your football headed MIND?" she hissed slightly louder than normal still looking around for suspicious characters.
"No" Arnold replied defensively, "I'm not out of my mind...found it" he said as he grabbed an old key.
Helga replied, "What?" he looked to her smirking and said, "The key!"
She replied, "The key?"
He nodded in satisfaction, saying. "The key"
He stood up walking over to the storage/furnace room door and opened it. They both walked through and Helga noticed the furnace and boxes around in the room.
"This is the storage room of the school."Helga stated bluntly.
"Yep" Her counterpart replied.
"So, how did you get the key to this place?" She asked.
With an all knowing smile, he said. "Well, you're not the only one with tricks up their sleeves"
Helga smiled at his comment and spoke casually, "So what's up with you and this place?"
Arnold uttered, "Remember trash can day?"
Helga stated, "Oh man! Don't I ever. It was one of the worst days of my life."
Arnold elaborated, "Tell me about it. I had to shower all day to remove the stench. And even that wasn't enough! Anyway, normally this door was supposed to be locked, but when I devised the plan for all the 4th graders to escape the 5th graders on trash can day, I sort of snagged the key from the janitor's key chain."
Helga's eyes bulged out in surprise, "Ooh! I didn't know you were a bad boy Arnold...I like that!" She winked at him and he blushed furiously looking away from her.
Arnold added, "In retrospect Helga, it was... for the good of the 4th grade class." He said with all honesty, recalling that day wistfully for a moment before snapping right back to the present. He went to a stack of boxes, and picked the one on the bottom. He opened it and took a backpack out of it. Then he quickly got up, "Okay, Helga let's go, I got it"
She inquired while they headed out, "So that's it?"
Arnold nodded.
She continued, "And other then the evidence, what's in the back pack? It looks pretty stuffed to be just papers."
Arnold replied. "It's just a few things I had packed a few years ago before I started college. I was thinking of visiting my parents' memorial in San Lorenzo then. I kept it here so my grandparents wouldn't know. There's stuff in here from my parents they recovered that I couldn't keep around in my room, since my grandma used to clean up there all the time. It would depress her when she saw it. It'd hurt grandma and grandpa so much that I didn't want to remind them-" he looked down at the backpack for a moment then looked to Helga who took his hand firmly squeezing it in reassurance.
She spoke to him, as he began walking again on the sidewalk. "You know Arnold….maybe after this fiasco is over, and if things die down...maybe we could... you know... take that trip to-" her sentence was cut short, as she stepped off the sidewalk to cross the street, but Arnold pulled her back quickly as a car sped up, coming to a screeching halt right in front of them.
To their surprise, the stylish SUV displayed before them held none other than Gerald Johanssen.
Arnold's former best friend stayed seated in his car, giving the couple a shy grin. Arnold and Helga looked to each other quizzically, both unable to determine what he planned to do. But from their standpoint, they could see Gerald looked like he hadn't slept for days, and still suffered from the bruises and injuries Arnold inflicted upon him. It was sad really. But Arnold couldn't care less and went on the defensive as he stood in front of Helga protectively.
"What do you want?" he asked crudely, " I said all that I wanted to say back at your house, there's nothing left you can say to-"
But Gerald cut him off, "I want to help. Please Arnold… let me help you" he asked pleadingly.
Arnold turned his head to the side and huffed in frustration, then looked back to his former best friend.
He stated bluntly, "No"
Gerald pleaded his voice cracking slightly, "Please Arnold let me help you."
Arnold looked to Gerald his eyes narrowing and inquired "Why? Why should I trust you of all people?"
Gerald looked to the couple and replied, "What I did to Helga was unforgivable and… I'm sincerely sorry" He looked to Helga when he apologized. He continued, "I just want to make things right. That's all I'm asking for, nothing else." He looked to both of them awaiting an answer.
Arnold still holding on to his anger replied, "Well Gerald, I'm going to have to decline on your offer. I mean...look at the position we're in, we're fugitives now. We wouldn't be here if you had done the right thing in the first place."
Exasperated, Arnold lifted up his hands and dropped them down limply at his sides." I can't believe it took you... a year and half to figure that out!"
Arnold began to look unstable and Gerald's face looked like a lost puppy unwilling to stray from a stranger. Helga looked at Arnold who was furious at his former best friend; she saw the hurt and pain in his eyes as he looked at Gerald. She also looked at Gerald who himself showed feelings of remorse about what he had done and anguish at the loss of a great friendship. He was desperately struggling to hold on to whatever was left of it.
Helga muttered to herself disbelievingly, "I can't believe I'm doing this."
She walked up to the car which Gerald sat in, while Arnold stood there shocked. She eyed Gerald seriously and said, "You wanna help?"
Gerald nodded in compliance somewhat optimistic, but still ashamed. She continued, "Then get us to the state capital pronto! You think you can do that?" she asked her hand on her hips as she raised her eyebrows in an inquisitive manner. All the sass and take charge attitude that was Helga G. Pataki were returning.
Gerald half-smiled at her in gratitude and replied, "Sure, I can do that!"
Helga looked to Arnold then to Gerald and said "Then what are we waiting for? Let's do this!"
Arnold approached Helga grabbing her swiftly by the arm stopping her before she climbed in the car, he lowly hissed. "What are you doing?"
She shrugged, replying nonchalantly, "I'm getting a ride that's what."
Arnold muttered to her, "But…" He squinted his eyes at Gerald. "Are you sure about this?"
Helga in turn replied, "No, but if he tries anything, I'll kick his you know what. And even YOU can't stop me." Arnold smirked at her and opened the car door for her to go in. They both sat in the back seat trying to look inconspicuous. Once settled in, Gerald started to drive.
As he passed a few streets, Helga observed Gerald's face very closely, noticing the bruises, scabs, split lower lip, and inquired casually, "What happened to your face tall hair boy? Did you participate in a UFC fight or something?" Arnold scrunched lower in the seat and looked away from Helga, taking in the sights from outside his window. Gerald himself cleared his throat while deviating his eyesight from the rear view mirror where he saw Helga's curious expression and looked ahead at the road.
Gerald answered, "Um...No, can we not talk about this right now?" he pulled the collar of his shirt open a little as he began to feel a little warm. Helga shrugged and replied, "O-kay, suit yourself, but whoever did that…" she pointed to his face through the rear view mirror "really did a number on ya."
Both Arnold and Gerald released a sigh simultaneously seeing that Helga laid off the subject...for now.
The car ride was quiet for awhile, until Gerald spoke again, "Guys we're heading towards the city limits, I suggest you stay down. There's a check point coming up ahead."
Before Arnold could hunker down, he eyed Gerald suspiciously, sending him a silent warning, but eventually he complied.
Arnold opened his backpack and whisked out a camouflage blanket he had in it. Helga looked to him questioningly. She thought, "Who does he think he is Rambo or something?"
Arnold merely rolled his eyes at her questioning look and placed the blanket over them as they lied down on the floor trying to keep their backs as low and flat as possible. To top it all off, they were in a pretty compromising position which made Arnold sweat somewhat. Gerald spoke once more glancing back one last time, "Alright there are cops right up ahead, let me take care of it."
Gerald pulled up his car to the check point. A young cop came up to him, stating. "Excuse-me sir, I need your license and registration, and I need you to please step out of the car, so I can inspect it."
Gerald inquired,"Is something the matter Sir?"
The officer took a second glance at Gerald as he recognized the voice. He looked to him coming out of the car and said, "Wait, aren't you the guy from that radio show...Groovin' with Gerald?"
Gerald replied casually, "Yep that's me!"
The cop got enthused at the encounter, "MAN! I love your show, the pranks you pull off on people over the phone are HILARIOUS and you play the most incredible music selections. Wow, you're him. Man, I always call in for concert tickets for me and my girl, but I never get through. "
Gerald found an opportunity and went for it, "Well, I'm kinda late for an interview with Rayhanna, if you can just let me go through right now, I'll give you 2 front row tickets with backstage passes to her next concert?"
The cop thought for a second or two and looked left and right and whispered. "Oh snap! That is so Awesome; just let me look in the trunk so the others over there won't think I'm just letting you go like that. It'll only take a sec." Both men walked around the car. Thankfully, Gerald had tinted windows and since Helga and Arnold were not on the seats, the cop didn't notice. Gerald pressed the button on his car key to open the trunk. The cop looked in and saw that it was empty and closed the trunk himself.
The officer said "Well I guess you're all set"
The cop whispered then chuckled "And thanks for the tickets." He offered Gerald an unnoticeable wink.
Gerald replied frankly, "Just come by the station next week and I'll give them to you"
As he shook Gerald's hand the young cop said, "Alright man, take care."
Gerald got in his car and replied, "You too man"
Gerald swiftly started the car and nodded to the officer before he took off down the road.
A few moments later when the coast was clear, Gerald informed Arnold and Helga that they could sit up. "It's safe guys."
The couple breathed a sigh of relief as they once again escaped the clutches of Fuzzy Slippers. Helga looked to Gerald in gratitude and nodded to him through the rear view mirror, which Gerald himself returned.
On the other hand, Arnold sat there with his arms crossed over his chest, uncaring, looking out the window. Helga tightened her lip. She was growing tired of Arnold's childlike attitude so she elbowed him in the ribs.
"Oof" he said as the pain resonated there. "Man! Can she inflict pain!" he thought.
He turned and looked at her, astonished. Helga tilted her head in Gerald's direction implying for him to say something.
Arnold quickly mumbled, "Thanks, Gerald."
At that moment Gerald's eyes shot up to the rear view mirror again to see Arnold avoiding his gaze.
He bashfully replied, "Your..um...Welcome Arnold" then he redirected his eyes back on the road.
Helga rolled her eyes and yawned, "Well, I'm gonna catch some z's, so I'll catch you guys in few hours."
She was about to lean onto the car door to sleep, but before she fell slept. "Oh and by the way, while I'm sleeping, you two behave yourselves. No going Pacquiao on each other while I'm sleepin'. I got enough of violence to last me a lifetime" She looked at them knowingly.
Both Gerald and Arnold looked to her in amazement as she continued, "What? You didn't think that I'd figure it out?" she shook her head and said, "Don't you know by now nothing gets past…Helga G. Pataki?"
Both men rolled their eyes at her cockiness and muttered, "Oh please!"
A small smirk came to Helga's face, seeing the two acting somewhat like their old selves again, even if it's temporary she relished it. She then turned on her side and went to sleep.
As Gerald drove, Arnold looked out the window and sighed.
He thought about everything that transpired since he first arrived here in Hillwood only a week ago. "In one week so much has happened; I found my girl, nearly losing her to a disorder, I've been deceived and lied to by my friends and colleagues, I unveiled a conspiracy…I lost my best friend."
He looked to Gerald and sighed, thinking about his friendship with the man. All he felt lately was anger towards everyone, especially Gerald whom he thought he could trust without question. However, he was the one that tolerated the crime Fuzzy Slippers committed against Helga. And the fact that he did not step forward to defend her in his absence just as he would do for Phoebe crushed him.
He didn't know what to feel for the man he had known most of his life. His thoughts raged on, "Should I forgive him? Because what he did to her was unforgivable. But...I wonder why Helga accepted Gerald's offer to help? Has she forgiven him? Or did she do that for my sake? Maybe I should...Grrrrr" he shook his head in frustration. "No, I can't, I can't forgive him. He lied to me! How can I? Too much has happened for me to do so. Besides… everything's changed now." Arnold removed his glance from Gerald to stare back out the window, checking out the scenery. It seemed sleeping was not an option with all the people searching for him and Helga.
Besides, he was still weary of Gerald. "Hopefully, along the way there won't be anymore surprises."
It had been three hours since they sat in the car with Gerald driving. The car was low on gas and food was on everyone's mind. Gerald announced that he would be stopping at the exit coming up. Once they arrived in the small town they made a pit stop at the closest gas station. Gerald began to fill the tank while Arnold and Helga headed toward the restrooms.
"Hey Helga"
Helga looked to Arnold.
"Hmm?" she replied as he walked side by side with her.
"Do you think we should continue the trip with him? Because I don't think we should trust him." Arnold uttered scornfully.
Helga stopped and faced him then.
Her eyes were fixed in his and she placed both hands on his shoulders as he huffed. "Arnold relax, so far he's helped us out. Besides, I can tell he feels really bad about what he's done, look at him. I mean really? He's pitiful. I've never seen him like that." She said pointing to the man putting gas in the tank. She continued, "I mean we never got along...and you know that, but still...he's trying to make amends. Now it's not my place to tell you what you should do, and I know it's tearing you up inside what he did to me and the fact that he betrayed your trust; but... right now we need his help and he's offering it, no questions. I think you should just give him the chance to make up for it and leave it at that for now. Besides, if this...thing ever blows over and we're no longer on the run then you can decide if you want to forgive him...or not." she stated as she released him and walked away towards the women's restroom.
Arnold stood there for a moment in contemplation about what she said. He looked to Gerald who currently was heading his way. Arnold felt uncomfortable, but decided to at least be courteous. As Gerald passed him, making his way to the restroom, Arnold called out to him.
"Uh Gerald?" in a moment of shock Gerald stopped in his tracks, not really believing that Arnold called him. Gerald noticed Arnold was rather silent since they got in the car. He expected to be shunned by him and he knew he deserved that. He turned around to face Arnold.
"Yes, Arnold?" Gerald replied with anticipation at what Arnold might say.
Timidly pushing dirt around with his foot, Arnold looked down and voiced, "I just... wanted to say... thanks again, you know... for saving us back there."
A slight grin crept up on Gerald's face, "You're welcome Arnold" he replied shyly, but looking hopefully to Arnold and then to the ground.
They both stood there for a minute being all timid and shy one towards the other when they heard, "Are you two lovebirds done? Cause I need to go get a bite to eat if you don't mind." Helga said, her arms crossed over her chest with a smirk on her face.
Arnold and Gerald both cleared their throats, feeling awkward at the moment. Avoiding Helga's smug look both made their way to the restroom. Once they were done, they went back into the car.
Arnold of course offered to drive, which Gerald accepted. It seemed that he was at least tolerating Gerald, but he still couldn't trust him.
Arnold drove around to find a place to eat and once they did, they continued their journey as the sun began to set.
Arnold drove into the night.
He occasionally kept glancing back at Helga's sleeping form. He had hoped that this escapade was not taking a toll on her progress. So far, things seemed to be going well with the exception of last night; which, he thought might have affected her greatly, but didn't. She had been somewhat her old self these past few hours, and for that he was glad.
After an hour or so, Arnold looked to Gerald beside him on the passenger side sleeping then he looked into the rear-view mirror again to check on Helga when he noticed a car. This car had been following them for quite some time. So, Arnold sped up a bit, and the other car did so as well.
"Gerald, Helga, we have company" Arnold expressed tensely. Both Helga and Gerald quickly became alert.
Wiping the drool from his mouth, Gerald inquired, "Are you sure Arnold?" Arnold nodded with certainty.
Helga looked back trying to get a view of the car.
"Um...Arnold? I think he knows that we know that he's following us, because he's catching up and he's coming at us really fast. I think you should put a step on it." she uttered.
Hearing those words led Arnold to push the gas pedal to the max. His adrenaline began to pump throughout his body, his senses were on high alert. The challenge brought out his defensive nature to light. In reaction to the change in speed from Gerald's car, the car following them pushed forward as well; more so, it was attempting to surpass them, but was unable to.
Instead, the car increased in speed to the point that it rammed forcibly into the back of Gerald's car.
Helga screamed on impact, "What the heck is wrong with this guy?" she said.
The other car continued to ram its front end into the back end of Gerald's car. The jerking motion made Arnold temporarily lose control of the car. Luckily, the road was deserted so no one would get hurt.
Gerald wide-eyed looked to Arnold, "Stay calm Arnold, you need to regain control of the wheel." Arnold trying to redirect the steering wheel to get the car back in the correct lane struggled for a moment then righted the car. Once Arnold regained control of the car, Gerald spoke again. "Arnold remember that car chasing movie we saw in high school, "Fast & fierce 2" where that guy rammed this other car off the road in order to escape?"
"Yeah, why?" He replied.
Gerald glanced at him before looking straight ahead then offered, "Well, if you expect us to get out of this alive you're going to have to play bumper cars with him. You get what sayin'? "
Helga inputted, "Yeah, Football-head return the favor will ya, my neck is kinda suffering from whiplash no thanks to this jerk back there. By the way Gerald, I hope you have a good insurance policy. Just sayin' "
Gerald threw his hands up in the air, "Great! Thanks for reminding me Helga." he replied looking back to the other car attempting to ram Gerald's car again.
Helga replied with a slight grin. "Glad I can help!"
"Alright that's it! I've had it with this guy" Arnold yelled after the car behind them rammed its front end to the back end of their car for the umpteenth time. He grew tired of these games. At that moment, he slammed his foot on the brake, which led the car behind them hit the back bumper once again, but this time it threw the other car off course. The other driver temporarily lost control and slammed its brakes therefore stopping his car all the while Arnold continued on further. But instead of fleeing, he swerved the car around then stopped it, facing it in the direction he came from. He sat there in the driver's seat feeling pumped and ready to play and in an instant he pressed the gas pedal forcefully.
Arnold thought inwardly, "Wanna play? I'm game!"
The other car noticing Arnold's intentions did the same and took off speedily as well. The smell of charred tires rose up, reaching their nostrils along with the sight of smoke. Arnold gripped tightly at the steering wheel, his shoulders slightly rising up and down from the thrill of the ride, his eyes narrowed as the other car grew closer and closer.
"Are you crazy Arnold? Playing chicken with this guy? C'mon man I'm too young to die. I got my whole life ahead of me." Gerald exclaimed trying to hold on to the dashboard in fear for his life. Helga as well was holding on to the side of the car. She mumbled nervously, "Football-head? Crazy? It seems someone here has forgotten the crazy dance back in the 4th grade."
Meanwhile, Arnold ignored all that was around him. The only thought that came to him was that he wanted all of this to stop. He had had enough!
As both cars came closer to crashing into each other both Helga and Gerald screamed at the top of their lungs. Helga's shrill scream burst one side of the car window. Within two feet to impact, both drivers swerved their cars in opposite directions , thereby, forcing the cars to tip over and roll on its side.
Gerald's car ended up sliding down the street sideways, coming to a stop with the passenger side facing the ground. While the other car slid downward into a ditch on the opposite side of the road, rolling over onto its rooftop as it stopped. Arnold coming to his senses looked to Gerald who was trying to get loose from his seat belt. He then looked back to Helga who was in a semi-conscious state.
"Helga...Helga! Are you okay?" he said as he tried to loosen up his seat belt in order to tend to her in the back seat. She hoarsely moaned in pain, "Mmmm,Ow,ow" as Arnold climbed to the back, he unhooked her seat belt. So far, Helga looked physically unharmed, except for a small bump to the head and some minor cuts she sustained from the broken glass of the car window. Knowing that she was okay, Arnold spoke to Gerald. "Gerald move to the driver's side and I'll move here in the back behind you, let's see if we can tilt the car back on all four wheels. On my count 1-2-3." Both Arnold and Gerald lean their weights to the far left of the car and brought it back upwards.
As Gerald stepped out of the car to assess the damage, Arnold was trying to bring Helga out of her daze. "Helga, Helga! Speak to me!"
She responded to him, feeling annoyed at the way he was hovering over her, "I'm fine, Football-head! And what kind of driving was that?" Arnold smiled momentarily, but then he heard Gerald's voice pierce through from outside of the car, "Oh man! Look at my car, Look at my car!? My baby is ruined." he whined.
Gerald's eyes saddened at the extreme damage his car contained. He treasured that thing so, so much. The entire passenger side was smashed in and grazed beyond repair. He reached to touch it, his fingers trembling, his lower lip quivering, as he dramatically wept for the giant hunk of metal dented inward on the car doors. "My baby, my poor, poor baby" he whimpered.
Helga looked to Arnold, rolling her eyes, "Oh pl-ease...can we hurried it up here."
Gerald sent Helga a glare. Helga continued, "We're still on the run you know!" she emphasized to Gerald as he climbed back into the car in despair. Arnold inquired, "Shouldn't we check on the other guy? You know...to see if he's okay?"
Helga faced Arnold in disbelief. "Are you serious? THE GUY TRIED TO KILL US WITH HIS CAR!" she yelled intending to get through to him. She continued with a sigh "Arnold, I know you mean well, but...Isn't it obvious who he is? And do you know if he is carrying weapon? Besides, the longer we stay here the more of a chance we get caught." She said earnestly.
He thought a moment as Gerald looked to him, nodding in quiet agreement with Helga. Arnold struggled with his decision, but he decided to take a chance. "Guys I just don't feel right about this, I think we should see if he's at least...alive, then we can take it from there."
Helga surrendered, "Fine Football-head, but we need something to protect us" as she turned to speak to Gerald she asked, "Got anything for protection? Weapons? Baseball bats? Anything that we can defend ourselves with if he tries anything?"
Gerald shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Well, I… think I have a lug nut wrench in the trunk, and an umbrella."
Helga scoffed and replied, "An umbrella! Crimeny, Gerald this is a life or death situation here and all you have is an UMBRELLA? Ugh, I can-not believe this!" she said shaking her head. She paused for a second then uttered in mock resignation, "Guess you're gonna have to go kung fu on him Arnold!" throwing him a grin. He chuckled at the comment before pulling the knob, popping the trunk open.
Arnold looked into it. He found a crow bar and headed to the other side of the street. Gerald as well grabbed the wrench, handing it to Helga while he grabbed the flashlight, catching up to Arnold. They all made their way to the turned over car. As they approached the car they noticed a man trying to writhe himself out from under it.
Helga muttered under her breath in sing song, "Looks like somebody's stuck."
Arnold spoke up, "Who are you? And why were you chasing us?" From what Arnold can deduce, he was probably one of the mayor's henchmen.
The man looked to him with spite as he replied, "You won't get away with what you and that skank did to the mayor."
Arnold looked puzzled as he replied, "We did nothing to the mayor. Actually, he's the one who's guilty of wrongdoing. He covered a crime he committed and now he's abusing his power in order to prevent the truth from coming out, he's at fault here...not us."
The man scoffed at him, he still did not believe them.
Gerald came into the conversation "Look, everyone let's just calm down, I think our emotions are running a little high here."
Finally noticing Gerald, the man called out to him. "Mr. Johanssen? You're...with them?"
Gerald looked to the man boldly, he replied, "Yes, I am."
He looked to Arnold, addressing the man further. "This man is right the mayor is the one at fault."
The man ignored Gerald's confirmation and uttered, "Well, don't worry you'll all be sorry. You may have gotten me, but there are more of us on the way."
On that note, Arnold decided that this conversation was over. He looked to Gerald and Helga, "We have to go, NOW"
But Gerald inquired, "What about the guy?" Arnold replied. "He'll be fine, since there are more on the way, I'm sure they'll stop for him."
Gerald resigned, heading back to his disfigured car, he uttered, "Whatever you say, Arnold."
Once they all entered the car, Gerald got back in the driver's seat. He inserted the key in the ignition, and turned it, the car wouldn't start. "C'mon, c'mon baby don't fail me now" He repeated the process two more times and on the third try the car roared to life.
"Yes" both men exclaimed as the car turned on and Gerald drove forward. They resumed the direction they were heading in.
A few hours later, they arrived at the state capitol, and began searching for a place to stay the night or what was left of it. In any case, the state attorney's office was closed till morning. Their main problem tomorrow would be to get there without being seen by the mayor's men. Gerald went into a small motel a few miles away from the DA's office. He parked around back to conceal the car from being noticed by the men chasing them. They rented a room to share since they were all short on cash.
Entering the room, Helga went straight for the bed and Arnold offered Gerald the reclining chair while he decided to take the floor so he could be near Helga.
As everyone settled themselves for the night, Arnold went into the restroom.
He opened the faucet and splashed some water over his face. The day turned out to be eventful as all the previous days had been, and he was exhausted beyond belief. He figured tomorrow will be just as challenging as today was, now that the mayor's men were on their tail.
He sighed. "I can't take much more of this" He whispered with dismay as he exited the bathroom. Each day their situation got more and more complicated. What would happen next?
When he reentered the room, he found both Helga and Gerald fast asleep.
Making his way towards his spot on the floor, Arnold stopped by the bed where Helga slept. He fondly looked at her and leaned forward carefully reaching over to caress her cheek with the back of his hand. With finesse, he lightly skimmed the surface of her soft pale skin, trying his best not to wake her.
He contemplated her recent behavior. "It seemed odd that she's been practically quiet throughout the entire car ride since the encounter with that man. I guess what he said really affected her. They'll keep chasing us until…" He released a loud sigh.
Meanwhile, Gerald shifted in his position on the reclining chair. He looked up with his eyes still blurry from sleep to see Arnold's unmoving form hovering over Helga. He heard him sigh. Gerald furrowed his brow inquisitively as he slowly rose up into a sitting position, he murmured, "Hey Arnold, is she…okay?" Arnold turned around and looked at him, worry set in his eyes.
He thought, "I guess Gerald noticed her change in behavior too."
But, Arnold soon replied dimly, "I…don't know!" He sighed. "I don't know what I'll do if I lose her again."
Gerald not quite understanding Arnold's last statement further inquired, "Lose her? What do you mean Arnold? How can you lose her?" Arnold closed his eyes for a moment, wondering whether he should say anything, but since all of this started he had no one to talk to or turn to for that matter. And Gerald had always been the person to lend him an ear or confide in when he needed it.
Arnold wrestled with himself on whether he wanted to divulge what was going on with her before finally conceding to tell him, at least a vague explanation. He knew he still couldn't fully let go of what Gerald had done, and only time would tell if he would. Nevertheless Arnold responded, "She's… not well. She has a condition in which, if there's any undue stress laid upon her she might lose her sanity...forever."
Gerald's eyes grew wide at the news, he was stunned. In retrospect, he lowered them and sincerely stated. "Oh...I'm...I'm really sorry Arnold I... didn't know."
Arnold continued speaking, his despair evident in his tone, "I just feel...helpless. I mean...I thought I could...help, make a difference, but I can't. I just wish I could... fix things, you know. Like old times." He said looking to Gerald with uncertainty in his eyes for the first time in years.
"Yeeeaaah...I know." Gerald replied in understanding. He also wished he could go back to simpler times. He wished that if given the chance he could go back and correct the mistakes he made so it wouldn't have gone this far. But what was done was done and they could only move forward from this and hope for the best. That was what the old Arnold would say.
Gerald continued, "Look Arnold, I know things may seem pretty bleak right now, but… all my life you taught me that there's a brighter side to every situation. And…I still believe that. I mean...we've gone against much greater odds than this and succeeded. You just... can't give up now!" He exclaimed and looked down at his interlocked hands, twirling his thumbs around as he continued. "Besides, I won't let you." He paused for a moment before saying, "I always got your back Arnold, even…even if you don't want me to. I always got your back."
Arnold stared at Gerald in amazement, unable to speak at the heartfelt sentiment. Well, for Gerald it was one.
Arnold stammered at his response, "Uh...I...um...well...uh thanks Gerald I...I appreciate that!" he said gratefully.
Gerald nodded. "Anytime Arnold…Anytime."
They remained still as quiet reigned supreme for a moment before Gerald spoke, "Well, I guess it's late, huh?"
Arnold replied timidly, "Yeah, I... guess it is."
Gerald continued, "We have a long day ahead of us so I think we should...uh.. hit the hay. So...good-night Arnold" Gerald said as he leaned back on the reclining chair. Arnold positioned himself on the floor away from Gerald's sight with a half-smile to his face as he replied lowly, "Good-night...Gerald"
(A/N: Awwww! Wasn't that special! I added a little bromance to the story. It reminded me of those sleepovers they used to have in certain episodes. I mean come on those two were stuck like glue on the show. I'm positive Gerald would have done whatever it took to get his friendship back with Arnold. Alright, first off a belated Happy New Year to you all. I know, I know kinda lame to do it now, but better late than never, I say. Two, I apologize for the long delay you know how life can be…Busy! So forgive me for not staying on top of this as I normally do. I will try my best next chapter! I want to thank everyone for their support! It brought a smile to my face. K.C.W.L.:)