Disclaimer: Hey Arnold and its characters belong to Craig Bartlett and Nickelodeon.
AN: My apologies concerning the posting of this chapter. I'm not sure what is going on, but the site does not recognize it. So I'm trying to repost it once again. I hope you don't hold it against me! Thanks and enjoy!
Rays of sunlight were increasingly peering through the closed blinds of the motel room by the minute. Water from the shower could be heard running in the bathroom. And two men stirred from their respective sleep alerted by the sudden activity taking place in the room. They looked at each other and then to the bed noticing the absence of their third roommate. "Helga's probably the one making the commotion." Arnold thought as he looked to the bathroom door.
As they got up from their makeshift beds, both men mumbled a quick greeting,
"Good-morning" Arnold greeted.
"Good-morning" Gerald responded groggily.
Seeing that it was a quarter past daybreak both men picked up their stuff and sat uncomfortably on their chair, waiting for the bathroom to be free.
Soon after, Helga came out looking and feeling refreshed. She stood by the men who were still obviously dazed from their lackluster sleep and quizzically asked. "What are you guys sitting there for? We have a mission to accomplish." she stated frankly.
Both men reacted instantly to her presence and stood up to enter the bathroom.
But as they approached the door they both realized their dilemma. Arnold offered, "You go first!" But, Gerald countered "Nah! Arnold, you go!" Arnold insisted, "I think you should go!" Helga butted in impatiently, "Criminy, will somebody go already?"
Gerald then conceded, "Okay, okay I'll go. Don't get your panties in a bunch"
Helga sent Gerald an intense glare. "I'll put you in a bunch of panties if you don't get your ass in there."
"Okay, okay" Gerald said as he held his hands up in surrender while entering the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Arnold sat back down on the chair while Helga jumped on the bed, grabbing the remote control to check what was on. Her eyes grew wide as she turned the volume up on the local news to see Arnold and her face plastered on the television.
Helga dropped her head dramatically on the bed. "I can-not believe this! We're...we're..." Arnold finished for her, "real fugitives. They've identified us now." he said as he tried to listen in on what the anchorman was saying.
Helga turned to the television once again shocked at what she was hearing. "They're saying we kidnapped Gerald against his will! Can you believe that Arnold?" Arnold merely shook his head and sighed in frustration, but still looked on.
In the meantime, Gerald came out of the bathroom to see Helga and Arnold attentively watching something on TV. "Hey guys, what are you watching?"
Arnold replied absentmindedly, "Unfortunately, the news"
"Really, something interesting?" Gerald said with humor as he sat down and turned his attention to the screen. But in that moment, his mouth dropped at the sight of his picture displayed and in hearing the commentary from the news anchor. A stunned Gerald bellowed as he stood up from his chair outraged at the recent developments. "Kidnapped, ME? How in the-? Are they serious about this?"
Helga rolled her eyes, replying. "Uh yeah...they are! Fuzzy Slippers handy work, I'm sure."
"Oh maaaan! " Gerald whined as he flailed his arms up and down in disbelief.
Arnold spoke out to the other two calmly. "Alright, it seems that Fuzzy Slippers raised the stakes, so we have to do our best to get to the State Attorney's office as soon as possible...without being noticed."
Arnold called a group meeting near a small round table located in the room. "Alright you guys here's what we have to do. Gerald your job is to distract the mayor's men while Helga and I enter the building from the side. The officials use it. It's the least crowded entrance."
A moment of epiphany came to Gerald then. "Wait, wait, wait, you mean I'm bait!"
"Yep" Arnold replied frankly.
"Oh man, Arnold" Gerald whined. Arnold looked to his friend with sympathy. "Sorry Gerald" His friend conceded and replied his face stern. "It's okay Arnold, you can count on me."
Gerald questioned, "But…Arnold? How do I distract those men?"
Arnold replied, "Well Gerald, it's simple. All you do is draw attention to yourself and away from us. You can even use your car, I'm sure they'll be looking out for it."
As Arnold was dishing out the plans to get to the DA, Helga heard a voice. "Hey Helga, Psst. Hey it's me, Eleanor."
Helga replied to herself out loud, "What? I thought you were gone!" Both men stopped speaking and looked to Helga quizzically.
Arnold inquired worriedly. "You okay, Helga?"
Looking back at him nonchalantly, she slowly replied. "Of course, I'm fine!"
And all involved returned to planning again.
But Eleanor continued, "You know you're not getting rid of me that easily, Bucko."
Helga defensively blurted out loud again, "Hey, only I say Bucko, get your own word."
Both men looked at her and then to each other, concern written on their faces.
She was acting strange this morning. Arnold hoped that the fusion of her personalities was going well, but from the looks of it, it seemed that her progress was stalling. Helga seeing the strange looks she was receiving excused herself temporarily from the men to station herself by the window.
Annoyingly, Helga inquired to Eleanor. "So what do you want cuz I have a mission to accomplish here in an hour or so?"
Eleanor replied, "Well, I have some ideas about it that may...interest you."
Helga's curiosity was piqued. "Go on"
Eleanor continued, "Well…I'm sure the mayor has alerted the security in that building. So, first off, it would be best if you came in through the front entrance."
"WHAT?" Helga yelled out, shocking Arnold out of his conversation with Gerald.
Noticing their gaze on her she uttered. "Heh, heh, I thought I… saw something outside…Nevermind"
She redirected her focus on Eleanor and spoke quietly, "I mean you were saying?"
Eleanor sighed, "I was saying that if you and lover boy came in from the front it would be less expected. They wouldn't think that you would be so bold as to take a risk like that. Besides, I think they'll focus their greatest amount of security on the least crowded entrances. Second, if you both show up the way you are now they'll instantly recognize you. As you know, I am the master of disguises; so if you want to pass by the guards unnoticed; you'll need some kind of attire that won't tip them off on who you are!"
Helga thought moment." Hmph, you know, that's not a bad idea. Okay, what else you got for me toots."
Eleanor replied irritated, "Don't call me that! Anyhoo, in order to know your way around in the building you'll need the floor plans for it. You need to memorize the floors and exits, just in case something doesn't go according to plan."
Helga responded, "Wow...I have to admit...you are pretty clever!"
Eleanor replied, her voice sounding mockingly sweet, "Why I'm flattered, Helga. That's ever so sweet of you, ever so sweet."
"Alright, alright, enough with the mushy stuff, let's just do this!" she stated with determination in her eyes.
With her game face on, Helga approached the two men who were discussing details of their plans further. She cleared her throat. "Listen up boys, I have something to say."
Arnold and Gerald stopped what they were doing and looked to the woman standing before them with a serious look on her face.
She continued, "It was brought to my attention by… someone that we can increase our chances of entering the building successfully by going through the front doors, wearing disguises."
She quickly added before being interrupted. "And also, if we have access to the floor plans of the building it can help us know where the DA's office is and to know our way around should things not go according to plan."
Arnold questioned, "Where are we going to get a disguise?"
Helga's hands suddenly landed on her hips as she huffed at his denseness, "Well Sherlock, we could check the local yellow pages on the nightstand there and find a Local shop or costume store for that."
Gerald inputted, "But what about the floor plans? How will we get that without being noticed as we go out there?"
She answered, "We'll have to be careful. We could check the net in a local library or something. Look! We've been in more escapades than these bozos can count on all of their ten fingers. Trust me we can make it happen, no problem. Besides, I'm sure they won't expect us in these places anyway. Any more questions?"
Arnold slowly raised his hand as if demanding his teacher's attention and reluctantly asked, " Um...who did you say brought this to your attention Helga?"
She looked to him blankly not wanting to go into details about her state of mind at the moment, 'Stupid shrink! Never know when to stop' She thought angrily. She replied, "A friend, now enough with the questions Football Head, session time is over."
She walked towards the door grabbing the yellow pages with her. Arnold looked to Gerald who was speaking to him. "What friend Arnold? We're the only ones here!" Gerald exclaimed. Arnold just sighed and shook his head. "Never mind, Gerald, just…never mind." Gerald merely shrugged, closing the door behind him, muttering to himself. "Whatever you say, Arnold, Whatever…you say."
As they stepped out of the room, a swarm of police cars could be seen rushing by the motel. Helga turned to the men. "Looks like they're already on their way to the district attorney's office. We've got to move, and quickly."
Arnold added as they carefully walked down the stairs trying to remain inconspicuous, "Keep your eyes open guys, you never know who's watching."
As they reached the bottom of the stairs Arnold sent Gerald ahead to fetch the car and bring it by the bush where both he and Helga were crouched in. Helga had an ominous feeling overcome her, like something bad was going to happen. Not picking up Helga uneasy vibe, Arnold just watched and scoped his surroundings. "Um...Arnold?"
"Hm?" he replied
She softly expressed, "If we don't make it-"
Arnold interjected, "Don't talk like that" he muttered turning to see doubt written on her face.
She replied, "Well, if we don't I just wanted to say...Thanks for doing all this, you... didn't have to you know?"
He looked at her and placed his hands on her shoulders "But, I wanted to. And we're going to make it." he emphasized with a smile. He was about to lean in and kiss her when Gerald showed up with the car. He rubbed her shoulders a bit than helped her up.
They crawled into the backseat of the car and then drove away. Avoiding crowded streets proved to be a challenge. Nevertheless, they managed acquire all the things they needed for this mission.
As Gerald drove towards the building, he spoke "You know this reminds me of the time we saved the neighborhood."
He sighed wistfully as he continued. "We got all those cool gadgets and wore those black suits. You remember that Arnold?" he finished with a smile.
Arnold looking to Helga thinking of something entirely different in relation to that particular time had a smile that began to spread from ear to ear, he replied. "Yeeeah...I remember"
Helga turned away from Arnold in slight embarrassment and brought a hand to her face in shame as she muttered. "Ohhhh man, you'll never let me live that moment down now will you?" Arnold smiled and shook his head 'no'.
Gerald looked at the two in the back seat through the rear view mirror quizzically. He mumbled, "I'm not even gonna ask" And redirected his vision to the road.
Arnold wrapped his arm around her shoulder pulling her closer to him. He whispered in her ear, "But it's one of my favorite memories" and then kissed her temple with affection. Helga placed her head onto his shoulder and lowly sighed in contentment. She'll enjoy this brief moment of happiness, before all hell broke loose.
Both Arnold and Helga had changed into their attire at a gas station restroom a few blocks away from the building. Helga had a gray business suit on with a brunette wig on her head while Arnold had a raven haired wig on with the same color fake mustache to match the hair and a navy blue business suit with a brief case.
"Is everyone ready?" Arnold asked as they sat in the car, waiting for the influx of workers and clients to flock in as the building doors opened. And all parties nodded in agreement. "Okay, let's do this" he added.
As Gerald stopped at a corner near a bus stop to drop Arnold and Helga off, the couple went on to blend in with the other suits heading towards the state building. As they walked towards the building, they noticed the extra police cars which surrounded it. Men were circulating and randomly observing their surroundings. But so far it looked like their focus was not on the suits walking in the building. Helga asked, "So what now?" Arnold smirked and replied "How about we begin mission impossible."
She smirked then and said "Already liking that plan Football head"
As they climbed the steps they also kept an eye out for the mayor's henchmen. A few of them were seen chasing Gerald's car as he sped by then turning the corner towards the back intent on diverting some of them away from the entrance. Arnold nodded at Helga. "First Phase is done!"
Passing through the immense swinging doors, they noticed a security checkpoint stationed in the corridor. In that area, there were metal detectors and a scanner in which those who enter the building would deposit their personal belongings for check ups. As people came into the building they stood in two separate lines one for men and the other for women. Both Arnold and Helga went into their respective lines. As they reached the security station they removed their shoes and personal items before passing through the metal detecting contraption.
Arnold came up to pass through the metal detector and came away without any difficulty, thereby grabbing his briefcase as he finished. Unfortunately, when Helga's turn came for her to pass through, she was pulled aside to be personally searched. Arnold looked her way as she was asked to stand aside.
"Uh oh" he said as he slowly moved up ahead with the crowd to avoid raising suspicion. He had to make it look like he was heading to an appointment or his office. A female security guard began to frisk Helga, brusquely touching her chest in the process. "Hey! Watch it Lady this is valuable merchandise you're handling there." The guard raised an eyebrow and replied. "Valuable? Honey, your rack isn't even worth a dime." Helga's temper began to rise. Her fists clenched as she was about to offer another snide remark when she noticed Arnold behind a marble pillar waving his hands wildly telling her to let it go.
She relaxed her posture and said, "Am I done now?" The female guard eyed her, examining her face. She hesitantly replied "Yeah, you're done"
Helga quickly put her shoes back on, grabbed her purse and headed towards Arnold. But before she left, she released a small "Humph" as she turned on her heels and walked away with her head held high. While she hastily walked away as she heard the woman utter to the other guard with her. "Doesn't she look familiar to you?" The other guard replied, "Hmm, yeah she kinda does"
They were about to check the warning list when the metal detector rang as some other woman passed through it. They went over to her to frisk her instead, forgetting about Helga. When she reached Arnold, they both began their trek toward their destination. Arnold spoke to her, "The District Attorney's office is on the 22nd floor .That's the highest floor. So based on the floor plans we need to make a right towards the elevators, so let's go." Helga nodded and they headed there.
They arrived there waiting along with the rest of the suits for an available elevator when Helga spotted one of the mayor's men. She hissed "Arnold! Arnold! There's one over there at 3:00." Arnold tried to inconspicuously turn his head to where Helga spotted him and returned his head forward quickly. Trying not to look tense, he stared at the elevator levels going down. "Come on, come on Level 1." he whispered. Helga herself looked forward, trying to blend in with all the other major suits. The mayor's men circled the lobby, fire arms hidden in their holsters, taking note of their surroundings. They checked each and every face that passed by them for any sign of recognition.
Helga and Arnold made sure to avoid eye contact with them as they circled their group. They were saved by a ding; the sound of the elevator reaching the first floor. Elated at the sound, they watched as the elevator doors opened and they along with the crowd walked in. Upon hearing the elevator reaching the lobby, one of the mayor's men made their way towards the elevator to take a second look at the men and women entering it. Both Helga and Arnold entered first and situated themselves in the back. They blended in with the other workers and clients heading to their destination all the while camouflaging their faces behind them. As the henchman looked on, examining the faces in the cramped up box, he noticed a discrepancy in two particular characters in the back. From every angle he tried to look at the two people in question, but they diverted their faces away from him.
He suddenly grew suspicious and decided to enter the elevator to get a closer look, but the steel doors were nearly shut. He quickly ran towards the button, pressing it, hoping that the elevator doors would reopen. Unfortunately, his attempt was unsuccessful. He pulled out his communicator to alert the men on the second floor so they can take a look at the two suspicious people located in the back of the elevator. Meanwhile, the elevator went up and moments later, the door opened on the second floor. Some people exited and then two henchmen glanced in to take a look at their faces. Unable to see, they entered the elevator behind other men and women dressed in suits. As the door closed and everyone had chosen their floor to stop on, the henchmen occasionally glanced back each one trying to examine the physical features of the passengers aboard.
Arnold looked to Helga worryingly even with the disguises his football shaped head was still recognizable to anyone who looked at him. Arnold nodded to Helga and she knowingly replied back to him with her own nod. "Time for Phase 2"
As the elevator moved through each floor and people came and went, Arnold and Helga grew nervous from the wait. Trying to stay calm was becoming a challenge as the number of people in the elevator continued to decrease as they moved up the floors. Sweat began to form on their faces, eyes were darting all around the elevator for a sense of distraction from the wait, and restlessness was settling in their bodies from the dreadful outcome this mission might produce.
When they reached the 21st floor, the last of the suits went off. Remaining in the elevator were Helga, Arnold, and the two men. As the metal doors began to close the two men began to reach for their weapon in their respective holsters. Arnold and Helga took that opportunity to press against the back of the elevator wall to wind up and quickly sprint intending to ram their shoulders into both men. One man was shoved to the side wall hitting his head as Arnold collided with him, therefore falling unconscious, and the other stumbled forward on his stomach from Helga's head on attack. As the door nearly closed Arnold stuck his arm out between them forcing the sensors to reopen them. Stepping out of the elevator, he looked both ways for the exit sign that may direct them to the stairwell. Helga was about to step out when one of the men pulled her legs out from under her and she fell to the floor forward hitting her chin while her wig flew out from her head in the process, exposing her blonde hair.
"Argh" she yelled out in pain from the impact as she bit her tongue in the process. Arnold turned back and grabbed her hands pulling her to him while the other man pulled her towards him. Unfortunately, more pain came to Helga as the metal elevator doors began to repeatedly close and open on her hips. "Ow..ow..ow, Arnold pull me out already!" She screamed. And in one abrupt motion Helga kicked the man in the head, who in turn released her, allowing Arnold to yank her out of the elevator; leaving the mayor's men inside.
Arnold swiftly got up and grabbed Helga's hand which was nursing her battered hips, and pulled her towards the exit sign where the stairs were located. He raced up the stairs removing his wig and mustache since they were of no use at this point and headed for the DA's office before the mayor's men arrived there. As he burst through door to the 22nd floor, he noticed the office door up ahead past the elevator. He and Helga hurriedly ran down the hallway attempting to arrive at the seemingly unreachable door. So far no one was in sight. Seeing that they were in the clear they continued to the office door. "We're home free Helga" Arnold uttered as he reached for the door knob and opened it, expecting to walk in to meet the District Attorney.
But instead, standing before them was the face of a smirking Fuzzy Slippers, and in one fell swoop they were surrounded by 4 men. One man pressed his firearm to Arnold's back urging him to move forward. Arnold looked around the office noticing that the District Attorney was nowhere in sight. He looked to Fuzzy Slippers questioningly, and the man catching on to Arnold's expression stated, "I know what you're thinking! Where…is the District Attorney? Well, if you're truly dying to know. I'll tell you. I gave a false tip on a case of his...he had to go check it out, so…he won't be back for hours."
Fuzzy Slippers approached Arnold to the point where their faces were merely inches away from each other. He grinned at Arnold, his arrogance piercing through as he spoke. "So… this is the legendary Arnold Shortman. We finally meet!"
It seemed clear to Arnold that Fuzzy Slipper's ego had increased over the years. Fuzzy was a man who came from humble beginnings to become the most powerful man in Hillwood. He was a man who climbed his way from obscurity to claim the spotlight and the effect of it all seemed to have gone to his head.
Fuzzy Slippers was a mysterious character. He was the unsung legend of the neighborhood. He was the go-to-guy who knew the comings and goings of Hillwood. That was his specialty. He began his journey as 'The Keeper of the Tales' spouting urban legends to kids his own age in the neighborhood. A tradition which was handed down to him by the men of his family. And that he himself passed on to his younger cousin Gerald when he outgrew that title. With his appealing personality and resourcefulness he grew to have made some serious connections in the city, which gained him access to valuable information from time to time. But at times, the information proved to be dangerous and as a result threats on his life had been made. That's when Fuzzy Slippers came to be. An alias he stumbled upon as he drowsily made his way to the kitchen one morning to find that he had accidentally put on his mother's fuzzy slippers. From that point on his identity would never truly be revealed lest only to Gerald Johanssen on account of relation. Fuzzy Slippers, was a man once valued and quietly respected in the community, but now he had succumbed to his own selfish pride; becoming a man treading on dangerous ground. He was ruled by only one goal, to obtain power, no matter the cost.
Arnold stood face to face with Fuzzy Slippers in a fierce staring contest as he voiced out angrily, "You know you'll never get away with this." he uttered viciously his face marred with contempt.
Fuzzy Slippers began to laugh maniacally, taunting Arnold. "Oh Arnold, don't you see... I already have."
Fuzzy Slippers face turned serious again as he motioned his men to snatch the briefcase from Arnold's hand to hand it over to him. Arnold was unable to react knowing the number of guns pointed at him and Helga. He looked to Helga who looked a little ticked off at the moment as the man handed the briefcase to the mayor. Sensing the tension coming from her, he unnoticeably reached for her hand and gently brushed his fingers into her palm. Feeling the sensation of his fingertips upon her palm, Helga immediately relaxed. She inadvertently took a glance in his direction and returned it back to Fuzzy Slippers as he opened the briefcase.
Opening it, a smirk came to his face. He held up the papers looking to Arnold, a sense of victory rising in him, knowing that he had won. He was claiming victory against the boy who so long ago overshadowed his reputation as the true figure of Hillwood. He had beaten the legend, the pillar of the community, a boy known for overcoming the odds time and time again. His legacy as mayor still eclipsed by the return of one of the most beloved individuals Hillwood had ever acquired. Even his own family had flocked to the football-headed man, despite the fact that he too was as important to the community as this man before him was. Just thinking about this made his blood boil. He was angry and outraged by the fact that he could never measure up in the eyes of the public to this upstanding figure.
But for once in his life, he would achieve admiration...from everyone. No more would he be the man in the shadows. From now on, he would claim victory and bring this football-headed man down to his knees. He would tarnish this man's reputation and take away all he held dear.
Fuzzy Slippers circled Arnold his pride increasing as he watched Arnold's gaze fixed on the documents in his hand. He stopped by the trash can, holding up the paper in clear view; he released them into it and smiled vindictively. Taking out a lighter, he spoke to Arnold and Helga.
"See...even the great Arnold Shortman cannot always win. It's too bad Sheck himself couldn't be here to see the infamous Arnold fall from his pedestal. I'm sure he would've been happy to see this day come. But don't worry, I'll send him a message in prison." he uttered as he flick the lighter dumping it into the trash can.
"NO!" Helga screamed running towards the can, hoping to salvage the documents, but before she could get any further she and Arnold were held back by his henchmen.
Trying to wriggle himself out of their grasp Arnold managed to slip out of one of the mens' grasp and headed to the garbage can to save what was left of the documents. As he reached into the trash can, Fuzzy Slippers held a gun at him intending to shoot. Before he could pull back the trigger though, Gerald managed to enter the room unnoticed and ran past the men to capture his cousin's arm away from Arnold as a shot was fired and ricocheted off the can to anchor itself in the corner wall.
Taking the gun away from him, Gerald spoke up. "What were you thinking man! Are you out of your mind?" Fuzzy Slippers turned to his cousin in anger, "This...is no concern of yours Gerald, go now...I don't want you involved in this." Gerald in turn replied, "It's too late Fuzzy, you made me a part of this the second you asked me to keep my mouth shut!"
In the meantime, as the shot was fired, Arnold managed to salvage only one document and quickly folded it as the two cousins talked. He discreetly tucked it underneath his sleeve, and stood watch of the four men handling Helga. The two cousins continued to argue. Gerald urging Fuzzy Slippers to surrender.
"Fuzzy Slippers my man, what's happening to you? You've changed...I...I don't even know who you are anymore. The man I knew would never stoop this low for power. The person I knew cared about people and...his family."
Blinded by pride Fuzzy Slippers continued. "Look Gerald, I know what I'm doing, and...I do care about you, I always have. Listen man, what I'm doing here is for you."
Gerald replied quizzically, "For me?"
Fuzzy Slippers replied, "Yes, for you." elaborating further, "Don't you see! If this ever gets to the district attorney not only would I go to jail, but the Johanssen's family name would be tarnished. Not only would it affect my family, but yours as well. People would hate us for generations to come just for what I did. Not only that, your radio show would be affected, people would protest it, and you'd lose sponsors, especially after they realize that you knew what had happened all along."
Gerald's eyes widen in surprise at what his cousin was saying.
Fuzzy Slippers spoke further, "Oh yes, you think they won't blame you for what you did? If they found out, you and everyone else involved would go down with me for keeping quiet…even that little wife of yours."
Gerald, shocked, looked to Fuzzy Slippers in disbelief. "Who are you?" he stated in disbelief.
Fuzzy Slippers replied bluntly, "I'm the mayor and I intend on going further with my career. I'm not about to let some bimbo keep me from my ambitions. And nothing Gerald, nothing will stop me."
With sorrow in his eyes, Gerald spoke to him. "Well Cuz, I'm sorry, but I can't let that happen." With the weapon in his hand he held it up to Fuzzy Slippers and spoke. "Arnold, Helga, you need leave Now!" he emphasized with determination at the two. The mayor's men also held their weapons at Gerald in return. But he stood his ground and insisted. "Arnold…Helga, I said go!"
But Arnold began to protest, "Gerald don't do this. We can find another wa-" Gerald yelled at Arnold while still looking at Fuzzy Slippers sternly. "GO NOW! ARNOLD" he spat out forcefully.
Arnold looked to his best friend with worry and reluctantly grabbed Helga as the henchmen released her at the mayor's order. They ran out the door and down the hallway towards the stairs.
Gerald continued, "Cuz… in all my life I never imagined that I would be doing this. But now, I realized that you are no longer the person I knew. You were more than a cousin to me, you were like my brother. I always took your side, even to Jaime-O. I looked up to you...until today. You know…Arnold had never in his life manipulated me into doing something against my will the way you did. I never thought that I would say this, but I hate you for doing this to me. I hate you, for ruining an innocent woman's life, for messing up my friendship, and for creating this huge mess just for your own selfish needs."
Fuzzy Slippers with disdain replied to his cousin. "So…I see you're taking his side. Humph! If that's the way you want it, fine." Approaching Gerald, he grabbed his arm intending to capture the gun from him. But they both began to struggle relentlessly until... a shot was heard and the sound of a loud thud followed..."
Meanwhile, as Arnold and Helga reached the stairs they heard the shot that was fired down the hall. Arnold temporarily froze. He whispered, "No...Gerald, what did you do?"
Helga looked to Arnold who seemed trapped in a haze. Trying to snap him out of it she called out to him, shaking him urgently. "Arnold?Arnold? Arnold! ARNOLD!" He was lost.
She tried once more. "Arnold, I'm sorry for what I'm about to do! Please forgive me!" She pulled her right hand back and slapped him across the face hitting the healing bruise, which he received a few days ago. "OW!" Arnold bellowed staring at Helga sternly then. "What was that for?"
Helga replied as she pulled him down the stairs speedily. "You were in shock, Arnold; I had to snap you out of it. We don't know what happened up there. But all I know is regardless of what happened we have to keep going it's what Gerald would want us to do."
Arnold looked to Helga in understanding and reluctantly they continued their run down the stairs. When they reached the 8th floor their legs grew tired. Panting exhaustively, Helga voiced aloud. "I...don't...think...that I can go...further..anymore." Arnold panting himself insisted. "Come on Helga...we need...to keep..going. You can do it!"
She whined feeling exhausted, "But, I'm tiiiirrrreeed"
Arnold sighed as he stopped for a moment, quickly turning to Helga. "Want a piggy back ride?" he said looking to her as she smiled giddily at his offer. "Sure...I-I mean whatever floats your boat football-head" she responded as she climbed his back.
Although, the time to reminisce was inappropriate since they were on the run, Helga couldn't help recalling a distant memory, "You know Arnold, this takes me back to April fool's day when you thought I was blind. You remember that"
Arnold just merely groaned in response. She pressed on while laughing, "You had to carry me on your back across the street and then back to Slausen's like a mule" She chuckled. "You were so dense back then. Ha ha ha Good times!" As Arnold continued down the stairs, he rolled his eyes at the memory. Panting he mentioned, "But...I had...the last...laugh. Remember… that Helga!"
She rolled her eyes saying, "That's not what I recalled when I pulled you into the pool with me, Arnoldo" Arnold groaned.
Stopping on the 2nd floor Arnold felt extremely exhausted, thereby, releasing Helga to her feet. "Although, I carried you back then…you were definitely… so much lighter than you are now…sooo much lighter." He mentioned with a devious smirk on his face. Helga looked to him with blazing eyes and gritted out, "What are trying to say Arnold?" He looked away from her and replied, "Nothing. Not a thing"
Offended at his statement, Helga gave him a playful slap on his shoulder. "You're gonna regret ever saying that to me, Football-head. Mark…my…words." Arnold just grinned, but soon his face turned serious.
They were still on the run, and obviously some of the mayor's men that were on the first floor started to come up the stairs. So Helga and Arnold entered the second floor trying to decrease their chances of getting caught. There were still people working on the floors, and it seemed that despite the altercation that occurred twenty floors up no one was being evacuated.
Noticing an office door open both Arnold and Helga went in, closing it behind them. Helga looked to Arnold, his face still red from the bout of exercise he just endured. He took a moment to catch his breath. But knowing that their time was short; Arnold made quick use of the phone in the office. He knew what to do next. Meanwhile, Helga stood watch by the door opening it ever so slightly to see some of the mayor's men beginning to file in on their floor. She hissed, "Hurry up, Arnoldo. They're coming!"
As soon as he was done Arnold grabbed Helga's hand and carefully opened office door. The men were all scattered around, checking every room. Arnold crouched down quickly to avoid being seen, and Helga mimicked him. He stepped out and looked down the hall and noticed more office doors. He looked to Helga and pointed to that direction. He whispered "We need to keep moving, maybe we might find another office with a window" Helga nodded in understanding and they began crawl their way down the hall. But halfway through Helga noticed something that caught her eye. The fire alarm.
"Hm, that might help us get out of here much more easily and it will slow them down a bit" she whispered to him as they kept moving. Arnold noticing her intent gave the okay and merely looked to her with half-lidded eyes as she pulled on the lever.
"BRRRIIIINNNGGGG." The fire alarm sounded and resonated through the building alerting the people away from their duties. Within seconds people began filing out in droves in an orderly manner, confusing the men, searching for Arnold and Helga.
Arnold and Helga took this as their cue to rejoin the fellow suits as they went for the stairs. They meshed themselves with the crowd, making their way outside of the building, unnoticed. Once they were fully out of the danger zone, Arnold and Helga separated themselves from the group. They stood watch two blocks away from the building wondering what was going on. The fire department as well as the police sirens can be heard in the distance reverberating repeatedly as they made their way to the State building.
"Let's go Helga" Arnold said as he pulled her to walk further away from the building while they tried to remain inconspicuous, but still keeping a look out for Fuzzy Slippers' men. As they reached a greater distance from the building, Helga suddenly stopped.
Her shoulders began to slump, her head lowered, and her eyes were brimmed with tears. Arnold stopped as well, noticing her state. She whispered unable to look to him. "I'm sorry Arnold, I'm so...sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't mean for anyone to get hur-" Arnold swiftly approached her wrapping her in his embrace. He whispered back, "Shh Helga, it wasn't your fault. Fuzzy Slippers just... took it too far. You're not to blame, not at all." She pulled away slightly and whispered back. "But if I'd just let go of the rape case maybe...maybe Gerald wouldn't have done what he did. And now he's probably going to get arrested because of me. And Phoebe...oh man...what...what will she do?" At the thought of her friend Helga began to sob unrelentingly. Arnold embraced her once again, his eyes shedding tears as well in regret. Regret for so many things left unsaid, and unresolved. He replied back to Helga. "I don't know Helga. Lately, I just don't know."
A/N: Hey everyone, sorry for the late update. I was a bit overwhelmed for a few weeks, but it's slightly better now. I hope you liked this chapter. I know I left the end on a cliffhanger and I myself hate cliffhangers, but at this point in time it was necessary. Sorry! :( Also, I want to thank all of you who reviewed the last chapter, I really valued what you thought of it no matter how small or large it might have been, and I appreciated the time you took to do this. It gives me encouragement to keep this going and I'll try not to disappoint. So, until next time… Ciao!
~KCWL