Here guys! Im so sorry for the long wait, but ive been quite busy lately, with my new work (i work at night), and the fact that i was moving out... also i felt like this chapter sucks balls, so I commissionned a drawing for this chapter for like 35$! You cant find the link on my profil :3

ENJOY YOUR READ, AND PLEASE, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

Next chapter is the last.

Darkness was all I could see when I opened my eyes after what seemed like hours. I bobbed my head up and down, trying to recover consciousness. My head felt dizzy, my mind was blurry. What happened ?

I let out a groan as I felt something thick and dried up on the left side of my head. I lifted my hand to reach it, but I quickly figured that I couldn't, my hands were mysteriously tied together. What the heck ?

I moved my body, slightly. My feet were tied too. I felt a wave of panic race my heart. Where the hell was I ? Where was Helga ?

And as soon as her name popped up in my mind, my unconsciousness and dizziness disappeared. Oh my God, where was she ? I tried to narrow my eyes, in the hope to see her skinny figure in the dark, but it was no use; it was truly and inexorably dark. I bit my bottom lip, thinking of a way out even though the situation wasn't the brightest right now. Whatever room I was being kept in, it was silent. Deadly silent. Okay, so, I was kidnapped. Why ?

It was no doubt because of Helga. But why ? Didn't those guys have better things to do on Christmas day than kidnap a poor defeated women ?

Oh God, what will they do to Helga ? Or worse yet, what have they already done ? A feeling of fear had wrapped itself around my body and it had now a strong grip on me.

''HELGA!'' I screamed on the top of my lungs, despite already having my throat in pain because of the flu or whatever I had.

It was really not my day. I screamed again, but I was once more met with silence. Shit. Shit shit shit SHIT!

Could this get any worse ? Here I was, tied to a chair in a dark and smelly room, alone with Helga somewhere in there getting beaten- or worse- raped ! At this thought, my mind went wild and I struggled against the rope, yelling and shouting insults at whoever could hear.

I kept doing this for as long as I could, but I was injured and tired. I wasn't one to give up easily; I was a stubborn kid, just like Helga. I knew she was fighting with all her might right now... Or in her state, maybe had she just given up. I shook my head. No no, it was not the time to think like this !...

But yet, it was hard to be positive in a situation like this. Think Arnold, think !

My eyes were now used to the obscurity, and I managed to distingue some things despite the room being in the darkness. There was a window, on my right. Outside, it was nearly as dark, and the window probably viewed on an alley. Ok, so If I find a way out with Helga, I could still escape by there. It didn't look very high, so It would be ok.

But will there even be an escape ? They could kill us for all I know...

Again, I felt fear. For Helga, and for me. I didn't want to die ! I just wanted to go home... With the girl I love. Was it too much to ask ? A peaceful life ? I was ready to work like crazy, to help her clear her debt. Couldn't those guys just give me time ? I couldn't quit remember the number of 0's of the debt, but it was huge enough.

I waited for what seemed for hours. I was listening for any noise and I didn't know if the silence was a relief or not. I wouldn't bear hearing a scream or something. But on the other hand, the silence would mean...

I shook my head. No no no, Arnold, you can't think that ! Don't even dare! She's alright. She's Helga Pataki ! Defeated or not, she wouldn't give up without a fight!

And then, I remembered. No, I noticed how... How little I knew about her. I know little of her past, I don't know what she want to do later, I don't know the details of her life that interest me the most. I know... Nothing. All I knew was that she was a fragile girl hiding under a hard shell of indifference and sarcasm. She also felt lonely, that was one of the reason she used to love taking guys home. She felt rejected... And despite saying she's amazing, she didn't think she was... A confused girl under a mask of confidence. That's what she was.

Suddenly, someone opened the door, and I cracked my neck to see who it was. It was unfortunately not the person I hoped it would be. Instead, I saw a wave of red hair hidden under a green cap, a little like mine, but more beaten up. The guy was wearing a simple white t-shirt stained with blood (I gulped at that), and a pair of black jeans. He turned on the light. Despite it being weak and coming from a single bulb hanging lazily from the ceiling, it blinded me for a minute or two. The guy just watched with a mysterious smile on his face. When I was finally able to see, I noticed how simple he was. He wasn't big and buff, or tall and skinny. Just normal. And he had dark green eyes, and a scar across his left eyebrow. He was simple, but... Something was off with him. I couldn't put my finger on this something, but I felt scared like I've never been before. I felt like I knew this guy..

''Hello, Arnold," he said with a deep tone in his voice, hands in his pocket.

''Who... Who are you ?''

My voice was too hoarse from the lack of water, and the cold I had. It still hurt me to talk, but for now, it was the least of my concerns.

The man faked to be pained.

''I'm hurt that you don't know me...'' But then he leaned toward me ''But it's true that you've never met me before. I'm Dan. Pleased to meet you''

Dan... Why was this name saying me something? I felt like this should ring a bell in my... oh my God.

Dan. Of course. He was... He was the source of all of Helga's problems.

The dealer.

I knew it. He just didn't want the money... He wanted to see Helga suffer as well. But why ? What on earth did she do to him ?

There was still a lot I didn't know about her. And what I might find worried me the most.

''What do you want ?'' I spat through gritted teeth. I hated that guy with all my heart.

He crossed his arms behind his back, and looked at me like I was some random kid asking him to give my ball back.

''I think you know what I want, young Arnold.''

I frowned, and glared at him with all the bravado I could muster.

''We'll give you the money. But that amount of money... It takes time, you know ? Helga is giving you a little every week. She's.. She's trying to be good, now. You ki.. ki... Killed...'' I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

''Killed every member of her gang, uh ?''

He crossed his hands behind his back, straightening his back and looking at the windows.

''See boy, I do not know what she told you, but Pataki stopped giving me money a while ago. I saw her doing some kind of secret jobs for people, other dealers, and stuff. They give her money from that, but never did I see the colour of that money.''

My frowned deepened, I was truly lost now. She couldn't have, couldn't she ?

''You are lying. Helga would never lie to me that way!''

He grinned a little.

''You see, there is a lot of ways to make money living in the street. Stealing, killing, doing little jobs for people, prostituting...''

I gulped at those last words, fearing what I might hear next.

''Pataki... Did a lot of things. She was respected, she is a though one, she's beaten up more people that I stole from them. At first, she worked for me. I sent her to steal from little shops, or sometimes, I had to... Uh, send her to people's home to steal their goods. You know, a lot of people owe me money. Pataki's one of them. Normally I do the dirty jobs myself... Like killing people, or steal from the ones that owed me money for more than three months. But...''

He looked at me with those dark green eyes, and kneeled in front of me.

''Pataki was the exception. I liked her, she was a good fighter, her eyes were hateful towards the world, and her heart was nothing more than a void of darkness. Well, until she meets you.''

I didn't know if I should smile or blush, but that thought made me happy... But I was now less eager to hear the rest of the story.

''But her fame was rising, so she became... How could I put that ? Snob, if I might say. No, not snob. More like arrogant. She thoughts she could do whatever the hell she wanted. That was... Well, not so long ago, you know? Barely before she met you. But I still wanted my money, you know ? She may have been one of my favorite people, but the number of 0's was slowly rising on my paper. Dan, give me 10 dollars, I need money for my rent's bill. Dan, could you give me some weed ? I have a party, and I need this for my crazy kids. Thanks bud, I owe you. That was always a different story, but the result was the same. Things started to get ugly. I sent guys to give her a little punishment, but she would always beat them up. If not, her gang would. Someday, I went myself, with some of my bodyguards. She played the whore card, and she... Hm, well, she gave daddy some sugar in a hallway.''

My teeth gritted together at his words, but anger called me when I clearly remembered that night. I was looking for Helga, I hadn't seen her in a while, and then I saw T-Rex and other member of her gang standing there. It was also the night of our first time... But then why couldn't she tell me the truth ?

''Helga's not a whore!''

''You're right, she is not, More like some kind of hooker. You know more than anyone that Pataki's a pretty one, don't you ? I always had a thing for blue eyed girls. They're the prettiest, but also the dumbest.''

''She is not...'' I was stopped by a hand held in front of me.

''I know. Pataki is smart, too smart. That's why she always wanted to continue school, even though she didn't quite have the money. But she can also be so stupid. Trying to run from me ? Such a stupid move.''

He stood up, wiping his forehead with his cap.

''But now, we got her. And we got you. I'm sorry we had to involve you in our plan, bud. I thought killing her gang would break her, but she keeps ignoring my threat. And I do have an idea that it is your fault, kid. She can't leave that world so easily. Once a street kid, always a street kid.

He straightened his cothes, and dusted his ap.

''I like you, young Arnold. If you were more of a bad boy, I would have taken you with me. I like honesty. I'm always honest. I never lie. And this Helga girl is one hell of a manipulative one. That day when I went to confront her, she made that face, with those blue eyes of her. I just fell for that, and she went away after giving me a blowjob. Seriously, in that world, a girl can always go away with that kind of work, you know ? She learned that quickly, trust me. I was actually the first one. I bet you know what she can do with her tongue, don't you ?''

My cheeks burned, but so does my rising anger. I wanted to cover my ears, I didn't want to hear any of that ! I truly didn't care what Helga did in the past, what mattered was what she was doing now !

But she lied to you, said a little voice in my mind. And that was what worried me the most. Ok, so she didn't give him the money like she told me she did. But why ? Also, that money that she was able to get from her singer's skill. Was that also a lie ? Or was she just going to do some dirty works ? I felt the sudden urge to throw up. It was so much to take in, I felt sick. And it was sick. There was so much I didn't know about her, and this guy seemed to know a little too much.

''She really have one hell of a body, uh ?'' He started to say.

Oh now. Please don't go that way...

''Her beautiful, platinum silk looking hair... The way her lips move when she smirks, those eyes that could melt the hardest ice, her cool looking tattoos. When we made love, I liked to play with her piercings, pulling it a little, making her scream, or bit her breast. Did you know she had a little scar between her boobs ? I made it with my own nails. And that thing between her legs is just so...''

''SHUT UP! SHUT UP! I yelled on top of my lungs, my eyes almost popping out of my cranium. ''I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOU! STOP TALKING ABOUT HER THAT WAY! OR I'LL... I'LL... OR I'LL KILL YOU!''

Dan looked at me somewhat impressed by my outburst, but he smiled and backed down a little.

''My my, we have a feisty one here. Anyway, Arnold, I know that I will never have my money back. That is why I kidnapped her. I'll make her pay.''

He pulled off from his back pocket something metallic... A magnum. My eyes widened as he started to clean it with his shirt, taking good care of it like it was his fucking baby.

''She played with me for the last time. Now, I will break her. And I will kill you both. But not today, it would be a shame to kill her on a Christmas day.''

''Where is she ?'' I finally asked, nails dipping deep into my palms.

''Oh yeah, I guess you're right to be worried. Hold on a minute, kid.''

He pulled off his phone.

''Bring her.'' He said before hanging up and smiling to me.

''You're a monster.'' I stated, my full of burning fire eyes boring into his.

At this state, I wanted nothing more than tear him apart and see him burn. He smirked

''Oh, but she is as rotten as I am.''

''She's not ! She has a good heart !'' I managed to say, but he simply shrugged as I heard the door being opened. I felt my blood run cold when I caught a glimpse of yellow and red in the arms of a bulky black guy. He threw the body of Helga on the ground, to Dan's feet.

''Hel... Helg-ga...'' I muttered, astonished.

Red... All I could see was red... On her hair, on her face, on her torn and ripped clothes. She was bleeding badly, and bruises were covering her body. Some of her piercings has been literally ripped from her ears, and she looked half conscious. Dan hissed.

''Eh, it must have hurt.''

He kneeled, taking her chin between his fingers.

''I'll leave you alone with your boyfriend tonight, little arrogant bitch. But tomorrow, you will both die. You know Pataki, I think it's really awful. You were a great friend, a good follower... But then the little caterpillar decided to turn into a butterfly, and you went by your own wings. That was such a mistake. This is mine, and nothing can go by without me knowing it. You're screwed, and you messed up your chance, Pataki. Such a stupid move. Maybe you'll think further in your next pathetic life.''

He smirked at me, before throwing a kick in Helga's stomach, making her groan in pain. That simple view made my soul almost jump out of my body. I clenched my fists so hard that my hands started to bleed, I looked at him with all the rage and the hate I could muster.

''Don't touch her, bastard!''

''Sh sh, now, calm down little man. Everything's gonna be okay soon. You will both die, and have that peace you were looking for.''

I widened at that. Oh no, no no no no no!

''See ya around little bud.'' Said Dan, patting my head and leaving with the other man, leaving us alone in the half lighten room.

I was surprised, why wasn't he tying her up ? Maybe he forgot ? It seemed stupid, but I went with this idea and I looked at my girl with a look of despair and worry.

''Helga... Helga, sweetheart... Can you hear me ?''

Slowly, she moved her head toward me. An eye was completely shut because of a blackish bruise around her white scarred eye. Fortunately it wasn't the functional one... She would have been blind.

I cringed at all the blood on her skin.

''Oh my god... Oh Helga I'm... I.. A...''

I was doing my best not to cry. How could someone make so much damage on her ? She was a fighter! Did she not fight back ? Where... Where was the badass I used to know ?

I shook my head. Arnold, you stupid. She is human! A girl ! Stop with your superhero bullshit!

''Helga... Helga, please answer me. Tell me you're okay.''

She lifted her iris, looking right into my eyes. She was lying on her stomach in little pool of her own blood.

''Ar...Old...'' She managed to say through bloody teeth.

''Yes Helga, that's me. It's Arnold, you're safe, okay ? We're going to get out of here.''

''It's... Too late Arnold... It's my... It's my fate... I am so so-sorry that you... were involved in this...'' The blonde haired girl of my life answered in a low muttering, closing her eyes to a deep sleep.

''Helga! HELGA! Don't sleep ! And stop saying such things ! You deserve to live as much as me and everyone else !

She moved her head a little, and a weak smile appeared on her face.

''Did... Did I ever tell you... I had a thing for... Green eyed... Football head ?''

I blushed, though it wasn't the time for that.

''Helga...'' I said, not getting my eyes off her.

''I... I'm sorry I lied to you... I... Didn't pay... What I owed to ...D... To him... I'm... So-So sorry that... I...''

''It's okay, Helga, I'm not mad. We're going to talk about it later, in a hotel room, okay ? Just hold on a little. You... Can you move ? Do you think you can untie me ?''

She looked tired, very tired, but she tried. She pushed with her hands on the floor, trying to get herself up, but after barely two seconds, and let herself fall on the floor in a thud. She gritted.

''I... I can't move... I'm in so m-much pa-p-pain...''

''Oh, please... Don't say that...'' I said, but it came out as a uncontrolled sob. ''I... I love you Helga. I love you so very much. I... I said I would protect you, but look at me now. I'm low, so low, I can't even protect the girl I love. Don't die, Helga. Don't let yourself die, you're better than that, you know that, right ? You know that you're worthy, right ? Please tell me you're still here. Please... Please tell me something Helga-ish. Something that show me that you're still in there.''

She glared at me with her only functional eye, and sent me a little smirk.

''What... the fuck are you saying, football head ? Always... Saying bullshit...''

I smiled a little at that, and took my time to truly look at her. She wasn't wearing her coat anymore, but her pink shirt was completely torn, like she had been attacked by a horde of zombies. Her hair that used to be a whole new shade of yellow was now stained with crimson red. Her face was a bloody mess, there were blackish and blueish bruises everywhere, scratches, cigarette burns... I closed my eyes. I couldn't watch it anymore.

''Helga, I know it's difficult, but we have to escape. You... You have to get up.''

''I can't...'' She said weakly.

''You're Helga G Pataki. Sure you can !"

She turned her face towards me, not answering. I managed to make the tenderest face I could do.

''I love you, sweetheart. You're forever in my heart. I know you're strong. I don't care if you drink and swear, I don't care if you got a sordid past. I don't care if you're not perfect nor a model. I don't care that you got some bad tattoos and I don't care that you smoke. I love you for the person you are. I love you for your strength, for your courage, for your kindness, even though you're hiding it. I love the way your stir before waking up. I love it when you put your head on my lap when we're watching tv, and I think it's adorable the way you would complain when it's boring. I love the fact that you suck in science, but like to paint and play music. I love the way you dance and sing, I love that scar of yours, and your piercings (what's left of it). I love the way you are concentrating while watching cartoons, I love your flat stomach, your smooth skin, your soft hair, and your bright bright blue eyes. I love those long legs, those fragile hands. I love everything about you. I may not know everything about you like that Dan guy does, but I sure know everything that make you more than a street kid. You are Helga Geraldine Pataki, the painter, the musician, the singer, the girl I love, the sarcastic one, the fighter, the tough one.''

I finally looked at her with wet eyes. She had listened to me with widened eyes, her hands sleepily resting near her head after she fell down.

''Arnold...'' She muttered.

''I know you can do it...'' I replied with a sad smile.

The room was silent for a little while. Everything that we could hear what the soft sound of rain that started to fall outside, and not a little rain by the sound of it. I looked at her for a minute or two before dropping my head. We were screwed. At least, my life wasnt so bad. I got the chance to love two girls, to meet my parents, to have incredible friends. I think I had a happy life.

But suddenly, I heard a sound, and moan. I lifted my head, to see Helga trying to stand up on her shaky arms.

''Helga?'' I heard myself say.

''You're right...'' She said under her breath, panting, and sending an hard look at me. ''I'm stronger than that. I... I'm not going to let that bastard kill me that ea-easily.''

''That's my girl... But be careful okay '' I was glad, but worried at the same time. I didn't think it was good for her to move like that with that much injuries... but again did we have a choice ?

Her belly left the hard floor, she struggled to maintain her posture on her hands. Sweat began to roll down her temple, and I saw her grit her teeth in concentration. I was pretty sure her whole body ached at that very moment, and all I wished was to tell her to lay down and take it easy. I really wish I would...but then it would be the end to both of us.

All I could was watch her trying to rise as I tried to elaborate a plan. First she would untie me, and we would run for our lives, use my credit card and go far far away. I saw Helga slip on one elbow and spit a horrific mouthful of blood. My own blood ran cold at that, and I felt my heart at the edge of my lips. Why ? Why was all of those thing happening to us ? Why couldn't we just be an ordinary and happy couple ?

''Shit!'' I heard her say through gritted teeth.

''Helga, don't push yourself too ha-...''

''I-I am n-not fucking dying here!'' She yelled, pushing herself up in one motion.

I grew incredibly worried at that seeing her as she struggled to stay on her feet. Her torn ears and face were bleeding hard, but she managed a proud smile, more like a smirk, as if she was seeing ''see, Dan, I still can stand up.'' And that though only lightened a little my mood. She walked toward me, and fell on her knees as she untied me. I heard groan.

''Godamnit ropes with those fucking knots of shit... Crimeny... Comon!'' She yelled at the ropes, throwing her hands in the air.

''Calm down Helga, relax and take a deep breath. '' I said, not wanting her to throw a tantrum because of a stupid hard to undo rope.

She did as told, and tried again to untie me. When I finally felt the pressure on my hands loosening, It took me one second to break free, and I threw myself on her, hugging her as if my life depended on it. I took her face in my hands and kissed her desperately. When our skin touched, I shivered. I closed my eyes and deepened the kiss and she wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. Our tongue brushed lightly, but I quickly pulled away, and then she looked at me with a little pout.

''I don't want you to get tired, sweetheart. Oh my god, look at you... I'm so sorry...'' I muttered, caressing her sweet cheek, removing a bit of blood.

''And, uh, I'm sorry for your clothes.'' She smirked a little, scratching her head.

I looked down to see my shirt full of blood. Of her blood. This idea made me sick in my stomach.

''It's okay Helga. We have to get you to the hospital, okay ?''

She shook her head.

''Don't you dare! I'm not going there!'

''But Helga...''

''No!''

I sighed. This girl was going to get herself killed at avoiding hospital. I looked at her wounds, especially her ears, and told myself that she needed stitches. I didn't think I would be able to do it myself, so... Yeah, I would get her to the hospital, whether she wanted it or not !

''We first need to get out of here. Can you walk ?''

She grinned at me, stealing from me a quick kiss before standing up.

''You forget who I am, geekbait.'' Helga put her hands on her hips, but I couldn't help but notice the pain and the tiredness in her eye. 'Eh, look what I have here...''

She put her hand deep in her cleavage, right between her breasts. I blushed hard and was about to tell that was neither the time nor the place for that, but then I saw her pull something black and shinning out of her clothes. My eyes widened a bit at that.

A gun.

Things were about to get serious.