"Hello, Arnold," Lila said.

"Hey, Lila, did you see her?" he asked, eager to hear anything.

"Yep, and you were right," she said. "She never got your letters, she can't understand why your emails are bouncing back, but we figured someone has blocked them, and she never got your messages that you called. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. My dad has been watching me like a hawk."

"It's fine, but why are you worried?" he asked, concern creeping in. He watched as Lila tried to think of how to form her words.

"I can't help but wonder if he might be spying on me," she admitted.

"Spying on you? Why?" he asked, shocked. Lila shook her head.

"I don't know," she said, pulling a braid. "I just got the feeling that the only reason I even got to go there was because I wasn't in contact with you or anyone else from the old gang. Olga or Steven, or both, seem pretty determined to cut Helga off from the world. Her internet is limited and she's watched, she doesn't have the wi fi password, so her lap top is literally just used for schoolwork. She's being home schooled."

"Home schooled?" Arnold asked, incredulously. "Really?"

"It is very far away from anywhere," Lila said. "I mean, really far. I'd hate to be there when the snow hit. My guess is you wouldn't get out for a while. It's really just her, her sister and Steven and two full time servants. Even her tutor is only there on weekdays."

"Why are they doing that?" he asked. Lila shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.

"Anyway, she gave me this to give you. Also, here's her mobile number," Lila said, handing over the letter Helga had given her, and the piece of paper with the mobile phones number. "It doesn't receive pictures or anything. Just text and calls. It was the cheapest I could find and afford. But it's something. I better get going before my dad comes looking for me. Bye!"

Arnold watched as Lila took off down the street at a run. He shook his head and started to make his way home, thinking about what Lila had told him. He picked up the pace, wanting to get home before it started to rain, and so that he could read her letter.

His phone rang, but it was Gerald, and he chose to ignore it. Finally reaching the boarding house, just as the rain started to pour down, he went straight up to his room, greeting no one, and ripped the envelope open as soon as he closed his door.

Hey Football Head,

So I hear from Miss Perfect you've been trying to contact me. I've gotten nothing from you, I'm not sure if you've been getting anything from me. I have to rely on Colin to send things out for me, or Steven or my sister. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that you hadn't though.

It was true. He hadn't received anything from her. No letters, no emails, just the phone calls that he never seemed to be able to return.

Lila also told me your emails were bouncing and that you've been told I'm not home or busy. I'm not. I'm trapped in this huge mansion, that feels like it's getting smaller every day. I'm not looking forward to winter. I heard Colin say something about being completely cut off from the world, and man, have they stocked up on food! They have two huge chest freezers full of meat, and frozen vegetables! They're like squirals!

Arnold laughed at that one.

Anyway, I'm still alive, and I miss you so much. I actually miss everyone. Crazy huh? Me, the person who hates people, misses being around them.

I'm lonely.

Anyway, Lila gave me a cheap little phone, but reception is bad here so I don't know how often I will be able to contact you, but when I get a chance I will. I promise.

I love you.

There, I wrote it.

Helga.

Arnold felt his eyes stinging a bit. He'd been worried sick. And the letter hadn't relieved him of his fears. Picking up his mobile phone, he tapped in her number then sent a text.

When can we meet up?

It was weeks before he got a response from her.

. . .

It wasn't until Feburary that he finally got a call from her number.

"Helga?" he asked, answering it.

"Hey Arnold," he heard her voice say on the other end. "How's it going?"

"Yeah, it's aright," he said, leaning back on his bed. "Are you okay?"

There was a long pause from Helga's side, before she finally answered.

"Kind of, I mean, I'm not going to die or anything," she said. "But it would be nice to talk, but I can't talk over the phone. I have no time."

"Well then, when can we meet?"

"I don't know," she told him. "So far only Lila has come over, and even then that was because my sister invited her."

Arnold was quiet for a moment. "What if on Satur-"

"Shit, I have to go, bye!"

Before he could say anything she was gone.

"Dammit!" he said, throwing his phone on the bed. This was so frustrating. He still couldn't send her emails, or letters, and this was the first time he'd heard her voice since that day that felt like forever ago after her parents died. He just couldn't understand what was happening.

. . .

He finally told his grandparents and the boarders what was going on.

"Why wouldn't they want her talking to you?" Ernie demanded. "You're a good boy. They should feel privaleged."

"Yes. You're a very. Good boy," Mr. Hynn added. "Why don't they like you?"

"I don't think it's got anything to do with me personally," he told them. "She doesn't seem to be allowed contact with anyone."

"That's really strange, and something very fishy is going on in that house," Oscar added, looking at his wife, Susie.

"It does seem awfully strange," she agreed. "No contact at all? No internet? Phone access? Nothing?"

Arnold shook his head.

"Well, I hope she's safe there," Phil finally said. "Maybe we'll take a drive up that ways. I hear there's a nice beach, with good fishing up there."

Arnold's hopes flew high.

"But that won't be until Summer," he warned. "That place is nearly uninhabitable during winter."

Arnold's hopes sunk a bit, but still, there was some hope there.

. . .

Christmas and New Years came and went, and still he heard nothing from her. He finally told Gerald everything Lila had told him.

"Mm mm mm, that Pataki lot were always strange," he said.

"What if she's in trouble?" Arnold asked. "Don't you think it's strange that they would keep her so isolated and cut off from other people?"

"It's a great starting pitch for a horror movie all right," Gerald agreed, nodding his head.

"Gerald, I'm serious," he said.

"I don't know, man, maybe there's another explanation?" he said.

"Explanation? Gerald I can't even come up with one, let alone another!"

"Look, wait til Summer, like your grandpa suggested, and then we'll drive up there," Gerald said. "Then we'll find a way to get onto the property and find Helga and go from there."

"Are you serious?" Arnold asked.

"Yeah, got nothing else to do over Summer holidays . . ."