Helga G Pataki: Hillwood's New Superhero

by KlutzyMaiden123

As if my life hadn't already been difficult. I already had to watch the love of my life, Arnold, make goo-goo eyes at little Miss Perfect, Lila Sawyer, while completely ignoring me. Now, I have to juggle school, keeping my feelings for him secret and battling evil dressed in a skimpy bathing suit, all the while keeping my lifestyle as a superhero from my nosey classmates.

6. Time to Hit the Books

Yooooooo, what is this? An update posted before half the year has passed? What in the hallelujah is happening? Granted, this isn't my best written chapter and probably the third shortest (including dat prologue of course, hunty), but still.

Massive thank you's to Yami Dragoness, Echopapa, Croonable, AMG001 and jeshjeshh for the follows and favs!

I've been waiting for months to get to this chapter so lets just get to it!

---

One . . .

My breath came out in short bursts.

. . . two . . .

Shaking fingers curled into fists.

. . . three . . .

I could hear their footsteps—they were approaching.

. . . four . . .

I shoved my hair over my shoulder.

. . . five!

A gush of drive jolted through me; I leapt to my feet and sprung onto the hood of the car. The air turned hot as it slammed into my body and twisted my hair from my face. I crashed into the closest Mutant and threw my legs around the back of it's neck.

The Mutant hollered and backed around in circles, digging its fingers into my legs. Gritting my teeth, I clenched my thighs and wrapped my elbow under its jaw. I threw out my hand in my knife's direction and could feel the warm buzzing in my ear when a searing suddenly burst over my scalp. A hand violently tugged on my hair and I was flung into the air.

The world was a spinning blur until my head smacked against the car hood. Black rays pulsed in my vision and I began hacking violently. The ground trembled beneath the two Mutant's feet as they charged for me. Their mouths were open, salvia flew from their jagged teeth, but I couldn't anything over the ear-splitting ringing.

I tried jumping to my feet but nausea clawed at my throat and I fell flat onto my stomach. My head was whirling around like I was on a carousel. The trees were swooping around me, and the earth moved in waves. I slid my hands onto the floor and pushed myself onto my knees.

I looked to the Mutants who ran for me like dogs. My stomach was still a knot, but I couldn't focus on that now. Gritting my teeth, I threw my hand out in front of me The metal sung in a way that reminded me of sunshine, growing warmer and warmer as the distance between us shrank. But before the blade made it to my fingers, the Mutants suddenly became very, very blurry.

I blinked and looked up—the world around me turned distorted. The colours began bleeding together and the sound seemed to just fall away. Then both the Mutants and my surroundings flickered in and out of focus before vanishing entirely, leaving me in a familiar blank room.

Irritation swelled in my pulse.

"What the hell, Nel?!" I yanked my gaze in her direction. "I was doing fi—"

"It's almost time for school, Helga," she replied from behind the window. She was from on the other end of the room, but I could still see the tiredness in her eyes. I didn't know whether to chalk it up how early it was or just her species. "If you want to make it in time for your bus, we're going to have to pack up now."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not catching the bus, Einstein."

She paused mid-yawn and her confused gaze slid back to me. "What?"

"I'll just jog to school, it's no big deal," I said with a shrug. But from the bewildered look on her face, it was safe to assume that Nel didn't share my thoughts. Her eyes felt like laser, burying into me and uncovering all of my bitter secrets, and I found myself looking away. "It'll probably benefit me to run that far."

The artificial air in here seemed to still, like it was holding its breath, as Nel considered her next few words. Finally, she sighed and said softly, "Helga, I think you're pushing yourself too far."

Oh, criminy.

"And? I'm the only Guardian Hillwood has," I glared back at her. "We can't waste any more time. I mean, neither of us know when Serec or another Mutant are coming back. We have to be prepared for it, at least."

"But Helga—"

"Turn on the holograms, Nel."

I turned away from her again and climbed back to my feet. The world was still reeling and, for a moment, I lost my balance and fell onto my knee. The impact rang in my ears, my body was pulsing so much I couldn't even feel the throbbing in my leg anymore. But the pain that stretched across my muscles and dug itself into my shoulder blades suddenly overwhelmed me.

Frustration burned in my eyes. Nel and I had been here for hours, after I realised that sleep wasn't a possibility last night. And I'd thrown myself head-first into this session, not allowing myself any time to register the pain. I'd doused my body's protests beneath strategic thinking, only focusing on how to get out of the many scenarios that Nel had set up for me behind her desk.

But now that we had stopped, I didn't have anything to fall back on. No longer was I in situations that I could fight my way out of, I was trapped, a helpless victim to the agony that racked through my body.

Even you can be useless, Hel—

No.

Gritting my teeth, I squeezed my fists so tight that my nails sunk into my flesh and pushed myself back to my feet. My stomach gargled and cold, sweaty douses of nausea rolled down the back of my neck. I wanted to throw up, I wanted to cry, I wanted to bury myself in the thick blankets on my bed.

Clamping my mouth shut, I slid my shoulders back and rose my trembling chin. But Nel's eyes were sharp enough to capture my faltering. I released a quiet breath and looked over my shoulder at her. Her mouth was shut, her eyes downcast with a look that made my chest sink. I'd never seen her look so defeated; not even when I'd broken down on the roof. Something was flashing behind those eyes, something distressing was racing through her mind. I didn't know what it was but seeing her like this distressed me.

Nel was irritating, there was no doubt about it, and she could also be unbearably pushy. But that pushiness had slowly become my drive. I had a life on my own, but she was always there to push me and tell me how I could do better. It wasn't something I enjoyed, but it also had become an almost safety net, something to fall back on. That I could improve, that there was something I could do, that we weren't out of options. But, now? The blatant anguish coming from her right now hit me harder then a Mutant ever could.

My gaze fell down to my boots. What was it that was making her sad? Was it how I behaved, did she realise that maybe she'd picked wrong? My powers still hadn't come back. Maybe this whole thing was a stupid mistake.

Something flashed around me. I looked up and found myself standing in the middle of a road that stretched out like a dark ribbon. The sky was an inky black, it didn't hold a single star, and the wind howled like I was in a horror movie.

The tips of my mouth twitched.

I didn't know where Nel was anymore, but I hoped she could sense my silent thank you. Sweat rolled down me in gushes, but I needed more time to prove myself, though whether it was to me or her I didn't know.

There was a dark figure that stood a few hundred feet from me. It had thick, long arms and spindly fingers that grazed past its knees. My hair whipped around my face and I shoved it behind as I racked my gaze up and down its forms, looking for any weaknesses.

The air held its breath as we studied one another.

Then, like commands had been thrown onto us, we both charged.

The wind whistled in my ears as I bolted for the closing in Mutant, the crashes beneath its feet growing louder. I swept the hair from my eyes and leapt from my toes and into the air. My stomach fell in knots as I twisted my body in an elaborate twirl, one that could make a gymnast cry. The Mutant's presence washed over me and I snapped out my leg, hearing a sharp crack! and a body falling back.

Landing on my feet, I smirked.

I'd nailed it in the nose.

---

No matter how much I moved them, my shoulders remained impossibly tender. And my arms—god fuck, my arms, they were so numb. Someone could lob them right off and I probably wouldn't even feel it.

And don't get me started on how exhausted I was.

It'd been at least three days since I'd slept properly. The more time that passed with me carrying this pin in my pocket, the more impossible it became to get a proper night's sleep. And not to mention that I just didn't have time for food anymore. Sure, I ate here and there when I could, but I mostly dedicated my time to training myself so I could become stronger. Because, when you got down to it, numb arms or an empty stomach were the least of my worries.

It took longer then I'd care to admit deciphering which books I needed. The words along their spines looked fuzzy, I could barely translate them in my head as I fought a loosing battle with my eyelids. So, shaking my head, I selected a few random ones and tucked them underneath my armpit. I slammed my locker shut but before I turned around, I caught a flash of golden hair.

He stood on the other side of the hallway, surrounded by his friends as he collected his own books. His friends had crowded so tightly around him, but the moment I looked, they seemed to part so I could have a perfect view of him.

It was honestly like God noticed me and wanted to make this torture even worse for me. Gerald stood next to him, and he must've said something amusing because Arnold threw his head back and started laughing.

A smile crept along my face. Arnold was so handsome, I could stare at him for years (Okay, well, technically, I had but you get the point). His perfectly shaped lips pulled up into a playful smile, exposing his gleaming teeth, as he smacked his friend on the shoulder.

I hugged my books to my chest, leaning against the shut locker, and bit my lip. Everyone laughed at the two friends, but I couldn't hear them, I was focused entirely on Arnold. Not just on his appearance, but, well, everything—he had the heart of a lion and a soul like angel.

I blinked, noticing Lila turning in my direction. She was such a contrast to Arnold, where he was the embodiment of gold, she was the manifestation of red. Her hair was just so bright, despite the dullness of our uniform.

Her gaze didn't move from me; she raised an eyebrow and tilted her head in an indistinguishable way. I felt my cheeks start to burn—of course, she would catch me staring at Arnold.

Standing up straight, I forced my eyes down to my shoes and spun around—

"Ahh!"

—and crashed into someone.

A face bounced from my chest and the books fell to the ground in a cluster. I clamped down on my tongue to hold back the scream when one struck my toes. Stares were boring into my back and I wanted to punch something—this wasn't exactly keeping it low.

"I'm so sorry, Helga!"

Huh?

Looking down, I was surprised to see Phoebe's sheepish face. The corners of her eyes crinkled as her lips lifted into a slow smile.

Something sunk in my chest. It felt like a hole, one that had been filled with sand, which slowly dragged it down. It felt like a million years since I'd really been with Phoebe and I missed it—all of it. I missed hanging out with her, I missed complaining with her, I missed even pretending to listen to one of her tirades about nerdy shit I couldn't understand.

I missed her.

Not that I could say any of that, of course. So, I gave her a curt nod and ducked to the ground for my fallen books.

"Oh," she followed me, "I've got them, H, I—"

I paused, looking back to her. But she wasn't looking at me, instead her eyes had caught onto something on the ground. I followed her line of sight and almost dropped dead right there.

Because, almost my various pages and schoolbooks, was an article I'd hastily torn from one of Olga's stupid magazines. An article that was titled How to Walk in High-Heels.'

Oh, shit.

How was I supposed to explain that? Phoebe knew me, more then anyone, and she knew that I, Helga G. Pataki, would never even touch a high-heeled shoe, let alone wear one.

Face burning, I snatched the article from her grasp and shoved it in between my books. Phoebe didn't look offended by my behaviour, more confused anything. I looked away like I could escape her scrutinising gaze and felt the tips of my ears begin to burn.

It certainly wasn't helping that I could feel Arnold and his group just staring at us. Why, I had no idea, I didn't think anything significant was happening. Or maybe they weren't watching us for me, but because they felt sorry for Phoebe. That her dope of a best friend continued blowing her off, as if she was in the position to turn people down.

"Sorry," Phoebe finally said, then tilted her head. "Anyways, it seems that I am free again. Would you be interested in making up for our lost session of Sundae Monday?"

Which one?

I sucked in a breath and closed my eyes. There she went again, trying to rekindle our friendship. My heart was sinking, I didn't want to keep doing this to her.

"I promise I won't be gone long, milady."

But I had to.

"I . . . can't," I clenched the books in my hands and rose to my feet. Phoebe followed me, desperately trying to capture my gaze with hers again. "I'm busy."

It felt like the hallway had become even more quiet after I said that. I didn't know if it was because people were nosey or if it was just my nerves. But I could feel my heartbeat echoing from the walls and when I gulped, it rang loudly in my ears. Why was this harder then all of my training sessions put together?

I was ready to leave, when Phoebe finally said in a low voice, "You said that yesterday, Helga."

Shit.

I turned back to her. Her face was frozen with a cold acceptance, like she already had predicted m answer, but her eyes shown with many questions. She knew I was lying, which didn't surprise me; she knew me more then anyone else. She knew when my words weren't connecting, when the only thing that strung them together were white lies.

"I . . ." why was my throat so dry? Why did my words hurt like knives? "I have errands. I . .. It's Bob. That man, he's useless, I swear."

I tried laughing, but it felt empty. It wasn't a sound of joy or carelessness, but distress. It rung out hollow, like I was trying to hide tears.

I snapped my mouth shut and went to leave when she stepped in my path.

"Maybe I could help you?" she tried again , her voice wavering on the end. "After all, two hands are more useful then one."

I couldn't look up at her. Not like this, when I was spitting lies through my teeth.

"Sorry, Pheebs," I whispered. "Bob wants me to do this on my own."

She didn't respond to that—she couldn't. What could she say?

The stares across the hall were boring hot into my neck. I could feel shock that travelled through them, not because they heard what I'd said, but because they could see how Phoebe was reacting. Obviously, whatever I was saying was distressing to her. They probably thought that Helga the bully was out again, turning on the one person who had stuck by her after all these years.

And they were right.

"I'm really sorry, Pheebs, but I gotta get—"

"How was the orthodontist yesterday?"

I paused, looking up. "What?"

"Your appointment," she stressed, her eyes boring into mine.

Stumbling back, I looked at her in befuddlement. What was she talking about? I was training yesterday. Not to mention my teeth were fi—

Oh.

And, like a switch, I suddenly understood her words.

For fucks sake.

"Um," I stepped back, pasting on a smile that felt too large. "Yeah—I—it was all good. Yeah, nothing wrong over here."

Despite the fact that I was smiling at her, it didn't spread across her own face. A frown pressed down on her brows as her eyes swept over my face, probably calculating the lie from how forced my grin was.

"Helga—"

"I'm sorry, Pheebs!" I laughed, a tightness wrapping around my throat. "But I gotta get going! Wouldn't wanna keep ol' Frenchy waiting!"

And before she could say another word, I flashed a thumbs up sign then bolted. My heart was thumping as I raced down the corridor and I didn't allow myself even a chance to start breathing again until I was out.

Pressing my back against the wall, I released a deep breath and lowered my chin. This was for the best, I kept telling myself, this is for her.

I buried my hands around the books to my chest, watching the sea-foam colour from the wall opposite of me.

This was for her.

---

"Fu–Fuck—stupid—where in god's name—"

Growling, I threw the tube of deodorant over my shoulder and shoved my hand back into the ruffle bag on my knees, blindly groping for the matching object. Criminy, since when did I carry so many things to school?

"Helga, what are you doing?"

My fingers pulled out my water bottle and I groaned, chucking that too. How could it be so hard to find a stupid—

Oh.

Never mind.

Pulling the item out, I let my bag fall to my feet as I brandished the matching pair above my head. Throwing back my head, I let out a loud laugh that came from the bottom of my stomach. The sun hit my shoulders, sending warmth down my body, and I could feel its light cascading over me. Nel watched with confusion and slight concern as I continued to laugh. Fortunately, we were both on top of the roof for lunch, so we were free to speak without telepathy. And I was free to do as I pleased without being stared at.

I didn't waste any more time and bent down to slip off my shoes and socks, replacing them with the red, sharp heels. They were cute, I'll admit. Cute, but highly impractical. I'd never been so grateful to have Olga as a sister.

They were a snug fit and dug into the back of my ankle. But, hey, that was what I needed. Well, in theory, that is.

Standing up, I wobbled and threw out my hands to balance myself. Nel silently watched me with growing concern, but thankfully didn't say anything. Something I appreciated since I was more then aware of how ridiculous I looked. Granted, I was no expert, but I was fairly certain that these heels didn't match the school uniform in the slightest.

Granted, they were both shades of red, but ones that clashed horribly. The pumps were a traffic-light type of red while our uniform was a dark crimson. Not to mention, I couldn't even remember the last time I'd shaved my legs.

Not for the first time, I was thankful that Nel and I were somewhere private. Because if someone came across us, I was 95% sure that they'd take one look at me then start laughing. And God forbid if it was Rhonda, that girl likely would've had a fit then tried to have clawed the shoes off me.

Clearing my throat, I raised my nose and pushed back my shoulders. Re-counting the steps that the article had listed, I mentally counted a few seconds before sliding my foot forward and taking a wobbly step. I waited seven more seconds before taking another, and then another.

I grinned.

"Helga," Nel tried again. "What are you doing?"

There was no doubt that I resembled Bambi on stilts at the moment, but I was trying to focus on my triumph of not falling over this time. Shakily, I began to pace up and down, trying to get the hang of this thing, while Nel turned her head left to right as I passed her.

"Tryna get used to heels," I told her when I'd made my third lap.

Her confusion shifted into defeat and she sighed, extra loudly.

Grump.

Positioning myself properly, I released a "KYAH!" and kicked the air—

Thunk!

—and fell straight on my ass.

Oh, fuck monkeys.

Nel didn't even look up to check if I was okay. She just placed a shielding paw to her face and looked away.

Oh, what great moral support she was.

Grumbling to myself, I shakily climbed to my feet when—

"What on earth are you doing, Helga?"

At first, I thought that it had been Nel who had asked that. But when I looked up to her wide eyes darting to the door behind me, I realised that no, that had fucking not been her. Nel quickly scrambled with a strangled noise and stuffed herself into my bag, out of sight, and I whirled around to a pair of confused, blue eyes.

She opened her mouth, but my fast movements threw me off and I fell over. My nose smacked against the ground and I released a loud, "Ack!" as a hot, throbbing covered the front of my face.

Criminy, could I not go one hour without hurting myself? This was getting ridiculous at this point. Still, thankfully I retained Blue Jay's durability while still Helga. Sure, my nose hurt, but it wasn't broken or bloody, which I count as a win.

Two hands wrapped around my arms to help me up. I snarled, snatching back my limbs, and glared at her.

"Lila, what are you doing here?"

She flinched when wrenched my hands from hers but answered. "Well, I wanted to speak with you about the project, but I . . . sorry, but what were you doing?"

My heart was suddenly in my chest.

"N–Nothing!" I jumped back to my feet, ignoring when Lila cautiously stepped back. "W–W–What makes y – y – y – you think I was doing s–s–s–something?"

Jesus, why was I suddenly so bad at lying?

Her gaze went to my shoes then darted to the article on the bench which was next to my bag. I froze, aware of the stupid cat that was curled up and hidden in there. Fuck, I hoped that Lila wouldn't notice her, there's absolutely no way I could convincingly explain why I'd brought a fucking cat to school. And I didn't need to read Nel's mind to know that similar thoughts were running through her mind.

Lila rose a brow and turned back to me. "Are you trying to learn to walk in heels?"

My body flew into absolute panic mode.

"W–WHAT ON EARTH WOULD GIVE YOU THAT—" my arms flew like windmills as I suddenly lost my balance. Lila's face stayed the same as I staggered backwards and collapsed, landing on my back. "—idea."

My face was warm as I reluctantly looked up at her with a sheepish grin. She only cocked her brow higher and placed her hands on her hips, like she was a mum waiting for her child to confess to eating all the chocolates.

My face burned bright. Perhaps I should take another approach.

"Okay, fine," I admitted with a sigh. "So, I was trying to learn how to walk in them—BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF . . . because of—" Crap. Why was my brain freezing? "—well, NOT FOR THE REASONS YOU'RE THINKING OF, I'M SURE!"

There, I thought with a mental nod. That'll show her.

Lila, in turn, rolled her eyes—she rolled her eyes at me—and ducked to help me to my feet. But I was still feeling bitter that she'd caught me looking stupid so I batted her hands away and forced myself back to my shaking feet.

She didn't appear offended when I didn't accept her help. Instead, she crossed her arms again and scrutinized me. As her eyes slid across my face, my cheeks grew hotter and a welt of irritation rose up inside. Okay, who was she to march onto my roof and interrogate me?

". . . Really?"

The way Lila slowly spoke only made my irritation grow. I had to bite my tongue to resist telling her to just buzz off and mind her own business. Lord knows she deserved it, but it probably would look too defensive, which would lead to more questions.

"It must be an ever so important reason, Helga, as learning to walk in heels can be quite troublesome."

The anger swelling up in me was about to burst. Truly, I did not care for Lila's opinions. My concern for her suspicions was rapidly disappearing.

"Well, why don't you just mind your own—wait, troublesome?" I blinked, her words finally sinking in. "Really?"

She nodded.

"Wait." I blinked a couple of times, trying to get what she just said straight in my head. An amused smile quirked at her lips as I pointed a flabbergasted finger at her. "You can find something troublesome?"

Again, she nodded.

I wasn't sure how to feel about this—because, on one hand, it technically made me better then her at something. I mean, considering the fact that, for the past week, I'd been doing nothing but running around in heels . . . but I still royally sucked at moving in them.

"But you're . . ." I paused and replayed her words in my head. "You're Lila Sawyer! You're graceful as Christ almighty on fucking water!"

Yeah, nice, Helga. Real subtle.

Her eyes suddenly softened and she burst out laughing. Something I wasn't exactly sure how to feel about.

"Why, thank you, Helga," she said, wiping her eyes, her grin still twitching. I narrowed my eyes at her, willing myself to ignore the heat in my cheeks. "But being graceful in flats is ever so different from being graceful in heels. It's only on the rarest occasions that I'll wear them."

"Oh," I said, looking down. Part of me still didn't believe it. If anyone could master the art of heel-wearing, it'd no doubt be Lila, aka Little Miss Perfect. "Well, what's the longest you've worn them for?"

"Mhmm," she looked up contemplatively and taped her chin. "I guess a couple of hours. But I made sure to take them off when I was sitting down."

Her answer actually managed to disappoint and scare me. I had never liked Lila (shocker, I know), but I still had always considered her one of the most graceful people I knew. But the fact that she, of all people, was telling me she couldn't wear heels for that long, then what hope did I have? I knew it was stupid, since these thoughts were being brought on by shoes, of all things, but I couldn't help it. I already had blisters, I'd fallen over more times then I could count, and I was showing no signs of getting any better.

"Helga?"

I glanced at her then turned away. I knew that whatever I felt, it was clearly reflecting in my eyes. For whatever reason, I was getting worse and worse at lying to people. And Lila seemed pretty observant, I didn't need her sticking her nose where it wasn't wanted.

"So, uh—" I swallowed loudly. "—you wouldn't recommend running in them, then?"

The moment the words were out, I regretted them. I already knew my chances were low, I didn't need someone else confirming them.

"Heaven's no!" she said, stepping forward. My heart plummeted into my stomach and a pressure cracked in my chest—of course. "Heels are already bad for one's feet if they're worn for too long, let alone if it includes strenuous activities. They can have nasty effects on other bones in your body."

Turning back to her, my mind fell blank. "How?"

Her nose crinkled. "Well, it shifts your weight to the balls of your feet—so your knees and hips have to move forward and your back hyperextends backwards," she explained. "Essentially, it can get really dangerous over time."

I . . . had no idea what that meant.

"Oh," was all I could muster. Because truthfully, I wasn't too worried about my future anymore.

A line appeared between her brows and she took a step closer. I stumbled backwards, holding my hands to my chest. "Why are you suddenly so curious about wearing heels, Helga?"

"Um . . ."

She stared—no, glared at me for a good minute. As if the more uncomfortable she made me, the more likely I was gonna burst and just tell her everything. Which she was, by the way. Making me uncomfortable, that is. I looked away from her and across my shoulder, silently counting in my head. I'd reached fifteen when her eyes popped like zits and her jaw suddenly dropped.

I looked back curiously.

Her eyes zeroed in on my red cheeks and a slow grin spread across her face. I didn't know what had occurred to her, but I had a feeling I wasn't about to like it.

She leaned back with a smug smile. One that reminded me of the one Phoebe wore when she'd just snuck up on me.

"Is it for a certain someone, Helga?"

. . . what.

My brows snapped together as I tried understand just where her brain was and how it got there. She waggled her eyebrows in return, which flushed me with annoyance. What was she on about? What certain someone—

Oh.

My stomach felt heavy as bright, emerald eyes lit up from the depths of my mind.

"No." My voice was as flat as my tolerance was at the moment. I prayed that being blunt enough or dismissive would send her the hint that I just wanted to be left alone.

But, of course, who was I kidding? This was Lila for cripes sake.

"Really?" she grinned at me mischievously and leaned in way too close for comfort. "Not even a certain golden haired boy who stands about yay high—"

"Is there a reason you're up here?"

I could barely keep my voice even at this point. If there was something I hated more then general nosiness, it was when it involved him. Lila was already treading on dangerous territory when she came up here, let alone when she brought Arnold into this.

"Oh, right," she dropped her gaze when she noticed how irritated I was getting. She stepped back and offered a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Well, yes—it was about meeting up for our assessment. How's this afternoon sound?"

"Sorry, I'm busy."

The words were out before I had even thought it through. Guilt weighed on my shoulders as disappointment crossed over her face. Regardless if Lila pissed me off (endlessly so), we still needed to start this assignment.

"But I can do tomorrow," I added. If there were no attacks, of course.

She raised both her eyebrows. "Honestly?"

"Obviously," I gave her a strange look and crossed my arms. "We have to start at some point, right?"

"Of course!" She clapped her hands together and beamed at me, this one genuine. "Thank goodness. The school will obviously be shut so would you mind meeting at the public library?"

I nodded. "Okay, what time did you wanna start?"

She tapped her chin for a bit then snapped her fingers. "If we get an early start, we could have an early finish. So, why not 8:30?"

I wanted to cry. That was so early. But still, we really needed to get this started.

"Okay, Lila."

"Yes! Thank you, Helga, you won't regret—promise!" she spun on her heel with a wave as she practically skipped towards the door. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

Half–heartedly, I returned her wave until the doors swung shut behind her and her echoing footsteps disappeared. Dropping my hand, I turned to Nel, who slowly crawled out from my bag. She stared at the shut doors with an unsettled look that made me pause.

"Um, what's with you?"

She blinked and turned back to me, as if she had only just remembered I was still here. I couldn't help feeling slightly offended by that.

"Nothing, Helga," she shook her head. "Do you think you can manage so early in the morning?"

Truthfully, I didn't know.

We'd been getting up earlier for morning sessions, which had been worrying Nel more and more. After this morning's fiasco, she had made me promise to catch up on my sleep this weekend. Her eyes were stealthy, she caught the way I was stumbling over the past week. I'd been reluctant to agree, but she'd pointed out that if there were an attack, I wouldn't be on my A-game if I was still tired from my constant sessions.

So, I agreed with her. But now that I was meeting Lila so early across town, there was almost no point in making the deal in the first place. And that alone was counting on the chance that there'd be no attack tonight.

"If there aren't any attacks, hopefully," I truthfully admitted with a shrug.

Nel looked at me in that way where she wanted to say something, that she disagreed with me, but for whatever reason she didn't. It drove me crazy and sent panicked thoughts racing through my mind, trying to figure what it was happening in her head.

I turned away from her, looking down at the pointed tip of my heels.

I'm sure it'd all work out.

---

—silver claws sunk into the ground I lied in seconds ago. I rolled to my feet, my fingers twitching to summon my knife, but the Mutant pressed on. I dodged and avoided, but my lungs were burning with exhaustion. Swivelling to the side, I yanked my knife when it came hurtling for me, and turned around as the Mutant thrust its claws at me.

I clamped my eyes shut and thrust up my knife. It sunk somewhere into its flesh and the creature gave an ear-piercing wail. My stomach heaved, bile bubbling up my throat, and my eyes popped back open.

Its menacing stare burned back, when—

"Helga, look ou—!"

Pain erupted from the back of my head. Stars burst in my vision as my eyes rolled back, and I fell into a world of darkness.

---

"We're sure gonna miss ya, Olga," Bob declared loudly as he wrapped his meaty arms around Olga's smaller shoulders. Propping her chin on his shoulder, she gave another dazzling smile to Miriam, who watched with sad eyes. "It won't be the same without ya."

It felt like the twentieth time that night that I'd rolled my eyes. Chin in hand, I silently watched as Bob and Miriam bid Olga goodbye before she left for the rest of the semester. But from the way they were carrying on, you'd think she'd be leaving for the next five years.

My hair was piled on top of my head to cover the bump that still throbbed painfully. I gritted my teeth, I normally had no patience for bullshit like this, but now that I was injured and exhausted, I had even less patience.

The night sky slipped past the dirty windows, reminding me just how long I'd been up. Jesus, it was only seven in the night, but I could barely keep my eyes open.

"A–Aaaare you s–s–sure you don't wanna s–stay for another week, honey?" Miriam asked, clutching her hands together.

Again, I rolled my eyes. Yeah, no, Olga couldn't stay any longer. She'd already been here for next to two weeks, anymore and her attendance would fall too low. I don't know what it was that pushed her to staying back here for a bit, but whatever it was, she was gonna have to put on her big girl pants and face it head on.

Giggling, Olga separated herself from Bob and put her hands on Miriam's shoulders. Tilting her head, Olga gave her a smile brighter than a toothpaste commercial. It made me wanna hurl. "It's fine, mum. I have to leave now, college won't accept if I take any more time off."

See?

As expected, Olga's smile melted Miriam like butter.

"Such a selfless thing," she cooed, cupping her cheeks in admiration.

I held my breath behind pursed lips. Every world fuelled the impatience inside of me. My eyes narrowed when Olga took Miriam not her arms. This always happened when Olga was in the room—I just ceased to exist.

Bob's eyes melted as he watched the two of them hugging. It almost made them look like a functioning family, it almost made him look like he loved his wife.

My hands twitched and I stood to leave. But Olga caught my movements over Miriam's shoulders. "Aren't you going to bid me goodbye, Helga?"

Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

She pulled herself from Miriam's arms and held out her hands for me expectedly. My stomach heaved at the very idea. Needless to say, I'd rather hug a cactus then her. And I swear, if she didn't wipe off that stupid smile . . .

"Actually, I—"

"Helga!" Bob whirled around to glare at me. "Get over here and hug your sister!"

Of course he gets my name right when it concerned his favourite.

But I wasn't in the mood to argue right now.

Olga's eyes sparkled as I slowly climbed down the stairs. The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight as I slowly crept down the hallway, mindful of the gazes my parents were sending me. I grimaced when Olga held out her arms wider as I got closer to her. Every second I stared at her fuelled my irritation. So, I ducked beneath her expecting arms and patted her on the back, muttering a, "Seeya."

Astonishment rippled over the three of them and their jaws each dropped. Laughter crept up my neck and I quickly clamped my lips shut to hold it back. I spun around before either of them could say anything to my face and marched back up the stairs. I'd made it halfway when Olga managed to finally form a response. "I–Is that all you're going to say to me?"

Call me a bitch, but I felt a sense of victory n not giving her what she expected or wanted. It gave me the smallest douse of paying her back for always being the preferred, perfect one. So, I couldn't fight against the smile that spread over my face as I flatly added over my shoulder, "Have a nice trip."

"You come back here, little lady!" Bob barked angrily. "And wish your sister a proper goodbye!"

I just ignored him.

"Helga? HELGA!"

And slammed my door.

Nel gave a start and jumped up from the nest of clothes crumbled on the ground. I narrowed my eyes—I'd told her to stay away from stuff.

"Helga," she said, without an ounce of sleepiness. "What was that abou—"

But I cut her off.

"We need to talk."

---

My dreams didn't allow me rest that night.

I stood in the middle of a meadow. The grass whispered against my skin and thick trees circled around me with twisted roots. Stars stretched into comet tails, swirling around me, and the moon sparkled from the dark sky.

And I wasn't alone.

I spun around, looking for a body of any sort, but I couldn't find anyone. I could feel a presence though; it was warm, comforting even. Our hearts were beating in time with one another.

"Are you ready for it?"

I whirled around, searching for someone—anyone. But I was still alone, choking on silence. I felt like I knew that voice, yet somehow I didn't.

"What?" my voice spun in the air.

"Are you ready for it?"

I jumped, feeling a hand searching for mine and grasping it. Their fingers were cold, but a sense of calmness washed over me. Blue eyes were suddenly inches from mine, gold locks moved in the air.

A crack of thunder rolled its way to my ears.

"Let the games begin."

---

I jolted awake to a ringing.

One that blared in my ears, like someone was screaming in my face.

I moaned, shoving the pillow from my face, but hissed when the streaks of sunlight through my blinds managed to hit my eyes. My hair was out and about, but there was a distinct lack of pain that filtered from the back of my head. My cracked lips twitched into a brief smile, at least my injury hadn't lasted long.

I rubbed my knuckles into my eyes and let out a long yawn. Shifting in the direction of the ringing, I realised that it was coming from my phone, which was underneath my pillow. From the back of my throat, I let out the loudest, longest, most over-dramatic groan I could muster. Who the fuck was calling me so early?

But because I was a forgiving and understanding person, I accepted the call.

"Hello—"

"HELGA!"

The voice jammed straight into my ear and I jolted up in surprise, losing my balance. My hand meant to grip my mattress but caught the air instead and I tumbled out of bed, smacking my cheek into the floor.

Criminy.

Thankfully, I hadn't cleaned my room, so the many, many crumbled up shirts had managed to save me from more injuries.

Pushing myself onto my elbows, I rubbed my cheek and held the phone back to me ear, growling, "Lila, you—"

"Where are you?"

I paused, then narrowed my eyes. "Well, I was sleeping."

There was a short pause on her end.

". . . don't tell me you slept in, Helga."

Oh, just who did this little redhead think she was?

"Excuse me? Look, Lila, I'll tell you whatever I please and I—wait, what, slept in?" I looked down at my phone screen, which read 9:48.

Oh, Jesus.

Rubbing my eyes, I let the irritation simmer beneath my skin. Last night had been one of the rare times I could actually afford to sleep. An even rarer time that I could sleep in. I still had another few hours before I had to be up.

"There better be a good reason why you woke me up so earl—"

"We're supposed to be studying for our biology assignment."

I opened my eyes, which I hadn't even realised had shut. "Assignment?"

"Yes, Helga," she said slowly. "If you'll remember, we were handed an assignment on Thursday . . . which is due on Monday."

Well, her patronising tone certainly wasn't doing anything spectacular to my mood.

Then my attention snapped to the words she'd actually said, and I groaned. Ah, crap, I'd totally forgotten about that stupid assignment and our plans regarding it. I'd actually gone to sleep thinking I could, for once, relax.

But no, of course not. I was mistaken.

I really, really didn't want to go. I was super tired, and lord knows when my next day off would be.

But . . .

I'd made a promise—a stupid promise, but a promise regardless. I had to pull my weight for this assignment. Lila was still annoying as ever, but she shouldn't have to do all this on her own. Letting my forehead rest back on the crumbled T-shirt, my heavy lidded eyes fell shut with resignation.

"Alright, I'll be there in fifteen, yeah?"

"I mean, it seems pretty packed already, and I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold a—"

I hung up.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I chucked the phone over my shoulder, hearing a soft thunk! as it landed in another crumbled pile of clothes. Hopefully today wouldn't be too long, I still had a training session today.

Actually.

I pulled myself back onto my bed and looked around but couldn't find her. Which was weird, cause I was pretty sure Nel had slept on my spare pillow last night. I scanned underneath my bed but didn't find her there either. Frowning, I got out of bed and scanned the room, trying to spot the stupid cat. But wherever I looked, I couldn't find her.

My mind immediately ran to pitchforks and fire. Fuck, had she been found out? Had Bob discovered the cat—a breed of animal he despised—and flung her onto the streets? And, like a dumbass, had she screamed and yelled at him, revealing that she could, in fact, talk? So now she was running for her life down the streets as the neighbours chased her with their flames and weapons?

Then, I realised how dumb that was.

Nel was unpredictable, but she was independent. She probably just woke up early, couldn't get back to sleep, and went for a walk to scout for things. I'd done that plenty of times (Of course, I wasn't a cat—a creature known for sleeping for ridiculous amounts of time).

Yawning, I stretched my arms above my head and revelled in the silence. It was becoming rare that I got time to myself anymore—time that didn't involve talking cats or scary Mutants. It wouldn't last long, but it was nice to experience it again.

Raking my fingers through my tangled hair, I stumbled to my vanity and peered into my reflection. I almost heaved at the sight that stared back at me.

"Oh, criminy."

---

The library towered above me as a great monolith of concrete and glass. The walls almost completely washed out, it once had been a vibrant yellow, but resembled a slice of whole grain bread. Black, messy scrawls of graffti marred some of the areas, no one had bothered tidying it up anymore, since jackasses kept coming back.

The sun hit the windows, which rebounded from the glass straight into my eye. I grimaced and held up a hand to shield my face, my stomach twisting cause I really didn't want to do this.

Oh, c'mon, Helga, you can do this.

For several hours though?

I sighed. Yeah, no, you can't.

"Would rather be fighting a Mutant right now," I muttered to myself, gazing down the steps longingly. Our city library was one of those places that had those dramatically long stair cases, to make itself seem more important then what it was. But it only irritated anyone who had to climb them because who the hell came to the library for a workout?

"You very well may get your wish."

The voice made me shriek, which was awkward because I was surrounded by people. I blushed when they looked at me strangely and turned down to where the voice had come from—my messenger bag.

Gulping, I pulled up the flap and—

What the . . .

—and met a purple stare that glared back.

"Nel!" I hissed underneath my breath, then quickly zipped over to the bushes on the edges of the staircase. Some people made surprised noises as they jumped out of the way, but I didn't look up until I was safely hidden from their sight.

Now, lemme tell ya, I wasn't feeling too happy that I was stuck with Nel again. Truthfully, I was a little pissed—pissed, but more embarrassed then anything. I hated looking foolish in front of people. Screaming at nothing then conversing with messenger bags while sitting in the bushes counted as looking foolish.

"What're you doing here?" I demanded in a hush voice, throwing cautious looks over my shoulder. Thankfully, most people weren't noticing the teenager girl crouched in the bushes talking to her cat. But, unfortunately, the people who did and caught my eye just ducked their head and sped away. Or fortunately, depending on who you ask.

"I've been getting odd vibes from this place lately," Nel answered, eyeing the library with a particularly suspicious eye.

I stared down at her with raised eyebrows. "What, you mean a Mutant?"

"Worse," she looked at me with a grimace. "A Wraith."

. . . Oh.

Oh.

"They are unlike regular Mutants in that they disguise themselves perfectly reminiscent of humans . . . they feed off their happiness."

Shit.

"You're kidding."

"I do not kid, Helga."

I scoffed. "You're telling me."

Her ears twitched, but she ignored my jab. "I think this Wraith in particular is plotting to use this library to harvest the energy from people, so I'm to investigate for any peculiar behaviour," she turned back to me. "Thankfully, you were already on your way here."

And so she hadn't thought to tell me that I'd be carrying her fat ass across town? My shoulder had been killing me.

I was about to call her out on this, when something occurred to me. "Hey, wait, you said it feeds off happiness," I pointed out.

She glanced at me. "Yes, Helga . . ."

"Well, case closed, there's no wraith here," I pointed out to her with a smile. But she flatly stared at me, her eyes dull with almost boredom, so I added, "Who'd be happy in a library?"

"Lots of people, Helga," she said with a defensive frown. "Maybe if you went there once in a while, you'd understand."

Yeah right, nerd.

Bing!

Before either of us could say anything more, a familiar rattling went off in my back pocket. Shooting Nel one more look, I pulled out my phone to look at the received message.

you here yet?

Rolling my eyes, I typed out a quick response. yea, heading in.

I shoved my phone back into my jean and frowned down at Nel. She frowned back at me. "Well, you better hurry up and get investigating," I said, tugging on my straps to edge her out. "I've got my own job for the day."

Nodding, she hopped out of my bag and landed gracefully at my feet. Sighing, I rubbed on my tender shoulder and shoved away the bushes to head into the library.

Oh, and Helga, Nel called. I turned back around with a questioning look. Keep your eyes peeled sharp for any suspicious behaviour.

I nodded.

---

Someone had turned the A/C way too high.

Opening the glass doors, I was surprised when a cold breeze hit me square in the nose and sliced through me. Goosebumps immediately raised along my arms and I quickly ran my hands up and down to create some friction. And lemme tell you, I wasn't exactly dressed for a day out on the beach. My sleeves came down to my wrists and my jeans were extra baggy today. And yet I could still feel a biting tingle on my arms and legs. I figured that it was air conditioning being left on for too long, but a sudden drowsiness sunk into my bones. My arms felt heavier and my feet had begun dragging themselves.

It had to be the Wraith.

I pulled up my hoodie and marched across the rows and rows of neatly lined up books. My eyes were trained on the tables where noses were buried in books and pens scribbled on paper. But it occurred to me, as I eyed an old woman reading Jane Eyre, that I didn't actually know what I was looking for. Nel had said that a Wraith could perfectly disguise themselves as human. But how was I supposed to tell one apart from a regular person?

I shoved my fists into my pockets. How did Nel even know what she was looking for? And would it kill her to let me in on the secret?

The hairs on my neck suddenly stood straight.

Looking up, my eyes landed on a table where five teenagers sat—three girls and two boys. One of the boys was talking to an older spectacled woman, probably the librarian. Her hair was pulled tight in a small bun at the top of her head, which gave her features a sharp look that reminded me of a crow.

Suddenly, one of the girls—a redhead with shaggy bangs—looked up in my direction. I didn't exactly want to get caught staring so I made to turn away when her eyes narrowed and I found myself being glared at.

My jaw dropped.

I was so surprised by how unashamed she was as she continued to watch me. An uncomfortable feeling came over me and I wanted to shout at this girl to bugger off, but that probably would've gotten me kicked out seeing as the librarian was right there. And I had an assignment to start. And a Wraith's ass to kick. So, I had much higher priorities then this little hooligan who couldn't keep her eyes to herself.

A force suddenly slammed into me, knocking me into one of the bookshelves. I yelped as arms wrapped around my neck, pulling my face down into a brightly beaming face.

"Hey, Helga!" she squealed. "You finally made it!"

I rolled my eyes—Lila.

"Yeah, yeah—I'm here," I shoved away the tiny redhead, feeling my hoodie slip from my head. "Get offa me."

The librarian looked up with a nasty glare and held up a long, bony finger to her thin lips. "Shhhhhhhhhh!"

Lila grimaced and blushingly sent her an apologetic look. I rolled my eyes, placing my hand on my hip, the weariness now forgotten. The librarian turned back to the boy she'd been answering and the girl finally looked down, but I didn't miss the way her eyes lingered on Lila.

I narrowed my eyes. Just what was her problem?

"We were beginning to get ever so worried about you," Lila whispered, turning back to me with a genuine smile.

I was surprised by how bright–eyed and energetic she appeared, considering it was still early in the morning. Her hair was loosely pulled from her face in a Dutch braid that ran down her shoulder like a fiery rope. She had on a thick, woollen cardigan that was much too big for her, and a flowery, blue dress with a peter pan collar.

I looked down at my stained, holey hoodie in comparison, feeling my stomach flutter at the complete lack of care I'd thrown on today. Sure, it had been the morning, but standing next to Lila, I once again couldn't help feeling like an utter failure.

"Sorry about that, Lila," I said honestly, rubbing the back of my neck. "I slept in and I—wait, we?"

She shrugged, with a grin that seemed significantly less innocent, and motioned over her shoulder. Looking in that direction, I froze with horror when I saw the table in question.

Oh, fuck.

Feeling my gaze, they both looked up and gave distinctly different reactions. Gerald rolled his eyes so hard they almost locked in his skull, and rested his cheek on his fist. And Arnold—oh criminy—he gave me a smile bright enough that it could make snow appear dull.

Abort, abort, abort!

"I . . . you . . . the—"

"I'm sorry, I hope you don't mind, Helga, but I bumped into them looking confused over the same assignment," Lila quickly explained, clasping her hands together like she was praying. But if I didn't know any better, I'd say the shakiness in her voice was caused from amusement rather than guilt. I looked to her questioningly, but she bowed her head. "I figured four minds are better than two, right? Besides, it was getting hard to turn down others for a reserved seat when there was only one of me."

I wanted to yell at her. I wanted to curse at her. I wanted to smack her. I'd signed up for studying with Lila—my partner. Instead, I got a Wraith to look out for and now, if that wasn't enough, a boy.

And I still couldn't find my voice.

"I . . . I . . . well . . ."

Oh, come on!

Lila looked up with twinkling eyes and simply giggled. Now, I did not, in the slightest, trust those eyes one bit.

"Come on, Helga," she snatched my hand and pulled me in the direction of the table. "We've got an awful lot of studying ahead of us."

This was bad. This was very, very bad. I hadn't mentally prepared for this—for Arnold. How could Lila do this to me? We weren't friends, but still. Who knows what I'd say? What if the old Helga managed to slip and I said something really, really mean? Not something small like 'football head', but like 'wow, you're so stupid, Arnold, even I can spell katsaridaphobia' and he gets offended and never speaks to me again? Or worse—what if he does and is like 'oh, yeah? Then if you're so smart, what's the negative square root of 169?' And because I don't know anything about math, I won't be able to answer and I'll look like a dumbass. And, because I'd be so humiliated, I'd blurt out 'I love you, Arnold!' then Lila and Gerald—and the entire library—would gasp in disgust and Arnold would gasp in disgust and Arnold would be like, 'I could never love someone as stupid and ugly as you, Helga G. Pataki!' then leave and would never talk to me again, then tell everyone at school, and they'd all point and laugh at me, then Mrs. Brown would tie me to a chair and make me go over one of those textbooks that completely drags, so then Acantha could take over the world then Serec would laugh and learn a bunch of different languages so he could tell the story to Japan and China, then Germany, and everyone else, including Arnold, and everyone would laugh at me.

Abortabortabortabortabortabortabortabort—

When we reached the table, Lila immediately took the seat next to Gerald, leaving the only spare seat between herself and . . . Arnold.

That bitch. She 100% set this up, I'd bet my life on it. Now Arnold actually could ask me confusing math questions.

Arnold flashed a warm smile. "Hey, Helga."

Crap—fuck, fuck—what was the negative square root of 169?

Why was I so bad at math? I knew I should've paid attention to Ms. Hoover's words but that big, ugly mole above her sparse was just so distracting. It was just so large and there. Even from the back of room, I could see the hairs that moved every time she spoke.

"Erm, Helga?"

I blinked, realising I was staring at him. Crap, Helga, now you look like a freak. Just greet him and move on!

"Uhh . . ."

Never mind.

Gerald rolled his eyes not–so–subtly and muttered something underneath his breath. Lila kept her smiling face on me, but sharply elbowed him in the ribs. He yelped, rubbing the sore area, but paused when he found himself the centre of attention.

He sighed, reluctantly looking back at me. "Hey, Pataki."

"Tall hair boy," I nodded curtly.

His jaw clenched.

I glared at him.

And he glared back.

Arnold and Lila glanced uneasily at each other.

"Erm, if you would like to take a seat, Helga," Lila gently gestured to the seat next to Arnold. I pointedly looked at her—defiantly telling her no—but she slyly winked at me, "we can get started on this assignment."

Arnold looked back at me with an encouraging smile and I felt my cheeks heating up. I dropped my gaze to the discarded books carelessly tossed on the table.

"Um, why so many?" I asked, frowning.

"We couldn't find a specific book dedicated to the area we're supposed to focus on," Arnold admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "So we just kinda grabbed whatever looked like it talked about frogs."

The face I pulled must've been pretty ugly because he just laughed in response. Blushing, I examined the ridiculous amount of thick books then glanced up at the clock above us.

10:52.

Sighing, I collapsed in my seat and reached for the closest book. "Criminy, let's just get this over with."

---

It felt like hours before we spoke again.

A fog had swept over me, filling my head so it full of nothing but murk, and my eyes were getting harder and harder to keep open. Rubbing my face again, I blinked and stared down at the sentence I'd re–read three times now.

I couldn't help yawn.

Lila looked up from her own page and giggled. "Tired?"

"Yeah, surprisingly," Rolling my neck, I looked up at the clock and groaned. "It's only eleven-thirty."

Gross.

"You're kidding," Gerald groaned, looking up with bleary eyes. Leaning back in his chair, he stretched his arms high above his head and yawned. "Geeze, it feels like it's been hours since we started."

"Tell me about it," Arnold said with a sigh. His face was scrunched with impatience as he rubbed his temples with his gorgeous fingers. I couldn't believe the magnificence they held. They were just so long and slender with beautifully shaped nails at the end.

He must've felt my ogling because he blinked and turned to look at me. His eyes were so warm and tranquil, I was nearly drowning in their beauty. "—okay, Helga?"

His brows were furrowed with concern, which only made him more handsome, and I nearly melted when he inched closer.

And before I was even aware of it, I found myself blurting out, "You know you have really pretty fingers."

. . .

Oh. My. God.

Please tell me I did not say that.

I was mortified. I was traumatised. I couldn't believe that I'd said that, let alone in front of everyone else. Gerald had frozen in his seat, watching in a very, very stunned silence. My skin was crawling beneath Arnold's bemused stare, I turned to Lila in hopes that she could help me out. But she looked so astonished and utterly helpless that I knew even she couldn't help me with this one.

My stomach had sunk so deep that I'd have to shit it out. People were gonna remind me of this for the rest of my life, they were gonna whisper it as I ate mush in the nursing home. I was beyond fucked.

That's it, I had to leave. Before Arnold could tell the world. I'd have to leave Hillwood; I could dye my hair, change my name and start off somewhere new. Hell, I'm pretty sure I could still remember my aunt's address.

I swear, I was this close to bolting when I caught a glimmer in Arnold's eyes, one that I couldn't distinguish.

Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod—this was it. He's about to call me a creep and leave me. Goodbye cruel world!

"Why thanks, Helga," he said softly.

I could only stare like an idiot as Arnold Shortman actually smiled at me for . . . being a creep. My heart stuck against my chest, I was seriously on the brink of hyperventilating. Was he seriously thanking me for staring at his fingers? Was his bar that low when it concerned me?

I clamped my mouth shut and turned away, ignoring the intense heat in my cheeks. "W–Whatever."

There was a giggle and I looked up to an amused Lila. Her fingers were laced together beneath her chin as she grinned at me. I scowled—oh, now she chose to react.

"So, how many notes have you gotten, Helga?" she asked, tilting her head.

Yeah, nice, Lila. Real smooth.

Like you should talk, stupid.

I glanced down at my next–to–empty page and groaned. "Basically nothing, you?"

She sighed. "It's the same for me I'm afraid."

I turned to Gerald—I refused to look at Arnold again—with a questioning look. He swallowed his surprise from before and shook his head. Groaning, I buried my face into my palms, "We're getting nowhere with these dumb books."

"Why can't we just google the answers?" I heard Gerald ask.

"Because, Gerald," I could feel Lila's rising annoyance as she answered him, like this hadn't been the first time she'd had to explain this, "Mrs. Belmonte specifically requested we base our information on sources other then from online."

I looked up, bemused. "She doesn't have to know if we get our resources from the internet."

Lila looked positively offended that I suggested we break—or bend, depending on who you ask—the guidelines and opened her mouth with horror.

Clearing his throat, Arnold decided to step in. "She'll be checking them thoroughly."

I wanted to give him a sceptic look, but I was still reeling from . . . before. So, I quietly scoffed and looked at my page, hoping he wouldn't continue.

But, of course, because he's Arnold, he did anyway. "We have to list our references at the end."

Propping my chin on my fist, I mumbled, "At this point, we'll only get two."

The crow–faced librarian's head suddenly popped out from around the bookshelves. She gave us a nasty look and shushed us before disappearing back around the shelves. Arnold turned his gaze to his blank page, his cheeks turning pink, while Gerald merely rolled his eyes.

Lila's eyes suddenly lit up like a halo. "Hey, that's an idea."

We looked at her questioningly, but she only smiled mysteriously and stood up from her seat. "I'll be back," she said before disappearing around the shelf the library had come from.

I wanted to cry and fling my arms around Lila and pull her back to her seat . . . and also scream and smack her for inviting them here in the first place. Now, I was stuck in this painfully awkward situation, one that was more strenuous then plucking nose hairs. Criminy, and if it wasn't for Lila, they wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be mentally kicking myself to China and, who knows, maybe we would've gotten further with this stupid assignment.

Ugh, this was pathetic. I was a Guardian—I could scale up walls in the pouring rain, heal from stab wounds in hours and fight Mutants twice my size. I was literally a superhero. How was I still such a loser?

I shifted uneasily in my seat. Feeling the movement, his eyes looked up and found mine. I turned my face to the side to avert my gaze, but I could feel myself blushing like a sunburn.

Damn it, Helga, get a hold of yourself.

My heart was throbbing underneath his scrutinizing gaze, I propped my textbook up to block his face from my view. But I could still feel his staring and my palms began sweating. Why did he keep looking at me? Was it because I was a creep? Because I seriously had no defence against that, I was totally a creep and that finger comment only proved that. I used to save this kid's chewing gum for christ's sake, I went far beyond your average creep-dom. Maybe I should be locked up—maybe I really was the problem.

Instead, he cleared his throat. "So, um—Helga—"

I peered over my book and flushed when I encountered those gorgeous eyes. He rubbed his neck and nibbled on his bottom lip. I looked away to a random corner in the ceiling so I wouldn't get wrapped up in his beauty again. I refused to get locked up in one of those freaky–deaky mental institutions that fired bolts of electricity into your brain.

The awkwardness of this all must've reached Gerald, because he groaned and held up his book, as if to escape from the situation.

"W–Why so late?" Arnold asked.

I snapped my gaze back to his. "What?"

Arnold's cheeks tinged the light shade of pink. "You got here pretty late," he explained. "I was just wondering why—sleep in?"

The words were out before I could even register them. "What's it to you, football head?"

He grimaced at the nickname and, for a moment, I felt guilty for using it. Gerald's eyes snapped over to me from over his book with a frown. Arnold quickly gave him a look then nervously smiled at me. "Nothing, just curious."

I felt myself roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. "If you must know, Arnoldo, then yes, I did sleep in."

I wanted to continue doing my work—or, pretending to at least. My hands twitched, wanting to grab my book and continue reading, so I could escape all this. I hated when people asked me questions, especially nowadays when I actually had a life–or–death secret to keep.

"Ah," Arnold leaned in the tiniest bit, his eyes burning brighter. "Why's that?"

The shyness and guilt were quickly becoming replaced with doses of annoyance. Because, honestly, what was it to him? He, along with everyone else, had never shown an interest in my life, why the hell did I keep getting the third degree now that I actually had stuff to do?

"Does it matter?" I snapped.

Arnold's face fell a little, but the guilt was drying up from the simmering irritation rising in my chest. So, of course, his royal highness Gerald decided to butt in.

"I mean, considering you made Lila wait for an hour," he pointed out, putting down his book to fold his arms, "maybe it does matter a little."

Arnold looked at him. "Gerald."

Ignoring him, I rose a brow at the darker boy. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Arnold's eyes cut left to right between us and he held up his hands, trying to deflate the tension. "Gerald, it doesn't matter, I was just curious. And—I mean, she came eventually, right?"

Ouch.

Arnold hadn't meant it maliciously, but the whiplash from his words still stung like a bitch. Did the expectations really have to be set so low so that my showing up actually marked as a victory?

Clearing my throat, I steeled my nerves and pushed back my shoulders. "Right. Exactly—I showed up, didn't I?" The way Gerald scoffed at that only made me angrier. "And last time I checked, Lila was my partner. You should focus on your own. If Lila has a problem, she can address it with me rather than getting her bone loafer, nosey parker bodyguards to speak on her behalf."

Gerald's eyes flashed and a muscle in his jaw twitched. It didn't upset me in the slightest that he'd been affected by his words, maybe that'd teach him to keep sticking his nose where it wasn't wanted. But when Arnold turned back to me, his face frozen with hurt, I began to regret my words.

That was something the old Helga would've said.

Arnold's lips slightly parted as his gaze swept over my face. "Helga, I—"

"Fair enough then," Gerald interrupted with a shrug. Arnold turned back to him with an exasperated sigh, but I just rose an eyebrow. Leaning his jaw on his fist, Gerald peered at me suspiciously. "You still haven't answered Arnold's question though."

I frowned. "What?"

"Why were you so late?"

My chest suddenly constricted underneath his unblinking stare. The way his hard-rimmed eyes were so focused on me, I knew he wouldn't let that question go unanswered. He was determined to find out my secrets, not out of concern, but to tear me down a peg or two.

"Did it have something to do with you abandoning Phoebe?" he continued, raising a brow.

I felt my jaw drop. Was he serious?

Arnold tried intervening. "Gerald—!"

The librarian stuck her face around the shelves again. "Shhhhhhhh!"

Arnold blushed, dropping his gaze until she disappeared again.

My palms were tingling. I could feel my eyes beginning to sting from holding contact with Gerald's glare for so long. I averted my gaze to the textbook covers, trying to reign control over my pulse, and took a silent breath.

"I didn't abandon her," I said lowly.

"You've been avoiding her."

"I've been busy."

"Bullshit."

Flashes of grotesque figures, glowing eyes and bone claws burned in my mind. I could hear laughter—eerie, sinister laughter—and inhumane wailing filling my ears. The last time Gerald had said that to me—the other me—had been . . .

"I promise I won't be gone long, milady."

"Helga," Arnold's brows drew together in concern as he stared down at my hands. Even Gerald had fallen silent, his eyes full of surprise. "You're shakin—"

I slammed my palms flat on the table and shot up with a force that knocked my chair to the ground. Both the boys jumped from the thud and looked up in astonishment.

"What goes on in my life," I hissed, "is none of your concern."

Gerald's surprise became a dirty look. "But what hurts her is."

Arnold blinked and looked at Gerald questioningly. Gerald must have realised what he said, because his cheeks became a colour that rivalled his bright red shirt.

Looking at Gerald, I really studied him. The way he scrunched up his face as he mentally berated himself over what he'd let slip out. The way he hid his eyes as the embarrassment strained in his chest. It was obvious to anyone with ears or eyes that Gerald liked Phoebe.

I had never liked Gerald, but his feelings brought a small amount of relief. He could take care of her. Feeling how hard I was staring at him, an even darker flush crept up his face. My gaze fell to my hands tightly clasped together. Gerald would take care of her.

"She's been speaking with you, then?" I asked in a small voice.

"Um," he didn't look up, but nodded. "Y–Yeah."

I nodded, then spun on my heel and walked away.

Neither bothered to stop me.

Lila, who had been heading back to our table with an armful of books, stopped when she spotted me. The smile dropped from her face when she recognised the cold mask of indifference I was forcing.

"Helga, where're y—"

"Bathroom."

---

Abandon.

That's what he had said. Not protect, not left or avoid—abandon.

I'd been abandoning my best friend.

Sure, I could call it avoiding, could remind myself how much I was doing this for her, but in all its naked glory, it was nothing but glorified abandonment.

Legs hugged to my chest, I struggled to control my breathing.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Why was I like this? Why was I so fucking bipolar? I blinked hard, willing the tears back. For fuck's sake.

I knew this was all so stupid. Of course it was. I'd decided many times that in order to keep Phoebe safe, I would have to ease my way from her life. It would hurt, but it was something I would go through with.

Why did it hurt then?

Phoebe hanging with Gerald was a good sign—a really good one. Sure, it hurt like a bitch, but Gerald chewing me out for leaving her was really good. He was willing to protect her. He cared so much for her that he wanted to protect her. I still considered him an asshole, but Gerald also hung around good people, Phoebe would get a group of loving, accepting friends.

So, why couldn't I just accept that?

My vision blurred. Maybe I shouldn't have come in today.

"Helga?"

Crap, it was Lila.

I clamped my mouth shut. When had she gotten here? Not that it mattered, I was well out of patience for her nosiness right now.

Rubbing my wet cheeks, I forced myself to focus on something else—anything else—and settled on my Monday timetable. Two periods of algebra, then biology and—

"Helga—" there was a soft knock on my stall. "—I know you're in there."

This girl couldn't take a hint, could she? That, or she just chose to ignore them. Still, I probably would have less difficulty if I just responded to her rather then pretending I wasn't here.

Breathe, Helga.

Be cool.

Neutral.

Stoic.

"How—" Clearing my cloggy throat, I focused on her feet poking from underneath the door. She was wearing a pair of worn brown boots which cut off at her shins, revealing her wildly patterned stockings. "How'd you know?"

She chuckled. "It's the only stall in use."

Oh.

"Great."

Again, she chuckled, but this one felt forced. There was a moment of silence when she turned around and leaned her back against the door before she addressed me in a softer voice. "Arnold told me what happened," she said, and I shut my eyes with a quiet sigh. "I'm sorry for what Gerald said. I know he seems harsh, he's just really protective of his fri—"

"What makes you think I care about what stupid tall hair boy says about me?" I said in a harsh voice. "I've never liked him, nor care about what he has to say. He can keep his stupid dream team, I don't want shit to do with 'em."

Where was this coming from, this defensiveness? It was harsh. Harsher then anything old Helga would say. But why? What was making me so—

Images flashed through my mind—Arnold's face lighting up at Lila's presence, the defensiveness in Gerald's eyes as he protected Phoebe, the delight they shared at the Sundae Saloon . . .

I was filled with a twisted, unexpected surge of rage. I shut my eyes and buried my face into my knees. I wanted to ignore it, but the rage only grew like a swarm of bees. I tried to swallow the bitter lump of tears that threatened to spill down my face.

Why was I so horrible?

"Helga . . ."

No. I didn't want her pity.

"If you don't mind, I have some business to finish up here—" I cringed but didn't take it back "—and I'd rather be alone."

The silence was roaring, my palms became clammy. Opening my eyes, I studied Lila's stockings beneath cubicle. Zig–zagged lines of white stacked on top of crimson, and shades of olive and burnt orange. The pattern was so ugly, yet oddly warm in a way, it reminded me of Christmas—at least, the Christmas I'd seen in movies, rather then how my family preferred to experience it.

"Okay," she finally said, standing straight from the door. "If . . . if you're sure."

I gulped. "Positive."

"Right, I'm . . . I'm sorry to have bothered you."

Her feet walked away, and a flurry of panic hit me. I was surprised, but I found myself hoping that I hadn't upset her. Not that I could blame her if she was since I'd been absolutely awful to her, not just now but for years now. I had never made it a secret how less then approving I was of her, ever since Arnold had began liking her. Something that I realised may have been unfair to her. Lila herself had never said she returned his feelings and in fact, not only had she kept my feelings for him a secret, but she'd also seem to be actively encouraging us to be together.

My heart sunk. Had I been right to judge her so quickly? Was I even in a position to judge her in the first place? Even if Lila had returned Arnold's feelings, it didn't change the person she was, the person she always had been. And it suddenly hit me why Arnold would choose her over me. Not just because she was blatantly prettier than me. Not just because everything she seemed to do ended with her success. No, it was because Lila Sawyer was just . . . good.

She was a patient person with a good heart, she never got mad at people and always set out to make everyone feel included. It was no wonder Arnold was in love with her, she was the only person who seemed to match him with her fairness.

I heard her footsteps suddenly stop as she swung open the door.

"Oh, and Helga—" she paused for a while. "I, um . . . I know you might think of us as nosey parkers—" she chuckled. "—which you may be right about. But the only reason we are is because . . . you hide. You hide so much behind that mask. You may think we can't see it, but we . . . we know that whatever it is you're going through, it's killing you inside."

What?

My eyes snapped up from the floor, up to the door where I envisioned her to be standing. How did Lila—

The door suddenly shut, and she left.

Leaving me alone.

Her words rung around in my mind until my shoulders were left shaking, I bit on my lip tightly to hide the sounds that wanted to escape. I dug the heels of my palm in my eyes to wipe away the moisture. Why did Lila insist on sticking by my side? I'd been nothing but horrible to her. Hell, I showed up late today. Why did she feel compelled to remain so patient?

My breath came out as an angry sob.

What was wrong with me? No. What was wrong with her?

"Helga?"

Are you kidding me?

"Oh," I moaned, glaring at the shut door. "Go away."

I didn't hear anything for a while, but I knew better then to expect for her to actually listen to me. Nel's face suddenly popped out from underneath the stall and I shrieked.

"What do you think you're doin?!" I demanded in a hushed type of yell. "I could have been busy!"

And she actually had the nerve to roll her eyes at me.

As Nel crawled underneath the door, I wiped my eyes and cleared my throat. She sat below me with that stupid determined glare of hers.

"I've managed to pinpoint the area the Wraith is choosing to remain."

I blinked. "Wait, really? That's great! What do we do—pummel it before it can attack?"

"Not so fast, Helga," she said with a frown. "I still haven't managed to locate exactly who it is."

My whole face went blank. "Seriously? It's almost been two hours."

She scowled. "Forgive me, Helga, but it's been quite a while since I've had to find a Wraith, they're quite talented at blending in with regular humans."

Oh, brother. I sighed and rubbed the side of my head. This life was just bad news on top of bad news, was it too much to ask for a normal problem?

My reaction—or rather, lack of—seemed to piss Nel off, "Well, this would be an easier task if I had help from a certain someone."

Now that got my attention.

"Oh?" Leaning in further, I gave her a smirk, which just made her face contort. "You need my help?"

"Assistance."

I rolled my eyes with a small grin. "Fine, fine, whatever." Crossing my arms, I leaned back on the toilet, and asked more seriously, "So what area did you pinpoint this asshole to?"

She hesitated, "Yours."

---

"Now, Helga, don't do anything rash—"

I slammed my hand against the door and strode forward into the chilling air that stuck the dampness on my skin. Sharp claws dug into my shoulder as Nel struggled to hang onto me as I stalked down the many aisle's. Now that we were back in a public area, she had to switch to telepathically trying o calm me down, but my mind was already reeling with panic.

It made my head spun and before I was even aware of it, I'd started running. Pushing through the alarm, I sprinted back towards my table, my pulse running in my temples. If anything happened to them—yes, even Gerald—because I hadn't been there, I wouldn't know what I'd do.

You shouldn't be running! Nel threw a wild gesture at the librarians who all turned to glare at us. You'll get us kicked out—

I skidded to a stop.

Nel's eyes popped open and she dug her claws in deeper to keep herself from flying away. I had to bite down on my tongue to keep myself from screaming. Not that I particularly cared if I did happen to scream. Or if I go chucked out. No, what I did care about was that nasty little hussy leaning over Arnold's desk.

I dived like a sack of potatoes behind the closest bookshelf, ignoring as Nel let out a strangled cry. Crouching behind a well–concealed shelf, I gripped the edge and peered around to keep track of my table.

Growling, I opened my mouth to comment when someone from my left cleared their throat. Looking up, I released that a nerdish–looking boy with scruffy hair and baggy white jeans was scowling at me. Nel stiffened, worried that maybe she'd been caught talking (not for my fault, by the way, she should've kept her trap shut), but his eyes never left my face. He was holding a particularly boring–looking book—Throne of Glass, it read—and made a rude gesture for me to keep quiet.

I stuck out my tongue and turned back around to my investigating.

There was a girl talking to Arnold, I recognised her as the one who had been glaring at me before. She was cute, I'll give her that. She had long, silky hair that ran down her back in a shade that was similar to Lila's. She wore a mini, velvet dress, which emphasised her toned legs, and a lace, long-sleeved shirt beneath that.

She stood next to Arnold, leaned over his shoulders, and was smiling with her perfectly white at him. Thankfully, he seemed oblivious to his advances, and his eyes stayed on her face as he smiled back at her.

Something that Gerald wasn't doing, who appeared very red, and was trying very hard to keep his eyes away from her rather round behind. Lila, on the other hand, had her forehead in her hand, like she had a migraine, and just shut her eyes.

"She's a Wraith."

"How on earth—" shooting the nearby boy a cautious glance, Nel lowered her voice, "—can you tell so quickly?"

"It's obvious," I narrowed my eyes as the girl giggled way too hard at something Arnold said. He kept grinning at her, but his eyebrows slightly furrowed in confusion, since he knew that it hadn't been very funny. "Look at her hanging onto him like he's the last scoop of triple chocolate at the Sundae Saloon while Lila and Gerald both the rum & raisins. It's sick, I tell you."

Nel stared at me. "What?"

"And just look at how she's smiling at him—" I stopped with a gasp, leaning forward when the giggling girl lightly slapped Arnold's bicep. He blinked, and she scooped her pretty hair behind her ear, giving him a mischievous wink. "Oh, that bitch."

Feeling myself being watched, I turned back to the nerdy boy, looking at me like I'd just wrapped a tutu around my head, put watering cans on my hands and started singing American Idiot.

I flushed and turned back to Arnold's table. Nel's ears folded back against her head and neither of us spoke until the boy turned back to his boring book.

"Anyway, everyone around her is totally acting bizarrely," I pointed out in a whisper. "She's obviously supernatural, so let's go."

Before I could charge forward, a sharp pain lanced through my shoulders as Nel dug her claws back in. I cried, halting in my steps, as she glared up at me. "Are you sure you're not letting your feelings cloud your judgement, Helga?" she growled.

The pain was shoved to the back of my brain as a hot flush ran up my neck. "Wha—what feelings?"

I looked over my shoulder but the nerdy boy must've realised I was beyond help because his back was now facing me. Turning to Nel, I gave her a defiant and offended look. "I don't have any feelings—none. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Her suspicious eyes swept over my face before she sighed and retracted her claws. I let out a breath when the stinging disappeared.

"For someone who guards herself so compulsively," she muttered, "you sure are easy to read."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I snapped.

Thump.

Spinning around, I gasped when the nerdy boy suddenly collapsed in a tangled heap and quickly bolted for him. Falling to my knees, I clasped his shoulders and pulled him around. I gasped again, there were dark circles beneath his eyes that almost looked like bruises. And his face . . . it almost looked skeletal, his cheeks were so hollow.

"Helga!"

Nel directed my attention to the tables ahead of us. I made a strangled noise of alarm, everyone was either passed out or reading with bruised–like eyes, similar to the nerdy boy's. I climbed back to my feet and slowly backed up until I lightly bumped into the bookshelf, knocking over a couple of books. "It's her, Nel," I growled out helplessly. "It's gotta be!"

"Quiet in the library, please."

I whirled in the direction the voice had come from to the same crow–like librarian from before. Up close, I noticed just how sharp she looked; her face was ashy, almost a light purple, and her eyebrows were so like rigid, black triangles, kind of like the McDonalds sign.

Smirking, she placed a knotted, long finger to her thin lips and let out a slow and steady, "Shhhhhhhhhhhhh . . ."

Black smoke escaped her lips and wrapped around her body. The air was like ice on my skin yet sweat was trickling down my arms. I covered my mouth, and Nel copied my movements, as the smoke suddenly clogged in my throat.

When it dissipated, the crow–like librarian transformed into a hideous looking . . . thing. Its skin was mostly grey scarred tissue and its forehead folded over its eyes. The body was knotted and twisted, like a piece of rope, and its shoulders seemed to be pushed forward in a permanent state, giving it the appearance of a giant question mark. Its thin purple lips pulled back to reveal yellow diamond–shaped teeth as it let out a snarl.

"Ohhhhhhhhhh . . ." My jaw dropped, but I found myself faintly nodded. "That, um, that makes sense."

Nel turned to me in exasperation. "I told you that your feelings were clouding your judgement."

I scoffed. "What feelings—WHOA!"

Ducking to the side, I barely managed to dodge the needle-like attacked the Wraith had thrown at me. I spun on my heel and sprinted down the aisle, keenly aware of the footsteps approaching from behind.

Nel dug her claws in as deep as she could while I ran. "Helga, what're you doing?! Transform—transform now!"

Looking over my shoulder, I saw the Wraith jump up onto the bookshelf. But it didn't fall, instead it took the position almost of an elongated frog and began climbing along the shelves. It moved so quickly, it almost became a blur, and I turned back ahead and sprinted on, jumping over the collapsed bodies.

"I'd love to Nel!" I shrieked and took a sharp right turn. "Only I left my pin in my bag at the table!"

Nel's eyes almost popped from her skull. "You simpleto—"

Annnd I fell.

Fortunately at the same time, the Wraith had pounced with its claws stretched out. The attack sliced the air where my head had been moments before, and the creature flew over me, landing roughly on its face.

I watched with confusion, rubbing my sore nose. "Well, that was weird."

"Would you get up and get your pin?!" Nel growled.

"Alright, I'm going," I frowned, offended.

Getting up, I raced down the rest of the aisle, choosing to ignore the non-moving bodies still sat at the tables. I could hear the Wraith picking itself up and struggled to keep putting more distance between us. As I continued to bolt, I heard two panicked voices—one a boy and the other a girl.

"C'mon, Arnold—"

"What's wrong with them?!"

My eyes lit up—Lila and Gerald!

As I rounded the corner, both their bodies came into view; they were leaning over the table, trying to shake Arnold and that other girl awake. My heart thudded, Arnold's face was pressed into the table, his eyes rested shut, while the girl was on her knees, with her face next to his. It was worrying that they were both unconscious, but at least all four of them were still together as group. And even better, I spotted my crumbled bag beneath the table, next to the girl.

Then, in my peripheral vision, I spotted the Wraith headed straight for them. It was crawling over the bookshelf, knocking some of the books to the ground, and picking up speed. Nel must've seen it too because she sunk her claws back into my shoulder. "Helga," she gasped, "by the time they see it, it'll be too late for them to outrun it!"

She was right. This wraith, it was too fast and quiet.

"Gerald!" I shouted. Nel quickly leapt from my shoulder to hide herself amongst the books from their sight. "Move you dummies!"

They both looked up then followed where I was gesturing at to the vastly approaching creature. Lila screamed, her fingers covering her cheeks, and stumbled back. Gerald, on the other hand, gaped, but didn't move as the Wraith readied itself to pounce.

The next few moments seemed to happen in slow motion. The Wraith let out an inhumane snarl and leapt into the air for Gerald. His jaw dropped as his body froze with horror, his frozen eyes stuck on the approaching creature.

But dashing forward, I slammed myself into him and knocked both Gerald and Lila out of the way. Something bony wrapped around my neck and shoved me flat against the table with a sharp bang! I spluttered and clawed as the air became scarce. There was a pause before the Wraith leaned in less then a nose width from my face. Its rancid smell made me shudder. It gave a deep sniff then reeled back in disgust.

"You again?!" It snarled, squeezing tighter.

Black beads were flickering over my vision. Baring my teeth at the Wraith, I stretched my hand out above my head—searching for anything—and felt something familiar reach my fingers.

"Sorry to—" I grasped the pen and jammed it into the creature's neck, "—disappoint you!"

The Wraith shrieked and released me to clutch onto its neck. Sitting up, I spluttered and hacked as I struggled to get air back into my body. Lila and Gerald covered their ears to block out the awful screams that rolled down my body like knives. The Wraith stumbled backwards, blood soaking its hand and pouring down its neck. The pen was firmly lodged into its flesh, the fluffy puff on the end slowly soaking into a soggy ball, and the creature couldn't remove it.

It lunged in my direction and I prepared myself for the impact, but it instead sprung above me. It landed a few feet away and fled for the entrance, heaving its weight into the shut doors. The glass shattered to glimmering shards and the wood burst as it was knocked from its hinges.

The sunshine was so bright, I could barely make out its form anymore. The light practically inhaled the Wraith, I couldn't see it as it left, but I heard the screams and collusions of cars as people witnessed the wild–looking creature.

But I wasn't worried that it would attack them. Despite appearances, it seemed relatively weak; with that wound, tracking it wouldn't be too hard.

My head was spinning uncomfortably. Leaning over my knees, I swallowed large and slow breaths and kept my head down. Some moments passed when I raised my head up to Lila and Gerald's stunned gazes. They both seemed so pale, not because of the Wraith's powers, but because of what they'd just witnessed.

"Are you alright?" I asked hoarsely.

Lila didn't seem to hear me, her attention was lost on the doors that had been knocked down, but Gerald jumped. He looked up and blinked dazedly, "Oh, um," he stuttered, then glanced down at his shaking hands. He blinked again, a few times actually, as if he had just woken from a trance. "Y–Yeah."

My stomach squirmed from seeing him like this. Gerald was such a confident, self–assured guy, it was downright weird seeing him so out of it. Not that I could blame him; he had come close to being viciously ripped apart by a monster.

Lila snapped her gaze back to me. "H – Helga, what was—"

"Is Arnold okay?"

She blinked with shock then turned her clammy face to the sleeping teenagers behind her. I realised that, while the Wraith's attention had been on me, she must've pulled Arnold and the girl from the table. The girl was curled on her side while Arnold was spread out with his arm covering his eyes.

"Why do they look so strange?" Lila asked to herself, crawling over to the pair of them. Looking closely, I released what she was talking about. They looked so frail, so much older, like everyone else in the library. Their skin was so papery and ashy, it made my stomach cramp.

"I think—" Lila placed two fingers to Arnold's neck then did the same to the girl. Eventually, she nodded at me. "They're breathing at least."

Standing up, I nodded. "Good, and you?"

"Um, well, I'm a little shaken, but I . . ." she looked down to her hands twisted tightly in her lap. She scrunched up her face and shook her head, I could only imagine the thoughts running through her head. Looking up, she turned her shimmery eyes back to me. "Helga, how did you do that?"

I looked away when she asked me that. I hated the way she looked, the naked fear in her eyes and the pleading note in her voice. It made it harder for me to feed her a lie, I couldn't with her looking so helpless like that.

Helga! I jumped when Nel's voice burst from in my mind. Until that Wraith is killed, it'll continue to drain their energy. We have to go!

Right.

I swiped my bag from underneath table and swung it onto my shoulder. "S'nothing," I mumbled, pulling my sleeves over my fingers.

She stared with disbelief, then climbed to her face with the most outrageous look on her face. "It certainly did not look like nothing—Helga, that was amazing!" she threw out her hands with a stunned smile. "You managed to take it down singlehandedly! It was simple astound—Helga, where're you going?"

Pausing, I looked over my shoulder to her confused expression. My mind spun, searching for any type of answer, and I blurted out the first one. "It took your pen, didn't it?" Mentally, I kicked myself because what the fuck, Helga, and Lila herself looked baffled with my response. So, I quickly added, "I gotta go get it back—don't worry, I'll be back!"

I spun on my heel and ran down the aisle and out the library as fast as my feet could carry me. The doors had been thrown open, so the bright light was gushing in like fabric. But before I passed the entrance, I heard Gerald turn to Lila and demand, "What the fuck just happened?!"

---

The blood had created a path.

Across the road, the droplets disappeared into a large canopy of trees. I should've felt scared, anxious at the idea that I was fighting alone. I should've been shaking at the thought that my life was once again being placed on the line.

But honestly? I was feeling good. I was feeling ready.

Clutching my pin, I turned to Nel perched on my shoulder.

Her eyes bored into mine.

I smirked.

"Bring it on."

---

I low key turned Gerald into Regina George and I fucking loved it. I know I haven't been writing so much as Blue Jay, as opposed to Helga, but I love visting Arnold, Lila and Gerald. Lila's so nice, Arnold is confusing and Gerald is kinda like Helga, in that he means well but can say shitty things.

And good news, since there's been like little to no action for the past few chapters, it almost takes up the majority of the next chapter. I'm so excited to write it, maybe even more then this one cause so much stuff should be going down (of course, that's a lot to write so yay I guess).

Unfortunately there wasn't as many reviews last chapter, which was disappointing, but what I got was amazing, so onto my hons!

Badwolf123456: Thank you so much! Hopefully you liked this chapter too! And do not worry, my dear, despite how long I can take to update, I'll never forget this story!

Craving-fiction: omg yesss, the beginning was super angsty and kinda hard to write, but yeah, she's definitely evolving (however slowly) and will confront all of that stuff later! And thank you so much, honestly! This really warmed my heart! And just as was said in the dream, let the games begin!

DhamarFlowers1.5: Ahahah Estoy contigo chica Me encantan los personajes que evolucionan lentamente, pero siento que va demasiado lento. Creo que en los próximos capítulos, las cosas definitivamente empezarán y no será tan lento! ¡Especialmente cuando Helga encuentra a sus compañeros! Gracias por tus amables palabras, cariño!

Ruby Killer: Ooooh nice choices! I definitely see the I Will Survive! Thanks for answering, honey!

Okay, so that's it! I dunno how long it'll take me to post the next chapter since it's supposed to be fuller! But reviews always help and motivate me!