Hello guys.
I've decided to post a fanfic that I've been working on off-and-on for the past year or so. It's based on Hey Arnold, one of the great cartoons of the 90s that I remembered from my childhood, which was initially sparked after seeing a bunch of old episodes of it on Youtube. (And, just a heads up, if you remember the show and are feeling nostalgic, you can see all the old episodes at this site: http://www.geocities.com/haepisodes/episodes.html).
Although this is the "previews" section, this fanfic has actually been out on Fanfiction.net for some time. I'm going to start posting new chapters of the fic as I work on them (since the chapters are becoming ridiculously long at this point). Since it wouldn't make sense to post new chapters without the nine previous chapters on here, I just decided to post each completed chapter of the story on here, then proceed with the new chapters as they develop. The old chapters will be tweaked a bit from how they are presented on fanfiction.net, but mostly it will remain largely intact.
So anyway, just as a refresher, Hey Arnold was a show I remembered fondly from my childhood and the very last episode, which is called "The Journal" is all about Arnold finding his father's journal and reading about all his long-missing (and presumed dead) parents' adventures. The episode ends with him finding a map to a place called San Lorenzo, the last place they were ever seen going to. And....that's it, that's the last episode of the series. There were plans for a second movie to continue from that episode, but they never worked out. This fic continues about five years after that episode. Also, as a side note, this fanfic takes place after the Hey Arnold Movie (which...wasn't really that great, but that's neither here nor there), so Arnold is aware that Helga is in love with him after she confessed it in the movie (of course, they both decided to forget anything ever happened at the end of the movie to sorta restore the status quo, which was always kind of a rip).
So anyway, here is the first chapter. Now, it's been a year since I wrote this and...I'm not sure if this is just Creator Backlash talking, but I'm not too happy with the first few chapters (or the title for that matter, but by the time I thought of a better one it was too late to change it). Let me just say right now that if the first couple chapters seem a bit angsty (especially these first two), it gets better shortly. I promise. Any criticism on these past chapters is encouraged.
Damn, that was a long authors note. Well anyway, time for me to shut up and get on with the show.
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Chapter One: Destiny
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ôHey, Arnold!ö said Gerald, snapping Arnold out of his train of thought. Arnold looked over to Gerald, standing over his desk as everyone else was leaving. ôThe bell just rang. You feelinÆ alright?ö
öWhat?ö said Arnold, still trying to collect his thoughts. His mind had been occupied the entire day. He had paid almost no attention to anything his entire day in high school today. Arnold was a pretty good student, but he had too much to think about today. Conflicting feelings whirled around in his head; anticipation, anxiety, hope, despair, and above all, fear.
ôI asked if you were feelinÆ alrightö said Gerald, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. ôYou look kinda pale.ö
Arnold wasnÆt surprised; after all, he knew anyone in his position would be pale. But he couldnÆt think of anyone who could possibly be going through what he was.
öYeah, yeah, IÆm fine,ö lied Arnold. ôI justàhavenÆt been getting a lot of sleep the past few days. I guess IÆm just sortaàout of it.ö
Gerald looked down at Arnold for another moment, looking like he didnÆt really believe him. Then he shrugged.
ôAlright, man. Just try to get some sleep, okay?ö
öSure.ö
Gerald walked away. The short form of Phoebe was waiting for Gerald at the door. Gerald said something to make her laugh then they walked away together. Arnold smiled a bit. Seeing his friend happy raised his spirit a bit; unfortunately, not by much.
Arnold gathered up his books in his bookbag. At the bottom of a bag was the book he carried around with him everywhere he went. It was his fatherÆs journal, the one thing that made Arnold feel like he was truly connected with his parents. In it was an account of his parentÆs adventures in San Lorenzo, their encounters with the mysterious Green-Eyed People, and the last thing his father wrote before he and his mother left on a plane to San Lorenzo. They werenÆt heard from again. He had gotten it when he was nine, but even now just seeing it made Arnold get a huge lump in his stomach. It made him feel even more emotional today. It was the second most precious possession he owned. The only item he valued even more was at home; it was also the reason why he had been preoccupied the whole day.
Arnold walked out of the classroom and out of the doors of the high school. He had just entered several weeks ago. Luckily most of his old friends were still in his classes. Gerald, Phoebe, Eugene, Harold, Stinky, Sid, and most of his other friends were still around. And of course, there was another important person Arnold still saw almost every day, whether he wanted to or not. Unfortunately, on a day like this, he felt like his life would be made much easier if he didnÆt see her.
Arnold went up to the bus, which was just about to leave. He was the last person to enter. The bus was filled with the usual clamor of noise and moderate excitement. Feeling particularly anti-social, he sat close to the back of the bus. Even though he felt bad about doing so, he made sure he sat far away from Gerald, since he didnÆt want Gerald to inquire more about his condition. He sat in the old seat and, despite his better judgment, his mind drifted back to his unique problem.
He was deep in thought when he heard an all too familiar voice behind him.
öYou know, thinking all day about something thatÆd shake you up that much canÆt be good for you.ö
Arnold sighed. He had hoped he could avoid her today. He looked behind his chair and saw a girl with a pink bow in her blond hair. She gave Arnold her usual cynical smile.
öHello Helga,ö said Arnold, without emotion.
öHey Football Head,ö she said, in a failed attempt to relax Arnold a bit. Her smile dropped and suddenly she seemed serious. ôSo, whatÆs got you so messed up?ö
öNothing,ö said Arnold.
Helga leaned back in her seat and let out a humorless laugh.
öThat kind of brush off might convince Tall Hair Boy over there,ö she said, pointing over to Gerald, who was sitting near the front of the bus with Phoebe, ôbut I know better. SomethingÆs been really messing with you all day.ö
ôItÆs nothing.ö
HelgaÆs tone got a bit more impatient.
ôYouÆre a terrible liar, you know.ö
öItÆs really nothing.ö
ôItÆs not nothing!ö she said, suddenly raising her voice. She sat up in her seat to look Arnold in the eyes. Arnold saw that she was really concerned. Arnold sighed again. Over the years, Arnold had been able to tolerate to HelgaÆs somewhat aggressive personality. Arnold knew it wasnÆt how she really was, but it was normally the faþade she hid behind. Whenever Arnold saw glimpses of her true self, it usually made Arnold relaxed and happy. However, today it was the last thing he wanted to see. Since he confessed to him when they were nine, he knew how she felt about him, even though he didnÆt like to admit he knew. He knew she was really worried and that he was hurting her feelings by not telling her what was wrong. It made him feel terrible, but he knew telling her would just make her worry more.
Arnold looked away.
öIÆm sorryàbut itÆsàitÆs something I have to deal with on my own,ö he said.
Helga did not say anything after that. The bus began to skid to a stop. Arnold quickly grabbed his bookbag and got up from his seat.
öHey, Arnold,ö said Helga as he got up. Arnold turned back to her. She looked down at the floor, trying to avoid showing her concern. ôI justàI mean, I wanted to sayàyou knowàtake care, alright Football Head?ö
Arnold stared at her. Deep down, he knew how hard this must be for her to see him in this mood. He nodded towards her.
öIàI will,ö he said, being not entirely truthful. ôThanks Helga.ö
Helga didnÆt say anything. She just looked up with a faux smile. Arnold turned and exited the bus.
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Helga watched as Arnold walked off the bus. He walked into the street and began walking towards the boarding house. As he left, he accidentally bumped into a young man wearing a brown coat and sunglasses as he entered the bus. The man apologized as he walked inside. He took ArnoldÆs former seat on the bus as it began to move.
Helga slumped back in her seat. Her heart was racing and she was very worried. She grasped inside her shirt to get out her locket. On the gold locket was a picture of Arnold.
öArnoldàö she said softly to herself. ôWhy must you keep yourself locked away? Why must you insist upon taking the world on your adorable little shoulders? WhatÆs really going through that cute, albeit unusually shaped, head of yours? Why canÆt you bear your soul to me as I ha-ô
öExcuse me.ö
Helga suddenly stopped talking. She hastily put the locket back inside her shirt as she looked at the source of the voice. It came from the man in the coat and sunglasses who had taken ArnoldÆs seat.
öWhat do you want?!ö said Helga, frustrated at being interrupted during her soliloquy.
ôIÆm sorry to disturb you,ö said the man, in a strange accent, ôbut I found this book in my seat. Does it belong to you?ö
öHuh?ö
The man held up an old looking book, with a worn brown cover. On the front of it was the word ôJournalö. HelgaÆs heart suddenly missed a beat.
öThat must be ArnoldÆs journal!ö she blurted out, without thinking.
öArnold?ö said the man. ôOh, so you know whose this is? Good, you can return it.ö The man held out the book for Helga to take. She hesitated. The main raised an eyebrow. ôIs there a problem?ö
Helga couldnÆt believe it. It was as if she was being offered the key to all knowledge. All that she ever cared about, all that she ever wanted to know could be in that book. She craved to look at it; however she was afraid that if she did, Arnold might find out and get furious. Helga knew that if someone ever read any of her books of poetry, she would strike them immediately. Arnold, however, would probably just get very angry or, even worse, very sad. Helga didnÆt want that to happen. However, she had to take it. After all, Arnold would probably want it back. All Helga figured she had to do was give the book to Arnold and resist any temptation to look at it.
After processing all this, Helga reached out a jittering hand and took the journal. The man in sunglasses smiled and turned back around.
Helga stared at the book in her lap. As if afraid of being too close to it, she took it from her lap and sat it aside to her on her seat. She tried to avoid looking at it and imagining what could be written in it, but every few seconds her eyes constantly drew back to the book.
Suddenly, without turning around, the man in the coat spoke.
öSo, this ArnoldàheÆs a friend of yours, yes?ö
He is the single most important person in the whole of my existence, thought Helga. He is more essential than air, because without him I would shrivel and die. My life is nothing but a hollow, pathetic husk without knowing that he is in it. Friendship does not even begin to describe the attachment I feel to him.
öSomething like that, yeah,ö said Helga. She shifted her tone to become more hostile. ôWhatÆs it to you?ö
öRight, sorry,ö said the man. ôI probably shouldnÆt have ask. ItÆs none of my businessàI was just curious if you were going to read his journal or not.ö
Before she could tell herself not to, her eyes drifted back to the journal. She glared at it, then at the man.
öOf course not! Why would I do that? I donÆt care about whatÆs in there! Crimeny, what kind of sick creep are you, asking all that?!ö
The bus began to screech to a stop. Helga grabbed the book and got up to depart. To her surprise, the man in the coat got up as well. He walked behind her as she walked towards the bus exit.
öItÆs not like it would be wrong to, you know,ö said the man from behind Helga. ôAfter all, you friendÆs journal just happening to be there and you finding it before it is forever lost. ItÆs not a coincidence. Think of it asàdestiny.ö
Helga and the man stepped out of the bus into the street. Helga briefly looked at the man, who was smiling. She glanced at the book again and clutched it.
öYeah, what do you know?ö she said coldly at the man, before turning to walk towards her house. He continued to speak as she began to leave.
ôOh, I know more than you think, Ms. Pataki.ö
Helga stopped.
öHey wait a minute,ö she said, starting to turn around. ôHow did you know my-ô She saw that there was no longer anyone behind her.
ô-name?ö she said, confused. The bus doorÆs closed and began to roll down the street. Helga looked around, but she could not see the man anywhere. She began to feel very uncomfortable when she felt a tap on her shoulders.
ôHelga?ö
Despite herself, she gasped, dropped the journal, and jerked around. She was surprised to see it was only Phoebe, looking at her with concern.
öOh, Feebs. Sorry about that,ö said Helga, picking up the journal. ôIÆm just a bit weirded out.ö
öReally?ö
öYeah, there was this guyàö She stopped herself from saying the rest. ôUgh, nevermind. ItÆs nothing. Just some weirdo. Just forget it.ö
öOkay. Forgetting.ö Phoebe looked at the journal. ôWhatÆs that, Helga?ö
Helga instinctively put the book behind her, nervously.
öOh, itÆsàitÆs nothing,ö said Helga, trying to think of a lie. ôItÆs just...umàthis book IÆm reading.ö
öOh, neat. WhatÆs it about?ö
öYeah, you know, itÆs the one aboutàumàthe wizards in that school withàeràDa Vinci and theyÆreàumàö Helga clutched the book. ôIÆm sorry, Feebs, but I gotta run. IÆll call you later, kay?ö
öUm, sure Helga,ö said Phoebe, looking a bit confused.
Helga quickly walked down the street, her gaze always returning to the journal. She thought about what that strange man had said.
öDestiny, eh?ö she said, looking down at the journal once more. With that, Helga hurried home.
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The sun was beginning to set as Arnold sat in his room, staring at the phone on his desk. He knew eventually he would have to make the call or he wouldnÆt get anywhere. He turned his gaze over to the single most important object in his life. It was a map of San Lorenzo that he had found in his fatherÆs journal. On it was a trail that Arnold could only assumed was his parentsÆ line of flight on the day that they left and never returned. If someone could follow that trail, presumably it could lead them to where his parentÆs landed. All he had to do was get there.
However, since he had discovered the map at age nine, Arnold had learned that getting there was much more difficult than expected. His first instinct upon discovering the map was to contact the proper authorities. They promised theyÆd look into it and, after over a year of hearing nothing, they said that since they had searched the area on the map when his parents were first reported missing, they saw no sense in looking again.
After this, Arnold had turned his attention towards acquiring a private plane to San Lorenzo, since flying their commercially was not possible, as San Lorenzo was a dangerous jungle region. This too proved challenging. Aside from the astronomical cost of using a private plane, he also found that any organization he went to refused to take him to a dangerous area such as San Lorenzo, since they were afraid they would be legally responsible for any harm that may inflicted upon a minor such as Arnold.
Arnold had called so many organizations to use a private plane that he had lost count. And now he had finally reached the last organization he could think of to get a plane. If they said no, Arnold had no idea what he would do. The grave reality of this situation had preoccupied Arnold all day.
Arnold stared at the phone, deathly afraid. Finally, Arnold reached out and grabbed the phone. He dialed the number. A woman answered the phone.
öBlue Skies Jets. How may I help you?ö
Arnold opened his mouth, but found himself unable to say anything for a moment.
öHello?ö said the women on the phone.
öY-yes, sorry,ö said Arnold. ôMy name is Arnold andàI need to charter a plane.ö
The women said nothing for a moment.
öUmmàpardon me, sir, but how old are you?ö
Arnold sighed.
öI just turned fourteen.ö
öSir, it is against our policy to charter planes to underage-ô
öI know,ö said Arnold, hastily. ôI know. YouÆre not the first place I called butàjust listenàI need a plane. I need to get to San Lorenzo. Or elseàö
öOr else what, sir?ö
öOr elseàIÆll never know what happened to themàö
The women on the phone said nothing.
ôWellàummàwill you be accompanied by an adult?ö
Arnold perked up a bit.
öYes, yes of course. My Grandpa.ö
öWellàas long as your guardian signs a liability waver and accompanies you, there shouldnÆt be a problemàö
Arnold was smiling. This was the first place he had called in a while that hadnÆt hung up on him right after they heard his age. However, he didnÆt get his hopes up; he knew he had another problem he had to face.
öUmmàhow much will this cost?ö
The woman on the phone told him. Arnold paused for a long time, then asked for the women to repeat the number. She did. He was suddenly disheartened.
öWowàthatÆsàthatÆs a lot.ö
öIs there a problem, sir?ö
ôYesàIàI canÆt afford that right now. Isàis there some kind of way I can arrange payment after the trip?ö
öIÆm sorry, but you will need to pay up front.ö
öAre you sure? IsnÆt there any other-ô
öIÆm sorry, sir, but thereÆs nothing I can do. ItÆs company policy.ö
Arnold didnÆt say anything.
öAre you alright, sir? If you come up with the money, youÆre welcome to call-ô
öNoàno thatÆs fine,ö said Arnold, quietly. ôThank you. Goodbye.ö
Arnold hung up the phone. He stared at the phone for a few more moments before he flung it against the wall. He sat in his chair, putting his hand over his face as he felt moisture rise in his eyes.
I couldnÆt do it. I couldnÆt do anything, thought Arnold. IÆm a failure.
Wanting to feel some comfort, he walked over to his bookbag to get his fatherÆs journal. He rummaged through his bookbag and was horrified to see that he couldnÆt find it. He turned the bag over, dumping out all its contents. He searched through all of them, but he couldnÆt find it. He began to feel tears stream over his face.
öLordàö he said, quietly. ôWhere is it?ö Without realizing it, he raised his voice to a scream. ôWhere is it?!ö
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Outside of ArnoldÆs boarding house, the man in the brown coat and sunglasses stood on the sidewalk, looking up at the window where he had just heard the scream. He had a sad expression on his face. He stared at the window for a few minutes, before shaking his head and letting out a sigh.
He turned away from the boarding house and hailed a cab. As it sped away, night fell on the city.
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Helga was up in her room, looking at the journal on her desk. She had spent the past few hours trying to work out what she should do. Finally, she found she could not contain her curiosity anymore. It was likely that the answers to all the questions she had about Arnold was in the journal. How could she resist? After all, like the man said, it was destiny.
She walked over to her desk and sat down.
öOkay...deep breathö she said to herself, taking a deep breath. "Alright...let's do this." She opened the journal.
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And that's the first chapter. Criticism is very much encouraged. Even though it may be a bit late to redo nine chapters, any criticism will help me be a better writer in the future. I'll put up the next eight completed chapters throughout the week, then start posting bits of the new chapters as they're completed.
I've decided to post a fanfic that I've been working on off-and-on for the past year or so. It's based on Hey Arnold, one of the great cartoons of the 90s that I remembered from my childhood, which was initially sparked after seeing a bunch of old episodes of it on Youtube. (And, just a heads up, if you remember the show and are feeling nostalgic, you can see all the old episodes at this site: http://www.geocities.com/haepisodes/episodes.html).
Although this is the "previews" section, this fanfic has actually been out on Fanfiction.net for some time. I'm going to start posting new chapters of the fic as I work on them (since the chapters are becoming ridiculously long at this point). Since it wouldn't make sense to post new chapters without the nine previous chapters on here, I just decided to post each completed chapter of the story on here, then proceed with the new chapters as they develop. The old chapters will be tweaked a bit from how they are presented on fanfiction.net, but mostly it will remain largely intact.
So anyway, just as a refresher, Hey Arnold was a show I remembered fondly from my childhood and the very last episode, which is called "The Journal" is all about Arnold finding his father's journal and reading about all his long-missing (and presumed dead) parents' adventures. The episode ends with him finding a map to a place called San Lorenzo, the last place they were ever seen going to. And....that's it, that's the last episode of the series. There were plans for a second movie to continue from that episode, but they never worked out. This fic continues about five years after that episode. Also, as a side note, this fanfic takes place after the Hey Arnold Movie (which...wasn't really that great, but that's neither here nor there), so Arnold is aware that Helga is in love with him after she confessed it in the movie (of course, they both decided to forget anything ever happened at the end of the movie to sorta restore the status quo, which was always kind of a rip).
So anyway, here is the first chapter. Now, it's been a year since I wrote this and...I'm not sure if this is just Creator Backlash talking, but I'm not too happy with the first few chapters (or the title for that matter, but by the time I thought of a better one it was too late to change it). Let me just say right now that if the first couple chapters seem a bit angsty (especially these first two), it gets better shortly. I promise. Any criticism on these past chapters is encouraged.
Damn, that was a long authors note. Well anyway, time for me to shut up and get on with the show.
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Chapter One: Destiny
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ôHey, Arnold!ö said Gerald, snapping Arnold out of his train of thought. Arnold looked over to Gerald, standing over his desk as everyone else was leaving. ôThe bell just rang. You feelinÆ alright?ö
öWhat?ö said Arnold, still trying to collect his thoughts. His mind had been occupied the entire day. He had paid almost no attention to anything his entire day in high school today. Arnold was a pretty good student, but he had too much to think about today. Conflicting feelings whirled around in his head; anticipation, anxiety, hope, despair, and above all, fear.
ôI asked if you were feelinÆ alrightö said Gerald, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. ôYou look kinda pale.ö
Arnold wasnÆt surprised; after all, he knew anyone in his position would be pale. But he couldnÆt think of anyone who could possibly be going through what he was.
öYeah, yeah, IÆm fine,ö lied Arnold. ôI justàhavenÆt been getting a lot of sleep the past few days. I guess IÆm just sortaàout of it.ö
Gerald looked down at Arnold for another moment, looking like he didnÆt really believe him. Then he shrugged.
ôAlright, man. Just try to get some sleep, okay?ö
öSure.ö
Gerald walked away. The short form of Phoebe was waiting for Gerald at the door. Gerald said something to make her laugh then they walked away together. Arnold smiled a bit. Seeing his friend happy raised his spirit a bit; unfortunately, not by much.
Arnold gathered up his books in his bookbag. At the bottom of a bag was the book he carried around with him everywhere he went. It was his fatherÆs journal, the one thing that made Arnold feel like he was truly connected with his parents. In it was an account of his parentÆs adventures in San Lorenzo, their encounters with the mysterious Green-Eyed People, and the last thing his father wrote before he and his mother left on a plane to San Lorenzo. They werenÆt heard from again. He had gotten it when he was nine, but even now just seeing it made Arnold get a huge lump in his stomach. It made him feel even more emotional today. It was the second most precious possession he owned. The only item he valued even more was at home; it was also the reason why he had been preoccupied the whole day.
Arnold walked out of the classroom and out of the doors of the high school. He had just entered several weeks ago. Luckily most of his old friends were still in his classes. Gerald, Phoebe, Eugene, Harold, Stinky, Sid, and most of his other friends were still around. And of course, there was another important person Arnold still saw almost every day, whether he wanted to or not. Unfortunately, on a day like this, he felt like his life would be made much easier if he didnÆt see her.
Arnold went up to the bus, which was just about to leave. He was the last person to enter. The bus was filled with the usual clamor of noise and moderate excitement. Feeling particularly anti-social, he sat close to the back of the bus. Even though he felt bad about doing so, he made sure he sat far away from Gerald, since he didnÆt want Gerald to inquire more about his condition. He sat in the old seat and, despite his better judgment, his mind drifted back to his unique problem.
He was deep in thought when he heard an all too familiar voice behind him.
öYou know, thinking all day about something thatÆd shake you up that much canÆt be good for you.ö
Arnold sighed. He had hoped he could avoid her today. He looked behind his chair and saw a girl with a pink bow in her blond hair. She gave Arnold her usual cynical smile.
öHello Helga,ö said Arnold, without emotion.
öHey Football Head,ö she said, in a failed attempt to relax Arnold a bit. Her smile dropped and suddenly she seemed serious. ôSo, whatÆs got you so messed up?ö
öNothing,ö said Arnold.
Helga leaned back in her seat and let out a humorless laugh.
öThat kind of brush off might convince Tall Hair Boy over there,ö she said, pointing over to Gerald, who was sitting near the front of the bus with Phoebe, ôbut I know better. SomethingÆs been really messing with you all day.ö
ôItÆs nothing.ö
HelgaÆs tone got a bit more impatient.
ôYouÆre a terrible liar, you know.ö
öItÆs really nothing.ö
ôItÆs not nothing!ö she said, suddenly raising her voice. She sat up in her seat to look Arnold in the eyes. Arnold saw that she was really concerned. Arnold sighed again. Over the years, Arnold had been able to tolerate to HelgaÆs somewhat aggressive personality. Arnold knew it wasnÆt how she really was, but it was normally the faþade she hid behind. Whenever Arnold saw glimpses of her true self, it usually made Arnold relaxed and happy. However, today it was the last thing he wanted to see. Since he confessed to him when they were nine, he knew how she felt about him, even though he didnÆt like to admit he knew. He knew she was really worried and that he was hurting her feelings by not telling her what was wrong. It made him feel terrible, but he knew telling her would just make her worry more.
Arnold looked away.
öIÆm sorryàbut itÆsàitÆs something I have to deal with on my own,ö he said.
Helga did not say anything after that. The bus began to skid to a stop. Arnold quickly grabbed his bookbag and got up from his seat.
öHey, Arnold,ö said Helga as he got up. Arnold turned back to her. She looked down at the floor, trying to avoid showing her concern. ôI justàI mean, I wanted to sayàyou knowàtake care, alright Football Head?ö
Arnold stared at her. Deep down, he knew how hard this must be for her to see him in this mood. He nodded towards her.
öIàI will,ö he said, being not entirely truthful. ôThanks Helga.ö
Helga didnÆt say anything. She just looked up with a faux smile. Arnold turned and exited the bus.
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Helga watched as Arnold walked off the bus. He walked into the street and began walking towards the boarding house. As he left, he accidentally bumped into a young man wearing a brown coat and sunglasses as he entered the bus. The man apologized as he walked inside. He took ArnoldÆs former seat on the bus as it began to move.
Helga slumped back in her seat. Her heart was racing and she was very worried. She grasped inside her shirt to get out her locket. On the gold locket was a picture of Arnold.
öArnoldàö she said softly to herself. ôWhy must you keep yourself locked away? Why must you insist upon taking the world on your adorable little shoulders? WhatÆs really going through that cute, albeit unusually shaped, head of yours? Why canÆt you bear your soul to me as I ha-ô
öExcuse me.ö
Helga suddenly stopped talking. She hastily put the locket back inside her shirt as she looked at the source of the voice. It came from the man in the coat and sunglasses who had taken ArnoldÆs seat.
öWhat do you want?!ö said Helga, frustrated at being interrupted during her soliloquy.
ôIÆm sorry to disturb you,ö said the man, in a strange accent, ôbut I found this book in my seat. Does it belong to you?ö
öHuh?ö
The man held up an old looking book, with a worn brown cover. On the front of it was the word ôJournalö. HelgaÆs heart suddenly missed a beat.
öThat must be ArnoldÆs journal!ö she blurted out, without thinking.
öArnold?ö said the man. ôOh, so you know whose this is? Good, you can return it.ö The man held out the book for Helga to take. She hesitated. The main raised an eyebrow. ôIs there a problem?ö
Helga couldnÆt believe it. It was as if she was being offered the key to all knowledge. All that she ever cared about, all that she ever wanted to know could be in that book. She craved to look at it; however she was afraid that if she did, Arnold might find out and get furious. Helga knew that if someone ever read any of her books of poetry, she would strike them immediately. Arnold, however, would probably just get very angry or, even worse, very sad. Helga didnÆt want that to happen. However, she had to take it. After all, Arnold would probably want it back. All Helga figured she had to do was give the book to Arnold and resist any temptation to look at it.
After processing all this, Helga reached out a jittering hand and took the journal. The man in sunglasses smiled and turned back around.
Helga stared at the book in her lap. As if afraid of being too close to it, she took it from her lap and sat it aside to her on her seat. She tried to avoid looking at it and imagining what could be written in it, but every few seconds her eyes constantly drew back to the book.
Suddenly, without turning around, the man in the coat spoke.
öSo, this ArnoldàheÆs a friend of yours, yes?ö
He is the single most important person in the whole of my existence, thought Helga. He is more essential than air, because without him I would shrivel and die. My life is nothing but a hollow, pathetic husk without knowing that he is in it. Friendship does not even begin to describe the attachment I feel to him.
öSomething like that, yeah,ö said Helga. She shifted her tone to become more hostile. ôWhatÆs it to you?ö
öRight, sorry,ö said the man. ôI probably shouldnÆt have ask. ItÆs none of my businessàI was just curious if you were going to read his journal or not.ö
Before she could tell herself not to, her eyes drifted back to the journal. She glared at it, then at the man.
öOf course not! Why would I do that? I donÆt care about whatÆs in there! Crimeny, what kind of sick creep are you, asking all that?!ö
The bus began to screech to a stop. Helga grabbed the book and got up to depart. To her surprise, the man in the coat got up as well. He walked behind her as she walked towards the bus exit.
öItÆs not like it would be wrong to, you know,ö said the man from behind Helga. ôAfter all, you friendÆs journal just happening to be there and you finding it before it is forever lost. ItÆs not a coincidence. Think of it asàdestiny.ö
Helga and the man stepped out of the bus into the street. Helga briefly looked at the man, who was smiling. She glanced at the book again and clutched it.
öYeah, what do you know?ö she said coldly at the man, before turning to walk towards her house. He continued to speak as she began to leave.
ôOh, I know more than you think, Ms. Pataki.ö
Helga stopped.
öHey wait a minute,ö she said, starting to turn around. ôHow did you know my-ô She saw that there was no longer anyone behind her.
ô-name?ö she said, confused. The bus doorÆs closed and began to roll down the street. Helga looked around, but she could not see the man anywhere. She began to feel very uncomfortable when she felt a tap on her shoulders.
ôHelga?ö
Despite herself, she gasped, dropped the journal, and jerked around. She was surprised to see it was only Phoebe, looking at her with concern.
öOh, Feebs. Sorry about that,ö said Helga, picking up the journal. ôIÆm just a bit weirded out.ö
öReally?ö
öYeah, there was this guyàö She stopped herself from saying the rest. ôUgh, nevermind. ItÆs nothing. Just some weirdo. Just forget it.ö
öOkay. Forgetting.ö Phoebe looked at the journal. ôWhatÆs that, Helga?ö
Helga instinctively put the book behind her, nervously.
öOh, itÆsàitÆs nothing,ö said Helga, trying to think of a lie. ôItÆs just...umàthis book IÆm reading.ö
öOh, neat. WhatÆs it about?ö
öYeah, you know, itÆs the one aboutàumàthe wizards in that school withàeràDa Vinci and theyÆreàumàö Helga clutched the book. ôIÆm sorry, Feebs, but I gotta run. IÆll call you later, kay?ö
öUm, sure Helga,ö said Phoebe, looking a bit confused.
Helga quickly walked down the street, her gaze always returning to the journal. She thought about what that strange man had said.
öDestiny, eh?ö she said, looking down at the journal once more. With that, Helga hurried home.
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The sun was beginning to set as Arnold sat in his room, staring at the phone on his desk. He knew eventually he would have to make the call or he wouldnÆt get anywhere. He turned his gaze over to the single most important object in his life. It was a map of San Lorenzo that he had found in his fatherÆs journal. On it was a trail that Arnold could only assumed was his parentsÆ line of flight on the day that they left and never returned. If someone could follow that trail, presumably it could lead them to where his parentÆs landed. All he had to do was get there.
However, since he had discovered the map at age nine, Arnold had learned that getting there was much more difficult than expected. His first instinct upon discovering the map was to contact the proper authorities. They promised theyÆd look into it and, after over a year of hearing nothing, they said that since they had searched the area on the map when his parents were first reported missing, they saw no sense in looking again.
After this, Arnold had turned his attention towards acquiring a private plane to San Lorenzo, since flying their commercially was not possible, as San Lorenzo was a dangerous jungle region. This too proved challenging. Aside from the astronomical cost of using a private plane, he also found that any organization he went to refused to take him to a dangerous area such as San Lorenzo, since they were afraid they would be legally responsible for any harm that may inflicted upon a minor such as Arnold.
Arnold had called so many organizations to use a private plane that he had lost count. And now he had finally reached the last organization he could think of to get a plane. If they said no, Arnold had no idea what he would do. The grave reality of this situation had preoccupied Arnold all day.
Arnold stared at the phone, deathly afraid. Finally, Arnold reached out and grabbed the phone. He dialed the number. A woman answered the phone.
öBlue Skies Jets. How may I help you?ö
Arnold opened his mouth, but found himself unable to say anything for a moment.
öHello?ö said the women on the phone.
öY-yes, sorry,ö said Arnold. ôMy name is Arnold andàI need to charter a plane.ö
The women said nothing for a moment.
öUmmàpardon me, sir, but how old are you?ö
Arnold sighed.
öI just turned fourteen.ö
öSir, it is against our policy to charter planes to underage-ô
öI know,ö said Arnold, hastily. ôI know. YouÆre not the first place I called butàjust listenàI need a plane. I need to get to San Lorenzo. Or elseàö
öOr else what, sir?ö
öOr elseàIÆll never know what happened to themàö
The women on the phone said nothing.
ôWellàummàwill you be accompanied by an adult?ö
Arnold perked up a bit.
öYes, yes of course. My Grandpa.ö
öWellàas long as your guardian signs a liability waver and accompanies you, there shouldnÆt be a problemàö
Arnold was smiling. This was the first place he had called in a while that hadnÆt hung up on him right after they heard his age. However, he didnÆt get his hopes up; he knew he had another problem he had to face.
öUmmàhow much will this cost?ö
The woman on the phone told him. Arnold paused for a long time, then asked for the women to repeat the number. She did. He was suddenly disheartened.
öWowàthatÆsàthatÆs a lot.ö
öIs there a problem, sir?ö
ôYesàIàI canÆt afford that right now. Isàis there some kind of way I can arrange payment after the trip?ö
öIÆm sorry, but you will need to pay up front.ö
öAre you sure? IsnÆt there any other-ô
öIÆm sorry, sir, but thereÆs nothing I can do. ItÆs company policy.ö
Arnold didnÆt say anything.
öAre you alright, sir? If you come up with the money, youÆre welcome to call-ô
öNoàno thatÆs fine,ö said Arnold, quietly. ôThank you. Goodbye.ö
Arnold hung up the phone. He stared at the phone for a few more moments before he flung it against the wall. He sat in his chair, putting his hand over his face as he felt moisture rise in his eyes.
I couldnÆt do it. I couldnÆt do anything, thought Arnold. IÆm a failure.
Wanting to feel some comfort, he walked over to his bookbag to get his fatherÆs journal. He rummaged through his bookbag and was horrified to see that he couldnÆt find it. He turned the bag over, dumping out all its contents. He searched through all of them, but he couldnÆt find it. He began to feel tears stream over his face.
öLordàö he said, quietly. ôWhere is it?ö Without realizing it, he raised his voice to a scream. ôWhere is it?!ö
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Outside of ArnoldÆs boarding house, the man in the brown coat and sunglasses stood on the sidewalk, looking up at the window where he had just heard the scream. He had a sad expression on his face. He stared at the window for a few minutes, before shaking his head and letting out a sigh.
He turned away from the boarding house and hailed a cab. As it sped away, night fell on the city.
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Helga was up in her room, looking at the journal on her desk. She had spent the past few hours trying to work out what she should do. Finally, she found she could not contain her curiosity anymore. It was likely that the answers to all the questions she had about Arnold was in the journal. How could she resist? After all, like the man said, it was destiny.
She walked over to her desk and sat down.
öOkay...deep breathö she said to herself, taking a deep breath. "Alright...let's do this." She opened the journal.
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And that's the first chapter. Criticism is very much encouraged. Even though it may be a bit late to redo nine chapters, any criticism will help me be a better writer in the future. I'll put up the next eight completed chapters throughout the week, then start posting bits of the new chapters as they're completed.