Henry Stickmin: The Extended Collection

Triple Threat - Part 1

After a long, tense ride, Ellie and I would stop by the coast, at the spot I expected Charles to pick us up at. I stepped off the bike and leant on the side of a metal structure in exhaustion of the whole escapade I had gone through.

"You sure this is where he's gonna pick us up?" Ellie asked as she walked toward me.

I looked up and smiled as we could both hear the sound of helicopter blades turning.

Ellie turned around and said: "Ah, there he is. You said you did some work with him in the past? Or something? If you trust him, then so do I."

We both stepped into the helicopter, greeted by Charles.

"Hey, Henry! Nice to see you again. Who's your friend?" he asked me.

"I'm Ellie."

"Whelp, nice to meet you! Any friend of Henry's is a friend of mine!" he said happily, before changing the subject to something more serious.

"So, uhh... I was able to swing by and pick you guys up... but... Well you remember the captain... Yeah he... had to sanction this pickup. In return we're gonna need your assistance again. With the Toppats... Again. I hope that's alright."

Ellie looks at me, rubbing the back of her neck. "Well... It is the least we could do. He is helping us out."

Charles sighed in relief. "Good. Let me fill you in on the details when we get into the air."

- - -

"Alright, so what's left of the Toppat Clan has set up some sort of secret base out in the jungle. Seems like they're planning on launching some kind of space station into orbit. They'll be sitting pretty if they pull this off, so we gotta make sure they don't do that. I talked to the general and he said he's pulling out all our main forces. He said that Henry and I made a good team last time, so he trusts that we can pull it off."

"Henry and I make a pretty good team too! Don't count me out!" Ellie said confidently, shooting a smirk in my direction.

"Then we're gonna make a great squad! With the three of us, we'll have no problems... Completing the Mission." Charles said smugly into the radio. "Anyway, get comfortable because it's gonna be a long trip."

Charles switched off the radio as Ellie turned to face me. "Are you okay to talk now?"

I groaned. "...I guess. Sorry. I was just... annoyed earlier I guess."

"Well we'll be in the air for a while, so we may as well... you know, actually start talking now? Finally?"

"Fine. If you'll stop pestering me about it afterwards."

She giggled, enjoying how you were annoyed. "You're funny when you're mad."

I rolled my eyes, but deep down inside me I was laughing with her.

"...So, what do you want to talk about then?" I asked, hoping she'd actually have some interesting things to say.

"Uh... hm... what do a guy and girl talk about on a helicopter ride to a jungle which is probably hours away?" she said, trying to be mysterious.

"You tell me."

"Oh. I thought you'd come up with something witty. No matter. I guess we can start by getting to know each other more. What's your favourite colour?"

I didn't know where this conversation was going, and I didn't really like it. But alas, with nothing better to do, I replied: "Yellow."

"Yellow, huh? Niceee. Mine's red personally."

"Is that because you dyed your hair red or something?"

"No. This is my natural hair colour."

"Oh. Really? That's... that's neat." I was confused, but I still believed her.

"Thanks."

We sat in silence after that for a while. The air felt tense and awkward as we exchanged looks occasionally, before Ellie broke the silence.

"Uhm... am I being... awkward at all?" she asked me.

"Huh? No. If anything it's me."

"You aren't just saying that to make me feel better are you?"

"No. I'm like, really socially awkward I guess. And I'm not exactly good at talking to women either."

Ellie looked at me blankly before appearing sympathetic.

"Socially awkward..? You seem far from it."

"What? No. I hate talking. Especially to new people. I prefer being alone." I said, being dead serious.

"Well that isn't gonna fly with me here. We're pals right?"

I thought to myself for a moment. She was right but I hated to admit it.

"...I guess so."

"What do you mean 'I guess'?"

"N-no! I meant... uh... we are. Just... we aren't... close? Uh... I don't know."

"Are you nervous?"

"What does it look like Ellie? I'm anxious okay?"

Ellie sighs. But, at the same time, she was amused by the situation. The mighty Henry Stickmin, a cunning and witty criminal, was all introverted and caved whenever a girl spoke to him?

"Sorry." she says bluntly, hoping to get a particular reaction.

"...It's fine. I just... I feel like I'm just repeating myself now. Uh... well... I guess I'm just nervous or something. I don't even know really."

"...Hey, when we finish this mission, do you want me to bring you to my house? I can show you round if you'd like." Ellie asked, essentially cornering me.

"Oh, uh... yeah sure. It's probably better looking and smelling than mine anyway."

Ellie laughs to herself again.

"Great. Uh... I think I'm gonna take a nap now. Do you mind if I use your shoulder to rest on?"

I thought to myself, getting flustered. "Uh... s-sure..."

Ellie smiled and leant down, resting on me.

"Thanks..." she slowly drifted off as i got redder and redder.

"N-no problem? Uh..."

I was pretty shocked at the thought that she actually liked me. But despite the intimate position we were both in, I patiently waited to arrive at the jungle.