Disclaimer: Kimberly Hart and all other characters of MMPR belong to Saban/Disney. Obvious original characters belong to me.
Author's notes: This is definitely an AU fic. It'll be obvious when you see it. Kimberly did send the letter for reasons yet to be revealed. Aliens do appear later in the fic. In this story, Kim encounters a child much like herself and rescues her. But with a child in tow, Kim is surprised to find herself headed home to Angel Grove… where friendship and danger emerge from hiding.
-
After the Angels Sing -
Kimberly Hart was in fact no more. She was still there physically, but the soul of Kimberly Hart was hidden inside a barricade of sarcasm and toughness. Her spunkiness was still exhilaratingly loud and her stubbornness never failed her. Her optimism about her current situation was always rising, no matter how depressing things seemed to become. Her petite posture was as graceful, if not more, as during her past years as an anonymous and brightly-colored super hero. Although much skinnier, her tiny figure fooled all who viewed her as young and innocent woman. Her muscles and agility were her strengths, and she wasn't afraid to use them, as many had found out through the years. But she was no longer Kimberly Hart. The person who stood in Kimberly Hart's place was older and more experienced with life. She had a sharp tongue if someone stepped on a wrong stone, but she always smiled if someone picked the right one. There was no baby fat on this woman; in fact, there was no fat. Years of skipping meals and working odd-jobs had taken away any signs of plumpness she might've had if she'd chosen a different course of action five years ago. But she knew there was no use in dwelling on the past, because she couldn't change it. So the young woman constantly looked to the future. Her name was now Kimberly Harper.
Kimberly Hart had long given up her dreams of being a world-class gymnast. After an amazing debut at the Pan Globals, she quit. Thankfully, the media never found out why. After one particular traumatizing week while training, something had happened. She didn't feel herself anymore. She sent a letter. She cut off all ties. She trained. She competed. She purchased a used motorcycle. She never said goodbye.
It was surprisingly easy to become Kimberly Harper. She'd run a search on infant deaths around her birth year and found one suitable. She stole that baby's social security number. After that, everything came easy. Acquiring a new name, a motorcycle license, a biography, fake experience, all the paperwork it took to become Kimberly Harper. And although he never knew it, she'd silently thanked a childhood friend named Billy for teaching her the skills she needed for Kimberly Hart to disappear. Not long after she left the gymnasium, she truly was Kimberly Harper.
For five years, she'd traveled across the country. She'd lived off of low-wage pay, usually two jobs at a time. Often she'd pay rent for little apartments months at a time. She'd never stayed in one place more than three months. She even learned to fix her bike by herself, allowing her to travel from state to state.
At one point, Jason Scott, a former teammate and friend, managed to bump into her in Georgia while he was on vacation. To his shock, he'd found that she changed drastically. It wouldn't be quite obvious to anyone but Jason and a certain white knight, but it was true. She had changed, and it scared him. He convinced her to let him buy her a cell phone to keep in touch, after an infinity of promises for Jason not to give the number out to anyone, especially a certain "you-know-who". After that, she never saw him. She never let him see her, that is. But he called the phone approximately once a week to keep tabs on her. She was distant, granted, but Kim had the feeling that Jason didn't care. Perhaps it was the guilt, Kim once pondered semi-bitterly.
Besides the fact that Jason paid her cell phone bill from his permanent residence in Northern California, Kim was completely independent. And she liked it. Unlike Hart, Harper liked being alone. But something, or someone, changed all she'd become in less than three weeks during her stay in Phoenix, Arizona.
She'd been working as a waitress at a place called DJ's. It was the only waitressing job she'd acquired where she didn't need a second job to pull the rent and eat at the same time, largely due to the tips. Kim had been living in a comfortable apartment. She'd long since given up television and movies; her entertainment was fixated on books. She'd had more free time since she'd gotten the unheard-of high-paying job at DJ's. Her life was very comfortable in New Mexico, that is, until a child tried to pickpocket her wallet while passing by on the second floor of her apartment building.
Instinctively with lightning reflexes, she'd swung around and caught the tiny wrist in her hand demanding an explanation. "What are you doing?" Kim asked sharply.
"I…" the frightened girl squirmed in Kim's grasp. Kim instantly recognized her as the girl who lived down the hall from her apartment. She'd seen her several times in the evening playing outside, or in the hallway cowering from her father's glare. Now, she had a closer view of the skinny girl who came up to Kimberly's chest in height. Kim eyed the brunette child up and down and gently released her grip.
"Come with me," Kimberly said quietly, but sternly. She led the child to her apartment and unlocked the door, letting her in. The child cautiously stepped inside, surveying her surroundings nervously. "Have a seat," Kim gestured towards a chair and a pathetically sized table. The girl obeyed.
For a moment, Kim disappeared behind a cabinet door and returned with a can in hand. "Are you hungry?" Kim asked casually, hoping to ease the child's nerves.
"I don't know," was the quiet response.
"I'll take that as a yes." Kim proceeded to heat a pot on the stove and poured the contents in. As she waited for it to heat up, she leaned against the wall opposite the child. "What's your name, honey?"
"Alyssa Granger," the girl responded, letting her shoulders relax a little. This was definitely not the kind of punishment Alyssa was expecting.
"That's a pretty name," Kim smiled. "Mine's Kim Harper." She leaned in closer to the child and maintained a calm tone in her voice. "Now, why would a pretty little girl like you be trying to steal my wallet?"
Alyssa lowered her head and grumbled, "I don't know."
"Uh-huh," Kim eyed her suspiciously. "I see. Are you sorry?"
"Yes," Alyssa replied, tears threatening to break free as she flinched under Kim's eyes.
Kim's voice became suddenly gentle. "And you'll never do it again? To anyone?"
"I won't," Alyssa shook her head furiously. "I really won't."
"Okay, then," Kim assured her with a slight smile. "I forgive you."
Alyssa let out a tiny breath as Kim chuckled. "Dinner is served," Kim announced as she brought the heated soup over in two bowls. Alyssa devoured her soup in a matter of minutes, while Kim subtly observed her. When they were finished, Kim put the dishes away.
"Do you want to tell your father where you are?" Kim asked after she cleaned up.
"He doesn't get home until seven," Alyssa responded. "He's got work."
"I see," Kim nodded looking at her watch. It was only 6:30pm. After thinking for a moment, Kim realized she'd never seen her little neighbor with her mother. "Where's your Mom?"
"She left," Alyssa announced casually.
"Left?" Kim asked again. "You never see her?"
"No. The last time I saw her I was seven."
"How old are you now?"
"Nine and a half," came Alyssa's proud declaration. Kim laughed in response. Then Alyssa startled Kim with a question of her own. "What about you? Where's your Mom and Dad?"
"Oh," Kim sighed, hating to lie to children. "They're dead."
"Oh," Alyssa looked away uncomfortably. "That's sad." She studied the wall impatiently for a moment then asked, "How old are you?"
"Twenty-two."
"That's old…" Alyssa pondered innocently, bringing a small hand to her chin. "I'll never be that old," she declared.
Kim laughed, enjoying her short time with her new young companion. "Yeah, I can hardly believe it myself."
"My dad's thirty-something," Alyssa rambled. "And that's pretty old, I think. But I don't know how old my Mom is. My dad's a construction worker. What do you do?"
"I'm a waitress at DJ's," Kim replied.
"Does working suck?" Alyssa asked bluntly.
Chuckling, Kim said truthfully, "No. Nothing can ever suck unless you let it."
Alyssa and Kimberly rambled on for fifteen minutes, clearly forgetting the wallet incident not too long ago. A growing bond between the two seemed to spark, and Kim found herself saying just before she let Alyssa out of the apartment, "If you need a place to stay, Alyssa, you can always come here when I'm home. Ok?"
Alyssa paused and threw a suspicious glance at Kim, but she nodded silently and left.
After Alyssa was safely inside her own apartment, Kim's mind began to race. The entire conversation played out in her mind, the entire time Kim pretending not to notice the bruises on Alyssa's neck. Or the fact that a nine-year-old was left home alone in the middle of a city. And Kim knew the reason Alyssa had tried to take her wallet; Alyssa was hungry, plain and simple. If it weren't for Alyssa's skinny figure, Kim would've found out by the way Alyssa gulped down every bit of food. But it wasn't her business, was it? After all, her crime-fighting days were over. A single phrase ran through her mind, "Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger." Kim knew the signs of abuse personally. The only people who knew of her past were the original Rangers; not even her white knight had been told anything. All her once-true love had known was that her parents had divorced when she was thirteen.
But was it really Kim's business to do something about it? She wanted to ignore it, to let Alyssa toughen up a little from life's swings. But after making it a point to save the world on a regular basis, could she not help one little girl? Did Kim even know how to help? More importantly, did Kim want Alyssa to turn out like herself?
The last question struck her. Turn out like me?, Kim Harper wondered silently. What's wrong with turning out like me? I'm happy, aren't I? The sudden thought stirred the Kimberly Hart within. I'm strong, I'm independent. I don't need anyone. So why am I worried she'll turn out like me?
Kim's thoughts were at civil war inside her head. Thankfully, the chiming of a little cell phone broke her thoughts. She picked it up and glanced at the caller ID warily. "What's up, Jason," she breathed when she pressed talk.
"You don't sound surprised to hear me!" Jason faked hurt. "My heart's broken!"
"You'll get over it," Kim sighed.
Immediately, Jason knew something wasn't right. "What's wrong, Kim?" Although she had changed, she always seemed relatively happy to hear Jason on the phone.
"Nothing," Kim replied a little too quickly. "I just got some stuff on my mind."
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Jason offered.
Kim scoffed in response.
"Right," Jason replied dryly. "You never talk about anything serious."
"There's nothing to talk about Jason," Kim replied in a kinder tone. "So, what's the news?"
"Well," Jason's voice sounded more excited, "Emily said yes! We're getting married!"
"I see," Kim said unemotionally. Kim had heard of all his plans on asking Emily to marry him almost every time Jason called for the past month.
"You don't sound too excited," Jason said, feeling a little hurt.
"No," Kim sighed truthfully, "I do think it's really great Jason. You deserve someone who treats you as well as she does. I can't wait to hear about the wedding."
"Hear about it?" Jason asked, surprised. "I assumed you'd attend."
"Oh…" Kimberly trailed off, thinking silently.
"Kim, I've known you since kindergarten," Jason pleaded. "I know you don't want to come home, and you don't have to. Think of it as a vacation. All you have to do is sit through the wedding and the reception. I just want my best friend to be there when I get married."
Kim smiled awkwardly. He still considers me his best friend, she thought, after all these years. This guy never gives up. "Well…"
"Well, how about this, Kimmy… Don't say yes, but don't say no either. Just think about it for a little bit ok? The wedding's not for six months."
Kim sighed in defeat. "Fine, deal. I'll think about it." She paused momentarily. "So, if I say yes, since I'm your best friend, do I get to be the only girl in a tuxedo?" she joked.
"Nah, sorry," Jason laughed. "The part of the best man is already taken. But Emily offered to have you as one of the bridesmaids. Think about it, Kim. How long has it been since you wore a dress?"
Kim didn't hear the last part of what Jason said. Her thoughts were strictly on who she knew would be the best man.
When Jason didn't hear Kim's response, he mentally smacked himself in the head. "Kim?" he begged, worried he'd never be able to get her to attend the wedding.
"The best man is Tommy, isn't it?" Kim accused.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck and after a moment responded, "Yeah, Kim." The silence on the other side of the line deafened his ears. He decided to try a little bit of reverse psychology. "I thought you were over him."
"What?" Kim replied flabbergasted. "That's the most ridiculous accusation I've heard in like two years!"
"I see," Jason chuckled inwardly. "Well, then it shouldn't be a problem then."
"I said I'd think about it, and I will."
"I'm glad, Kim. I really want to see you there. And I really want you to meet Emily. She's great."
For another half-hour they chatted away. And Kim hung on to every word of Jason's, for the first time in five years, desperate for more companionship.
-
Alyssa Granger visited Kim after school the next day. And the next day. And the next. And to her surprise, Kimberly Harper didn't mind at all. They'd spent the first few days of their companionship getting to know each other, as Kim mentally recorded Alyssa's behavior and physical condition. Kim's suspicions were very high, but she had no hard proof.
Approximately a week after their first encounter, Alyssa was sullen. Her brown locks were thrown messily into a ponytail, and dark circles invaded the space under her eyelids. She slumped against the hallway wall next to Kim's apartment door, waiting patiently for Kim to return from her dayshift at DJ's. Not long after, she had fallen asleep.
Ten minutes later, Kimberly was standing over the small, exhausted child, suspicions flaring. Bending down, she roused the girl by the shoulders to receive a whimper in response as Alyssa's eyelids shot open in surprise… and terror.
Kim swallowed and pretended not to notice. "Hey, kid," she greeted Alyssa as warmly as possible. "Not a great spot for a nap." She unlocked the door to her apartment as Alyssa pulled herself together. "Come on in. Hit the couch, kid."
Alyssa trudged lazily to the couch and plopped onto it facedown.
"You hungry, Alyssa?" Kimberly called after her from the kitchen.
"No," Alyssa's muffled voice called back.
That's odd, Kim thought. She never turns down an offer for food. And by now, she should be chatting up a storm…
Kim headed to her room and changed out of her DJ's shirt, and returned to find Alyssa asleep on the small sofa. Kim sighed and leaned against the wall, watching Alyssa's chest rise and fall to the rhythm of a deep sleep.
Thoughts of abuse kept screaming into Kim's mind, as she tried to brush it off. There wasn't anything she could do. Yes, she was a super hero once, but this is … entirely different. Kim honestly wanted to help. But she didn't know how. Under these kinds of circumstances, she didn't know how to help anyone, let alone herself. But, Kim rationalized, I do know someone who does know how to handle this.
-
Jason glanced at the caller ID of his cell phone and panicked. Kim never called him. Jason had always been the one to call her. Something was wrong.
"What's wrong?" Jason asked immediately.
"What makes you think that?" came the dry reply of his old friend. After Jason didn't respond, Kim continued. "Fine. I have a question."
"Ok," Jason relaxed as he sat down on his kitchen counter. "What do you need to know?"
There was an awkward pause. "Do you remember when my parents got divorced?"
"Yes…" Jason had never ever heard Kim talk about the divorce of her parents after it occurred. "Why?"
"It's… personal, I guess." Kim fought to bring the words out of her mouth. "Before the divorce, Jason. Do you remember that too?"
"I can't forget it," Jason replied honestly. What in the world could stir such memories in his little sister? "Kim, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Kim lied, "It's just some stuff I've never come to terms with."
"Kim," Jason's voice became suddenly soft. "You never talked about this after it all happened. Why suddenly bring it up now?"
"I just need to know, okay?" Kim's voice had grown into a tiny whisper and Jason decided not to antagonize her.
"Okay, Kim. What do you need to know?"
"How did you do… what you did? I mean, what made you tell the police what was going on?"
"What do you mean? I did what I thought was right."
"But why, Jason? Why didn't you just leave me alone? Why didn't you just let me deal with it?"
"Because," Jason said boldly, "my best friend was serious trouble. And I couldn't stand to see her get hurt."
If Kimberly Hart had been on the line instead of Kimberly Harper, she'd be crying. But instead, Kim Harper didn't respond at all.
Jason continued softly, "Kim, that's what friendship is. When someone's in trouble, you help 'em no matter what. We both knew that. We all knew that. That's why we were chosen to save the world. I did what I had to do, Kim. Don't hate me for it, please."
Kimberly let out a breath and said, "I don't blame you for doing that at all, Jason. Trust me. I'm sorry I made you think that. But I have one more question, and I want you to answer honestly."
"Okay."
"Do you regret turning in my father for hitting me?"
"Never, Kim," Jason declared. "I never regret getting you out of that nightmare. I'd do it again if the situation ever arose."
"Thanks, Jason," Kimberly sighed, dutifully knowing what she had to do. "That's all."
"You sure, Kim?" Jason sounded worried.
"Yes, I'm sure."
-
Kimberly pulled some strings from a friend at DJ's to acquire all the video equipment. After all, Kim didn't own a television, let alone a VCR or a micro-camera. She would have no problem setting up the video equipment at all. Billy had made sure during her Ranger years that she learned everything she possibly could about technology. She'd hidden the television and VCR in her room to hide it from Alyssa.
There was, however, one tiny problem. It didn't take much to fix it. She simply waited for Alyssa to fall asleep on her couch, and Kimberly 'borrowed' the keys to Alyssa's apartment.
Kimberly unlocked the door to Alyssa's apartment after making sure no nosy neighbors were around. Stepping inside, she surveyed her surroundings. It was the same shape as her own apartment, except with an obvious second bedroom as an addition. She pondered where to hook up the wireless camera.
Thinking back to the dreadful age of twelve, she remembered that most abuse that occurred within her house were in the kitchen or living room. Thankfully, the kitchen and the living room were the same room. She pulled a chair over to a corner, and taped the wireless micro-camera in a small hole in the corner of the ceiling.
She swiftly moved the chair back to its original position and glanced at the mess around her. Ugh, Kim thought. No wonder Alyssa likes spending more time at my place than hers.
In no time, Kim had the lights off, the apartment door locked, and key on the floor next to where Alyssa had fallen asleep on the sofa of Kim's apartment. At 6:45pm, Alyssa roused from her sleep.
"How'd this get here?" Alyssa asked as she picked up her key from the floor. She glanced at Kim who was silently reading a book.
"You must've dropped it, kiddo," Kim responded casually.
-
Kim had been watching the video for days. She knew it was illegal to set up a camera in someone else's home. But as she thought of Jason and what Jason went through to get her out of her abusive house, she knew she was doing the right thing.
But nothing much ever showed up on the camera, much to Kim's dismay. Most of the time, Alyssa stayed out of the way of her father. And when her father, the messy fool, was ever home, he was drunk. He didn't pay all that much attention to Alyssa anyway. But as Kim thought on, she wondered if she'd be able to keep her cool if she did catch Mr. Granger hitting his daughter.
It wasn't until a week later that Kim got her chance for hard evidence of abuse. She was headed home after a long day at DJ's. It'd been one of the roughest waitressing days she'd had. Crying babies, obnoxious yuppies, and not enough waitresses to cover the day shift. It was, indeed a long day. But it was about to get longer.
As she approached the second floor of the apartment building she stopped suddenly at the sound of crying. Alyssa's crying. She stopped reflexively and listened as a very angry Mr. Granger stood presumably in the hallway noisily scolding his daughter. Apparently they'd just arrived home. There was more crying and more scolding, until Kim heard a very distinctive slap.
Immediately, Kim came out of her trance and stepped into the hallway much to the surprise of the Alyssa and Mr. Granger. Alyssa immediately turned away from Kim in shame. But Kimberly had her eyes on someone else momentarily.
"Is there anything wrong?" Kim demanded, holding herself high as she glared icily at Mr. Granger.
"No," Mr. Granger had huffed grumpily as he opened his apartment and dragged his small daughter inside.
After they disappeared into their home, Kim bolted to her own apartment and into her bedroom where she flipped on the television and watched.
"Holy Fuck," Kimberly cursed under her breath. Mr. Granger was towering over the little girl in the living room as she cowered beneath him. "C'mon," Kim pleaded, silently hating herself for wanting something bad to happen so Kim could catch the man in action. Kim's hands were sweating and she rubbed them together anxiously watching the scene that played before her eyes.
And there it was. Mr. Granger had hit Alyssa across the face, and she toppled onto the ground covering her tears with her hands. Kim had done it; she had found evidence of abuse. That was all she needed to have Mr. Granger arrested. All she needed to do now was turn the tape in to the police.
That should've been all Kim did. But something inside of Kimberly Harper sparked, something snapped inside. It was Kimberly Hart, emerging after five years of hiding. She immediately bolted out of her room, out of the apartment and found herself kicking in the Granger apartment's door.
Alyssa was on the floor crying, surprised at Kim's entrance.
"What the hell do you think you're doing in my home!" Mr. Granger cried angrily. Kimberly didn't answer. She simply marched up to the man twice her size and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to his jaw. He fell. His body hit the floor and snapped Kim out of her trance.
She glanced over at Alyssa as Mr. Granger stirred. "Pack your things," Kim demanded sternly, but gently, to Alyssa.
Alyssa sat there stunned for a moment before she nodded and disappeared in her room. She'd go anywhere with Kim.
"Now, what in the hell do you think you're doing?" Mr. Granger slurred as he got up. "You're not taking her anywhere."
"Try and stop me," Kimberly whispered.
Mr. Granger lunged at her with a punch, which she easily dodged. She retaliated with a sidekick to his head, and he slumped onto the floor. He was barely awake when Kim leaned down and whispered into his ear, "If you even try to take Alyssa back, I swear I will kill you next time." Mr. Granger then slipped into unconsciousness, and Kimberly Hart hid back inside the body of Kimberly Harper.
Kim surveyed his body, and left it to climb a chair and snatch the micro camera out of its hiding spot. Then she ran into Alyssa's room to find the child shoving her things into a gym bag. "Take only the things you need," Kim said as she helped Alyssa finish up. "I can get you anything you forget, ok?"
Alyssa nodded, and Kim took her by the hand and led her out over her father's unconscious body and out the apartment door. Kim brought Alyssa into her own apartment and into the kitchen, where an empty bag lay on the counter.
"Take this bag," Kim instructed calmly, "and put as much food from the pantry in it as you can, okay? Don't bother with the fridge."
Alyssa nodded and did as she was told, as Kim headed to her room and grabbed a duffel bag. She proceeded to toss her necessities in it. Once she was finished, she made a break for the VCR and pulled out the tape inside. She hastily shoved it into the side pocket of her bag just as Alyssa approached her doorway. Without looking up at Alyssa's entrance, she placed the micro camera safely on top the VCR.
"Come one, kiddo," Kim said gently as she took Alyssa by the hand again. "Can you carry your own bag?"
Alyssa nodded.
Soon, they were out of the apartment building and Kim was strapping the bags to her motorcycle. Thank God Alyssa's small, Kim thought to herself as she piled the three bags on. She tossed Alyssa her only helmet and helped her onto the bike.
"Hold on, Alyssa," Kim directed. She started the bike and before Kim knew it, they were at DJ's. Kim brought Alyssa in with her through the back of the restaurant where she spotted Nancy, her manager.
"Nancy!" Kim called, with the child in tow. "I quit."
"What? Kimberly, what's wrong?" Nancy, a middle-aged plump woman asked concernedly.
"Nothing," Kim panted. "I know it's short notice, but I wouldn't do this unless I had a reason, okay? I need my last paycheck."
Nancy nodded somewhat understandingly. "I have your paycheck in the office upstairs." She glanced at the timid little girl standing next to her former employee and yelled to the cook, "Juano! Bring out some french fries for the little princess here!"
Kimberly noticed Nancy's expression and took Alyssa over to a chair near the telephones. "Stay here, okay? Juano the cook will make some french fries for you. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Kimberly followed Nancy upstairs into the office. Nancy immediately began rummaging through the paychecks. "What's wrong, Kim?" she asked without lifting her head.
"Nothing, I just have to leave very suddenly," Kim stated somewhat truthfully.
"Who's the kid?"
Kimberly hadn't thought of what to tell people before this. Everything had happened in such a rush. But before she could really think about it, her mouth had opened and said, "My sister." It made perfect sense. Kimberly and Alyssa had almost the exact same shade of caramel hair, with brown eyes and petite figures to match. It wouldn't be hard for anyone to believe they were sisters.
"I thought your parents were dead," Nancy raised her eyebrows at Kim.
"They are," Kim lied. "She's been living in a foster home."
"Hm," Nancy continued as she found Kim's paycheck. She handed the paycheck to the young woman and said, "If there's anything you need, Kim, you can ask for it."
"Well," Kim smiled, "there is something you could do. Tell John that his video equipment is in my apartment bedroom." She reached for a notepad and scribbled the address onto it. "Here's the key," Kim said as she placed it into Nancy's hands.
Not long after, Alyssa had finished her fries, and the kitchen had packed them a couple hamburgers to go. Kimberly had bid goodbye to Nancy. She was used to saying goodbye to people all the time, but under the circumstances, leaving Arizona made Kim feel sick.
Soon Kimberly was riding the motorcycle heading west, with Alyssa hanging on around her waist. Kimberly's mind raced.
What the hell am I doing? I don't even know where I'm going! I shouldn't have freaked out; I shouldn't have snapped. What the hell am I supposed to do now? The plan was to take her to the police and give them the tape. It was so simple! Kim scolded herself inwardly for her hasty actions. Oh, God. I'm going to be a fugitive! They'll arrest me. I'll go to jail..
A slight tugging at her shirt meant that Alyssa was tired of holding on. Kim glanced at her watch and realized that they'd been riding the bike for about an hour. The poor kid, Kim thought. She must be exhausted. Nodding to Alyssa, Kimberly pulled out onto the next exit ramp of the high way and parked at the nearest motel.
Without thinking, Kim got off the motorcycle, took the helmet off of Alyssa, pulled the girl into her arms, and carried her into the main office of the motel. I can't believe how small Alyssa is, especially for nine years old… It's so easy to carry her. A man with a scruffy beard appeared behind the desk at the sound of their entrance.
"Hi," Kim called with Alyssa still in her arms. "A room, please."
"Evening, Ma'am," the man greeted kindly. "One bed or two?"
"We'll fit in one bed, thanks," Kim replied in the same manner putting a drowsy Alyssa down on a nearby chair. "Credit, please," Kim said as she handed the man a credit card. He took it, and soon they had a room.
"Can I help you with your bags?" the man offered.
-
It was eleven o'clock according her watch. Kimberly sat silently at a table in the hotel room while Alyssa lay fast asleep in the bed. On the table before her lay the tape. She sighed as she pondered what to write on the pad of paper that lay in front of her. She was planning on sending Alyssa to Jason's parents. After all, for the brief month or so that her parents were in jail on abuse charges, she'd lived with them until her mother was let out.
It's the safest place to go, Kim knew. And since Jason's dad was a cop, he'd have the hard evidence right in his hands. She placed her hand on the cell phone holster that Jason had purchased for her, considering giving Jason a late-night phone call. No, she thought. I can't drag him into this. He'll be an accomplice… An accomplice to kidnapping…
Kimberly finally managed to muster up a note that satisfied what she wanted to say. She slowly placed the tape and the note inside a delivery envelope and sealed it.
Alyssa stirred at the sound of Kim's rustling, and was soon wide awake. She rubbed her eyes and her sore face as she watched Kimberly stuff something into a bag. Kimberly smiled fondly at Alyssa and walked over to the side of the bed and sat down next to her young companion.
"Hi, sweetie," Kim said softly. "Why don't you go back to sleep."
Alyssa thought for a moment, and looked up at Kim. She hadn't said anything all night, and this worried Kimberly. Finally, three distinct words escaped the child's lips boldly, "Is he dead?"
Kim looked Alyssa in the eyes and said, "No. He was just unconscious."
"Is he going to come after us?" Alyssa asked softly.
"I don't know, kiddo," Kim answered honestly. "But if he does, he can't hurt you."
"You can't be sure of that," Alyssa said unconvinced.
"Yes, I can." Kim gave the younger girl a serious look. Alyssa turned away and became silent. "Alyssa…" Kim tried.
"You know," Alyssa whispered, tears appearing in her brown eyes, "that he hits me. How did you know?"
"I…" Kim began, "knew someone once who was in the same situation. I just did what had to be done, okay?" Kim searched Alyssa's eyes for a response, but only received a sad glare. Kim realized what Alyssa was thinking and said knowingly, "There's nothing to be ashamed of, Alyssa." Alyssa looked away as a tear escaped. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No." Alyssa thought for a moment. She intertwined her fingers and let her mind slip away from the abuse. "What's going to happen to me?"
"Well," Kim explained, "I'm going to take you to a family. I know them. They took care of me when I was thirteen. They're good people."
Alyssa cried out in horror. "But I don't want to go with anyone but you! I don't!"
"Calm down," Kim soothed as she pulled Alyssa into a hug. "I'm sorry, Alyssa. But I can't take care of you."
"Why not?" Alyssa begged. "I'll be good, and I promise I'll stay out of the way. I can be quiet, real quiet!" Alyssa collapsed into sobs and Kim climbed under the covers and held the girl in her arms. After a half-hour of heart-wrenching sobs, Alyssa was fast asleep next to Kim.
Kim was torn. She knew she didn't have the resources to take care of a kid. She had three thousand dollars saved up under the name of Kimberly Harper, but it wouldn't be enough. Children needed clothing, food, moral support, structure, etc. Kim wasn't sure she could supply half of it. She would have to work twice as much to feed two mouths.
On the other hand, Alyssa had apparently no trust for anyone… but Kim. And Kim found herself alarmingly attached to the girl. And what if this was something she was supposed to do? Like being a Power Ranger. After all, it'd been her responsibility on a daily basis to help and protect people. She couldn't just dump Alyssa off at the Scott residence and disappear forever. Perhaps she could do something right.
But if Jason ever found out… No, Kim decided, Jason can't ever find out. If Jason finds out, he'll freak. What if he ends up telling Tommy? That sudden thought startled her. Why should it matter what Tommy thinks? It doesn't.
She glanced down at Alyssa's sleeping form and weighed her options, finally coming to a hard decision. If anything goes wrong, I'm taking her straight to Jason's parents. Alyssa will be the number one priority. If she starts to go hungry, if she's unhappy at all… then I'll take her to the Scotts. Until then, I guess… I have a kid
-
The next morning Alyssa sat eating the motel's continental breakfast at the small table, munching away. Kim hadn't the will to eat that morning. She was busily going through her things, and mentally making plans for the near future.
"All right, kid," Kim announced suddenly appearing from the clatter of her bag. "Here's how it's going to go."
Alyssa looked up momentarily from her cereal.
"As long as you're with me, you must attend school." Alyssa's face lit up as Kim continued. "From now on, your name is Alyssa Harper. You're my younger sister. And our parents are dead."
Alyssa nodded eagerly. "So… I get to stay with you?"
Kim laughed. "Yes, but only as long as things go smoothly. If at any moment you feel unhappy or hungry or uncomfortable, you tell me. And I'll take you to my friends' house, okay?"
"Okay!" Alyssa cried and leapt into Kimberly's arms happily.
"C'mon, kiddo," Kim smiled fondly at the child in their embrace. "We need to buy you your own motorcycle helmet."
-
Not long after they'd checked out of the motel, they headed west once again. They'd traveled all morning and half of the afternoon. Kim didn't really know why she was heading in that direction. The idea was just to get as far away from Phoenix, Arizona as possible. She saw a sign in New Mexico tracking the miles to California at about three o'clock in the afternoon.
At a pit stop, Alyssa asked, "Where are we going?"
Kim thought a moment before answering. "To a place near where I call home," she smiled.