When You Hear the Knell of a Requiem Bell by Flashbeagle

   Bonus Features

   This is another alternate character focus, written from Ben's point of view. This about how Ben felt when he arrived at Gracey Manor, and saw Kim acting like Katherine. I also wrote an alternate character focus from Emily's point of view, but I didn't like how it turned out, so here's the last alternate character focus for the story. This also marks the end of the bonus features, but be sure to stay tuned for the sneak peak at Kim's next adventure, A Phantom Awaits You, which takes place at Phantom Manor!

I've known Kim for eighteen years, and quite honestly, I think I know her better than I know myself.

            For example, how many people know that the only reason Kim picked #3 for her varsity basketball jersey number is because that's how many guys she had crushes on during that time in her junior year?

            Or that she secretly likes cauliflower?

            Or that she considers the color of her hair to be "very dark brown with golden accents?" Or that she thinks she talks like a duck?

            Yep, I know pretty much everything there is to know about Kimberly Elizabeth Fox, beyond the usual stuff like her birthday (Which is April 3, 1979) and her favorite TV show (anything on the Food Network, plus Trading Spaces).

            I never once dreamed that one day, I'd look right at her and not recognize her.

            But that's what's happening right now. That girl in the blue dress out on the dance floor isn't Kimberly. That aloof, dreamy expression is one Kimberly wouldn't be caught dead wearing. Yeah, Kim can be a ditz, oh wait, she is a ditz, and she can get some big ideas sometimes, but Kimberly Fox doesn't get dreamy. Kimberly Fox isn't sweet and demure. Kimberly's blunt, easily distracted, and bold. Kim's…well, she's just Kim you know?

            "Mr. Torres? Are you okay?" Emily asked me. Emily's this ghost who's all dolled up in a wedding gown, and seems pretty concerned about helping Kim out.

            My stomach flipped. Suddenly all I could hear in my head was,

            "I wanna go to Tokyo Disneyland!"

            "KIM!" I shouted.

            She looked up, her eyes focused on me. It took a few seconds, but soon her eyes changed and suddenly the Kim I knew and made fun of was back.

            "Ben!" She shouted, sounding terrified and relieved at the same time.

            I focused my gaze on the ghost guy next to her, who was looking confused. Suddenly my blood boiled. How could anyone want to kill Kimberly? Yeah, sure, she's annoying. She's as annoying as hell. But she's also one of the funniest and craziest people in the world. How could anyone want to deprive her of the right to live, since living, well, living it up, really, is the thing that Kim does best.

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