Well, here's chapter eight. I figure this is a way to pass the time. I don't know why it's been so boring lately.
Anyway, on with the tale.
(Two days later- Sunday evening)
Jason stood on a cliff overlooking Angel Grove, staring ahead. He was sorta lost in his thoughts. Fortunately, Dawn had left the night of the breakup. And good riddance as far as he was concerned. But, Jason knew things weren't quite over yet. He had to return to Chicago tomorrow to take care of the whole moving business and talk to Steve. Dawn obviously hadn't said anything about Jason's decision or else Steve would've called his cell.
Jason was suddenly aware of a slight shift in the atmosphere and half- smiled. "Hey, Pinky," he said without even turning around.
Kim stepped up next to him, not even a little bit surprised that he knew it was her."Hi, Rex. When you weren't home, I figured you'd be here. Did you wanna be alone?" she asked.
"Nah, it's cool," he said.
She nodded, feeling more than a little bit relieved. Of course, she would've respected his wishes if he had said yes. But she was glad he hadn't. She looked ahead, also. "I'm sorry things didn't work out the way you'd hoped they would," she said.
"Thanks," he said softly.
"I mean, I know you were happy with Dawn before she went all wiggy," Kim said.
"Yeah. It's like I... fell for a totally different person, you know? The person she was or seemed to be back then..." his voice trailed off.
"Yeah," Kim said in understanding.
He looked at her. "I'm really sorry about how she treated you," he said.
Kim rolled her eyes and laughed. "Jase, thanks, but, you're not the one who should be sorry," she said.
"Dawn needs help and she'll probably never get it. But that's not problem anymore," he said.
"No, it's not," Kim agreed. Then, the two fell into a comfortable silence. After a short while, Kim's mouth curved into a smile. "Remember when we first "discovered" this place?"
Jason couldn't help the grin spreading across his face. "It was the summer before seventh grade," he said. The cliff had sort of become special to them both. It was one of their top favorite places in Angel Grove. Sometimes, they'd come together and talk about dreams or just stare up at the sky. Sometimes, they'd come alone.
"I said I loved feeling like I was on top of the world," Kim said, memories floating into her mind. Her heart squeezed a little then. "The last time we came here..."
"The night before Zack, Trini and I left for Switzerland," he said quietly.
Kim nodded and hugged herself. "I never told anybody this, but, I felt betrayed when you guys left," she confessed.
Jason looked at her in surprise. "Betrayed?"
"Yeah, I- actually, I felt like you had betrayed me. I was just mainly sad about Tri and Zack. But it was more than that with you, Jase. I was angry. So mad at you," she said seriously.
Jason had no idea what to say, so, he refocused on the scenery. Betrayed. Damn!
"I wanted to break your neck when I heard the news. I know the Peace Conference was a good opportunity. But, I also knew it wasn't you. You're a doer. You love action. Sitting around and yapping about how to make a difference is so not your style. But you left anyway," Kim said, feeling the pain all over again.
"Kim, I just thought I wanted a change. That I wanted to do something different. You know I didn't go away to hurt you or anyone else. But it's not like we left you high and dry. You still had Tommy and Billy," Jason said.
She smiled softly. "And don't ever think for a second I wasn't totally grateful for that," she said.
"I know you were. Another thing, you made friends with Aisha, Rocky and Adam," Jason said.
"And I don't regret that. But, nothing made up for your not being here, Rex. Plain and simple," she said, looking at him. He looked at her. "You're you. Corny, but, true," she said.
"You wanna know the other reason I left?" he asked. Might as well just get it all out in the open.
"Spill it," she said.
He took a deep breath. "I felt like you didn't really need me anymore anyway," he said seriously. He'd always believed Kim was capable of taking care of herself and all, but, whenever she needed him for anything... it just always made him feel, well, good. Like he could provide her with something no one else could. Hell, who wouldn't like that feeling?
Kim stared at him in utter disbelief. Was he serious? He had to be joking. If not, he was as loony as his ex. "You thought- you actually believed that?" she exclaimed.
"Yeah. When Tommy stepped in, I just stepped down. I knew he could give you what you needed. So, when the peace summit deal came about, I was all: "Hey, why not?" So, I signed on for it," he said.
Kim shook her head. She just couldn't believe she'd been part of the reason he'd left. She began feeling strangely guilty. "Jason, it's true that Tommy did give me what I needed and he made me really happy. He also always made me feel like the luckiest and most beautiful person alive. The guy was the closest thing I had to a prince. But, Jason, come on! I could never not need you. You, of all people! That's so ridiculous, I can't even- it's just insane! How could I not need you?" she said, her eyes wide. The very idea was just so completely absurd. She couldn't even wrap her mind around it.
Jason chuckled lightly. "I don't know. It was just how I felt at the time," he said. But, then, he'd only been fifteen. It could've only been jealousy or something, right?
"Well, you so shouldn't have! God, Rex! There are things about me that only you understand to this very day," she said honestly.
Jason smiled at that. "Just like there're things about me only you understand," he said, nodding.
She grinned and threw her arms around him. He hugged her tightly. "Not need you? That's probably the craziest thing I've ever heard," she said, pulling away slightly to look in his eyes.
"Then, remind me never to say it again. Crazy ain't my department," he said. She laughed.
(The same day)
Dawn stood in the bathroom in Jason's apartment, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were wild and murderous, but, she didn't notice. Her hair had lost its luster. But, she didn't notice. Her mind was whirling with absurd notions. It had been for the last couple days. But, she didn't notice. She'd been locked up in the apartment for the last two days, wandering around with a dazed look on her face.
The blonde gripped the edges of the sink. Her reflection slowly transformed into Kimberly Hart. Renewed fury filled her. 'Kim' smiled cruelly at her.
"You lost, Dawnie. He's all mine now," the product of Dawn's frantic mind said triumphantly.
"Shut up," Dawn snapped, narrowing her eyes.
"You are so pathetic. No wonder he dropped you," the figment said, rolling its eyes.
"I said shut up. Go away," Dawn said angrily.
"Oh, I'll never go away. Ever. I have to do my job as your worst nightmare," 'Kim' said wickedly.
"I'll kill you," Dawn hissed.
"No, you won't. Because Jason won't let you. He'd never let anything bad happen to me," the image said.
"I'll kill you both!" Dawn said vehemently. Her mind began cracking even faster.
"In your dreams, sweetheart. Jason and I are- what's the word? Oh, yeah. Invincible. Hey, you wanna come to our wedding? I could use another bridesmaid. Just kidding. But we'd love you to-" the figment was saying.
"SHUT UP, YOU BITCH! ARRRGH! SHUT UP!" Dawn screeched hysterically, smashing her fist into the mirror. She didn't even feel the glass piercing her skin or the blood. The blonde looked at her hand as if it were new to her. Then, she looked at the wrecked mirror. She was shaking violently. Where was Kim? Where the hell that witch disappeared off to?
Dawn ran outta the bathroom and into the bedroom. She gasped when she saw 'Jason' and 'Kim' on the bed, kissing furiously. Jason pulled away to smile at Kim.
"I love you, Pinky. I couldn't get rid of Dawn soon enough," he said.
Kim giggled and ran her fingers through his hair. "At least she's gone now. And we're free to be together forever. Nothing else matters,"she said happily.
Dawn screamed and jumped on the bed. Then, she blinked. Where had they gone? The slimy bastard and his little whore. Dawn hopped off the bed and dashed from the room and for the kitchen... where she saw 'Jason' and 'Kim' sitting at the table, feeding each other. Her hysteria and rage intensified.
The blonde charged over to the table and kicked it over, along with the chairs. They'd disappeared again. She turned and headed for the silverware drawer. She grabbed the largest, sharpest knife she could find. Then, she began shrieking and opening cabinets and knocking dishes to the floor.
She didn't hear the knocking at the front door. Obviously, Dawn had attracted attention. The deluded woman hurried back to the bedroom.
"Is everything okay?" Mrs. Richards- a widowed neighbor- said from the hallway.
Dawn hopped on the bed and began slicing and dicing the pillows furiously. After the bed was covered with feathers, she hopped off and yanked the covers off. Then, she began knifing the mattress. How dare he have her in their bed! Unforgivable.
Then, she turned and stalked up to Jason's desk, yanked a drawer open and grabbed a black marker. She smiled sweetly and walked up to a wall. She uncapped the marker, cocked her head and began writing. When she was done, she stepped back to admire her 'work.' She'd written: 'JASON'S GONNA DIE AND SO IS HIS SLUT!'
She began humming and headed to the living room. The knocking started up again and her humming stopped abruptly. She gripped the knife handle and narrowed her eyes.
"Dawn? Are you all right? I heard screaming," a voice said.
Dawn blinked. Okay. The part of her brain that was still halfway sane recognized the voice. Mrs. Richards. Mrs. Richards. Such a sweet lady. And she adored Jason and Dawn.
'But she's gonna hate him after she finds out he dumped me for that bitch. He deserves hatred and so much more. He deserves to die at my hands. I loved you, Jason. I loved you with all my heart and you hurt me in the worst way. You can't just go on breathing the same air as me. And since you want her so much, I'll get her, too. Maybe I'll kill you together. Wouldn't it be romantic to die at the same time?' Dawn thought maniacally. She was starting to feel an excitement she'd never experienced in her life.
"Dawn?" Mrs. Richards again. Dawn walked over to a wall, sat on the floor, pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs and began rocking and humming.
Do ya wish for more?