Chapter 7: Protecting Kimberly
A couple of days later, Tommy came back to the hospital to find Hunter sitting by her bed. "Hunter?" He asked. Hunter looked up at Tommy, revealing the anger in his eyes. "What?" Tommy asked. Hunter stood up.
"You saved my mom, but yet how dare you say those horrible things to her?" Hunter demanded.
"Hunter, if you'd just let me explain."
Hunter shook his head. "No more, Dr. Oliver. I want you to leave my mother alone. She's been through enough, the last thing she needs is another broken heart, since the last one nearly killed her," Hunter informed. Tommy crossed his arms over his chest staring at the young man in front of him.
"Before you banish me out of Kimberly's life forever, Hunter. I would like to know what I did," Tommy informed.
"Besides practically insulting her?"
Hunter sat beside Kimberly and held her hand. "Mom's been trying to contact you over the past nine years and you just shut her out as if she were nothing," Hunter stated.
"What?" Tommy asked.
Hunter shook his head slightly. "That's it, that's all I'm saying," he replied. Tommy sat down in the chair at the end of Kimberly's bed and looked at the unconscious woman.
"Where's her family?" Tommy asked.
"Grandfather and the others are back in Mariner Bay."
"Mariner Bay?"
Hunter looked over at Tommy. "You really have no idea do you?" He asked.
"Know what?" Tommy asked.
Hunter sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Nine years ago, my mom ran away to Mariner Bay to start over with her life. When she wakes up she can tell you why, it's not my place to say, but while she was there, Captain Mitchell took her in. She got a new job, she was in school again, and she was starting her life over. A year later, my sister, Hannah, was left on her doorstep. Another year after that, Blake and I came into the picture. Mom gave us the life we always wanted, a stable family. Then, the demons attacked. My mom became the mentor for the Lightspeed Rangers," Hunter explained.
"How did she meet all the others before the Lightspeed Rangers?" Tommy asked.
"That's something she'll have to tell you. I told you enough, Dr. Oliver," Hunter replied.
Hunter looked back over at Kimberly to see her awake. "Hey, mom," he murmured. He stroked Kimberly's hair with a smile. Tommy got up to get a doctor.
The tube was removed from Kimberly's throat and Tommy just leaned against the wall and watched them. Hunter sat on the edge of Kimberly's bed and held her hand. "How are you feeling?" He asked.
"My throat hurts, but I'll be okay, baby," she replied.
Hunter kissed her forehead. "Just take it easy, okay?" He asked. Kimberly nodded, but then she doubled over in pain. "Mom…mom! What is it?" Hunter asked worriedly. Kimberly was holding her head. "No…" Hunter murmured.
"I'll get a doctor," Tommy informed.
"DON'T!" Kimberly shouted.
Kimberly curled up in a ball holding her head in pain. Hunter looked up at Tommy. "If it's not you, then who is it?" Hunter asked.
"What?" Tommy asked.
"My mother has the power empathy, but every time she feels the emotion of anger, this happens," Hunter replied.
Kimberly tried to put her emotional wall up and she finally succeeded after a few minutes. Hunter set her back down against her pillows. "It's okay, mom," he assured her. Hunter stroked her hair and looked over at Tommy.
"How long has this been going on?" Tommy asked.
"Nine years," Hunter replied.
Kimberly felt really dizzy and Hunter looked over at her. "Just rest, mom, everything's going to be okay," Hunter reassured her. Kimberly closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Hunter got up and picked up the phone.
"Hunter, what are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm calling a few friends," Hunter replied.
"Who?"
Hunter didn't answer. "Andros? It's Hunter," Hunter said into the phone. Hunter leaned against the far wall with the phone in hand. "Listen, Andros, I need you to come to the hospital. This curse on mom is getting worse. I was hoping you'd check her out. You will? Thanks, Andros. Yeah see you in a bit, bye," Hunter stated. Hunter hung up and sat down next to Kimberly with her hand in his.
"Why are you calling Andros?" Tommy asked.
"Because, Andros has the advanced technology to look at her head," Hunter replied.
After awhile, Andros came into the hospital room. "Hunter, when did this happen last?" He asked. Hunter stood up.
"Just about fifteen minutes ago. She just woke up and all of a sudden was doubling over in pain. It's getting worse," Hunter replied.
Andros took out his scanner and ran it along Kimberly's head. Hunter looked over his shoulder to look at the results. "I can't get a proper reading," he informed.
"What do you mean you can't get a proper reading?" Tommy asked.
Andros looked over at Tommy. "My only guess is that Kimberly's being followed and is holding a grudge towards her," he replied.
"That still doesn't answer my question," Tommy informed.
"I don't know why, Tommy. Something or someone is trying to keep me from getting a reading. They're in this room," Andros answered.
Hunter looked around the room. "Well it's not me and it's not Hunter," Tommy informed. Andros looked around the room.
"The invisible attacker," He murmured.
"The what?" Tommy asked.
Hunter knew exactly who Andros was talking about. "Are you sure?" He asked. Andros nodded.
"Has to be the same person that broke into your mother's house last year and the year before," Andros replied.
Hunter nodded. "Whoever they are, you guys have to stop them. If you don't, Kimberly will die," Andros informed. They looked over at Kimberly to see her still out, but all three of them were worried about her safety.
The evil woman stood in the corner invisible as she watched the three of them. "Try all you want. You won't be able to save her from me for long," she sneered in her head.