From Dreams to Nightmares
Author's Note: Thanks again for the feedback! I apologize for the lack of Kim in the last chapter, but to make it up to you this next one is a Kim-centric chapter. I understand it may be a little frustrating to go through these without interaction of our two favorite people, but I want to really work out what these two would have to go through in real life (as real as you could get in this universe anyway). But it's also why I'm trying my hardest to get these chapters out soon. Thanks again!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with Power Rangers, Saban, or Disney.
**From Dreams to Nightmares**
Kimberly Hart left the gym and headed towards her apartment. She was tired and ready for bed. Her classes were becoming so in demand that she had to add another beginning class to her day. She had also personally taken on a new competing gymnast to train. Between classes, trainings, the emails, calls, and boring meetings she usually hated she was on the go from morning to night. But the past couple of weeks she welcomed it. In fact she happily scheduled every minute of her day to make sure no time was left to wonder.
Cause when she did, her mind always went to the same thing: Tommy's speech ending Kimberly's hope of getting back what they once had. Leaving Reefside and with it, her future with the only guy that ever really mattered to her. Ugh, this is the problem with car rides. Way too much time to think. Time for some distraction Kim. She put in a CD of some high energy music they sometimes played at the gym. Even though it was music she didn't particularly like she cranked the volume, drowning her thoughts out with the loud driving beats. Kimberly got home and ate dinner while watching T.V. She played some more distraction music as she took a shower and got ready for bed. Finally, exhausted, she got into bed to escape this reality she had created for herself. But instead of the peaceful bliss her incoherent dreams usually provided, she was forced to relive everything she fought so hard to forget during the day.
**A younger Kimberly picked up her phone and dialed, the phone line rang a few times before she heard the familiar voice telling to leave a message. "Hey Tommy, it's Kimberly. I just got your letter in the mail. So I'm guessing it's time to buy you some new red shirts huh? I know I'm breaking my promise to my mom about not racking up a phone bill with long distance calls but I just couldn't wait for you to get my letter to tell you that I miss you so much. Even hearing your voice on your answering machine makes my day better. So just a quick call to let you know I'm thinking of you. Send my love to everyone, and be safe. Love ya, bye."
Kimberly hung up the phone and sighed. She was excited for the opportunity she had gotten and the support everyone back at home showed, especially Tommy. But it was hard not to be homesick. She missed her friends, Zordon, Alpha, and of course and her boyfriend and leader of the new Zeo Rangers. She was shocked when Tommy informed her of all that happened in Angel Grove and the new powers he had attained. She wished she could have been there to help them, and to see Tommy through yet another chapter of his Ranger powers. But she knew she would regret it if she didn't go to the Pan Global Games, it was all she ever dreamt about as a kid. Besides once it was over, she could go back to Angel Grove. She wasn't sure what this meant, with Kat now being the first to attain the new pink Zeo powers, but with or without a Ranger suit Kim knew she could be there to help the team in any way she could. And she could finish off high school, be with her friends, and of course be with Tommy.
The thought of this put Kimberly in a good mood. She changed into some training clothes, a pink leotard with black spandex shorts. She threw the usual shirt over, the green plaid hoodie from Tommy's green ranger days. She borrowed it so much, he laughed and told her to keep it. As she got her bearings living in Florida, she reassured Tommy that she wore it so often, her new friends would tease her about having to wash it every other day. But she knew Tommy was happy she had it with her all the time, he said he was glad there was something there to remind her of him every once in a while. Like I'd forget thought Kim with a smirk. She bounced out of her dorm building and took the short walk to the training facility.
She ran into Nick on the way over there, a fellow trainee for the guys division. He almost didn't catch up with her and called out her name. "Oh hey, Nick how's it going?" asked Kim.
"Just had a nice little nap and now ready whip the competition, so I'm good. I don't think I need to ask how you're doing. Practically skipping down the street...letter from the boyfriend today?"
Kimberly laughed, " How'd you guess?"
" In the time you've been here, I've come to expect every Thursday, you bouncing off the walls, grinning from ear to ear, and making the rest of us look bad. You always do better in training when you hear from him." Nick had said this with an edge of envy. When Kimberly first arrived to Florida, she right away caught his attention. But he was disappointed to find out that all she could talk about were her friends and wonderful boyfriend back home. Still he walked a little closer to her and teased. "Does he have any idea how lucky he is?"
" Oh Tommy tells me every chance he gets. But trust me, I'm the lucky one." Kim emphasized. Nick had initially backed off when Kimberly mentioned she had a boyfriend right away. Sometimes, though, he needed a reminder that Kim was taken and not interested in looking anywhere else. " He's definitely going to be down here for the games, but he's also trying to visit sooner," she added. Nick mumbled something about how that would be great, but Kimberly smiled as he let the distance grow between them again. "Plus I think there are some tournaments coming up and it would be great if he could enter one while he's here." She also made a point when she first got here to mention her boyfriend was a black belt and won many competitions. It was juvenile, she admitted to herself, but hey it worked. Nick's flirtatious looks changed to a disinterested stare as he focused straight ahead.
When they entered the main gym, Kimberly quickly left Nick on his own to join the girls team. Her room mate, Quinn, was already warming up with the rest of the girls when she saw Kimberly join them. " You remembered to wash that shirt today right Kim?" she teased.
Kimberly smiled. " Haha, very funny. I got a new letter from him today," she said happily as she stretched.
" Uh oh did you hear that girls? We better step up today if we're gonna keep up with Kim," all the girls laughed. " So how is Tommy, what's he up to?" Quinn asked Kim. Quinn liked Kimberly right away and they became quick friends. The room mates spent many nights talking about their lives back at home, and for Kim that included a lot about Tommy. Sometimes Kimberly would get so worried about her boyfriend, them being from Angel Grove. Apparently it was a hot zone for power ranger battles against the many evil space monsters. Whenever Kim heard about things going on in Angel Grove, she didn't say much but Quinn could tell how much she worried. She'd often remind her roomie that the Power Rangers were always there to save the day, and as long he'd stay out of the cross fire he'd be fine.
Kimberly responded, " Tommy's doing good. He kind of got promoted at work."
"How can someone get kind of promoted?" Quinn asked curiously.
" Well it's basically the same job, same boss, but new perks, and new uniform so to speak." Kimberly replied slowly but casually.
Quinn didn't know much about Tommy's job, something with to do community service, Quinn wasn't sure. But it seemed to take up a lot of Tommy's time, as Kim's usual response to Quinn's inquiries were that he was busy at work. " Does he get paid more at least?"
Kimberly stifled a giggle, at what Quinn wasn't sure, " I'm not sure. But he does it more for the intrinsic rewards than the salary. And now I get an excuse to shop for him," Kim laughed. Quinn was well aware of Kim's shopping talents. "Anyways he is going to try to get some time off to come down here soon." Kim lit up as she said this. Wow, I can't wait to see what this guy has that has Kimberly so smitten, besides the good looks. I mean from the pictures she shown me and has in her room, the boy is gorgeous. But lots of hot guys, including Nick who had plenty of admirers himself, have shown an interest in Kim. Yet she wouldn't know any of them existed she was so love with her "White Knight" as she playfully described him one time. " Wow, could we finally look forward to meeting the famous Tommy?" she teased.
Kimberly smiled, " I think so." Just then Coach Gunthar Schmidt came in and the girls focused on their training. As much as her team mates teased Kimberly, they were right. She hit every move perfectly on her floor and balance beam routine. Her routines on the bars and vault had drastically improved, the best she had done them. Her coach praised her a job well done. While everyone on her team were very talented and constantly improving, it was obvious that Kimberly often stood out. Even as a new member, and one without professional training until now, the team quickly accepted her and she naturally rose to a leadership role, encouraging her team mates and being a positive energy on the team. Kimberly sometimes wondered if part of it was due to her Ranger days. From day one, team work was a driving force in the Rangers' success. But when Tommy became the leader of the team, he trusted her to make decisions as a second in command. She learned to be part of the team but to also take lead when it was needed. This seemed to come naturally now in her gymnastics team. And the girls had allowed it seeing that Kimberly never tried to be boss. But when focus was needed they turned to her and her positive attitude to keep the group united. They ended the day on a high note, and her Coach Schmidt pulled her aside as everyone got ready to go back to the dorms.
"Kimberly," he said, " you have done nothing but improve and perfect your routines since you got here. We really have a chance at the Gold. I know this may put some added pressure on you, but I believe you could be the one to get us there. Keep up the great work."
Kimberly was flattered by Schmidt's confidence. "Thank you so much, Coach. And don't worry, I thrive on pressure. I want to get this gold as much as anyone on the team. I'll work double hard."
" Now I don't want what happened back at Angel Grove to happen here. Don't over work yourself. You are doing great, just keep what you are doing and keep yourself balanced. I overheard that some of your friends I met in Angel Grove want to visit you. You should invite them for the weekend soon. I am sure you must be homesick," he correctly guessed, " I trust it wouldn't get in the way of your training. You've worked hard, you deserve it."
Kimberly practically flew to her dorm room, where Quinn had beat her to. " We are so going to kick butt at the Pan Global Games!" she told her room mate. She relayed all that Coach Schmidt had told her to Quinn who was beaming to hear he was so confident in the team. " And he even encouraged me to have people from home visit over the weekend soon." This really shocked Quinn, only knowing the coach to push more work and more training.
Kimberly nodded and explained, " He said although work is number one priority-as long as it doesn't get in the way of what I'm doing now- that I deserve to see some familiar faces. Besides you guys said it yourself today. I do better when I get letters from Tommy. Ok, now just imagine how much better I could be after getting to see him." Quinn thought of this and squealed in delight, " Oh we are so going to win the Pan Global Games Kimberly! Celebratory dinner in the caf! You coming?"
" I'll meet you down there. I owe Tommy a letter and I can't wait to invite him down here and show him off to everyone." Quinn laughed and left Kim to herself. Kimberly picked up her usual stationary, and started to write: Dear Tommy-
Just then, her communicator went off. Oh no, this cannot be good. Kimberly kept her communicator in case of an emergency and the Rangers needed extra help but since she left Angel Grove it hadn't gone off once. Kimberly looked behind her to make sure her door was closed and took it out of her desk. "Zordon what's wrong?"
" Kimberly, I am sorry to disturb you in your training."
" Never mind Zordon, is everything all right. Is Tommy okay?"
" Tommy is just fine, as are the other rangers. But you are needed at the Power Chamber immediately. Alpha is set to teleport you in."
" Ok Zordon."
" And Kimberly, no one must know you are coming, especially none of the other Rangers."
This was strange. But Zordon always had a reason in his requests. She wouldn't start questioning him then. "Okay. One second." She scribbled a note telling Quinn she forgot to run an errand and couldn't make it to dinner. She said not to wait up for her. "Okay Alpha, Zordon. I'm ready." She felt herself teleport, in a way appreciating the sensation of traveling at the speed of light again after so long. When her feet touched the ground she looked up and saw, not the command center she had left, but the new power chamber which lay under the former one. Tommy had described the place to Kimberly in his letter. But it was beyond her imagination. It was huge, and with a bazillion more gadgets than the last one. Great more buttons to confuse me.
"Kimberly!" exclaimed Alpha.
"Hello Kimberly," greeted Zordon.
" Hi Alpha. Zordon, what's going on? Is something wrong?" Kimberly asked panicked.
" Kimberly I am sorry to have frightened you. Right now, everything is safe and sound. The Rangers are about doing their usual daily activities. But they are not aware that I have teleported you here and it is imperative that they not find out."
" I understand, but what can I possibly help with Zordon?"
" Hello Kimberly," said another woman who seemed to step out from nowhere. Kimberly turned around and saw five people standing in front of her. " We apologize for the surprise, but we were the ones who asked Zordon to contact you and bring you here. We have asked Zordon that no one else know about this communication."
" Who are you?" asked Kimberly.
" I am Jen and we are who you will all know as the Time Force Rangers."
Zordon explained, " Jen and her team are Rangers from the year 3000 Kimberly. We are aware of highly advanced technology that would make this kind of time travel possible. Alpha has scanned them and their molecular structure, and ran many diagnostics. They are indeed rangers from the future and in turn allies of ours."
" I'm sorry. It's nice to meet you. Ummmm...how can I help you?"
Jen took this invitation to get straight to the point. " Kimberly in our future we have a very meticulous timeline of Ranger History, including your story as a Ranger, and the events that are about to take place in the near future."
" Okay." Kimberly waited for a second before asking, "What does this have to do with me?"
" Everything. We come from a future that derives from a particular past. Many events that will happen in your lifetime will directly and drastically effect the future of ours and many other Ranger teams. But it has been discovered, that the timeline we derive from, is in jeopardy. It's a very complicated and advanced technology, time travel. Sometimes it is dangerous to go back and change events that will alter the future. But sometimes it is necessary to go back to the past and alter them to ensure the correct future happens. In other words, changing the future is what is suppose to happen."
Kimberly stared, slightly overwhelmed. " Wow...Um, Zordon, are you sure this isn't more of a task for Billy?"
" Jen has insisted that you are the key factor in their mission Kimberly. I have faith that you will come to understand your importance in this assignment."
" Yes I know it's extremely confusing," continued Jen. "For anyone. But if you can be patient with us, we will explain as best as we can, and the task we need you to complete."
Kimberly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. " Ok. Yes I'll get this eventually I promise. So. Explain this again please."
" As the sequence of events is going right now, you and your team are heading down a specific path to one version of the future. Kimberly it is to my understanding that you are not currently an active Ranger. I can tell you that when you are done fulfilling your duties at the Pan Global Games, you will most assuredly return to your Ranger duties. Your leader and significant other, as well as your team mates, will agree that you will take over the Pink Zeo Power."
Hearing this Kimberly couldn't help but be excited. But she also felt something uncomfortable itching at her. Kimberly asked, " But what about Kat?"
" Katherine will completely understand the logic behind this. You have the experience, the leadership qualities, and the training over her short time as a Power Ranger. She will willingly hand over her power to you as you did to her. And the Zeo One Power and other future powers will suit you." For the first time since they met Jen cracked a fraction of a smile. "You are destined to wear pink Kimberly." This slightly made Kimberly feel better. " But there are many new enemies looking to invade Earth at this time. Many you don't even know about."
" Is that what you're going to tell me about?"
" I wish I could help you with all the various battles your teams will face. But right now, our only mission is to change the future into what it is supposed to be, to ensure the safety of the Rangers and its tradition in protecting Earth."
" Change the future? What do you mean?" Kimberly asked. It seemed each sentence coming out of Jen's mouth just made Kimberly more confused.
" The enemy I can tell you about is Maligore. He is one of the worst monsters that can be summoned and he feeds upon the energy of pure goodness and turning it into evil. A woman by the name of Divatox is looking to raise Maligore. With the technology we have in the future, we have found a crack in time that has showed us the future that may be realized if we do not act quick. In this discovery, your friend Katherine and your former red ranger-"
"- Jason?" Kimberly asked wide-eyed.
" Yes. They will both be captured and offered as a sacrifice to Maligore."
" What? Oh my goodness...There has got to be a way to stop it." Kimberly teared up at the thought of two of her close friends, one of them practically a brother, ending up like this.
" There could be an infinite number of ways to change this. But we do not know the outcome. The only past we know is the one that, in our time, actually happened."
"So what happens in our future according to your history?" Is that right? Kimberly thought. She almost got lost in figuring out the semantics but then she looked into Jen's eyes that looked directly back at her.
" It is you who gets captured with Jason."
Kimberly just stared at them. They want me to offer myself and one of my best friends up to this evil thing? Kimberly shook her head hoping she heard wrong. " I'm sorry. Jason and I are offered up to go evil? What does that do?"
" It ensures that the Power Rangers succeed in defeating Maligore and setting the right path of the future on its way."
" Why not just stop this Maliguy before he rises?"
" Because we cannot foresee every outcome of every possible scenario until a decision is made. But if the wrong decision is made, who knows if we cease to exist and are able to come back to this time again to correct it. Like I said we only know the history that happened. It was in fact sheer luck that we found out about this alternate future and the fact that it was our duty to change it. Besides should we try and Maligore still rises, what if humans are captured that are not former rangers? They are not equipped to deal with this the way you, Kat, or Jason would be."
" Okay. And not that I want Kat to take my place but what happens in the future that Kat and Jason are captured and sacrificed? You didn't explain what else happens in that future."
" Yes. I am weary to relay this to you. But I also believe telling you this will show you the impact you have on many lives Ms. Hart. First off Katherine Hillard is the first and original Zeo Ranger 1, pink. When she passes her powers to you, she will have a small amount of hers left in her. Second, the Katherine you know now is wise and kind hearted. She would never hold any resentment towards you or your fellow team mates," Jen started.
Kimberly became concerned where this was headed, "Okay."
" However Maligore's magic is extremely powerful, much more so than other spells you or your team mates have ever been under. He will take any human emotion such as loss, disappointment, even in their healthiest states, and turn them into resentment and anger. Tell me Kimberly, are you completely happy to not be an active ranger right now?"
Kimberly turned her heard and squinted, trying to read this blunt and poker-faced woman as she chose her answer. This feels like a trick question. Kimberly decided to answer as honestly as she could. " Well I'm happy to be able to go after dreams I've had since I was a little girl. But I do miss the team, miss being part of something so good and special." She looked at the former Ranger suits, around to Alpha, and up at Zordon. "This is my family... Yes sometimes it hurts not being a ranger."
" Katherine is forming those bonds that you hold dear at this very moment. When she happily volunteers to step down as the Pink Zeo Ranger, she will have similar feelings. As you can attest, these are completely normal feelings, not in the least evil. But Maligore will turn them into hurt and anger. He will also take advantage of the fact the Katherine has stifled unrequited feelings for another member of your team."
Tommy, Kimberly thought right away. Kat never said it, but when Kat broke out of Rita's spell, Kimberly couldn't help but notice certain consistencies. Kat went after her, and she preyed after Tommy. Kimberly even found half a picture of her that was torn in the park. She recognized it right away as a picture with Tommy in it. Yet that half was never found. But she knew the evil things Rita could make people do and knew that Kat would never have done those things on her own. And she couldn't blame her for taking an interest to Tommy, he was so kind and caring. In fact her first few days in Florida, she couldn't help but feel slightly paranoid. But Tommy's support, calls, and letters had reaffirmed her security in their relationship. The way Tommy trusted her, she trusted him. And she knew Kat would get over her crush, if she hadn't already. But according to Jen she hadn't.
" Katherine and Jason, under Maligore's power, will be extremely powerful. Alongside that, Katherine's retained Zeo energy will make her even more powerful. This will all take place on the remote island of Muranthias. And you will have other allies with you, one that could help break the spell. But Katherine's resentment will grow to be too strong even for them to break her out of the spell. Kimberly, believe me this is very hard to tell you. But even with your Zeo power and even newer powers you will come to accrue, Katherine will be too strong for you. And as she targeted you while under Rita's spell, she will target you again. And this time she will win."
" What do you mean?" Kimberly asked, her heart already knowing the answer.
" I'm sorry Kimberly, but should you go to Muranthias as a Ranger, you will die in battle."
Jen and her Ranger Team gave Kimberly some space. She asked for a few minutes to take in what she had just been told. I'm going to die, Kimberly thought. It was all she could seem to say to herself. I'm going to die. She closed her eyes and felt tear drops escaping. She felt a hard metal hand pat her shoulder softly, " Ayayayaya...Now, now Kimberly. The Rangers will make sure you stay safe from any harm."
" Kimberly," said Zordon, " this is very grave news to hear, not only to you but to me as well. However I must stress that the Ranger's not be part of the solution. As Jen has advised doing so could result in various outcomes that we cannot foresee. But I assure you, the Time Force Rangers have not come here to seal this fate for you. They come in hopes of changing this future, with your help."
" Yes Kimberly," said Jen, " this sequence of events is the one we hope to avoid. Should this reality come true, it will be a huge blow to your Ranger Team, and future teams of Rangers. Your team will be unable to cope with losing such a vital member. In particular it will effect your leader, Tommy. This will effect his ability to defeat Maligore in this battle as well as his ability to lead to many other instances. They will lose several allies including Katherine and Jason to Maligore, and other innocent civilians in being forced to fight him in several more battles. This will also force them to remain active in their Ranger duties much longer than they are supposed to. In not passing their powers down to their inevitable successors, they begin rewriting the history of the Power Rangers. But this is not the right future I am describing to you. There is another one, the one that we know to be our true history."
Kimberly slowly looked up, " I get captured and sacrificed."
Jen nodded, " This produces a very different outcome in many ways. First, your Ninjetti pink ranger powers were destroyed the same time the other Rangers lost their powers, which is why they are now with the Power of Zeo. You have never been near the Zeo or any other powers. When you are captured, you will certainly be strong and nearly impossible to fight. But not completely impossible to hold off. Second, You will of course be turned as you have natural emotions that can be effected by evil, even resentment from this very decision you are about to face. But in knowing your future and your fate with full security, Lerigot will be able to lift the spell off from you. In our future, you break out of the spell, assist in helping free Jason, and the Rangers are able to defeat Maligore. In knowing this, you will keep this hope in you, even through the fiery transformation you will undergo under Maligore's power, and have that much more power to break free from his curse. You and all your friends and allies make it out alive. Tommy and his team will move on and pick new successors who will be extremely vital in yet another major event." Jen sadly looked up at Zordon, who nodded in understanding.
Kimberly looked at the options she had before her. I can come back as a Ranger and die, and sentence how many others with me. Or I can give up my powers to Kat, offer myself up, and save many lives. It was an easy decision. " Ok, I'll do it. I won't take back my powers. I'll do whatever I need to do to make sure its me and not Kat who gets sacrificed."
Jen looked semi-sympathetically at Kim, " You are truly brave. And I am afraid that what we are about to ask from you is a much bigger sacrifice than your Ranger powers."
" What?" Kimberly asked confused. What else could they possibly want from me?
" Kimberly, you share an extremely rare and close connection to the current leader of the power rangers. You, in fact, effect almost all of his decisions."
" I won't tell Tommy, I promise. It will be hard, but I understand the necessity of it." Kimberly had never lied to Tommy. She even came clean when it came to the most embarrassing situations. But this is a matter of life of death. Certainly she can get a by on that, with a note from Zordon.
" It's not just that. When you come back to Angel Grove, Tommy will always protect you first and foremost. It can not be assured that it will be you and not Kat who gets captured even if you try."
" So now I have to stay away from Angel Grove." Kimberly was really starting not to like this girl.
" We need to assure that all of the power rangers focus is on the fight. They cannot afford their leader to be making biased decisions. And we must give our enemies no reason to target Katherine." What they were asking of her finally clicked.
" Are you saying I can't be with Tommy?" asked Kimberly. They are seriously not trying to parade in on my love life for the good of the world.
" Kimberly I know how disconnected these two things sound. But in our history, Tommy is not with you, and in this time apart, he will learn to protect you by focusing as a leader of the Rangers, not as your personal rescuer." Kimberly felt she had been slapped in the face. If Zordon wasn't there, Kimberly was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to keep her calm with this cold woman, devoid of any human emotion. Luckily Zordon offered some.
" Kimberly," started Zordon, " You and Tommy have been equally vital parts to the team. And together, you have made an even stronger one. But Jen has raised the question of whether or not the dependency you have on each other could ultimately become a weakness for the both of you."
Jen too tried to be a little more sympathetic. " Kimberly, believe me I know the feelings you have. And the thought of losing it, is unbearable. But there can be worse things. And you have the power to change it. You two have already done many extraordinary things together. There are other pairs of rangers that are meant to do extraordinary things together as well. But if we don't set the future on the right path, that may never be. There are many lives dependent on you right now pink ranger, including yours, Tommy's, your friends', even Zordon's.
Kimberly looked at her and then at Zordon. " I need some time to sort this through on my own."
Jen looked to her team and then to Kim. " Kimberly I completely understand how overwhelming this is for you, but I feel obliged to stress, that these events happen soon. And if we don't set the right future in motion, it can easily slip to the wrong one."
For the first time ever, Kimberly looked at a fellow ranger, and directed not cheer, not sadness, not even spell driven evil, but downright genuine anger. " Well you just basically asked me to give up my entire life and everything that matters to me. I don't see anyone else being asked to do the same. I think I deserve a day or two." She looked back up at Zordon, " I'm sorry Zordon. But I need some time of my own."
" Go Kimberly. What we ask of you, is indeed a great personal sacrifice. The Time Force team has provided a disc retaining data to other Ranger teams." A disc materialized in front of Kimberly's hand. " This will inform you on other Ranger teams and events that will be effected by our plan of action. I believe you should be well informed before you make any kind of decision. But essentially you must make this decision on your own."
" Thank you Zordon." Kimberly turned to Alpha. " Alpha, send me back to my dorm please. And be on call, I'll be checking in soon." She didn't bother saying goodbye to Jen or her rangers, who didn't say a word or offer an ounce of comfort throughout the entire conversation. Just business for them, she thought angrily.
" Of course Kimberly," Alpha said sadly.
Kimberly closed her eyes and the bright lights of the teleportation beams lightened the darkness. **
When she reopened her eyes, she found herself in her bed. In her apartment. Eight years later. It was a dream, thought Kimberly as she wiped tears off her face. She turned off her alarm clock and looked around her apartment. She knew right away that although it had been a dream, it was a dream of the exact memory from eight years ago, right before she wrote the letter that would re write her future. So much for keeping myself distracted. Apparently her mind and her heart would not let her forget. As she got ready for the busy day ahead of her, Kimberly felt extremely tired. Her eight hours of sleep had felt like two minutes. Her dream had felt like it had really happened. Like she had walked though it all over again. She vowed to keep busy again today except for one tiny break, which she took to research online ways to sleep at night without having any dreams.