The Oliver's packed up and moved to Los Angles. Caroline and Tommy's parents made sure their children got in the same class. Neither one of them were accepted by their classmates. The next few years went by very quick. Tommy and Kimberly were still very close and had a good relationship. They were now in the fourth grade.
Their class was going on a field trip to the ocean beach. During the field, they'd be studying nature, wild life, and the weather. They had to take a sleeping bag since they'd be camping out on the beach. And they were going to be swimming, so they had to take something to swim in.
Even though they were looking forward to the trip, they were nervous. Neither one of them had been away from their parents for a few they went to bed that night, Tommy laid in bed with Kimberly. When James turned out the lights, Tommy snuggled up next to Kimberly.
"Kim, I promise that I am going to take care of you these next few days."
"What if we run into Ed and he takes one of us?"
"He won't take you, unless he agrees to take me. I'll fight him."
"Tommy, he's stronger than you. If he takes me, he'll take you as well."
"Kimberly, I am not going to let him take you. You're the only friend I have. If he takes you, I'm going with you. I'll keep you safe."
"Good night, Tommy. I love you."
"Good night, Kimberly. I love you too.
Kimberly began pulled Tommy as close as she could and wrapped her arms around him. And she kissed him, like she did at their seventh birthday party. Tommy was relieved that no one saw it. Both of them were drowsy and fell asleep. The next morning, Jan got the kids up for school. It was pouring down rain and their teacher requested that everyone wore something to keep them dry if it rained. They'd be making several stops along the way.
"Kids, it's raining. You both need to wear a rain coat," informed Jan.
Tommy put on a pair of jeans, a green tee, and a green and white plaid flannel shirt. Kimberly put on a pair of jeans, a pink tee, and a pink and white plaid flannel shirt. They went down stairs for breakfast. After they ate, James drove both of them to school. He noticed Kimberly didn't want to get out of the car.
"Tommy, I need you to be strong and take care of Kimberly for the next few days," requested James. "She looks like she is troubled and is going to need you. Watch out for her and make sure she feels safe."
"Dad, don't worry," promised Tommy. "You know she's person that I love the most. I hope it doesn't hurt your feelings."
"It doesn't," reassured James. "Just take care of her."
"She's my best friend," answered Tommy. "If anyone touches her, they'll be sorry. And if anyone wants to take her, they can't have her. Unless, they take me with her.
"If you need us, we're only a phone call a way," replied James.
Tommy did something that James and Kimberly weren't expecting. He took her by the hand they got out of the car. Both of the children walked to their classroom holding hands. They got a lot of stares from other kids. James followed them and took their over night bags to their classroom. Their teacher took attendances; then she had the kids line up to get on the bus.
The students picked their partner for the field trip. Their teacher told them that who they paired up with would be the person they sat by on the bus, the person they stayed with during the trip, and they were responsible for each other. As usual, Tommy and Kimberly paired up. The class lined up to get on the bus. Tommy and Kimberly were at the end of the line. She still wasn't looking good, so Tommy took hold of her hand. The class walked outside to catch the bus. When they walked outside, it was thundering, lighting, and pour down rain. All of the students were shoving and pushing each other to get on the bus.
Tommy noticed that his shoe lace was untied, so he stopped to tie it. Kimberly remained stayed with him. While Tommy, was tying his shoe, Ed Hart was lurking around. He snuck up behind Kimberly and grabbed her by the mouth and took off running. Tommy noticed saw someone take her in the corner of his eye. The bus was getting ready to leave. But, Tommy took off running after Mr. Hart. Tommy noticed that he turned the corner and disappeared. Ed Hart went to the bush that he parked his truck next to. On the ground was rope and a piece of cloth. Ed quickly tied Kimberly up and gagged her. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Dry up the tears," demanded Ed. "You're my child and I'm taking you with me."
He picked her up and carried her to his truck. Tommy saw him carrying Kimberly to his truck. He charged into Ed and knocked him down. Ed dropped Kimberly. Tommy quickly went over to Kimberly and untied her. He also removed the piece of cloth that was gagging her. Kimberly hugged him and kissed him on the lips.
"He's not going to take you," whispered Tommy.
"Tommy, he's too strong," warned Kimberly. "If he grabbed you, you'd never get free. As soon as we got behind the bush, he restrained me. He'll do it again, but he will do the same thing to you."
He wrapped his arms around Kimberly and held her close. Kimberly threw her arms around Tommy and held him tightly.
"We aren't going to get away," whispered Kimberly. "He is going to take us both."
"Kimberly, he isn't going to hurt you," promised Tommy. "I'm not going to let go of you. No matter what he does, we're together."
Ed walked over to the two children. He looked really mad and angry at Tommy.
"You haven't change," stated Ed. "I assume that you two are still best friends."
"She has always been my best friend," Tommy said angrily. "I love her and she loves me."
"Tommy,I'm afraid I'm going to have to take her back," warned Ed. "This time I'm taking both of you. I can't leave you around to rat me out."
He lifted both of them and put them in the back of his truck. Once they were in the back of his truck, he closed the cover. He didn't want anyone to see them in the back of the truck. Tommy and Kimberly were laying in bed of the truck. They were still hugging each other. Both of them felt the truck take off.
"Kim, no matter what happens, you're my best friend," said Tommy. "I love you and will take care of you."
"Tommy, your my best friend too," replied Kimberly. "I love you too."
Kimberly rested her head against Tommy's shoulder. She felt something warm hit her hand. Tommy was crying, which something he normally didn't do. She kissed his neck and he kissed her on top of the head. They felt the truck stop and Ed lifted the cover up. He grabbed them and carried them to trap door that was hidden in the city park. Ed quickly opened the trap door and carried them down a flight of stairs. Tommy instantly knew they were in a cellar. Ed carried them up another flight of stairs and they were in an empty ware house.
"Tommy, is there anything else you want?" asked Ed.
"You have to agree to keep us together," replied Tommy.
Ed left the room for a few minutes. As soon as Ed left, Tommy and Kimberly let go of each other. But, they quickly grabbed the other one's was holding Kimberly's hand very tight.
"Where do you think we are?" asked Kimberly.
"I think we're in a warehouse," answered Tommy. "It looks like no one has been here for a while."
"Tommy, there's nothing in this room," added Kimberly. "Other than some saws, knifes, and sharp items hanging on the wall. And there's a window above us. I doubt we could reach it."
They sat against the wall and waited to see if anyone else would come. Several hours later, the room got dark. Both of them were hungry and thirsty. Tommy looked at his watch and saw it late at night.
"It's getting late," stated Tommy. "Let's get some rest."
"I miss our room," answered Kimberly.
"So, do I," admitted Tommy. "At least we're together."
"I can't complain about that," smiled Kimberly.
She wrapped her arms around Tommy's waist and rested her head against his shoulder. Tommy wrapped his arms around Kimberly. He rested his head on top of hers and held her as tight as he could. Kimberly was already asleep and resting peacefully. Tommy kissed her on top of the head. He told her good night and drifted off to sleep. Both of them held each other all night long.
When they woke up the following morning, they were really uncomfortable. There were ropes wrapped around them that were holding them together. Tommy was just relieved that he was still holding Kimberly.
"Wonder when we were tied together?" asked Tommy.
"Last night," answered Ed.
Tommy and Kimberly looked up and Ed was sitting in a chair in front of them.
"It was a piece of cake," smirked Ed. "Both of you were heavy sleepers. I was able to wrap the cord several times around both of you. I know how to win this time."
"How?" asked Tommy.
"All I have to do is keep you both together," remarked Ed. "I know that you won't leave without Kimberly. And she won't leave without you. Am I correct?"
"Yes," replied Tommy.
"Yes," answered Kimberly.
"What are you going to do?" asked Tommy.
Ed got leach and hooked it to one of the cords. He grabbed the leach and pulled the out of the room. Both of them saw that the warehouse was huge. There was broken glass everywhere. Ed drug them through broken glass that was laying on the floor. Tommy and Kimberly were cut on the glass and had several pieces of glass in their clothes. Ed got several bottles of grab juice and soaked them in juice. Their clothes were soaked in grape juice and were ruined. And they were sticky.
"You've ruined my clothes," Kimberly said angrily. "These clothes were expensive. I only got to wear this out fit one time. This tee shirt and flannel shirt are the exact same color of pink."
They noticed Ed wasn't anywhere in sight. He was hooking up the hose to spray them with cold water. Kimberly let out a loud scream, when she felt the cold water soak her. Ed got scared and was afraid that someone would hear her screaming. He saw a pink bandana and green bandana laying on the table. Ed put them in his pocket and walked over to Tommy and Kimberly. He noticed the bandana was the same color of pink as Kimberly's tee shirt and flannel shirt.
"I have something that's the exact same shade of pink as your tee shirt and flannel shirt," smiled Ed.
"What?" asked Kimberly.
"This," answered Ed.
He quickly pulled the pink bandana out of his pocket. Ed place the bandana over Kimberly's mouth and gagged her. She couldn't believe she fell for his trick. Kimberly felt embarrassed and humiliated. She laid her head against Tommy's shoulder. At least he was still holding her and she always felt safe when he held her. Tommy kissed his best friend on the top of the head.
"I love you," whispered Tommy. "You're with me and I'm going to keep you safe.
"She's so stupid," laughed Ed.
"DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT CALLING MY BEST FRIEND STUPID!" yelled Tommy.
"She fell for my trick," remarked Ed.
"That doesn't make her stupid," answered Tommy. "You don't know anything about her."
"Yes, I do?" replied Ed.
"Okay, what is her favorite color? What is her favorite food? What is her favorite sport? When is her birthday? Who does she share a birthday with? What is her favorite toy?" asked Tommy. "What is her favorite type of clothes to wear? How long have I known her?"
"The first question is easy, her favorite color is pink. I know because she wears a lot of pink," answered Ed. "But I don't know the other questions other than when her birthday is. It is sometime in Febuary, but I don't remember the day. I don't know who see shares a birthday with."
"Her favorite food is anything Mexican, her favorite sport is gymnastics, Kimberly and I have the same birthday," declared Tommy. "Her favorite toy is a Cinderella Barbie, she likes to wear athletic clothes or jeans, and I've known her since the day we were born."
"I didn't know any of that!?" gasped Ed.
Tommy started yelling at Ed. He was a lot louder than Kimberly. Ed quickly grabbed the green bandana out of his pocket. He quickly placed it over Tommy's mouth and gagged him too. Neither Tommy or Kimberly could speak.
"Tommy, you're just like Kimberly!" declared Ed. "Neither one of you know when to shut up. When you say something, you can never take it back."
Tommy looked at Ed in rage. He was mad at Ed for everything that he had to Kimberly. And he was mad about him dragging them through glass, pour grape juice on them, and for spraying them with water. It didn't bother him that he could speak for the time being. The only thing that matter to him was Kimberly.
"Tommy don't look at me that way," said Ed. "I've done nothing wrong. I haven't seen Kimberly in three years. When I try to see her, you won't let me. So, I have to take you too. What else do you want? I have what I want. Do you know what it is?"
Tommy shook his head no.
"I'll tell you," answered Ed. "I've got Kimberly and her best friend."
They heard sirens and somebody kick the door down. Ed quickly grabbed them and ran down to the basement. He threw both of them down the flight of stairs and they hit the ground hard. Ed walked down the stairs and started kicked them around like a soccer ball. Both of the kids slowly passed out from being in a lot pain.
Tommy was beginning to regain conscious. He was hear people talking around his bed. James, Jan, and Caroline noticed that Tommy was starting to wake up. James walked over to Kimberly's bed and lifted her out of her hospital bed. He carried her over to Tommy's hospital bed and gently placed her in bed next to Tommy. A few minutes later, Tommy began to wake up. He noticed his head was resting on a pillow. But, he was aching all over. James, Jan, and Caroline were sitting at the foot of the hospital bed.
"He's waking up," stated Jan. "How are you feeling?"
"Where's Kimberly?!" demanded Tommy.
"I knew he was going to ask us that, as soon as he woke up," whispered Caroline.
"Relax, she's laying right next to you," reassured Jan.
Tommy rolled over and saw Kimberly was laying next to him. He noticed she wasn't awake yet and she was also wearing a hospital gown. Tommy laid his side and pulled Kimberly close to him.
"He loves her so much," smiled Caroline. "I don't know how she would've made it through the situation with Ed, if she didn't have Tommy with her."
"Tommy, how are you feeling?" asked James.
"I'm sore," answered Tommy. "I'm aching all over. How bad was Kimberly hurt?"
"She's fine," reassured Caroline. "She has stitches in her knee, just like you do. Her hand is bandaged because it was all cut to pieces."
"You also have your hand bandaged because the ropes cut your skin," added Jan.
"My head hurts," said Tommy.
"We know," answered James. "Both of you have concussions. You're staying in the hospital over night."
"You are both staying over night for observation," answered Jan. "The doctors also wanted to make sure neither one of you got any type of infections. And they want to make sure that your concussions are okay.
Jan and James saw Kimberly move closer to Tommy. She was laying on top of the covers. Jan went and got some extra blankets to cover Kimberly up.
"Your mother traded places with someone," explained James. "She is going to be working the night shift, so she can stay with you both."
Kimberly began to wake up. The Olivers' could tell she was still in pain. Jan placed an ice pack on her head.
"How are feeling?" asked Jan.
"My head hurts," answered Kimberly. "And I'm sore all over."
"We're going to Angel Grove in a few days," stated Caroline."I'm going to be home schooling you and Tommy for awhile. Both of you are staying here over night for observation. Jan took the night shift so she could stay with you both. We found out that no one was allowed to stay in the room with you all night."
"Jan, are you going to be in the room all night?" asked Kimberly.
"Not all night," answered Jan. "I will be coming in here to check on you both off and on."
They noticed that visiting hours were over. James and Caroline went on home. Jan had to start her night shift. She was already in her nurse uniform and didn't have to rush and change. She noticed that Kimberly's head was barely touching the pillow that Tommy was using.
"I'll go get you a pillow," said Jan.
Tommy raised his head up and moved closer to Kimberly. When Jan came back in their room with a pillow, she noticed that both of the kids where using the same pillow.
"I'll lay this pillow next to you, just incase you want your own pillow," stated Jan.
"Mom, I'm going to take good care of Kimberly tonight," promised Tommy.
"I know you will," smiled Jan. "We have a smoothie machine now. What flavor would you like?"
"I'll take strawberry banana," answered Kimberly.
"I'll have the same thing," answered Tommy.
Jan walked out of the room and came back with two smoothies. Both of the kids took their smoothies and drank them quickly. Jan also go more pillows and put them behind the two kids.
"The doctors want you to stay elevated," explained Jan. "That's why I propped up your pillows."
Both of the children were using the same pillow. Kimberly's head was resting on Tommy's shoulder. Tommy had his arm around her and his head was resting on top of hers.
The next morning, the children were able to go home. All of them packed up and moved to Angel Grove the following week. Caroline didn't go hunt for a job since she'd be home schooling the children.
