*Kimberly's POV*
I tried to read the copy of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, that Taylor had borrowed me, but I felt my eyes get heavier. I yawned and decided to close my eyes for a minute. I was nearly asleep when I felt someone spread a blanket over me.
I smiled and was just about to surrender completely to sleep when I heard people talking.
""John doesn't think that adopting Kimberly would be a good idea for your career. He suggests you let her go into foster care instead."
I couldn't but flinch at the anger in Mama Swift's voice. But what if John is right though? I mean I'm a stupid 15 year old geek who wears dork glasses and would rather read than go to a party. Maybe Taylor would be better off without me.
"Are you kidding me?!"
Taylor tried to keep her voice down, thinking I was asleep, and I was surprised at the amount of anger in her voice. it's not easy to get Taylor mad, and I've never heard her speak to anyone in that tone. EVER.
"Well it's just she could really hold you back Taylor. It may not be good for your image and..."
As John spoke all I could see was the damage I could cause, the lost fans, the ruined career, a sad Taylor who would never blame me even though it was all my fault. I could picture the sad look on her face, and I knew what I had to do.
"I don't care she's already my little sister, and nothing anyone says or does is going to change that. And I know that if my fans really love me they'll understand!"
Taylor's voice rose, and I knew that no amount of persuasion, or even screaming and crying would convince her to let me go willingly. I cautiously cracked one eye open, and saw that their backs were to me. I slowly sat up, careful not to make any noise, and heard a soft crinkle.
I looked down to find the pad of paper, and pen still lying there from when we wrote "Tied Together With a Smile." Before I could change my mind, I quickly scribbled a note for Taylor. She at least deserved that.
I surveyed my note, and satisfied, I clutched it in my hand as I tiptoed toward the door of the bus. I taped it to the door and slowly opened it. Before I stepped out, I took one last look at what had been my home, and saw one last glimpse of the back of Taylor's head. The only sister I've ever known.
I felt my eyes burn as the tears slowly ran down my face, but I clawed at them, knowing that I was doing what was best for Taylor. I just couldn't be the one to hold her back. I mean who needs a parentless, emotionally messed up geek like me anyway.
I accidently lost hold of the door and heard it slam.
"Kimberly?! Kimberly!!!"
I heard Taylor scream, frantically. I wiped at my eyes as I bolted down the street before I could change my mind. I hope she'll understand.
I kept running until I my legs were in fire, and my lungs screamed in protest. I finally stopped, and put my hands on my knees panting.
Once I felt less lie I was dying, I surveyed my surroundings. Perry Rd. The intelligence of my plan finally hit me. I had run away in a city I've never been in, and it's getting dark. I sighed as I slowly trudged through the winding streets as it continued to get darker and darker.
I couldn't help but wish I had brought my wallet with me. I was dying of thirst! I'd give anything for a bottle of water right now!
I seemed to get my wish, because not 5 minutes later, the sky seemed to roar, and a heavy downpour started. I shivered, and ran for what looked like a hardware store across the street. I pulled on the handle, and was dismayed to find that it was closed. At least they had an awning!
I sat down on the cold hard pavement, and grabbed a discarded newspaper. I spread it over me like a blanket, and gratefully fell into the relief that sleep brought.
It had to be about an hour later when the sound of running woke me up.
I looked up to find a man dressed in dark clothes wearing sunglasses and a hood running toward me. Well this wasn't good!
I jumped up, and started running the other way. After running about 10 blocks, I crouched behind the corner of a red brick house to catch my breath.
Suddenly I heard the unmistakable sound of metal whistling through the air, and whipped around just in time to see the guy who had been chasing me plunge a short, curved silver knife into my stomach.
Everything felt lighter and it felt like I was floating as I sunk closer to the ground. He stood over me, but suddenly the sound of running footsteps scared him away.
Black danced across my vision as I heard a familiar voice scream
"Kimberly!! No please no! Mom call 911!! Kimberly was stabbed!:
"Kimberly! Kimberly! Can you hear me! Please answer me!"
I tried to answer her, but my light was slowly fading, I vaguely felt pressure as Taylor grabbed my hand, and was aware enough to tell she was crying.
I could hear sirens approaching, and more footsteps running toward us.
I tried to fight the advancing black, but it was not use. It just kept coming. I tried to focus on Taylor. Her face was stained with tears, and she was holding onto my hand for dear life. She noticed me looking, and her blue eyes were full of pain and tears as she pleaded
"Kimberly.. Kimberly! Please stay with me! Please just don't leave me!!"
I tried to fight the blackness for her, but in the end it won out, and everything slowly faded away
