They arrived in Haddonfield with the twilight, two phantoms with an unknown agenda.
Unknown to her, at least.
It wasn't until Minka saw children in costumes, running door to door, that she realized it was Halloween night.
She'd read Michael's file back at Smith's Grove, after the staff had told her the stories. He'd murdered them on Halloween night, in...
Haddonfield. His home town.
The nurse hugged herself, trying to still her trembling as Micheal brought them up and down each street. Anyone could see it was a family oriented community, quiet and calm. The 'downtown' area was made up of small convenience stores, a little diner and a movie theater. Minka remembered passing a small hospital barely five miles from the town.
How did someone like him come from a place like this?
Minka didn't want anything to do with it. She didn't want to be a pawn in his game, but what choice did she have?
"Michael, what are you going to do?" She asked timidly, Looking over to him; no reply.
When the sun had finally disappeared, and the children along with it, Michael pulled up against the curb and turned off the engine.
The neighborhood he had chosen looked like all the rest; clean sidewalks, landscaped yards and well-kept houses.
All except one.
It sat directly to her right, white paint chipped and the yard overgrown. Something about it filled the nurse with dread and hopelessness.
"That's y-your home, isn't it?"
Michael nodded, his eyes catching the murky glow of the street lamps. They captivated her.
Her kidnapper pointed to the passenger door, once again bringing a finger to his lips.
"Alright," Minka whispered. They both stepped out of the car; Michael quickly came around to her side and grabbed her hand, leading her to the house. He stopped in front of the porch and looked up to the front door, then continued around the left side, searching for an alternate entrance. Minka felt the overgrown brush tickle and scratch her legs through her tights.
When they turned into the backyard, her foot caught on a rock; the nurse went tumbling forward with a shriek of pain, but a strong arm caught her around her midsection.
Minka looked up to his face, hidden in shadows, his silhouette strong and daunting.
In that moment, she felt herself flood with emotion; emotion towards him. Pity, anger, intrigue, adoration...
She would never forgive herself for it.
Holding his arm for support, Minka was lead to a ground-level window, the glass shattered and gone. Without warning, Michael hoisted her up by the waist; she carefully crawled inside, tumbling onto a carpet. Her kidnapper followed, maneuvering through the window with little effort and landing on his feet.
Minka went to stand up, but her ankle wouldn't have it, and she immediately fell back down.
"M-my ankle..." The nurse touched it, the muscles already swelling.
Without a second thought, her kidnapper reached down and picked her up, like a bride. Minka felt every inch of her body tense, her eyes wide as he carried her though what appeared to be the living room and down a small hallway. It was too dark to see much of anything, except outlines of the furniture. The air was heavy, musty.
What was Michael thinking, seeing all this for the first time in 15 years?
The nurse felt herself being jostled back and forth as they went up a flight of stairs. It was darker on the second floor; Minka couldn't see anything.
They came into a room and stopped. She took in a deep breath, unable to guess what he was going to do next.
Slowly, gently, he lowered her onto something soft.
A bed.
She sat still and silent, watching his figure move around to the far wall. There was a loud cracking sound, and a stream of light came through the room; he'd ripped a board from the window. Minka's attention turned to her surroundings.
The room was small; the walls were painted blue, but the color had faded over the years. A small dresser was nestled in the corner, next to a closet door. She looked down at the bed she sat on.
The blanket was thick, and through the layer of dust and debris, she could see a pattern of colorful planets and stars.
A child's room?
She looked over to Michael, who was rummaging in his pockets.
His room.
For whatever reason, the realization filled her with heartache.
"I like y-your room," She said quietly, a faint smile playing across her lips. Michael walked over to the bed and held out his hand, which she took; he helped her up, looking into her round eyes. The nurse felt something in her hand.
He let go, and the nurse tilted the note he'd given her towards the light.
'you have to stay here'
She bit her lip, scared.
"Why? I...I don't understand." Michael took her wrist and brought her over to the closet door; Minka's heart began to race.
"No! Please, don't put me in there! Michael, please!" She pleaded, tugging away from him. He opened the door, scanned the inside, then pushed the struggling girl in.
Minka fell to the floor, crying and whimpering, terror blurring the lines she knew she shouldn't cross. Her small hand reached out and gripped the material of his pants.
"Please, please..."
To her shock, Michael kneeled down, pulled her hand from his leg and held it. The nurse couldn't breath. His stormy eyes stared back at her, shining brightly, telling her things that he couldn't say.
"What are you going to do?" He squeezed her hand, then let go and stood up, closing the door quickly. Minka heard the lock click into place, heard him push something up against it as an extra measure. His footsteps drifted off, faded, and then silence.
She knew he was going to do horrible things. No one in Haddonfield was safe. She knew, but was powerless to stop it.
Curling up in the little space she had, Minka cried.