"Mr. Myers?"

Lance stepped out of the house and saw the killer almost immediately. He was knelt beside the open door of Jade's and his car, trying to clean the blood stains from the front seat and floor. Lance quietly approached, softly calling his name. Michael made no response. Perhaps he hadn't heard him? He didn't as much as look up. Lance continued to approach.

"Mr. Myers?"

This time, the killer looked up and saw him. He gave Lance a very slight nod.

"Are you ok?"

Again, no response. But Lance wasn't the type of guy to just walk away. He'd come out here purposely to find the other man. After everything Jade had told him he wanted to be there to listen if the killer decided to talk. Well, write. While Lance could totally see where Jade was coming from, that had probably hit Myers hard. Apart from anything else, Jade had known this was the case when she married him, now she was considering leaving him? Lance had to admit that was just a little unfair, harsh even. She'd known what she knew now from day 1. Lance walked up to and knelt at the killer's side. He was using car cleaner fluid and a cloth to try and remove the stains, but they weren't coming fast.

"That stuff won't shift it Mr. Myers," Lance said quietly. "Hang on." He sprinted back to his own car and pulled out the leather cleaner from his boot before jogging back. "Try this." Without speaking further, Lance knelt beside Michael once more and picked up a cloth, silently working with him.

I stared at the message from Michael, my heart in total agony. He was right. Damn I should've explained myself better. Mum had given it to me with a cup of hot chocolate, but now all I wanted was a box of tissues as my tears fell without restraint.

Alice just told me you're thinking of leaving me, at your request I believe. You knew this when you married me, so how dare you bring it up now. You know I'm a killer, you always have done. I can't believe you would be so cruel as to tell me this this far down the road. What? Did you think you could handle it, then found out you were wrong? I don't care what it was. How could you? Planned to make me fall in love with you did you, then leave? Why did you marry me then? Don't come looking for me tonight. No, before you start down that road again, I'm not saying I'll deliberately kill you if you do. Made that mistake once before, didn't we? But I don't want to be held responsible for any actions I may take in anger if you cross my path tonight. Perhaps we'll talk tomorrow, I don't know. Quite honestly right now I don't even want to see your face. You have really, really hurt me.

No, no! I smashed my hand against the table. What the fuck had I done? Or maybe Mum had told him what I meant and he was still hurt. I sincerely hoped that was the case. Sure I wanted the killing to stop, just natural right? But not overnight. I just wanted him to talk to his doctor and I didn't want to witness anymore of his kills. But now I thought about it from Michael's perspective, I could see how cruel, calculated and meditated it must seem. Shit, shit. I didn't know what I was supposed to do now. Mum quietly knocked on my door and entered, passing me that much needed box of tissues and putting her arms tightly around me without a word, as I cried and cried.

"I think we've nearly got it," Lance said after a few minutes of silent work. "Just that bit on the floor left." He straightened up, releasing his breath. Myers turned his head to look at him, finally taking out his electronic notepad.

Are you ok?

"Touché Mr. Myers," Lance smiled slightly. "I asked you first."

"Please don't call me that."

"Eh?" Lance was genuinely confused. "Call you what?"

Mr. Myers. My name's Michael.

"I…" Lance hesitated. "Didn't know what you'd want me to call you after…" He trailed off.

Lance?

Lance smiled slightly at Michael for a second time. The killer had never addressed him by name before. "Hmm?"

I'm sorry.

"It's cool man, I…"

Please, read this before you speak. I'm sorry I took you with me tonight. I should not have done that. You or Jade. I should've told you that you could leave.

"Don't worry about it man," Lance said. He let out a low whistle. "But fuck that was some seriously scary shit I would've been just fine without seeing… Think my sleep's out for a while."

I say again. I'm sorry.

"It's all cool," Lance lightly touched Myers's arm. "Don't worry about it, not from my perspective anyway."

Jade told you didn't she.

Lance sighed. "Yeah man, she did. I can see where she's coming from, but not to that extent. You want my opinion? I don't think she meant it. Not really. She adores you man. Like, really. I think all she's asking is you to speak to your Psychiatrist. I get the impression she meant if she witnesses anymore people die herself. It…" He paused. "Really is horrible to watch. Then there was the knife…"

You building towards calling me a Psychopath too?

"Wo man," Lance gently touched Myers's arm again. "I'm just trying to explain Jade's probable thinking. While it…" He took a breath before continuing. "Isn't normal to kill your fellow human beings, it's… It's what you do and I'm not one to judge. You love Jade, that's all that matters to me and you've never harmed anyone we know. Sure man I don't like it, none of us do and we agree you should try and work at controlling it, but no one's expecting miracles."

I showed Mum the message. I had to. She held me tightly as I cried my heart out. "Now what do I do?" I sobbed eventually, feeling as if my world had just ended. What the hell had I done? Sure I hated him killing, but I really hadn't said it the right way. I deserved this anger. I could feel his pain in every letter on the page.

"If you want my advice," Mum hugged me close. "Do as he asks. Don't look for him tonight. Give you both some time and space."

I nodded. I knew she was right, but damn all I wanted to do was put this right, if I could. If it wasn't already too late.

"You'll fix this," Mum murmured, clearly reading my mind. "You're Jade Myers. You never let someone or something you love go without a fight."

I tried to smile at her compliment but hardly managed it. During my adopted childhood I had worked hard for anything I wanted. Top in art, good GCSE results. I wasn't like the others in school. While they skived off and took every opportunity to escape studies, I was the opposite, working as hard as I could until I was sure I'd done the best I could. That was one reason I loved my job now. I was in charge of designs for weddings, christenings, the works and my love of art was a huge help there. It was in fact what'd gotten me the job in the first place. But this time, I didn't think I could keep Michael. Not now. Right now, I could feel myself heading fast towards a tipping point I'd sworn I'd never go back to. Only my Therapist knew the extent of my feelings and even she didn't know it all. I couldn't tell her, I just couldn't. For obvious reasons really.

After Mum left, I headed downstairs, out of the house and towards my car. I couldn't stay here tonight, I had to get out of there. But I could feel the familiar edges of darkness rushing towards me once again, for the first time in over 10 years. This night, I was tempted to follow their seductive call.

The call of oblivion.

"That's the best we're going to get," Lance said as the two men stood up. "Come on. Let's get a hot drink. It's cold out here."

Why are you trying to be a friend to me?

"Hell," Lance shrugged. "You quite probably saved my life back there. I get the feeling I'm not the first person to say that either. That guy would quite possibly have killed me. He certainly gave it a damn good go. There's someone who doesn't like gay guys, that's for sure. Not to mention the little fact you're my brother in law."

Myers once again made no answer, as they silently headed in to the house for hot coffee. The night had turned bitterly cold.

"I'm heading to bed after this," Lance said. It was now 5AM. "I'm exhausted. Maybe you should too?"

The killer gave him such a bitter look, almost glare that Lance took an automatic step back. "Hey, just a suggestion."

Thank you, but it's not needed.

Without speaking further, Lance headed for the door. Maybe that was the best idea right now. He knew how angry and hurt Myers was and he didn't want to accidentally or inadvertently provoke him. But just as he reached it, Myers touched his arm, stopping him. Once more, he raised his pad.

Lance. Wait. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that.

Is this guy really the real Michael Myers? Lance thought, the same thing everyone else had, although he didn't know this. Myers showed him another message.

How do you take your coffee?

When I headed out to my car once again, dawn was just breaking. It was now 05:30AM. It'd been a night from hell and I was seriously close to ending it. For good. It wasn't self-pity either. I started up the car and headed silently in to the lightening streets, only vaguely noticing the absence of blood in the passenger seat and on the floor, or the strong smell of cleaning fluid. It was just the simple facts. Jenna had been hurt, almost raped and killed because of my damn birth mother. Craig had been stabbed by her boyfriend's father, although I had nothing to do with that particular connection. Now, I'd stupidly opened my mouth in a moment of anger and despair at watching my husband kill innocent people Said I was considering leaving him if he didn't get help. What the fuck had I done? I was seriously beginning to think, as I had done once before that my family were better off without me. If it wasn't for me and my birth mother, none of this would've happened. Tara had gone through a similar hell to me, but she was handling it a lot better than I was or could. I tried not to think back to the time when aged 15, I'd tried to drink bleach. Oh that'd been a mess. Jenna had found me throwing up the damn stuff and had instantly called an ambulance. That was what had started my therapy up again. I'd been on it for a short while following the adoption but it'd stopped. As soon as I attempted that, back I went. I'd never told Michael this, but I too had spent some time in a Psychiatric ward, all be it for mentally ill children. I'll never forget it as long as I live. I can't. The insane screams, laughter, shouts, sobs from the other cells at all hours of the day and night. Hysterical pleas for help and worst of all, for parents. That nearly destroyed me. It reminded me how lucky I was to have Steve and Alice adopt me, so I made a damn good effort to try and get back on track. Was all that work about to be undone in one savage blow? I'd done it once; I could do it again. This time, I would succeed.

This was all my fault. My damn mother. She'd bought all this on us. Jenna was ill, Craig was devastated, Michael was angry at me for releasing her and facing it alone in the first place, as were my parents. God only knew what Tara thought. I'd deliberately avoided her since she'd got here. She'd done whatever she could to help Jenna. Did she blame me too? Dom and Stuart had tried to talk to me but I had shrugged them off. What could I possibly have said? That was why I'd got in my car and ran for it, before Michael found me and Lance and took us on that ride through hell.

So obviously back then I couldn't tell my therapist I was considering suicide. She'd have had agencies all over me before I could blink. Mum and Dad would've been told and that would've been worse for me. Or so I thought at the time. Following my actual attempt, I wasn't so sure of that anymore. Now, I stopped at the back of our huge park once again, still completely empty. I was alone. Reaching in to my bag, I pulled out my phone.

My family would be much better off. Not only had I let my birth mother cause serious harm all be it through associates, but I'd now also put my marriage in danger. You can judge me if you want, say it's a guilt trip towards Michael and the rest of my family, but you'd be wrong. Michael was the best thing in my life and I may very well have lost him. My family were being fantastic, but after the Locks, Andy, even Scott to some degree, it was all too much. I'd felt like Michael's prisoner tonight. I hadn't dared leave and I'd had to sit there and witness him killing over and over again. Even if I had closed my eyes and used Lance's shoulder as a shield. I opened my notes and began to type, my hands shaking.

I love you all so much, but I can't do this anymore. It started since my birth mother tracked us down the first time. She threw those remarks at me, kidnapped Jenna, got Craig stabbed. All of which I blame myself for. Not to mention I may very well have seriously jeopardised my marriage in one stupid moment. But I'll die before you can take me back to that Psychiatric hospital for another 3 fucking months! Not happening! Michael is right! Of course I knew he was a killer when I married him so what kind of person am I to say it now? I… I was just in shock seeing all those people die and of course I wish it would stop, but I love him! So fucking much it hurts! Just as I love all of you. But you'd be better off without me. Jenna got hurt because of me, Craig got hurt because of me and you all could've been killed tonight because of me. Then there's the Locks, Andy, Scott… It's all very well me saying Michael should talk to Dr Sartain, I need a God damn Psychiatrist myself! Right now, I wish Michael would finish the job. He's a professional, he knows how to do it. Me? Yeah, sure! Failed once already didn't I? So many ways it could go wrong. All I want is for it to be quick. I honestly thought I'd be alright. That I'd never repeat my attempt with the bleach. But now I'm not so sure! Why does everyone I love get hurt in one way or another because of me? Fuck I hate her! She's ruined my life and made damn sure my family know it! I told her to have no further contact with us, do you really think she'll stay by it? Ha, I don't! She's set on one purpose. Me. She'll take you down with her to get to me if she has to. I can't let that happen. I can't. Now I know this isn't going to be painless and I'm not going to lie to you. If I knew where Michael was right now, I'd disobey and go to him. Let him do it. At least I'd get the chance to see him one last time and if he was merciful it'd be quick. I love you all so much. Thank you for the best decade of my life. Jade M. XXX.

But I made no effort to send it anywhere or to anyone. Not yet. I just sat there, gazing out in to the newly breaking dawn.

Michael passed me my coffee and sat opposite me. His gaze was cold, blank and unreadable. I had absolutely no idea what he was thinking. Maybe that was a good thing following what I'd witnessed tonight. I was pretty certain I wouldn't be getting much sleep. I'd phoned Dom a few minutes before and blurted it all out. I'd had to. In turn, he'd told me about the time he'd seen Myers kill Scott up close by slashing his throat. How he still suffered nightmares as a result.

"But I can't imagine what you must be going through," he said sympathetically after I told him. "I saw one kill and that was what? 10 deaths?"

"Easily," I said quietly, hearing my brother's low whistle. "Perhaps more. Probably more."

"Want to come over to mine tonight?"

"I promised I'd stay help Jenna and the guys, but thanks Dom. That means a lot. Maybe I will tomorrow."

"Door's always open and you know that. I know Tara and Stuart would say exactly the same."

I smiled a little thinking of the twins. They were a great pair of guys but when together and having fun, I'd never met a funnier duo. Sometimes they could be absolutely hilarious. Very protective of each other, but also anyone else they loved. They'd protected me more than once when I was abused for my sexuality. They were the first people I'd told and never stopped supporting me since. They meant the world to me.

Now, I looked back up at Myers. "Michael, is there anything I can do for you?"

I wasn't exactly sure what I could do, but he'd helped me out tonight and I wasn't the type of guy to just ignore that. I could be dead now if not for him.

Myers shook his head, placed his cup on the table, stood up and eased past me, picking up a huge carving knife and his infamous mask. I felt myself shiver. Oh fuck. More people were about to die. That much was obvious. His anger and rage needed their usual outlet. He may have promised us we were safe from him, but as he slipped the mask over his face, that was very difficult to hold on to.

I was on my feet quite before I realised it, hearing my chair hit the floor with a loud crash. I had to get out of there. He was fucking terrifying. When I stood up, I realised my legs were badly shaking. It was one thing to witness his kills, but to be right in front of him when he needed one? A whole different story. I leant against the table for support.

Steve quietly entered the kitchen clearly having heard the crash and saw Michael armed and masked. Immediately, he put a gentle arm around my shoulder, tightening it to support me towards the door. I saw the same look of fear in his eyes which I felt. But was there something else too? An old terror? Something from the past in his eyes? He'd placed his free hand against his neck through his collar. To my surprise, Myers turned his back on us as we moved to the door, so we could see neither the knife nor his mask. But why? Once we were in the hall I couldn't stop myself as I pulled Steve in to a tight hug. We were both trembling slightly. We backed in to the home office and didn't emerge until we heard the front door click shut.

"Holy fuck," I gasped eventually. "He's so fucking scary when he's masked and out for the kill! His eyes! Shit his eyes…" Steve hugged me close, nodding. I got the impression he understood this more than I realised. "I think he's angry because Jade let Julie go," Steve said softly. "He's not happy about it. I think there's memories of his own mother there."

"Not to mention he knows what Jade's thinking," I murmured back. "I don't think she meant it, Steve. Not really. I mean come on! We were trapped in a car with him and watched at least 10 people get murdered in cold blood right in front of us! I think I'd have said the same if he was my husband! I totally get it from that perspective! But I don't think she really meant it in the long term."

"I think you're right," Steve said quietly. "But he…" He took a breath. "Hasn't taken it well. Jade showed Alice the message he sent her and…" He looked as if he didn't want to go on.

"What?" I asked gently.

"He said he didn't want to be responsible for any actions he may accidentally take in anger if she crossed his path tonight."

"Shit," I looked at the door. "That'd be enough to scare me to death I think way before he could actually do it."

Steve nodded. "I… I've been thinking," he said softly. "I should go find her. Michael's out for the kill and Jade's gone off somewhere. While he may have warned her, I don't want to take the chance of an encounter between them right now. Accidental or not."

"You really think…" I looked at him in horror. "She's his wife! He wouldn't…"

Steve smiled grimly. "Wouldn't he? I'm not so sure. He's Michael Myers, out for the kill. She's my daughter. Husband and son in law or not, that's a chance I'm not prepared to take."

"Totally makes sense," I said quietly, nodding. "Hang on, I'll come with you."

"No!" Steve said immediately. "You've witnessed enough blood shed tonight. I'm fine alone. I don't want you to even possibly be in danger."

"To hell with that," I shook my head firmly. "I'm not letting you do this on your own. As you just said, he's out for the kill. We both know how deadly and dangerous this man is then, I don't want you in danger either! Works both ways! So if you think I'm just going to let you do this on your own, think again!"

"Lance…" He began but again I shook my head, already reaching for my warm jacket. Steve grabbed his. As I stepped in to the hall I saw him placing a note on the hall table. No doubt to the others so they knew where we'd gone. I sincerely hoped that wasn't a just in case move. Pulling out our phones, we activated the flashlights.

"Listen to me Lance Lawson," Steve said as he placed his hand on the front door handle and I was taken aback at the firmness in his tone. "If you're insisting on coming with me, we stick together at all times. There's a masked killer out there, son and brother in law or not. He's silent, dangerous and deadly. We do not sneak up on him, take him by surprise or speak to him with any disrespect, however we might feel about his kills. We stick to the facts if we talk to him at all. Or else, we die. Are we clear?"

"Totally," I said quietly, nodding. Love for Steve surged up in my heart. He was treating me like his son. In acknowledgement of this, I hugged him again. "I understand Dad." I saw Steve blink back tears as he hugged me tightly. "I really don't want you to do this Lance, he said quietly against my shoulder. "Please can I change your mind?"

Again, I shook my head. He sighed, still not releasing me from his embrace. If anything he held me tighter. "Fine. Then as I say, we stick together at all times. Got me?"

"Got you Dad," I said again. "Instructions received, acknowledged and understood."

He took a deep breath and again I saw that look in his eyes. But what was it? The look as if he was running from something. Something in his past. After a second he nodded at me, then opened the door. I noticed his hand was shaking.

"Ok then. Let's do this before I lose my nerve."