I let out my breath, wiping back my tears. I wasn't sure how long I'd been sitting in the car. This time as I breathed in, the smell of cleaning fluid fully registered. I glanced at the passenger seat and the floor under it. The blood was gone. Who'd done that? Dad? Lance? I gazed through the windscreen, unsure what to do, where to go, what was next for me. While the idea of ending it all was beyond tempting, could I really do it? It wasn't even me I was thinking of. I knew there were ways to do it quickly and almost painlessly. No. I was thinking of my family. I knew they loved me. Of course they did, or they wouldn't have adopted me. Jenna was still really ill; I got the feeling it was worse than they were telling me. Or if it wasn't, she was still drugged by that bastard Taylor and all we could do was wait for it to leave her system. Ok so Taylor was dead, but that did nothing for my anger. Damn it I wanted my own justice, my own revenge. For the first time in my life, I regretted not ending another human life. Julie's. Michael was right there too. She deserved to die. Hadn't physically hurt my family was as maybe, but mentally? She'd done more damage than probably Richard and Eric put together. My life had been ruined by her and I'd just let her walk out the fucking door.
You're not a killer, I reminded myself. What little comfort that offered me! I thought it would offer a lot more than it did. But all I could think was, well damn it I should've been. Just this time.
"Which direction do you think she may have gone?" Lance asked me. I shook my head. We were speaking in just above whispers. Neither of us were taking the chance Myers would hear us and act before looking to see who it was. Sometimes I wasn't even sure that would be enough to save us. If Michael was out for the kill, would he be able to stop himself for that brief second to check his potential victims' identity? I privately didn't think so.
"I'm guessing the park," Lance breathed. "That's where she was when I found her earlier this morning."
"But Michael knows that location," I whispered back.
"So I think he'd avoid it," Lance replied. "He's not going to deliberately kill her, you said he wrote. So he won't go where he thinks she is, right? That would make the most sense."
"Lance," I pulled the young man close to me and spoke softly in his ear. "Listen to me. He's out for the kill. He doesn't hear or think anything during that time. Do you really think he'll think enough to realise this? Or even to apply common sense? The park is most lightly to be populated with people. It's the perfect killing zone! He's Michael Myers!"
Lance appeared to be considering my words, before he nodded slowly. "Ok. Let's check there first then."
We'd decided not to take a car for two reasons. The first was it would be easier to search on foot and the second was we didn't want the killer hearing a car engine. I knew all too well how he could easily force his way in to cars as if they were plastic and I didn't want to take that risk. Lance agreed. "Be careful," I warned, as we started to move forward side by side, our flashlights piercing the darkness.
The first few streets we checked were negative. There weren't even signs of blood, or a struggle. Had Michael even come this way? Maybe Lance had actually been right/ But there was no sign of Jade either. Surely, she wouldn't go back to where the killer may easily find her?
"Steve!" Lance hissed suddenly as we entered another pitch black street. I immediately raised my flashlight, concealing its powerful beam a little with my hand. After a few seconds, I made out the same thing he did. I covered my mouth, fighting not to throw up. A man was lying on the pavement, his head almost completely hanging off his neck. I heard Lance gag as he turned away. I didn't blame him. Then, we saw the tall, dark shadow at the street's other end.
"Fuck!" Lance's voice was higher than usual, he looked as if he was about to faint or run. "Jesus Steve, Fuck, shit…"
"Shh!" I grabbed Lance's arm. It was partly in comfort, partly to keep us safe with silence. But if truth be told I was as sickened as he was. Michael Myers really was a merciless, remorseless silent killer. But then you already know that, I thought, immediately shaking it off. Not now, please…
"Lance! Listen to me! No fast moves, no sounds we can help! He may not have seen us yet!" I could see by his face that Lance was still convinced that Michael wouldn't kill or even attack us, members of his family. I looked again at the almost decapitated man and shook my head. I loved Lance Lawson dearly, but right now I thought he was being seriously naïve.
Whoever said a broken heart didn't physically hurt lied. Mine was in agony. I had to get back home. Now. My family. I needed them so badly. Whatever I might be thinking at the very back of my consciousness, right now they came first. I berated myself for selfishness. Jenna was in bed ill because of me and I was thinking of suicide! That may still come, but not yet. She needed me. I had to do what I could first at least, didn't I?
I started the engine and shot back towards the house. It was coming up to 6AM and the light was brightening fast. I was so tired I could hardly see straight. Dangerous when driving too. Yet another reason I wanted out of this damn car. I had to hit a pillow soon or I was going to collapse.
As quietly as I could, I entered the house. Just as I did so, my phone buzzed with a text. I glanced at it. I'd enabled airplane mode as I sat alone to think and now I'd disabled it again my phone was going crazy. Mum, Dad, Lance. The most recent text was from the latter. I glanced at it.
Where are you? Steve and I are out looking for you. Stop taking risks, Jade. There's a masked killer out there.
Shit. So I was right. Michael had gone back out for the kill. That too was my fault. I didn't reply straight away, just hit the stairs silently. I didn't want to wake any of them. I scoffed at that as Mum came out of her bedroom immediately at my slightest sound. Like she'd have been asleep. She'd probably been listening for me all night since we'd got Jenna back home.
"Jade!" She hissed, approaching me. Uh oh. I knew I was in trouble. I may be 21, but right now I felt about 3.
Steve and Lance slowly edged forward, keeping their ryes fixed alternately on the masked killer and each other. Neither of them was exactly sure of their next move. Where the hell was Jade? Lance glanced again at his phone. Still no reply from her. He tried not to feel anger, focusing on concern. What if something had already happened to her? He did his best to shake off that thought and didn't vocalise it to Steve. The poor man was worried enough already. This was his daughter. They were about half way towards the masked killer. They could see the huge carving knife in his hand, blood dripping from its point. Steve shivered and looked away, as did Lance.
"We can't edge past him," Lance breathed. "He'll hear us before we've even reached him."
"Correct," Steve whispered back. "So we either have to go another way or…"
He stopped. Lance glanced questioningly at him. Then he understood why. Myers had seen them. It would've been impossible to say just how, but they both knew it at the same time. Slowly, silently, the killer began to walk towards them. Steve felt himself route to the spot. They couldn't run. How many people had tried to outrun Michael Myers and still died? The guy could reach them just by walking. He'd never ran that Steve knew of. He didn't need to. In unison, Steve and Lance raised their hands in the air so Myers could see them. Not that that would do much good, they both knew this, but it was automatic. Steve stepped backwards without realising it, until he was flat against the wall. Lance stepped to his side, but he couldn't lie, his overwhelming instinct was to run. But leave Steve? No way! The man was as good as his father. He glared at his phone. What the fuck Jade? If she'd only replied, they wouldn't be here now! He'd have some serious words to say to her when this was over.
"What the fuck were you thinking?" Mum hissed in my ear, dragging me downstairs and in to the kitchen where no one would hear us. She shut the door, then let rip. Not quite shouting, but almost.
"You knew he would go out for the kill! After what I just told him, what did you expect? Then you decide to get in your car and go for a God damn joy ride? What? Did you want to find him? Want him to kill you? Or were you going to try and reconcile with a masked killer holding a huge knife? What Jade? What?
"I…" I cowered from Mum's glare. "I had to think…" God. When put like that it sounded as feeble to me as it probably did to her. This was confirmed a second later when she grabbed my arm.
"So you couldn't think here? You have to go and put yourself in danger to do it? Jesus Christ Jade Myers! Sometimes I don't understand you at all! Haven't you and the rest of us been through enough tonight? Steve and Lance have gone out looking for you, did you know that? Now they're possibly in danger too! I would've stopped them if they hadn't told me by leaving a fucking note precisely so I couldn't do so!"
Her words stung like a slap to the face, but who was I to argue? I knew she was right. This made my earlier thoughts even stronger. Who the fuck was I? My family would be better off without me. I immediately pulled out my phone and looked at Lance's text. I had to reply. Had to tell them I was safe. Mum glared at me again and pushed me roughly in to a chair.
"Yeah you do that," she almost yelled. "Let them know you're safe so they can get back in here safely! You'd just better hope it's not too little too late!"
Neither of us planned it, but next second we were running as fast as we could back down the street. We eventually stopped, gasping for breath. I instinctively looked over my shoulder, but couldn't see the masked killer. Whether that was a good or bad thing, I didn't know. Had he followed us and was toying with us? Taking his time? Or did it mean some more poor innocent people were now meeting their deaths? Lance met my eyes and I immediately knew he was thinking the exact same thing. When we'd caught our breath a little, I gently tugged his arm. "Come on. We need to keep moving, but keeping our eyes out. Still no reply?"
Lance shook his head. "Nothing." I felt my own little burst of anger. If Jade was ok and just ignoring us, I'd have serious things to say to her when this was over. If Michael didn't say them first that was. I shook myself. Whatever. Whether he did or not, she was going to know my thinking if she was just ignoring us. Yes, she may need to think, yes, she may be struggling with meeting Julie again, but that wasn't the point. All we wanted was a nod she was ok. She couldn't even give us that. Once again, we started moving, our eyes constantly moving looking for both the killer and any sign of Jade. Just as we stopped near a building in a dark alley, Lance's phone pinged. He pulled it out quickly and scanned the screen.
"It's Jade," he said. She's…"
But that was the last thing I heard. His voice seemed to fade away as I realised where we were standing and one emotion took over my whole body in one sharp swoop. Terror.
The alley, the nearby nightclub, Gary, the mask, the knife…
"Steve?" I just had time to hear Lance say before the terror took over me.
My hands shaking I keyed in a text to Lance, telling him and Dad I was fine and to come back. I didn't dare say to them to be careful, that would probably make things worse. They'd be angry enough at me already. Even though I was desperate to say it. There's a masked killer out there, please come back home. But I didn't. I couldn't. Mum was still glaring at me as I typed it in.
"I hope you're happy," she said bitterly. "I'd like my husband and son in law back in one piece thank you."
"So would I," I said very quietly. "I want my dad and brother back." Mum's face softened a little and she sighed, making a tea, which she handed to me. I didn't realise until then I was shaking.
"Why did you leave in the first place?" She asked me softly eventually, no longer sounding angry.
"I had to think," I said truthfully. "My head was a real mess."
"Let me guess. You blamed yourself for everything that happened tonight." I knew it wasn't a question. I nodded.
"Jade," she sighed, finally sitting next to me. "Oh Jade. Why are you blaming yourself because evil criminals wanted Craig for debts so they took Jenna? They may have done that even without Julie."
"But that's just it," I argued. "They may, but the fact Julie was involved made it even better for them. They now had two reasons to hold Jenna captive."
"But she's here now Jade," Mum finally put her arm around me. I clung to her as tightly as I could. "We got her to safety, mostly done by you I should add."
"Bollocks," I said softly. "It was down to Michael and we all know it. All I did by going alone was anger him. Not that I regret it you understand. I'd do it all again if I had to, for any one of you."
"We know," Mum held me tighter. "So does Michael."
"He may know," I looked Mum straight in the eyes. "But will that knowledge be enough to save my marriage? Or even my life?"
I moved to Steve's side as quickly as I could. He'd fallen to the ground and was clutching at his neck through his coat and shirt collar. He looked like a frightened child. His face was deathly white and he was whimpering in terror. I knelt beside him and put my arms around him, trying to both comfort him and get him to his feet. We weren't out of danger yet, not by a long shot. As if on cue, I was sure I heard more people's murders.
"Steve," I breathed. "Dad, it's alright, I'm here. It's ok." Again, I tried to help him up. He wouldn't move. I might as well have tried to lift a tree. Steve was a strong guy. Looking at him right now my heart cracked with sympathy and pity. Something had clearly happened to him in the past, something he was now reliving. What it was wasn't my concern right then though. It was up to him whether he ever told me. My concern now was his life. Even more so than mine.
It wasn't long before I saw Myers walking slowly towards us once more. He was still masked, his knife leaving a blood trail on the ground. Steve didn't seem to register this. He appeared to be somewhere else entirely and I couldn't bring him back to the here and now.
"Please no," he kept repeating in abject terror. "Please no, don't kill me…"
As Myers approached us, I knew there was nothing else I could do. I had to approach the masked killer, plead for mercy and help, hope to God Myers heard me through his killing crave. I needed his aid. I couldn't do this alone. Slowly, I stepped out of the pitch black alley, once again raising my hands. Seconds later I heard the calm breathing as Myers first approached, then stopped right in front of me. I couldn't pass him. He wouldn't kill members of his family? Me? I had seen the look Steve had given me earlier, as if saying how naive are you? Well he very well may have been right. I was about to know for sure. If that was the case, I just hoped it would be quick.
"M… Mr. Myers," I stammered. I was shaking like a leaf. "I… I please don't kill me?" Oh this was just brilliant. Something I knew countless victims had said. What good had it done them? Right now, the fact he was my brother in law felt as insignificant as my company's figures.
"We came out to find Jade," I said, speaking as fast as I could. At any second I expected my voice to be cut off as my throat was slashed. "No sign of her. But something's wrong with Steve. I don't know what. He's collapsed back there and…" I hesitated. How the hell was I supposed to explain this. He keeps pleading for you not to kill him? Ha, right! So had I.
After what felt like an eternity, I could hardly believe it when the killer slowly lowered his knife to his belt. So he knew it was me and had heard me after all. Or at least I hoped so. Unless he was thinking of a more creative way to end my life. Slowly, the killer looked over my shoulder in to the alley and saw Steve. Our father in law hadn't so much as moved. He was shaking violently. Was he having some kind of fit? I didn't know but I couldn't think about that right now. He needed help. I debated whether I should call an ambulance.
Surprisingly gently, Myers eased past me in in to the dark alley. I followed, keeping a little way behind and saw him approach Steve. Should I try to stop him? But I felt powerless. All I could do was watch. After a few seconds, Myers turned back to me and gestured with his hand. I sensed he was trying to ask me for something.
"Mr. Myers?" I queried, watching the killer repeat his gesture. It looked as if he was pointing at the water bottle in my jacket pocket. I pulled it out and held it up. The killer slightly moved his head, stepped forward and took it from me. To my total shock, he put water on the end of his knife blade, washing off the blood. What the hell was going on? When he was done, the killer knelt beside Steve, who still looked white as chalk. The killer pulled Steve's hand back from his neck, before gently but effortlessly rolling him over on to his back. Steve's eyes were glazed, distant. I don't think he even knew where he was. Myers passed me his knife and removed his mask. My eyes widened further as Myers then passed me his mask also. He then turned his full attention to Steve and put an arm around his shaking shoulders. Steve was still pleading for his life, but in a very quiet whisper now. I stepped back, pulled out my phone and called Craig, talking quietly to him. Craig didn't sound surprised at all by any of what I said. Did he know something I didn't?
"Stay there," he said when I was done. "Don't move." To my surprise, he didn't even ask me for directions to our location, said he already knew where we were. But how?
Jade was just standing to leave the room, when Craig came running down the stairs and spoke quietly to Alice. Her face turned white.
"What?" Jade asked, suddenly sure something had happened to Jenna. "What?"
"Jade," Alice's voice was shaking badly. "Please go up and look after Jenna for us? I need Craig for something. Please don't ask, I'll tell you all when we get back, I promise you."
"No," Craig said before Jade could even ask. "None of this is your fault. It's got nothing to do with you."
Before she could say anymore, they were running out towards Craig's car. Jade ran up the stairs to Jenna's bedside. She was still sound asleep. Jade looked at her big sister's face and felt the tears come yet again. She didn't think she'd ever forgive herself for this. Ever.
When I looked back, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. The masked killer appeared to be trying to calm Steve's obvious anguish. He was holding the water bottle up to his lips, his notepad in his other hand. How the fuck was this possible? This guy had just cut someone's fucking head off and now was trying to calm his father in law? Maybe that was it. Because of who Steve was to him. So I'd been right all along? I stepped to their side in case there was anything I could do to help.
Shh, Steve. Everything's alright. I'm not going to kill you. You shouldn't even be here.
I read Michael's message and saw Steve do the same. He was still gasping for breath. His eyes flicked up and rested on Myers's unmasked face.
Steve. I have no knife, no mask. I'm so sorry about Gary, as I told you before.
I saw Myers tighten his arm around Steve, as Steve's eyes focused again on his unmasked face. I instinctively concealed the knife in my jacket, as well as Myers's mask. Something told me that was the right thing to do. Had Myers just nodded at me in approval?
So many questions. Who was Gary? But again, I knew that was not my business to know. Something had obviously happened between Steve and Myers in the past and I was witnessing the effect of it on Steve. My heart clenched in pity. It must've been pretty horrific. It was then I saw it. The huge scar across Steve's neck. So that was what he'd been touching. More accurately clawing at through his collar. The buttons of his shirt had come undone when he collapsed, that was how I could now see it. I put a hand over my mouth. Had Michael…
Finally, our father in law's eyes focused on me. I gave him a reassuring smile. Not sure how though, that huge scar wouldn't leave my head.
"Lance?" Steve's voice was hardly above a whisper still, but this time for a totally different reason I was sure of it. He also sounded hoarse. Once again, Myers gently made him drink. It was only then I saw that Steve had also thrown up. Seeing my opportunity, I grabbed the tissues from my pocket and gently wiped his face with water. I knew Myers had already done so, but I wanted to show him I was there for him in whatever way I could.
"Fuck," Steve croaked eventually. "Jesus Christ…"
Again, Myers raised his notepad.
Shh.
Steve looked up in to Myers's face and this time his gaze remained there and was steady.
"Michael," he said very quietly. "Michael, I…"
Your tablets, Steve.
"Left them at home," Steve's voice caught. "This fucking place… I hate it! I didn't think. I just had to…"
"Steve. I say again. Shh. You're safe. Nothing's going to happen to you. Not this time. I have no knife, no mask.
Now Myers put both arms around our still shaking father in law, handing him the water before gently pulling him against his shoulder. I could hardly believe my eyes.
Craig didn't waste a second. Jade had run upstairs to look after Jenna in his absence. He already knew where he had to go. God knew he'd seen the pictures enough. Steve had somehow ended up in that alley, near a killing Michael Myers once again. He wanted to cry for his father in law. The pour, pour bloke. He pulled out his phone and dialled a number, speaking fast when it was answered on the first ring.
"I wouldn't ask, but… I… Are you sure? Thank you so much."
Craig and Alice jumped in the car and shot in to the night. When they got there, the first thing they saw was Myers trying to comfort the suffering man. Craig didn't know about it himself, but from what he'd read, PTSD could be a very hard illness to cope with, as it wasn't physical and so few people understood you if you had it. Yes, the world was getting there, but not fast enough as far as he was concerned. As soon as he knew Steve had it, he'd done all the research he could to help him. Now, he pulled the pack of tablets from his pocket, which Alice had grabbed from their room. Jumping out, they ran towards the 3 men. Craig felt his heart crack for Lance. The guy knew nothing of what was going on but was still standing there doing all he could to help. Craig gave him a brief smile.
Myers gently eased Steve to his feet. He was still shaking.
"No, please," he said softly. "I… I can't…"
"You can't what Steve?" Lance murmured gently to him, as Craig and Alice reached them. Steve seemed incapable of answering the question. Maybe, Lance thought. He can't? Because he doesn't even know himself what he can't do? Lance had twigged by this time. Steve had PTSD. Something had happened to him in his past and this was the result. Lance had 2 good friends who'd been in the army, both of whom had been diagnosed with the syndrome. Lance visited them as often as he could, but never asked them to talk about what'd happened. Sometimes, he saw it for himself. Anger, shouts, tears over something he'd never understand, or had never seen.
"Darling," Alice murmured, touching her husband's ice cold hand. "I'm here."
Craig's heart nearly broke when he saw Steve Cringe away from her touch. He knew contact would just bring back what'd happened because while Steve wasn't thinking, he could perceive it as dangerous. Alice glanced at Myers.
"I just want you to know," she murmured to the killer. "I don't blame you for this. At all."
Myers shot her a look and Lance could read it as clearly as if he'd spoken. Well you should.
Craig could see Steve actually trying to lean away from Myers, or anyone who touched him. His hand lashed out suddenly, slamming in to the wooden fence at the alley's end in anger. Gently, Myers restrained him as Craig stepped forward to help Alice. Together, they gently eased Steve's head back, placed 2 pills on his tongue and made him swallow with water. After about 5 minutes, Steve's eyes slowly began to clear and this time when Alice gently touched his hand, he didn't pull it back. Myers continued to hold him and Alice to hold his hand, as Silently, he began to cry.