"Oh, you have got to be joking!"
Jenna stared again and then again in to her kitchen cupboard and stupidly felt like she was either going to cry or have a full blown tantrum on her kitchen floor. No washing powder. She had work tomorrow afternoon and needed to wash her uniform before then. Ok so Craig was in hospital so perhaps it was understandable she'd forgotten, but still… It was 11PM now, so she could get it done if she headed down to the local shop to get some. For the first time she wished she could drive. She hated going out on her own late at night, especially right now with everything that'd just happened only 3 days ago.
Jade had gone to stay with their parents in their house for a while. Jenna wasn't surprised considering what'd just happened the distress of seeing her birth mother after so long. What was a surprise to her at least though, was that Michael hadn't gone with her? Jenna privately wondered if distance was growing between them if Jade still hadn't told him the truth about why she was needing to be constantly close to him. Jenna knew it was none of her business, but she couldn't help pondering on it. Obviously, she wouldn't ask the killer. Maybe Jade was trying to make a point to him. If so in Jenna's opinion she was going about it the wrong way. She'd told Jade so too.
Jenna considered asking Michael to go with her. If she'd told Craig to do the same and then she didn't, that would make her a real hypocrite. Whether she liked it or not, she was a woman and it was late at night. What was wrong with a little common sense?
But when she softly knocked on Jade's and Michael's room door, there was no response. She checked the rest of the house but there was no sign of the masked killer. Jenna took a deep breath. It looked as if she was on her own. Craig would kill her for this… But if she didn't, she wouldn't have a clean uniform and her salon were very strict on such things with hygiene etc. Jenna understood this but right then she hated it. It wasn't even as if her uniform was that dirty, but if she was questioned about even the slightest stain, she could lose her job. She couldn't ask for tomorrow off to do it as she'd already had a call from her manager saying they needed her tomorrow afternoon. That they were very sorry about Craig, but had a huge client list. Told her that she could only work half the shift if she wanted, but they really needed her for the first few hours at least.
So, she had no choice.
Pulling on her jacket, she headed out of the house. Thank goodness the local shop was only a short walk away. If Michael was out for the kill tonight, she really hoped she didn't encounter him. Promise or not, she still didn't want that particular encounter. Craig was right. In his mask Michael was downright terrifying, just as she herself had said.
She reached the shop without any problem and bought her washing powder, a new bottle of milk and a jar of coffee for Craig. She hated the stuff. Good old tea was her poison. All she had to do now she told herself was walk back. She'd be fine. Right then though, she really wished she'd taken driving lessons. She'd have felt a lot safer in a car. Stop it! She shouted at herself. You didn't, so you can't complain now.
She stepped out of the door of their local 24 hour shop and began to head home. She'd just turned in to the street before hers, when she saw it. The very thing she'd hoped she wouldn't.
The blank, pale mask.
Shit, she thought, picking up her pace. As she sped up, she was sure she heard a strangled scream, then the thud of something… Or someone hitting the ground. She didn't look back. Right then she was exceptionally glad she was Jade Myers's sister. She turned on her phone's torch. It was pitch black. Nor did she realise she was starting to shiver with the cold.
As she walked, she was sure she heard at least another 2 people have their lives ended by the masked killer. She stuck to her resolve though and didn't look back. As she headed down the dark street, she found her mind flashing back to a phone call she and Jade had earlier that day.
"Hi Jenn, just wanted to check in. I'm not going to lie; I'm finding things a bit easier up here for a while. I drive to work every morning. Only takes about half an hour."
"J, please tell me the truth. Is there a reason Michael isn't with you?"
Silence.
"Jade? Come on, this is me."
"He asked me again if anything was wrong 2 nights ago," Jade said very quietly. "Damn its Jenn I don't know why but I can't tell him the truth. Can you imagine it? I wish you'd stop killing because I'm so scared, I'll lose you to captivity a second time?"
"Quite honestly? I'd think a lot more of you if you did. I don't think you're handling this the right way Jade. Michael loves you and you're lying to him.
"Ouch," Jade said. "Your honesty stings Jenn."
"I'm not going to lie Jade. Sorry. Not going to happen." Jenna softened her tone. "Why won't you tell him? Why can't you?"
"I…" Jade sighed. "I didn't actually think of it that way until you just said it. Obviously sub consciously I must have, but now I realise how bad it sounds. Ok so I need to be close to you but you keep asking why and it's making me uncomfortable, so I'll prove it to you I can do this alone."
"That's exactly how it sounds hon," Jenna said gently. "I really think it's time you were honest with him."
"How can I possibly say Michael, I wish you'd stop killing people?"
"Just like that."
Jade let out a sad laugh. "You're not the masked killer Michael Myers."
"No, that's true. But he's your husband J and like I told you, honesty is key in a marriage. I know it might not be easy, but you have too. If its true distance is growing between you like I suspect, that's the last thing you want, right?"
At that point Jade had given way to tears, admitting to Jenna she was right and how much she needed Michael. Jenna's heart had broken for her sister. Despite how she'd dealt with her feelings, she was obviously deeply hurting.
Now as she thought of that call, she debated whether she should change her mind and actually speak to Michael, tell him what was going on. She hated to see her sister suffering. So, she'd made a mistake, but she knew that and had admitted it. Before they'd hung up Jade had said she was going to come back the next evening after work. As if on cue, her phone buzzed with a text message.
Can't sleep J. I haven't been able to stop crying since you confronted me. I deserved that. Damn I miss Michael so bad it hurts. Thank you for making me face the truth. XX.
Without realising it as Jenna had thought of these things, she'd stopped walking. She only became aware of this fact when the tall shadow stepped in front of her. She looked up, straight at the mask.
For a stupid second, she considered running. It was an automatic instinct. She scoffed at it. Yeah, right. Like that helps you when Michael Myers has his killing sights on you. But then she noticed and couldn't help the love which swelled in her heart, that Myers had sheathed his knife as soon as he'd realised who it was. She managed a small smile at the masked killer and a nod of thanks.
"I…" She swallowed. Damn she hated that mask. Even though she knew she herself was safe, it still shouted KILL at her. "I was actually looking for you a few minutes ago. Stupid I know but I felt… Well, I didn't want to walk out here alone. After Craig… You know. It's fine though, I won't stand in your…" She hesitated. What the hell was the word for this? "Your way," she said eventually, making to step past, but Myers gently took her arm stopping her from moving. She didn't think it was to calm his killing crave either. Because his grip was too gentle for that. For the second time in her life, Michael Myers the masked killer led her back towards her house by the gentle grip on her arm. She remembered thinking the first time he'd done this when Jade was in hospital, can anyone call Michael Myers a gentleman? She smiled a little at the memory. Nor could she lie, she felt so much safer with him by her side. Even if he was a killer. She felt herself shiver again, but wasn't sure if it was due to cold this time. Nor was she aware her eyes were never still. She was constantly scanning her surroundings, something she'd never done before when walking alone. It was only when Michael stopped and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder that she became aware of it.
"If I'd had a choice," she said quietly. "I wouldn't have come out at all. Was out of god damn washing powder and I have to wash my uniform. I could've cried when I realised. If I'd left it until morning, I wouldn't have had time. I've still got to work even though Craig…" She couldn't go on.
She heard the soft beep as Michael activated his digital notepad and smiled weakly at him. But when she saw his reply, she wanted to hug him right there and then, mask be damned.
It's alright, I'm here. Nothing will happen to you Jenna. I would've returned shortly and you could have told me. I would have done so for you.
"Thanks," she felt the lump in her throat. What the hell was Jade doing treating Michael this way? Ok, so he killed people but he truly loved Jade, that was obvious just in the way he was treating her sister right now.
They resumed their walk and within minutes were back at the house. Jenna wasn't quite sure what she'd been thinking, but the words tumbled out of her mouth as soon as the door was closed.
"Michael, will you stay with me tonight please? I'm a real mess. I miss Craig something terrible and I'm really struggling to sleep. I feel so…" She hesitated. But if she'd told Jade to be honest then she had to do the same. "Unsafe," she said very softly.
Of course, without answer, the killer removed his mask placing his knife in the kitchen, before he returned to her side and gently took her hand leading her towards her room.
For a brief second, Jenna wondered whether she was seeking more than just comfort from him, but she shook off that thought immediately. No way in hell would she hurt Jade or Craig that way. But damn she was lonely right now.
When they were upstairs, Jenna changed in to her soft pyjamas and slipped under the sheets. To her immense gratitude, Myers lay at her side and gently pulled her to him. She couldn't help pressing her head against his shoulder, feeling the soft material of his shirt against her cheek. She looked in to Myers's blank gaze and there was no mistaking it. There was definitely softness in it as he looked back at her. Now she did put her arms around him and hug him tightly, feeling his arms tighten securely around her. This guy's a masked killer? She thought. If I didn't know it as a fact, I don't think I'd believe it.
"You're not going to kill me in my sleep are you?" She grinned at him.
That depends.
"On what?"
How loudly you snore.
Jenna covered her mouth and actually giggled for the first time in what felt like years. Damn it felt good. She needed it.
"Ha," she said through laughter. "You should hear Craig then. Bloody hell. He sounds like a train!"
But I'm not sleeping next to him, am I?
"Good point. But trust me if you killed on snoring levels…"
She was sure Michael smiled back at her. "I really appreciate you doing this Michael, thank you so much."
The killer nodded slightly.
"This…" Jenna hesitated. She'd wanted to ask the masked killer this for months. But could she? "This may sound like a really stupid thing to say but I didn't think you… Actually slept."
Yes?
She noticed the double question mark and blushed.
What? You thought I am some kind of killing machine who never needs to sleep?
"Well, um, yes."
She was blushing redder than ever and it only worsened when Michael gently kissed her cheek for the first time in her life. She hugged him again. Damn, she was starting to realise she loved her brother in law. She once more found her resolve wavering. She was so tempted to tell him the truth of how Jade was really feeling and it was taking a hell of a lot not to do so. She also perhaps making things worse for herself, found herself wanting to ask Michael if those were indeed kills, she'd heard. But before she could decide either way, she felt her eyes closing as in Michael's secure embrace, sleep took her.
…
"Jade, come to bed and get some sleep sweetheart."
I started at the sound of mum's voice. I hadn't heard her come in. I was sitting in the kitchen staring in to my empty mug, which had gone cold an hour ago. I'd only managed to stop crying a few minutes ago and my eyes were red and bloodshot. Mum took one look at me before gently taking my mug from my hands and making me a fresh tea, making her own and sitting next to me putting an arm around me.
"Thanks," I said when she handed me the hot drink.
"Darling, what's going on? Have you and Michael argued?"
"Not," I took a deep breath. "Not exactly, although I feel as far away from him as if we had. It's my fault though.
"Why?"
To my surprise, once I started talking to Mum it all came out. It was as if she had pulled whatever blockage was keeping it inside, as only parents could.
"Oh Mum I'm terrified! I lost Michael to captivity once, I'm so scared it'll happen again! I feel like I need to be close to him all the time and if I'm not I'm constantly worrying about him. I don't want him to think it's because I'm possessive, I'm far from that."
"I know that darling," Mum murmured, holding me tighter. "We all do. You don't have to tell us that. I'm sure Michael knows it too."
"The trouble is, he keeps asking me what's wrong and or if he can help me with something and I…" Now, I hesitated. No one liked to admit to their mother they'd lied. "I wasn't exactly honest."
Now, Mum stood up and handed me a piece of her home made chocolate cake which always cheered me up. I smiled at her; I couldn't help it.
"Thanks," I took a bite. Damn it was good.
"In what way?" She asked, sitting down beside me again. I noticed she didn't have any cake.
"Come on Mum," I smiled weakly at her again. "You can't give me a piece of this gorgeous stuff and not have some yourself! I keep telling you that you should sell it professionally!"
Mum grinned at me and took a small piece for herself. "Fine. Happy now?"
I hugged her as tightly as I could.
"So come on, how have you lied to Michael?" She wasn't going to let me off the hook that easy. Not that I'd been trying to.
"Thinking about it I don't even know if I'd call it a lie now," I said. "I've just been telling him that I am still struggling with what happened and I'd get there in time. But I don't think he's buying it anymore. While it is true to some degree, I was close to him whenever I could be. Every time I had to leave his side for work etc, it was killing me and I didn't tell him why! Not to mention Jenna's just put me straight. She doesn't think I'm handling it the right way. Now I've seen it from her perspective, I think she's right. It sounds like I'm saying to Michael ok, I need to be close to you but you keep asking me why and it's making me uncomfortable as I don't want to tell you the truth. So, I'll prove to you I can do it alone, so I leave."
"Is that what you're trying to do?" Mum asked gently.
"Not consciously or on purpose," I again had to wipe away tears. "I miss him so much Mum and I'm probably hurting myself just as much as I am him! This is yet another time I wish he had a phone! I could talk to him then at least!"
"If you want me to be honest," Mum murmured, her voice gentle and kind. "I don't think that would make a difference. I think you'd still avoid it, him, even if he did speak."
"You may be right," I admitted. "Damn. That makes me sound horrible doesn't it?"
"No," Mum said firmly. "It makes you sound like a wife who desperately wants to tell her husband something but doesn't know how. Not every husband is a masked killer of course."
I managed another small smile.
"Ok. So just for a moment, imagine I'm Michael. What do you honestly want to say to me?"
I considered for a minute, then spoke.
"Michael, I wish you were able to stop killing people or at least take fewer risks. The real reason I want to be close to you is because I'm terrified, you'll be captured again. It's all very well saying you won't be, but you don't know that. You weren't expecting it the first time, were you? If I lose you again, it'll break my heart."
"There." Mum said. "What was so hard about that? I think that is perfectly fair."
I smiled weakly. She could tell I'd practiced it over and over in my head, I was sure of it.
"It's the killing part I struggle with," I said quietly, burying my head in her shoulder as her arms tightened again around me. God, I loved her! "Like you said, not every husband is a masked killer. I guess I'm afraid of his reaction if I say "Michael, I wish you'd stop killing people."
"Nothing wrong there either," Mum said. "I also wouldn't mind if he did! I don't think anyone would!"
Now I actually laughed a little. "Good point."
"He loves you Jade. That's so obvious to all of us. Look what he did to your assailants on both occasions. The way he's protected Nick, Craig. The way he reacted so fast when Craig got injured. I honestly don't think he could or would be angry with you for telling him the truth."
"You're right," I conceded. "I know I have to; I need to. I miss him so much it hurts! If I could, I'd do so right now!"
After a second of silence, mum spoke again.
"You are really hurting and that breaks my heart and you also really need Michael. Tell him Jade, be honest. Can, will you?"
I took a deep breath and nodded. "When I see him tomorrow, yes. I will. I promise. I just need to try and sleep beforehand. God, I've really been an idiot, haven't I? This isn't fair on him!"
"I wasn't finished Jade. Finish your tea and cake, I'll meet you at the front door in 5. I'll drive you home now, so you can put this right."
Before I could answer, she was gone.
…
The slash of metal against flesh. Craig falling to the ground, blood gushing from his neck… Eric being dragged outside to his death…
Jenna wasn't aware she was gasping for breath her face deathly pale, until she felt Michael's arms tighten again around her. She looked up and tried to meet his eyes, but she couldn't.
"I… I'm so sorry," she wiped a sleeve across her eyes. "My nightmares and flashbacks have been so bad since it happened. Seeing Craig like that… It nearly killed me. I saw you running with him to the ambulance doors, thank you. That didn't go unnoticed. But I wish it had been me on that stretcher! I adore Craig, and…"
Just like Nick (although Jenna didn't know this,) she was sure she heard Myers soothe, "shh." He tightened his arms around her further, pulling her gently against his chest. Her heart was pounding so fast it felt like it would fall out of her chest. Again, she heard the soft beep of Michael's notepad. She felt terrible. She'd woken him also and he was trying to comfort her.
Jenna. It's alright. It was just a nightmare. He'll be fine. He's out of hospital next week isn't he.
"All being well yeah," Jenna said in just above a whisper. "But it was so pointless, so unnecessary, so…" She stopped herself. How could she possibly say that to a masked killer who ended lives every day as if he was doing it for a living?
Richard Taylor will not survive. You have my word. His son didn't, nor will he.
"That was bloody stupid," she looked straight at the killer. "He deserved that. He goaded you for fuck sake. Did he have a death wish? "If you're really Michael Myers, kill me?" What the bloody hell? Did he want to die? Crazy idiot!"
Yes. Obviously.
"It's just so vivid right now. I didn't actually see Craig get stabbed thank God, or I might have helped you kill them. But coming down those stairs and seeing him like…" She swallowed. "Like that, it…"
"Shh." There was no doubt this time, she heard him say it before he kissed her cheek a second time.
"I married him at 19," she murmured. "I knew he was the one for me. He was 21. Ok so there's a 2 year age difference, but I don't care. I'm 21 now, he's 23. Since then I've never even looked at another man. He's everything to me and as you can see, really cares about his family. He was as good as adopted by us you know just as Jade really was. His family buggered off and left him too!"
The killer nodded to her.
"God help you if you're his enemy," she grinned a little. "You saw how he reacted when Jade got hurt. He's seriously protective of every one of us. I don't care he used to be a criminal; he apparently turned his life around following a meeting with that bastard Taylor Senior he was the one who decided him. He's evil and he's one of only 2 men who scare Craig. Second is you," she smiled at the killer. "I don't blame him at all! When you're masked and killing, I'd rather be on another planet!"
As I said to Craig. But I'm not masked and killing you, am I?
"Very true, but it's still terrifying. I…" She couldn't stop now. She'd started. "Did you kill at least 3 people tonight? I… I was walking past and heard it. It sounded… Well… Violent."
I did.
"I'm not going to ask for details thanks," she smiled a little at him again. "I would like to at least get some sleep tonight."
Wouldn't have told you anyway.
"Fair enough," Jenna nodded.
…
In the end I managed to convince Mum I was ok and would drive myself back. She was right on that at least. I wouldn't get any sleep until I'd at least tried. Heading upstairs to pack my small suitcase, I eventually headed back down and towards the front door.
"Text me when you get home ok?" Mum asked. "Otherwise I'll be the one who won't sleep."
I nodded. I knew why she'd said that. "I will. I promise."
Stashing my case full of neatly washed clothes (Mum insisted on doing it) in the boot of my car I got in to the driver's seat and started the engine, hoping I hadn't been living a lie for too long and I could fix this with Michael.
