I stirred, already feeling wide awake despite the fact I hadn't had much sleep. I glanced at my watch. It was 6AM. I'd probably only got to sleep about 4 hours ago. I sighed and made to get up, but Michael's arm tightened around me. One button Stuart and the others had forgotten to mention when giving Michael the digital notepad was the "alert" button. If pressed, the device would beep to let someone know he was showing them a message if they weren't looking. He didn't press this this time though so as not to wake Jenna. Instead, he gently tapped my shoulder.
No. You haven't slept enough.
Talk about protection, I thought with a smile as I leant forward and kissed him. "Won't be a sec," I whispered. "I'm not getting up as such." Quietly, I headed down the stairs and in to the utility room. I wanted to keep my offer to Jenna whether she wanted me to or not. God knew she'd done more than enough for me lately. I smiled to myself, amused. She'd certainly picked the wrong job. Ah, customer service. It was a Saturday and she had to work and cut people's hair during their weekend. Thank God I was an event organiser, a job which didn't need me to work weekends that often unless it was a wedding etc. When that happened, I got paid double, so perhaps understandably my company weren't willing to make that a regular occurrence. Sadly.
I headed over to their state of the art washing machine and stared at it. There were so many buttons, dials and knobs on the damn thing I often wondered how anyone knew what they were doing. Did the damn machine make your tea while you were waiting? It'd been in the house when Craig had got it from his family and he had said he didn't need to read the instructions, had it sussed out. Jenna had rolled her eyes and said "not with my washing you don't." If you selected the option the damn thing even folded your clothes after drying them and they slid on to a platform on the side. By the time they came out you could put them straight back on. How much had this cost?
That was my plan. All being well, Jenna would come in and find her uniform washed, dried and neatly folded on the platform, already simply to slip in to. Reaching in to the cupboard, I took out the washing powder and put the correct amount in to the drawer. I selected the wash and dry mode, hit the button with a picture of a folded sweater on it and checked the right lights were flashing. Finally, I hit the "go" button. Funny thing was the button was actually labelled "go." Not "start", "power" but go." You collect £200 for pressing go I thought, amused. All that was missing now was a slot to open in the bottom of the thing and £200 to come out. Shame. Clearly it wasn't that sophisticated
Grinning, I headed in to the lounge and slumped on the couch having closed the utility room door so the noise wouldn't carry upstairs. The bloody thing even played a tune when it was done. My thoughts about pressing go made my mind wander back to years gone by. Even before I was adopted one of the pleasures of lunch with the Henderson's was the board game which always took place afterwards. They had loads of games in their lounge back then. Monopoly, clue, dominos, cards, you name it they had it.
When Jenna and Nick were young, they enjoyed these games as much as I did, some of which could take hours. Once Nick became a teenager however, he became reluctant to participate and it was only when Steve threatened to ground him or confiscate his phone that he did so, not without many complaints though. The ironic thing was once Jenna and I became teens ourselves 3 years later, Jenna admitted privately to me that she could now understand why Nick didn't want to play every week. "But I don't want Dad to confiscate my phone," she'd said. "How am I supposed to Instagram or Tweet with no phone?"
I'd rolled my eyes behind her back so she hadn't seen it. Jenna was ruled by Instagram and Twitter. I think the whole world new of her life and existence back then. I used to be crazy about it to, but eventually had let my Facebook account deactivate. As I got older my interest in social media had faded. Thinking of that reminded me how Julie had said she'd tracked us down via social media and even though I showed as inactive, my location was still visible. This thought made me pick my phone up from the end table, log in to Facebook, disable my location and set my security settings to maximum. No way was I making that mistake twice. Although I had no interest in reactivating it, it'd already proved a security risk once. Although I knew the damage was already done it made me feel better at least having done it.
I must've fallen asleep on the couch without realising it because next thing I knew, I was woken by my phone ringing. I blinked, trying to push away sleep. I glanced at the ID. Withheld. That meant one of three things. The police, the hospital, or… I dismissed the third instantly. No way would Julie or Taylor have the nerve to call my phone even if they had my number. Surely? I answered trying not to sound as sleepy as I felt. No surprise really considering how little sleep I'd had. Michael had certainly been correct there. I haven't slept enough.
"Mrs. Myers?" said a voice I had no problem recognising.
"Hello DC Abraham," I said.
"Good morning Mrs. Myers. Sorry I haven't woken you, have I?
I wasn't exactly going to say "yes you have" was I? They were busy people these detectives and he'd taken the time to call me. "It's fine. How can I help you Detective?"
"I just wanted to give you an update. We have caught up with an apprehended Julie Worthington. Still no sign of Mr. Taylor, but that's not for lack of looking. We are still hunting for him as we speak. Miss. Worthington has now said to us that you had something to do with it…"
"I knew it," I sighed.
"Please just let me finish Mrs. Myers? Said you killed Mr. Taylor out of revenge for being abandoned. However, we are not even considering this account. First, because she made no comment in her first interview not even mentioning your name. Second, we have seen a copy of the letter she left you all those years ago and its cruelty. Third as you may or may not know, Mrs. Ellis actually videoed the whole incident. She told us she started the video as soon as Mr. Ellis text her to say what had happened, that they were on their way to your address. The only thing is the microphone wasn't active. So, we have no audio to examine. Mrs. Ellis said she totally forgot to hit the on button when she started the video."
I couldn't keep back the smile. Forgotten? Like hell. That was a very smart move from my sister. The audio would've picked up her saying to Eric "that was a very big mistake and the last thing you'll do in your life" and the last thing I wanted was Jenna wrongly incriminated. She may have said that but she hadn't killed Eric. That'd been Michael's job.
"May I see the footage?" I asked.
"Only if you are able to confirm your Email, phone number and security password."
I'd set up a password with Abraham the day it'd happened. I had no trouble with any of that. I gave him by Email and phone, but when I said my password, I felt the happy tears building in my eyes.
"Seashells," I said quietly.
Those had been the best days of my childhood even before Jenna legally became my sister. We'd spent hours on our local beach in the summer with Mum, gathering up the biggest and prettiest seashells we could find. We'd hold them to our ears to hear the whoosh of the sea. We'd both thought it was magic. Sometimes Mum would treat us to fish and chips on the seaside peer. We'd race up and down looking for the biggest one. Even after my adoption it continued. As we ran, we'd shout in childish glee, "she sells seashells on the sea shore," to see who'd stumble over the old tongue twister first. Inevitably, it would be me. I'd never told Jenna this because I knew she'd never admit to it but recently when she'd asked me to fetch her some underwear after a shower, I'd seen the biggest shell we'd ever found in her underwear drawer.
…
"The video is in your inbox Mrs. Myers." DC Abraham's voice jolted me out of my once again wandering thoughts. "Thanks," I said quietly.
"All you can see from it is Richard stabbing Mr. Ellis, Eric slapping you across the face and your husband dragging him out of the front door, before Mr. Taylor and Miss. Worthington ran from the house. Yet more evidence which backs up you and your family's account. Although we're not sure why they suddenly ran with no warning."
Perfect, I thought. Well done Jenn.
"Please call me any time if you have questions or anything else you think we should know. If I don't answer my work mobile, call the station on the other number which is on the card I gave you."
"Thank you, DC Abraham, I will." I hung up, and tapped to open the footage. Abraham was right. There wasn't much to see at all. But it looked exactly as if Taylor Senior had killed his son. Michael killing Eric wasn't shown. Was that why he dragged him outside? Had Michael known even then? We also had on our side the constant glares Julie kept giving me, and the open hatred in both Taylor's eyes. Bastards. It was clear she'd never wanted me, so her story held absolutely no weight.
When it was finished, I stood up and headed back upstairs, slipping back in beside Michael. I could happily sleep more now. His arm slid gently around me, pulling me to him as my head hit his shoulder. Damn I loved that. "Sorry," I whispered. Jenna was still contently curled up, Michael's other arm gently holding her. "That couch and those pillows are more comfortable than I thought. I nodded off. But this is my favourite pillow." I gently kissed him, tapping his shoulder to make my point.
Well it's always been here; you just haven't been lying on it.
"Touché," I grinned at him. "But if it's ok with you I am now."
His arm tightened around me as I snuggled my head against his neck and yawned. Gently he pulled the covers back over me before I could do so. "I was just putting Jenn's washing on for her," I breathed. "Then I must've nodded off on the couch. Got woken up by a call from Abraham."
Oh?
I nodded, raising my phone. "Look at this," I whispered, playing the video a second time. "Jen videoed it discretely," I whispered when it concluded. "Said she forgot to turn the microphone on. Did she hell. Nicely played. It backs up our account. Look!" I grinned in amusement as I again played the clip of Richard and Julie running for their lives. "Mind you if Michael Myers had just killed someone in front of me and I was his enemy I'd be running too!" I laid my phone on my bedside table and snuggled in to him completely. "But I was right," I whispered, sighing. "Julie is trying to go for the I was responsible out of revenge route just as I feared."
I think the police will be able to tell you're not a killer.
I smiled riley at him. "Don't worry they're not even giving it thinking time it seems. Julie went no comment in her first interview and now she's saying that? Plus, they've seen a copy of my letter. I've no idea why Craig copied it something I will ask him at some point just out of curiosity, but I'm really glad he did now. Not that I regret you destroying the original."
I wouldn't let that happen to you.
I hugged him tightly. What? Was he saying he'd admit to it to save me from prosecution? "Thanks," I softly kissed him again. "But I think we're safe anyway by the sounds of it.
…
I must've then fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, Michael and Jenna were not beside me. I glanced at my watch. Bloody hell it was one in the afternoon! I groggily pulled myself out of bed and headed in to the bathroom for a shower. Hell, I felt like I needed it.
I felt considerably better 30 minutes later as I left the room in clean clothes, my hair still damp, but damn I felt refreshed. I headed downstairs and the first thing I saw was a bar of my favourite chocolate on the hall table. I felt my mouth watering just at the sight of it. How long had it been since I'd had one of those? But what was it doing on the hall table? Random? It was only then I noticed the small piece of paper next to it. I picked it up and smiled.
Jade. You are a naughty girl. I told you I'd do that myself. Thank you, you made my having to work today a lot less stressful. Make a cup of tea and enjoy this with it. Michael kindly gave me a lift to work. See you later. Love you, Jenn xxx.
I grinned. So, the washing machine had worked just fine. Good. Deciding to follow Jenna's instructions I headed in to the kitchen and turned on the hot water tap. No kettle in this house, they had one of those amazing taps which dispensed boiling water at the push of a button. I made my tea (strong with 2 sugars) and sat down at the table, opening my chocolate. If Michael had given Jen a lift to work, I estimated he'd be back shortly. Jenna's shift started at 2, I think? She had mentioned something to me last night about only having to work part of a shift so she could then go and see Craig who was due out of hospital on Monday all being well. I considered jumping on a bus to go and see him and later I would. But right now, I wanted to wait for Michael to return. I needed to talk to him and if I was honest, simply spend time with him. Damn I'd missed him.
When the clock reached three and there was still no sign of Michael, I forced myself not to panic. He was probably… No. Don't go there! I gave myself the sharp reprimand and headed towards the hallway. When I opened the door, our car was parked in its usual space. So, I was right. Michael was out for the kill. I went back in to the kitchen and checked the knife block. Sure enough, the largest and sharpest one was not there.
"Bloody hell," I breathed, feeling a shiver run down my spine. God have mercy on the people who are about to join him…
I grabbed my handbag, locked the door and jumped in the car. The hospital it was then. One thing I'd learnt was that following a killing spree Michael was never very responsive to anything you said or did. I tended to stay back from him until he came to me, as did the rest of us. Yes, he'd killed the guy who'd tried to rob and rape me by choking him, but I'd never yet encountered him while he was out for the kill. Little did I know that was just about to change. I'd just turned on to one of the small streets leading away from our house when I saw it. The blank pale mask.
"Uh oh," I breathed. I wasn't sure what went through my mind at that moment. Even now I can't tell you. Fear? Point blank terror? I just had time to see the young man walk across the road. Pointlessly I opened my mouth to scream a warning. Stupid. The damn windows were closed. I looked away just as Michael drove the knife in to the guy's stomach having grabbed his collar. I felt bile rush up in my throat and I had to take several deep breaths to avoid throwing up all over the car.
No emotion what so ever on his face, remorse, disgust, nothing, Michael stepped away from his latest victim. I kept my head down. I really, really didn't want him to see me right now. Wife or not. Craig was right. He was fucking terrifying.
I flashed on our conversation last night. Would he really talk to his doctor? God, I hoped so. This was just… Wrong! There was no other word for it. If Dad and Craig were trying then so would I. We had to try and end this. For Michael as much as his victims.
Taking a deep breath, I slowed right down. I had to. The ground in front of me was covered in blood and if I wasn't very careful, I'd crash. That would be very, very bad. I had no idea whether if when Michael was out for the kill, he'd even register who I was before I was dead. Keeping my eyes ahead, I slowly began to navigate through the blood bath. As I did, I heard the whale of a siren. I told you Michael, I thought. This is why I'm so afraid… But when I looked up, there was no sign of the pale mask. Michael had disappeared as silently as he'd appeared. How the fuck did he do that? No wonder the police never caught him. For a horrible second, I considered calling myself. Oh, the irony! I'd wanted him not to be captured at any cost so much so I'd lied to him, but now? I'd seen him kill! Funny how that can change one's perception of thought so quickly.
I saw the ambulance stop and paramedics gently zip the poor bastard in to a body bag. There was nothing they could do for him of course. How old was he? 18? 19? I couldn't think about that or I'd break down.
I'm not sure why it took that to happen, but I heard a quiet voice in my conscience for the first time ever then, asking me what the fuck I was doing married to a killer. I shook it off. I loved him. But still, seeing that for myself… Had I tried to kid myself that Michael wasn't really killing much? Or that his kills didn't affect me? I smiled humourlessly. Just seen for myself I was wrong there huh? When I saw Michael later, what the bloody hell was I going to say to him? Right then, I didn't particularly want to see him if truth be told. I'd heard he'd killed Scott, the Lock's, Eric, but this? I'd actually seen that kill with my own eyes.
I had to block it out or I really would be sick. Gathering speed once through the blood, I headed for the hospital. Now I didn't just want to see Craig, I needed him too.
…
"Hey Sis," Craig was sitting up in bed watching something on TV when I walked in. But when he looked up at me his smile faded. "Bloody hell you're white as a ghost! You ok?"
I tried to shrug it off, I asked him how he was doing but Craig was not to be drawn. "Tell me!"
Damn I loved Craig Ellis.
"I just saw Michael kill someone," I said quietly. "Ok I know we both did that night, but this was…" I slumped in to the chair at his bedside. "Different. Grabbed a guy by the neck and knifed him straight through his stomach! 18? 19? Jesus Craig it was…" He gently took my hand before passing me a glass of cold water from the jug at his bedside.
"Just take a breath darling," he murmured. "Drink this and just breathe."
"I saw everything," I whispered finally. "Every damn thing! I almost threw up!"
"That's understandable," Craig murmured, squeezing my hand. "I get it. I almost did when he killed Scott. Dom actually did."
"Really?" I asked. He nodded. "That was…" Like me, he didn't finish. Perhaps couldn't.
I then filled Craig in on our conversation earlier that morning, including Michael saying he'd talk to Sartain but was promising no more than that. Craig nodded, letting out a long breath.
"But when I see things like that it makes me lose all hope," I admitted. "That was bloody, violent, so, so…" Again, I couldn't find the words. "He was probably heading for College or something and…"
Craig gently hugged me close. His neck was still bandaged but only lightly now.
"That's really traumatised me," I admitted. "I… I think I'm in shock. Just as I was when he choked that guy to death. But this, it was so pointless…"
I felt tears fill my eyes for the young man probably student I'd never met and didn't even know his name. I couldn't stop them.
"Jenn told me about what happened between you and Michael," he murmured gently at last, still holding me tightly with his good arm. "How you left. But you did the right thing coming back sis and talking to him. Good move."
"Now I'm not so sure," I said quietly. "He says he'll talk to Sartain and then I see that?"
"We can't do this for him," he said gently. "Much as we'd like to. Michael has to make that choice himself. All we can do is give him the options and support."
My phone beeped then and guiltily I realised I hadn't turned it off. It was my news app and sure enough, it was a report of the dead student. His name? Daniel Burgess, he was 18. His picture flashed up, a smiling young man with a girl on his arm. He was laughing.
"Shit," I said quietly, as Burgess's parents appeared on screen as I hit play live media. Mrs. Burgess was in tears and Mr. Burgess was imploring the police to find the "animal who'd so needlessly killed my son in cold blood." They said Daniel had had no enemies, no grudges. He was loved by all. Judging by that picture I could believe it too. Despite people never speaking ill of the dead.
"Cold blood is right," I said softly. "That's Michael's middle name."
"Jade?" Craig murmured very gently as we both watched the news report. "You're thinking of calling the police, aren't you? I can see it in your eyes."
I couldn't deny it. Not to him. "It was so fucking pointless," I whaled as tears fell again. "So unnecessary, violent, just… He was killed right in front of me for fuck sake! Just a boy! They don't have names to Michael, he doesn't give a damn. He says he'll talk, but…"
"Shh," Craig soothed, holding me tightly. "Shh J, it's ok."
"We believe we know who it was," said the Detective in charge of the investigation. Michael Myers the Masked killer, who still hasn't been captured following being taken by ambulance for treatment a few months ago. We don't know exactly what happened as the driver of the ambulance can't be traced. We advise everyone to stay inside until we can give a further update and are asking anyone with any information or who might have seen something no matter how small, to come forward. Due to the risk the killer poses to others, we ask you to call 999. If it is Michael Myers, he is a high risk and very dangerous killer. If you see him do not approach under any circumstances, but get as far away as you can. Run if necessary."
"Yeah like that'll help," Craig muttered sarcastically. "Come on copper. I tried that myself."
"Shit! I'm so sorry! You're going through this and…"
"Jade. It's fine. You just saw someone die. It's fine. I'll be out of here on Monday, we can talk properly then. I'm doing a lot better."
"I don't think I ever thanked you for protecting me when…" Again, he stopped me.
"Don't go there," he murmured. "I'd do it all over again for you if necessary."
I knew he would too.
"You know," I said softly. "He was protecting Jenna and I just hours ago. She asked him to stay with her because she felt so lonely and unsafe." I saw the sadness in Craig's eyes and immediately felt guilty. Shouldn't have said that. Sorry. But then he goes out and… And…"
"I asked him to keep an eye on both of you," he said very quietly. "Richard Taylor…"
Now it was my turn to shush him.
I headed out of the ward to grab a tea. Shit I needed it. Craig had asked for a coke. As a result, I didn't see it when Craig pulled out his own phone and texted Jenna telling her what had just happened, and to look at the news. That I had seen everything and was a witness against Michael. How I'd briefly considered if only for a second calling the cops. That he wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't back tonight, or didn't approach Michael. That could she think of a manufactured excuse if necessary. I found out about this minutes later when Jenna text me.
Shit J, are you ok? I've seen the news. Craig just told me. That pour, pour bloke and his parents… Made me cry. God knows what it did to you as you witnessed it! Here if you need to talk. You know that. XXXX I love you. XXX.
"Anyone who may have seen something no matter how small, to come forward."
The words of the detective wouldn't leave my mind. Was I seriously considering this? Seriously? My hands shaking, I pulled out my phone, took a deep breath and dialled 999.
…
"So, I met him on a dating site last month and we're meeting up tomorrow! I'm so excited! I really think there's chemistry!"
Jenna nodded in all the right places as she listened to her current client babble excitedly about her upcoming date, the reason she was getting her hair cut. It was all she'd spoken about since the appointment had started. Jenna had asked all the right questions, what's his name? Where's he from? Etc, but she was really struggling to concentrate. Everything that'd just happened with Jade, that poor student who'd died for no reason other than Michael Myers was in front of him. The way he'd died too was horrific. Jade had told Craig in floods of tears what she'd seen and he'd text Jenna a little while ago. She'd only been able to have a quick look due to a queue of clients, but that'd been enough. Phone access was strictly forbidden when dealing with a client. Jenna would take a proper look later. During a brief break she'd checked the news app and saw Burgess's picture. She wished she hadn't. He looked so happy, really enjoying life and all he'd done wrong was be in Michael Myers's path.
Her brother in law's path.
"I'd like it to be perfect for him please! I want to impress him! I'm hoping he'll take me to bed after date one!"
The shrill voice of the woman broke brutally in to her thoughts. She took a breath and tried to force herself to concentrate. She only had to work half a shift then she could go and see Jade and Craig. She could do this.
"Just tell me how you'd like it Madame," Jenna said as she washed the woman's long blonde hair.
"curly please," the woman replied. "Also permed."
A Perm was not cheap, but that suited Jenna just fine. It meant she'd get more in the pay packet next week.
"I'm so glad I don't have children right now, Jenna's client continued excitedly. "If it works well, I don't have any complications or children to discuss it with. I really think it'll work."
"I wish you all the best with it," Jenna said dutifully. If she had to admit it, she'd never say she didn't care. But the truth was she had far more important things to think about than this woman's damn date! How old was she? 30? 40? It was impossible to tell as she wore a lot of makeup. Was that on purpose? She was also painfully thin. Jenna shrugged inwardly. What business was it of hers? Although she did agree with the woman on one thing. She'd felt the same when she'd met Craig, all be it in slightly different circumstances. All that said, she did hope it worked out for the woman but that was as far as it went. When the woman walked out of the salon, Jenna wouldn't give it another thought. A professional through and through. She'd worked very hard to get a job as a hairdresser and she loved it. She considered Harriet, again off sick. What a surprise. Why had the woman taken this job if she didn't want to talk to people? Like it or not it was a crucial part of hairdressing. You couldn't cut someone's hair for 20 minutes or longer and not talk to them. It simply wasn't going to happen. Jenna had never yet met a Client who just wanted the job done in silence.
Of course, Michael would.
…
This call if made was going to be the hardest one I'd ever made in my life. Probably even harder than when I called the Henderson's that terrible night I'd found the letter from my mother. I was turning against my own husband. I'd be able to confirm it was Michael Myers who'd committed the murder, that he was wearing his blank mask. I could give them the manner of death. This was it. Did I? Didn't I?
I think this was when it really hit me for the very first time even given everything which had happened previously. I was the wife of a cold blooded killer. Daniel Burgess hadn't deserved to die. Hadn't needed to. I held the key to stop him. If I was just brave enough to turn it…
I knew without doubt if I gave my real name, I'd be arrested for harbouring the masked killer. That was if Michael didn't kill me himself first. Had it always been destined to come to this in the end? Michael had said just this morning that he'd intended to kill me in the end. I thought of his promise that he'd never do so and now, I wasn't so sure. If he found this out… I was a key witness against him and I was also his wife. I could tell the police more about the notorious masked killer than anyone else. Probably even Dr Sartain.
Mrs. Burgess's tear filled face filled my mind. Her voice saying how Dan had been loved by all who knew him, due to be married next year, a hard working university student… I could give him justice. All I had to do was hit one button and speak… I stared at the green call button which I still hadn't pressed. The 3 digits remained on the screen just waiting to be called. But I couldn't do it. You can judge me if you want and I wouldn't blame you. Call me a coward, even. Even now I can't tell you why I couldn't press that button. Was it what'd happened earlier that day? It was going to be hard enough facing Michael later as it was, but facing him after I'd called the police on him? Promise or not I was sure that was a death wish. I took a deep breath, cleared the screen and hit another number instead. If I ever needed an answer, it was now. The phone began to ring.
…
"You're in good shape Mr. Ellis," Dr Gooding assured as he checked Craig's neck. "Unfortunately, you'll have a scar for life now, but it could've been worse."
Craig grinned at the doctor. That was the understatement of the year.
When Gooding left saying he'd be back after dinner to check again, Craig slumped back against his pillows and sighed. He missed Jenna and as for Jade…
She hadn't yet come back with their drinks and Craig couldn't stop wondering if she had indeed called the police. In spite of everything, he wouldn't and couldn't blame her. What a horrific act to witness. Throat was bad enough, but stomach?
He glanced at his TV which he'd switched to the news channel so Jade didn't have to use her phone's data. There he was, Daniel Burgess. Craig looked sadly at the now deceased young man who just over an hour ago had been full of life, his whole future ahead of him.
Until he stepped in to Michael Myers's path.
"I'm so sorry pal," Craig said softly to the picture. "You didn't deserve that."
He pulled out his phone and added his own message of support to the thousands already flooding in on social media. Said that if he could do anything for the family, he would.
He put down his phone and smiled sadly. He'd never told his father in law this, but Craig knew how Steve had got his own neck scar. He hadn't known them back then of course and had seen it on the news. His father in law had also faced Michael Myers, but unlike poor Daniel he'd survived.
