I had never loved Ranbir Sartain more than I did now. I was too traumatised to drive yet so the doctor was coming to the hospital. I'd wanted to cry with relief. I'd not told him anything over the phone, I couldn't. Just that it was urgent and I think he'd heard the tears in my voice. I'd apologised over and over again for disturbing him on a Saturday, but he'd just told me he was on his way and hung up. True to his word he arrived 15 minutes later. He was in a suit and tie even at the weekend. I was never more thankful Craig had a private room than I was then. We headed in and Sartain shook Craig's hand and gave him a box of chocolates.
"I'm going to be fat if you guys keep this up," Craig grinned, pretending to flex his muscles. I actually managed a small laugh at this, which was exactly why he'd done it I was sure.
"Jenna will love you fat or not," I said.
"But how am I going to lift weights?" Craig pretended to pout. This time I couldn't help it and my laugh was real.
Sadly, the humour didn't last long. I turned to face Dr Sartain.
"Thank you so much for coming this quickly," I said. Ranbir nodded. "Can I get you anything to drink?"
"No thank you," the Psychiatrist replied, taking the other plastic seat.
I made sure the door was closed, then launched in to it. God I'd had no idea what a relief it would be to do so to the doctor. When the tears streamed down my face Craig simply gently handed me some tissues. I told Ranbir everything. How I'd seen Michael kill right in front of me with a knife through the stomach, how it'd been so pointless, so unnecessary. Sartain nodded and I knew he understood that just as well as I did. If not better. I had to step out as Craig showed Sartain the Burgess's appeal and the detective's words. I couldn't see it. Not again. If I saw that laughing man again it'd break my heart.
"They don't have names to Michael do they?" Craig was saying when I stepped back in following Craig's text reading "done." "He doesn't give a damn. Doctor how did you work with him for so many years? I really, really admire you for it."
"I nearly called the police," I admitted, taking my seat again. "I was this close…" I raised my fingers almost touching. "But I couldn't. Does that make me as bad as him?"
"No!" Craig and Sartain said together very firmly. "There's a world of difference between killing someone and reporting you saw it," Craig said. "Hell, I'm not a doctor and even I know that!"
"I…" I swallowed. "Dr Sartain how…" My voice was shaking and I had to grab the tissues again. "How the fuck am I supposed to face Michael tonight? He'll know something's wrong instantly! What the hell am I supposed to say? Oh nothing, just the small matter that I saw you kill someone today, the police are asking for witnesses and I saw every damn thing? He'll kill me! Literally! Promise or not!"
"Perhaps step back from him until you're ready?" Sartain said gently. Damn I loved his voice. So soothing, calming. He sure had the voice for his job as well as being damn good at it.
"How?" I asked. "He'll ask."
"I already asked Jen to make an excuse for you if necessary," Craig said softly. "One step ahead of you their sis. She'll cover for you if you need to do that and frankly, I wouldn't blame you at all."
"How?"
"That's not your concern," Craig said. "Just let us handle that part love. Just think about you. You're in shock after seeing that so we will do the thinking for you."
"I agree," Sartain said. "Craig is right."
"Dr Sartain," I began but he stopped me. "It's Ranbir, Jade. How many times have I told you this?"
I tried to smile at him. It was small but it was there. "Ranbir," I tried again, noticing Craig also smiling at the Psychiatrist. "The problem I have is that as recently as 2 days ago I went to stay with my parents, running from Michael. You know the damn irony of this? It was because he kept asking me why I was constantly needing to be close to him, if there was anything wrong and if he could help me. Ha," I laughed humourlessly. "It was because I was so afraid, he'd be captured. I wanted him to stop killing people but I wasn't brave enough to say it until just this morning. I actually got him to agree to speak with you but he promised no more than that. Having just seen that? I'm losing hope."
"Don't." Sartain said. "He may still do so."
"After that?" I gestured at the blank screen of the TV to make my point. "Sorry Ranbir but are you sure you're not the one who's deluded?"
He smiled softly at me. "While I totally understand why you'd think that, all we can do is give Michael the option and the support. We can't make that decision for him Jade, much as we'd like to. It has to be his."
"That's exactly what I said," Craig nodded.
"I… I know," I put my head on the table. "But… Shit…"
"Ranbir," Craig said quietly, leaning towards the Psychiatrist and lowering his voice even though the door was securely closed. "I'll understand if you can't tell us this but have any of Michael's previous killings hit the news? If so that fast? Has he ever seen them?"
"Yes, to your first and second questions. As for the third, Television use is strictly prohibited where Michael was so not unless he has since 'e's escaped no."
"I've one hell of a mind to show him this," Craig said, actually sounding angry. "I want to get him alone and show him his dam mess! The family he's ripped apart, the pointless loss of life! Innocent life to boot!"
"He'd k…" I started. Craig nodded. "I know I know, but… I'm starting to think," Craig began but Sartain cut him off. "Don't Craig. You can't think about what's done."
Was Craig regretting aiding in Michael's escape to kill the Lock's? How did Sartain do that? He seemed to know what you were thinking before you said it. The mark of a damn good Psychiatrist I assumed.
"I think I too am going to have to take a step back," Craig said eventually. "I don't particularly want to talk to or see him right now either. If I do…" He didn't finish, but he didn't have to. I felt ice shoot through my heart. Not Craig, I couldn't lose Craig… I know Michael had promised, but if pushed, could he keep it? Would he be able to keep it? I thought of what he'd said last night. How he hadn't thought of the families of his victims until he fell in love with me. Had he been lying? He'd just done it all over again, causing utter devastation and pain. Had I been a fool to believe him so quickly?
"You know," Craig sighed. "I was actually considering asking Gooding if I could go home tonight. I feel fine. But now I'm worried that if I do…"
"When are you due to be discharged?" Sartain asked.
"Monday," Craig said.
"If you want my advice," Craig nodded immediately. "With things as they are at the moment it might be a good idea if you let your discharge run its course."
"You're probably right," Craig sighed. "I don't want to do or say something stupid and get myself stabbed all over again. Can you do anything to help us? Speed things up as it were?"
"If you're asking me to go to your house and talk to Michael, yes, I could try but if he refused me entry, I couldn't force it. I would have to decline for this reason if you offered me a key. It has to be his choice. I can't stress that enough." Craig and I nodded in unison. We understood this alright, but it didn't make it any easier.
"I'm going to go and pick Jenna up from work," I said eventually. "We'll come back here. Ranbir, I can't thank you enough for this."
"No problem." He made to stand too but Craig gently tugged on his arm.
"We'll see you in about 40 minutes," I said opening the door and leaving.
…
Craig waited until the door had closed behind Jade and turned back to Sartain.
"Can we do anything for her?" He asked. "She's obviously in a right state. It'd be bad enough witnessing Myers kill if you were a total stranger to him. But she's only his wife! Jesus what a fucked up situation! Much as I'd like to help Daniel Burgess, there's nothing we can do for him! More's the damn pity! I've already sent a message to his family via social media offering any assistance. What the hell they must be going through…" Craig had to look away for a moment as his eyes also swam with tears.
The doctor nodded. "I could get her counselling if she wants it," he said. "But just like Michael, it has to be her choice. The family too will be receiving any support they need."
"I think they'll be a damn lot more receptive than him," Craig said, looking with disgust at the TV screen. "What the fuck Michael? Kill someone who deserves it I get that, but this?" Sartain smiled sadly.
"I don't know if you know this," Craig said. "But Steve also encountered Michael Myers and survived. That's why he has a neck scar of his own. I didn't know them back then but I saw it on the news when it happened. I've never talked to him about it or told him I know. Pour bloke. I certainly won't be the one to tell him Jade saw this kill up close."
"That may be a good idea."
"Where do we go from here?"
"Regarding Jade?"
Craig nodded.
"I will ring her in just over 24 hours once the shock's worn off a little and ask her if she needs any help."
"Thank you so much," Craig again grasped the doctor's hand. Damn he was a good man. Craig privately wondered if the Psychiatrist was having his own regrets in their escape aiding. It'd led to this. Ok so the Lock's and Eric Taylor had received justice, but…
A little while later, Sartain left. Craig let out his breath and turned on the comedy channel. Not that he was expecting anything could make him smile right then. But he was proved wrong about half an hour later when Jade walked through the door, Jenna at her side.
…
After I dropped Jenna off at the hospital, I only stayed a short while before I took my leave. I needed air, needed to think. Getting in to the car I drove around for a while, no particular destination in mind. After a while I realised this wasn't helping much. What I really needed was some painkillers and a rest. Turning, I drove towards home. Jenna had told me she'd think of an excuse by the time Michael got back. His killing craves normally took hours to calm, so I figured I was safe for a while at least. Even so I wouldn't use our bed, I'd take another of the rooms and lock the door. I couldn't face Michael right now I just couldn't.
Opening the front door (it took me 2 attempts to get the key in the lock because my hands were shaking) I stepped in to the hall. All I was thinking about was the headache which felt like it was ripping my skull in half. Entering the kitchen, I swallowed 2 ibuprofens with a glass of cold water and headed for the stairs. As I walked through the hall, I saw the deathly pale mask wasn't on the table. As a result, I wasn't expecting the lounge door to swing open. I stepped back automatically in shock. This was bad. Of all the times he'd come back sooner than expected it was now. Jenna's excuse had just become useless.
"Hello Michael," I said quietly.
…
Steve stared at his news app as he finished a particularly complicated set of figures for a client. He sighed. The detective was probably right. It probably had been the masked murderer Michael Myers. His God damn son in law. The appeal for information from Mr. and Mrs. Burgess had nearly broken his heart. What the fuck Michael? He'd scowled at his phone. "Kill someone who deserves it ok? He'd tried to imagine how he'd feel if it'd been Nick in that situation and shivered. He couldn't. Pulling out his phone he added his message to the support group for the family. It was almost jammed. Glancing back at the news, he saw that the Burgess's were offering a £20000 reward for anyone with information which would lead to their son's killer's capture and his heart broke all over again.
Alice had rung him a little while later during her lunchbreak asking if he'd seen it. She sounded as though she'd been crying. Steve had replied grimly that yes, he had. Alice asked if he agreed with the detective in charge of the investigation about the killer's believed identity. Steve had sighed then softly replied "Yes."
"Me too," his wife had sighed. "What a fucking mess."
"But there's no proof," Steve had said. "Unless anyone witnessed it."
"What I want to know is how it hit the news so quickly. Did someone see it? It's not usual for a case to hit media that quickly."
"I guess we'll never know hon," Steve had replied.
Now, sitting at his desk Steve couldn't focus on his work. If it had been Michael… Stop! He shouted at himself! Just… Stop! You can't think about it, you'll drive yourself insane! What's done is done, Jade's married to the man. Just focus man! Focus! Steve didn't realise his right hand was resting on the scar across his neck.
…
Jade felt as if she'd just eaten ice cream. Her brain had completely frozen. She didn't know what to do or say. She suddenly felt dizzy and reached out to grasp the lounge door. Michael's hand gently rested on her shoulder to steady her and for a second it took everything she had not to pull back. Michael had to press the "alert" button 3 times on his notepad before Jade heard the beep. Damn she was a mess…
Jade. Are you ok?
She almost laughed out loud at that. But she was going to stick to at least one promise she'd made herself on the way home. She wouldn't say anything to the killer. Not then. But still she found it insane that Michael could kill a poor innocent student one minute and ask if she was ok the next.
"Just came over a little dizzy for a second," she said quietly, unable to look in to his eyes. She remembered thinking a long time ago that the eyes of Michael Myers were the edge of the abyss. Now that thought came back to her as clearly as it'd done then. All she could do was stare at the killer unable to speak further. This was her husband. She had to try for him. Didn't she?
She hardly noticed when Michael gently supported her in to one of the armchairs in the living room. She tried to smile at him but it was impossible. The killer took a seat at her side.
Jade. I'm not buying it. What's wrong? Let's not go there a second time.
Uh oh…
She had to keep her promise. She had to.
Why hadn't she thought about this eventuality? Why hadn't she considered he may be home already? Now what the fuck was she to do? Lie? Tell the truth? Whatever she did her thinking time would make any story she gave unconvincing. Step back from him? She thought. Yeah, that'd worked hadn't it?
Jade.
Shit… This was bad. "Sorry just give me a minute," she just managed to say as she jumped to her feet and ran in to the bathroom locking the door. She was going to be sick… Luckily, she won the battle with her stomach and leant against the sink gasping for breath. Should she have made that first call after all? She'd never felt so trapped in her life as she did right then. Pulling out her phone, she texted Jenna and Craig.
He's already here. Wants to know what's wrong. Fuck, seriously having a panic attack…
Jenna texted back immediately. "Stand by sis."
What the hell did she intend to do? A few seconds later she found out when her phone rang and Sartain's number appeared on the screen. She answered it.
"Don't speak," the Psychiatrists gentle voice said in her ear. "Michael may hear you. Just take a minute to breathe for me Jade. That's it, just breathe. It may be a case you'll have to tell Michael some form of the truth. Maybe say you saw one of his kills on the news today but that you know there's no proof it was him. Make out like you saw a report of some random kill on the news and it made you concerned for him all over again. You don't have to give him any specifics at all. Remember that. He doesn't need to know you saw it, or you know who the victim was."
Jade felt her breathing begin to calm slightly. Sartain was right. Why hadn't she thought of that? Then she reminded herself she was in shock.
"Are you ready?" Sartain gently asked. On her whispered, "Yes," he hung up without another word.
Jade exited the bathroom and Michael was standing just outside the door. Sartain's advice not to speak had been damn good.
"Sorry," she said softly, letting him gently take her arm. Just 2 hours ago this man now holding her had knifed a man through the stomach…
Stop it! Jade shook that off. She had to or she'd make what might turn out to be a very dangerous mistake. Michael gently led her back in to the lounge and the couch. She lay back on it gratefully, trying to act on Sartain's advice.
"Sorry," she said. "I just saw someone get killed today on a news report and I panicked. No proof who it was but… I stand by what I said last night. I really don't want to lose you to captivity…"
How the bloody hell was she still able to say that? To lie to him a second time? Now she wasn't even sure if she meant that. Maybe, just maybe him being recaptured was what was needed…
I told you. Won't happen.
You sure? Jade thought. Because I'm not anymore Michael, I really, really am not.
Damn he was cold. She knew why, he'd just killed people. Maybe not just Daniel Burgess. In fact, she was pretty damn sure not just him.
"I'm going out for a meal with Jen tonight," she lied again changing the subject. Or maybe it wasn't a lie. Perhaps she indeed would just to get away from him…
Ok.
Maybe now was her chance to quietly leave. Michael was never very communicative after killing and now was no different. But this time she was glad of it.
"Got a seriously bad headache," she said softly. The truth this time. "Taken 2 painkillers but they haven't touched it. I think I need a rest. Craig's doing fine, he'll be home on Monday all being well."
Michael just nodded. Normally she hated this about him. Not now though. He hadn't even kissed her. Although how she'd react if he did right then was anyone's guess. Even she didn't know.
"Are you ok?" She asked, the question out of her mouth before she could stop it. What the fuck was she doing? She already knew. He was still her husband and damn it she loved him. Killer or not. Again, the killer gave her a single nod in response. Normally when this happened Jade would step back from him and wait for him to come to her. Could she do so now?
"I… I'll leave you to it," she said, standing and to her horror, tears filled her eyes. Whether they were for Burgess or indeed the fact Michael was impossible to reach right then and that indeed he hadn't even kissed her, Jade didn't know. All she knew right then was her emotions were a twisted mess and she had to think, breathe or she'd break down right there. Michael made no move to stop her as she left and Jade wasn't expecting that to hurt anywhere near as much as it did. He didn't even acknowledge her as she left. He hadn't held her or kissed her. Hadn't so much as held her hand. Once where she'd planned to be in one of the other rooms with the door locked, Jade finally lay down on the bed and totally and completely surrendered to tears.
…
Craig had meant what he'd said to Jade and Ranbir. He was considering asking if he could leave tonight. While he agreed with Sartain's advice to wait, Jade's text to Jenna in his eyes had changed everything. He couldn't let her face this alone. Her second which she'd sent to him, Jenna and Dr Sartain had decided him, especially the end.
"Didn't even hold, let alone kiss me. No acknowledgement when I simply walked away. Asked if I was ok but that was it. Colder than an ice cube. Didn't expect that to hurt anywhere near as much as it actually did. You can always tell when he's just killed. Just cried my damn eyes out. Told him I was going out with you tonight Jen, please can we actually do that? I can't stay here…"
All being well, Craig would get his wish. He and Michael, alone. He didn't tell any of them what he was planning, knowing they'd tell him no, that it was a stupid idea. Deep down he knew they were right and was pretty sure if he wasn't very careful, he could end the night dead. But anger had grown in him now and he couldn't stop it. Desperately he tried to tell himself to be rational. Didn't work. Maybe Sartain was right and he shouldn't even ask. Gooding could say no anyway and that would be that.
"Don't ask Craig," said a voice in his conscience. "Don't. It'll kill Jenna if something happens to you. As Jenna said to you once, don't be so God damn macho." Against Michael Myers? Come on Ellis! You got a death wish?"
Craig could hardly believe it when Gooding actually accepted his request, Craig having decided to hell with it and asked him when he came in for the evening check-up. The doctor had hesitated for a moment, glanced at his clipboard then looked sternly at Craig who braced himself for the do's and don'ts list. But then Gooding's face relaxed in to a slight smile and Craig could tell he understood Craig's desperate desire to be out of here.
"Just please be careful. Take it easy, no athletic stunts," Craig grinned. "I'm serious Mr. Ellis," Gooding said. "I know you like to work out in the gym, none of that for a little while ok? Last thing we want is for your stitches to break open again."
"Sorry," Craig said but was still grinning. This was actually happening. He was out of this damn place. He'd only been there a week and he hated it. "It was just your use of the word "athletic." Can you really see me as the type of guy who likes running? I can lift weights but that's one step too far. Pardon the pun."
Gooding smiled back at him (though he tried not to) which only made Craig's grin widen. "Ok got me there. But seriously for a second…"
"I promise Doc," Craig said seriously, holding out his hand. "Thank you."
"Remember to lie down if you feel at all dizzy and please don't over exert yourself. Wording aside."
Craig nodded. "No plans too. I just really want to be at home with my wife to be absolutely honest with you."
"I totally understand that," Gooding said. "I'll give you some painkillers and dressings to take with you, you must change the dressing once every day until the wound has completely healed, but if there is heavy or excessive bleeding you must come back in immediately. Are we clear?"
Craig nodded. "Perfectly."
Less than an hour later he was discharged. He wanted to jump up and down like a little child, but knew that would immediately go against Gooding's request for no over exertion. So instead he picked up his phone and texted Jenna, telling her he was coming home. It was one of the few times, (very few) in his life that he'd put "yippee" in a text message.
He picked up his phone 15 minutes later to call for a cab having packed all his things in to the case Alice and Jenna had bought with them that first night which now seemed like a lifetime ago. He sighed as he realised his… (well mistake wasn't the right word) he'd made when he'd text Jenna. Because she had immediately text Jade and the rest of the family and Jade had replied in the group message to say she was on her way to pick him up. Craig wanted Jade to rest as much as he himself did. Ok her picking him up in itself was typical Jade, but Craig knew better than to try and change her mind. She was very strong and determined and you'd have to be very brave or very stupid depending on your view to try and dissuade her from something once she'd decided to do it.
As a result, when she arrived Craig simply hugged and smiled at her as she put his case in the boot. She insisted he not lift it even though he'd just carried it down to reception. Normally he would've rolled his eyes at her, but not today. He knew she only cared. Damn he loved Jade Myers.
He felt an involuntary shiver pass through him as he thought Myers. Was he really stupid enough to confront the killer right now? He knew how careful he had to be. All Craig's teasing aside, Gooding was a damn good doctor and Craig would do exactly as he said. God knew he'd looked after him well enough during his stay as had the nurses. Craig had never met such a kind caring group of people. They'd told him repeatedly if he needed anything just to press his call button. So much so that Craig had actually tried to avoid pressing it so as not to call them. They had enough work as it was. But that only lasted about a day before one of the nurses twigged what he was doing and gave him such a stern lecture, he'd given in. "Quite right too," Jenna had said almost as sternly when he'd told her about it the next day.
Craig couldn't believe his eyes when he and Jade entered the house. In just the brief 2 hours between his first text to Jenna and him arriving, Steve and Alice were both home and the kitchen table was covered in a huge buffet. How they'd done it so fast Craig had no idea. Jenna had hugged him and kissed him passionately. He could tell she wanted to hug him so tightly but didn't dare. So, he'd murmured, "I'm not glass babe," to which she'd let out a tear filled laugh, holding on to him as if he'd vanish any second.
Nick had also texted them to say that he and his family would be down to see him as soon as they could. Nick had come in to see him while on shift which had delighted Craig. But Craig was desperate to hold Nathan again. He couldn't help wondering whether Michael would again after this. Had they seen the news?
As if on cue, Michael entered the living room and Craig felt as if the room had just dropped in temperature. He desperately tried not to shiver. Never the less he saw Steve look away, Alice wince slightly and Jade lower her head. Jenna was the only one who managed to smile at the killer. Damn she was a better woman than he'd ever be. She'd told him that she and Jade would go out for a drink later on, if it was ok with him. She said Jade had told her not to worry about it, and Jenna was asking him what he thought.
"Go babe," he'd said. "I'm not going anywhere am I? I'll be here when you get back. Jade needs you a hell of a lot more than I do." Jenna looked away remembering how she'd used exactly the same words to Michael about Jade just a few days ago. Now Craig sat down in an armchair, being careful not to move his head too much. He saw his family looking at his bandages and smiled tiredly at them. He suddenly noticed a little later Steve was touching the scar across his neck and didn't seem to know he was even doing it.
"Dad," he murmured, walking up to his father in law and speaking straight in to his ear. "You ok?"
Steve started and looked round at him, clearly not seeing him approach. Craig wondered if he should say something and decided he would. Whispering now, he spoke.
"I know, Dad. I saw the news when it happened. I was only 15 but I saw it on social media. Didn't know you then of course. I know you survived Michael."
Steve smiled riley at him and nodded.
"I take it the guys don't know?" Craig whispered. Steve shook his head.
"They won't from me," Craig breathed. Steve nodded and this time grasped his hand. Steve's was ice cold.
Without another word, his father in law turned and left the room. Craig turned and took an automatic step backwards. Michael was right in front of him, his blank eyes looking straight at Craig.
"Wo shit man," Craig put a hand to his pounding heart. "How the bloody hell do you do that?"
Michael raised his notepad to Craig and when he read it, Craig felt his blood temperature drop by about 100 degrees.
I believe you need to talk to me. So why wait?
How the fuck had he known? Had someone told him? There was no way Craig was ready for this. Yes, he'd thought about it, but he'd be signing his own god damn death certificate. Should he lie? Bluff it out? Or make up a completely new conversation? Yeah like that'd work. He'd not be able to think of something anywhere fast enough to convince the killer. Craig felt himself swallow.
"Huh?" Craig pretended blankness as he looked at his brother in law. "Don't have a clue what you mean. Where'd you hear that from?"
That was only the second moment in Craig's life he'd ever say he was truly terrified. The other was Richard Taylor holding him at knife point. When he looked up, Myers was glaring at him. Craig could see the open challenge in his gaze. Craig saw his own face turn white in the mirror behind him. Shit, shit, shit.
"Later man?" Craig almost pleaded. "Please. Not when everyone else is here. I know Jen and Jade are having a drink tonight. Then, please? I'm begging you. Mum and Dad will have left by then too."
That depends if I'm still here.
Craig knew exactly what the killer meant by that. He was angry. Not good. "Just…" What the hell could he say? "Please just wait? I promise you it'll be then. Please don't leave beforehand? I'll keep my word. Afterwards? Won't do a damn thing to stop you."
Without another communication, Myers walked away. Craig slumped back in his chair. Jenna came to his side.
"You're white as a ghost! Are you…"?
"I'm fine," Craig said quickly. "Just got approached by Michael. Says he knows I want to talk to him, but I'll be damned if I know how. He's… Not too happy either. He was glaring at me."
"Holy shit," Jenna covered her mouth. "Maybe you should…"
"I'm not doing a damn thing," Craig said firmly. "We'll talk. Fine. However the hell he's picked up on that."
"But…" Jenna began but Craig shook his head. "Leave it Jen! He made a promise remember?
But he found himself unknowingly thinking what Jade had just hours before. If pushed, Would Michael keep it? Would he be able to keep it? Craig took a deep breath, forced a smile and walked back to the buffet table and the others, grabbing a glass of wine along the way. He needed it; painkillers be damned.
