"That's the best we're going to get," Lance said as the two men stood up. "Come on. Let's get a hot drink. It's cold out here."
Why are you trying to be a friend to me?
"Hell," Lance shrugged. "You quite probably saved my life back there. I get the feeling I'm not the first person to say that either. That guy would quite possibly have killed me. He certainly gave it a damn good go. There's someone who doesn't like gay guys, that's for sure. Not to mention the little fact you're my brother in law."
Myers once again made no answer, as they silently headed in to the house for hot coffee. The night had turned bitterly cold.
"I'm heading to bed after this," Lance said. It was now 5AM. "I'm exhausted. Maybe you should too?"
The killer gave him such a bitter look, almost glare that Lance took an automatic step back. "Hey, just a suggestion."
Thank you, but it's not needed.
Without speaking further, Lance headed for the door. Maybe that was the best idea right now. He knew how angry and hurt Myers was and he didn't want to accidentally or inadvertently provoke him. But just as he reached it, Myers touched his arm, stopping him. Once more, he raised his pad.
Lance. Wait. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that.
Is this guy really the real Michael Myers? Lance thought, the same thing everyone else had, although he didn't know this. Myers showed him another message.
How do you take your coffee?
…
When I headed out to my car once again, dawn was just breaking. It was now 05:30AM. It'd been a night from hell and I was seriously close to ending it. For good. It wasn't self-pity either. I started up the car and headed silently in to the lightening streets, only vaguely noticing the absence of blood in the passenger seat and on the floor, or the strong smell of cleaning fluid. It was just the simple facts. Jenna had been hurt, almost raped and killed because of my damn birth mother. Craig had been stabbed by her boyfriend's father, although I had nothing to do with that particular connection. Now, I'd stupidly opened my mouth in a moment of anger and despair at watching my husband kill innocent people Said I was considering leaving him if he didn't get help. What the fuck had I done? I was seriously beginning to think, as I had done once before that my family were better off without me. If it wasn't for me and my birth mother, none of this would've happened. Tara had gone through a similar hell to me, but she was handling it a lot better than I was or could. I tried not to think back to the time when aged 15, I'd tried to drink bleach. Oh that'd been a mess. Jenna had found me throwing up the damn stuff and had instantly called an ambulance. That was what had started my therapy up again. I'd been on it for a short while following the adoption but it'd stopped. As soon as I attempted that, back I went. I'd never told Michael this, but I too had spent some time in a Psychiatric ward, all be it for mentally ill children. I'll never forget it as long as I live. I can't. The insane screams, laughter, shouts, sobs from the other cells at all hours of the day and night. Hysterical pleas for help and worst of all, for parents. That nearly destroyed me. It reminded me how lucky I was to have Steve and Alice adopt me, so I made a damn good effort to try and get back on track. Was all that work about to be undone in one savage blow? I'd done it once; I could do it again. This time, I would succeed.
This was all my fault. My damn mother. She'd bought all this on us. Jenna was ill, Craig was devastated, Michael was angry at me for releasing her and facing it alone in the first place, as were my parents. God only knew what Tara thought. I'd deliberately avoided her since she'd got here. She'd done whatever she could to help Jenna. Did she blame me too? Dom and Stuart had tried to talk to me but I had shrugged them off. What could I possibly have said? That was why I'd got in my car and ran for it, before Michael found me and Lance and took us on that ride through hell.
So obviously back then I couldn't tell my therapist I was considering suicide. She'd have had agencies all over me before I could blink. Mum and Dad would've been told and that would've been worse for me. Or so I thought at the time. Following my actual attempt, I wasn't so sure of that anymore. Now, I stopped at the back of our huge park once again, still completely empty. I was alone. Reaching in to my bag, I pulled out my phone. My family would be much better off. Not only had I let my birth mother cause serious harm all be it through associates, but I'd now also put my marriage in danger. You can judge me if you want, say it's a guilt trip towards Michael and the rest of my family, but you'd be wrong. Michael was the best thing in my life and I may very well have lost him. My family were being fantastic, but after the Locks, Andy, even Scott to some degree, it was all too much. I'd felt like Michael's prisoner tonight. I hadn't dared leave and I'd had to sit there and witness him killing over and over again. Even if I had closed my eyes and used Lance's shoulder as a shield. I opened my notes and began to type, my hands shaking.
I love you all so much, but I can't do this anymore. It started since my birth mother tracked us down the first time. She threw those remarks at me, kidnapped Jenna, got Craig stabbed. All of which I blame myself for. Not to mention I may very well have seriously jeopardised my marriage in one stupid moment. But I'll die before you can take me back to that Psychiatric hospital for another 3 fucking months! Not happening! Michael is right! Of course I knew he was a killer when I married him so what kind of person am I to say it now? I… I was just in shock seeing all those people die and of course I wish it would stop, but I love him! So fucking much it hurts! Just as I love all of you. But you'd be better off without me. Jenna got hurt because of me, Craig got hurt because of me and you all could've been killed tonight because of me. Then there's the Locks, Andy, Scott… It's all very well me saying Michael should talk to Dr Sartain, I need a God damn Psychiatrist myself! Right now, I wish Michael would finish the job. He's a professional, he knows how to do it. Me? Yeah, sure! Failed once already didn't I? So many ways it could go wrong. All I want is for it to be quick. I honestly thought I'd be alright. That I'd never repeat my attempt with the bleach. But now I'm not so sure! Why does everyone I love get hurt in one way or another because of me? Fuck I hate her! She's ruined my life and made damn sure my family know it! I told her to have no further contact with us, do you really think she'll stay by it? Ha, I don't! She's set on one purpose. Me. She'll take you down with her to get to me if she has to. I can't let that happen. I can't. Now I know this isn't going to be painless and I'm not going to lie to you. If I knew where Michael was right now, I'd disobey and go to him. Let him do it. At least I'd get the chance to see him one last time and if he was merciful it'd be quick. I love you all so much. Thank you for the best decade of my life. Jade M. XXX.
But I made no effort to send it anywhere or to anyone. Not yet. I just sat there, gazing out in to the newly breaking dawn.
…
Michael passed me my coffee and sat opposite me. His gaze was cold, blank and unreadable. I had absolutely no idea what he was thinking. Maybe that was a good thing following what I'd witnessed tonight. I was pretty certain I wouldn't be getting much sleep. I'd phoned Dom a few minutes before and blurted it all out. I'd had to. In turn, he'd told me about the time he'd seen Myers kill Scott up close by slashing his throat. How he still suffered nightmares as a result.
"But I can't imagine what you must be going through," he said sympathetically after I told him. "I saw one kill and that was what? 10 deaths?"
"Easily," I said quietly, hearing my brother's low whistle. "Perhaps more. Probably more."
"Want to come over to mine tonight?"
"I promised I'd stay help Jenna and the guys, but thanks Dom. That means a lot. Maybe I will tomorrow."
"Door's always open and you know that. I know Tara and Stuart would say exactly the same."
I smiled a little thinking of the twins. They were a great pair of guys but when together and having fun, I'd never met a funnier duo. Sometimes they could be absolutely hilarious. Very protective of each other, but also anyone else they loved. They'd protected me more than once when I was abused for my sexuality. They were the first people I'd told and never stopped supporting me since. They meant the world to me.
Now, I looked back up at Myers. "Michael, is there anything I can do for you?"
I wasn't exactly sure what I could do, but he'd helped me out tonight and I wasn't the type of guy to just ignore that. I could be dead now if not for him.
Myers shook his head, placed his cup on the table, stood up and eased past me, picking up a huge carving knife and his infamous mask. I felt myself shiver. Oh fuck. More people were about to die. That much was obvious. His anger and rage needed their usual outlet. He may have promised us we were safe from him, but as he slipped the mask over his face, that was very difficult to hold on to.
I was on my feet quite before I realised it, hearing my chair hit the floor with a loud crash. I had to get out of there. He was fucking terrifying. When I stood up, I realised my legs were badly shaking. It was one thing to witness his kills, but to be right in front of him when he needed one? A whole different story. I leant against the table for support.
Steve quietly entered the kitchen clearly having heard the crash and saw Michael armed and masked. Immediately, he put a gentle arm around my shoulder, tightening it to support me towards the door. I saw the same look of fear in his eyes which I felt. But was there something else too? An old terror? Something from the past in his eyes? He'd placed his free hand against his neck through his collar. To my surprise, Myers turned his back on us as we moved to the door, so we could see neither the knife nor his mask. But why? Once we were in the hall I couldn't stop myself as I pulled Steve in to a tight hug. We were both trembling slightly. We backed in to the home office and didn't emerge until we heard the front door click shut.
"Holy fuck," I gasped eventually. "He's so fucking scary when he's masked and out for the kill! His eyes! Shit his eyes…" Steve hugged me close, nodding. I got the impression he understood this more than I realised. "I think he's angry because Jade let Julie go," Steve said softly. "He's not happy about it. I think there's memories of his own mother there."
"Not to mention he knows what Jade's thinking," I murmured back. "I don't think she meant it, Steve. Not really. I mean come on! We were trapped in a car with him and watched at least 10 people get murdered in cold blood right in front of us! I think I'd have said the same if he was my husband! I totally get it from that perspective! But I don't think she really meant it in the long term."
"I think you're right," Steve said quietly. "But he…" He took a breath. "Hasn't taken it well. Jade showed Alice the message he sent her and…" He looked as if he didn't want to go on.
"What?" I asked gently.
"He said he didn't want to be responsible for any actions he may accidentally take in anger if she crossed his path tonight."
"Shit," I looked at the door. "That'd be enough to scare me to death I think way before he could actually do it."
Steve nodded. "I… I've been thinking," he said softly. "I should go find her. Michael's out for the kill and Jade's gone off somewhere. While he may have warned her, I don't want to take the chance of an encounter between them right now. Accidental or not."
"You really think…" I looked at him in horror. "She's his wife! He wouldn't…"
Steve smiled grimly. "Wouldn't he? I'm not so sure. He's Michael Myers, out for the kill. She's my daughter. Husband and son in law or not, that's a chance I'm not prepared to take."
"Totally makes sense," I said quietly, nodding. "Hang on, I'll come with you."
"No!" Steve said immediately. "You've witnessed enough blood shed tonight. I'm fine alone. I don't want you to even possibly be in danger."
"To hell with that," I shook my head firmly. "I'm not letting you do this on your own. As you just said, he's out for the kill. We both know how deadly and dangerous this man is then, I don't want you in danger either! Works both ways! So if you think I'm just going to let you do this on your own, think again!"
"Lance…" He began but again I shook my head, already reaching for my warm jacket. Steve grabbed his. As I stepped in to the hall I saw him placing a note on the hall table. No doubt to the others so they knew where we'd gone. I sincerely hoped that wasn't a just in case move. Pulling out our phones, we activated the flashlights.
"Listen to me Lance Lawson," Steve said as he placed his hand on the front door handle and I was taken aback at the firmness in his tone. "If you're insisting on coming with me, we stick together at all times. There's a masked killer out there, son and brother in law or not. He's silent, dangerous and deadly. We do not sneak up on him, take him by surprise or speak to him with any disrespect, however we might feel about his kills. We stick to the facts if we talk to him at all. Or else, we die. Are we clear?"
"Totally," I said quietly, nodding. Love for Steve surged up in my heart. He was treating me like his son. In acknowledgement of this, I hugged him again. "I understand Dad." I saw Steve blink back tears as he hugged me tightly. "I really don't want you to do this Lance, he said quietly against my shoulder. "Please can I change your mind?"
Again, I shook my head. He sighed, still not releasing me from his embrace. If anything he held me tighter. "Fine. Then as I say, we stick together at all times. Got me?"
"Got you Dad," I said again. "Instructions received, acknowledged and understood."
He took a deep breath and again I saw that look in his eyes. But what was it? The look as if he was running from something. Something in his past. After a second he nodded at me, then opened the door. I noticed his hand was shaking.
"Ok then. Let's do this before I lose my nerve."
…
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 three.
…
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?"
