I moved to Steve's side as quickly as I could. He'd fallen to the ground and was clutching at his neck through his coat and shirt collar. He looked like a frightened child. His face was deathly white and he was whimpering in terror. I knelt beside him and put my arms around him, trying to both comfort him and get him to his feet. We weren't out of danger yet, not by a long shot. As if on cue, I was sure I heard more people's murders.
"Steve," I breathed. "Dad, it's alright, I'm here. It's ok." Again, I tried to help him up. He wouldn't move. I might as well have tried to lift a tree. Steve was a strong guy. Looking at him right now my heart cracked with sympathy and pity. Something had clearly happened to him in the past, something he was now reliving. What it was wasn't my concern right then though. It was up to him whether he ever told me. My concern now was his life. Even more so than mine.
It wasn't long before I saw Myers walking slowly towards us once more. He was still masked, his knife leaving a blood trail on the ground. Steve didn't seem to register this. He appeared to be somewhere else entirely and I couldn't bring him back to the here and now.
"Please no," he kept repeating in abject terror. "Please no, don't kill me…"
As Myers approached us, I knew there was nothing else I could do. I had to approach the masked killer, plead for mercy and help, hope to God Myers heard me through his killing crave. I needed his aid. I couldn't do this alone. Slowly, I stepped out of the pitch black alley, once again raising my hands. Seconds later I heard the calm breathing as Myers first approached, then stopped right in front of me. I couldn't pass him. He wouldn't kill members of his family? Me? I had seen the look Steve had given me earlier, as if saying how naive are you? Well he very well may have been right. I was about to know for sure. If that was the case, I just hoped it would be quick.
"M… Mr. Myers," I stammered. I was shaking like a leaf. "I… I please don't kill me?" Oh this was just brilliant. Something I knew countless victims had said. What good had it done them? Right now, the fact he was my brother in law felt as insignificant as my company's figures.
"We came out to find Jade," I said, speaking as fast as I could. At any second I expected my voice to be cut off as my throat was slashed. "No sign of her. But something's wrong with Steve. I don't know what. He's collapsed back there and…" I hesitated. How the hell was I supposed to explain this. He keeps pleading for you not to kill him? Ha, right! So had I.
After what felt like an eternity, I could hardly believe it when the killer slowly lowered his knife to his belt. So he knew it was me and had heard me after all. Or at least I hoped so. Unless he was thinking of a more creative way to end my life. Slowly, the killer looked over my shoulder in to the alley and saw Steve. Our father in law hadn't so much as moved. He was shaking violently. Was he having some kind of fit? I didn't know but I couldn't think about that right now. He needed help. I debated whether I should call an ambulance.
Surprisingly gently, Myers eased past me in in to the dark alley. I followed, keeping a little way behind and saw him approach Steve. Should I try to stop him? But I felt powerless. All I could do was watch. After a few seconds, Myers turned back to me and gestured with his hand. I sensed he was trying to ask me for something.
"Mr. Myers?" I queried, watching the killer repeat his gesture. It looked as if he was pointing at the water bottle in my jacket pocket. I pulled it out and held it up. The killer slightly moved his head, stepped forward and took it from me. To my total shock, he put water on the end of his knife blade, washing off the blood. What the hell was going on? When he was done, the killer knelt beside Steve, who still looked white as chalk. The killer pulled Steve's hand back from his neck, before gently but effortlessly rolling him over on to his back. Steve's eyes were glazed, distant. I don't think he even knew where he was. Myers passed me his knife and removed his mask. My eyes widened further as Myers then passed me his mask also. He then turned his full attention to Steve and put an arm around his shaking shoulders. Steve was still pleading for his life, but in a very quiet whisper now. I stepped back, pulled out my phone and called Craig, talking quietly to him. Craig didn't sound surprised at all by any of what I said. Did he know something I didn't?
"Stay there," he said when I was done. "Don't move." To my surprise, he didn't even ask me for directions to our location, said he already knew where we were. But how?
…
Jade was just standing to leave the room, when Craig came running down the stairs and spoke quietly to Alice. Her face turned white.
"What?" Jade asked, suddenly sure something had happened to Jenna. "What?"
"Jade," Alice's voice was shaking badly. "Please go up and look after Jenna for us? I need Craig for something. Please don't ask, I'll tell you all when we get back, I promise you."
"No," Craig said before Jade could even ask. "None of this is your fault. It's got nothing to do with you."
Before she could say anymore, they were running out towards Craig's car. Jade ran up the stairs to Jenna's bedside. She was still sound asleep. Jade looked at her big sister's face and felt the tears come yet again. She didn't think she'd ever forgive herself for this. Ever.
…
When I looked back, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. The masked killer appeared to be trying to calm Steve's obvious anguish. He was holding the water bottle up to his lips, his notepad in his other hand. How the fuck was this possible? This guy had just cut someone's fucking head off and now was trying to calm his father in law? Maybe that was it. Because of who Steve was to him. So I'd been right all along? I stepped to their side in case there was anything I could do to help.
Shh, Steve. Everything's alright. I'm not going to kill you. You shouldn't even be here.
I read Michael's message and saw Steve do the same. He was still gasping for breath. His eyes flicked up and rested on Myers's unmasked face.
Steve. I have no knife, no mask. I'm so sorry about Gary, as I told you before.
I saw Myers tighten his arm around Steve, as Steve's eyes focused again on his unmasked face. I instinctively concealed the knife in my jacket, as well as Myers's mask. Something told me that was the right thing to do. Had Myers just nodded at me in approval? So many questions. Who was Gary? But again, I knew that was not my business to know. Something had obviously happened between Steve and Myers in the past and I was witnessing the effect of it on Steve. My heart clenched in pity. It must've been pretty horrific. It was then I saw it. The huge scar across Steve's neck. So that was what he'd been touching. More accurately clawing at through his collar. The buttons of his shirt had come undone when he collapsed, that was how I could now see it. I put a hand over my mouth. Had Michael…
Finally, our father in law's eyes focused on me. I gave him a reassuring smile. Not sure how though, that huge scar wouldn't leave my head. "Lance?" Steve's voice was hardly above a whisper still, but this time for a totally different reason I was sure of it. He also sounded hoarse. Once again, Myers gently made him drink. It was only then I saw that Steve had also thrown up. Seeing my opportunity, I grabbed the tissues from my pocket and gently wiped his face with water. I knew Myers had already done so, but I wanted to show him I was there for him in whatever way I could. "Fuck," Steve croaked eventually. "Jesus Christ…" Again, Myers raised his notepad.
Shh.
Steve looked up in to Myers's face and this time his gaze remained there and was steady. "Michael," he said very quietly. "Michael, I…"
Your tablets, Steve.
"Left them at home," Steve's voice caught. "This fucking place… I hate it! I didn't think. I just had to…"
"Steve. I say again. Shh. You're safe. Nothing's going to happen to you. Not this time. I have no knife, no mask.
Now Myers put both arms around our still shaking father in law, handing him the water before gently pulling him against his shoulder. I could hardly believe my eyes.
…
Craig didn't waste a second. Jade had run upstairs to look after Jenna in his absence. He already knew where he had to go. God knew he'd seen the pictures enough. Steve had somehow ended up in that alley, near a killing Michael Myers once again. He wanted to cry for his father in law. The pour, pour bloke. He pulled out his phone and dialled a number, speaking fast when it was answered on the first ring.
"I wouldn't ask, but… I… Are you sure? Thank you so much."
Craig and Alice jumped in the car and shot in to the night. When they got there, the first thing they saw was Myers trying to comfort the suffering man. Craig didn't know about it himself, but from what he'd read, PTSD could be a very hard illness to cope with, as it wasn't physical and so few people understood you if you had it. Yes, the world was getting there, but not fast enough as far as he was concerned. As soon as he knew Steve had it, he'd done all the research he could to help him. Now, he pulled the pack of tablets from his pocket, which Alice had grabbed from their room. Jumping out, they ran towards the 3 men. Craig felt his heart crack for Lance. The guy knew nothing of what was going on but was still standing there doing all he could to help. Craig gave him a brief smile.
Myers gently eased Steve to his feet. He was still shaking.
"No, please," he said softly. "I… I can't…"
"You can't what Steve?" Lance murmured gently to him, as Craig and Alice reached them. Steve seemed incapable of answering the question. Maybe, Lance thought. He can't? Because he doesn't even know himself what he can't do? Lance had twigged by this time. Steve had PTSD. Something had happened to him in his past and this was the result. Lance had 2 good friends who'd been in the army, both of whom had been diagnosed with the syndrome. Lance visited them as often as he could, but never asked them to talk about what'd happened. Sometimes, he saw it for himself. Anger, shouts, tears over something he'd never understand, or had never seen.
"Darling," Alice murmured, touching her husband's ice cold hand. "I'm here."
Craig's heart nearly broke when he saw Steve Cringe away from her touch. He knew contact would just bring back what'd happened because while Steve wasn't thinking, he could perceive it as dangerous. Alice glanced at Myers.
"I just want you to know," she murmured to the killer. "I don't blame you for this. At all."
Myers shot her a look and Lance could read it as clearly as if he'd spoken. Well you should.
Craig could see Steve actually trying to lean away from Myers, or anyone who touched him. His hand lashed out suddenly, slamming in to the wooden fence at the alley's end in anger. Gently, Myers restrained him as Craig stepped forward to help Alice. Together, they gently eased Steve's head back, placed 2 pills on his tongue and made him swallow with water. After about 5 minutes, Steve's eyes slowly began to clear and this time when Alice gently touched his hand, he didn't pull it back. Myers continued to hold him and Alice to hold his hand, as Silently, he began to cry.
…
"Well hello Jade."
Jenna's quiet, weak but unmistakable voice startled me. I'd almost been falling asleep in my chair at her bedside. "Jen!" I reached out and gently took her hand. "You're awake! How are you feeling?"
"Like I got drugged to the gills," she said softly, but I was sure there was an ever so slight smile on her face. "Where is everyone?"
I took a deep breath. How the hell was I going to explain this? I wasn't even sure myself. I also didn't want to worry Jenna right now. She had enough to deal with getting that damn drug out of her system. Again, guilt wormed its way through my stomach. "Lance and Dad went out for a while," I half lied. I hated lying to my sister, but if I told her the truth… What? Was I worried she'd hate me even more for making them leave to look for me? "Craig and Mum have gone to find them." To add braces to my story, I pulled out my phone and texted Craig.
Jenna's awake and talking.
Putting away my phone, I braced myself. I was sure Jenna was about to give me a piece of her mind and I wasn't wrong.
"Listen to me Jade Myers," she began and I winced. I knew I deserved it and she sure as hell had more reason than any of the others to tell me off. For that reason, I'd hear her out. "What the fuck were you thinking of?" I was surprised sparks didn't fly from Jenna's mouth. Her voice was weak, but the anger in her eyes sure wasn't. "You could've got yourself killed!" I still might, I thought, thinking of Michael's anger. I shivered a little.
"The whole reason they took me was because they wanted you for ransom! So you decided to walk straight up to them, did you? Might as well have made them tea while you were at it!"
I flinched. I knew I deserved this, but… "What was I supposed to do Jen?" I asked softly. "You're my sister. They had no right to do that to you. Ransom or no ransom. That was cruel, calculated and evil. I'd do it all over again if I had to you know. Nothing's changed there and won't, no matter what you say to me. You're my world, Jenna Ellis."
"Jade, oh Jade," Jenna blinked back tears. "You stupid, foolish, idiot…" She hesitated. "I love you so fucking much…"
…
"Come on Dad," Craig murmured, Myers still gently holding him up. "Let's go. It's getting cold out here."
"Don't touch me!" Steve drew back from Craig, who raised his hands. "Ok, I won't touch you, but let's get home hey?"
Lance leant forward and spoke quietly to Craig. "I think it's a PTSD thing. I've got 2 friends who have it. They hate being touched by anyone except one specific person. In this case it seems to be the one who triggered it. Can happen that way sometimes. Only Michael can get close to him."
Craig nodded, as they slowly led Steve towards the car. "Damn it!" He cursed, looking at his phone as it buzzed in his pocket. "Jenna's awake and talking and I'm not there!" For a second, he looked close to tears. Alice gently pulled him in to a tight hug.
"You will be sweetheart," she murmured in to his ear. "I expect Jade's wishing she wasn't."
Craig smirked a little. They all smiled fondly. Jenna wasn't afraid to speak her mind. They were sure Jade was getting it from both barrels right now for her attempted alone rescue mission.
Myers gently supported Steve on to the back seat, before Alice sat beside him and tentatively touched his shoulder. He didn't pull back. Lance took the other side, while Craig and Michael were up front. Craig started the engine and they headed back towards home.
"I know," Craig breathed to the killer. "What this is about. I saw the coverage at the time. If Steve's forgiven you, then so have I."
Myers just looked back at him, giving no response of any kind.
…
"How did you let her go?"
"What do you mean?"
Like I said to you at the time, you're a million times the woman I am. After all the hell she put you through, most of it mental which is often worse than physical, you just let her walk out that door!"
"I wish I hadn't," I said quietly. "Just this once, I think I understand Michael."
Jenna covered her mouth. "You serious?"
"You said yourself you'd have let her die. I don't mean I could've killed her, no way. I mean I can see why he would've wanted to."
"Just please," Jen looked straight at me. "Promise me you won't do that again? That was so stupid! If I run in to trouble in future, wait for help? Please?"
"No promises," I said softly. Jenna threw up her hands in exasperation, then sighed.
"Jade," she looked straight at me. "You're too loyal for your own damn good! I love you!" Gently and still with a weak grip, she pulled me to her in a hug. "I'm a fine one to talk, I'd be doing the same for you in a heartbeat."
"Can I tell you something?" I asked eventually, blinking back tears as she held me in her arms. She looked exhausted just as I was but for a totally different reason and part of me didn't want to burden her with this, but I was in agony. I had to tell someone.
"Anything," Jenna said quietly. She looked like she was about to drop back off to sleep at any second.
"It's ok," I changed my mind. "I'll tell you tomorrow."
My heart clenched with anger at Taylor, as Jenna's eyes closed before I'd even finished speaking.
…
"JADE MYERS, GET DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT!"
Dad's shout jolted me from my sleep. What the hell? I'd never heard him shout like that. Not ever. Ok maybe if we'd done something stupid as kids, summersaulted over the top of a climbing frame for instance, but this? Oh shit. This was going to be bad…
"Steve…" I heard Mum plead as I headed down the stairs. "It's not her fault. Please…"
"THE HELL IT ISN'T," Dad yelled as I entered the room. There was no sign of Michael or Lance. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! IF YOU HADN'T MADE LANCE AND I GO OUT LOOKING FOR YOU…"
"Steve!" Mum almost shouted now. I felt guilt hit all over again. He was right. Whatever had happened probably was my fault. Craig too moved towards Dad, but he shoved him back. My mouth opened in pure shock. Dad wasn't a violent man. What the hell had happened out there?
YOU SELFISH BITCH!" Dad yelled at me then and I was so shocked I couldn't move. I felt tears spring to my eyes and Mum grabbed me in a tight hug. Craig joined me on my other side.
"CUT IT OUT!" He shouted at Dad and I stared at him in pure shock. What the…
I didn't see Michael and Lance re-enter, as it of course was silent. Dad continued as if he hadn't heard Craig or Mum.
YOU SELFISH BITCH, JADE MYERS! NOT ONLY DO YOU PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER WITHOUT A CARE FOR ANY OF US, YOU THEN CAUSE LANCE AND I TO HAVE TO GO OUT AND FIND YOU! THERE WAS A MASKED KILLER OUT THERE, JUST INCASE YOU'VE FORGOTTEN! HE'D GONE OUT FOR THE KILL AND OH WHY WAS THAT? OH YEAH, IT WAS BECAUSE YOU'D ANGERED HIM! DO YOU HAVE ANY REGARD FOR YOUR FAMILY? WE ADOPTED YOU BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU, DON'T MAKE US REGRET IT!"
"STEVE!" Lance, Craig and Alice yelled in unison. I was too shocked to move. Tears fell silently down my face. "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Craig yelled at his father in law. "TOO FAR, STEVE! WAY TOO FAR! IF YOU CAN'T CONTROL YOUR ANGER, STEP OUT OF THIS ROOM UNTIL YOU CAN! DON'T YOU DARE TAKE THIS OUT ON JADE! SHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT!"
"About what?" My voice was hardly above a whisper with shock. Dad had never, ever spoken to me like that before. Mum was already leading me towards the door, almost glaring at Dad too.
"YEAH, GET OUT OF MY DAMN SIGHT!" Dad yelled. "I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU TONIGHT! SLEEP IN YOUR DAMN CAR FOR ALL I CARE! YOU COULD'VE GOT LANCE AND I KILLED! I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY NOW!"
"Steve," Craig's voice was dangerously soft. "Please may I remind you whose house you are currently standing in? You have no authority to send anyone anywhere. Jade, stay right where you are."
Dad opened his mouth again but got no further. That was the first time I saw Michael, when he grabbed Dad's collar none too gently and pulled him to him. Dad struggled, but didn't stand a chance.
"Want my advice?" Craig's tone hadn't changed. "Don't struggle. Just stay there, take a few deep breaths, drink this water and calm down. Jade, come on babe."
"Shh." Lance soothed me, as I cried without restraint. Dad's words hurt so much. Were they regretting adopting me?
"No way sweetheart," Mum said, as if she'd read my mind. Maybe she had. "Dad's just… Not very well at the moment."
"That's one way to put it," Craig muttered. He still looked angry. "Jesus Christ! That was too fucking far!"
"I agree," Mum said softly. "I'll be telling him as much, don't worry about that!" The doorbell chimed then.
"Thank God for that," Craig said as he opened the door. It was Dr Sartain.
With a soft smile at Craig, the Psychiatrist gently eased past us in to the living room.
"What the hell's going on?" I asked, still shaking from Dad's words.
"Sweetheart," Mum murmured gently. "Your father has PTSD. Something happened in his past and tonight has set it off. That's all. He doesn't mean any of what he just said to you, I promise you this with all my heart."
"Was it…" I started.
"No." Craig, Mum and Lance said together. "Nothing you did," Mum finished. "Not at all. You have nothing to do with it."
"When?" I asked.
"Years ago," Mum held me close. "You were a teenager."
"Why haven't you told us?"
"It wasn't my place darling and Dad didn't want it to affect you or Jenna's lives. No other reason than that. Plus the fact it had nothing to do with either of you. You weren't responsible for it."
"But he was never in the army," I looked at her blankly. As far as I knew that was the only way you could get PTSD, although I knew that was a stupid and naïve thing to think.
"No," Mum agreed. "Listen darling, if he wants to tell you he will. It's not our place to do so. Craig and Lance only found out because they had to."
"Go up and be with Jen," Craig murmured. "She needs you babe. Are you ok?"
"I… I don't know," I admitted. "That's really shaken me up…"
"Come on sweetheart," Lance said as he and Mum gently helped me towards the stairs. "This calls for a special Alice hot chocolate, don't you think?"
"That was the worst hint I've ever heard," Mum smiled with tears in her eyes as she hugged Lance, then me, before heading in to the kitchen as Lance pulled me in to his arms and practically carried me up the stairs.
