Chapter 9: Blood sucker

…

Before long, the day came when Jade had to go back to MSU. She phoned Loomis and told him Jenna was taking her, thanking him for the offer. Just as it had the first time, the three hour drive felt like a lifetime, one she didn't want to end. Just like with Loomis, they stopped half way and this time Jade tried to eat something, though that was quite possibly because Jenna threatened to force feed her right there in the services if she didn't.

When they reached MSU, both were thoroughly searched once more. Jenna had insisted she was coming in with her. Jade had tried to argue but her sister had put her foot down. "No way are you going through this alone," she snarled. "No fucking way!"

"Just please," Jade said eventually when it became clear Jenna wasn't backing down. "Be careful. All communications are monitored. They weren't for the first but that was only because I know Dr Loomis. Please, please, don't let on to Michael you know the truth. It would be…"

"Dangerous," Jenna finished through gritted teeth. "I understand that Jade. But trust me. God help me! One of these days I'll tell him alright, to his fucking face! Yes," she added before Jade could speak. "Even if I die for it!" Jade couldn't answer. The lump in her throat was too big to allow for speech.

Before long, the sisters were being led through the Many doors in to MSU. What seemed like seconds later to Jade, her husband was there, standing on the other side of the glass, his cold, emotionless gaze fixed on her, then Jenna. Beside her, Jade felt her sister shiver. She totally understood why. But Jade couldn't hold back the rush of half love half terror, when Jenna didn't lower her gaze, looking straight back at the killer, her eye contact not even slightly wavering. Jenna had been described many times by teachers at school in their childhood as stubborn, but right now only two words came to Jade. Loyal, brave.

"Hello Michael," Jenna said and Jade noticed her voice was not even shaking. A rush of pride swept through her then. "Excuse the unexpected visit, but of course I wanted to say hello to my new brother in law. I am Jenna, Jade's sister. She means the world to me and I'm sure you would agree God help anyone who hurts her, eh, Mr. Myers?"

Jade felt herself shiver then. She'd heard the veiled warning and was sure Myers had also.

"Anyway," Jenna said in a falsely bright voice. "I'll leave you with your husband Jade. I'm so sorry you can't be together; it must be ripping you both apart. But don't worry Mr. Myers, we'll look after her for you. Anyone hurts her they'll have us to deal with and angry Henderson family plus Craig, well," Jade saw a smirk cross her face. Was that challenge and daring in her eyes? "Equals bad. See you when you come out sis." She leant forward and kissed Jade's cheek, then pressed the button for a guard to escort her out.

Jade looked up at her husband as the heavy door slammed shut. His gaze was now fixed on her and she knew he'd twigged Jenna's meaning just as she had. "Please," she pleaded. "Don't write it? I know Jenna is dicing with danger. She… She knows the truth, Michael. I had to tell someone. She's… Understandably angry. But she's not going to tell any of the rest of our family to protect them. Please don't hurt Jenna? I needed at least one person to know…"

I told you, you can say what you wish to your family. That is not my business. But do not expect leniency if she threatens me directly.

Jade could only nod. What could she possibly say to him?

"If…" She started, not even sure herself why she was saying this. "If you care, work is going ok, just busy. I may date someone else, but right now it's not at the top of my list. It would only be online for a while at any rate. Craig's just started his mechanics training. Mom's helping a bride prepare for…" Jade had to stop and swallow. "Her wedding, she works in a bridal shop. Dad's an accountant. I'm an event organiser." Jade could hardly believe what she was saying. He was her husband and he didn't even know what her job was.

"I…" Jade began. Should she tell him this? But she had to. She may hate him, but he was still her husband for now. "I've given Jenna that number to get through to you directly, just… Just in case." She saw her husband's ever so slight nod through the small window.

MSU had no time limit for a family member to see a patient and Jenna had told Jade before they entered not to worry. She'd wait in the canteen as long as it took. Jade had already told her sister she would stay there as long as Myers asked. She had to.

"Michael," Jade said quietly following a few minutes of silent eye contact. Just his gaze made Jade feel as if her feet were frozen to the ground with fear. "Please, I… I need to ask you something?" No response. So Jade took that as his consent for her to continue. "Why?" Jade looked straight at him now. Her voice was quiet, but determined. "Why are you keeping me prisoner this way? What do I possibly have to offer you? Why put me through all this? Is it…"? She hated what she was about to say next and felt herself cringe. "I've been told I'm attractive, is that it? Did you see me that night with Andrew in that alley and think…"? She couldn't go on.

Hardly.

Even from a man she truly hated, the comment stung. But then she told herself, Michael was probably deliberately doing that to get under her skin, remind her just how trapped she was. She took a breath and spoke as if his last comment hadn't affected her at all. "Ok then, why? I don't understand. I'm just asking… Why? There must be a reason?"

Not necessarily.

Jade felt her anger spike now and desperately tried to fight it down. You bastard, she thought. Are you really telling me this is just for your own amusement? Jade thought then of her father. All his paperwork on the killer. She'd never been told anything had happened between them, but she'd sometimes wondered. Could it have something to do with this? Was Myers planning to use her as a kind of ransom to get to Steve? Surely not? She didn't even know for certain anything had happened between them. She could just be guessing the whole thing. She felt sick. If her first suspicions were right, the pain would kill her father before her husband could. "May… May I leave now please?"

Even though she knew Myers could do nothing to her or her family from behind that glass, she certainly was not under estimating him if he in fact did escape from here. She would do nothing which would anger him while he was here. Michael just looked at her, not writing anything, so Jade slumped back in to her hard chair, trying to hold her head up, but it was getting harder and harder with each passing minute. She started to wonder whether she was in fact correct. Myers did find her attractive and wanted to just look at her, getting aroused by it. She felt sick. If she'd been… Well, a normal wife, she'd have loved his attention. Not this time. Or maybe he was just simply reminding her who had the control. She found herself thinking of Andrew. She thought she'd been being controlled then. Compared to Michael's, his was tame. She'd almost swap places with the two men, take Andrew back compared to this. Almost.

She was allowed her phone in MSU, but not to take or make calls. She pulled it out and texted Jenna. This might take a while. My dear husband hasn't said I can leave yet. I'm so sorry Jen. He's just looking at me. Holy shit… I'm terrified…

Jenna texted back immediately. I'm here for you Jade, you know that. Take as long as you have to. We'll get you out of and him back for this, I promise you. I'm sorry. I know you asked me not to let on and I know he twigged. I couldn't help it; I was so angry. That's why I left. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut. If I want to come back I have to be searched again because I've been in the canteen. Stupid huh? But I suppose I can understand it. Do you need me to come back? I can stay for an hour a day there as I'm not closely enough related apparently. Has to be direct family. But hell I was only there for five seconds. Just shout and I'll come back. XX.

Jade read the text with a sad smile and then replied. No, it's ok. Get yourself something to eat and I'll pay you back when I get out. Love you Jen. XXX.

Michael never actually told Jade she could leave, he just gave her a slight nod and turned away half an hour later. Jade stood up and hit the call button.

…

"So how is your husband?" Jenna spat the last word as they drove towards the main gates.

"Talkative as ever," Jade managed a small grin.

"Oh I'm sure. Hello my darling Jade how are you? How is work?"

Jade burst out laughing. She was sure most of it was stress and fear hysterics, but once she'd started she couldn't stop. Michael hadn't of course said any of this and Jade knew her sister knew as much.

"Sorry," Jenna apologised, putting her foot down automatically as they finally hit the freedom of the highway. "But at least it made you laugh, if only out of hysteria."

"I asked him why he's holding me this way," Jade said a few minutes later. Jenna glanced over at her raising an eyebrow. "And?"

Jade snorted derisively. "What do you think? Nothing. I even asked him…" She blushed, hating herself for it. But she had to tell her sister the truth or there was no point. "If it was because I was attractive and he'd seen me that night with Andrew and decided to…" She trailed off. He wrote Hardly.

"Ouch!" Jenna looked at jade sympathetically. "Such a loving husband you have there."

"Then he wrote not necessarily when I asked him again. That was it. End of conversation. I asked him if I could leave and he just looked at me for that thirty minutes. He didn't even tell me I could. He just nodded slightly at me and turned away."

"Such a charmer," Jenna deadpanned. "Oh if I wasn't married he'd sweep me off my feet!"

Jade managed a tired smile, then reached for her purse.

"No you don't," Jenna said sternly. "I only had a coffee. Leave it."

…

Even Jade herself wasn't sure how she managed to carry on almost normally. Work was just as challenging as ever. The party they were trying to organise was taking a lot of effort and causing a lot of stress. Their client wanted everything perfect, from the silver napkin rings to the engraved "happy birthday" mugs. Jade reminded herself more than once that this was only her job and not to let it get to her. But she wasn't the only one struggling it seemed.

"Jesus!" Her colleague Candice complained to her in the canteen one lunch time. "I feel like I've hardly spent any quality time with the husband and kids for a month! As soon as I get home I crash! People with money just don't care, do they? They'll have what they want and to hell with those of us on the poor spectrum who have to arrange it all for them because of course it's far above them to do such things even for their own party!"

Jade smiled. "Tell me about it. But hey, think of the pay check next week." She of course didn't mention seeing her husband was not at all high on her priority list. In fact, she'd be happy if she never did again and just get a damn quick divorce.

Steve and Alice came round to Craig's and Jenna's every other day or so, even though they lived an hour away. Jade's rented house was half way between Craig's and Jenna's and her work place, so it was an easy daily commute wherever she had stayed the night before. Steve didn't mention her marriage again and following her lead from him, nor did Jade. He was loving towards her as ever and as long as she didn't mention Michael she knew it would stay that way. Or rather, she knew he loved her regardless, he was her father, but she wasn't going to talk about a topic which frankly they both didn't want to go anywhere near.

…

Before long, it was once again time for Jade to go back to MSU. The last week had gone so fast, what with work being so draining. In truth, she agreed with Candice. She got back to her little house and crashed. Though as she lived on her own, it didn't matter in her case.

As this was now her what felt like hundredth visit, she insisted on driving up there herself. Jenna tried to argue, but Jade assured her she was fine. "If you're going to take leave, spend it with Craig. He needs you to, Jen." Her sister sighed, but finally agreed.

She didn't stop half way, instead just drove the whole three hours in one. When she got there, Denton was waiting for her as usual with two armed guards. "Good afternoon Mrs. Myers," he greeted, but didn't hold out his hand. Jade suspected you probably had to be a certain type of person to work with someone like Michael Myers, but even Loomis had more manners than this guy. "Dr Denton," she nodded to him.

Following the usual searches and security procedures, leaving all bags behind and only taking through her phone and under strict orders to not answer or call with it, she was taken through the many doors once again. The cameras were on her all the time she was there, as were microphones. So if she did anything against the rules, guards were be there immediately. Jade was almost getting used to it now, not something she cared to admit.

Soon, she was back in front of Michael, looking at her husband through the thick bullet proof glass. Myers made no move to greet her, even with a slight nod. As far as he was concerned, she was just his captive after all, she thought with a grim smile. One day she'd get her own back for this. Someday, somehow.

"Hi Michael," Jade said, keeping her voice casual, calm. Privately she was thinking surely soon he'd get bored of this? What was the point? She genuinely didn't understand.

Jade had been sitting there for fifteen minutes, her husband just looking at her with his cold blank gaze as usual, when an ear splitting alarm cut the silence. Guards were suddenly running in all directions, two towards them.

"STAY WHERE YOU ARE AND STAY CALM MRS. MYERS," one shouted. "IT'S OK, YOU'RE PERFECTLY SAFE!"

Part of jade inwardly retorted you think so? Even in MSU? But she didn't. Fear hit her in spite of her best efforts when she saw all the armed guards drawing their guns. Shouts cut the air from their radios and she'd never seen men run so fast. She looked up. Michael was still standing behind the glass, he hadn't moved. His gaze was still on her. It was as if to him, nothing was happening. Jade shivered a little. Did he even care?

That was when Jade heard an almost silent footstep to her right. She glanced over but saw nothing. Then it came again. Seconds later, the figure emerged from the shadows.

Now, Jade Myers was fighting back a terrified scream. This man was known only worldwide as "the blood sucker." Although his name irrelevant as it was, was Tony Roderigo. He was in his sixties and had killed hundreds of people before finally being court, mostly women. His nickname came from the fact he'd drink their blood from the ground as they bled to death. How in God's name had the most dangerous man escaped from his ward in MSU? How had he distracted the guards? They'd all gone to the other end of the complex.

Roderigo's sunken eyes were upon her and Jade found herself cowering against the glass. She was shaking from head to foot. She couldn't reach the call button, because that would mean moving closer to Roderigo and that she just couldn't do. He looked white, almost like a ghost. Hospital pallor. But he could still kill her with his bare hands. Compared to him, Myers was an ammeter. Jade considered running, but all the doors had closed. Somehow, the guards had inadvertently trapped Jade in a room with the very man they were trying to apprehend. Had he attacked one of the guards and made sure it was right at the other end of the ward? If so, how had he got up here so fast? Well, Jade just managed to think through her mind numbing terror. I might get killed anyway Michael. Have fun as a widower.

But that was when Jade Myers/Henderson lost control and started hitting the glass between her and Michael as hard and fast as she could. Once, twice. Why weren't they using their fucking cameras now? But she didn't dare shout, Roderigo was much too close. For the first time in her life, she wanted to be on the other side of that glass with her husband. That was when Myers stepped away from Jade until he was standing on the other side of the glass from Roderigo. Jade saw "blood sucker's" face change as he suddenly saw the silent killer. Jade in the meantime ran forward to where Roderigo had been standing but had moved when he'd seen Myers and bashed the call button once, twice, three times signalling desperately up at the cameras. She pulled out her phone and called the reception number. "He's here!" She whispered in a high pitch squeak.

To her immense relief, the doors crashed open seconds later and Roderigo was floored before he even realised, cold steel cuffs slammed on his wrists and ankles. Jade could only hang on to the glass, shaking like a leaf. So much for fucking maximum security!

Ten minutes later, the head guard himself came in, handing her a cup of strong tea. "I'm so sorry Mrs. Myers," he said. "Mr. Roderigo…"

"Blood fucking sucker," Jade snapped before she could stop herself. "Only the most dangerous man in the country!"

The guard could only nod. "He escaped somehow from his cell when the guard opened his door. He's supposed to have five to one staff, this will be thoroughly investigated…"

"Save me the fucking red tape to avoid being sued bullshit!" Jade snarled, still shaking and holding the edge of the glass window. "And just tell me how the fuck he distracted all those guards so they were right down the other fucking end of the complex!"

"He…" Now the guard looked a little nauseous. "He attacked one of the other guards badly right by the patient canteen. To make them believe he was down there, then managed to slip away in all the panic."

"Jesus Christ!" Jade felt as if she was about to cry, faint, or both. "How the holy fuck…"

"I am so very sorry Mrs. Myers," the guard his name badge said Callum, said again. "You are more than welcome to see one of our Psychiatrists and stay here over night if you need it."

"Just…" Jade said, trying to find her control. "Give me a minute will you?"

"Of course," the guard said immediately. "I'll be back in twenty minutes." He was gone.

Jade heard the screen beep then. Michael had written something for the first time since this began. She glanced up, but could hardly read through tears. When she did, she had to look twice to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks. They weren't.

Drink that tea.

She looked up at her husband, but was afraid to pick up the mug her hands were shaking too much. Another message came through.

Drink it.

Slowly, Jade picked up the mug and did as her husband said. Immediately after the first sip, she felt a little calmer, then the second. She now realised they must've put something in it to calm her down. They'd have no shortage of that kind of drug here. But when the screen beeped a second time, Jade had to look at it four times before she was convinced she'd read it correctly.

See one of the doctors, you're not driving back in this state.

"What?" Jade stared at her husband. "Why… Why do you care?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them but adrenaline was still going through her blood stream. There was no response.

Shortly afterwards, Callum returned. "Here Mrs. Myers," the guard said and unlocked a small slit in the glass, just big enough for someone to put their hand through. Jade was just about to ask him what the fuck he was doing but stopped herself. She had to keep up the pretence. "I'll give you a few minutes," Callum said before quietly slipping out once more.

Next second, Jade found herself speechless. Because Michael Myers had reached through the slit and taken her still ice cold and slightly shaking hand in his. Jade's instinct was to pull back, but she didn't. She could tell herself it was because of the cameras and keeping up her story, but… Her husband's hand tightened and Jade felt herself squeezing back. She leant against the glass, still a little pale, but regaining her colour slowly but surely. When she could speak, Jade just managed to find her voice.

"You…" She tried again, clearing her throat. "You moved on purpose didn't you? To distract "blood Sucker" so I could get to my call button?" There was no written response, but Jade was sure she felt her husband's hand tighten a little in hers. "Sorry to ask the age old question," Jade was astonished when she realised she was actually slightly smiling at her husband. "Why?" There was a few seconds of silence, then another message flashed up.

You're ok.

Jade had to stop herself saying why do you care? Again. It'd been on the tip of her tongue. This was Myers's cold way of asking her, maybe even giving comfort. Instead, she shakily nodded.

…

Jade did as she was told and saw one of the Psychiatrists, who talked to her, checking she was alright. Callum must've apologised twenty times before Jade finally left three hours later, telling them she had to drive home to get to work the next day. They offered her a lift but she refused, she needed her car. But despite all she'd said to them she had to stop several times on the way, when Roderigo's face loomed up in her mind. She just knew they'd phone Dr Loomis and tell him. But there were some things Jade would carry to her grave. No one, not even Jenna would know. To calm herself, she amazingly didn't think of her favourite book, movie or hobby, nor of the Psychiatrists gentle words, but of Michael's hand in hers then the last two messages he'd sent after she'd seen the Psychiatrist and amazingly found herself asking to see him again before she left.

Call me when you get home.

That'd been the first and Jade stared at it, than Michael for a full thirty seconds before she managed to say, "ok." But it was the second which almost made her fall over. So small and insignificant in normal circumstances, but from Michael Myers? She'd just been turning to leave when it flashed up. She looked back and had to leave the room quickly as for some reason tears sprang up in her eyes.

Happy late birthday.

…

Jade's diary. July twenty-fifth.

So you know the one question everyone hates? The, if you could use one word to describe how you're feeling one? Well tonight probably for the first time in my life dear diary, it's probably the easiest I'll ever answer. Confused. Or perhaps, wrecked.

It's ten at night and I've only got through the door half an hour ago. Which considering I didn't leave MSU until six and had to stop several times on the way back is pretty good going. Yes, I did as ask and called Michael when I got in. I'm staying in my rented flat tonight. I just need my space, my comforts. Michael isn't here anyway so it wasn't like I had to be in his house.

What'd happened between us that day after Roderigo's appearance still spun continuously around in my head. Ok so it was hardly anything, he'd told me to drink the tea which I was sure he knew had a calming draft in it, writing it twice when at first I didn't, couldn't do so. But then to hold my hand when the guard opened that little door? Not to mention the, "you're ok." Or, "Call me when you get home." Neither of which he'd ever said to me before. Plus the, happy late birthday?

Loomis had explained to me how the phones at MSU worked. Michael could receive calls but couldn't dial out. He could also text the person who was calling him, but only after they'd initiated the call and it was connected. Every patient's family member's number was put on a list for that particular patient and if the number wasn't recognised, the call wouldn't go through. I had to marvel at their technology, even if their security does leave a lot to be desired.

I thought it would be tricky calling someone who wouldn't speak back, given it was the first time I'd ever called him. But surprisingly, it wasn't. There was a soft female voice which stated, "Verifying your number, please hold," then a click. After a second, I heard Michael's calm breathing on the end of the line.

"Hi Michael," I said, my voice sounding almost normal now, to my ears at least. "I just got through the door." A text came through then.

Thank you.

Did he mean thank you for letting him know? I could only assume that was his meaning. I felt myself swallow.

"I'm not sure how well I'll sleep tonight," I said and heard myself let out a shaky laugh. "Jesus that was… Was terrifying. They'd better damn tell me…" I hesitated. "Us, how he got to where we were." No response, but I ploughed on anyway. "Thank you for… For what you did. I was a bit of a mess, that's for sure."

I'm not sure what I was expecting him to say. It's ok? You're welcome? But still there was no response. For some reason, I found myself wanting to say more to him and not hang up yet. Perhaps it was simply because I felt so lonely and still haunted by today's events. Perhaps it was because no one in my family could or would know what'd happened. My parents would probably say I shouldn't go up there again and dad might put his foot down. That, quite simply could not happen. It'd get them killed.

What is it?

I stared at this text. He'd obviously twigged there was more I wanted to say. How did he do that? My suspicions he was not a normal man were just being proven even further.

"I…" I started. How the hell was I supposed to say this? My head was all over the place and I wasn't even sure myself what I wanted to say. "I don't know. I guess I just feel a bit…" I took a breath. "Haunted. I'm not going to tell any of my family what happened today, dad would probably try and stop me coming up there and…" I stopped myself. We both knew what that would mean.

They've already tightened security.

He didn't elaborate, but I assumed that meant there'd be a guard with us all the time. In a way I hoped not. If I wanted to say something to Michael regarding what was really going on between us all be it cryptically, the last thing I needed was a guard standing there.

Try to get some sleep.

Now I did laugh. "You're joking aren't you Michael? I actually had to stop a few times on the way back because his… His face kept…" I stopped. Shit. I hadn't meant to tell him that. "I was a bit stressed," I finished, somewhat lamely.

Try at least. You can't work when tired.

"Ha," I couldn't stop the laugh this time. "Michael I've been tired for the last four months and worked! I'm exhausted. I just saw myself in the mirror and…" Again, I stopped myself. Had Michael just softly sighed down the line? I could tell myself my ears were deceiving me, but…

"Come up here once a month from now.

"Eh?" It was the first thing that came out of my mouth. "But you said…" I was interrupted by my text tone again.

I said, come up here once a month from now.

I could hardly believe my eyes. He was giving me a chance to rest, not have to drive so far so often? Again, I wanted to blurt out, why? But this time managed to stop myself. Why did I care why? For once, I didn't. This was something which could work in my favour. I sure as hell needed a rest.

"Thank you," I said quietly, again feeling that absurd rush of tears. Though I had no idea why. Hardly a loving or caring message, I was still his captive and yet…

Get some sleep.

There was a soft click in my ear, as the line went dead.