Chapter 12: Attacked

…

All the next day at work, Jade could hardly concentrate. She was talking to Phil tomorrow; she knew she had to tell him everything. She wasn't sure how she felt about it. Nor could she confidently say he'd still be there at the end of the evening. She wouldn't blame him either if she was honest. Becoming her boyfriend would definitely put him on Myers's radar and Jade wasn't sure she'd want the risks if the roles were reversed, however much she cared for someone.

Jade worked a late shift that night, trying to delay the moment when she'd have to return home to her thoughts. Tomorrow was a day she was half looking forward to, half dreading. She'd stayed on for hours after everyone else had left. She didn't leave until eleven PM, finally starting to drive home. She was tired, but had got a lot done. Her boss would be pleased at least. It was as she stopped for a drink of water; the soft voice spoke through her open window.

"Get out of the car and don't make a sound." She looked out, and felt her heart stop with terror. It was Sean Lock, one of the most feared criminals in the local area. The Locks were a family known for terrorising the local community and they were not people to mess with. Jade had never met them, until now. She cursed. Why had she stopped? If she'd kept driving… But she also knew there was nothing she could do. Lock was holding a gun to her head. This fact alone made her immediately understand she had to do as he said. Slowly, her legs shaking, she did as she was told. Sabrina, Brian and Jo Lock appeared from behind Sean's car, laughing as Sean shoved Jade against the wall, applauding his intentions. She didn't have to think too hard to guess what they were. Brian joined his son, holding Jade tighter against the wall.

"Try to resist me," Sean said very quietly. "You die." From his pocket, he produced a condom and a nasty flick knife. Jade felt her blood go ice cold with fear. She knew she was in serious trouble. He yanked her to him by the hair, as he slammed her repeatedly against the wall. Agony shot through her back with each hard shove. He unzipped his jeans and pulled his underwire down. "Whore," he panted. "I'm going to fuck you, right now."

She felt the cold metal of his knife against her neck, as Brian held the gun to her head. With his other hand, Sean unzipped her trousers and pulled them down in turn. He then Shoved her to the floor with his body weight as he lay on top of her. She knew she couldn't struggle. One wrong move and her throat would be slit open. He shoved the condom on and pushed his cock in to her. He was moaning in pleasure as he thrust hard inside her. Eventually she felt him ejaculate in to her and stand. She thanked every God above he'd worn a condom. He yanked her to her feet by the hair again and slammed her back against the wall. She felt her shirt rip and blood start to stream down her back. A lot of it. The unforgiving concrete cutting her flesh open. She could hear gasping in her ear and she realised with disgust it was Brian masturbating. Then, shoving on a condom himself, Brian shoved his own cock inside her, slamming her against the wall with each hard thrust. "Cunt," he spat in her ear so it was dripping down her face. He came inside her also and with one last hard shove, she was slammed against the wall a final time and heard something crack. Her back was suddenly agony. Sean struck her to the face, one hard punch. She felt her nose instantly break, blood streaming down her face.

Sabrina and Jo kicked her while she was on the floor, breaking her ribs, right arm and shoulder. Jade knew why the two men had worn condoms and it sure as fuck wasn't to protect her. Trying to hide DNA, she thought bitterly. Cowards. Sabrina and Jo continued to violently assault her, until Sabrina finally stamped on her head, sending her straight in to darkness. As a result, she didn't see it when the police and ambulance arrived, the Lock's arrests, or when she was gently lifted on to a stretcher and rushed in to the night.

…

"Jade, can you hear me?" The voice seemed to come down a very long tunnel. She tried to open her eyes, but couldn't. They were so heavy and felt as if someone had loaded led in to them. "Darling," it was her mother's voice. "Don't try to open your eyes."

"Mom and dad are right beside you," said the soft voice of whom Jade was starting to realise was a nurse. At the same time, she felt Steve gently take her hand. She couldn't squeeze his, she was too weak. "You're in hospital," the nurse continued. "You've got serious damage to your back, face, broken arm, shoulder, and ribs. Also concussion, but we're not sure if there's any other damage to your head yet. You're on a morphine drip, please try to relax."

"Craig and Jenna will be here shortly," Steve said softly. Jade passed in and out of consciousness, because the next thing she knew, Craig and Jenna were with her parents. Snatches of the conversation reached her, sounding as if they were coming down a distorted phone line.

"Do those motherfucker's have death wishes?" Snarled Craig. "They've seriously tangled with the wrong woman. I want to be there when Michael gets his hands on them, god Damn it I want to help my brother in law kill those bastards! Fucking sons of bitches…"

"I'll be right behind you," Steve growled. "Damn it I want to help free Michael myself so he can kill those fuckers and comfort my daughter if she really is the love of his life," he added sarcastically.

…

The damage to Jade's head was so severe that within two hours she'd slipped in to a coma. Craig, Jenna, Steve and Alice didn't have to leave her bedside as they were family and the nurses were true angels, setting up camp beds for Steve and Alice, while Jenna and Craig would sleep in their chairs. Jenna called Phil and upon his return, he was at the hospital within the hour. Jenna also knew there was another call she had to make, whether she wanted to or not. She tried on her phone and it of course didn't work. She'd have to use Jade's. Taking it from her unconscious sister's handbag, Jenna stepped outside to make the call which would keep them all alive. Including Jade, if… But Jenna couldn't let herself think that. If she made it.

"Verifying your number," Jenna heard a soft female voice say. "Please hold." Then there was a soft click, followed by the killer's calm breathing. Jenna struggled to keep from crying. But despite her best efforts, her voice shook.

"Michael, it's Jenna. I'm sorry, I… I had to call you, because you obviously need to know. It… It's Jade. She…" Jenna took several deep breaths. "She's been attacked, raped. The police know who it was. They're not telling us, but we're certain it was the Lock family. They've been arrested. It happened three hours ago. She's in a coma right now. She's got multiple injuries and severe head trauma. They say she's…" Jenna swallowed. "Critical. Some of her internal organs are damaged…" She couldn't go on, because that was when she finally did cry, unable to hold the tears back. Jenna was astonished when she made to speak again, that the killer was still there. "I'm sorry," Jenna found herself apologising but wasn't sure why. I… I'll keep you updated. I…" She stopped. There was so much she wanted to say, but she couldn't. Not now when her sister and whether she liked it or not this man's wife, lay in a room in front of her in a critical condition. "I'll call back tomorrow," Jenna just managed to say before finally, it was her who hung up.

…

"How many times," Steve raged at the police officer standing with him outside Jade's hospital room through gritted teeth. It was now six in the morning following Jade's attack and Steve could feel the edges of pure exhaustion taking hold. As angry as he still was, the adrenaline could only keep him awake for so long. The officer in front of him now, DC Clarkson, had been there for hours now, family liaison officer they called her. "Will those bastards have to hurt someone before you guys take some fucking proper action? Lock, pun fucking intended, them up and throw away the key! It's not rocket science! Nor is the fact it was them even if you won't tell us as much! What, trying to protect them? Jesus Christ! I bet we're not the only ones who want to see justice!"

"I know Steve," Clarkson said softly. "I really do understand. "But I must implore you not to take matters in to your own hands. I know you're angry, but that won't help anyone and will see you arrested. Jade needs you. They're still in custody and won't be going anywhere for at least forty-eight hours."

"Oh just fantastic," Steve snarled. "A whole fucking two days! Then if they get remanded they'll probably get all the comforts of a palace!"

At this, Clarkson actually chuckled gently. "You see custody Steve? Trust me, comfortable is one thing it is not." The police had told them earlier in the evening that the culprits had been arrested for attempt murder, due to the severity of Jade's injuries. Alice had burst in to tears then and Steve had realised his fists were clenched. As far as he was concerned, they should be the ones murdered. Preferably by him or Jade's husband. If he had his way… He forced the thoughts back down. For all his anger, he knew Clarkson was right in that regard. His daughter needed him.

A passing jogger out for a late run had seen and heard the attack from their vantage point, but the attackers hadn't seen them. They'd called the police and ambulance immediately. Steve was determined to get their details as soon as he could and thank them from the bottom of his heart, giving them anything he could in thanks. They'd quite possibly saved Jade's life. At least, he'd hoped they had…

Steve swallowed hard. When the nurses had gently suggested they try to get some sleep. Steve had insisted Alice and Jenna take the beds, as had Craig. At some point the women had dropped off to sleep. But more than once during those long night hours from hell, Steve had looked over at Craig in the chair across from him and saw him glaring in to space. The nurses would also receive Steve's sincere thanks when this was over… whenever that would be. They quietly popped in to Jade's room at least every hour, checking Jade's machines and the welfare of her family. They always quietly told them their names and told them to call immediately if they needed anything. Right now, Shannon, one of the early nurses who'd just come on shift was inside washing Jade's face. Clarkson had also told him she wasn't leaving until things had settled a little. Despite his usual dislike of the police, Steve couldn't help appreciating and respecting her for this. "Thank you," he'd said quietly. Jenna had told him she'd called Michael, to which Steve had no energy to respond. He'd just nodded.

As soon as visiting hours began, Phil was immediately with them at Jade's bedside. He looked like he hadn't slept at all either. Steve gave the other man a tired smile. Jenna had mentioned Phil to him so many times and the fourteen year old Phil had visited their house on countless occasions for tea.

Steve knew from TV dramas which admittedly were hardly ever accurate, that family Liaison officers, or FLO's as they were called, normally checked the background of the victim's families. But they'd been told not in this case, as they'd had nothing to do with what'd happened. Steve hadn't been able to resist a sardonic smile at this. Yeah, he'd thought. Check us and you'll only find out Jade is married to Michael Myers the masked killer. I bet your red flags would go up then, even though he had nothing to do with this either.

…

At nine that morning, Jenna again picked up Jade's phone and stepped outside the door. The private corridor was for the moment, empty. Taking a deep breath, Jenna dialled the number she'd seen in her sister's phone the night before, the man anyone who knew of Michael Myers would have also heard of. Dr Samuel Loomis.

It rang a few times then Jenna heard a soft male voice. "Samuel Loomis?" She could hardly believe who she was speaking to. She cleared her throat.

"Dr Loomis, I'm sorry to call you so early," she began, feeling unaccountably nervous. "My name is Jenna Ellis, I'm Jade's sister."

"Hello Jenna. How can I help you?"

Jenna again had to fight down the rush of tears. "It… It's Jade. Last night, she…" Jenna took a deep breath. "She was attacked, raped on her way home from work last night. The police have the perpetrators in custody. We think we know who it was but they're not telling us. She… She's in a coma right now and is described as critical."

"Jenna, I am so sorry. Please let me know if I can do anything to help you all."

"Thank you doctor. I've…" Jenna paused. "I've already called Mr. Myers from Jade's phone, he knows. It… It's dad I'm worried about. He's understandably angry and as I said we're sure we know who did it. I'm scared he might… You know."

"Anger is totally understandable at a time like this, Jenna. Of course it is. I'm sure you're angry too. I take it the police had advised him strongly against action himself?"

"Yeah," Jenna said quietly. "But I don't think it'll do much good. If he gets his hands on them…" She didn't have to finish the sentence. "Don't get me wrong, I'd probably do something too if I could, I want to kill them, we all do. But there's a difference between wanting and doing it. However, Jade's husband…"

"Yes," Loomis said. "Of course he knew what Jenna was thinking. Jade's husband actually would with no problem at all.

"I…" now Jenna lowered her voice even further. "I don't know if Jade's told you, but I know the whole truth, Dr Loomis. There's another man with us, Phil Burgess, who Jade is thinking about, you know, dating. I told her she should! That her husband didn't give a damn, which he doesn't! I think she was intending to tell Phil everything today before…"

"Of course," Loomis said gently. "Listen Jenna, give me a few hours and I'll be there. I'm just leaving Smith's Grove now."

Jenna felt a great rush of gratitude, she couldn't stop it. "I can't ask you to…" She began.

"You didn't. I told you I was. I'll see you very soon. Hang on in there ok?" He was gone.

Loomis was as good as his word. Around four hours later the doors to the ward opened and there he was. Steve, who was standing outside Jade's room looking blankly in to space, started and looked around. When he saw who it was, his mouth opened in shock. "Dr Loomis? What… What are you doing here?"

"Hello Mr. Henderson," the Psychiatrist extended his hand, which Steve shook, still looking stunned. "Sorry," Steve apologised, blushing. "You're of course all over my Michael Myers papers."

"Naturally," Loomis smiled, making Steve feel immediately at ease. "How is Jade?"

"No change," Steve said quietly. "How did you…"

"Jenna called me earlier today. Please let me know if I can do anything for you."

Steve felt a great rush of respect for Loomis. "Thanks," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Come in and see her." He opened the door and he and the Psychiatrist quietly slipped through. Phil, Jenna, Craig and Alice looked up.

"Dr Loomis!" Jenna stood up and held out her hand. "I can't thank you enough for this, but you really didn't have to…"

"Of course I would," Loomis shook her hand then those of the others, before they all stepped back so Loomis could reach Jade's bedside. The Psychiatrist looked down sadly at Jade's heavily bandaged head, face and body. The wires all over her and the constantly beeping and flashing machines. "I'm so sorry," Loomis said softly. Alice gave a sob. Steve pulled her close. "When she wakes up, she is more than welcome to talk to me about what's happened, I'll help her in any way I can." Jenna couldn't stop herself then. She stood up and hugged Loomis, who gently hugged her in turn.

"Thanks Doc," Craig said.

"Thank you so much," Steve said thickly, his own voice full of tears.

…

A few minutes later, Steve asked if Dr Loomis could step outside with him. Jenna hoped this would happen and also knew the Psychiatrist would do all he could to help their father. Nick had turned up at three that morning after Alice had managed to call his ambulance station, who called him back in and told him. He'd left immediately. He was now talking to the doctors, desperately wanting to know if there was anything he as a paramedic could do. Jenna's heart broke for him.

"Can't we do anything?" Steve asked Loomis quietly. "Like…"

"You are thinking we can get Michael down here to exact revenge, aren't you?" The Psychiatrist asked.

"Damn fucking right!" Steve snarled. "If he makes her so fucking happy, which I doubt, he'd do it without blinking."

"This may be true. That said he may do it anyway."

"Has Jade…" Steve asked then stopped himself. Of course the Psychiatrist wouldn't tell him anything Jade may or may not have said. Sure enough, Loomis was smiling, doubtless knowing Steve had just realised this very thing.

"Is it possible?" Steve murmured, keeping his voice very low. "Are you able to, you know…"

"Help free a masked killer from a maximum security unit so he can exact revenge on his wife's attackers?" Loomis looked Steve straight in the eye. "I think you know what I'll say to that, I can't."

"Of course you can't," Steve nodded. "But damn! How I wish…"

"I know," Loomis said softly, now lightly touching Steve's arm. "I know. But I said I can't, not I couldn't."

Steve looked at him for a full thirty seconds. "I want Myers to see her," he said eventually. "The condition she's in. He is after all…" Steve swallowed. "Her husband. However it may have happened, I want him to see her."

"To accomplish what, Steve? He's three hours away and can't go anywhere."

"Because if he makes her so happy and they love each other, to the extent she married to see him, then he should know."

Loomis slowly nodded. "Fair point. It however sounds as though you are sceptical of their happiness." Steve was sure the Psychiatrist knew more than he was saying, but of course he wouldn't break Jade's confidence. That was his job. "Ok. I can arrange things so Michael is brought in to a room with an HD video screen. I can call him from a special work phone I have and he'll be able to see and hear everything very clearly. He obviously will not speak, but he can text once the call is connected."

Steve nodded, remembering Jade telling him this a few days ago. "When can you do this?"

"All I have to do is tell the head nurse on duty currently. Just so the nurse in the room with Jade knows she will be seen on the video."

"Ok," Steve nodded. As Loomis went off to do this, Steve slipped back in to the room and told Jenna, Nick, Craig and Alice what was about to happen in a low voice. Immediately, Jenna asked Phil to come with her for a coffee, to which he agreed. He didn't even look as if he'd heard any of this. He was pale. Jenna's heart ached for him. He liked in the relationship sense a woman who was married to a cold blooded killer and as yet knew none of this. Steve felt a rush of pride for his daughter's quick thinking. Getting Phil out of the way was probably a wise decision. The killer didn't know him, or even his name. He might only be a friend of Jade's, but it wasn't worth the risk. Dr Loomis smiled compassionately at Jenna and Phil as they passed him coming in the opposite direction. Jenna was sure the doctor knew the whole truth of the situation.