Chapter 13: Virtual contact

…

Minutes later, Loomis came back in to the room and nodded. Craig got up to follow Jenna. He for some reason didn't want Myers to see his face. Not yet anyway. If they ever met in person, something which Craig knew was highly unlikely, then perhaps. Myers was one of very few men who genuinely terrified Craig Ellis. After a moment's hesitation, Alice went with them as did Nick. Loomis and Steve were alone at Jade's bedside.

"I've already called Glass Hill," Loomis said. Michael will be in there in about a minute," he glanced at his watch. "The head doctor on Jade's case and nurses are also aware."

Steve nodded, feeling his emotions shoot all over the place. Seeing the masked killer's face again… He blinked. No! He shouted at himself. Don't go there Henderson! This isn't about you, it's about Jade! Your daughter! Currently lying unconscious and maybe dying in front of you! Whether you like it or not, she's Michael Myers's wife!

"Your FLO Clarkson also knows," Loomis said. "But doesn't need to know to whom the video is going to. A long distance friend of Jade's is all I said. Just in case Clarkson enters, that's all."

Steve nodded again, just as Loomis's phone buzzed with a message. He looked at it then nodded, pulling out what looked like a small iPad from his pocket and pressing a button. There was the sound like a ringing phone briefly, then the screen flashed to life. Steve had to cover his mouth to stop a gasp. There he was. Michael Myers, his daughter's husband. The image was so clear he could've been in the room with them. Steve had to look away for a second.

"Michael," Loomis said. "Can you hear me?" Steve saw the killer ever so slightly nod once. "Thank you."

Loomis softly squeezed past Steve so he was standing at Jade's head, the iPad trained on her unconscious face. Looking at her now, Steve thought she looked almost at peace. She could just be sleeping. He sincerely hoped the coma was helping her body recover and fight. Dr Ellen Rivers, the head doctor on Jade's case had assured him this was indeed true. He hoped with all his heart it was.

"Mr. Myers," Steve's voice shook. "I'm Steve, Jade's father. "I… I wanted you to see her. If you make her so happy," he could not keep a note of sarcasm out of his voice, much as he tried. "Then you deserve to know. For what it's worth Sir, I don't believe for a second this is the case. I think there's something going on Jade isn't telling any of us! Those who really do love her! Your wife claims she married you because she wanted to see you in MSU! Forgive me if I don't believe her will you? I may not be able to deny what she tells us, that doesn't mean I trust it! Not one bit! The only thing I will say is I wish you could exact the revenge on those fuckers that we can't! The revenge only you know how to inflict!"

Myers's cold gaze didn't waver as Steve spoke and Steve felt himself shiver slightly. The killer's gaze then moved to Jade's face. Steve wanted to shout you don't deserve to even look at her, but of course he couldn't. He'd requested this after all. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the shot. Lisa, one of the nurses quietly entered then. Her name tag read Lisa.

"Hi Jade," she said as cheerfully as she could. Steve felt a rush of respect for her. "How we doing today? I'm just going to wash your face and hair." She set down a basin of warm water and started her work. Steve tried to smile at her but his mouth didn't want to obey. She seemed to understand this because she softly touched his arm. "Can we get you anything Mr. Henderson?"

"A strong whisky?" Steve asked, now managing a slight smile. Lisa smiled sympathetically back. "Sadly no. Perhaps something else?"

"A coffee if you would love, thank you and please call me Steve."

Lisa turned to Loomis. "For you doctor?"

Loomis smiled at her. "Tea with two sugars if you'd be so kind?"

Lisa pressed the call button and within seconds, another nurse was there. Lisa spoke softly to her and within five minutes she was back with the drinks. Both men smiled at her in thanks. The beeping of Jade's machines, soft hiss of the machine which was helping Jade breathe and the soft swoosh of water were the only sounds in the room. Loomis kept the iPad trained on Jade's face, before slowly moving it downwards to show Jade's heavily bandaged arm, shoulder and chest. Steve had to turn away against the rush of tears. He was certain then nurses had a silent kind of telepathy, as within seconds another was there, putting an arm around him. The contact was too much and Steve Henderson finally broke down completely against this kind stranger's shoulder, not caring if Myers saw him do so or not. He had no pride left in the face of his daughter's position.

Seconds after this, the door opened and Dr Rivers entered. Steve felt his respect for her rise even further as with utmost gentleness, the consultant began to check his daughter's vital signs and injuries. Steve had met her twice now. "Dr Rivers," Steve said, with a weak smile and nod at the consultant.

"While there may still be no change at present Mr. Henderson," Rivers said. "Your daughter here is a fighter."

"Don't we know it," Steve said, pride in his voice. Again, he felt himself well up.

"She's fighting this," Rivers continued. "She will wake up, I'm almost certain of that, just not when. Her vital signs are getting stronger, as is her body. She's doing really well."

"Thanks doctor," Steve said. "Is there anything we can do?"

"Just what you already are," Rivers said gently. "Talk to her, play her favourite music and just be there. That's very powerful you know. We believe she can hear us. I am changing her condition from critical to stable but serious. Do you have any questions for me at this time?"

Steve shook his head, feeling a rush of hope at this very small development. The consultant gave him a professional smile before leaving. Slowly, Steve turned back towards the iPad.

"I," he said in a very low voice to Loomis and Michael. "Have never understood your need to kill Mr. Myers. Until now. It's so strong I can almost taste it. Jesus I want those fuckers six feet underground! God help the Lock's if I ever see them in the street. I don't care what the police say. It was them; I know it. Well this time they've attacked the wrong woman." For the first time, Steve's and Michael's eyes locked and stayed that way. Something told Steve during that exact moment, he and the masked killer were on the same page.

A few minutes later, Steve and Loomis stepped out of the room briefly, leaving Myers and Jade all be it virtually alone together. Loomis had set the iPad on her bedside table.

"I was furious and devastated when I found out they'd married," Steve said quietly. "Devastated. You know, I always wanted to give Jade away on her wedding day and all the rest which comes with a wedding. Even if… Even if it was Myers. But she's married to a man who doesn't love her, a cold blooded killer and one who's old enough to be her father! I'm only nearly two years younger than him! He's forty-three for God's sake! Now I'm not saying age is a major issue, not at all. But…"

The Psychiatrist looked at him with a sympathetic smile, but said nothing. "I mean," Steve continued. "I stand by what I've said before. I totally think there's a lot more to this than meets the eye. Even if Jade is adamant there isn't. I don't buy it. He's… He's Michael Myers!" Steve of course knew Loomis wouldn't of course tell him. But he had to get out his rant. "It's kind of strange and… Well not right to think my son in law is only twenty-three months older than his wife's father!"

"I understand," Loomis said quietly. "I do, Steve. But however Jade might or might not feel about the situation she is in, only she can change it. She is an adult after all." Steve knew the doctor was right, but it didn't make him feel any better. Just then, Dr Rivers walked back down the corridor and Steve turned and called her, if he was honest grateful for the distraction.

"How can I help you Mr. Henderson?" The consultant asked, stopping briefly.

"I have a quick question I just thought of," Steve said. "You say her body and vital signs are already getting stronger. Can that happen that fast? It's only been almost twenty hours since the attack."

"You'd be surprised how quickly the body starts trying to heal itself from trauma," Rivers said. "That's we think why she's slipped in to a coma. The body wants to put all its energy in to her healing and can't while she's conscious. Her brain can now focus entirely on recovery. It's the body's defence mechanism. Going to sleep to work entirely on recovery."

"You say she's now stable but serious? What's changed that? She was critical at first. Not that I'm complaining at all, of course I'm not! But…"

Rivers gave him a gentle smile. "Mr. Henderson, it is true some of Jade's internal organs have been damaged by the assault. But as I say, the brain is now working entirely on healing her internal and external injuries. This means she has a better chance of survival. Because the brain doesn't have to concentrate on the things it would have to if she was awake."

"A much better chance of survival?" Steve asked quietly.

"Better," Rivers said simply. Steve understood and felt his heart break. Jade could still be near death's door.

When Loomis and Steve stepped back in to the room, Michael was still connected to the call. Steve was surprised. He'd expected the killer to have disconnected a long time ago. He looked at Loomis, raising an eyebrow. The doctor smiled slightly at him. The killer was still looking straight at his wife's still face, his gaze unmoving. Without speaking, the two men sat down in the chairs at Jade's bedside once more. It was as if neither of them wanted to break the moment between Jade and Michael. Even if Steve did hate him and couldn't understand why Jade would've ever even considered let alone married a cold blooded killer, Myers was still her husband whether he liked it or not. Steve then saw Myers's gaze move back down to Jade's very heavily bandage torso. The heavy leather brace her back and neck were in. Steve could tell himself there was a glint of… Something in the killer's gaze, but immediately scoffed it off. He would've been imagining it anyway. "Grim isn't it?" He found himself saying quietly to the killer. "Those motherfuckers…"

A little later, one of the junior doctors entered. "Mr. Henderson," he said softly. "Dr Rivers requires another brain scan. He smiled at Loomis. "She also believes her friend there," he glanced at the iPad but seemed not to recognise Myers. Or perhaps he simply hadn't looked at him. "Is a comfort to Jade. So as long as you put your iPad in this protective case, it'll be safe in the scan room. Her sister has asked if she can take it in and go with them alone."

"Of course," Steve said immediately. He knew how hard this had hit Jenna. Craig was still keeping Phil distracted, Jenna told him when she arrived five minutes later. A team of nurses entered two of them male. Very gently and professionally, they began to move Jade on to a wheeled stretcher. Loomis checked one more time the iPad was in the cover properly. Jenna's eyes were red and bloodshot. Steve could tell his daughter had been crying again.

"Dr Rivers said she's a fighter," he murmured to her, hugging her close tightly. "We all know that Jen. She's fighting this. Rivers has changed her condition from critical to stable but serious, because of her being in a coma. Says her brain can fight harder with her unconscious which gives her a better chance of survival." He lovingly kissed his daughter's head.

Jenna turned away and quickly filled in the safety forms, Steve stepping out briefly with Loomis who took the iPad with him so Jenna could remove her bra and all other metal from her person in private beside her sister's now empty bed.

"Ready!" One of the male nurses called softly to his colleagues. Steve felt his own eyes well up again and turned away, feeling Loomis's hand grip his shoulder in a gesture of support. Steve nodded to him in thanks, which was all he could do.

"Come on then J," Jenna said as brightly as she could, her voice shaking with tears. "Let's do this thing." The medical team began to slowly push Jade down the corridor, Jenna walking a little behind them.

While walking down a particularly long one towards the scanner, Jenna dropped back a little. "Michael," she whispered as quietly as she could. Dr Loomis and I are not prepared to take the risk. Ok you're still here and could've left ages ago and haven't, ok you've seen Jade's badly hurt. But I'm not going to read anything in to this. I know you don't care about her. Loomis has already told me he'll do this once every month so you can see she's still in hospital. We don't want her life risked any further than it already has been by both you and now those fucking Locks who almost killed her. Rivers believes you are helping Jade, if she only knew the truth huh? I bet Jade is screaming inside for me to take this fucking iPad thousands of miles away from her! I would be!" Jenna knew she should stop there, but her grief and anger were building up in her so fast, self-control was difficult. But perhaps luckily, they reached the scanner at that moment so Jenna couldn't say anything more.

Carefully, the medics pushed Jade's wheeled stretcher in to the CT scanners gaping metal mouth. The sight was too much for Jenna as her sister disappeared completely in to the huge machine, unable to be seen at all. Still holding the iPad but not caring Myers could see her, Jenna Ellis broke down. One of the medics steered her in to a chair and pushed a pair of ear defenders on to her head, as the machine began to spin and buzz. Jade was also wearing a pair, Jenna wasn't sure why as she was unconscious, but was grateful for it all the same.

"Jesus Jade," Jenna sobbed. "Come on sis, I can't live without you! I don't think I can do this…"

"She's fighting," one of the nurses knelt beside her chair and put an arm around her shoulders. "Remember. Trust me, her being unconscious will help so much with her recovery."

"It was just so fucking pointless!" Jenna tried not to shout in anger, all be it she could pretend it was over the deafening buzzing of the scanner. "So, so fucking pointless! She was just driving past and accidentally encountered those… Those fucking bastards! They were just out looking for someone to terrorise and who better than a young woman alone eleven at night? One who'd just come out of work, working damn hard for herself? I's…" She fell to her knees then in grief, unable to stop it. As gently as any mother, the nurse lifted the inconsolable Jenna Ellis back to her feet and in to her chair, murmuring "shh, I know sweetheart. I know."

After what seemed like forever to Jenna, Jade was slowly wheeled out electronically by the scanner. The nurses were waiting on the other side and began to push her back towards her room. Jenna stood up, her legs shaking and followed, the nurse still had an arm around her. Michael was still connected to the call.

"I'll have the results in fifteen minutes," said Dr Rivers who was waiting for them with Steve, Loomis, Craig, Nick, Phil and Alice who by now had returned. "I'll update you as soon as I know anything immediately." Craig pulled Jenna tightly close to him and hugged her, as Loomis took back the iPad.

"Michael," the Psychiatrist said in a very low voice. "Do you yourself have any questions at this time?" Jenna was the only one who heard him and wanted to scoff why the fuck would he care? The killer slightly shook his head and Loomis finally disconnected the call.

"Told you," Jenna said to him five minutes later having asked for a private word. "Why the fuck would he care? We've probably already asked everything he possibly could at least ten times anyway!"

Loomis smiled sympathetically at her. "He's still her husband," he said quietly. "I had to ask."

Jenna snorted derisively. "Whatever." Then she cleared her throat. "Dr Loomis, I didn't want to say this in front of him or the others," she leant close and spoke in to his ear as softly as she could. "But I don't want to take any risks. I'll go up to see Michael every month in Jade's place. I don't want her life risked further or those of our family because she's not there."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Loomis asked. "While I totally understand where you're coming from, he knows she's hurt now and that she won't be able to get up there to see him for a few months at least."

Jenna laughed bitterly. "Because I don't trust him Dr Loomis! That's why! He might use this as an excuse to target us!"

"From MSU? Not likely."

"We both know he might escape one day," Jenna said bluntly. "Come on Dr Loomis, you know that better than anyone! Hell dad almost wants him to so he can kill the Locks for us!"

"So you're willing to switch places with your sister to protect your family, because you don't trust Michael's word?"

"Got it in one. Are you taking me? Or am I driving myself Dr Loomis? It's your choice."

The Psychiatrist looked at her intently for a moment, then very slowly nodded. "I'll take you, Jenna."

…

"Go for it Craig," Jenna said quietly three days later. Craig was looking at an Email which had just come through on his phone as they sat by Jade's bedside. Entrance to a mechanic's course.

"You're not serious?" Craig stared at his wife as if she'd gone crazy. "With my sister in law lying in a coma right in front of us?"

"Jade would want you to go for it," Jenna said, hugging him before taking his hand and holding it. "I think she'd be angrier if you didn't actually. This is the chance you've always wanted and I think she'd have stern words to say to you if you passed it up."

Craig was almost glaring at her. "You're not telling me you'd take a course on a new way of cutting people's hair if it came up now are you?"

"Perhaps," Jenna said, looking her husband straight in the eyes. "Jade would probably kill me if I didn't. She knew I wanted to become a hairdresser, nagged me about it and encouraged me since we were twelve! This mechanics course is the opportunity you've been waiting for for the last year! So go for it! I'm telling you; Jade would be really upset if you don't. I'll keep you updated immediately if I hear anything, you have my word. But please do this? For Jade? She'd be thrilled for you Craig." It took Craig a day to think about it and only after making Jenna promise three times she'd call him immediately if anything changed, did he finally agree. He also knew Jenna was right. Jade would want him to do this.

…

"I will ask you one more time." Loomis said as Jenna got in to his car three weeks later at nine that morning. "Are you…"

"Save your breath," Jenna looked straight back at him. "Yes, I'm sure."

Loomis sighed, but nodded, pulling out of Jenna's and Craig's driveway. Craig was at work and Jenna was hoping to be back by the time he returned just after six that night. Loomis asked Jenna if she wanted to stop for coffee half way, but she declined. In truth, she just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.

Before she knew it, she was being thoroughly searched once more and handing over her belongings. Jenna suddenly realised her legs were shaking as she walked through the many doors, following the footsteps her unconscious sister had taken many times. She blinked fast. She couldn't break down here, she just couldn't. Then, what seemed like no time later, there he was. Their eyes met through the small window in the otherwise black tinted glass.

"Hello Michael," Jenna said quietly. "I've taken Jade's place as she obviously can't be here right now. But nor did I want to risk our lives by at least one of us not showing up and I thought it should be me. If you consider I know everything."

Silence. Myers wrote nothing. Jenna found herself trying to all be it if only for the many cameras, smile at her brother in law. But she couldn't. She hadn't smiled since Jade was attacked. Her mouth refused to obey. "Jade's still unconscious," she started again, her voice surprisingly to her, steady. "There's been no change yet, but Dr Rivers still remains optimistic Jade's fighting this. She had another scan last week and while the results of the scan you saw with me showed bad damage to her brain, the second one was better apparently. Her brain has started healing along with the rest of her according to Rivers." That was when the screen beeped, as a message appeared.

What of her boyfriend?

Jenna laughed bitterly, unable to help it. "You're not seriously asking are you?" She looked at him in disbelief. "You really expect me to answer? Jesus Michael! You're joking! Why do you even care? I bet Jade's said that many times to you to?"

I asked. I want an answer.

"Doesn't mean I have to give you an answer though does it?" Jenna retorted before she could stop it. She took a deep breath. Careful! She shouted at herself. Antagonise Michael Myers? Not a good idea Jen! MSU or not. "They're not even together yet. Jade was going to talk to him the day after she… You know."

I see.

"But he hasn't left her bedside. He's devastated as we all are. He's known her for six years. We were both friends with him at school when we were fourteen." Jenna felt surprised at herself. Why was she even telling her brother in law this? He didn't need to know and didn't care either. She pressed the call button and asked for a glass of water. Her mouth was very dry.

Who is he?

Yeah, Jenna thought. Because I'm really going to tell you Michael Myers! You might need a reason to kill from what I've read of dad's papers, but I'm not going to put one right in to your hands! That would be one right there! You might not care if Jade is happy, but we do and I'll be God damned if you're going to destroy what little she's managed to find after you've ruined her life.

"I don't know his name," Jenna lied.

You just told me you were both friends with him at school.

Shit! Jenna cursed. Shit! How could she get out of this? "Well he hasn't left her bedside and I think he likes her, but I can't be absolutely certain it's him. Like I say they haven't even got together yet, if it is him that is."

Do not lie to me.

"Regarding them not being together at this stage, I'm not." Jenna felt physically sick. Perhaps Loomis had been right. This had been a very bad idea indeed. He had her cornered and Jenna might be risking her sister's life just with her words.

His name?

"The name of our mutual friend is Phil Burgess," Jenna said quietly. "But like I say I don't know for definite it's him." Jenna knew she was still lying on some details and very probably so did he.

"Why does he even care?" Jenna demanded of Loomis on the drive back, having just finished telling him what'd happened. "He doesn't give a damn about Jade! So why does he want all the details of her potential boyfriend?"

"I don't exactly know," Loomis answered. "It could be he actually does care, if only a little?" Jenna made to laugh, but Loomis raised his hand. "Think about it. He's been holding her captive for months now and she's now seriously hurt and in a coma. How do you know she hasn't started to get through to him in a way he's still trying to understand? Maybe he does care and not even he realises it yet. Don't miss understand me Jenna. I'm not talking about love, not at all. But I think he feels something for her at least, if only sympathy for her being assaulted."

"That's Bullshit!" Jenna looked at him in disbelief. "That is total and complete bullshit! I'm sorry doctor but that's…"

"Time will tell," Loomis said as they hit the highway and no more.