Adam entered Ashley's lounge and settled himself on a wide leather sofa. 2 of the men there were in suits and ties he noticed, the other 4 more casually dressed. Maybe the suited guys were leaders or something?

"What can I get you to drink?" Ashley asked. "Normally my cunt would be doing this but she's locked up tonight as punishment for an earlier transgression."

Adam grinned. Good. "Good to hear it Sir. I'll have a beer, if you please?"

"No problem my man. One minute."

When Ashely returned with an ice cold beer, Adam thanked him and as the other 6 opened their own drinks, he started. "Gentlemen, I know I'm relatively new to this gang, but I can't thank Mr. Leach enough for letting me in to it. I've wanted to meet men like yourselves for all of my life. Men who hate women, agree with me they are subordinate to us. I just wish like fuck it was legal!" There were murmurs of agreement. "So anyway, you'll have probably all seen the trial, yes?" The 6 men nodded, but none spoke. "A woman not accepting her place. Well I can't get to Danielle Hayward for… reasons which would take too long to explain and to be honest you might not believe. I'm struggling to believe them myself. But Charlotte? Hell yes! She's one I can get too with your help if you're willing. I don't want this to be a full contract and I'm not trying to go behind Mr. Leach's back. But I would pay whoever did it very generously indeed."

"Hmm," Ashely said slowly. "So you want Charlotte attacked. Sounds good to me! But how far are we talking? Raped? Or…"

"No," Adam said with an evil smile. "Fatally."

"WO, ok!" One of the suited men said. "Slow down Adam. You want us to arrange Charlotte Avery's death?"

"Correct. Is that possible? I'll pay whatever it takes?"

"It's certainly possible," said the other suited man. "But it'll be expensive and will need a lot of working out and planning."

"Will you need to ask Mr. Leach for authorisation for her killing?"

Ashley considered. "Nah. We're supposed to, but I like you Adam. I'll take the rap for it if necessary. I have some seniority in Mr. Leach's rings, so if I say its ok he tends to trust me."

"Thanks man," Adam shook Ashley's hand. "I can't thank you enough for this."

"Ok. So if we are going to kill her, first thing we need to decide is when, how, where. We need to start planning gentleman. Settle in, get some food if you want it, this could be a long night."

4 hours later, Adam headed for home. He was thrilled. It'd taken a lot of planning, but now they were ready. He had been right in his earlier assumption, the guys in suits were gang leaders. They'd made notes as they talked which had been immediately shredded in a powerful machine. Tomorrow was the day death would call Charlotte Avery's name. Adam was just sorry he wouldn't be there to watch it. He'd deliberately avoided telling the group about Michael Myers and Danielle. If they knew that, it was very likely the plans would've been stopped right there and Adam wasn't going to let that happen. No, Charlotte Avery was going to die for daring to defy him, testify in court, and patch up with Danielle Hayward! Not to mention being a disobedient bitch who didn't know who her boss was. Men.

"You'll need to be at home when it happens Adam," Patrick, one of the casually dressed men said. "You need a solid alibi. Unless we're very careful and make it look like an accident the police will be on to you like bees to a honeycomb. You can't be anywhere near her when it happens. We'll video it and send it to you later."

As much as Adam hated it, he knew Patrick was right. "Fine," he said without argument. "As long as you send me the tapes. I'll pay when I've seen it's done."

"Ok," Ashely agreed. "But Patrick here's right. You being there would be way too dangerous. The police will probably come straight round to your address. You know the drill, fake shock, sadness. Ok they might not buy it given the trial, but they'll have no choice but to believe you weren't there as all the evidence will confirm that. So don't be, Adam. Don't put yourself in that position when the cops are crawling all over and watching you all the time. You have to stay out of this and let us do the work."

Adam knew they were right, but it didn't mean he had to like it. Damn it. He wanted to see Charlotte Avery die and laugh as she did so. He just hoped it wouldn't be quick, but slow and very painful. It would serve the bitch right.

Before Long, Adam was fucking Claire slowly and relishing every second. Hearing Claire's soft moans beneath him, grabbing her tits, knowing she would soon be his prisoner, that she would learn who was her boss, him and if she also failed to learn this as Charlotte and Danielle had, she would be punished in the very same way. Adam's thoughts about that dickhead Tim Jennings didn't help. The guy who'd dared to take his property from him without his permission. Charlotte was his property, so he should've asked his say so before taking her, it. Just as with anything in his house. True he didn't give a shit about her, but as far as Adam was concerned that was beside the point. In the end, Ashely had contacted Chris Leach by phone and ran the plans past him, verifying he would take any responsibility if anything went wrong and that Adam wasn't asking for a full contract, just this assassination. Leach hesitated for a while and Adam heard Ashley telling the crime Lord the plans once, twice, until Leach was finally satisfied and authorised it. Even the price of 20000 dollars didn't deter Adam. This was just perfect. As he'd handed the cash over to Ashely before leaving, he just wished he could watch, popcorn in hand. What a hell of a show he would be missing tomorrow morning. If all went well, Charlotte Avery would next be seen by her family and friends in her coffin.

…

Derek lay in his tiny cell, trying desperately to deny the feelings which were starting to fill and ultimately take him over. Hopelessness and fear. This was not looking good for him. The electric chair was 70 long steps away but it felt like one. How was he to get himself out of this? He thought back to how he'd thought he'd take the chair over being killed by Myers any day. Now? His thoughts on this were rather different. He remembered that bitch Hayward's words. "Michael, don't kill him, please? He deserves to wait, suffer then fry. All the women he's raped and killed deserve justice."

Who the fuck did that bitch think she was? She'd wanted him to feel the fear he was feeling now. He didn't have an official date of execution yet, but he knew it was getting close, it had to be. They wouldn't waste years on killing him given his crimes.

Thompson had visited earlier that day and had as good as confirmed this to Derek. "I am running out of appeals, Mr. Chancer. There isn't much else I can do." As each day passed, Derek was waiting for a guard to ask him what he wanted for his last meal, if he had a will, waiting for his move to the suicide watch cell.

Derek had started losing sleep now and even though the prison Psychiatrist had visited him to offer drugs to help him do so, Derek hadn't as yet asked for any to be proscribed. Now? He was reconsidering that position.

…

"I'll see you later babe," Charlotte said to Tim as she put her coffee cup in the sink and headed for his front door. As Adam didn't know his address, Charlotte was able to stay there 2 nights a week. The rest of the time, she was in what Dr Clarkson had called a DASC. Domestic Abuse Shelter Complex. Charlotte had to admit she was impressed by just how secure it actually was. Doormen on all doors, fingerprint, face and voice ID for visitors to gain entrance and they also had to bring a passport or some other form of photo ID. Men were allowed to visit, but only if Charlotte consented and they were escorted by an armed guard all the way up to her flat. They weren't allowed anywhere else and cameras and microphones watched and listened to the complex 24 hours a day. Every room inside Charlotte's flat had installed panic buttons, cameras and microphones she could activate discreetly if needed.

"Love you sweetheart," Tim kissed her lips and hugged her close. "Take care and have a good day. Be careful babe."

"I will," Charlotte grinned. "You know me. Dr Clarkson is calling me later to discuss next steps. I think I'll ask to stay in my flat at the DASC for a little longer. I'm not ready to leave yet."

"That's a decision for you to make hon, no one will and should make it for you. You do so when you're ready and not before."

"I love you Tim Jennings," Charlotte said, a lump in her throat. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Love you too C. As for being without me, not a problem because it won't happen. Now go on hon or you'll be late. Are you taking the train today?"

Charlotte considered. "I don't know. I did consider driving, but I think I will take the train for a change, yeah. Nice walk to the station will do me good." Charlotte glanced at her watch. "Shit. I had better go. Will you come and see me tonight?"

"Now what kind of question is that? Of course I will. Miss you already. Love you."

5 minutes later, Charlotte exited Tim's house heading for Haddonfield train station. Her journey to college would take about an hour by train, but it felt so much nicer than driving all the time. Plus the college provided her with a free train pass to get there, so it was stupid not to use it sometimes. She normally only drove if she was running late. Whistling to herself, she started walking, unaware she was being watched every step of the way.

…

The man in the black suit, white shirt and dark blue tie sat in his Jaguar, watching as the target came out of the house he'd been watching for 2 hours. Adam Dawson had told them last night that sometimes the target took the train in to work. Dawson hadn't been sure of her boyfriend's address, but knew his name as Tim Jennings, Charlotte having told him once. But some quick research on an illegal app had found his house soon enough. She came out at 07:15 and started walking towards the road. They'd had contingency plans in place of course had she indeed decided to drive, but he'd been watching the house carefully since 6 and when the target came out and headed for the road, he'd known immediately she was getting the train. If she'd been driving, Dawson had said the night before, then she wouldn't come out until 08:40, as it only took 20 minutes by car.

Starting his engine, the man settled in to wait. That was all he had to do now, wait.

…

The last 7 days had been some of if not the happiest of Danielle's life. Even in his own silent way, Michael had shown her he cared. Whether it was guiding her to breakfast or in to the exercise yard even while chained, or holding her close at night, he made sure she knew. For her part, Danielle told him more about her life before Adam. How her parents had abandoned her because she was blind, how Charlotte's parents had been amazing and about her life at school. The bullies who'd taunted her, using her blindness as an advantage and tool for their bullying behaviour.

Danielle clearly remembered the Monday afternoon Charlotte had phoned her as soon as she'd finished college.

"So? Come on Danielle Hayward, spill! Did you tell him?"

"Yes, I told him last night by the waterfall."

"Oh my God! And?"

"We… we're together now."

"Fuck yes! Fucking awesome Dan! You see? I told you! Very best of luck to both of you! I'll come back down and see you as soon as I can!"

Over the last week, the 2 friends had spoken 3 nights running. Charlotte had given her phone to her boyfriend Tim, who'd introduced himself to Danielle. She'd liked him instantly. He sounded like a good guy, funny and attentive to Charlotte. Something both of them had lacked from Adam.

"Remind me not to get on the wrong side of your boyfriend," he'd joked. "I don't want to die yet. Would he mind if I met him?"

Danielle had asked Michael if he minded his face on a video call. The killer had said nothing, no response of any kind, which Danielle had taken as consent. Turning on the video, she handed the phone to Michael.

"Wo!" She heard Tim say, sounding almost awestruck. "Nice to meet you Mr. Myers. I've seen your face in enough papers, but you've always been masked then. But damn! I wouldn't want that gaze on me if I was your enemy!"

"Hey Michael," she heard Charlotte's voice in the background. "How are you?" To which Danielle was certain the killer had nodded.

Charlotte showed Michael the inside of her secure flat and talked to both of them about how her college course was going.

"I'm really glad you're doing so well C," Danielle said sincerely. "You deserve it."

"What are you going to do Dan?" Charlotte asked. "When you're released?"

Danielle felt a lump rise in her throat. In truth, she hadn't even thought about her release, it was too painful. "I don't know," she said truthfully. "I haven't really thought about it. Maybe I'll try and get on a course or get a job, or something."

"I'll help you any way I can," Charlotte said.

"I know, thanks," Danielle smiled at her friend via the technology of FaceTime. Michael handed her back her phone and the 2 talked for a while longer before Charlotte excused herself. Danielle smirked. "Tim time, is it?"

Tim groaned. "Oh Jesus! Don't you start?"

Charlotte giggled. "We get that a lot, Tim time," she laughed. "It drives Tim crazy!"

Tim laughed. "Blame my parents for naming me Tim!"

"Is it actually Tim?" Danielle asked. "Like, not Timothy or anything?" "Nope," Tim sighed dramatically. "Tim on my birth certificate. Even they've joked it was Tim time when I was born!"

"Oh god you poor thing," Danielle said, but was laughing.

"Yeah, yeah," Tim laughed with her. "So yes its Tim time!"

Charlotte snorted. "Speak soon Dan, Michael. Night to you both." With a click, she was gone.

…

Now, Charlotte headed down the dark road, her phone the only light. This was the only problem leaving this early, hardly anyone was about on this route. Occasionally a jogger would run past and give her a brief smile, but today it seemed deserted. The refuge had installed an app on her phone which professionally monitored her 24 hours a day. She clicked a button to tell them she had her phone and her day was starting and they texted an acknowledgement. From that second on until she said good night, she was monitored round the clock. If she fell and didn't move, the app would send an alert. If she was under duress there was a Settle way to send one, as well as an obvious overt one. She could also sound a very loud alarm and flash a light if she needed help. The monitors would and could then call the police on her behalf. Dr Clarkson had told her she'd spoken to Dr Stark on the phone to get someone to run tests to make sure it was accessible with voiceover. So when Danielle left Smith's Grove, it could be installed and would work on her phone too.

Charlotte turned in to the road she privately hated and chided herself for being paranoid. Ok there was no CCTV here, but she was in no danger and anyway she was being monitored right now. So as she crossed it and saw the Jaguar driving in her direction, she didn't think anything of it. She'd almost reached the other side of the road, when the Jaguar picked up speed. Charlotte did the same and ran towards the safety of the sidewalk. She reached it and breathed a sigh of relief. Clearly some idiot in a posh car thought the road was empty. But to her horror, the speeding Jaguar mounted the sidewalk beside her. Before she could take more than 2 steps backwards, the driver swung the wheel so he was facing her. She got one glimpse of a man in a suit and tie, and opened her mouth to shout at him to watch the fuck out, but she never got the chance.

There was one second of pure terror as the Jaguar bore down on her, just long enough for her to scream. Then full speed impact, and darkness. Less than a second later, the Jaguar was gone as if it'd never been there.