Author's Note:
Hi everyone, first I want to say a sincere thanks for all the kind comments I have received. I just needed to take a few months break from writing, due to a combination of life events and feeling burnt out. But now I feel ready to pick up the metaphorical pen again and return to the world of Michael Myers. I really want to get "within his sight" finished and my other novel "in the arms of a killer," as well as writing more one-shots, which I have a lot of ideas for.
So to everyone asking if I'll continue those, the answer is a most definite yes. Once again, really appreciate all the kind words. I really hope you enjoy where I'm continuing from, and where the story goes next. Thanks for coming this far on the journey with me.
Whistle-78
At first when she woke up, Danielle was momentarily confused, unsure where she was. Then it all came flooding back to her. Haddonfield Memorial hospital following Adam's brutal and last assault.
"Hey darling," said Emma's voice. "Are you ok? Wakey wakey."
Danielle managed to grin at her mom. "Hey mom, I'm ok, I was just a bit confused there for a second, not sure where I was. Do you know where Michael is?"
"I think he's with Dr Loomis and his guards," Emma said. "I get the impression he wanted to give us some privacy."
"That's sweet of him," Danielle admitted. "Do you think I'll be cleared to go back to Smith's Grove today?"
"Can't see why you wouldn't be," Emma agreed. "Dr Merrick said he'd discharge you today if all was well."
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door, which Emma got up to open having slept in the chair bed the night before.
"Hi Danielle, it's Dr Merrick. How are you this morning?"
"I'm still in a bit of pain," she admitted. "But it's better than it was. I feel stiff more than anything else."
"Well that's hardly surprising given what you went through. If you're ready, I just want to give you a check-up."
"Go ahead," she smiled at the doctor.
"Do you want me to leave?" Emma asked.
"Don't be silly mom," Danielle said, still getting used to the amazing fact that Emma would soon really be her mother. Without another word, Emma sat down in the chair once more.
Dr Merrick was just applying the blood pressure cuff when there was a gentle knock on the door. Emma stood and opened it, to reveal Joanne, Rick and Michael with Dr Loomis behind them.
"Hi Joanne, Rick, Michael, Dr Loomis, Emma said and at the sound of Michael's name, Danielle felt her heart flip in her chest. Something must have shown on her face because Dr Merrick chuckled.
"Can we come in?" Joanne's voice asked.
"Of course," Danielle said immediately and the 4 of them stepped through the door. It was then Danielle heard the clink of chains and realised Michael was once more shackled. She felt her heart sink slightly. Why? Had something happened, and if so what?
"I would offer to wait outside," Rick said. "But I'm really sorry Danielle I can't."
This confirmed Danielle's worst fear, something had clearly happened with Michael, but she kept her mouth shut and merely nodded.
Dr Merrick resumed his work, fastening the Velcro then pressing the button. There was the familiar hum and Danielle immediately felt the coff begin to tighten.
"I hate this," she admitted with a small grin.
"Not the nicest feeling is it?" Dr Merrick acknowledged. "It won't take a moment."
After a few seconds, the doctor spoke again just as Danielle felt someone reach her side. She didn't have to think too hard to be certain it was Dr Loomis.
"Hmm," Dr Merrick said. "It's a little high. Are you feeling ok?"
"I… I think I'm still a little… stressed from yesterday," she admitted. "Not to mention… you know, Charlotte."
"Of course," the doctor said gently. "That is more than understandable. Are you feeling dizzy at all?"
"Yes, a little but I didn't mention it because I just put it down to my head injury."
"That's probably exactly what it is, but your blood pressure is higher than it should be and that concerns me a little. I wasn't going to ask you to do this for me again before discharging you, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to. I would like you to go in for another CT scan."
"Shit," Danielle said. "I hated the last one. I never know when the machine's going to move and following the voice instructions is hard when I'm nervous."
Of course she didn't see it, but she was certain Dr Loomis had nodded to Rick. Because next moment she heard the guard removing all his protective equipment, then the sound of Michael's chains being removed. She also didn't have to see it to know Joanne and Emma were smiling. She wouldn't have been surprised if Dr Merrick was either.
She also knew what this meant. Michael was once again being allowed to be with her, but this time Rick would be also. She didn't mind, she cared for and respected him, but it did make her worry increase. What the hell had happened overnight?
As if reading her mind, Dr Loomis stepped closer confirming her early certainty it was him and whispered in her ear.
"You are right, I can see it on your face. Something did happen last night, but I do not want you to worry about it Danielle. If you do, it'll just increase your blood pressure and so on and you are less likely to be released today. All you need to know is that no one was hurt and Michael didn't commit any act of violence post Laurie, which you saved the day for I might add."
"Bull," she said firmly. "The guards would have done that without me."
"Perhaps, but not mentally. They would've used physical force, as opposed to reaching Michael emotionally like you did."
She found she once again couldn't argue with this.
"Rick will be with you, Dr Loomis continued. "He will be armed because as you already know the guns are plastic the bullets rubber. But he will be standing right beside the door and not saying or doing anything unless he absolutely has to, which I very much doubt. Michael would never harm you, Danielle. I think we all know this by now."
She could only nod. The door opened and she heard a gurney being wheeled into the room.
"Please work with me?" Dr Merrick asked. "I want you to go down on this, ok? Just because of your blood pressure and the fact you feel dizzy."
"No problem," she agreed instantly.
"That's my girl," Dr Loomis touched her arm.
Two nurses came forward and gently but with practiced ease helped Danielle out of her bed and onto the gurney.
"Ok Danielle, are you comfortable?" A female nurse asked.
"Yes," Danielle affirmed.
They left the room and she heard the others walking at her side. She was surprised how comfortable the gurney's leather pads actually were.
They entered the scanner room and she heard the hum of the machine. She felt a jolt of panic. This was the last thing she wanted to do a second time.
"It's ok sweetheart," Emma whispered to her. "It'll be just the same as yesterday, including the fact Michael will be at your side, and we'll be just outside."
"Where are Dad and Colin? Danielle asked.
In the beat of silence that followed, she was sure she could almost detect the look which past between the others. Shit. Had what'd happened with Michael involved one of them? Surely not?
"They're both with Charlotte," Joanne said, but not quickly enough. Danielle reached out and laid a hand on Dr Loomis' arm, feeling his suit jacket under her fingers.
"They're all fine," the Psychiatrist murmured. "Honestly, it's ok."
"Hey Danielle," came the voice of the radiologist, she remembered his singsong Irish accent from the day before. "How lucky are you? You get me and my voice in your ears twice in two days!"
At this she couldn't help but smiled. "Thanks Ed," she said sincerely.
"Oh you even remembered my name! Even better!" Ed sounded genuinely pleased and some of Danielle's panic subsided. She knew she could trust Ed and that he knew what he was doing and she would indeed be fine.
"Ok so same drill as yesterday," Ed continued, as the heavy door closed and she was alone with him, Michael and Rick. "The others are just outside, this same rubber bulb you squeeze it immediately if you need me to stop the scan. When the machine tells you to breathe and stay calm, do the best you can and try not to move."
"The only thing that made me nervous yesterday is I'm not sure when the machine's going to move," she admitted.
"Sorry you should have said! There's a microphone on the headphones so I can hear you. No problem. When you hear me say "turn," that's me warning you it's about to move. Ok?"
"You don't mind doing that?" Danielle felt absurdly grateful at this small but kind touch.
"Course not," Ed touched her hand and she couldn't resist giving a brief squeeze. "Thank you so much."
"No problem at all. Your gurney will be wheeled into the scanner, same as yesterday. You ready?"
"No," she said with a small grin. "But guess I need to be huh?"
"You're perfectly safe, I've got full control. Nothing will happen to you; the machine will purely take some more pictures of your head and brain."
"Do you have another pair of headphones you can be heard through? It's just…"
"You want your man there to hear me too? Yep no problem, stand by."
"Do you want the audio as well?" She heard Ed ask Rick, who must have answered with a nod or headshake, as Ed said "no problem."
A minute or so later, Danielle was once more entering the CT scanner, and Michael was once again holding her hand in his. Soft music started up in the headphones, then Ed's voice cut in. "Ok, ready?"
"Yes," Danielle confirmed. "Let's get this over with."
Colin sat once more at his unconscious sister's bedside, wondering if he looked as tired as he felt. The memories of last night kept crashing over him. If he was honest with himself, he couldn't even believe himself that he was still alive. Michael would've had every right to kill him and probably should of, yet he hadn't. Colin knew the killer would have understood, probably, the feelings he had for Danielle, but to mention 78 and 63? Nope, stupid moves. No wonder Myers had been angered by his words.
For a terrifying moment there, Colin had been sure he was going to die. This was why he'd simply said "get on with it," when Michael had been holding him against the wall. It wasn't necessarily because he wanted to die, he had too much to live for, but because he had been certain he'd finally gone too far and he was Michael Myers' next victim.
But amazingly, it hadn't happened. Then he'd tried to apologise to Michael and even to his own ears his words had sounded insincere, except the part about Adam of course. That part was 100 percent true, he wished with all his heart he'd seen the misogynist fucker die. But the rest? Colin wasn't even sure himself if he'd completely meant it or not.
He had however meant what he'd said before. That if Michael ever did anything to hurt Danielle, Colin would fight him to the death, which was probably the most likely outcome, Colin wasn't fool enough to kid himself otherwise.
Deciding and knowing at the same time it was wise to follow Dr Loomis' instructions, Colin had immediately left for the hotel, which fortunately was purposefully just across the road, it was owned by the hospital for occasions just like theirs. He'd gone up to his small room and collapsed on his bed, but of course sleep eluded him. Charlotte was of course the main reason for his insomnia, but right behind her was what'd happened between him and Myers. Did he seriously have a Deathwish? Sure he was distraught right now, but so were the rest of the family and none of them had gone out of their way to wind up and goad a masked serial killer.
But none of them love Danielle the way I do either, Colin thought as he tossed and turned, desperate to close his eyes. Dr Merrick had offered all of them a sleeping pill which Colin had refused, but now he was sincerely regretting doing this.
When morning had eventually come, Colin had walked straight back to the hospital. Dave and Tim joined him moments later and they resumed their watch.
"You ok son?" Dave asked him within minutes of seeing him. Colin rubbed his eyes.
"Just tired as all fuck dad," he admitted. He'd resolved during those long sleepless hours he would not tell his family anything that'd happened between him and Myers the night before. Apart from anything else it would worry them for his safety, but they'd probably also say it'd been his fault. Which, indeed it had.
He desperately wanted to say something to Myers, a true apology before he and Danielle left once more for Smith's Grove. But could he? Should he even. He couldn't deny he was scared. If Myers decided not to accept his apology, he would have quite literally, a deadly enemy. But if he didn't at least try, he would feel really guilty for a long time, perhaps the rest of his life.
No, Colin knew he had to say something to Myers and soon. But how to get him in private was another thing. He also really, really didn't want Danielle knowing what had happened or what he'd said. It wasn't her fault he was the man who'd let her get away, and now she was happily in love with Myers. He would appear incredibly selfish and bitter to tell her so now.
"Where's Mom?" He asked now.
"She's with Dr Merrick and Danielle, she's having her final check-up."
Colin could only nod. He hoped Danielle would be cleared to leave, as that would mean she was sufficiently recovered enough to fly, but at the same time…
He shook himself firmly, not liking where his thoughts were once again going. He wanted her to stay because he loved her, and not as a brother.
"You sure you're ok?" Dave asked, clearly detecting his son's demeanour and mood. Colin hesitated. Should he tell at least his father the truth? He also had a lot of time and respect for Tim and was sure the other man wouldn't judge him either.
"Cole?" His father gently pushed.
"Ah shit," Colin lowered his face into his hands. "You know Tim, Dad, right now I feel like the world's biggest damn prick!"
"Why?" The 2 men said together.
"Jesus!" Colin looked up and glared at the wall. "Because I am! I'm the most selfish damn prick on the face of the earth right now! I mean hell!" He gestured at Charlotte. "My sister's lying there unconscious and I let my own fucking feelings take over in such the wrong way! Please, don't tell Mom this will you?"
Tim and his father just looked at him, neither speaking, waiting for him to continue.
"Right now I fucking hate myself! The problem is… fuck! I love Danielle… the wrong way, ok? As in, I don't love her the way a fucking brother should!"
"Ah," Dave said quietly, but with no judgement in his voice.
"I was a stupid damn fool! Talk about the girl that got away! I let her get away! I should have told her when she broke up with that fucker Dawson! But I didn't, I was too much of a chicken!"
"She only broke up with Adam," Tim said speaking for the first time, "when she tried to commit suicide."
"I know! But that's the thing, I should have gone in there and told her!"
"She wasn't allowed visitor's for a while," his father reminded him softly.
"I know, but damn it a phone call? Something! Hell a letter even! Or I could have asked to speak to her the first time Charlotte visited her! Little things, like how she used to say I had nice ears!"
He heard his father's soft chuckle. "Me too," Dave said. "Her and her ears, eh?"
"I know," Colin looked back down at the floor. "She could've fiddled with my ears all she liked, hell she can, but…"
"You wish she was yours?" Tim asked.
"Yeah and I wish I'd fucking told her when the chance was staring me in the face. I should have got her away from Dawson, I had plenty of time to do it, but I chickened the fuck out! Now, it's killing me!"
"Are you jealous? That she's with Michael now?"
"Jealous? Fucking hell dad! I'm jealous plus ten! Of all people, why the fuck did it have to be Michael Myers?"
"I think Adam asked that very question," Tim said quietly. "But look what good it did him. He died for it."
At this, Colin couldn't resist a small smile. "Yeah I know, good fucking riddance. But shit! It all hit me last night a new as it were, and I felt fucking terrible! Look!" He gestured once again at Charlotte's unconscious form. "My sister's unconscious because that fucker wanted to hurt her, just as he hurt Danielle! He intended her to die I'm certain of this, whatever the fucking cops say! Thank Christ she didn't, but it wasn't for lack of trying!"
"But Adam's dead now," Dave said. "He can't hurt either of them again, or us."
"Yeah, but Charlotte has to survive first…" Colin's voice trailed off.
"She will," Tim and Dave said in unison.
"You know C," Dave said affectionately, his own voice choking with tears now. "She's a fighter, when she wants something she goes after it at full speed. I believe that includes this. She wants to survive, so she'll fight with all she has to do so. After all, the docs thought she'd be dead this morning and look, she's still breathing!"
Colin could only nod, knowing his father was right.
"But that's not all, is it son?" Dave asked, leaning towards Colin. "You said you let your feelings take over, what happened?"
Colin hesitated, unsure if he should proceed, but unsure he could get out of this without telling his father an outright lie either.
"I won't say a word to your mother," Dave confirmed. "If that's what you're worried about. This is between the three of us." Tim also nodded.
"Ok," Colin said after a moment. "Just don't hate me, please?"
"I could never hate you son," Dave said, bringing tears to Colin's eyes once more. Swallowing hard to get them under control, he took a deep breath and began to tell the story he was sure he never would just hours before.
To her surprise, Danielle felt herself relaxing as the scanner started, the soft music and Ed's voice periodically saying "turn," just before the machine moved. She guessed someone who could see would know when it was about to happen. Just as the day before, Michael didn't release her hand once.
"Hold your breath and please remain calm," said the female voice of the machine. She felt Michael squeeze her hand and smiled. He was telling her he was with her. She tried to remain as still as she could, until the machine said, "release." This was repeated three more times.
"Last turn," came Ed's voice a few seconds later.
Again, the machine told her to hold her breath, then to release it seconds later. A few seconds later, she felt her headphones being gently removed as the gurney began to move out of the scanner. Finally, it was over.
"Great job Danielle," Ed said as the nurses prepared to wheel her back to her bed. "I'll print out the pics now and get them to Dr Merrick within the hour. You'll be pleased to know that from my perspective everything looks good to go, but of course Dr Merrick also has to agree with me."
"I understand," Danielle said. "No problem, thank you so much Ed."
"All in a day's work. You take care, ok?"
When they got outside the room, Danielle felt a wave of sadness, certain Michael was about to be chained once more. She heard Dr Loomis sigh softly before speaking.
"Michael, can we trust you?"
Danielle felt her heart sink completely. So she had been right, something had happened. But Dr Loomis had told her not to worry, so she would try her best to trust him by doing just that.
Michael must have nodded because Dr Loomis said, "it's ok Rick."
They reached her room and she was helped back into bed.
"When can I see Charlotte?" She asked Emma.
"As soon as Dr Merrick clears you we'll take you to see her before you leave, that's a promise."
"Thanks Mom," she smiled at her mother.
If she was honest, Danielle was dreading in part going back to Smith's Grove, but knew it had to be done. She trusted Dr Stark and Dr Loomis completely, and it wasn't like last time where she'd be unfamiliar with her surroundings, not to mention she'd found a lot more than just mental healing there, the result was standing at her side right now. She just hoped Dr Merrick would clear her to leave soon. Being in the hospital was bringing back everything that'd happened with Adam the day before, and she right then wanted to get as far away from Haddonfield as she possibly could, until the news reached her she was longing for, that Charlotte was awake once more..
