An hour later, Danielle was taken to her session with Dr Loomis. She was still determined to remain silent. What was the point? How would talking to this guy change anything? Him. He'd left her with so many fucking scars she knew no man would ever look at her again let alone touch her, even if she did regain her courage and confidence which he'd taken from her. This was a waste of both their time. She didn't say a word during the whole session, even as Dr Loomis probed. She couldn't bring herself to speak. If she started talking about it all she thought she'd really go insane and then they would seriously have something to worry about. Afterwards she was guided back to her cell, wondering what the hell Dr Loomis had gained from that. She smirked. Keep trying shrink. To her surprise, Joanne hadn't taken her cane when she was locked back in for the night. Someone had obviously said something. Again she thanked whoever it was.

Tonight, sleep was an impossibility. She lay still on her bed, unable to stop the memories flashing across her mind. Particularly the last one. She tried and tried, but they were like audible photographs playing across her mind through massive speakers. It was useless. In the end she got up and poured a glass of water from the plastic jug. She felt it carefully. No sharp edges whatsoever. Fuck! Just one that was all she'd need to… She wasn't sure when she did eventually drift off to sleep.

The breakfast buzzer sounded the next morning, and this time she was ready for it. She'd woken up an hour ago and slipped back into her clothes, hoping against hope she could get a shower soon. She was exhausted. Her night had been awful. She thought about feeling the jug for a sharp edge and not finding one. She cursed. Why did they want her around so badly anyway? She'd lost her few friends when Adam had… Done what he had and as for her parents… She shook that thought away. She had to. It was too horrible and made her too angry if she thought about it too much.

Joanne arrived and led her into the dining room. This time when using her cane, she more cognizant of the those around her. Hitting either of the men on either side of her could be terrible in their own ways. Raped or killed. Which was worse? She was surprised to find that she was able to eat a little something. She was starving. She hadn't even realised until she took a bite.

"Hungry this morning?" Joanne asked. Danielle just nodded at her. The guard touched her arm.

The next few days fell into the usual routine she had come to expect in Smith's Grove. Breakfast, yard time, return to cells. Then a little later, a session with her psychiatrist. Evening meals and lunch were served in the cells, passed through a small hatch in the door. Never very exciting, microwave ready meals or sandwiches at lunchtime. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate or a range of cold drinks, in plastic cups with plastic cutlery of course. She wasn't sure why only breakfast was served in the dining room but found that she didn't really care. Doubtless there was a reason, some policy or another. She was starting to wish she could let herself trust Dr Loomis. He genuinely seemed to care about his patients. But she just couldn't. How could she disclose to another man, any man, what Adam had done to her? The answer was simple. She couldn't. He'd say it was her fault because she was ugly, or… So she resolutely refused to speak in their sessions. But Dr Loomis never seemed to lose his patience. He kept pressing and encouraging her, and she was sure that one day soon if he kept talking to her like that she'd crack. One day after her session, once securely back in her cell, she cried for the first time since she got there.

One day she was standing in the exercise yard with Joanne at her side. It was cold. She pulled her jacket around her trying to keep warm. Suddenly someone asked Joanne a question and she turned to answer it. Danielle took several steps forward with the aid of her cane. She needed some damn exercise and if her guard was just going to stand there talking, then she would go on her own. Joanne told her that the yard was huge Joanne, with very few obstacles. A few seconds later, she felt her cane's tip make contact with something. Something hard. It took her a minute to realise what it was. A concrete block. Fear jabbed at her heart. She'd crossed Michael Myers' yellow line. That was one of the first things Joanne had told her about. "We'll make sure you never cross it accidentally," she'd said. Well that'd been wrong hadn't it? Because here she was right now. She started to turn when she felt something she never would've expected. A soft hand rest on her arm. She turned back, raising her own free hand which lightly came into contact with a shirt sleeve. She didn't have to guess as to who's it was.

"Are you Mr. Myers?" she breathed, only the second person to hear her speak. The hand didn't leave her arm. She took that as his silent yes. "I know of your case. My name is Danielle. I tried to kill myself and that's why I'm here." She laughed a little bitterly, only realising then that Myers would've seen the huge scar across her face. She lowered her head quickly, feeling scrutinised. "Not a pretty sight huh?" She said softly. "Nope, I know I'm not. Don't have to be able to see myself to know that. Been told that more than enough times to know it. Thank God I'm totally blind then huh? I don't have to look in the mirror. I'd break it." She was surprised when the man she was pretty sure was Myers, squeezed her arm, then released her. With the aid of her cane she walked back to where Joanne was still talking away.

"WHAT THE DAMN HELL WERE YOU DOING?"

Samuel Loomis wasn't normally the type of man who yelled. He preferred to talk, although right now he was fuming. Scratch that, furious. Joanne had seriously endangered one of their high-risk patients, who was totally blind to boot.

"SHE CROSSED MICHAEL MYERS' LINE, JOANNE! DO YOU HEAR ME? HIS LINE! ALL BECAUSE YOU WERE GOSSIPING AWAY TO JAMIE! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU THERE IS NO FRATERNIZING AT WORK? ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A TOTALLY BLIND PATIENT ON YOUR DAMN WATCH!"

Joanne stared at Dr Loomis, unable to speak. She knew his anger was more than justified. She'd turned just as Danielle had walked across the yellow line back towards her. She was amazed Myers hadn't touched her, chains or not. God knew he'd had a good enough chance; she'd been standing right next to him probably without even knowing it.

"WELL?"

"What do you want me to say Sam?" Joanne looked away. "I'm sorry I was foolish, just stupid. I let my attention laps at just the wrong second and for too long. You're totally right to be angry, I can only apologise."

Dr Loomis took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "He could've done anything to her," he said, quieter now. "Anything, Joanne. Yes even killed her. It's a damn miracle he didn't touch her."

"Is she ok?"

Dr Loomis sighed. "She's fine. Wouldn't say anything to me when I asked, but she doesn't seem affected by it. Luckily for you. You know Joanne I'm seriously tempted to discipline you for this. I can't believe you could be so careless. I asked you when she arrived if you'd rather not do it, I wasn't being sarcastic despite what you may think. That was a genuine question. If you're not up for the job I can find someone else. I can't ask one of the men, so it would be Jamie or I'll call one of the female guards over from one of the other wards. Tell me Joanne, what choice do I have? We can't risk this happening again, not even close. She was damn lucky! Do you not get that? So why should I not do it?"

"I get it," Joanne nodded, feeling close to tears. They weren't for herself either. They were for Danielle, a both mentally and physically scarred woman who'd given Joanne her trust and this was how had she paid her back? By letting her cross the warning line of a cold blooded killer. Joanne felt terrible. "You know," she said, sinking into a chair. "She has spoken to me a few times Sam. She trusts me and this is how I show her she can? Jesus! I decided not to tell you so as not to break her trust. But… Fuck I feel terrible."

"I guessed she trusts you," Dr Loomis said finally, after a short pause. "I can tell by the way you two interact. What did Jamie want anyway?"

"She was just asking me about something on TV last night," Joanne said. "I should've kept it quick or at least kept my eyes on Danielle. She may not be able to see me, but she was in my care and I should've just talked to Jamie without looking at her. I take full responsibility for what happened."

Dr Loomis sighed again. "At least you know and can admit that to me, not to mention yourself. That's one reason I am giving you a second chance. But if anything even close to this happens again I will have no choice but to relieve you of your job and take disciplinary action against you. Are we clear?"

"As a bell," Joanne nodded. "I really am so sorry Dr Loomis."

The next day, Danielle was surprised to learn that she had a session with a female doctor named Dr Stark. Has Dr Loomis given up on her already? She wasn't surprised. But neither did she expect the small twinge of… Sadness? When she found out that she wouldn't be talking to Dr Loomis that day. But why, she couldn't have said.

Dr Stark was just as gentle as Dr Loomis, not pushing her for answers. As usual, she didn't give any. She also noticed that Joanne seemed to be being especially vigilant. So it was Myers she'd spoken to the day before. She was almost certain anyway, but this just proved it. She almost wished she could tell her guard what she'd said to him and his gentle hand on her arm. But she knew she couldn't. But she did find herself hoping Joanne hadn't gotten into trouble for what'd happened. Myers hadn't hurt her, and she'd made the decision to walk away from her, Joanne hadn't done anything.

That night, the memories returned along with the pain, humiliation, his shouts. She stood up and banged her hand against the bars of her cell door. She just needed a release for her hatred, anger and desperate longing for it just to be over. "God damn it!" She thought. "I only want to die! Why the fuck do they want me around anyway? Just kill me, someone! Please?" To her horror she realised she'd spoken those words out loud, then the mocking sneering voice came from her right.

"I told you baby. Just ask Michael Myers on your left there. He'll willingly do it for you. But wait until I've fucked you first."

She cried herself to sleep that night too.

The next morning when Joanne came for her, Danielle wouldn't even speak to her guard. Not even when she asked, "are you all right?" Doubtlessly noticing her red eyes. She couldn't bring herself to respond. Right then she felt as worthless as Adam had always said she was.

They went down to breakfast in silence, and she once again couldn't eat. She drank half a cup of tea but even the thought of food made her stomach nauseous. Gratefully, Joanne didn't push her much.

After breakfast they headed into the yard again. She released Joanne's arm from hers and walked forward. With Joanne right at her side this time, her attention completely on her. She reached Myers' line and knew this when Joanne put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. Joanne could hardly believe what she did then. Danielle turned to her and smiled before shaking her head and pulling back, while stepping across the yellow line.

Instantly three other guards ran over, but made no attempt to stop her, probably because Myers couldn't reach her due to his chains. She moved forward until once again her cane hit the concrete block.

"Hi Mr. Myers," she said softly. She heard the clink of chains and knew he was as close as he could get to her, but still couldn't reach her.

"You know," she continued, keeping her voice low so only he could hear her. "If you could, I really would like to ask you to kill me. That asshole on my other side, though seriously pissing me off, is right. I know you'd be willing do it. He just needs to watch out for his dick or God help me I'll cut the fucking thing off!"

She didn't know if she was crazy or stupid then. She took a step forward and felt her arm touch his. Now the guards ran forward but one of the men shouted something she didn't hear. Everything seemed to freeze at what happened next, even the guards. Shocked she found that she couldn't move. Because that was when Myers took her hand in his. It was surprisingly warm, and strong. She squeezed it and smiled at the killer, not quite able to believe this. He was the first man she'd been close to since everything had happened, and he was goddam Michael Myers.

One of the guards must've pressed a silent alarm because the next second she heard people running. She didn't know who it was until one of the guards said, "What do we do Sam?" Only then did she realise it was Dr Loomis.

She heard the psychiatrist approaching them, and although he tried to conceal it, he gasped in shock. Slowly, Dr Samuel Loomis turned his head to face the guards. "Nothing," he said quietly.

When she was taken back to her cell 10 minutes later, she felt something in her chest. She dared not name it, because it felt remarkably like... Hope? Peace? Things she hadn't dared name since it'd happened. A man had noticed her, held her hand! Myers in fact hadn't let go of it until they'd been led back. She had stood there with her hand in his, liking every second of it. That hadn't happened since Adam, before he showed his true colours. Goosebumps ran down her arms. But him, of all men? Michael Myers? Why had he held her hand, and not strangled her with both of his? When she heard Myers being led into his cell on her left, she turned her head and gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Mr. Myers."

Dr Samuel Loomis had never been shocked by this job. He prided himself on it. He was usually able to conceal his emotions well from everyone, sometimes even himself. Not even his wife could tell what he was thinking sometimes, and that was how he liked it. But not today. Today for the first time in 20 years he was genuinely shocked and hadn't been able to conceal it. Michael Myers had been holding Danielle Hayward's hand. Not to keep her there either. It'd been a gentle, almost comforting grip. Michael Myers, the man who Dr Loomis had described for 15 years as "pure evil, there's nothing left." He was having a hard time putting the two of them into the same man. But it was, there was no denying it. He'd seen it with his own eyes.

When Joanne had come to talk to him about it, looking just as shocked as he felt, she'd asked if she was in trouble for not reacting. He'd just shook his head, admitting that in truth none of them had, not even him. But he had made the snap decision not to separate the two of them. Whatever this was, it may help them both. If Michael Myers had found a trace of humanity and Danielle was getting male comfort, then that was perfect as far as he was concerned. Maybe there was hope for both of them yet. From each other no less.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. Dr Loomis opened it to allow in Ryan and Jack, two of his best guards. "Hey. You two ok?"

"I…" Ryan's voice was shocked. "I'm still not sure I can believe what I just saw there. Now please let me make it clear right now," he gave Dr Loomis a small grin. "You're the boss, we're just the security guards, we do as you say. But wasn't that a huge risk you just took by stopping us?"

Dr Loomis smiled back, appreciating the question. "I completely understand what you're saying Ryan and there's no need for the tact beforehand," he smiled at the other man. "But I promise you. That was hopefully a major step forward for both of them."

There was another knock and Gemma Stark entered. "Ah, perfect." He continued. "Just in time. As I was saying, this may be a major step forward for both of them. Think about it people. We've got a totally blind woman who's already attempted suicide once and a silent cold blooded killer. She approaches him and he holds her hand! I mean come on! This is Michael Myers people! He's holding a blind woman's hand? To keep her there? Didn't look like it to me. That looked like comfort, reassurance. Now I'm not saying this is definite, but I normally trust my instincts."

"So what do we do about possible further interaction between them?" Jack asked. "When she first arrived we were under strict orders to keep them apart. That doesn't look like the case now from what just happened, to me. How do we know for instance he's not just luring her into a false sense of security? Gaining her trust before he strikes and attempts to kill her?"

"That's not Myers' M.O," Dr Stark said, speaking for the first time. "He doesn't normally care about trust, he just kills. Bang! He's never before taken time to get to know a victim before killing them. Hmmm," she hesitated. "I agree with Sam here, what just happened was indeed a shock to all of us but I honestly don't think he's building up for an attack."

"You're the experts," Ryan shrugged, still looking unconvinced. "We'll do as you say but…"

"We're also security guards," Jack added. "Doctors, I for one, am not going to lie. If I see something which I think indicates risk, I will step in. It's what I'm trained to do. If I'm proved wrong, tell me so afterwards." Ryan nodded to his colleague. "That's exactly what I was going to say."

"Fair enough," Dr Loomis said. "We can't argue with that. But by the same token, we would also ask you to trust our judgement as you did just now. I mean hell if it's blatantly obvious, if he has her by the throat, then of course. But otherwise…" The guards nodded to the doctor.