"How are you feeling Danielle?" Dr Stark asked over Joanne's radio as Danielle sat in a private consultation room to talk to her. "You were amazing in there today."

"Thanks, I appreciate that. I just can't believe one juror won't agree because of her own personal life! Isn't that prison time?"

"It is. The Judge will deal with that as she said. Mrs. Duckworth will face retribution for it."

"I hope so," Danielle muttered. Then she sighed. "It just brought back so many memories, but I'm afraid to talk about them because…" She hesitated, then decided she had to be totally honest with her doctor. "I'm worried if I do you'll think I'm regressing and I really don't want that. They're not making me feel suicidal or anything, it was Adam himself who did that!"

"Danielle, quite the contrary. Talking is a good thing. I won't think you're regressing just because you speak to me. I want to know what happened because I want to help you. No other reason. I'd be more concerned if you didn't talk to me."

"Thanks, I needed to hear that. Well…" She took a deep breath. "I was just remembering things he did to me. Like…" She looked embarrassed. "You know he never let me see him in a suit and tie? Sometimes I liked wearing one, not sure why and one day he grabbed my jacket collar and shoved me against a wall, asking me if I liked the power I thought it gave me, the power men have that women don't."

"What power do you think that is?"

"To control us I guess," Danielle said. "To make decisions for us. I think he was judging it based on other countries. You've seen how women are treated. Raped by their husbands if they don't cook dinner quick enough or take his plate out fast enough. They need consent from a male guardian to marry, talk to other men, vote, and drive, and have a bank account. That's just the start."

"That very unfortunately is the case," Dr Stark said. "Sadly. But work is being done to stop it. Even if it may take a while. Do you think that's what Adam was referring to regarding you?"

"I know it was," Danielle said without hesitation. "He wants to control women, own them, and dictate their lives. He seems to get a kick out of it. A dick that is. It turns the sick fucker on."

Danielle was silent for a moment, her hands resting on the table. Finally, she took another deep breath and continued.

"Then there was the time I owed him $25 for something, and I couldn't pay it back. Not to mention he had my damn bank card! But I had no money in my account, he'd probably spent it all! He said if I didn't he'd take me to court for theft. I know now that he didn't have a leg to stand on, but back then… In the end, he said to sleep with him and he'd forget it. I didn't have a choice, or at least that's how it felt, so I did."

"I'm sorry," Dr Stark said. "We have your bank card now for when you leave and you'll get it back then. You know if you want anything while here though you just have to ask."

"As to whether he did forget it, I'll never know. Hell he spent all my money anyway as soon as I was paid so…" She shrugged. "The threat with the machete wasn't new either. That's why I acted so unbothered. I was. He said it so many times before."

"But that's not right that you are so unbothered, Danielle. You should've been terrified as if it was the first time you'd heard it. It wasn't, that's what's so wrong."

"But I didn't know he was planning on killing me that day if the rope had failed," she said quietly. "If not for Nigel, even if the rope broke, I'd be dead now. Can you break down a door with a machete, Dr Stark?"

"You can try, but it's not the best weapon for the job. Don't worry Danielle, I'm certain the court also knows this and sees through the lie. Indeed, Goodwin challenged him on it. Didn't he? I will say Danielle that was the moment I was proudest of you in there today. You would've been completely justified to panic when you heard that, a lot of people would. But you didn't, you kept your cool. Dr Loomis said the same."

"Thanks. I think it was mainly because I knew that Joanne and Charlotte were there, I felt safe, not to mention who else was watching besides you 2."

"Quite."

…

Adam jolted awake in his cell, his heart beating unusually fast. "What the fuck?" He muttered, pushing himself into a sitting position on the narrow bed. It'd been a bad dream and fuck it'd been vivid. He took several deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart. That fucking killer Michael Myers. Why was he cropping up in Adam's damn dreams? Adam's blood had gone cold. Why the fuck had his bitch Danielle wanted to Google him in the damn first place? The guy was a masked psychopath. Then again, he smirked. Danielle was in there with him now. Maybe she was also with him in that way too. At that thought, Adam actually laughed out loud. He'd never take her as his. He'd kill her first, good. He'd be doing him a favour. In his dream just now though, he'd been there with a knife at Adam's throat, wearing that terrifying deathly pale mask. Why the fuck was he on Adam's mind right now? It wasn't like he was at the damn trial. Hell he didn't even know about Adam. It was ridiculous and he knew it. But still…

Adam was proud to admit he often had sexual dreams and woke with a hard on. Not right now. Right at this moment his blood was freezing cold and his cock was for once, the last thing on his mind. "What the fuck?" He muttered again, trying to regain his composure. "Get a grip, Dawson!" He must've been thinking about him somehow, if only subconsciously. That was all. There was nothing else in it. Danielle probably wouldn't even have met Myers. The guards wouldn't have let that happen. Shame, he'd thank the guy if he killed her for him. Shake his fucking hand and all. How dare Danielle testify! What the fuck were her doctors playing at anyway? The bitch was insane. Why would the jury believe a word she said? But still, Adam felt uneasy. What if… He knew they wouldn't, but what if they did? Adam hadn't even meant to fall asleep in the first place. He wished the fucking jury would hurry up. He glanced up at the clock. 1 hour to go.

…

"Ellen, for fuck's sake! Think about it woman! You're making a very, very serious mistake!"

"Sorry," Duckworth said. "But I refuse to change my mind or position. What if, just what if Mr. Dawson is not guilty? You are all sure he is, but what if he isn't? Just as my son wasn't?"

James felt anger grip him and glancing at the other jury members, he could see it reflected in their faces as well. "Ellen," he said, desperately trying to keep his voice calm. "Please allow me to go through the evidence for you again. We have a totally blind woman found hanging in a garage, her so-called boyfriend's garage which he locked, once he saw that she was hanging in there. She had to be cut down by a neighbour. He was leaving her to die. He had absolutely no desire to rescue her. Then there's the machete. You can't break down a garage door with a fucking machete! He was going to kill her with it if she somehow survived! Then there's the internet, the texts, those horrific scars on Danielle's body! Woman, just listen for a minute!"

"As I say," Duckworth said. "That doesn't constitute guilt."

"Oh my good God," Tim put his hands in the air. "What did you study in school, woman? Only you're ABC's?"

"Are you calling me stupid?" Duckworth challenged him.

"Yes!" Tim said, finally losing patience. "Very! What the hell? You're going to let a guilty man walk, all because of your own personal experiences! You can't do that! You, you just can't!"

"Ellen," Hazel sounded as if she was near tears. "Just, for a second, take your son out of this. Would you think Dawson was guilty?"

"That's impossible to answer," Duckworth said calmly. "But it won't change my mind. Did you hear how upset Mr. Dawson sounded in the dock when talking about Danielle? He loved her. I think he's just hurt because she's accused him of all this."

"Crocodile tears! I need air," Steve and Dave said in unison, leaving without another word. Tim rubbed his hair, furiously. There was absolutely nothing they could do. Adam Dawson was very likely going to walk out a free man.

…

There was the buzzer. Danielle felt faint. Joanne and Charlotte both gripped her hands. "Charlotte," Danielle said softly. "Will you stand with me this time? Please? Can you?" Before Charlotte could even answer, Joanne had nodded. "Yes," Charlotte said immediately. Goodwin had again shaken Danielle's hand, reminding her he was there for her. It turned out Goodwin had asked the judge if Charlotte could stand with Danielle during the recess to which Her Honora had agreed. Danielle wasn't surprised to feel her legs shaking, as they once again entered the courtroom.

…

Adam heard the buzzer and felt his heart sore. This was it! Hallelujah! They couldn't hold him here any longer! It had to be decided today, one way or another and by the look of it, he was getting out. He made a special effort to get the creases out of his suit. Not that his ex-bitch would ever feel him in it. He smiled at that thought. Oh, this was going to be so much fun… Also if she hadn't changed her number he was going to call Danielle upon his release, just drop in a nice little reminder of who she still obeyed and who still owned her… Both of them for that matter. Charlotte had better hope and pray his house was exactly as he'd left it, or she'd be in a world of trouble too. Hell, she was anyway, but he didn't need much of an excuse to make it worse for her.

Roland was waiting in the consultation room as Adam entered. Once again, no handshakes between them. Hopefully, Adam thought, I won't need to see this man again after today. My life can start again! All the pussy I haven't had! All those women out there that I can fuck, own, control… "Ok let's go," Roland said without preamble. "They're waiting for us."

The guard escorted Adam, still in handcuffs up and into the dock, which was securely locked before he was un-cuffed. No more fucking handcuffs, he thought with glee. Not on me anyway. On those cunts though? Hell yes! It's certainly given me a few ideas; I can get hold of real handcuffs easily.

The doors opened and Adam heard people entering, once again stepping behind the safety screens. Fucking cowards, he scoffed. Face me, why don't you? Too afraid of me? Poor little cunts. Once again Adam felt his cock hardening at the thought of Danielle's and Charlotte's fear of him. Oh how he wanted to fuck them, right now on the floor of this court room…

"Ok," Judge Spinner said. Again, Adam's cock twitched at the sound of her voice. You too cunt, he thought. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, this is the final time I will be asking you this question. Have you reached a verdict upon which all 12 of you agree?"

Behind the screens, Danielle's heart raced at an impossibly fast speed. As if she could sense her distress, Joanne pulled her close and gave her a comforting squeeze as did Charlotte. Danielle was actually shaking, and she almost cringed away in surprise when she felt a soft, warm pressure against her cheek. However, she was able to relax a tiny bit when she realised Charlotte had just kissed her cheek.

Danielle knew what was coming; somewhere deep down in the pit of her clenching stomach, she knew that it would not be good news. Then came the words Danielle had been dreading.

"No, Your Honora," James informed the court, and Danielle could hear his anger quivering in his low, emotion-roughened voice. "We are still hung, 11 to 1. Mrs. Duckworth still does not agree, and she refuses to look at the exhibits and other evidence that we were supposed to examine."

"Fuck," Danielle squeaked, trying desperately to hold on to her composure. The walls were closing in - she could feel the pressure surrounding her increase as the lid of an invisible box slammed down, and the air suddenly seemed too thick and caustic to breathe. She was about to have a panic attack. "Fuck…"

"Very well," Judge Spinner said quietly after a long moment of pensive silence during which Danielle felt like she was suffocating. "Everyone, please remain where you are. I have to make one phone call for further instructions. It will not take me long. Mr. Dawson, you are to remain in the dock in the meantime, and the jury is not yet dismissed."

It felt like ages before Judge Spinner returned, banging her gavel against her bench to order silence. Tasting bile rising up from her throat, Danielle thought she was about to be sick. After days of giving evidence, waiting, this was it… Charlotte tightened her arm around Danielle, as did Joanne. Goodwin softly tapped his table, telling Danielle that he was right there with them. "I think I'm going to be sick," Danielle just managed to whisper. "Oh Jesus I…"

"Ladies and gentlemen," Judge Spinner began. "I called the District Attorney for the State of Illinois to request a retrial as this trial resulted in a hung jury." Danielle was sure she heard Her Honora take a breath. "It will take several weeks if not months for the D.A. to review the evidence and decide whether or not to move forward with a retrial."

There was total silence, before she spoke again. "Assuming that he can post a secured bond of $20,000, Mr. Dawson is to be released without further action pending the District Attorney's determination regarding a retrial. However, Mr. Dawson, you will have strict conditions placed upon you, and the circumstances and events of this trial will be released to the media, along with the jury's 11 to 1 position. Additionally, it will be made freely available to any future women with whom you try to start a relationship with, casual or otherwise. Based on the evidence presented in this courtroom and your own testimony, I believe that you are a very dangerous man, and the police and I shall be watching you, Mr. Dawson - very, very carefully - and we shall not hesitate to take action if required. I am issuing an Order of Protection, prohibiting you from being within 500 yards of Danielle Hayward or Charlotte Avery. If you violate this order, you will be arrested on the spot, and the full amount of your bond as well as your freedom will be forfeited to the State."

Danielle suddenly felt very strange. Had someone just pressed a concealed button? It felt as if the ground was tilting up, like she was going uphill on a treadmill. "Danielle!" She heard Charlotte's voice say as the ground rushed up to meet her. Then, nothing. She had no awareness whatsoever of the Judge's next words.

Taking a deep breath and trying to think quickly about what was appropriate in this situation, Judge Spinner changed the subject and turned to face the jurors where they still stood in the box. "I am extremely disappointed in this jury and their inability to reach a unanimous verdict, and especially in you, Mrs. Duckworth for having lied under oath about your ability to render an impartial judgment during Void Dire and when you were sworn into serve. As a result of this, Mrs. Ellen Duckworth, you are hereby charged with perjury and contempt of court, for which I sentence you to 90 days incarceration, all but thirty to be suspended pending good behaviour. Bailiffs, please take Mrs. Duckworth into custody and transport her immediately to County Jail to be processed and begin serving her sentence. Mr. Dawson is to be released immediately upon making the Bond. Please escort him to the Clerk's Office for this purpose."

Judge Spinner was fuming. As the dock was unlocked, Adam Dawson started to whistle. She wanted to punch him. She took a deep breath. She had to stay professional, but she hated the little worm. She saw that Charlotte Avery was in tears, then 2 medics came running towards the safety screens set up to protect that bastard's poor victim. Her heart broke. Danielle Hayward had clearly collapsed, and she could not help feeling like it was partially her fault. After all, she had presided over the trial that failed to give the young woman justice, and she had failed to detect Ellen Duckworth's bias in time. She was sincerely thankful that Adam had not and could not see the evidence of Danielle's collapse. She saw Goodwin and Roland shake hands, exchanging bitter smiles. It was clear to Judge Spinner that they were united in this. Obviously, they did not want Adam released either.

Adam had just strolled to the doors, smoothing his tie and suit jacket, one of the bailiffs walking right behind him to guide him to the Clerk's Office where he could call for a Bond. The very way he walked was infuriating, the casual confidence that clearly broadcasts just how invincible, just how superior the disgusting fiend believed himself to be. Judge Spinner wanted to lock him up so badly and to throw away the key. At least there had been someone who she could apprehend today. One guilty person might be leaving the courthouse a free person, but the second was not so fortunate. However, the more she thought about it, the more insufficient her initial sentence seemed, although she never had been compelled by the circumstances in her courtroom to assign a greater penalty. She could not even recall what the maximum sentence was for perjury and contempt of court were off the top of her head. With a sigh, she stalked down the hallway to her chambers. She had work to do, and very little time in which to get it done.