"Hi Charlotte, I'm Tasha. I'm one of the Domestic Violence Advisors or DVA's here at Smith's Grove. It's lovely to meet you, I'm just sorry it had to be in this way! This may be our first meeting, but I can see you again tomorrow and for as long as you need."

Charlotte smiled at the young woman sitting across the desk from her, liking her already. "No offense taken," she grinned. "You've only met me because I've gone through DV, after all." The 2 women shook hands. "I really appreciate you doing this for me," Charlotte continued. "I'm not even a patient here after all Dr Loomis won't let me pay you anything either."

"He's good like that," Tasha smiled. Charlotte returned it. "So I'm here if you want to talk about anything, or to offer you any help or advice I can. Of course these meetings are completely confidential. I understand the police are also working with you?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yeah, I have to say this for them, they've been great. I just wish they'd helped Danielle when she needed them most but…" She shrugged. "They didn't. Nothing we can do about that now."

"I'm sorry for that, too," Tasha said. "But rest assured she's getting the best care possible now."

"I know, but thanks," Charlotte smiled. In more than one way, she thought.

"I don't think I can really tell you much," Charlotte went on. "I didn't go through anywhere near as much as Danielle did because Adam didn't get the chance, or have the time. He was summoned to court pretty soon after I moved in with him. That said, he still did enough," she sighed. "Just the basics so to speak. If Domestic Violence even has basics," she glared at the wall. "Checking my phone, where I was, who I was with, etc. The usual controlling behaviour. Didn't like me talking to other men, wearing certain clothes, you know the drill." Tasha nodded. "The worst part for me was," Charlotte looked down at the floor briefly. "Not even the abuse. It was the fact that I knew everything Adam was doing to Danielle, she confided in me. I was meant to be her best friend… So much for that!" Her voice dripped with self-contempt. "I let my desire for Adam come before our friendship. Dwelling on the fact that I had eyes, I could see how gorgeous he was." She looked disgusted. "Danielle should've come first; she always had before that bastard."

"So did you think she was making it up?" Tasha's voice was gentle, Charlotte noticed. It made her feel even worse. "Or were you just ignoring it because you wanted Adam for yourself?"

Charlotte visibly winced. "Jesus," she ran her hands through her hair. "I don't know, I've asked myself that again and again. It wasn't just Adam, either. I found myself stupidly getting jealous about other things. The fact Danielle scored higher than me in a course at college for example. I remember saying to Adam that a blind person shouldn't have come above a sighted one, it wasn't right…" Tears filled her eyes. Tasha slid a box of tissues across the desk. Charlotte took some and tried to compose herself. "Danielle never heard me say that and doesn't know, but fuck it hurts! Sorry," she apologised, but Tasha shook her head. Charlotte guessed strong language was nothing new in her line of work. "The reason she scored higher than me is because she's cleverer than me, no other reason. She never let her blindness stop her, not before he came at least." She spat the word he. "I called him a little worm today in court and I wasn't wrong. He is a worm and I wish I could squish him under my shoe, just like he squished Danielle into almost killing herself, going as far as to hang herself and then he tried to squish me too."

She looked around the secure meeting room in Smith's Grove in silence, trying to gather herself. The door was closed and locked, Charlotte didn't have to be told to know Tasha would have an alarm button somewhere close to her. It saddened her that some people would try and hurt this woman who was only trying to help them. But then, she reminded herself. Some of them are probably criminally or otherwise insane. It might not be entirely their fault. "My main priority and request from you guys is please help Danielle," she said eventually. "She's been through a lot more than I have because of him. I was just overwhelmed by lust and boy did I pay for it. I sometimes think I deserved what I went through. I put him before my year's long best friend."

"That doesn't mean you deserved to be abused," Tasha said. "No one deserves that, no matter what, Charlotte."

"Yeah, yeah," Charlotte nodded, unconvinced. "Domestic abuse, there's no excuse and all that."

Tasha laughed softly. "You don't believe that do you?"

"No I don't!" Charlotte said with conviction. "I deserve what I went through. In answer to your previous question… I think I just didn't want to believe Danielle. Adam, I saw this…" She shivered in disgust. "Gorgeous, charming man who Danielle was lying about. I was just looking. That was all. I didn't even know the man, well aside from being Danielle's boyfriend, but I wanted to. I really, really did. Don't judge a book by its cover and all that. I was so fucking shallow… Danielle should have come first and she didn't. I'll never, ever forgive myself for that. Danielle appears to have done so and I don't understand why! It wasn't all Adam you know. Not at the beginning anyway."

"She obviously loves you very much," Tasha said softly. "Clearly not willing to abandon years of friendship with you over Adam, be it him himself or you're doubting her over wanting for him yourself."

Charlotte looked away. "Jesus when you say it like that I sound like a right bitch don't I? Putting my so-called best friend behind a man just because he was good looking! Not believing her stories of abuse or at least not letting myself hear them, all over his looks. What the fuck? I was, pun not intended, blind to the truth. Blind to everything but his looks! Fucking hell I hate myself!"

"But Danielle doesn't," Tasha said. "Nor should you. Don't forget, something obviously drew her to Adam, albeit it wasn't looks. She was also attracted to him at one point, hence why she was with him in the first place. It's neither of your faults that he appears to enjoy abusing and controlling women. You are both victims in that sense. Understand?" Her voice was firm on the last word. Charlotte took a deep breath and met the DV Advisor's gaze. It was unusually stern now. Slowly, she nodded.

…

Dr Stark allowed Charlotte and Danielle through secure doors into the visitor's restaurant. The tea and food were surprisingly good, Danielle thought, having never had anything from there before. Certainly better than the drink the patients got.

"So," Charlotte began immediately as soon as they were sitting down with their drinks and hot meals for dinner. Danielle got chicken pot pie, and Charlotte had beef curry. "How are you finding it here, now that you've been here for a while?"

Danielle shrugged. "You know, same old stuff."

"Now don't you give me that Mrs," Charlotte said sternly. "You're smiling like a cat who caught the canary! Is a certain Mr. Myers the one to thank for this new development?" Danielle found herself blushing.

"Listen Dan, Charlotte said. "I know I said this once over the phone already, but I have to say it again, I just have to say it to your face. I won't ever forgive myself for…"

"Now don't you start that," Danielle said. "You're not the first one to tell me Adam is good looking. We'd finished, you wanted a chance with him."

"After everything you told me he did to you and then you were found hanging in the garage? Everything which I now know is true?" Charlotte looked disgusted. "What kind of person does that to their so-called best friend?"

"Hey. You only had my word for it, and no proof."

"But that should've been enough!" Charlotte lightly slapped the table. "I didn't let it be and it should've been! That was fucking heartless!"

"How were you to know that I wasn't making it up?" Danielle said softly. "You had to find out for yourself it seemed. I didn't want you to, but I can't blame you for it."

"Because you nearly fucking died! I fucking adore you Danielle Hayward," Charlotte stood up and put her arms around Danielle, kneeling beside her chair as she held her tightly. Danielle hugged her back, resting her head on her friend's shoulder. "It's not looking good for us is it?"

Charlotte sighed. "No, it's not." She held her friend tighter. "But we'll get through this D, we'll both be protected, I don't doubt that. You, more than me," Danielle could hear her smirk.

"Oh, be quiet!" She poked Charlotte's shoulder playfully. "I'm just scared that he'll go on to abuse another woman, or 2, or…"

"You know there's a law women can apply for right?" Charlotte asked. "Like, if someone gets into a relationship with him the police can warn her about his history?" Danielle nodded against Charlotte's shoulder. "Yeah, the police did mention that. But don't they have to apply for it?"

"I don't think so, not with men like Adam who've been to court and with what he's done to you. Plus the 11 to 1 Jury. I think they'll be informed automatically. I fucking hope so anyway!"

2 hours later, Charlotte guided Danielle out of the restaurant. Seeing this on the cameras, Ryan went down to fetch them. Joanne had been off duty for an hour. "Hey," Ryan smiled at them both.

"Hi Ryan," Danielle and Charlotte said together. Danielle knew Charlotte would've seen his name badge and she knew his voice by now.

Charlotte had told Danielle during dinner that she had originally booked a hotel, as Smith's Grove was a long way from the safe house and it would take too long to get back that night, but Dr Stark had put her foot down and offered Charlotte one of the spare staff rooms at Smith's Grove for the night, and had also allowed Danielle to share it with her as it had 2 beds. Danielle was grateful to Dr Stark for doing this. She'd only briefly seen the doctors when they'd returned, both Dr Stark and Dr Loomis congratulating her on how well she'd done and how brave she'd been as they shook hands first with her, then Charlotte. Dr Stark and Danielle agreed to meet tomorrow. Dr Stark told her that she could talk about what happened for as long as she needed then if she wished. Myers was also still there and had taken Danielle's hand and softly squeezed it, which brought a lump to her throat. Charlotte told her later that Myers had also shaken hers.

The 2 friends were led to the room by Ryan. It was surprisingly luxurious, with an en-suite bathroom. It'd been the best 2 hours Danielle could remember in a long time. They'd talked about college, life, books, TV, anything but Adam. Danielle had loved every second of it. She must've drunk at least 3 cups of tea.

Within 5 minutes of pulling on her night clothes, which Ryan had brought down from her cell, and climbing into the comfortable bed with her friend in the other bed, Danielle was dead to the world.

…

Rick took his place outside the door as the secure van rolled up to the block and stopped. He's heard of the man he was about to escort in. Of course he did. His name was almost as well-known as Michael's, although he wasn't afraid of him. Derek Chancer. A killer in his own right but with one difference. He targeted women, and his M.O. was to rape then kill them in horrific ways. No wonder the doctors didn't want Danielle in the block when he was bought in. Her whole routine had to change. Yard visits in the afternoons was just one of the things. She wasn't allowed out of her cell when he was out of his, and vice versa. They weren't taking any chances. The situation between Michael and Danielle is definitely different, Rick didn't even know how it had happened. Possibly because Michael had been chained to a concrete block. Whatever it was, with this man, no exceptions. Rick would do everything in his power to help protect Danielle Hayward. He couldn't speak for the rest of the guards because he knew they would because it's their job, but Rick would go the extra mile for Danielle if he had to. He felt sorry for, but also respected her for her bravery and determination. He knew Joanne felt the same way. Rick gritted his teeth and took a deep breath, as 2 other armed guards joined him.

"You ready Rick?" Ryan asked. Rick smiled grimly. "Oh yes. The sooner we get this fucker in a cell the better."

The van stopped and the doors slid open. Derek Chancer was escorted out in heavy chains. Because this was Rick's block, only he and Ryan were allowed to take charge of Chancer once he was inside. He was a small, skinny guy who didn't look dangerous, but Rick and Ryan knew otherwise. To women, he was literally their deadly enemy. No one knew why he didn't target men, but Rick was sure Dr Stark and Dr Loomis would figure it out. He was curious to find out himself. He knew that Chancer could put on a charming smile, and say whatever women wanted to hear. He'd then take them to his house, lock them in his basement, rape then kill them. It was rumoured that his knowledge and methods of torture were second to none. Michael Myers just killed on the spot, whoever, wherever, whenever. Not Chancer. He deliberately chose his female targets and killed them in calculated and terrible ways. Rick hated him. He vowed then and there that he'd make an effort to avoid him and take any opportunity he could not to be near the man. If one could call him a man that was. Devil, perhaps?

The 5 guards, including 2 from the van, marched Chancer up to the door and into the block. Chancer didn't resist, but Rick kept his guard up constantly. That meant nothing with men like Chancer. He would, pun not intended, take any chance he got. Rick was determined that he wouldn't get even the slightest one. Not today, not ever.

They reached the heavy doors and Ryan buzzed them in. Chancer would be in Jefferson's old cell, which was another reason why the doctors were being very, very careful. Apparently Dr Stark had told Rick that they'd discussed moving Danielle, but had agreed not to. Myers it seemed was essential to her recovery. Still, Rick could hardly believe it. Right now, Danielle was out in the yard at the doctor's orders. That was just fine with him.

Slowly and carefully, they entered the block. Chancer was securely chained by ankles, wrists and chest. Even though there were currently no women in the block, they were taking no chances with him. Also for their safety, Joanne and Dr Stark had left. They knew how dangerous this man was and wouldn't underestimate him. "Ready Rick?" Ryan asked quietly, as the doors slid closed and they began to escort Chancer towards his cell. The man hadn't spoken a word. Rick nodded to his colleague.

Slowly they headed down the corridor, Chancer's movement limited by his chains. They'd almost reached the cell when Chancer stopped.

"Move it!" Ryan ordered.

Chancer's gaze was fixed at the wall seemingly as if he wasn't seeing it. Right now they were next to Myers' cell. That was when Chancer seemed to spring into life. It was like he had a spring mechanism in him just waiting to be released. Ryan tugged on his chains a second time, this time drawing his gun in warning. But Chancer still didn't move. Rick stepped to Ryan's other side to assist his colleague and that was when the little man moved. He may have been small, but he was fast. Before either guard knew what was happening, Chancer had grabbed Rick by his vest and slammed him against the doors of Myers' cell. Rick struggled, desperately trying to reach for his own gun. This was no acting; this was terrifyingly real. Chancer wrapped the chain around Rick's neck, which was around his wrists, and started choking him with it. Ryan scrambled for his radio and its red alarm button. "Mayday!" He shouted. "WE NEED IMMEDIATE BACKUP!"

Rick was gasping for breath, his face turning blue as Chancer slammed him against Myers's door again and again. Ryan saw his colleague's head hit the bars at least twice. He desperately tried to help him but couldn't get in between him and Chancer. If he fired, albeit a rubber bullet, there was a very good chance he'd hit Rick. Again, he sent out the emergency message. Where the fuck were the other guards?

At that exact moment, the door of the block opened and Jack entered, escorting Myers. To his credit, Jack leapt straight into action, pulling out his gun. Rick's movements were getting weaker and weaker by this point. He was dying in front of their eyes. His gun hit the floor with a clatter. But Chancer couldn't grab it or he'd have to stop choking Rick. Again, Rick was slammed against Myers' cell. Ryan shouted again. Nothing. It was only when Jack drew his radio and shouted for help that Ryan looked and realised why. For the first time, Ryan wanted to cry. His fucking radio battery was dead! How had he not checked before coming on shift? It was a rule! How! It could have cost Rick his life…

Neither Ryan nor Jack saw Myers move. Jack had released him as he desperately tried to help Rick. But the next thing either guard saw, Myers was in front of the 2 men. There was one single sickening crack and Chancer hit the floor, knocked out cold. Rick went down with him and next second, it was Michael Myers who was kneeling beside the guard, removing the chain from around his neck, a gentle arm around him holding him securely while the guard was hacking air back into his lungs.

Jack and Ryan hauled the unconscious man into his cell, just as the block door crashed open and 6 guards ran in. "Too late," Ryan said and looked away. He was very tempted to resign for this. His thoughtlessness had almost got his colleague killed! Would have if… If not for Michael Myers… How fucking ironic!