Danielle lay still on her bed trying not to move, fearing in some way that even this would anger the killer. Ok he'd treated her kindly, held her at night, let her touch his ears, but right now he was Michael Myers, the killer. She certainly didn't want to be on the wrong side of his rage. She heard the guards moving around searching Chancer's cell, the squawking of their radios as the control room asked if they were ok and if they had found anything. "Negative," she heard one of them say. So not yet then it seemed.

She knew these guys held real guns. Not the rubber bullets Rick, Joanne and the others had. These ones could kill.

Despite Michael being at his most dangerous, Danielle found herself wanting to be close to him as she heard the heavily armed guards doing their jobs. She knew they should make her feel safe and indeed they did. They were trying to find the reason Adam had known she'd had visitors and so on. But still, they shouldn't have to be doing that. Adam had clearly hired someone on the inside to watch her. If it was Chancer, so far they had no proof. Danielle shivered again, pressing closer to the wall and without knowing exactly why, pressed the button to put her Plexiglas window up.

…

As Derek Chancer stood there, he found himself wishing they'd hurry up, even if for no other reason than from how cold he was. About 5 minutes later he heard one of the guards shout 3 words.

"RED TO BLACK!"

Chancer had no idea what that meant but he had a horrible feeling that it wasn't good. This was confirmed when the guards with him tightened their grips and 1 withdrew something from his jacket pocket. Chancer didn't see what it was until it was too late.

He felt the sting of a needle entering his left arm and seconds later things started to change. Sound took on the tinny distant sound it does when it sounds like it's coming down a dark tunnel. His vision dimmed and he would've collapsed if the guards hadn't been holding him.

I've been drugged? Was his last thought before everything in Derek Chancer's world went dark?

…

When Danielle heard the guard's shout of, "RED TO BLACK!" She was utterly confused. She tried to tell herself it wasn't her concern, but she couldn't help wondering. Did that mean they'd found something? A few seconds later there were the sounds of the block doors slamming shut. Shortly afterwards, Jordan approached the cell.

"Danielle, Michael, we're all clear. You can have breakfast now, if you'd like."

Danielle let out a hollow laugh. She, "I could eat a horse" statement of just under an hour ago, was completely irrelevant now. Her appetite was gone. Adam's text had completely destroyed it. She tried to reason with herself that this was what Adam wanted. He wanted her to fall apart, not eat and potentially attempt suicide again. She couldn't let that happen.

The door buzzed open and Danielle heard the killer step out to be chained. She waited for a moment and then heard the voice of Mel, one of Jordan's colleagues.

"Hey Danielle, are we ready for breakfast?"

Danielle wanted to refuse. But not anymore she wouldn't. She would at least try and eat something.

"Do we know what the outcome of the cell search was?" She asked Mel in a low voice as Mel took her arm.

"No dear," Mel whispered back. "They obviously found something because they used a tranquiliser dart on Mr. Chancer so they could take him down to solitary and interrogate him."

"Shit," Danielle let out a low whistle. "They're not going lightly on him then? Good! If it is him who's been watching me and reporting back to Adam, I can't say I'm at all sorry because I'd be lying."

As she and Mel set off down the corridor, Danielle spoke quietly again. "Where's Michael?"

"He's in front of us with Kevin and Scott," Mel whispered back.

Danielle sighed sadly. She'd had no comfort at all from the killer while everything had happened. But then, could she blame him? Did she really need it that much? It was Halloween tonight; the night Michael was most dangerous. She'd coped pretty well considering, she thought. Did she really need his comfort?

"No," said a quiet voice in the back of her mind. "You wanted it. Totally different things."

She was almost certain she wouldn't be able to talk to Michael today. That would have to wait. Even if she could, what could she possibly say to him? Hell she'd been afraid to move just now in her cell for fear of inadvertently angering him. What if she said the wrong thing? His kind treatment of her aside… She didn't want to risk it.

They entered the dining room and Mel fetched her a big plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. You won't win this time Adam, she thought with a determination she hadn't felt in a long time, as she started to eat. To her surprise, once she started, she finished the whole plate.

"Hungry are we?" Mel asked and Danielle could hear the smile in her voice.

"More so than I thought that I would be after that," Danielle admitted.

"Do you want some more?"

Danielle surprised herself again. "Yes please."

…

The Shape stood at the door of his cell; his steady gaze directed down the empty corridor. There was no sign of Danielle, or anyone else for that matter. The guards hadn't taken chances with him. Chaining him both to and from breakfast. He couldn't deny he felt the urge to kill very strongly. But then he always did on this day, worst tonight.

But then he thought of Danielle and something unfamiliar tugged at his heart. He'd seen how afraid she'd been when he was with her in her cell. How she'd pressed close to the wall as if she was afraid to even move in fear of angering him. This caused a feeling he didn't understand completely, except that he knew that he didn't want her to be afraid of him. Now, or ever. He would never hurt Danielle Hayward; The Shape knew that much.

Thinking back, he should've approached her in her cell, and tried to offer comfort. But his rage and desire to kill was too strong, especially when he'd seen the guards searching Derek Chancer's cell. He had suspected for a long time that Chancer was the one watching and reporting on Danielle and, although he'd tried to watch him from his or Danielle's cell, yet had had no proof of it. If he had, he would've written it for Dr Loomis immediately.

He then wondered for a moment if Danielle had suspected him of it. That thought also tugged at him. He was a killer, plain and simple. Not a watcher. He tracked, hunted, killed. That's it. He didn't want anyone's money or to work for anyone. He was a lone predator.

But he should've been there for Danielle just now. If she was one of very few people safe from his killing rage, why hadn't he? He should've comforted her. Was he afraid he'd hurt her accidentally? Surely he wouldn't have. Would he?

He knew how scared she was. Both of him and the situation with Adam and Chancer. But he hadn't and he wasn't sure even to himself why.

But he knew one thing. He had to get his thoughts in order, because as soon as they allowed him to, he would comfort Danielle. In whatever way he could, to make up for not having done so when she needed him the most. She could touch his ears all she liked. He still didn't fully understand why this was so important to him to comfort her, but it was, so he would do it and nothing would stand in his way. He'd kill for it if he had to.

…

Fuck its cold!

This was the first thought that entered Derek Chancer's mind as he slowly surfaced into consciousness. Where was he? When he opened his eyes the room seemed to spin. He closed them again and reopened them.

He was in a small, claustrophobic space, thick glass surrounded him. An armed guard was standing on his right, a gun clearly visible in his shoulder holster. 2 others stood grim faced behind him.

"What the fuck?" He finally managed to croak. "Where am I?"

Then everything came back. "You fuckers drugged me!" He wanted to shout it, but he still felt too weak to do so.

"Oh stop complaining." It was Dr Stark's voice, coming through concealed speakers. This only made Derek even angrier. The nerve of the bitch. From behind glass of course so he couldn't reach her.

"We need some questions answered Mr. Chancer. I think you know what I'm talking about."

"So why from behind glass?" Derek retaliated. "Is it because you know I'd shove my rock hard cock into your dripping wet cunt and fuck you before snapping your neck otherwise?"

"ENOUGH!"

That was Dr Loomis' voice. He said with an authoritative shout. Chancer smirked. The guard on his right placed his hand on the butt of his gun. A clear warning.

Dickhead, Chancer thought. "Questions about what?"

Dr Loomis bent down and picked something up. It was his iPod in a clear plastic bag. The kind the police used for storing evidence.

"I should make one thing clear," Dr Loomis said. "You won't be getting any food until you answer all our questions. So if you want to get out of here and back to your cell or even eat again, start talking."

Chancer glared at him. "You're supposed to be treating me, not torturing me."

"You're one to talk about torture," Dr Stark snarled. This time Dr Loomis didn't step into intervene. It was clear that he agreed. Chancer grinned. Yes that was true. He could torture women. But he wasn't here to receive it.

"I think," Dr Loomis' voice was steady. "That after everything we suspect you have done; you are not in a position to complain. When you compromise the welfare, safety and possibly even the life of another patient, my options of treating you are fairly limited. Wouldn't you say?"

Chancer decided his best chance here was to play innocent. "What are you talking about? I'll take you to court for this. Drugging me!"

"You carry on," Dr Loomis said mildly. "It'll save all the officers from needing to look for you before they put you in the electric chair."

That silenced Derek. He knew the State wanted to execute him, and he also knew this dickhead on the other side of the glass could make that happen very easily. But he'd be God damned if that'd make Chancer respect him. He could now understand, though he didn't like it, why they'd drugged him. No way in hell would he have come down here willingly or quietly?

Anger took hold of him and at the same time he felt his cock stiffen in his pants. God help Dr Stark if he got hold of her. Or any woman for that matter. He'd fuck them so hard they'd be bleeding before he killed them, slowly and violently. He might even fuck them again afterwards…

That stiffened his resolve (along with his cock) not to say anything of the truth. For the first time he found himself congratulating Chris Leach on his technical skills. He hadn't thought about it before. The "I'm listening" app on the iPod looked like a workout one. The "Play'' button was a treadmill icon and the "Working" button was a pedal. Now that he thought about it, this made sense. Listen to someone a long walk away and prove you're working hard so we pay you. A pedal. Brilliant. These quacks would never work the truth out. But first they had to get past the password. One too many times and…

"What's the password for your iPod?" Dr Loomis asked. So here we go…

I could lie, Chancer thought. 3 incorrect guesses and this idiot would be dead. Although he still wasn't sure how the iPod could kill him. But it was an exciting and tempting thought. But then he realised the problem with this plan. It would look suspicious if he gave the incorrect password 3 times, given that it was "his" iPod and he was only using it hours ago. Nope, there was nothing for it, he'd be entirely trusting Chris Leach. This thought gave him no comfort at all.

…

10 minutes later.

"Danielle, its Jack. Are you done?"

"Hey Jack, yes thanks. What's up?"

"Nothing to worry about, I just need a quick word with you in private. Don't worry, you're not in trouble. Not back at school or anything having failed to do your homework."

Danielle couldn't help laughing as she stood from her chair and took his arm. In front of her she heard the harsh clinking of chains as Michael was also escorted out by 2 guards.

"You know Jack," Danielle breathed as they left the dining room. "He's been so kind to me, sweet even but God I'm really scared of him right now! He didn't approach me at all in my cell just now, you know, he just stayed by the door."

"It's Halloween," Jack whispered back. "I think we're all scared of him today. 2 guards, the chains, and need I say more?"

Danielle shook her head. "No, I get it."

The 2 of them entered a normal office and Danielle felt another rush of affection for the staff. She had no doubt that under normal circumstances they'd be in a therapy room and there would be glass between her and Jack. Not this time, not for her.

"Thanks," Danielle said, voicing her thoughts. "I have no doubt that normally I'm supposed to be behind glass while I talk to you. Right?"

"Usually, but I have my stuff to protect myself so it doesn't always be that way. "But not for you Danielle. I'll prove it."

He pulled off his equipment vest and placed it on the back of his chair. Danielle was touched. If this didn't show they trusted her she didn't know what did.

"Thanks," was all she could manage. Jack took her hand and squeezed it. He understood what that gesture meant. How much this meant to her.

Danielle couldn't help herself. She stepped forward and hugged him tightly, feeling his soft shirt and tie. The guard placed his arm around her and hugged her back, before steering her into her chair.

"You're welcome," he said. "Do you want some tea before we start? This won't take long but of course I'd ask."

"I'm ok thanks, I had 2 at breakfast."

"Ok. Well Danielle, Dr Stark radioed me a short while ago. She is going to be tied up for quite a while with the interrogation of Mr. Chancer. So she asked me to talk to you as she knows you trust me. Thanks for that, I'm flattered."

Danielle smiled back at him. "Do you have to tell her every single word I say?

Jack chuckled. "Nope, I'll leave that to you."

"Unless you "see a risk?"" Danielle made quotation marks with her fingers on the last 3 words.

"So cynical Danielle. Now we both know that's not going to happen, is it."

Danielle shook her head. "No. I think Adam's eventual intention is for me to try and commit suicide again. I get that feeling because he just won't leave me the fuck alone! Even in here. You know, I wish misogyny was a capital crime, along with rape and domestic abuse, like murder is. You know the irony of that? I've been treated kinder by a killer who would deserve the chair than Adam ever did! Why can't they just strap Adam into Old Sparky and press the switch? It would be a blessing for everyone."

"I hear you," Jack said sympathetically. "I do. But are you feeling suicidal?"

Danielle shook her head. "No! I'm not letting Adam undo all the progress I've made with all your help."

"That's our girl," Jack squeezed her hand again. "That's why we're here. Dr Stark wanted me to check that you're ok, as Joanne's on leave right now."

"It all goes down when she's not here."

"Indeed," Jack said. "But we could always call her in if you need her just like we did before."

"God no!" Danielle said. "She deserves her time off. I love that woman and I'm sure she and a certain man named Rick are… Well, busy."

At this, Jack laughed out loud. "She told you, did she?"

"Yes and I could also tell just by the way they were around and with each other," Danielle smirked.

Jack grinned. "To be honest with you, I think we all could. It wasn't exactly hidden was it?"

"Jack," Danielle said after a moment's pause. "Can I ask you something?"

"You just did," Jack laughed. Danielle groaned. "Very funny."

"Of course. Go for it. I'm all your favourite thing. Ears."

"Oh shut up!" Danielle blushed, mortified. Had she told him? Or had someone else? She couldn't help but ask. "Did Joanne tell you?"

"No Danielle, you did," Jack was struggling not to laugh, Danielle could tell.

"Fuck off! I did not tell you!"

"Oh yes you did," he teased, before leaning down so Danielle could feel his ears. They were small, but a little bigger than Joanne's. She felt affection gush up in her heart for him once more.

"Well?" He inquired as he sat up again. "What's the verdict on my ears, your honour?"

"Small," Danielle could hardly speak, laughing and blushing.

"Small, eh? Hmm. Is that good or bad? Although I've seen you touching Michael's ears. You like his, do you?"

Danielle had to admit the truth. "Yes," she said, blushing harder.

Jack wolf-whistled. "I see. Like that is it? Anyway, before I went to the ears court, what did you want to ask me?"

Danielle couldn't help it. She hugged him again. "Thank you so much Jack, you're making this so much easier for me than it could've been. You're awesome."

"Anytime," he hugged her back. "So go ahead?"

Danielle hated that the conversation between them had to become serious, but she had to know. "What did they find in Chancer's cell? Mel told me they drugged him with some sort of tranquiliser dart? Why?"

Jack hesitated a moment, then spoke. "I'm only telling you this because it's about you. They did indeed tranquilise him. They've found something suspicious in his cell. So he's been taken down to an interrogation room in solitary confinement. Believe me, it won't be fun for him."

"How will that work?"

"He'll be asked questions by Dr Stark and Dr Loomis, surrounded by guards, one of whom will be armed. He'll have no food, just water and they won't stop until he's answered them. No, before you say it, he won't be tortured or anything, but I know you know the State wants to execute him as you mentioned it to me once. Dr Loomis could make that happen in the blink of an eye. I think that's enough incentive for him to talk."

"Shame about him not being tortured. God knows he's tortured enough women! In that case I almost kind of hope he doesn't talk. He's one man who the world would be a much better place without. If anyone deserves the chair, he does."

"Between you and me, I think Dr Loomis is trying to expedite it anyway, whether he talks or not."

"Good!" Danielle said fervently.