It was clear that for just a second, Danielle's outburst had stunned Adam. She'd never once spoken to him like that. But it didn't take him long to recover, as he again slapped her to the face. Danielle felt her head rock violently to the side and a jarring pain in her neck.
"I suppose you think just because you've been in that loony bin you can talk to me like that," Adam said, his voice both very low and very dangerous. "Well I'm sorry to say Danielle, you're so wrong." Danielle heard the clinking of chains and knew all too well what was about to happen. Still she didn't panic. She had to trust the DASC, trust their assurance the app would save her. Eventually.
Adam grabbed her hands cuffing them behind her back, chained her ankles with more cuffs, before finally securing them to 2 metal rings securely bolted in to the bedposts. Danielle knew why they were there; this was after all the house of a Misogynist. Doubtless the guy had chained his woman there while fucking… raping her. Sure enough, Danielle's legs were now stuck wide open, impossible to close. Her ankles were already hurting from the relentless teeth of the cuffs.
"You see?" Adam sneered, climbing back on top of her. "Now I can fuck you so much easier. You'll pay for talking to me that way you insolent bitch Danielle Hayward!"
Danielle knew she was done for, at least as far as him raping her went. There was absolutely nothing she could do. Now Adam kissed her again, pure lust in it and Danielle knew her lips would bruise, along with the many small cuts on her arms and legs. After she'd served them dinner, the men had decided it would be fun to cut her repeatedly with knives. Not deeply, but enough to tell and show her who was boss. Luckily most of them had stopped bleeding, but the pain was terrible, not helped by the cuffs she was now wearing.
"Fuck," Adam groaned as he started to thrust inside her. "Fuck yes! You think you got away from me Danielle, but you're all mine. Where's your so-called boyfriend now, eh? Not running to rescue you now, is he? That's what you get for being with a masked silent killer who's also locked up in that nuthouse with you! He'll never escape, never get to you, and be able to save you! Just accept it bitch, you're trapped with me forever! In time, I might be nicer to you if you be a good little girl and do exactly as I tell you! Somewhat nicer, mind. But that depends on your behaviour. If you take even one step out of line…"
CRASH!
Adam started in shock. "What the fuck was…"
"HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD!" They heard a male voice shout. "IN THE CORNER, ON YOUR KNEES, NOW OR I WON'T HESITATE TO SHOOT! MOVE!"
"Fuck!" Adam cursed, bolting off Danielle and over to the door. "Fuck!"
"You were saying, Sir?" Danielle said weakly. She felt awful, but she'd be God Damned if she'd let this fucker take her without a fight. "About Michael?"
They suddenly heard fast, deliberate footsteps on the stairs. Adam bolted in to the wardrobe and slammed the door behind him. She could hear him moving things inside to try and keep the door closed. Danielle almost laughed out loud. Would have if she didn't feel so weak. Fucking coward! The cuts may be small, but how much blood had she lost? She could feel it soaking in to the sheets underneath her. Shit. She might bleed to death if she didn't get help soon…
Forcing her mind away from that terrifying scenario, she concentrated on what she could hear. The footsteps had stopped. "I'M IN HERE!" Danielle shouted as loudly as she could, which wasn't that loudly but they must've heard her as a few seconds later, the door crashed open. It'd been locked, she'd heard Adam do so. But whoever was outside had broken it down with total ease.
Danielle found herself thinking again of Michael. Despite all she'd said to Adam, she had a horrible feeling he was in fact right. How could or would Michael escape? Really? The thought was amazing, but she knew it was just that, daydreams. There was no way Michael would get out a second time not after 1978, security would be too tight. She was unable to stop the tears falling down her cheeks, so turned her head in to the thin pillow. It was the only thing she could do as both her hands and ankles were cuffed in place.
"Danielle?" Said a male voice. Danielle didn't move or even turn her head. She was too weak and in too much despair to even do this tiny thing. "Danielle? It's alright, I'm not here or going to hurt you. I'm here to help you."
At first Danielle didn't believe the stranger. She'd been through hell tonight and was only expecting more. But when the footsteps approached her side and she felt gentle and caring hands dabbing her many cuts, she started to think that maybe… just maybe…
"Who are you?" She croaked.
"A friend," the stranger said simply. "Someone who hates Adam almost as much as you do."
"What…" Danielle tried to ask, but she was starting to feel faint with terror and blood loss of the past few hours.
"Hush," the man said. "Don't speak now, just let me help you."
It was then Danielle heard another set of slow, calm footsteps approaching the door, in what sounded like heavy boots. The stranger continued treating her many cuts. The door was pushed open again and…
For a second, Danielle was sure she was indeed dreaming when the sound reached her ears. "No," she said out loud, but very quietly. Slow, measured breathing. It couldn't be, could it?"
"ASHLEY!" the stranger hollered. "GET UP HERE YOU SON OF A BITCH AND GIVE ME THE FUCKING CHAIN KEYS! NOW!"
"I…" came a terrified shout from below. "I don't have them Sir, Adam does."
"THEN WHERE THE FUCK IS THE LITTLE COWARDLY WORM, HUH? WHAT, SCARED? SO HE FUCKING SHOULD BE! WELL GET THE FUCK UP HERE ANYWAY AND HELP ME! DON'T AND I'll FUCKING KILL YOU! MOVE!"
"GO!" Another voice yelled. "DO AS HE SAYS OR I'll SHOOT EVERY ONE OF YOU!"
Danielle could hardly believe her ears. Rescue! It was really here! She listened again. Yes there it was, that measured breathing. "Is…" she breathed to the stranger as they heard running footsteps. "Is…"
"Yes," the stranger whispered back. "It's Michael. But I wouldn't approach him right now, he's…"
"Angry," Danielle breathed.
"He's also wearing his mask and holding a fucking huge knife," the stranger whispered as someone else ran in to the room.
"Mr. Leach Sir, I…"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP ASHLEY AND HELP ME! JESUS FUCKING CHRIST! WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU ANIMALS DONE TO THIS POOR GIRL? FUCK ME YOU'RE A BUNCH OF PSYCHOS! WHILE YOU'RE AT IT, WHERE THE FUCK IS DAWSON?"
Danielle then heard slow, unhurried footsteps approaching the wardrobe. "He's in there," Danielle said before Ashley could answer. Next second, she heard the sounds of the wardrobe door being forced from both sides. She tried to sit up but the stranger, who she now knew was Chris Leach himself, pushed her down. "No," he murmured. "You're too weak. Lie still for a minute." He raised his voice again. "ASHLEY, KEYS MOTHERFUCKER!"
"Dawson's got them," the man called Ashely said. Danielle knew by his voice he was the first one who'd raped her. Hatred consumed her until she felt dizzy. In spite of this, she found her voice. "Adam, what were you saying about Michael not escaping? You fucking cowardly little shit! You're fine when controlling and bullying women, but now you're fucking terrified! You know if I was strong enough, that thought would give me an orgasm! Jesus I've waited years for this! How I wish Charlotte was around to see it! Rest assured I'll tell her when, I said when she wakes up! You couldn't even fucking kill her properly could you? Face your death Adam as you've said so often to me, like a man!"
She heard Chris Leach snicker. "Well said," he said.
"You're Chris Leach," she said softly. "Aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. Danielle, I'll tell you right now I'm not even going to try and excuse the part I played in the hell you went through. But as time went on, Adam went too far. I'm so sorry. If your man here decides to kill me after he's finished with Adam, I'll totally understand why."
"I'm guessing you've sort of made up for it tonight," Danielle said. "You brought them here didn't you? Just a guess?"
"Yes," Leach confirmed.
"Then I for one will ask Michael not to touch you. Thank you, Mr. Leach Sir."
For the first time in his life on hearing that, Chris Leach felt his heart tug with sympathy. "Hey," he said. "I'm Chris to you Danielle. Ok? Jack and Rick are downstairs, covering the others at gunpoint as is another guard, Scott. You're safe now Danielle. I promise."
That was when the wardrobe door crashed open with such force, it fell clean off its hinges. Clearly Michael had had enough of toying with his next victim. Next second Adam was being hauled out, unable to speak seeing as Michael had him by the throat.
"KEYS!" Leach snarled at Adam. "MOTHERFUCKER!" He stormed over to Adam and started searching his pockets violently. Within seconds he'd retrieved the chain keys. "I hope you die slowly," he spat at Adam. "Slowly and fucking painfully! Shit! Where's the popcorn when you need it?"
"Here fucking here," Danielle said, as Chris Leach approached her and began to unlock her chains.
Within moments she was free and couldn't help smiling at the crime Lord. Right now she didn't see a criminal, she saw a man who cared about her and who'd seen more than enough of Adam Dawson just as she had. "Thank you Chris," she said.
"No problem Danielle. Ashley, throw me that first aid kit. Move!"
Ashley mumbled something indistinct but Danielle had a pretty good idea what it was. I'm not letting a woman have a first aid kit.
"Need I remind you," Chris said softly, a clear warning. "Who's also in this room? Only Danielle's boyfriend, Michael Myers himself!"
Ashley must've cast a terrified look at Myers because Leach said "yes, recognise that name? Give, me, that, kit!"
Ashley handed it over immediately. Danielle sincerely hoped he wasn't about to get away with raping her. But how could she insure that? Leach began to put anti-septic on Danielle's many cuts, being as gentle as he could. A minute or so later, Danielle heard more footsteps, then a voice she'd never been so happy to hear in her life.
"Danielle! Thank God!" It was Dr Loomis.
"Dr Loomis," Danielle said weakly, wincing with pain as Chris Leach continued his work. Dr Loomis completely ignored the fact Michael had Adam by the throat, it was as if it wasn't happening. "Do you need a hand?" He asked Leach.
"You're the doc," Leach smiled at him. "Would you mind just checking I've done this right? I think I've stopped the bleeding but I'm not brilliant at applying dressings."
"No problem," Dr Loomis stepped to Danielle's other side.
"Mr. Leach… Chris," Danielle said quietly. "Please get him out of here? Ashely? He…" Chris didn't need her to finish.
"Get out of here, asshole. Your job is done. Get down there with the others! Get moving or I'll finish your sorry ass myself!"
"Y… yes Sir," Ashley stammered and ran. Danielle couldn't help but smile faintly.
"What?" Chris asked her.
"I love how he ran from you at your slightest word. You only had to speak and he's gone. Fuck! Those men who terrify women and are fine controlling them…" she stopped, blinking back more tears.
"Hey," Leach said, taking her hand. "I know, I know. I'll say it again, you're safe now, I promise."
Dr Loomis began to apply dressings to Danielle's cuts, murmuring an apology whenever she winced in pain.
"Motherfuckers," Leach snarled. "Shit! The guilt of the part I played in this will haunt me for life! I mean," Dr Loomis saw him glance at Michael. "However long I have left."
"We'll get you to hospital as soon as we can Danielle," Dr Loomis said. "Jack will take you very soon. But we don't want to do so until…" Danielle smirked. She knew only too well what he hadn't said. Until Adam is dead. "Do you feel strong enough to put your clothes back on?" Dr Loomis asked.
"Um, I think so," Danielle said, as Dr Loomis and Chris eased her in to a sitting position. Danielle felt a brief spell of dizziness and waited for it to pass.
"Steady," Dr Loomis said.
"Don't move too fast Danielle," Dr Loomis said. "You've lost a lot of blood."
"Don't I… fucking know it!" Danielle hissed through gritted teeth. "Shit! It hurts!"
"I'm sure sweetheart," Dr Loomis murmured. "Do you want me to stay and help you?"
Danielle took a deep breath, swallowed all pride and spoke 2 words to one of the men she trusted beyond all others. "Yes please."
"I'll see you downstairs," Chris Leach said, heading for the door past a fatally trapped Adam. "Don't rush, ok?"
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Dr Loomis smiled at Leach.
Slowly, carefully, Dr Loomis began to help Danielle dress. "Are you hurt down below?" He asked.
"I got raped by both Adam and that guy Ashley!" Danielle said. Dr Loomis took a breath.
"I know," he tried not to let his anger show, but from Danielle's sad smile he knew she'd heard it. "We saw him! God I hope Michael has his number! So are you in pain there as a result?"
"Yes," Danielle admitted. She never thought she'd let anyone near there again but didn't try to stop him as carefully as he could, Dr Loomis began to apply soothing cream to her vagina. The effect was instant.
"Thank you," Danielle said gratefully. "God! What did you use? It's amazing."
Dr Loomis smiled. "I bought my own first aid kit which had soothing for the vaginal area in it. Ok, we ready to get dressed now? I didn't see any bleeding from your vagina either, you'll be pleased to know."
"Thank you Dr Loomis," Danielle said again, swallowing back her tears of gratitude. "Thank you!"
"Hey," Dr Loomis took her hand and squeezed it. "It's what I'm here for. By the way," he lowered his voice. "Michael's keeping Adam's eyes firmly away from you, he's trapped against the wall by the throat."
"Thanks," Danielle said again, loudly enough so Michael would hear her. "Ok Dr Loomis, let's do this thing."
"That's my girl," Dr Loomis squeezed her hand again, before starting to help her in to her clothes and shoes. "Ok, do you think you can stand up? Take it steady, I'm right here."
Very slowly, Danielle eased herself to her feet. There was a little pain in her cut arms and legs, but not as much as she'd expected.
"What happened?" Dr Loomis asked as he guided Danielle towards the door.
"They kept cutting me with knives and sexually assaulting me," Danielle said. "They made me cook them dinner and the rest."
"Jesus! You could've bled to death if they'd nicked an artery! Fucking hell! Do these guys have no limits? Yes I'm talking to you!" He shot at Adam as he helped Danielle out of the door and towards the stairs.
As Danielle lent on him for support, she heard Adam gasping for breath while by contrast, Myers' breathing remained calm, steady. Damn she wished she could see exactly what Adam was going through. She couldn't but knowing Michael as she did, she knew it would hurt like hell.
"I… don't think I…" she began. Next second without needing to ask, Dr Loomis had lifted her in to his arms and was carrying her down the stairs, her cut arms around his neck. As they reached the bottom, she heard another voice she'd believed for a while she wouldn't hear again. Jack's.
"Danielle! Thank fucking God!" Danielle was touched beyond words to hear he was close to tears. "I'll take you to the hospital in just a few minutes, lights and sirens on. It is, after all, an emergency."
Danielle smiled at him and this time it was real and genuine. She knew full well it wasn't really, she wasn't dying or anything, but Jack wanted her cared for as soon as possible. Ashley and his other 3 cronies were still on their knees in the corner of the room, being covered by Rick and Scott's guns. Suddenly, there was a deafening crash, which made Danielle automatically flinch.
"Hey it's alright," Jack ran to her and mindful of her injuries, put his arms tenderly around her. Oh dear, it would appear our soon to be late friend Mr. Dawson has just fallen down the stairs."
"What a shame," Danielle mumbled, feeling so, so tired. Next moment, she heard Adam let out an agonised scream. "Michael's just pulled him to his feet by the neck," Jack said. "You motherfucker," he shot at Adam. "Danielle, you up for giving me a hand again?"
Danielle immediately understood and with his help, she got to her feet. "Hell fucking yes." For the third time in her life she stood beside her guard and friend, Jack handed her his gun and, click!
"You get a free shot," Jack murmured to her. "He's not moving an inch because Michael's got him round the neck."
"I don't want to hit Michael by accident though," Danielle said.
Jack actually laughed. "Hon, he survived 6 real gunshots in 1978, you really think these bullets will hurt him? Or that he'll hold it against you?"
"Good point," Danielle agreed, approaching the dying Adam and the love of her life, Michael.
"Don't even bother," she said to Adam as she raised the gun. "You see? You haven't even got breath to taunt me! Jesus fucking Christ I hate you! I hate you so much! You made my life hell from day one! Even when I tried to kill myself because of you it wasn't enough was it? Even when I was undergoing medical treatment you couldn't leave me alone could you?" Danielle only now realised there were tears of anger and hatred running down her cheeks. "Fuck I hate you Adam! I hate you!"
Jack put an arm around her but wasn't supporting her this time, Danielle knew it was entirely up to her. She raised the gun her hand completely steady, and pulled the trigger.
BANG!