"MICHAEL!" Dr Loomis yelled again. "PLEASE, THIS ISN'T HELPING ANYONE!"
The masked killer hadn't released Laurie and it was clear she didn't have long left. She was turning slowly but surely deathly blue and her struggles had ceased as she'd lost consciousness. Joanne, Rick and Jack were still trying desperately to pull Michael back, but without success. Laurie Strode's life depended on them and they were failing her. Joanne felt sick. Michael Myers loved Danielle and right now, he was demonstrating, as if any of them had ever doubted it, that he still had the urge to kill as much as he ever had. What if one day something happened which did make him target Danielle? Joanne didn't want to think about that, but the possibility was staring her straight in the face. Finally, Rick managed to pull Michael back just enough for Laurie to snatch in one harsh breath, just as the stairwell door creaked open.
If Samuel Loomis hadn't seen who was standing there with his own eyes, he wasn't sure he'd have believed it. It was Danielle. She was still wired to machines, wires trailing out in to the corridor and was wearing an oxygen mask over her face. How the hell had she found them? But then again, the shouting was probably a good indication. How the hell had she got out of her room with all those wires on? She looked very weak and unsteady on her feet. Unable to stop herself, Joanne ran forward to catch her before she fell. For a few seconds, all they could hear was the soft hiss of Danielle's oxygen mask and the distant beeping of her monitors. They could tell by the speed of the beeping that her heart was racing very fast. Too fast. Had she guessed what was happening?
For a fraction of a second, everything appeared suspended. Then, Myers threw Laurie from him and to the floor. She gasped for air as Rick ran to her and Jack towards Michael. Jack's suspicions had been right. The chains had been applied so loosely that the killer had managed to free one hand. As they watched, Michael's strong arm came around Danielle, catching her as she fell against his chest. She gasped for breath behind her mask and a loud alarm began to sound from her machines, signalling a too fast and dangerous heartrate.
As Michael easily and effortlessly helped Danielle back towards the door, Laurie opened her eyes. She stared at them as they retreated, shock all over her face.
"What the fuck?" She just managed to say, her voice hoarse with pain and oxygen loss.
"That," Dr Loomis said quietly. "Is Danielle Hayward, Michael Myers' partner, or girlfriend pick your word."
"I thought," Laurie tried to stand, but she was too dizzy. Rick gently helped her up. "I thought you were lying. I… I think she's just saved my life. What the fuck is that girl doing? Does she want to die?"
Michael was now holding Danielle to his chest, his hand holding hers as he now shouldered open the door back towards Danielle's room. Danielle looked only half conscious herself.
"As soon as she appeared," Laurie murmured, watching them go, "he let me go and went straight to her. He hates me, has wanted to kill me since Halloween night 1978 and yet one look at her and… who the hell is she?"
"I just told you, Dr Loomis said evenly. "She's Danielle Hayward, Michael's girlfriend."
"What the hell's happened to her? Has Michael hurt her as well?"
"No, Laurie," Dr Loomis said. "As I've already explained, it is not my story to tell. If you want my advice I say go, get out of here. Go!"
Laurie looked back through the still open door and saw Michael helping Danielle back in to her bed. Her mouth opened in pure shock, but she didn't need telling twice. Rick and Jack followed her through and ran into Danielle's room after Michael. Dr Loomis followed Laurie.
"I'll ask the doctors to move Karen to a different corridor. Bear with me." He walked away fast.
But as Laurie passed Danielle's door heading back towards Karen's current room, she couldn't stop herself looking in. The 2 male guards now surrounded Michael and the killer was now securely chained. What'd happened? Had his chains broken or something? They were thick God damn steel! They never broke! Laurie couldn't resist looking through at the pale faced woman lying in her bed. Glancing at her face, Laurie had to hold back a gasp of shock. The woman was blind.
"What happened Danielle?" The female guard, Joanne? Said.
"I heard you shouting," Danielle replied, weakly. "I heard Laurie's name and knew what'd happened. So I managed to follow your voices. I was hoping…" her voice trailed off.
"It worked," Laurie said quietly from the doorway. Immediately Rick and Jack tightened their grips on Michael's arms so he couldn't move towards her. For extra security and for the first time ever, Jack attached another manacle to the killer's chains and then to his own wrist. "I am Laurie Strode."
"I know," Danielle said. "I recognise your voice from the news. If you want my advice Miss Strode, get the hell out of here."
"That's what I said," Joanne muttered.
"There are so many things I could and want to say to you Miss Hayward," Laurie said, her tone incredulous. "I don't think you have to guess too hard what they are."
"No," Danielle agreed. "But I really don't advise it. You've already come close to death tonight, don't make it worse. I know exactly what you want to say to me, but if I were you, don't. Just go, go back to whatever reason you're here for. Apart from the obvious, I'm really not in a mood for talking just now. I'm hurt too, Miss Strode."
"I can see that," Laurie replied dryly. "But I do have to ask you, do you have a Death wish?"
"I could ask you the very same question," Danielle retorted. "Seeing as I just saved your life. Please, just get out of here!"
"You know Michael Myers isn't capable of loving or caring for anyone, right?" Laurie continued, ignoring Danielle's warning. "You're walking in to a trap, and one day you'll pay for it with your life. He just kills, that's it. That's all he lives for. Love? You're deluded. You should be in Smith's damn grove!"
"FYI I was," Danielle replied just as dryly. "It's my story and I have no wish to talk about it right now Miss Strode. I'm recovering from something tonight, no, Michael had nothing to do with it, unless you're counting rescuing me. So please, just leave? I may, I said May, consider talking to you at some point, but now is not that time. Just get out of here before Michael loses his patience and tries again. I really don't want to see these guards hurt, because they're also my friends. I'm done, Miss Strode. You saw the way he moved so fast when I appeared, doesn't that tell you something? Now please, go?"
As if on cue, a nurse stuck her head around the door. "Miss Strode, please follow me? We're moving your daughter to another location."
"Thank fuck for that," Danielle muttered, though quietly enough so only Joanne heard her.
When the door closed, Danielle turned her head towards Michael. She wasn't sure why she spoke these next words as there was no way for Michael to answer, plus he'd just tried to kill his most wanted victim so was probably not in a communicating frame of mind, but she had to try regardless. "Michael, are you ok?"
She knew it was a stupid question the second it left her mouth, but by then it was too late to take it back. Of course, she got nothing in response, but nor had she expected anything.
"He's chained to Jack," Joanne said very quietly. "Are you ok, Danielle? What happened there?"
"I got scared waiting for my scans and then I heard Rick and Jack shouting "Michael!" Then Dr Loomis shout Laurie's name. I knew immediately what had happened so I managed to find my way out there. I figured if I could get to Michael before… before it was too late, I might be able to save Laurie's life. I don't think she likes me much though."
"I think she's just in shock," Joanne murmured. "As Michael's been after her since Halloween 1978, she can't believe he could or would ever love someone. But neither does she know your story, Danielle. Or how many months it's gone on for, or how much you and Michael progress have made together. Nor do you have to tell her. No one else will, it's your decision but frankly, I don't see it as any of her business."
Danielle moved her head in a weak nod. Joanne had already tidied up her wires, so it looked to the nurses like Danielle hadn't moved from her bed. A minute or so later, a nurse finally entered. "Hi Danielle, we ready for your scans now?"
"Not really," Danielle said truthfully, but managed a small smile. How the hell had the medical staff not heard all the shouting from the stairwell? She wondered. But then, this was a hospital, so perhaps they'd just dismissed it as normal. The nurse stepped to the door. "Ok, I'll just get a couple of strong men to help me wheel your bed down there, ok? I'll be just a minute." She was gone.
Rick and Jack looked at each other. "Do we draw straws on being the one to tell Michael he can't be beside Danielle in her scans due to his metal chains?" Rick asked in a whisper.
Jack shook his head fervently. "Are you kidding? After what Michael's just done? I'm not saying a fucking word about it!"
"Well we need to make a decision," Rick murmured. "If we try and stop him from going with her, I… don't much like my chances of survival, whatever has happened between us before."
Jack nodded in agreement. He turned to look at Dr Loomis who'd just re-entered the room. "Doc?"
Dr Loomis stepped up to the killer and looked him straight in the eyes. Michael had by now removed his mask once more. "Michael," he said softly. "Look at me."
To Jack and Rick's, even Joanne's surprise, the killer returned his doctor's eye contact. Dr Loomis continued. "What the hell were you doing? I get it, you saw Laurie, you reacted but damn it Michael! What about Danielle here? The woman you love? Jesus! If you'd killed Laurie tonight, that would've been it for you, you wouldn't have seen Danielle for a very long time! You're just lucky Danielle did what she did." He turned to Danielle. "Which was brave if not a little stupid," he said gently.
Danielle blushed a little. "Yeah, I know. But what was I supposed to do?"
"I'm sure Laurie is very grateful to you," Dr Loomis murmured.
Rick snorted. "You think? That woman isn't capable of gratitude."
"Michael," Dr Loomis began again. "I know you want to be beside Danielle during her scans, but I can't lie, I'm really reluctant to allow this after what has just happened. How do I know you won't try and target someone else? One of the nurses perhaps?"
Danielle looked away, feeling the sting of tears. In spite of everything, even what Michael had just done, the thought of him not being with her during this unknown procedure hurt. It hurt like hell. She pressed her face into her pillow, hoping they wouldn't see it. But it was clear Dr Loomis had when he sighed. "I've told you this before Michael, Danielle needs you. This will also mean my guards will have to remove their guns, handcuffs and other metal equipment. I am damn well trusting you Michael Myers and if you break my trust, you will be locked back up on your own for a long time. Do we have an understanding?"
Doctor and killer looked at each other, before Michael slowly nodded his head once. Without a word, Jack and Rick removed their protective equipment and all other metal including watches, and Jack his wedding ring.
"Hate taking this off," he said softly. "I never do unless I have to."
Danielle just knew he was talking about his wedding ring. She smiled at him. "I'm sure Gill will understand," she said. Jack squeezed her arm. "You're a sweetheart Danielle, thank you."
30 seconds later, a group of male nurses came in with the nurse who'd spoken to Danielle and upon Danielle agreeing she was ready, began to wheel her bed down the corridor, Michael and the 3 guards behind them. As they walked, Jack pulled out his keys and unchained the killer, Dr Loomis taking the chains and putting them in his bag as he would not be entering the scanning room.
"Is… is there any way," Danielle spoke quietly to Joanne who was walking beside her now. "That it could just be Michael and I in there? Of course I understand if Rick and Jack have to be there, but…"
Joanne shot a glance over her shoulder at Dr Loomis, who nodded. Joanne could see his thinking. If it was only Danielle in the room, Michael would never target her. Plus, it would also mean they wouldn't have to take off all metal.
"Rick, Jack," Dr Loomis murmured. "Stand down."
The 2 guards stared at him as though he'd gone crazy, but Dr Loomis nodded firmly. After a second's hesitation, both men nodded, Jack immediately slipping his wedding ring back on before any of his equipment. Dr Loomis smiled at him, as did Joanne. It was clear to all of them how much he adored Gillian.
They reached the scanning machine and both Danielle and Michael were checked for metal and both cleared. Danielle was gently helped up on to the moveable bed which entered the machine and Michael stood at her head. The radiologist spoke to Danielle through the headphones she and Michael were both wearing and she nodded to show she could hear him. The nurse placed the rubber bulb in her hand she could squeeze if she wanted the scan stopped, then stepped out.
"I'm nervous Michael," Danielle blurted as the heavy door clanged shut. "I know this is going to be loud and I know the CT scan part moves! I don't know what to expect and…"
She was stopped, as Michael reached forward and took her hand in his. Danielle squeezed it as hard as she could without thinking and felt the killer squeeze back.
How has he just tried to kill someone? Danielle wondered as the deafening buzzing began and the scans commenced. "Now he's holding my hand? How is that possible? But it's happening, right now!
Michael didn't release her hand all through the MRI and he continued to hold it as the CT began and the machine told Danielle to remain calm and breathe slowly. Only when the machine began to slowly turn her to examine her brain did Michael release her hand, but as she turned, he moved with her so his hand was constantly resting on some part of her body. Danielle couldn't lie, it relaxed her more than she could ever tell him.
This guy's a killer, she thought over and over again. He's a killer, yet he's doing this for me right now! He loves me! I know Laurie Strode will never believe it, but do I care? I don't have to tell her a damn thing! Why should I? She doesn't know our story, nor does she need to.
As the scans continued and Michael kept his hand on her as the machine turned, Danielle rested her head against the head support and lay still. With Michael Myers at her side, she could face these scans, they weren't so bad after all. When he comforted her with his touch this way, she could almost forget he was a silent, masked killer. All she could see was her lover, at her side when she needed him the most.