Danielle retook her seat between Sarah and Samantha five minutes later, not quite able to believe what had just happened. Rick had arranged it in secret and affection swelled for her friend. "Danielle?" Said the voice of one of the guards. She looked up. "Yes?"

"Please can you come with me for a moment?" Without questioning it she stood up and took his arm. He led her through two secure doors and then stopped. There was no echo where they were and all she could hear was a soft humming sound.

"Am I…" she spoke in just above a whisper, unable to believe where she was now standing. "Am I now in the Death Chamber?"

"You are indeed," the guard confirmed. Taking her hand he laid it on the arm of a wooden chair. She could not believe it, she was touching 'old sparky' himself. "Your friend Rick arranged it this morning," the guard said and she could hear he was smiling. Taking her arm again he showed her how small the Death Chamber indeed was then the glass from their side of the room.

"I wouldn't want to die in here," she said, keeping her voice low still. "It's really claustrophobic and I can see how only a few people fit in here. Not exactly where I'd want to face my death!"

"Yes, only three guards to secure Mr. Chancer and the Chaplin are in here, the guards then leave and the person being executed is alone with the Chaplin." He laid her hand back on the electric chair and spoke softly. "Go on Danielle it's fine." Again she could hardly believe what she was doing as Danielle Avery sat down in 'old sparky.' She was glad this was before the execution not after. As if reading her mind the guard spoke again. "We wouldn't do it after. For one thing the chair may be hot and for another…"

She nodded. She wouldn't want to sit where someone albeit an absolute asshole had died just minutes before. Unable to stop herself she felt the straps which would go around Derek Chancer's arms, legs and chest. Picking one up, the guard loosely strapped down her left arm. Even loose she couldn't move it. "Wow," she let out a soft whistle. He then handed her the skull cap, a metal heavy helmet like object with more straps attached to it. "Doesn't he also wear a hood?" She was still speaking quietly, something about the Death Chamber made her unable to speak in normal tones. Was it the very smell of death? Or maybe even that this room was possibly haunted by the scores of people who had died exactly where she was sitting right now.

"Yes," the guard confirmed, handing her the piece of cloth. He then loosely applied the chest strap to her.

"Shit," she let out a low whistle. "That is scary enough, just knowing you're about to die strapped down like an animal… that said, Derek Chancer fucking deserves it! I'm sorry Sir but he does!"

"Hey it's Joel," he squeezed her strapped down arm. "Nice to meet you Danielle. For what it's worth I completely agree with you regarding Mr. Chancer."

"Nice to meet you too, Joel. Thank you so much for this." She heard the snap of a camera and realised Joel had just taken a picture of her within the seat of 'old sparky.' "Rick asked me to so you can prove your story," he smiled.

"Oh god," Danielle mock groaned. "Now I can tell you for a fact I'll have people saying 'what? And they let you out alive afterwards?' Thanks Rick!"

Joel laughed softly. "Thanks," Danielle said as he took a couple more shots. "Are you going to pull the switch on me now?"

Joel chuckled. "Nah, I'll let you out this time I suppose," he sighed dramatically. "You won't both fit!"

Danielle couldn't help but laugh. She knew the guards had dark senses of humour and couldn't blame them either. It was doubtlessly their coping mechanism to get them through putting even evil people like Chancer to death. Joel released her from the restraints, helped her stand and step down from the small platform 'old sparky' stood on. "Plus last time I checked I hadn't raped and killed forty-two innocent women," she said in disgust. "Fuck I hope it hurts him!"

"Yes it was a terrible crime," he murmured and she could hear genuine sympathy and sadness in his voice. She already respected him enormously for what he'd just let her see and do, but it only rose even further if that were possible at this. Joel made to lead her out but she likely tugged his arm and he stopped. "Listen," she whispered. She could've sworn the soft hum had just changed in both volume and pitch. It was louder and higher.

"Yes," he confirmed softly. "That's the electricity generator, they've just powered it up to start the chair's charging cycle. They do that with 20 minutes remaining until execution."

She shivered a little. "Just to clarify I do know it's not actually one switch," she said as he finally guided her back out of the Death Chamber a few seconds later. "Don't three people all press a button at the same time so no one knows who actually sets the current going?"

"Yep," Joel said. "Psychological thing."

She nodded. "That makes sense, although I have to be honest with you Joel I'd have no God damn qualms about pressing that single button on my own for this bastard!"

"I don't think you're alone there," Joel said.

Now as she retook her seat between the two women Rick squeezed her shoulder. "Did you… well like is possibly the wrong word… did it help you understand execution even better?"

"I can't thank you enough for that Rick," she said sincerely, turning in her seat to grasp his hand. "I really, really can't."

"Then you're welcome, more than welcome Danielle."

"Rick has asked if I could squeeze your hand when the electrocution starts," Sarah said. "I'll do that for you no problem."

"As will I," Samantha said. Danielle felt a swell of affection and sadness for both of them. The four of them in their little group were only sitting in this room because of one man's evil, misogynistic actions which had taken so many innocent lives.

…

Death Row, 15 minutes to execution.

"Time to go Chancer," a guard said opening the door to the holding cell. Now Derek was feeling numb. Was that the effects of the sedative? Truth be told he didn't know but he was glad of it. Maybe his body had finally accepted its fate? The guard handcuffed him and Fletcher placed a hand on his shoulder. It was probably supposed to be a comforting gesture but Derek hated it. But neither did he have the strength or inclination to shrug him off. Three armed guards joined the first and he was escorted in his cheap prison slippers (he couldn't wear shoes of course) through two doors, taking the final steps of his life as he entered the Death Chamber. The first thing he noticed was the hum. Fuck! He knew what that sound was alright, the electricity which would very soon take his life. They reached the platform where 'old sparky' waited and Derek wondered briefly if he was about to faint. Dizziness overtook him and he grabbed one of the guards arms without thinking. "Steady there," the guard murmured as another took his other arm and they helped him step up onto the platform. If this had been any other situation what so ever Derek would've hated it and shrugged them off violently, but this time he was almost grateful for their aid in making the last step up of his life.

They turned him around and he took his seat in 'old sparky.' The electric chair was hard wood but it wasn't like he would be alive inside it for long, this was where he was about to die! Two of the guards quickly and efficiently started strapping down his arms, legs and finally his chest. Derek could feel himself shaking now and there was nothing he could do to stop it. The sedative hadn't worked after all. He was only to aware of his surroundings and death's heavy breathing down his neck. He had less than ten minutes to live.

…

It was the sudden hush of conversation which alerted Danielle the execution was about to start. Both Sarah and Samantha took her hands and she could feel them trembling a little with emotion. She squeezed both back as hard as she could trying to tell them in her own way she was there for them and understood, even though she herself hadn't lost anyone to Chancer. He had still done more than enough damage to her safety and even life. From behind her she felt Rick's hand rest on her shoulder and squeeze after which he left it there. Her heart was thumping surprisingly fast considering she was only sitting in the witness room. Perhaps the knowledge of what she was about to be a witness to had finally hit her after all. She'd texted Michael one final time just before entering the prison.

We're entering Death Row now. I love you.

She'd had to turn her phone off immediately so wasn't sure if he replied or not. It was then she heard it, the soft whoosh of the curtains being opened. She drew in a sharp breath and heard several others in the packed room doing the same.

"He's strapped in the chair," Samantha Lever breathed in her left ear.

"Derek Julian Chancer," came the voice of the warden through the speakers. "You have been condemned to die in the electric chair, sentence past by a jury of your peers and imposed by a judge of good standing in this state, God save the people of this state. Finally confirmed by a qualified doctor following failed hospital treatment. In passing their verdict, all twelve members of the jury agreed unanimously your crimes in the sexual assault and deaths of forty-two women were especially heinous, atrocious and cruel. Do you have any final words to say before your death sentence is carried out?" There was total silence. Danielle was certain she could have heard a pin drop just then. Chancer's microphone was turned on and they could now hear his fast, panicked, terrified and heavy breathing. "Now he knows how every single one of his fucking victims felt in the last seconds of their lives as he killed them," someone snarled from a few seats away. Danielle agreed.

"I…" they heard Derek Chancer swallow hard. "I hope someone else can continue what I started. Women deserve to die and be raped; I do not regret a single thing I did my only regret was being captured, and that you bastards now have what you doubtlessly see as a victory in executing me. I may have murdered bitches, but you are now murdering me."

"Damn fucking right," another woman snarled. "Fuck I want to kill him myself!"

"You think that by killing me you've won but I can assure you you haven't. There will be more men who think like me, more men who want to kill women so executing me solves nothing! All I can hope for now is that the next man to follow in my footsteps doesn't end up where I'm sitting now! Fuck you bastards, die every single one of you!"

"What a charmer," someone muttered. "Die slowly yourself asshole!" Chancer's microphone was deactivated. "They're putting the hood and skull cap on him," It was Sarah Goodall's turn to speak. "He's now looking through at us."

Danielle felt herself shiver at this knowledge before reminding herself Derek Chancer could and would never hurt anyone ever again, his life was about to end. Both women squeezed her hands softly and Rick her shoulder, clearly knowing and understanding what she was thinking right then.

"Ladies and gentlemen in the witness room, we would ask you please to try and remain silent and medical assistance is on standby should you require it. Thank you. Derek Julian Chancer, may God have mercy on your soul," said the voice of the warden before his mike too was deactivated. The silence which followed was the most intense Danielle Avery had ever heard. It was the kind of silence one could almost hear. She felt every single beat of her heart and she waited for the squeeze.

Both women squeezed her hands once as Rick squeezed her shoulder, his own silent signal as promised.

Danielle wasn't sure what she'd expected. The hum grew slightly louder, but that was it. She didn't hear him jolt in the chair or scream, but of course the glass was too thick for that.

"He's jolted forward," Lever whispered. "His fists have clenched."

Just over thirty seconds later the hum died a little, everyone waited in silence no one as much as coughed. Were they perhaps shocked at what they'd just seen and heard? She didn't know. She knew that right then a doctor was checking Derek Chancer for a heartbeat and then would pronounce him dead. His body would then be removed from the prison and taken to a storage facility for corpses. She doubted anyone would want to claim the body of the son of a bitch! For her part she just wanted the relief of knowing Derek Chancer had just left this world and that he personally could not harm a woman again, in spite of his cruel and frankly evil last words. Even just before death he hated women right to the end of his life.

"Derek Julian Chancer was pronounced dead at 06:08PM," said the warden's voice. "Please remain in your seats until a guard arrives to release you. Thank you"

"Thank fuck for that," several women said in unison. Danielle let out a long breath. The women released her hands. "Are you ok?" Sarah murmured.

"Yeah," she answered. "To be honest I'm not sure how I feel right now. Yes I'm glad he's dead but… wow." Rick's hand squeezed her shoulder again at that moment. "You alright?"

"Yes," she nodded. "So that's how executions go." She couldn't deny she was glad when the guards opened the witness room doors and they all stood up. Rick took her arm and she could hear several women sobbing quietly. Sarah stepped up on her other side and told her some were hugging and shaking hands, there were even a few small smiles. She understood, Derek Julian Chancer certainly would not be missed.

They all walked out of the witness room and towards the waiting vans. This time Samantha sat behind them and Rick and Sarah sat beside Danielle. As the van pulled away everyone aboard was silent. Maybe like her they were trying to digest and get their heads around what they'd just seen. Sure they knew they were witnessing an execution when they'd got their acceptance letters, but actually seeing a man die that was different.

They reached the gates and Danielle heard the sound of members of the media setting up microphones and cameras for the press conference. "Do you want to stick around for this?" Rick asked her.

"Not really," she said truthfully. "They're not going to say anything we don't already know. He sat down, spoke his last words and died. That's it."

"Oki doke," Rick squeezed her arm. "You sure you're alright?"

She nodded. "Yeah, that was just… intense. I'm just… glad he's gone I guess, as bad as that might sound. His last words though, whew that was some evil shit. Even in his terror did you hear the venom in his voice?"

"Bleh," Sarah said dismissively. "That's all he had left though, words. He probably wanted you to think and feel like that so don't let him win! He's dead, he can't hurt anyone ever again!"

"Well said," Rick agreed.

"Lovely to meet you Danielle," Sarah said hugging her again. "Very best of luck to you."

"You too and again I'm really sorry about Andrea."

"Thank you, I'm sorry for all you went through as well. Take care."

"God bless you Danielle," Samantha said, also hugging her. "I'll be praying for you."

"Thanks," Danielle said. She wasn't religious but she appreciated the kind words. "I'm so sorry about Rachael Sam." The two women shook hands with Rick and then she heard them walking away.

"Excuse me," said a male voice suddenly just outside the gates. "Danielle? Rick?"

"Chris Leach?" Rick said. Danielle turned in shock.

"Hello Chris, did you just witness that?"

"I did," Leach said dryly. "I was at the back. Good riddance. Danielle, Rick, it's nice to see you both again. How are you?"

"Good," Rick said.

"I want to thank you so much again for your help in my rescue," Danielle said sincerely and before she could think about what she was doing she stepped forward and hugged the crime lord. "I am so, so grateful."

Leach didn't respond to her embrace for a second then gently returned it. "It's the least I can do. I'm so sorry in my turn that I let money rule me and let it go as far as it did."

"I'll say what I said that night, you've made up for it now."

Leach snorted. "I don't think I could ever make up for it completely but thank you."

"What are you doing now?" She asked him. The crime lord sighed. "Trying to start an honest life for myself and that means finding a job which as you can imagine is… difficult. All the money I made in my crime career I'm trying to return to its rightful owners as I cannot keep it with a clean conscience."

Danielle turned to Rick in shock. First Michael Myers and now Chris Leach had been changed by meeting her? It was almost beyond belief. Rick must've known what she was thinking because he squeezed her hand. She wondered again what the hell was so special about her that she had changed both the hearts of a silent serial killer and a top crime Lord, but she guessed she would never know.

"What happened to the fake nurse who assisted him that day?" She asked Leach after a moment.

"She's in prison," Leach said. "Said she felt guilty and wanted to serve her time as punishment for her actions."

"She did?" Danielle could hardly believe her ears and some of the anger she'd felt towards the unknown woman softened a little. If that was true then she couldn't remain completely angry at her. "Did Adam control her too?"

Chris Leach laughed out loud. "Hell no! She was not a woman men could control more like she controlled them! She's huge, Danielle. She doesn't take shit from anyone least of all men!"

"That makes me forgive her even more," she said with a small grin. "Fair play!"

Chris Leach chuckled. "Oh and before you go one final thing," he said, before stepping forward and lowering his head so Danielle's hands came into contact with his ears. She gasped in shock and Chris and Rick both laughed.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"Honestly?"

"Yes."

"Adam told me about your love of ears once, needless to say he wasn't… exactly complementary about it. Also your love of…" he started whistling softly. Danielle felt affection for the most unlikely person at that moment, Chris Leach and she hugged him again as she felt his ears.

"Well?" Leach chuckled. "Ah that tickles! Where do my ears stand in your ear rankings?" Rick laughed out loud. "We asked her the very same thing. I got normal, my colleagues got small and cute!"

"You have nice ears Chris," Danielle muttered and although she was blushing was also laughing. She felt all the tension from what she'd just witnessed leaving her as she did so.

"Well good? I think?" Leach smiled at her and hugged her again. "I'll say what I said that terrible day. Take care Danielle you hear?"

"You too Chris, very best of luck in your new life."

Leach shook hands with Rick and wished him well, the guard smiled and returned the wishes. They'd just started to walk away when Danielle thought of something she desperately wanted to know. "Mr. Leach? Chris?" The crime Lord turned. "Yes? I told you I'm Chris to you."

She smiled. "The late Derek Chancer blurted out to us while trying to save his own… now ended life, that the iPod he had that you'd programmed would kill someone if they entered the password incorrectly three times. How?"

Rick smiled a little. "I told Dr Loomis to take that part seriously, 'Chris Leach is a genius' I said, 'he can programme anything."

Leach blushed a little. "Thanks. The iPod would electrocute them funnily enough. They would see a message in red on the screen saying the battery level was low and it needed charging immediately. They'd plug it in while still holding it and…"

Danielle and Rick both whistled. "Jesus," they said together.

"A 50 thousand vault current would be activated worked by an internal battery concealed in the device. It would then vibrate once and reset in the… deceased person's hand asking for the password all over again."

"Fuck me," Rick breathed. "I stick to what I said, you're a programming genius Mr. Leach."

"Thanks," Leach said softly. "But now I intend to put my 'programming genius' to… better use."

"You could make millions if you do," Rick said. "Best of luck to you!"

"Thank you for answering my question," Danielle said. Chris Leach smiled and walked away.

Within five minutes they were back in the car, Martin driving them back towards the airport and the return flight to Smith's Grove.

"Fuck I'm tired all of a sudden," she yawned. Rick squeezed her hand.

"Are you surprised? We just saw a man die! That type of thing is very mentally sapping, even if we hate the individual involved."

"Hmm," she agreed softly, leaning her head back against the window. The next thing she knew they were at the airport. She'd fallen asleep.