One year later: The 31st of October, 1979.
As the long black luxury car drove almost silently onwards through the night, Laurie Strode glanced at her 4 fellow passengers. Well if truth be told she was trying her hardest to ignore one of them, he had no right or reason to be here.
"You ok, Laurie?" Lynda asked from beside her, clearly detecting what she was thinking. Hardly surprising, they were best friends after all and had been since their elementary school days. For answer, Laurie simply glanced at her and rolled her eyes. Lynda made a soft sound of sympathy and Laurie knew she understood.
Ben fucking Cramer. Why he thought he had the right to be with them on this trip Laurie had no idea. Over the last 3 months he'd become almost controlling over her, protective on a level bordering on possessive. This was infuriating as they weren't even together in that way. She'd tried to tell him several times she wasn't interested, but he simply either wasn't getting it or didn't care. Why he hadn't approached her when Michael was in her house she didn't know, probably too afraid no crime there, or biding his time before making his move. As soon as Michael left, he'd swooped in. Well he was in for one hell of a rude awakening if that had indeed been his plan, he was living a dream!
Sighing, she slumped back into the soft leather seat. Why, oh why was her life this way? It all came down to him, of course, the one man who'd stolen her heart and truly didn't give a damn. The one man who made even someone like Ben Cramer look like a gentleman.
Michael Myers.
3 months previously, he'd left her house one day without any explanation or reason. Not that she expected one of course, not from a man like Michael, but it was still a shock. She remembered him telling her she was 'mine' that never to be forgotten night, and she'd replied 'yours,' meaning it. It seemed however that her worst fears had been confirmed. To Myers, they were just words. Nothing more, nothing less. Then had come the phone call from Dr Loomis himself, which told her everything.
…
"Laurie?"
When she'd picked up the phone that night, she'd pretty much given up any hope of Michael returning to her. He wasn't a lover; he was a killer. She should've expected this one day, known it would happen. She'd been so stupidly naive and foolish. She recognised Dr Samuel Loomis' voice with that one word.
"Laurie, it's Dr Loomis. May I speak with you?"
She had no idea how he'd gotten her number, or how he knew what'd happened between her and Myers down in 'Doom Tunnel'. But she was too emotionally wrecked to ask. "Sure," she'd just said, dully.
"I contacted your friend John," the doctor said, clearly reading her thoughts. "He gave me your number. I still had his from your visits. I wouldn't ring, but…" he hesitated and suddenly she had a strong, sinking feeling she didn't want to hear whatever he was about to say.
"It's Michael," he said unnecessarily, who else would he be calling her about? "He's… he's been recaptured, he's back at Smith's Grove in the Maximum security unit."
Laurie's head spun. How long after Michael had left her had this happened? "When?" She just managed to ask the question, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Last night," the doctor said. "He's… he'd killed a group of university students on Campus. Broke in and they were all killed in… different ways. Police officers managed to apprehend him."
Laurie had to think for a moment, feeling horror as this news hit home. So nothing she'd done had changed the killer's heart in any way. Of course she hadn't expected it to, but…
"It wasn't your fault," the Psychiatrist murmured. How the hell did he read her so easily? "You didn't kill them did you?"
"Well no," she was forced to admit. "But maybe I foolishly hoped…" her voice trailed off.
Dr Loomis chuckled, but without humour. She understood. "He's Michael Myers," they said in unison.
At first when she started speaking her words were halting, hesitant. Soon however she was pouring out the truth to him. How Michael had had sex with her on multiple occasions, the night he'd spoken the single word 'mine' and hadn't responded in any way until she'd replied, 'yours' in turn.
"I guess I thought," she smiled sadly even though he of course wouldn't see it. "Ah shit I don't know! That I'd made some… some kind of progress! More fool me! Michael Myers will change for no one and I was stupid to think otherwise! I knew he'd never love me, never feel the way I… inexplicably do for him, but I did hope that maybe, just maybe…"
"It's not your fault," Dr Loomis repeated gently. Laurie sighed. "I wish I could believe you."
"You didn't kill them did you?"
"Well no," she was forced to admit again. "But… I… fuck! I just hoped…"
"Laurie, I tried to reach Michael for eight years, nothing worked. You might have thought with damn good grounds that you were making progress, there were times I even thought I was! But not with him, not with Michael Myers. He's cunning, he knows what you're trying to do. He's like a cat with a mouse."
Don't I fucking know it, Laurie thought bitterly. He fucking played me like a mouse that's for sure!
…
A couple of weeks later, John had driven her back up to Smith's Grove. Something deep within her knew this was for the last time. John asked no questions, just hugged her tightly. She was exceptionally grateful for this, considering the fact he would have every damn right to say 'I told you so.'
"I'm sorry," was all he said before he'd kissed her cheek.
When they'd arrived at the hospital, Laurie had hesitated. "I'm not sure I can do this…"
"You don't have to," John murmured. "I can turn around right now and it'll be like we were never here."
For a second Laurie was tempted, but knew she'd regret it later if they did. She gave him a faint smile and squeezed his hand, before they got out of the car.
Entering the Maximum security unit, Dr Loomis was waiting for them and he smiled sadly but compassionately at them. "Follow me," he said simply, leading them through many beeping and buzzing security doors, an armed guard behind them.
"I'll wait outside," John said as they reached the visitor's room. "I'll give you privacy. Right here if you need me though."
"I love you John," Laurie said and realised she meant it as she hugged him tightly again. "You and Lynda really are the best friends I've ever had." As she stood there, she again wanted to turn around, run the other way out of there and never look back. John seemed to sense her hesitation, as did Dr Loomis.
"You don't have to," they both said together.
"Yes I do," she nodded determinedly and stepped into the visitor's room. The glass window slid back and there he was.
As soon as his cold, merciless gaze fell on her, Laurie knew she'd been right. Nothing she could or would have done would've changed this man. He was a killer, pure and simple. Just as it'd done previously, his gaze seemed to mock her.
That was fun, played with your heart strings didn't I? I still prefer slashing hearts with my knife. Maybe yours will be next.
She knew just by looking into his eyes they were over. Whatever it was they'd had. She wasn't sure she could even call it a relationship, it was sex, fucking. It'd kept her alive for this long, but she had a horrible feeling that if Michael Myers ever got out of here again, she'd played her last life card.
"I meant it," she said softly, determined he would not hear or see any trace of her tears. "What I said. I was, am, yours. I can't and won't ever be able to change that. I don't know what you've done to me Mr. Myers," somehow under that cold, cruel gaze, even saying 'Michael' seemed dangerous. "But you've stolen my heart and I know you're fucking enjoying it! Even if or when I do die by your knife or some other way you wish to kill me, it won't change, that fact can't."
Still, as John drove her back home an hour or so later, she'd finally had to let her tears go. Heartbreak was a fucking bitch, even when the man who'd broken it was none other than Michael fucking Myers! Why had he spoken that one word to her, 'mine,' only to shatter her without a care. Was he that cruel? Of course he fucking is! She'd scoffed at herself again and again. Michael Myers is pure evil, just like Dr Loomis has said!
…
Over the next few months, she'd tried to move on. Lynda had been amazing, sticking by her every step of the way. Even when Myers had been with her, he hadn't stopped her seeing Lynda to Laurie's gratitude. False sense of security, she knew that now of course. Lynda had held her countless times as she'd cried, not even pointing out the obvious, that she was crying for a cold, remorseless killer. Laurie didn't know if that was out of love for her, or because she couldn't believe it herself.
Then, there was Ben. She didn't know what the fuck he thought he was doing. Within days of her returning home from her final visit to Smith's Grove, he'd been all over her like a rash. Yes she'd once admitted to Annie she'd been attracted to Cramer, but that'd been months ago! Besides which, she and Annie weren't even friends anymore, so had he found out? Or was he just being a jealous, controlling jerk?
Whatever the reasons, he'd hardly left her side, insisting on helping her any way he could. Sending her gifts, flowers and calling her house phone constantly. It was rapidly turning into stalking and she didn't have a damn clue what to do about it. She'd asked him several times to quit, gently at first, but over time with mounting anger. Nothing worked. She was almost now at the point of calling for the help of the cops.
Then the letter had come, two months previously. It was from Thomas Townsend Terror Tours. As soon as she saw the name on the envelope, she wanted to rip it up. She never wanted to hear from those guys again. Although she knew deep down that what'd happened down in 'Doom Tunnel' wasn't their fault, just as it hadn't been hers. Or anyone's down there that Halloween night for that matter. Well, everyone except Michael Myers of course. With grate trepidation, she opened the letter.
…
Dear Laurie,
I would first of all like to send my sincere condolences for the losses you sustained down in 'Doom Tunnel' last Halloween night. As a mark of my sympathy and respect, I am therefore organising a trip below ground this Halloween night one year on, purely for those of you who survived and anyone you may wish to bring for support.
This time you will be in an underground car driven by one of my tour guides and as a further apology from me, you will all be entitled to take whatever you wish from the 'Doom Tunnel' gift shop for free. After your visit, 'Doom Tunnel' will be permanently closed down.
You will not need helmets or any safety equipment on this visit as you will be within the vehicle at all times, except when at the grave site.
One of my luxury cars will pick you all up from Haddonfield on the night in question at 5PM and you will arrive at approximately 7PM to go straight down. I have paid for a grave stone to be constructed for those who lost their lives below ground and you will be the first and last group to see it.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office on the following number, please also confirm whether you are attending with a phone call.
With sympathy and my best wishes,
Thomas Townsend, Townsend Terror tours.
…
Bit fucking late with your God damn condolences, Laurie had thought bitterly after reading the letter. She then picked up the phone and called Lynda.
"Yeah I got mine today," her friend said when she answered. "Took fucking long enough to give his 'condolences' didn't he?"
Laurie laughed a little. "I thought exactly the same thing."
"Are you going?" Lynda asked.
"Fuck," Laurie exhaled. "I don't fucking know! So much happened down there I…" she trailed off.
"I know," LYNDA said softly.
"I don't know if I can stand down there again," Laurie finished. "Whatever fucking 'safety' precautions he throws at us. Not for all the free fucking merchandise in the world!"
One fact the Haddonfield Hype had been desperate to find out had come true however. Though the newspaper had never been able to confirm it. Andy and LYNDA had indeed got together and he treated her like a queen. Laurie had also seen him several times since they'd got out of 'Doom Tunnel' that fateful night and she'd grown to sincerely like him. None of them had seen anything of Annie or Paul since.
As if on cue, Andy entered the room and Laurie heard him approach LYNDA. "Hey Andy," she said, knowing it was pointless only afterwards as he wouldn't hear her.
"Laurie says hi," LYNDA repeated and Andy yelled "hi" back.
"Laurie just got her letter from Townsend too," Laurie heard LYNDA say to Andy. "She's just asked me if I'm going." Laurie heard Andy sigh.
"I don't know," he said, loudly enough so Laurie could also hear him. "So much shit happened down there that night, I'd rather just move on! But… but Katie…"
"I know," Laurie and LYNDA said together. "Are you saying it'd be unfair if she went alone?" Laurie finished the sentence and LYNDA passed it on.
"Well," Andy sighed again. "Yeah. There's no way she'll miss an opportunity to say goodbye to Jason for the last time, it was blatantly obvious they adored each other, even from the brief time we met them. It was to me anyway."
"I don't know if I can face it," Laurie said and LYNDA repeated it. "Just… you know."
"Sure," Andy empathised. "I tell you what? Give us 10 minutes and we'll be there." LYNDA hung up.
True to his word, the two of them were at Laurie's house in a matter of minutes. They sat in the lounge with drinks and looked at each other, the silence between them louder than any conversation could be.
"Have you seen Katie lately?" Laurie ventured after a few moments.
"Yeah," LYNDA's tone was sad. "She comes round quite often actually. I was worried at first she hated Andy and I for getting together having met in 'Doom Tunnel', when she lost her boyfriend. But she assured me that wasn't the case when I plucked up the nerve to ask her last week. She's… the poor thing's a wreck. I don't think she'll ever fully get over it. How does one get over something like that?"
Laurie nodded. "Not to mention fucking Haddonfield Hype are still relentlessly pursuing her for a comment," Andy said angrily. "I'm telling you, if that twat Townsend dares to show his fucking face when I'm down there, I'll tell him exactly what I think of him. If he's fucking told HH that he sent us these letters, I'll fucking kill him!"
"Here here," Laurie and LYNDA said in unison.
"Surely he won't though?" Laurie said. "I mean hell. 'Doom Tunnel's' closing down because of what happened. He's hardly going to want to bring that all back up again in the press is he? It's not like the attraction's thriving as a result of all this, is it?"
"That's a good point," Andy agreed. "But shit! I wish they'd leave Katie alone. Of course she's fucking traumatised! She saw her fucking boyfriend murdered right in front of her and was then literally suspended right below his fucking corpse with ropes! Jesus Christ I'd be traumatised too!"
"Yeah," LYNDA sighed sympathetically. "Do you think she will attend though?"
"Yes," Andy nodded. "She'll want to say goodbye to Jason, I'm sure of it. I also want to go if I'm honest. I want to pay my respects to all who died, including Duncan, even though he was a bit of a jerk. So fucking ironic! He was so concerned about safety, safety equipment and so on didn't save his life though in the end."
"Let me call Katie," LYNDA said, standing. "I've got her number written down here." She headed into the other room and grabbed Laurie's landline.
"I hear you went to see Michael?" Andy murmured, no judgement in his voice what so ever. "At Smith's Grove?"
Laurie sighed. "Yeah, more fucking fool me! He's as much of the killing machine then as he was that night! To be honest," she took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eyes. "To be honest Andy I'm surprised you don't hate my fucking guts! I mean shit, I only love a God damn serial killer! A serial killer no less who you saw kill 3 people right in front of you in cold fucking blood before carrying me off and fucking me underground!" There was a moment's silence.
"I… can't say I understand it," Andy said slowly, "no. But… fuck it's your life Laurie and I don't… didn't know you anywhere near well enough to comment. I only know the bit of your history LYNDA's told me."
"Now?" She asked quietly. "Do you think you could comment now?"
"Well you know what I'd say, I personally think you're fucking stupid, naive and insane," he said and she laughed a little.
"Yeah, actually so do I! I mean fuck! He's Michael God damn Myers! I should have known it wasn't… he wasn't for real! He's as much of a killer as he's ever been! I was just a bit of fun, purely for his amusement!"
"Why care about him though?" Andy asked and she was filled with affection by how gentle his voice was. LYNDA entered the room but didn't speak. "I mean ok, he… was a man once, but he's a cold hearted killer. You saw those 3 guys die too, Laurie. Patrick, Duncan and Jason. Yet… you still cared about him? Now I get that love is not simple, Christ I do! My dad used to beat me as a kid and yet I fucking loved him! So believe me, I get it! But now? He's played you for a fool, pure and simple! So why are you still holding on to him? He'd kill you as soon as look at you this time, never mind have sex with you! Don't you get that?"
He'd moved to her side as he was speaking and put an arm around her. She leant her head into his shoulder, appreciating the contact. LYNDA sat down on her other side and also put an arm around her.
"I know you're right," Laurie sighed. "I guess… well he did play me for a fucking fool, and now I've got the pain and damn heartache that goes with it!"
"But that's what he wants," LYNDA said. "He'd probably laugh if he knows you're suffering. You said he was silently mocking you in Smith's Grove, right?"
Laurie nodded, fighting off the sting of angry and bitter tears. Both Andy and LYNDA held her tighter as she took several deep breaths.
"Why the fuck Michael?" She burst out. "You cruel, twisted bastard!"
"That's exactly what he is," LYNDA murmured. "You couldn't and wouldn't ever change that, not with someone like Michael Myers. Might as well try to climb Everest without oxygen."
Laurie nodded again, fighting back her tears. "Did you call Katie?" She asked finally, desperate to change the subject from Michael Myers, the man who held her heart in his hands in so many ways. Literally and mentally. He'd broken it and could now stop its beats only too easily.
"Yes," LYNDA smiled sadly. "She's going of course, like Andy said. She's so upset poor thing, like he also said. I don't think she'll ever fully recover."
"I hope she can somehow," Laurie said. "Ok then," she sighed again. "Shall we all meet at mine at 04:30? We can have a drink before the car turns up. Christ we'll probably need it!"
"You don't have to go you know," LYNDA said softly.
"Oh yes I do," Laurie said firmly. "I, like you owe it to those who fell. Plus I'll take as much fucking merch as I can get my hands on! It's the least that twat can do for us!"
Andy smirked a little. "Yeah, me too. I wish I could take a truck; I'd empty the damn shelves and then sell the fucking stuff!"
"Well I'm sure taking a big bag," LYNDA said. "He'll hardly have anything left by the time we're done. Like Laurie said it's the least he can do for us!"
LYNDA called Katie back a few minutes later, who agreed to the arrangement. It was still a few weeks away, but Laurie knew she had to do it. Like the other 3, she wanted to pay her respects to those who'd fallen. Albeit at the hands of the man who still held her heart and refused to let it go and even mocked her for it.
She also knew Andy and LYNDA were right in another fact. Michael Myers had played her down in 'Doom Tunnel', she'd been there purely for his pleasure and amusement, just as she'd feared she would. She'd known Myers had a twisted sense of humour, assured herself she'd never let him have the last laugh at her expense, and that was exactly what he was doing. Incarcerated in Smith's Grove or not, this was his victory and she was left to pick up the pieces. Katie had lost her heart forever in 'Doom Tunnel', she couldn't help thinking that in her own way she had too.
