"Ok guys, are we all ready?" It was a full hour later and the group had finally all finished their food and drinks. Townsend had spoken to Laurie, asking her about her life, but she'd hardly been able to concentrate. The last thing she wanted to do as be rude, but she simply couldn't keep her brain in the conversation. Her head was spinning and she simply didn't know what to say or do about it.
Ben for his part kept laying his hand on her shoulder, asking her if she was ok. It made her want to punch him. Across the table she saw Andy giving him dirty looks and felt a rush of gratitude for him. Since the previous Halloween night and the terrible events below ground, he and Katie HAD FAST BECOME HER friends. Not to mention Andy was now Lynda's boyfriend. He really did seem like a good man over the past year she'd known him, she now trusted him a great deal. Andy had told Townsend about his job as a long distance lorry driver. Katie was a hairdresser. She and Lynda on the other hand were still trying to finish college.
One day, Lynda had asked Katie for a haircut and offered to pay for it, but Katie had refused any money and had done such a good job on it, Laurie had also asked for and received one. Laurie had to admire her friend's courage and determination, she had managed to successfully evade the Haddonfield Hype, who had spent months trying to get an interview from the final survivor, dubbing her 'the final girl.' But Katie had been adamant and refused to give the media anything. "Laurie, , are you ready?" Lynda's voice jolted her back to the present yet again. Damn She needed to stop getting lost in her own head, it was easier to get lost in than damn 'Doom Tunnel' was. "
the group stood up from the table and followed Townsend towards the door to the gift shop.
"Are you seriously saying we can have whatever we want?" Andy asked, sounding uncertain now despite his earlier words about taking a truck. Townsend nodded. "Whatever you want Andy, Katie, Laurie, Lynda."
Laurie couldn't help but notice he hadn't said Ben's name, and couldn't resist a small smile. That creep deserved nothing; he wasn't even there when it all happened. Perhaps something in the way he'd acted in just the last hour had annoyed Townsend too. That was just fine with her.
Andy had been true to his word however in the fact he'd bought a big bag with him, as had Lynda. Katie hadn't though and Laurie felt a rush of sympathy for her. All she wanted was Jason back and they all knew it. Laurie stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulders.
They entered the shop and Andy began picking up some of everything and putting it in his huge bag, as did Lynda. She stopped at a beautiful glass model of the caving system she hadn't seen before and saw the 200 dollar price tag.
"Wow," she said with a soft whistle. "I can't lie, these are gorgeous. Can I have one?"
"Anything you want," Townsend reiterated. Lynda smiled at him and carefully put one in her bag in its protective wrapping. Andy meanwhile had picked up a 'DT' helmet, complete with light and microphone system. "I didn't see these last time," he said. All three of them picked up a helmet and a glass 'Doom Tunnel' model. They all took at least one of everything, including safety whistles. Laurie just hoped they wouldn't need them…
'I have a final gift for the four of you," Townsend said, again not including Ben. He reached into his suit jacket pocket and handed them all a small badge, engraved with 'TT.' "This badge gives you access to all my attractions for free for the rest of your lives, if you want to go."
"Thanks," the four said together, genuinely touched. "You're er… a bit late," Katie gave him a small smile. "Jason and I have already visited Terror town, Scream Street, Madness Maze, Petrified Palace, Fear Fair and Horror House."
"Wow," Lynda grinned. "You're a big fan then. Plus, you like your alliteration, Mr. Townsend."
Townsend grinned. "Just an easy way to name them all I guess."
"Couldn't find one for 'Doom Tunnel' then?" Andy asked with a small grin.
The billionaire chuckled. "I considered 'Cruel Caves,' but it didn't really work, no."
"Mr. Townsend, Tom," Lynda said hesitantly. "I have to ask, is the legend of 'Doom Tunnel' actually true? Or did you make that all up as part of the attraction?"
"Honestly, nobody actually knows. It is actually believed to be true, or at least to an extent. I just got the actors, hired them to make sounds and so on."
Lynda nodded. "Thanks for being honest with me."
"I think that is the least you four deserve," Townsend said simply. "After all you've been through down there."
With minimal effort when Andy and Lynda confirmed they were done, Townsend picked up their huge bags both at once and carried them out to the car waiting outside. Andy let out a low whistle. "'How strong is he?"
Townsend entered a few minutes later with an even bigger bag and emptied the shelves completely into it and took it out to the car.
"Are you sure?" Lynda asked when he returned. "You've just given us everything."
'I told you I would," Townsend said. "The whole shop is now in the car for you guys to take home and do with as you will. You can even sell it if you want to."
The group and Tour owner looked at each other, and in that moment it was clear they were all thinking the same thing. All the money in the world couldn't bring back the people lost that night. Laurie couldn't hold their gazes for long however. She was only married to their God Damn killer! How could she ever tell them this? The answer was simple, she couldn't.
They left the now completely empty gift shop and headed towards the caves once again. 'If you guys want helmets just in case, I can go grab you all one," Townsend said. The group all shook their heads.
Slowly they once again headed down the steps and into darkness. Laurie pulled out a flashlight she'd pocketed from the gift shop and flicked it on. The beam was so powerful, they could all see by it.
"Good thinking," Andy smiled at her and she was sure she saw Ben bristle. Anger threatened to take hold, but she desperately fought it off. Not here, not now. Who the fuck did Cramer think he was?
"Indeed," Townsend smiled at her too.
By the beam of the light, the group headed further downwards. When they reached the bottom, they finally saw what Townsend had meant by an 'underground car.' A small passenger trailer big enough to seat six was waiting for them, a small tractor in front of it.
"Who's driving this thing?" Andy asked.
'I am," Townsend replied. "It's the least I can do for you guys rather than just lump it on one of my drivers."
'You don't have to…" Lynda began, but Townsend shook his head.
'I may not have to, but I want to. Please, take your seats."
Without any further argument, the five of them did as he asked. Glancing at the others except Ben, Laurie could see they were all feeling gratitude and fast rising respect for Thomas Townsend. The tour owner got into the tractor and started the engine. Laurie guessed the trailer was probably a very recently bought addition, unless it was something from one of his other attractions., so she asked the question. 'Mr. Townsend, is this new?" She called.
"Laurie, it's Tom, please. The trailer? No. I took one from Horror House, there's a ride in there which uses them, but I realised it would be perfect for this purpose, as part of Horror House is also below ground." She nodded.
the black leather on the seat pads was not torn, it was clean and still looked fairly knew, however many people had sat in it. Slowly, the trailer began to move into the darkness. Laurie felt Lynda's arm slide around her shoulders and closed her eyes briefly. Andy and Ben sat opposite the two girls, Katie on the end of Laurie and Lynda's row. Reaching out, Lynda put her other arm around Katie. Sitting there, Laurie felt her heart jolt and threaten to break. If only she could tell them the truth, tell them what was going on in her life, who she was now legally married to, his wife! But she knew she couldn't and wasn't stupid enough to believe she could. It wasn't just their reactions she feared, it was where her life went from here. However she still stuck to her guns, she would not end even this… unusual to say the least marriage for the likes of Ben Cramer, no way in hell.
"Are there actors down here tonight?" Katie called to Townsend, as he drove them onwards.
'No," Townsend called back. "There's no one down here accept us."
'Are you sure about that?' Said a quiet voice in Laurie's head. 'I'm not.' But then who could be down there with them? She wasn't thinking of her husband, of Michael Myers, was she? He had no way of knowing they would be down there this Halloween night. Why on earth was she thinking along these lines? Was part of her hoping for it? She tried to scoff at that idea, but she knew it was only half hearted. Christ! She wanted to see Michael Myers, her husband, down here tonight? 'Yeah and if that happens more people run the risk of dying marriage or not,' said her internal voice. Laurie wanted to shout at it to shut the fuck up, but of course she couldn't. Not only because it would make her look crazy if she shouted at herself down here, but also, and this was the part she was struggling the most with, was that the voice was right. She hated herself for her traitorous thoughts. Michael had killed Jason, Duncan and Patrick. Yet she'd then gone with him and allowed him to fuck her underground, then in her house for months. Not only that, but she… she loved him. Once again though she reminded herself, Michael had no way of knowing they were down here tonight, how could he? Ok Dr Loomis had once said he believed Myers had inhuman abilities, but this inhuman? Maybe as she was now his wife, he knew where she was all the time? 'OK NO," she shouted at herself. 'THAT REALLY IS CRAZY! Right
She wasn't sure how she felt about that thought. What if there was something in it and Myers did indeed know where she was at all times due to their marriage?
'FOR FUCK SAKE JUST STOP!' She knew she would drive herself insane if she kept thinking like this, she had to get a grip. Glancing over, she smiled at Andy when she saw him keeping a careful eye on Ben. God she wished she'd stopped him from coming down here with them. Why hadn't she? But she already knew the answer to that, it was because she'd been weak. Possibly she'd hoped in some kind of naive way that he would accept that they were just friends and always would be only friends. But he'd obviously taken it entirely the wrong way, as an invitation to pursue her even more. It was only now, when it was too late she saw that. She'd wanted to prove he was a friend of hers and she trusted him as a friend, he'd taken it just the way she'd hoped he wouldn't. Part of her blamed herself for giving him the wrong signals albeit inadvertently, but then he was the one who would not leave her alone when she'd tried to gently make it clear friends was all they ever would be. Ever since they'd set out on this trip tonight in Townsend's luxury car, Cramer had not backed off once. She knew he was hoping to be her hero, and that by doing so she'd let him into her heart, or more probably, pants. She had no doubt that was his true intention. She wasn't sure he even loved her like he claimed, that all he was after was sex. She just wished he'd try getting it from some other poor woman as opposed to her. Or better yet, not at all.
The trailer rode almost silently through the darkness, before coming to a gentle holt. The group glanced out and gasped. In front of them was a beautiful marble headstone, engraved in gold with the names of the three who were brutally massacred within 'Doom Tunnel' last Halloween night.
By my husband… Laurie took a deep breath and started reading.
'Duncan Shaw: Tour guide of 'Doom Tunnel' for the past ten years. Loved husband, father and grandfather.'
'Patrick Ashdown: Tour guide within 'Doom Tunnel' for five years. Loved brother, son and friend.'
'Jason Warwick: Loved boyfriend, brother and son.'
Laurie looked up and only then realised there were silent tears streaming down her face. Glancing at Lynda and Katie, she saw the exact same thing. The three girls held each other tighter, having not released each other since they boarded the trailer. Andy looked pale, Ben sombre and stoic.
What does he care? Laurie thought nastily. He wasn't there that night, he didn't know these guys, he's not upset because how could he be for total strangers? Not to mention they were killed by the man he now knows I love so sees him as his adversary! But he doesn't know I'm also now married to said man…
All three men had different dates of birth, but the dates of death were all the same. October 31st, 1978. She couldn't bring herself to read the rest of the writing about them, it was too painful.
'I can give you all a copy to read in your own time," Townsend said quietly. It was clear he could see the pain on the faces of the four survivors in front of him. Again he didn't include Ben. "But I don't move until you tell me you're all ready to head back."
To Andy, it was as though Townsend had developed a clear and obvious dislike and distain towards Cramer. That suited Andy just fine. It was clear Cramer's reason for being there was for one motive only, and it most certainly wasn't to support Laurie. Sex. There was no doubt in Andy's mind that was Cramer's real motive. It was unbelievable that any man could use such a horrific and sad event to work on his sexual advances towards one of their group, but clearly Cramer was one of those disgusting men. Andy vowed to himself then and there that he would punch the little shit's face in if he even tried to approach Laurie any further tonight, or in the future if he harassed her one more time.
"That's a lovely picture of Jason," Katie's quiet voice broke the silence.
"His mother provided it," Townsend said softly. "I agree, it's a nice one."
"We were going to be married this year," Katie said, still staring at Jason's picture. Still with his suspicious gaze on Cramer, Andy moved and put his arm around her along with Laurie and Lynda. She smiled faintly at him in thanks.
"I'm sorry," Townsend murmured. "I really am."
Katie managed a small nod and smile at the tour owner. "Thanks."
Unable to stand it any longer, Laurie slid out of the trailer and picked up one of the helmets. "Sorry, but I really need a walk."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Andy and Lynda said together immediately. Laurie smiled gratefully at them. "Thanks, but I'll be ok. I've got my helmet, light and whistle."
"I can go with you?" Townsend offered. The smile she gave him was genuine. "Thank you Mr. Townsend… Tom. But I'm fine, really I am."
Ben slid out of his seat. "I don't want you to go alone, I'll come with you."
"I said I'm fine," Laurie snapped. Why couldn't this son of a bitch who clearly had a hard on for her just leave her the fuck alone? Without looking back at anyone but especially not Cramer, she headed off into the darkness.
…
the powerful light of her helmet easily pierced the darkness. She could hardly believe Townsend had let them all have one of these for free, never mind anything else and a free lifelong pass to his other attractions. The helmets alone had to be 300 a piece, if not more. the lights were very powerful and the microphones loud. No wonder tourists were charged an equipment fee when they arrived.
It didn't take her long to realise where she was. It was almost as though her feet had carried her there automatically. She was right on the spot where Michael had first fucked her, while holding her against the wall. "Damn it," she said out loud, not wanting her thoughts to go back to Michael fucking Myers. Though in truth, they'd never left him in the first place.
Ever since their 'marriage,' she'd hardly had a chance to sit down and really think things through. Dr Loomis had called her again the night she'd agreed to do it, to inform her that Michael had indeed now been released. For a while she'd felt like she was on tenterhooks, waiting for him to come to her house and resume having sex with her. But surprisingly he hadn't. She wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. She'd deliberately tried not to consider her own feelings in the matter, because they were all messed up and confused. She couldn't deny she still loved Michael, but also hated herself for letting her hopes take control. She should've known there was no way in hell Michael Myers would ever love her, she'd been stupid to even hope for it. Yet she had, and this was where it'd brought her. Married to a man who didn't love her, a cold blooded killer, and now suffering with a broken heart as a result. Not to mention fighting off a man who simply wouldn't take no for an answer.
She also tried not to think about where her future went from here, because it was quite frankly something she didn't want to consider. She knew she'd have to eventually, but she wasn't ready for it. Not yet.
Sighing, she stared off into the distance. Townsend had indeed done a fabulous job with the gravestone; it must've cost him a fortune. Clearly the group had all underestimated him, her included. He did seem genuinely sorry for what had happened, and a good man to boot. She smiled a little as she stared at her free pass badge. Perhaps one day she would go and visit one or some of his many attractions sometime in the future.
'On a date?'
Again she shut her internal voice up before it could really get started. This was not somewhere she wanted her mind to go right now. She had to meet the right man first, and that right man certainly wasn't Ben Cramer!
'Maybe you already have, and you'll go with your husband?' Now Laurie really did want to scream. She hated the direction her mind was going in, kept going in. The day she and Michael went on a date, would be one she knew she'd never see. Would never live to see, that was. …
