Chapter 8: Night of Evil
-2 Weeks before Halloween-

"As you know, Dr. Loomis is interested in your relationship with Michael. Well, more concerned. He's noticed the two of you haven't been spending any time together in the last few weeks. Did something happen? Some kind of argument, or fight, that we should know about?"

I'd pretty much stopped answering Loomis' questions. They always centered around, Michael. And now, he was getting his answers through, Dr. Hill. It was hard to figure out what Loomis was thinking. His emotions changed as quickly as Michael's own. One day he wanted to help, next he didn't. Had his obsession with Michael really warped him so much?

Sighing, I reluctantly decided to give Dr. Hill an answer. "Something's wrong with Michael. One of the times we met up, he just wasn't himself, acting like he was sick, like his head hurt or something. He hasn't been the same since, and I don't know how to help him."

She raised a brow. "You realize you have no obligation to help him. That is our job."

"I'm sorry but, none of you have been able to reach him. Dr. Loomis told me himself. I've gotten more reaction from him than anyone here."

"That still doesn't mean that you have to watch out for him. You are in no way his caretaker. Though, I know, Sam may have planted that idea in your mind. He has everyone's best intention at heart, and, yes, we do realize that you've been able to accomplish much more with, Michael, than any of us have."

I looked down, tracing the mark on my wrist. "Michael is still my friend. I know I don't have to do anything for him, but, if I don't try, who will? You all sound like you've given up on him. Both you and Dr. Loomis referred to him as a lost cause."

"Elaine." There was a motherly tone to her voice. "Sweetheart, I know how you feel about him-"

"But, you don't!" I raised my voice.

This time she sighed. "Trust me, I do." She walked around her desk, moving closer to me. "When I was younger, just an intern, I didn't start working with children. I worked with adults, and while I was shadowing my trainer, we visited this young man, only a few years younger than me, his name was Jacob. Each visit, I felt more and more drawn to him. There was a point where I believe that I was in love with him. I knew he wasn't mentally stable, and I didn't care. I wanted to do everything in my power to help him. He got me close, used me as a hostage, killed two guards, and was killed himself by another guard. Don't let Michael lure you in, who knows what his ulterior motives could be."

"Neither of you want him to see outside of these walls, do you?"

"Maybe, that's for the best. He refuses to interact with anyone aside from you. He can't function outside of this place. And it would be unfair to ask that of you. When you leave, it'll be a whole new world for you as well."

My hands clenched. "If I shut down, like him, will you abandon me too?"

She frowned. "You are so different, want to get better, you make strides to recover. It's a completely different story. " Dr. Hill leaned against her desk. "I'm not supposed to say anything about this, but, I'm prepared enough to convince the judge to pardon your actions, since you acted in self defense. You'll be released on your 18th birthday. And, this is a secret, but, I think you need something uplifting right now." A smile beamed across her face. "You're lucky. You won't be thrown into the world, blindly. A few days before your release, Chelsea is going to sign a few papers, making you her charge. You'll be able to move in with her."

"Chelsea? Why would she do that?' I questioned aloud.

"She grew attached to you."

-

It was mid-afternoon, I was sitting in the common room, staring out the window. Aimlessly.
A heavy footfall approached. "What is it, Dr. Wynn?" I replied, unmoving.

"You recognized me, did you pick that skill up from Michael?" I pointed to the reflection in the glass. "You were easy to spot."

"So I was." He sat down next to me. "Are you ever going to tell me who's next?"

"No."

"Oh? And why not?"

"Michael is angry. If I told you, he may decide you're next instead."

He crossed his arms and legs. "And, do you believe you're safe from him?"

"If I wasn't, you'd have one of us transferred. I'm part of your plan, remember?" I hissed in reply.

"You have picked up a few things from him."

My head snapped to him. "What do you want, Doctor?"

A wicked grin appeared on his face. "You two are more alike than you'd like to believe, Elaine." With that he stood, walking away.

As his steps faded, a new set came up. I glanced in the window panes again, seeing that it was Loomis. Another sigh left my lips.

"You don't seem too happy."

"And why should I be? This place is horrible."

Loomis sat next to me this time. "I skimmed through your session today."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course you did."

"Michael will be taken care of. I know you have your worries." The doctor reached out, grabbing my wrist. "I would like to talk more about this mark. I know you can tell me more."

"There's nothing I can tell you. Not here."

"You said Michael didn't do this. But, you don't want to say anything in this building. So, it was someone here, correct?"

I pulled my arm away. "How could it be anyone else? Is security so low that strangers can just walk in and brand the patients?"

Loomis looked thoughtful. "I feel as if you're giving me hints. But, you aren't giving me enough."

"My scar is on the opposite arm as Michael's. Whenever we held hands, it was these hands we used. There isn't anything else I can tell you. It should be simple enough to figure out."

Wynn kept trying to force Michael and I together. He helped us both sneak out of our wards. I didn't understand how Loomis wasn't figuring that out. To me it was obvious. But, Loomis and Wynn were close friends, despite their arguments. They'd known each other for years. Since Medical school.

"Yes, you've told me that, riddle before."

"Sam!" Dr. Hill called, a hint of urgency in her voice. Both of us turned to look, Michael was standing just a few feet away. No doubt, sent by Wynn, to keep Loomis from prying.

"Michael, would you like to spend some time with, Elaine?" He stood. Michael didn't move. Loomis looked back to me. "Is that alright?"

"Yeah."

Dr. Loomis made his way across the room, meeting up with Dr. Hill, watching as Michael finally moved, sitting next to me, his gaze straight to the window. Watching the doctor's movements through the reflections.

Wynn was right when he said I'd learned a few things from Michael.

His hands tightly grasped the edge of the bench, knuckles turning white.

"You're still angry, aren't you?"

He closed his eyes. Gathering himself, I suppose. I placed my hand over his, my fingers curling around his own. His gaze darted over to me, glaring at me from the corners of his eyes.

"Sorry."

I felt the tension in his hand release a little, quickly, I moved my hand under his fingers. Again, his grip loosened, taking my hand in his own, crushing my fingers as soon as he got the chance.

The light blue still hadn't returned to his irises. They remained a dark grey. Still, his eyes were somehow pretty. Like storm clouds. There was probably some hidden metaphor for that.

He glanced back up at the window. No one had moved, but, the doctors were intently watching us. Finally, he released my hand, not wanting the doctors to catch wind of my pained expression. Before he had a chance to withdraw his hand, I grabbed his arm, my thumb tracing over his scar.

"Does it ever hurt?" My voice was low enough, no one could hear what I asked. His hand clenched again. I couldn't tell if he was answering the question, or telling me to back off. I decided to back off, just in case.

Michael waited patiently, Loomis and Hill eventually left, taking care of other matters. As soon as they were out of sight, he got up, walking away. I followed him, hoping we could have a semi-private moment to talk things through. Even though I'd be the only one talking.

He was headed back to the boys' ward. Predictable.

"Wait!" I hollered, trying to catch up. Michael stopped abruptly, causing me to bump into him, as I had so many times before. He turned, grabbing my shoulders and shoving me down.

"What the hell is your problem?" Bending down, he grabbed my shirt collar, pulling me to my feet. I breathed in a shaky breath, "Michael, let go."

His stare, as blank and as unnerving as ever. I was being examined. Michael was trying to figure out what to do with me. Would he allow someone, who acted so boldly around him to live, or would he mutilate me, as he had all the others? He shoved her back, once again, this time, she managed to catch herself.

"Why don't you do it? If you have to spend time contemplating my fate, why don't you just kill me? What is stopping you?" The words just fell out. I wanted to know why I was always spared, despite how brutal he was towards me, in those dreams?

Again, all he gave me was a grin. "You're so infuriating, you know that?" I scoffed, turning, to walk away. If he wanted to go hide in his ward, he could do so. I'd go my own way too. I could feel the smugness beaming from him. His goal accomplished. I glanced behind me, wondering if he was still staring at me, but, he was gone.

Playing hide and seek yet again.

"Elaine!" Dr. Loomis called, heading towards me from the common room. "Why are you back here, you know-"

I interrupted. "Yeah, I know, I'm not supposed to be back here. I followed Michael, something's bothering him." It was easy enough to throw the doctor a lie, though, it would most likely end up ticking Michael off. He deserved to be pestered by Dr. Loomis, after the way he acted. "I'm guessing he didn't speak to you. It's just another feeling of yours?"

"If I tell you something's wrong with Michael, I mean it. I don't think it's fun to make up rumors about other patients, I'm not Nancy." My retort should be good enough. The doctor let out a sigh. "Yes, child, I know. But, that is why it's important for you to alert the doctors, if he became violent, and attacked you, help could be minutes away!"

"Come now, let's return to the others." He commanded, standing aside, waiting for me to pass.

As soon as we reached the common room, he asked Dr. Hill to keep an eye on me, while he walked back towards the boys' ward.

The evening hours were soon upon Smith's Grove. I'd strangely grown tired. Normally, I fell asleep around an hour after lights out, at 10pm. Today, it was barely 7pm, and I felt as if I hadn't slept in days. It was a miracle I made it through dinner.

A few minutes after dinner, I approached Dr. Hill, lying, telling her that I didn't feel good, and that I wanted to go to bed early. She had no issue with getting my medicine from the nurses station, so I'd sleep soundly through the night. Telling her I was just tired, would have resulted in her asking me quite a few questions, making sure my lethargy wasn't because of my depression. Tonight, I'd rather avoid all that.

I curled up in bed, throwing my blanket over my face, keeping the light out of my eyes, before falling fast asleep.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in that familiar bedroom. A small flame flickering, providing barely any light. My arms were folded over my chest, as I lay on my side, staring at one of the pumpkins, strangely the gourd seemed to be melting, rather than the candle inside.

"Nice trick." I muttered to myself, still pretty drowsy.

Familiar footsteps crossed the room, the presence took its place, sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand reaching back, resting on my waist.

"Are you still mad at me?" Trying to roll over, my exhaustion got the better of me, causing me to slouch back to my original position. I groaned. "Why am I so tired?" Even in my dream I felt weak? What was wrong with me?

Left in silence. I wasn't in the mood to deal with him, so, I tried closing my eyes, just ignore whatever was happening in this world, and maybe, get some actual sleep.

It worked for a little while, until his hand grabbed my left wrist, pulling me towards him, and digging a needle into my skin. I only felt a small twinge of pain, with the first pick. He traced the scar, opening the wound.

"Why are you so weird?" My question was more of a grumble. Not able to fully process what was happening.

The needle pricked me again, this time I managed to jerk my hand away. A light chuckle followed. "You know, sometimes you're a dick. Actually, most times."

His face came into view, illuminated by the jack-o-lantern, no mask in sight. Maybe, tonight would be peaceful? Did he just want to spend time with her? Usually she was the one who approached.

Michael was just watching, as if fascinated by my mere existence. It also looked like he wanted to murder me. I could never really tell. All I knew was that I survived thus far.

I closed my eyes, hoping to shake off some of the drowsiness. When I opened my eyes again, Michael was lying next to me, arm around me, keeping me close. My face was buried in his chest, I couldn't tell if he was awake. If there was even such a thing as sleep in the world. His embrace was warm, I snuggled a little closer to him, grabbing his shirt, tugging. He took in a sharp breath, squeezing in return. Listening to the combination of his breathing and his heartbeat was almost therapeutic.

"Michael…" I breathed, continuing to nuzzle into him. Being so close to him was nice.

"Elaine? You need to wake up." The voice belonged to Wynn.

I forced myself awake, letting out a gasp. Wynn stood, a rather triumphant smile on his face. Seeing that I was alright, he started out the door, halting, glancing back at me. "Clean the marker off of your wrist. I don't want Samuel seeing it. "

My brow furrowed, not sure what he was talking about. I lifted up my wrist, after he was out of the room, only to see the words: "You're mine!" Scrawled over the Mark of Thorn. That was definitely something that I didn't want Loomis seeing.

Getting out of bed, I felt a little dizzy, my head hurt too.
Maybe, I just slept wrong? After I started waking up, I'd feel better.

I made it to the bathroom, closing the door, without any interruptions from doctors or the other girls. Luckily it was just a small private room, so, I didn't have to worry about anyone walking in.

Again, I looked at the writing on my wrist. Maybe, it was his answer to my question yesterday? It was far more than a simple 'I like you'. I was spared, because I belonged to him. Wynn and Samantha both told me that I was bound to him. This was confirming the fact.

Turning on the sink, and grabbing the soap, I began to scrub the mark off, luckily it was only written in pen, and came off rather easily. I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful I wouldn't have to explain where I'd gotten it.

Looking back up to the mirror, I saw Michael standing behind me. But, that was impossible, the door was locked. Quickly, I turned, ready to question how he'd gotten in, he wasn't actually there…. No one was in the room with me.

- October 31st, 1971 - Halloween -

Dr. Loomis was on edge, as the rest of the staff was preparing for the Halloween party later that evening. He'd spent most of the day between Carpenter and Wynn's offices, trying to convince them to call the party off. Or at the very least, have Michael excluded from it.

They both denied his requests, Carpenter even lashing out at him, saying something similar to "If you keep believing your delusions, I'll have you locked up in here!"

Michael seemed normal. He was out in the common room, sitting on the same bench. He seemed more like himself now, than he had in months.

That was, until I noticed him staring at Nancy. It was subtle, just from the corner of his eye, but, he was fixated on her. Every moment, he trailed her, watching. Until he saw me, observing his behavior. His gaze flickered to me accordingly, as if he were a small child, trying to convince their parents they hadn't done anything wrong.

Hesitantly, I sat next to him, taking his hand in mine. Our relationship grew stronger, since he'd left that note for me. I was his, and I was ok with that.

"Am I not pretty enough? Too young?" I teased, letting him know that I'd noticed how he watched his prey. There was no hope for her. It was just her fate to die. She wouldn't listen to reason.

He squeezed my hand. Karen glared daggers at me from across the room. She was behind this morning and didn't have the chance to sit next to Michael. That girl had become my rival, lucky for her, since I was already here, she wouldn't have to worry about swallowing, Michael's blood, or receiving Thorn.

I didn't know what Michael thought of her. He always moved to sit next to me, however, if I didn't want to sit next to him, he didn't mind her company.

"You know, when I'm older….." Heat traveled to my cheeks as I lowered my eyes. "I'll give you anything you want. " It felt weird to say things like that, but, I'm 13 now, I knew that a in few years, both he and I would crave one another. And, I was a bit worried that since, Karen was his age, she'd get to him before I could.

Michael loved seeing the jealousy on my face. That playful smirk, surfaced.

He scooted closer, raising the sleeve of my shirt, before taking out a pen, that he kept hidden, writing the word "Mine." across my scar, yet again. It had been something he was doing lately, and somehow, it was far less menacing than the first note.

"One day, I'd like to hear you tell me that I'm yours." Michael pulled his hand away, re-hiding the pen. I guess that wasn't happening.

"This night is going to be a disaster." Loomis mumbled, walking through the common room. "It's going to be fine, there's going to be five of us watching them, and Carpenter and Wynn will be around too. We can keep track of a few children. Get them all involved in some games, and it'll be tomorrow before you know it." Dr. Hill reassured him. "You're too good for me, Jennifer."

Michael's stare now held a maleficence. He held up his hand, just where I could see it, showing the number two.

"Alright, children! It's time to change into your costumes." Hill announced, walking to the center of the room. "I'd like for everyone to return to their dorms for this."

Loomis and Wallace were helping the boys get into their costumes, while Hill and Mary helped the girls. Samantha was trying to convince Hill that she was sick, and didn't want to attend the party. Nancy was taunting her, saying that she was scared of the costumes.

In a way, it was true. We were both worried that Michael's costume was going to be a bit too familiar. We were allowed to choose our costumes, and with his mindset, Samantha and I were certain he'd designed the mask from his dream.

After finally convincing Samantha to go out to the common room for a while, the two women began talking about the coming storm. From what it sounded like, the storm would likely hit in around an hour or two. That was part of the reason they convinced Samantha to return to the common room, they wanted to keep track of everyone in case the storm was severe.

I made mental notes of everyone's costume. If something did happen, I didn't want to guess friend from foe.

Amy was dressed as a fairy. Her costume was mainly pink. Homemade from her mother. Karen was a nurse, which wasn't going to do her any favors towards Michael, with how much he hated the doctors. I chuckled at that. Stephan was a vampire, which suited his reserved nature. Shawn was the devil, I was curious as to why the doctors had allowed him to choose such a costume, with everything that had gone down here. Leon was a cowboy, he did carry a bit of a southern accent, naturally. Nancy was also fittingly dressed, her chosen costume, was a witch. Samantha was a police officer and my chosen costume was a pirate.

Michael, was of course, a clown, and as we feared, his mask was the same as the one he wore in the dream world.

Surprisingly, the night was going well. Too well. Michael, was taking part in group activities, which freaked Samantha and I out. He didn't like the other patients. But, he wasn't making a move. Maybe, the doctors were watching him too closely? Maybe, he was waiting for his opportunity.

Dr. Hill was on Nancy's case, the entire time we played musical chairs, she'd been pushing people out of the way. And she wasn't pushing gently, she was knocking the others to the ground. She was pulled aside, and sternly lectured, and still, she proceeded to act like a brat. Nancy made her fatal mistake, carelessly, she pushed, Michael. She hadn't knocked him to the floor, like with the others, yet, it was enough for the doctors, particularly, Loomis, to freak out.

Loomis grabbed her by her arm, pulling her away, where he continued Hill's conversation from before. This time, it seemed to work, and she apologized to Michael.

Samantha grabbed my hand. "She's going to die…" Her whisper was just loud enough for me to hear. "We have to stay away from her…." I agreed.

The rain finally began to fall, thunder, cracking in the distance. Wind howling. The entire scenario gave me anxiety. Just waiting for something to happen.

As the other kids lined up to bob for apples. Samantha and I decided the game wasn't for us. Sam claimed that she still felt sick, and I said that I was a germaphobe, and didn't feel comfortable doing so.

Michael also sat out from this, across the room, the complete opposite side of Nancy's location.

Another crack of thunder, striking the building, causing the power to flash, before shutting off. The emergency generators were old, it would take a few minutes for the power to return. Giving him plenty of town.

"Nobody panic, it's okay. " Wallace hollered, a few of the patients were afraid of the dark. He was a smoker, so, he had a bit of a light source. Flicking open his lighter, giving us some light in the darkness.

Dr. Hill was right behind him, and upon approaching the basin of apples, the flame, illuminating a body. Nancy's body, still face first in the water. The two of them gasped, Wallace, dropped the lighter, catching Loomis' attention, he inquired as to what happened. Before either Hill or Wallace could answer, the lights were back on.

Nancy was dead, and it looked as if Michael hadn't moved. He was still sitting in the same place, almost oblivious. Loomis glared directly at him. He knew Michael had been sitting there, and he didn't have enough time to maneuver across the room, and somehow, silently kill her.

Drowning wasn't a quiet death.

"Get the children back to their wards.." His voice full of ire.

Wallace quickly pulled himself together, ushering the boys away from the scene. Mary took care of the girls. Dr. Loomis, grabbed Michael's arm, pulled him towards the offices, and Dr. Hill immediately got on the phone.

Everyone was given their medicine and sent to bed early. So the paramedics and doctors could do their work. Even with my sleeping medicine, it was hard to fall asleep. I tossed and turned, for a few hours. Dr. Hill came in around 10pm to check on everyone, making sure we were all asleep. I shut my eyes, pretending.

She sighed. "I feel sorry for, Elaine. What are we going to tell her?"

"We'll tell her that it was for her own safety. That Michael will just end up hurting her too." The second voice belonged to Loomis.

"She's going to fight us."

"I know…"

They left. I wanted to know more about their conversation…
What was happening to Michael? Was he getting transferred like Loomis wanted?

Another hour passed, and still I was restless. I shut my eyes, hoping eventually I'd just drift off. That wasn't working either. With each passing second, I grew more and more frustrated. Why couldn't I just get some sleep.

A hand touched my shoulder, causing me to jump, turning to see who it was.

"Michael?" I sat up on the bed. "What are you doing here?" Placing his hand on my cheek, he leaned in, giving me a kiss. The smile on his face seemed sweet, genuine. It was anything but. He reached into his pocket, stabbing a needle into my neck. "Michael!" Immediately I felt fatigued, slouching back into the bed.

-

It was dark, taking a few minutes for my eyes to adjust. I was in the hall, leading towards the doctor's offices. Not walking through, but, observing through a different perspective.

"You're obsessed with your work, Samuel. You need another break."

"How many more will he kill? If I let that demon out of my sight, Jennifer, he will kill more and more."

"Enough, Sam. Stop blaming the boy. He wasn't near her. She slipped and hit her head. That's all. "

"It was no accident!"

"Your talent is wasted here. We're getting married in two months. I'd like my husband to have a successful, private practice. They will find someone else for Michael."

"I'm sorry, Jen, but, I need some air."

Dr. Loomis crossed the hall, headed towards the front. Someone moved quickly, passing just behind the doctor, causing him to pause, and glance back, seeing nothing. I watched Dr. Hill for a while, finishing some paperwork.

She stood from her chair, and the figure moved again, walking across the hall, catching her attention.

"Hey! I know you kids normally sneak out, but after what happened, you need to be in bed!" She hurried after the figure. It was too fast. She lost his trail.

They were near the boy's room, a quick peek in would tell her exactly who was missing. She gasped, seeing which bed was empty. "Michael…." She looked back down the hall, catching a glimpse of a shadow. Running down the hall, she rounded the corner, calling Michael's name again.

The figure was heading up the stairs, to the roof. Dr. Hill gasped, rushing after. "Stop! Whoever you are come-" The door was locked, she couldn't get it open.

Michael was outside, unsnapping his shirt, hanging it off the roof, keeping it pinned, allowing it to catch the breeze, failing in the wind. He walked over, releasing the hold on the door. Dr. Hill sprung through, not seeing him. He was hiding around the corner.

"Oh no…" Her voice was hushed, seeing the shirt, snagged on the parapet. Mistakenly, she got closer, and Michael followed, effortlessly pushing her over, watching her tumble down the roof, snapping her neck, and breaking her arm, impacting the ground.

He then took his shirt, putting it back on, and snapping it back up. That devious smirk playing on his lips. Michael wasn't wearing a mask.

Minutes later, Dr. Loomis returned, horrified at his discovery of his deceased fiancee..

To be continued….