DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Halloween series in any way =(. But I DO own Katarzyna "Kat", Emelyn "Emmy" and my other OCs.
AN: Hello my lovelies! HAPPY LATE HALLOWEEN! I am so sorry this is coming later than I planned, some things came up that I had to take care off so I was pulled away for a little bit. Forgive me!
PLEASE READ!
THE POLL WILL REMAIN ON MY PROFILE FOR A LITTLE BIT AFTER THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN UPLOADED SO THERE IS STILL TIME TO VOTE. THANK YOU SOO MUCH TO ANYONE WHO VOTED OR SENT ME A PM ABOUT YOUR OPINON! IT REALLY HELPED WITH MY DECISION. THOSE WHO STILL WANT A SAY YOU STILL HAVE TIME SO GO VOTE OR MESSAGE ME!
So I'm beginning the chapter with a little bit of a "What-if?" scenario between Kat and Michael on Kat's 17th birthday (September 5th) also remember Michael's birthday is October 19th so in the "What-if" beginning Michael is 19 going on 20 and Kat is 17. Also that would make Laurie/Angel/Boo around 11-12 I believe.
Onwards with the story!
Chapter Twenty-Five
/oo/
(Katarzyna "Kat")
I knew I was dreaming the minute I woke up and found myself in my old room in my childhood home. However, gone was the little girl's room and in its place was a room with deep violet walls and black furniture. Clothes seemed to spill out of the closet and schoolwork littered the nearby desk. I had yet to look at the pictures on my nightstand when I rolled over and a piece of paper that had been resting on my stomach fell to the floor. Leaning down to pick it up, my heart skipped a beat at the familiar handwriting:
Kat,
Sorry I have to leave, it's late (unless you consider 2am early) and I don't want to wake you up. I have to babysit Boo later in the morning while my mom is at work.
Come by and the three of us will celebrate your 17th birthday properly.
-M
In the back of my mind, I briefly thought of how people weren't supposed to be able to read in their dreams, but I quickly shook the thought away and placed the note down. The handwriting was a dead giveaway that it was Michael who wrote it. Michael, who was writing in complete sentences and apparently had spent the night at my house; in my room. And in this dream, if I was seventeen, that meant he would be nineteen, going on twenty. Years before he was even Michael Myers: The Boogeyman.
Sliding out of my bed, I walked over to my dresser where a large mirror rested and took in my appearance. My hair was longer than it was in reality, reaching the bottom of my tailbone and curling at the ends; though at the moment it was a knotted mess. My face was skinnier but still held a few traces of baby fat and my limbs looked almost too long for my body. I looked exactly as I had when I really was seventeen.
I opened the first dresser drawer and threw off the large, black T-shirt I was wearing and changed into jeans and a simple gray tank top. I walked down the stairs and saw my father's large figure in the kitchen, in his old spot, looking out the window with a beer bottle in his hand. For a moment my chest clenched at the sight of him before the usual numbness returned.
Suddenly the dream blurred and the scene shifted until I was walking down the street, following the familiar path to the house I now called home. There was a rose garden in the front yard on either side of the porch steps; Deborah's rose garden. Gardening was Deborah's way to relieve stress and escape her troubled home, just like Michael's escape was his masks. After Deborah's death, I tried to go to the house as often as I could to make sure the roses were watered and taken care of. I wasn't surprised when I returned and saw that the garden had withered away and I never had the chance to create a new one.
The house was oddly silent as I walked up the steps and towards the front door. There was no yelling, no insults, no drunken slurs. I half expected the violent sounds to start up as soon as I knocked on the door, but instead I heard a high pitched shriek before the sound of calm footsteps making their way to the entrance. I barely had time to react as the door pulled open to reveal a sight I never thought I would see.
It was Michael, but unlike how I had ever seen him. He was still tall and built but his hair was slightly shorter, the blonde locks falling straight down to touch the top of his shoulders; just like how he had it when we were kids. His skin had a healthier glow to it from actually getting sunlight and, surprisingly enough, he wasn't wearing a mask, showing off his unique blue eyes. He wore a loose pair of dark jeans and a black T-shirt.
"About time you showed up," he muttered before I heard feet bounding towards us. Suddenly, Michael was flung to the side and a young girl, covered in what looking like flour and dough, stood in his place.
"Hi Kat!" she gave a huge grin and grabbed my hand pulling me in. I was in shock at the child in front of me. Tall and lanky with long blonde hair and stormy blue eyes, she looked like a slightly older version of Emmy.
"Dammit Boo!" Michael's snarled as he pushed himself off of the hall closet where she had pushed him. His voice was so much deeper than the last time I heard it, but it fit him perfectly. I faintly heard Boo apologize before taking my hand and dragging me towards the kitchen where a small cake was waiting for me on the table.
"I made it by myself except for when Michael had to put it in the oven for me," she stated proudly.
"That's because the last time you handled the oven, you nearly burned the house down," he mumbled, walking up behind me. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, walking over and lighting the single candle in the middle of the cake. I felt awkward standing there as Boo belted out, quite enthusiastically, "Happy Birthday" while Michael simply stood there, staring intensely at the flame. For a moment I felt his hand curl around my waist before pulling away once he realized what he was doing.
"Okay, now make a wish and blow out the candle," I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, unsure of what I was wishing for exactly, before blowing out the candle and listening to Boo clap happily. Then, she disappeared from the room.
"She saved up her allowance to buy you a present. She's been very secretive about it though," Michael said as he walked over to one of the drawers and pulled out a large butcher knife; his knife. He twirled it in his hands for a few moments before cutting a large slice of cake and then a smaller one. He pulled out three forks and placed one on the smaller slice for Boo and the other two in the larger one for us to share.
We ate in silence until Boo returned with a neatly wrapped box in her grasp, her smile so bright it rivaled the sunlight streaming in through the windows. She proudly handed me the present and I felt a wave of excitement overcome me as I sat down at the table and pulled the paper away. Inside was a beautiful silver pendant engraved with the outline of a cat on a matching silver chain.
The dream became a blur and shifted again. When everything came back into focus, I found myself walking down the set of stairs that led to the Myers basement. But, when I got down there, I was shocked surprised to find that it had been converted into a bedroom. Michael's bedroom.
"When did you move down here?" I found myself asking. Michael, who had once been behind me, had walked over his desk and began riffling through the drawers. He turned for a moment and gave me a weird look before continuing his search.
"When Judith finally moved the hell out of here and Boo took her old room. My mom moved upstairs into my old room," he said slowly, "Remember?"
"Ronnie-,"
"My mom finally dumped his ass like six years ago when I was thirteen." He said, walking over and placing a hand on my forehead, "Are you sick or something?"
I was momentarily lost at the feeling of his skin touching mine before I pulled myself away, a little too sharply. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"I'm fine, I guess I'm more tired than I thought," I muttered.
"Sure," I could tell by his voice that he didn't believe a word I said, but he dropped it and returned to his desk and pulling out a crudely wrapped box.
"Here," he thrust the object into my hands and stood there awkwardly, waiting for me to unwrap it. The sight almost reminded me of when he gave me the mask he made when we first met. I suppressed a chuckle and began to pull away the paper until only a simple black box remained. I pulled off the lid and inside was a black, leather cuff bracelet with an intricate "K" sewn into it.
"Wow," I whispered. Silently Michael took the cuff from me and fastened it around my thin wrist. The soft, black leather was such a stark contrast against my pale skin, "Thank you,"
"Don't worry about it," he shrugged, "Kinda had to get you something or else I would have the face the wrath of Boo, my mom and you,"
I felt myself smile as I continued staring at my newest accessory when I felt a pair of strong hands grip my arms and pull me closer. My breath stuttered as I found myself pressed against his chest, his arms around me in an awkward embrace.
"I'm not a hug person but since it's your birthday I'm making an exception," he said as a way of explanation, "But don't get used to it,"
I smiled and pressed myself a little closer, enjoying the warmth that flowed off him…
Suddenly my eyes snapped open and I was back in the dark, musty basement; alone on a worn mattress and a thin blanket covering me. I stared at the dark ceiling and ignored the chill that ran over my body from the usual cold of the room. It wasn't the first time I had dreamt about what it might have been like if Michael never snapped all those years ago, but ever since coming to Haddonfield, those dreams had been few and far between.
My body ached as I sat up and began to search for my clothes; at least they weren't ripped up this time. Though I know it should have, it barely registered that I had no idea where Michael had disappeared this time. Instead, I slowly dressed myself and made my way upstairs, into the kitchen. I looked at the clock. It was a little past noon. I needed to pick up Emmy in a little bit.
After going upstairs and changing into a new outfit, I went about making a small breakfast of eggs and bacon for myself and curled up on the couch, turning on the TV.
"In unrelated news, a body was found early this morning along one of the wooded trails in Haddonfield Park," the anchor said and that got my attention. Reaching over for the remote, I turned up the volume.
"Though police haven't released the victim's identity yet, it has been ruled a homicide. The victim had shown signs of putting up a struggle before her death. The cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the chest and face,"
"Could this be the work of our own Haddonfield Boogeyman, Michael Myers? Though he has been declared legally dead as of last year, this wouldn't be the first time the mass murderer has somehow been revived. Or could this be a copycat who is simply gaining inspiration from the infamous killer? Police are working tirelessly to find the culprit-," a sudden knock at the door jerked me away from the news report as I put my food on the coffee table and went to answer it.
"Dr. Loomis!" I said, a small smile forming on my face. He had left Haddonfield shortly after Halloween when he got called away due to some conference I never bothered to get the name of.
"Katarzyna," he nodded as I let him in. He looked around as we walked into the living room, and I was briefly worried that he would catch sight of the kitchen table and piece everything together.
"How was the conference," I asked, hoping to distract him. No such luck.
"It was rather fascinating the first two days but then it kind of went downhill from there," he said. He looked at me and raised an eyebrow.
"I would ask how you are doing, but from the looks of your neck I assume the answer is very well," My face heated up as I rushed into the front hall where a mirror rested on the wall. Sure enough, my neck was covered in bite marks. I would need to cover those when I went to pick up Emmy.
"Do I need to ask you left those or do I already know him?" Loomis asked from behind me. I leant over and grabbed my purse where I knew I had makeup stored away. I was quick to cover up the bite marks to the best of my ability before turning and coming face to face with Loomis one more.
"You know I was having a good morning," I said, walking back into the living room and picking up my breakfast. I continued eating as he sat in the chair beside the couch.
"I've been in town barely twenty-four hours and already I have you bit up and a body in the woods,"
"How do you know that body was Michael's doing?" I asked, "And how do you know these marks were caused by him? For all you know he is still dead and I actually met someone,"
"As if Emmy would let another man near you," he scoffed.
"She slept over a friend's house," I said, "How do you know that I didn't have a sleepover of my own here?"
Loomis gave me a smug look and I went back to my food. I knew he didn't believe me, even I didn't believe a word I said.
"What do you think about every time you and Michael have an…intimate moment he goes out an savagely murders someone?" he asked.
"I think I may have to move somewhere secluded and hope that he follows me so that way when there is an intimate moment, I'm technically saving lives," I said smoothly, "How are you not more curious on how he is alive?"
Suddenly Loomis looked tired, "I have been down this road so many times that nothing surprises me anymore. I don't even know why I assume every attempt is the final one,"
I hummed softly before getting up and taking my plate into the kitchen and placing it in the sink.
"Well, I hate to cut this random meeting short, but I need to pick up Emmy from her friend's house,"
"Kat, I'm worried about you," he said suddenly. I stopped in my tracks and turned to him.
"Worried about me?"
"This relationship you and Michael seem to be developing," he said, "I don't think you are grasping the full reality of the situation and just how bad things can get,"
"Michael and my relationship isn't anything to worry about," I stated calmly.
"You're sleeping with him!"
"Twice! I slept with him twice! And both those times were extreme moments of weakness and emotion that couldn't have been helped but it's fine!"
"And what if something came out of that? What if you became pregnant again?"
I didn't respond. I hadn't even thought of that possibility…How could I be so stupid?!
"That isn't going to happen," I said softly.
"How can you be so sure? Are you taking birth control? I doubt you're using the proper protection. This is a very real issue," he said. I made a face at his words before regaining composure.
"I don't know! It's a situation I will have to deal with if it comes up but I can honestly say right now that it won't be an issue,"
"Again, how can you be so sure?" I didn't answer and he sighed before continuing.
"Look Kat, let's say hypothetically that you did become pregnant. What would you do? How would you tell Emmy and Laurie? How would they react? How would Michael react and I think we both know the answer to that one! Better yet, think of Haddonfield! The whole town will be out for you,"
"I don't know!" I finally shouted, "I don't know! I didn't think about it and I know I should have! I'm smarter than that! But what's done is done and at this point we can only hope it won't happen and if it does, I will figure it out,"
"Forgive me Katarzyna, I didn't mean to upset you," he said softly, "I just need to show you the reality of the situation,"
"I know the reality, Loomis,"
"Obviously not if you didn't think of this," he pointed out.
"I need to pick up Emmy," I said, grabbing my jacket and walking with Loomis to the front door, "Thanks for visiting," I deadpanned.
"I'm sorry Katarzyna, this is not how I planned this visit to go,"
"I understand," I said, walking faster than normal towards my car.
"I was actually hoping to see Emelyn when I first arrived, I wanted to see how she was adjusting," he told me, obviously trying to change the subject. I unlocked the door and threw my purse onto the passenger seat before turning back to him.
"She's doing good," I said, "She has a new friend and the two of them are attached at the hip. She also seems to be less angry now that she has someone her age to bond with,"
"That's good," he smiled in relief and I could see in his eyes it was genuine. At the end of the day, he did care for Emmy just as much as the rest of us.
"Sometimes the two of them remind me of how Michael and I were back then," I continued, "But maybe a little less disturbed,"
That made him chuckle, "Well hopefully I'll have the honor to meet this friend one day,"
"That's up to Emmy," I said, getting into the driver's seat, "If you want you can wait here while I go pick her up, I shouldn't be more than ten minutes,"
"Thank you for the offer, but I must go see Laurie for a little bit so maybe afterwards," I nodded and watched him walk to his own car. I waited for him to drive out of sight before slamming my head against the steering wheel.
How could I be so stupid? So irresponsibly stupid?! I had been so caught up in reconnecting with the memory of my Michael that I didn't assess all the risks that came along with it. I thought my biggest worry would be him harming or killing me. Pregnancy never crossed my mind.
I needed to talk to someone, to get this off of my chest and just have a confidant about this. But who could I go to? Loomis only proved that he would make the situation worse with his incessant questions. Laurie would probably have a heart attack, panic attack or both if I revealed everything to her. Loomis brought up a very good question: How would I tell Laurie if I really did get pregnant? Immediately I shook my head, I couldn't think about that now; one problem at a time.
That only left Dallas and Oliver but they didn't seem like a good choice either. Sure, they were fine when I told them about my past with Michael and Emmy's parentage, but at the same time, they believed he was dead. Would I be risking Emmy's friendship with Cara if I confided everything in her fathers? It was only natural that they would want to protect their daughter, but would that mean separating the girls? Not only that, but I would be losing two of my only friends in the process. Did I want to take that big a risk?
I took a deep breath and started the car. Perhaps I should just wait and see how everything played out. Last night would definitely be the last time Michael and I would be intimate so if nothing came out of it, then I could keep it all a secret. But if things didn't work in my favor, then I would spill my guts to them.
It was a terrible plan, but it was the only one I could think of…
Some genius I was.
/oo/
(Emelyn "Emmy")
I knew something was wrong the minute Dallas answered the door and mommy walked in. There were dark circles under her eyes, which looked slightly bloodshot from no sleep. And though the others may not notice, I could tell there was makeup on her neck.
But what bothered me most was the expression on her face. She hid behind masked happiness, but I could see the conflict running across her features. Something was wrong and she was hiding it.
"Emmy, are you okay?" Cara asked, coming up beside me and handing me my backpack. I slung it over my shoulder and turned to her.
"Does my mom look okay to you?" Cara studied her a moment before responding.
"She looks like she could use some sleep, but other than that, no," We watched our parents talk before the three of them disappearing into the kitchen, Oliver saying something about them needing to move someplace private. Dallas and Oliver were smart men, they would know something was up and they would get mommy to tell.
"I wonder what they are talking about," Cara wondered out loud.
"Only one way to find out," I responded, putting my bag on the couch and moving towards the kitchen, making sure to remain hidden.
/oo/
(Katarzyna "Kat")
Once we were in the kitchen, I ended up spilling everything. All they had to do was give me a look; the kind a disappointed parent gave to a child in trouble. They had mastered that look and it was powerful enough to tell them everything.
"How could I be so stupid?" my voice broke once again as I rested my elbows on the island and covered my face in my hands. This was not how I planned this encounter to go. I wasn't going to say anything unless I knew for sure something came out of it. But that was the problem with having close friends; you can't hide anything from them.
"I'll completely understand if you want to distance yourselves from Emmy and I now," I rambled on, "Believe me when I say I never intended to put anyone at risk, especially your family-,"
/oo/
(Emelyn "Emmy")
My body felt cold as I listened to everything my mother said. I didn't fully understand what she meant at some points but there were two things that stood out very clearly for me…
My mom could very well be pregnant
And we were possibly losing Dallas, Oliver and Cara out of fear.
I couldn't let that happen. I needed to say something. I needed to tell them that they were safe. That Michael wouldn't harm them.
"Stop!" I shouted and watched the three of them jumped and turn to me, "Michael isn't going to hurt them! They're off limits!"
"Emmy-," my mom began.
"No, I saw Michael back when Cara and I first met, I told him that this family was off limits and that he wasn't allowed to hurt them," I explained desperately, "He promised and I'm the only person he keeps his promises too! He's been here for weeks and no one here has gotten hurt! He wouldn't hurt me like that,"
"Emmy-," she tried again.
"He wouldn't," I whimpered and felt tears fill my eyes. Before anyone could react I turned and ran out of the house, my mom and Cara screaming after me. I forced myself to stop at the front gate and turn back to the house where my mother stood in the doorway, Oliver's hand on her shoulder and Cara at her side. She looked so upset.
"He promised!" I yelled, "I'll prove it! I'm going to the woods so just leave me alone!" With that, I turned and ran towards one of the only safe places I knew.
/oo/
(Katarzyna "Kat")
I wanted to go after her. My entire body was ready to run, but I held myself back. She had Michael's temper as well as his need to be alone in order to cool off. The woods were where he would go and probably where he still went after things got too stressful. She would be safe there. I had to let her calm down.
I felt like the worst parent in the world, letting an eight year old run off into the woods alone and not go after her.
But then again, Emmy wasn't like other eight year olds. She wasn't like other kids, period.
"I'm sorry," I whispered to no one in particular, "I'm so sorry," I felt Oliver's hand tighten comfortingly on my shoulder.
"Are you going to go after her?" I heard Dallas ask softly.
"No," I said softly, "She's exactly like Michael, she needs to be alone when her temper gets out of hand. She's safe in the woods. No one will touch her there," And if she was going to where I thought she was, she would have Michael watching her every move.
Despite my maternal instinct telling me to go after her and fix everything.
"I'm the last person she wants to see," I continued, "I basically just ruined her life,"
"You didn't ruin it," said Oliver, "Yes, you may have complicated it a bit, but nothing is ruined,"
"You sure about that?"
"I am," he responded softly.
"If you truly believe she is safe, then I'll trust your judgment," Dallas said, though I could hear in his voice he wasn't happy with the words coming out of his mouth.
"Dad? Daddy?" we turned around to see Cara standing by the kitchen, the most confused look on her face, "Can I go to the playground for a little bit?"
"I don't know Care-," Oliver started.
"Actually that will give us time to talk," Dallas cut him off, "Besides, there's not much she can do here right now," Cara was quick to put on her sneakers and rush out of the house while we sat down in the living room.
None of us noticed her look back towards the house before turning and disappearing into the woods…
/oo/
(Emelyn "Emmy")
I walked into Michael's old clearing, feeling a calm rage burn inside me. It wasn't my mother's comments on possibly being pregnant that angered me. In fact, those thoughts calmed me a little bit.
I always wanted to be a big sister but never thought it would happen. Mommy was only ever in love with Michael. Sure, in California she would go on a date or two, but none of them stuck around for the third date. Sometimes she would turn them down, other times they would turn away when they found out about me. Mommy would always respond by saying I was all she ever needed. And I had felt the same way until now.
Now I had more than just mommy. I had Cara and her family. I had Michael, who had just come back into our lives. I may very well have a little brother or sister soon that I would protect and help take care of.
Those thoughts made me happy.
It was the thought of losing all of that that made me angry. The thought of losing Cara and her family because of who Michael was that made the familiar rage burn in me. And there was nothing I could do about it.
I let out a frustrated shriek and threw myself against the base of the tree, barely registering the pain in my knee when it scraped against one of the roots. None of this was fair.
"Emmy!" my head shot up at the sound of Cara's voice.
"Emmy, are you out here?!" she called, "If you are just yell back to me!"
What was she doing?
"Cara!" I shouted and moments later, the redhead came into view. Her face was flushed and she was struggling to catch her breath, as if she had been running for hours.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I should be asking you that," I said as I watched her walked up and take a seat beside me.
"I had to run fast so no one would see me," she waved her hand dismissively, "I just need to catch my breath,"
"What are you doing out here?"
"I wasn't about to leave you alone after a blow up like that," she answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Neither of us spoke for a few minutes as Cara got her breathing under control and her skin was no longer flushed.
"Are you mad that your mom may be having another baby?" she asked finally.
"Of course not, that's probably the best thing to come out of all this," I said, "I always wanted Michael and my mom back together somehow, but it seemed impossible when I actually met him. But now, it seems to be happening a little and the cost is losing all of you guys,"
"We aren't going anywhere," Cara shook her head, "You don't know my dads, they have been through a lot of stuff since long before Alex and I were born. I don't think they are going to leave you and your mom, especially not now when she seems to need her friends the most,"
I sniffled but remained quiet as Cara continued.
"Besides, between you and me, I think Alex would find this whole thing really cool. He seems obsessed with your dad, always looking up stuff on his computer after our dads go to bed," she said, making me laugh a little. Cara swung an arm over my shoulder and pulled us into a tight hug, the two of us leaning against the tree under the carving my mom and Michael made years ago. Maybe Cara and I could be like them,
Best Friends Forever.
We sat in a comfortable silence for a while, staring at the leaves falling and blowing in the wind. I could hear squirrels and other small animals scurry around the clearing, at one point a bunny came out of the trees and hopped past us, unfazed.
Then a new noise came. Heavier crunching of leaves and twigs; like footsteps, from someone wearing boots.
"It might just be my mom," I suggested when I saw Cara's nervous look. We remained still as we continued to listen to the footsteps come closer towards the clearing. Maybe I should have brought a weapon with me when I came out here. Did I have enough time to look for one?
My internal question was answered for me when a shape appeared at the entrance to the clearing. Cara gasped audibly but I immediately relaxed when I recognized the large shape.
"Hi Michael,"
Review! Again I am sooo sorry this is coming so late but school has kinda taken a bad turn and so things got a little out of hand. I hope you liked this chapter because I really need some good news right now haha.
AGAIN THE POLL WILL REMAIN UP FOR A LITTLE WHILE AT LEAST UNTIL I FINISH THE NEXT INSTALLMENT SO IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED OR GOTTEN YOUR SAY YET IN THE QUESTION OF KAT GETTING PREGNANT AGAIN, DO SO NOW!
(P.S. If you haven't realized it, this chapter was a set up for the outcome of the poll just in case lolz. I needed to cover all the bases haha)