Chapter 3: First contact

…

The next few days fell into the usual routine she had come to expect in Smith's Grove. Breakfast, yard time, return to cells. Then a little later a session with her psychiatrist. Evening meals and lunch were served in the cells, passed through a small hatch in the door. Never very exciting, microwave ready meals or sandwiches at lunchtime. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate or a range of cold drinks, in plastic cups with plastic cutlery of course. She wasn't sure why only breakfast was served in the dining room but found that she didn't really care. Doubtless there was a reason, some policy or another. She was starting to wish she could let herself trust Dr Loomis. He genuinely seemed to care about his patients. But she just couldn't. How could she disclose to another man, any man, what Adam had done to her? The answer was simple. She couldn't. He'd say it was her fault because she was ugly, or… So, she resolutely refused to speak in their sessions. But Dr Loomis never seemed to lose his patience. He kept pressing and encouraging her and she was sure that one day soon if he kept talking to her like that she'd crack. After one session once securely back in her cell, she cried for the first time since she got there.

…

One day Danielle was standing in the exercise yard with Joanne at her side. It was cold. She pulled her jacket around her trying to keep warm. Suddenly someone asked Joanne a question and she turned to answer it. Danielle took several steps forward with the aid of her cane. She needed some damn exercise and if her guard was just going to stand there talking then she would go on her own. Joanne had told her that the yard was huge with very few obstacles. A few seconds later, she felt her cane's tip make contact with something. Something hard. It took her a minute to realise what it was. A concrete block. Fear jabbed at her heart. She'd crossed Michael Myers' yellow line. That was one of the first things Joanne had told her about. 'We'll make sure you never cross it accidentally,' she'd said. Well, that'd been wrong, hadn't it? Because here she was right now. She started to turn when she felt something she never would've expected. A soft hand rest on her arm. She turned back, raising her own free hand which lightly came into contact with a shirt sleeve. She didn't have to guess as to who's it was.

"Are you Mr. Myers?" she breathed, only the second person to hear her speak. The hand didn't leave her arm. She took that as his silent yes. "My name is Danielle. I tried to kill myself and that's why I'm here." She laughed a little bitterly, only realising then that Myers would've seen the huge scar across her face. She lowered her head quickly, feeling scrutinised. "Not a pretty sight huh?" She said softly. "Nope, I know I'm not. Don't have to be able to see myself to know that. Been told that more than enough times to know it. Thank God I'm totally blind then huh? I don't have to look in the mirror. I'd break it." The man she was pretty sure was Myers squeezed her arm then released her. With the aid of her cane, she walked back to where Joanne was still talking away.

…

"WHAT THE DAMN HELL WERE YOU DOING?"

Samuel Loomis wasn't normally the type of man who yelled. He preferred to talk although right now he was fuming. Scratch that, furious. Joanne had seriously endangered one of their high-risk patients, who was totally blind to boot.

"SHE CROSSED MICHAEL MYERS' LINE, JOANNE! DO YOU HEAR ME? HIS LINE! ALL BECAUSE YOU WERE GOSSIPING AWAY TO JAMIE! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU THERE IS NO FRATERNIZING AT WORK? ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A TOTALLY BLIND PATIENT ON YOUR DAMN WATCH!"

Joanne stared at Dr Loomis unable to speak. She knew his anger was more than justified. She'd turned just as Danielle had walked across the yellow line back towards her. She was amazed Myers hadn't touched her, chains or not. God knew he'd had a good enough chance; she'd been standing right next to him probably without even knowing it.

"WELL?"

"What do you want me to say Sam?" Joanne looked away. "I'm sorry I was foolish, just stupid. I let my attention laps at just the wrong second and for too long. You're totally right to be angry, I can only apologise."

Dr Loomis took a deep breath trying to calm himself. "He could've done anything to her," he said, quieter now. "Anything, Joanne. Yes, even killed her. It's a damn miracle he didn't touch her."

"Is she ok?"

Dr Loomis sighed. "She's fine. Wouldn't say anything to me when I asked, but she doesn't seem affected by it. Luckily for you. You know Joanne I'm seriously tempted to discipline you for this. I can't believe you could be so careless. I asked you when she arrived if you'd rather not do it, I wasn't being sarcastic despite what you may think. That was a genuine question. If you're not up for the job, I can find someone else. I can't ask one of the men, so it would be Jamie, or I'll call one of the female guards over from one of the other wards. Tell me Joanne, what choice do I have? We can't risk this happening again, not even close. She was damn lucky! Do you not get that? So why should I not do it?"

"I get it," Joanne nodded, feeling close to tears. They weren't for herself either. They were for Danielle, a both mentally and physically scarred woman who'd given Joanne her trust and this was how she paid her back? By letting her cross the warning line of a cold-blooded killer. She felt terrible. "You know," she said, sinking into a chair. "She has spoken to me a few times Sam. She trusts me and this is how I show her she can? Jesus! I decided not to tell you so as not to break her trust. But… Fuck I feel terrible."

"I guessed she trusts you," Dr Loomis said finally, after a short pause. "I can tell by the way you two interact. What did Jamie want anyway?"

"She was just asking me about something on TV last night," Joanne said. "I should've kept it quick or at the very least kept my eyes on her. She may not be able to see me, but she was in my care, and I should've just talked to Jamie without looking at her. I take full responsibility for what happened."

Dr Loomis sighed again. "At least you know and can admit that to me, not to mention yourself. That's one reason I am giving you a second chance. But if anything, even close to this happens again I will have no choice but to relieve you of your job and take disciplinary action against you. Are we clear?"

"As a bell," Joanne nodded. "I really am so sorry."

…

The next day she was surprised to learn that she had a session with a female doctor named Dr Stark. Had Dr Loomis given up on her already? She didn't expect the small twinge of Sadness when she found out that she wouldn't be talking to Dr Loomis that day. But why, she couldn't have said.

Dr Stark was just as gentle, not pushing her for answers. As usual, she didn't give any. She also noticed that Joanne seemed to be being especially vigilant. So, it was Myers she'd spoken to the day before. She was almost certain anyway, but this just proved it. She almost wished she could tell her guard what she'd said to him and his gentle hand on her arm. But she knew she couldn't. But she did find herself hoping Joanne hadn't gotten into trouble for what'd happened. Myers hadn't hurt her, and she'd made the decision to walk away from her, Joanne hadn't done anything.

…

That night, the memories returned along with the pain, humiliation, his shouts. She stood up and banged her hand against the bars of her cell door. She just needed a release for her hatred, anger and desperate longing for it just to be over. God damn it! She thought. I only want to die! Why the fuck do they want me around anyway? "Just kill me someone! Please?" To her horror she realised she'd spoken those last words out loud, then the mocking sneering voice came from her right.

"I told you baby. Just ask Michael Myers on your left there. He'll willingly do it for you. But wait until I've fucked you first." She cried herself to sleep that night too.

…

The next morning when Joanne came for her, Danielle wouldn't even speak to her guard. Not even when she asked, "are you all right?" Doubtlessly noticing her red eyes. She couldn't bring herself to respond. Right then she felt as worthless as Adam had always said she was.

They went down to breakfast in silence, and she once again couldn't eat. She drank half a cup of tea but even the thought of food made her stomach nauseous. Thankfully, Joanne didn't push her much.

After breakfast they headed into the yard again. She released Joanne's arm from hers and walked forward with Joanne right at her side this time, her attention completely on her. She reached Myers' line and knew this when Joanne put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. Joanne could hardly believe what Danielle did then. She turned to her and smiled before shaking her head and pulling back before stepping across the yellow line.

Instantly three other guards ran over but made no attempt to stop her, probably because Myers couldn't reach her due to his chains. She moved forward until once again her cane hit the concrete block.

"Hi Mr. Myers," she said softly. She heard the clink of chains and knew he was as close as he could get to her but still couldn't reach her.

"You know," she continued, keeping her voice low so only he could hear her. "If you could, I really would like to ask you to kill me. That asshole on my other side though seriously pissing me off, is right. I know you'd be willing to do it. He just needs to watch out for his dick or God help me I'll cut the fucking thing off!"

She didn't know if she was crazy or stupid then. She took a step forward and felt her arm touch his. Now the guards ran forward but one of the men shouted something she didn't hear. Everything seemed to freeze at what happened next, even the guards. Shocked she found that she couldn't move. Because that was when Myers took her hand in his. It was surprisingly warm and strong. She squeezed it and smiled at the killer, not quite able to believe this. He was the first man she'd been close to since everything had happened, and he was goddam Michael Myers.

One of the guards must've pressed a silent alarm because the next second she heard people running. She didn't know who it was until one of the guards said, "What do we do Sam?" Only then did she realise it was Dr Loomis.

She heard the psychiatrist approaching and although he tried to conceal it, he gasped in shock. Slowly, Dr Samuel Loomis turned his head to face the guards. "Nothing," he said quietly.

…

When she was taken back to her cell ten minutes later, she felt something in her chest. She dared not name it, because it felt remarkably like Hope, Peace. Things she hadn't dared name since it'd happened. A man had noticed her, held her hand! Myers in fact hadn't let go of it until they'd been led back. She had stood there with her hand in his, liking every second of it. That hadn't happened since Adam, before he showed his true colours. Goosebumps ran down her arms. But him, of all men? Michael Myers? Why had he held her hand and not strangled her with both of his? When she heard Myers being led into his cell on her left, she turned her head and gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Mr. Myers."

…

Dr Samuel Loomis had never been shocked by this job. He prided himself on it. He was usually able to conceal his emotions well from everyone, sometimes even himself and that was how he liked it. But not today. Today for the first time in twenty years he was genuinely shocked and hadn't been able to conceal it. Michael Myers had been holding Danielle Hayward's hand. Not to keep her there either. It'd been a gentle, almost comforting grip. Michael Myers, the man who Dr Loomis had described for fifteen years as 'pure evil, there's nothing left.' He was having a hard time putting the two of them into the same man. But it was, there was no denying it. He'd seen it with his own eyes.

When Joanne had come to talk to him about it looking just as shocked as he felt, she'd asked if she was in trouble for not reacting. He'd just said 'no,' admitting that in truth none of them had not even him. But he had made the snap decision not to separate the two of them. Whatever this was, it may help them both. If Michael Myers had found a trace of humanity and Danielle was getting male comfort, then that was perfect as far as he was concerned. Maybe there was hope for both of them yet. From each other no less.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. Dr Loomis opened it to allow in Ryan and Jack, two of his best guards. "Hey. You two, ok?"

"I…" Ryan's voice was shocked. "I'm still not sure I can believe what I just saw there. Now please let me make it clear right now," he gave Dr Loomis a small grin. "You're the boss, we're just the security guards, we do as you say. But wasn't that a huge risk you just took by stopping us?"

Dr Loomis smiled back, appreciating the question. "I completely understand what you're saying Ryan and there's no need for the tact beforehand," he smiled at the other man. "But I promise you. That was hopefully a major step forward for both of them."

There was another knock and Gemma Stark entered. "Ah, perfect." He continued. "Just in time. As I was saying, this may be a major step forward for both of them. Think about it, people. We've got a totally blind woman who's already attempted suicide once and a silent cold-blooded killer. She approaches him and he holds her hand! I mean come on! This is Michael Myers people! He's holding a blind woman's hand. To keep her there? Didn't look like it to me. That looked like comfort, reassurance. Now I'm not saying this is definite, but I normally trust my instincts."

"So, what do we do about possible further interaction between them?" Jack asked. "When she first arrived, we were under strict orders to keep them apart. That doesn't look like the case now from what just happened to me. How do we know for instance he's not just luring her into a false sense of security? Gaining her trust before he strikes and attempts to kill her?"

"That's not Myers' M.O," Dr Stark said speaking for the first time. "He doesn't normally care about trust, he just kills. Bang! He's never before taken time to get to know a victim before killing them. Hmmm," she hesitated. "I agree with Sam here, what just happened was indeed a shock to all of us, but I honestly don't think he's building up for an attack."

"You're the experts," Ryan shrugged, still looking unconvinced. "We'll do as you say but…"

"We're also security guards," Jack added. "Doctors I for one am not going to lie. If I see something which I think indicates risk, I will step in. It's what I'm trained to do. If I'm proved wrong tell me so afterwards." Ryan nodded to his colleague. "That's exactly what I was going to say."

"Fair enough," Dr Loomis said. "We can't argue with that. But by the same token we would also ask you to trust our judgement as you did just now. I mean hell if it's blatantly obvious, if he has her by the throat then of course. But otherwise…" The guards nodded.

…

Danielle lay in her cell, unable to stop thinking about what just happened. Michael Myers, the cold-blooded killer had held her hand. Not just briefly either. He hadn't let go until they had to return to their cells. Michael Myers? She could still hardly believe it and if she hadn't felt it for herself wasn't sure she would have. She sighed to herself in the silence. She meant what she'd said to him. 'If you could, I'd ask you to kill me.' She couldn't understand why Smith's Grove at least were so keen to keep her alive. Who would miss her? Her parents left her, and she was forced to abandon all of her friends because of him. Stop it for fuck's sake! She shouted at herself. Just stop! They made their decision, they're not worth it! But how could they? Said another quieter voice in her head. How the fuck could they do that to me? Silently, she let herself cry.

…

"Give me your fucking phone and make sure the screen is on or you know what will happen." She nodded meekly, doing as she was told. She'd long since learned that there was no point in arguing or trying to disobey him, it only made things worse. She turned off voiceover on her iPhone and handed it over. "Good girl," he said, already looking through her texts. But she was one step ahead of the bastard. She'd deleted anything which may be considered as suspicious, even a 'hey how are you?' From any of her male friends. As long as she kept remembering to do that, she was safe. That was all well and good when he came home for the evening, but if he asked for her phone during the day and she wasn't expecting it she had no time to prepare. Those were the worst times. Absently, she rubbed the huge bruise on her forehead and winced. Damn, it hurt. He hit her with a closed fist.

"Appears you have nothing to worry about tonight then babe," he handed her back her phone. "Now get my dinner going and then I'm going to fuck you. Move! Everything's there for you to find."

She could hardly believe she'd wound up in this situation. When she started college, it had really looked like she was on the way up. She had good friends, a great support network and was doing well at her studies. Why, why had she met him at the student bar that day? Why had she let him so deep into her life? Her heart?

The day had started like any other. She'd just finished her English class and had gone to the student café. Knowing where it was, having been taught on one of her many mobility sessions around the place. She'd gone up to the counter, the worker greeting her with a cheerful, "Hey, what can I get you?" They all knew her by now of course. She'd ordered her usual coffee and bagel, taking a seat at one of the tables the worker guided her to.

"Hey there," said a male voice. She at first wasn't sure if he was talking to her or not, until he touched her arm. "How are you? I'm Adam."

So, the conversation had continued. She'd talked to him until her next class, then saw him in the café again the next day. This went on for the next three days until they finally swapped numbers. They talked on the phone almost daily and texted constantly. She probably should've paid attention to the red flags she was noticing instead of dismissing them. The where are you? Or what are you doing and who with? messages. But she just ignored them as romantic interest. More fool her. Now she realised how naïve she'd been. As time went on, they grew closer and closer until one day, it'd finally happened. He'd asked her out on a date. He'd taken her to a lovely restaurant for dinner and kissed her goodnight on her doorstep, guiding her as if he'd known how to for years. She had never felt happier.

She'd finished her courses with a solid 4.0, much to her delight and that was when he'd asked her to move in with him. She was looking for an apartment at the time, having lived in a dorm room at the college. This was like a dream come true for her. She was going to live with the man she loved and not have to worry about renting an apartment. She almost couldn't believe it. As time went on though, she started to realise too late that she may have walked straight into his trap. 'You're not seeing those friends tonight,' he'd say. When she'd ask why, he'd reply 'because I said so.' She soon learned that she was powerless. She knew some of the local streets where they lived but was too afraid to even walk to a store or call for help, terrified that he might be listening or standing behind her and she wouldn't have any idea.

Then came the text from her parents which had changed her life forever.

Danielle, this is where we say goodbye. We have done our best for you while you were growing up, but now you're totally independent and on your own two feet, we don't want to have anything further to do with you. We never wanted a blind daughter. We wish you well, but you're not perfect so we don't want you. Goodbye.

She had read the message at least twice, unable to believe her ears then deleted it. She didn't want Adam to see it. It was her business, and that controlling bastard wouldn't get anywhere near it. She just thanked God (if he existed) that this particular text had come at a time when she was able to delete it before he checked her phone.

"Right, dinner was ok, but you could do better, now come to bed. I want to fuck. Move." She had long since learned that when he made this demand, resisting was useless. The first time she tried to resist was when she'd received a black eye. She didn't have to see it to know, she could feel it. It'd hurt for about a week and swollen to at least twice its normal size. He never praised her cooking. If God forbid, she left a tiny piece of eggshell or something in his food, even though it was obvious she didn't know, she paid the price for it. This continued for almost a year, until the final day when she realised there was only one way out.

"I told you not to talk to him, you slut!" Adam yelled, grabbing her by her neck. "You do as I say!"

"I'm sorry Sir," she whimpered. That was another thing. She'd never been allowed to call him Adam from the moment she'd moved in. That'd been one of his house rules. "You do as I say, you cook me dinner every night. I work hard and I want it ready when I come in. You don't talk to or see your friends. You give me your bank card. You clean the house." She could cope with most of those, but it'd been the last one which was the hardest. "You also address me as Sir. Do you understand?"

At first, she'd thought he was joking, but he'd soon proved her wrong when she'd called him Adam by pouring boiling water over her. The burns had been agonising, but he wouldn't let her seek help, he just threw a jar of salve at her. "Use that," he'd said. "Stop bitching."

"What?" He'd said to her on that horrific day. "Want a good fucking, do you?" Before he'd slammed her to the table, unzipped his jeans before cutting her pants off with a knife and thrust his dick into her. No care, no tenderness. It'd made her bleed. She remembered that. He'd held the knife against her face as he raped her. It was then that she felt utterly hopeless. No more, she'd thought as he continued to viciously rape her. No more, I can't take any more of this, I need a way out and there's only one I can take. As he came, he'd cut her face, resulting in the worst scar she had. This not taking into account the many burns, punches and so on she'd had to endure over the past year.

With the cut across her face streaming blood, she went out the back, into their small garage where Adam kept his tools and within seconds found what she was looking for. A long length of rope. With shaky hands, she fastened it into a noose. This was how she'd be able to escape him permanently. She'd learned how to tie knots years ago while in girl scouts and she was now exceptionally thankful for this. Standing on a chair, she fastened the noose to one of the high slats and then around her neck. All she had to do now was jump. So, she did.

…

"You, ok?" Joanne asked the next morning as she walked with her to breakfast. She gave her a small nod. "You look pale," Joanne said. "You sure you're alright?"

This time she managed a small smile at the guard. "I didn't sleep too well last night," she admitted eventually. "Bad dreams."

"I'm sorry," Joanne said sympathetically. "If you talk to one of the doctors, they can prescribe you sleeping pills."

She nodded. "Thanks, but I think I'm ok." Privately though she thought one more dream like that and she just might have to. But then she thought about how the dream had ended and felt herself blushing. No way could she tell Michael about it. Although she kind of wished she could. Wo Hayward! She shouted at herself. You're thinking about what it would be like if Michael Myers made love to you? After what Adam did? Jesus' girl! What's wrong with you? I'm starting to believe again in hope, said a quiet voice in her head. Is that it? You can't! The other voice snapped. Hope maybe, but not love! Don't let any man get too close! You can't do it! Not again!

…

"Hello," Dr Stark said when she entered the room for her session. "Dr Loomis has asked me if I can work with you for a short while, given what you disclosed to us yesterday. That took a lot of bravery. My field is more domestic violence and suicide than his is. Is that ok with you?" She nodded. "Fine," she said quietly. Hell, they were in charge, not her and it appeared they genuinely were trying to help her get better.

"I'll talk to you," she said softly. "But can I ask one question?" She gave the doctor an embarrassed smile. "Where are you? I can hear your voice through the speakers, but where are you?"

"I'm sorry, hold on a second." There was a soft click as the speakers were turned off. Then there was a whirring sound and the window in front of her slid down smoothly. "I'm here," Dr Stark said and touched her hand.

"I take it you're not supposed to do that?" She smiled at Dr Stark. Dr Stark squeezed her hand. "No, but we don't consider you a risk," She could tell by her voice that she was smiling. "I'll keep it open for you if it makes you feel more at ease."

"It does," she said truthfully. "Can't lie, I like to know where the person I'm talking to is as opposed to a disembodied voice."

"I understand that" Dr Stark said and lightly touched her arm again. "No problem, this is how we'll work from here on in. Ok, would you mind going back to the beginning for me? How did you meet Adam?"

She took a deep breath and once again began telling her story. She had no idea how freeing it would feel to tell the real story. She told her about college, the student café, Adam's charm and how he'd shown his true colours after she moved in with him and how he had her trapped. "That's what scares me," she said eventually, reaching for the doctor's hand again without thinking. Dr Stark took it and squeezed. "What the hell is going on with me and Mr. Myers? He's a killer and yet he's looking out for me! What else can you call what happened? I'm trying to tell myself it's nothing. I don't want to come across as one of these desperate people who jumps at the first sign that a man gives a damn! For all I know, if or when I leave here, Mr. Myers might not want any further contact with me."

"Why don't you ask him? He may not use his voice, but I'm sure he'll find another way to communicate how he feels to you. Are you going to let Adam destroy your life? I understand believe me I do but you have to live. You're still alive after all."

"Only because I was found," She muttered. "I wouldn't be otherwise, damn it!"

"Ah, but then you wouldn't have met Michael. Would you take that experience back?"

"Come on Dr Stark!" She lightly hit the small table on her side of the glass. "Please! It doesn't mean anything to him. He's just…" Trying to help me? A cold blooded killer? Looking out for me? Just…"

"Just?" Dr Stark prompted. "Just what?"

"Ah fucking hell! I don't know! We're both trapped here, he's probably just wanting female companionship. If we were out in public, he'd probably have killed me already!"

"Do you really think that?" Dr Stark asked. "Really?"

"Um not maybe," she said sarcastically. "He's a fucking serial killer!"

"Be honest with me here. If I gave you back that noose right now and said jump, would you?"

She opened her mouth to say yes immediately but found that she couldn't. She actually found herself considering the doctor's question. Would she? Even if Myers didn't care about her, wanting no further contact once she left. Had he given her the confidence to live on and try again? Or would she just slump back into depression when she had to leave? "I… I don't know," she said sincerely. "I can't say for sure either way."

"Well, that's a good start," Dr Stark said, "better than a straight out yes."

"That's what I almost said," She admitted. "But something made me stop and think."

"I know. I saw it in your face. I think that "something" was the interaction between you and Michael Myers."

"Come on!" She felt exasperated. "He's just… I don't know! Looking out for me or something. That's all it is! Like I say if we weren't in here, I'd be dead now."

"If you say so," Dr Stark said quietly. "We'll have to agree to disagree."

"You're crazy," She muttered. She could hear the smile in the doctor's voice when she replied. "Perhaps, we'll see. Even if you're right and it turns out he doesn't want further to contact, he's given you confidence. Would you be able to take that on without it?"

"I know most people would say what you want to hear to be released," She smiled faintly. "But I'm not going to do that. I don't know. I'm desperately trying not to get too close to him. Emotionally I mean. I hardly know the guy and yet I feel like I know everything about him! God knows I've studied him enough."

"I see your point, but I think you're forgetting one thing. He won't have had much care either. So, I think he may be thinking the exact same thing you are."

She opened her mouth to say, 'no way,' but Dr Stark stopped her. "Just hear me out, ok? I think you should try and ask him and if he wants you to know something he'll find a way to tell you. Haven't you considered that he has scars of his own? Ok you can't see them, none of us can, but that doesn't mean they're any less painful than physical ones. Again, you may be helping him in exactly the same way he's helping you. Don't just assume it's all about you. Consider this from Michael's perspective." She was stunned into silence. If truth be told she hadn't. Not really. Did that make her selfish?

"No," Dr Stark said as if reading her mind. How the hell did psychiatrists do that? "You're not selfish, you're hurting. You don't feel that you can trust a man and the fact that one may need your help as much as you need his is of course going to be a strange idea to you after what Adam did. Just take time to think about it ok. Just consider what I've said to you. There are two of you in this situation. Do you want my honest opinion?"

She nodded. "Of course."

"You're scared to get close to him, how do you know he's not scared to get close to you? Like you say, he's a killer. But love can change anyone's heart, melt the hardest façade. Why are you finding this so hard to believe? I know what you're going to say. Because you have scars because of what Adam did. Correct? Well, I'll tell you something, not all men are Adam. Then your next argument will be but he's a killer. Yes? But you know something? He's still a man. You've read Myers' case," She nodded. "Then you'll know that Dr Loomis thinks there's nothing left, he feels nothing. For the first time in years, I'm starting to think he might be wrong and it's you who's bringing it out in him. He's only human just like you. You both have a past; you both have fears. Yes," she added before Danielle could speak. "I believe that even Michael Myers has fears. You may be the one to help him face his just as it seems he is helping you face yours. Stop fighting it, just see where it goes. I'll level with you; you won't be going anywhere for a while yet so you both have time to explore your thoughts and feelings. Unless there's anything else, this concludes today's session," Dr Stark said, squeezing her hand a final time.

Joanne walked in and Danielle stood up, slipped her arm through hers and this time she didn't try so hard to burst the bubble which was expanding in her heart for the first time since that day. This time she could also put a name to it. Hope.