Chapter 22: Stare of the kill
…
"Hi. I'm Nurse Rachael Hathaway. Dr Loomis has asked me to check on you after what just happened. Are you ok?"
The two women were sitting in her cell, window closed so they couldn't be heard. She had only met this nurse once in passing. The nurses only entered this ward if requested by one of the doctors or guards. If extra help was needed or a patient needed one for whatever reason.
She gave Hathaway a faint smile. "Yeah," her voice shook a little despite her best efforts to stop it doing so. "Just…" She let out a long breath. "Fuck! I've heard my sighted friends describing being under a freezing, intense, cold stare but of course me never understood what they meant. Until now. Jesus! Michael was feeling the need to kill, I know that and I couldn't even see his face! He just seemed to… God this will sound crazy but I have to be honest. He seemed to radiate threat, menace. I just wanted to get the hell out of there as fast as I could! I thought I was going to faint! I didn't even realise I'd screamed until afterwards."
The hatch opened a little and one of the guards passed her a cup of tea.
"Thanks," she said gratefully. Who is it?"
"It's William. Dr Loomis says drink that."
"You haven't drugged it have you?" she finally managed a small grin. "Calming drug or something?"
She heard William chuckle as he walked away, but he didn't answer her question all be it asked in gest.
"Dr Loomis probably has asked for a calming drug to be put in it," Hathaway said. "But it'll help. Trust me. Drink it,. Come on."
She smiled at her but made no argument, taking a sip of the hot sweet tea. After a few sips, she started to feel calmer and strongly suspected her suspicions had been correct.
"That's my girl," Hathaway squeezed her arm. "Drink it all up now."
She took a few sips before she spoke again. "Have Dr Loomis or Dr Stark told you what's happened lately regarding Michael and I?"
"They've certainly hinted that you appear to be changing him. I think that's why Dr Loomis did what he did tonight."
She smiled grimly. "Yeah. He wanted to see if Michael would kill me of all people."
"So do you think he would have if given the chance? Really?"
"Uh, yes!" she wondered if Hathaway had grown an extra head. "Duh! That stare… If I'd been close enough, I wouldn't be talking to you now nurse Hathaway! I'd be in a damn body bag!"
"I'll ask you again," Hathaway's voice was very gentle, soft. "Do you really, really think he would have?"
Something in her tone made her do what Hathaway was clearly asking her to do and consider the question carefully. She thought of all the times Michael had let her touch his ears, held her at night, even the one time he'd touched her cheek. How he'd carried her that day long ago when Jefferson had tripped her up. How he'd been nothing but gentle towards her, caring for her. It was Halloween tonight after all. She checked the time on her phone. It was 9PM on October 31st. Of course Michael would feel like this tonight. After a moment, Hathaway quietly spoke.
"See? You don't think he would have really, do you? It's Halloween, that's all. But even given that, I don't think he would've attacked you, even if the guards had walked away and left you by his door. Do you? Seriously?"
"I don't know," she said truthfully. "But I would like to think not, nurse Hathaway."
"Please, call me Rachel."
"Thanks, Rachael." That made she feel a little more at ease. All be it a tiny thing. She contemplated whether to tell this kind stranger about her growing feelings for Michael. How she strongly believed more so every day, that she was falling in love with a ruthless serial killer. A man who made Adam look like a real gentleman. She'd rather face Adam angry any day than Michael Myers just once. Yet, she loved him. This was getting harder and harder to deny as the days went on.
Something of her thoughts must've shown on her face because Hathaway said, "do you want to talk about it?"
She smiled at her. "I think you can work it out, can't you Rachael? I'm here because I tried to kill myself after my ex drove me to it with relentless abuse, rape, assault, controlling behaviour, you name it. Then I meet probably the most dangerous man in the country if not the world and…" She ran her hands through her hair. "Fuck! I don't even know what the "and" is! Something happened between us. He's cared for, been kind to, looked out for me and I don't know why! Even today the doctor's asked Michael to be with me while someone's cell was searched. They clearly trust him to protect me. They must do. Now this? Shit. Have I just undone everything between us/?"
"Is that really what you think?"
"I don't know!" she lightly struck the soft wall with a loud bang which echoed slightly around even the sound proofed cell. "What am I supposed to think?"
"So if Dr Loomis took you back to Michael's cell right now, are you saying you'd refuse to go out of fear for your safety? Do you truthfully think that Michael would hurt you? I don't. I think it much more likely he'd comfort you this time and would somehow all be it in silence, apologise for his actions. Don't you? If you're honest with yourself?"
"Perhaps," she conceded the point. Even now she couldn't bring herself to say an outright yes, even if she was certain in her heart of hearts that Hathaway was right.
"I thought so," Hathaway said, her tone jokingly triumphant. She couldn't argue with her, just lightly slapped her to the arm. Hathaway laughed.
"But if he did," she said, more to herself than Hathaway. "I'd go. I'd be there right now if I could. I can't deny how I'm almost certain I feel about him now Rachael. Killer or not. He's been kinder to me in a few months than my ex was in six. Oh yes, he started off kind at first, of course he did. Get the fish in the net and all that. But then…"
"He made you happy once though, yes?"
"I thought so," she said. "I must have done, considering I damn well moved in with him. Stupid stuff really. He'd do things I liked, make me feel cared about. Guide me to lectures, look out for me at night, and make sure I got back to my dorm safe after parties…" She found herself blinking back tears. "Oh yes, did everything he had to, to make me believe he was Mr. Nice Guy. Then… The truth came out. But not until I'd moved in with him. You know some of my friends didn't like him. They even warned me to be careful, that something wasn't right about him. God I wish I'd listened!"
Hathaway took her hand now. "Love can make us all deaf," she said softly. "Love is blind, too."
She laughed quietly. "Yeah, it sure was for me. I couldn't see any of the signs my friends warned me about."
"Are you still in touch with any of them now?"
"A couple by text from in her eyes and phone call. One has completely turned her back on me, said I warned you and you should've listened, so you deserve what you got."
Hathaway squeezed her hand tightly. "Then she's no friend of yours."
"Yeah I know," she sighed. "But my best friend Charlotte was convinced Adam was the Mr. Nice Guy he claimed to be. She was desperate to be with him and it was clear she wanted nothing more than for us to break up. It ruined our friendship for a while. Ha," she laughed sadly. "She soon found out the truth alright."
"How do you mean?"
When I was locked in here, Charlotte went in for the kill. Although not the way she intended," she smiled grimly at Hathaway. "She started dating Adam and of course he was as kind to her as he'd been to me at first. Then she moved in with him and boom! All hell broke loose. But at least she came to her senses. She was in court with me to see him sent down. Well, that was the plan." She clenched her fists. "Fucking one juror refused to find him guilty. Said her son had been through similar and he was innocent, so she wasn't going to make the same mistake herself."
"I'm so sorry. So what happened?"
"Oh he got released of course. Given every order under the sun not to contact us, but he's not keeping it. He's messaging me under different ID's so the cops can't prove it's him, but I'm keeping all of it as evidence. I've got a DV worker from here."
"Good," Hathaway said. "That's a good first step towards recovery. Your second might be a man named Michael Myers."
She only realised she was blushing when Hathaway chuckled. "Maybe," she said quietly. "But tonight…" She shivered again. "I don't think I'll ever get that out of my mind. Seriously. Something about his manner tonight said I'm a threat, don't come near me. I wish I could explain it better."
"You don't have to," Hathaway said. "I understand. Believe me."
She did believe her.
…
An hour later, Dr Loomis approached Michael's cell. The killer was standing exactly where he'd left him, at his door but was now facing the bars. Dr Loomis spoke quietly. "Michael?"
The killer didn't as much as move, but did make eye contact with his doctor. Dr Loomis could hardly believe the feeling which hit him when their eyes met.
Sympathy. There was something in Michael's gaze he'd never seen before. Intense, full of an emotion it was clear Michael didn't understand. But Samuel Loomis did. It was regret. He regretted not having comforted her, being unable to control the call of the kill and letting her detect it. It was, no pun intended, killing him.
Dr Loomis couldn't stop himself when he touched the killer's arm very lightly. "Michael," he said very quietly. "It's ok, this is normal, you know. What you are experiencing is something any man would. This is a good thing, believe me. She's talking to one of our nurses at this moment, but you will be with her again very soon. I promise you this."
The killer just looked at him. Dr Loomis felt his sympathy intensify. Michael didn't have a clue what was going on in his own heart. He slipped away and returned a few minutes later, handing Michael a black coffee. But not through the hatch, he handed it straight to him, ignoring the incredulous looks from the guards. This was between him and Michael and most of them would never even come close to understanding what had just happened this Halloween night.
…
Derek Chancer had almost dozed off when he was woken by the scream. What the fuck? At first, he thought it was one of his dreams. He often dreamed of women screaming, it was great masturbation material. But this hadn't been a dream, he was sure of it. This had been real. In which case there was only one woman it could've been. That bitch. What had upset the blind idiot this time? Too bad it wasn't him shoving his cock in to her before killing her.
He heard soothing voices and fast footsteps but by the time he'd got to his door to look, they'd already gone up the corridor. So it had been Danielle and she'd sounded close. What the fuck had happened?
Then he looked out and that was when he saw that Michael Myers was standing at his door, staring right at him. Derek Chancer didn't feel fear often, he could remember only one time in his life when he had. When he was told he was going to face the death penalty for his crimes. But he was feeling it now. That stare. So cold, menacing, dangerous. Not to mention that when Derek met the killer's gaze it seemed to intensify. Chancer could almost feel the killer's hatred of him. He looked away incredibly quickly and headed back to his bed.
Did Myers suspect him? He'd wondered this before now, but the way he'd looked at him had just made it worse. Mind it was Halloween, he tried to assure himself. Of course Michael Myers wanted to kill tonight. He'd killed his sister on Halloween at 6 after all. But this? There had been something in the killer's gaze, Chancer was sure of it. Thinking about it made him shiver. Getting back to sleep this time was nowhere near as easy.
…
Danielle lay in her cell after Rachael Hathaway had left. Her mind was racing. Almost absently, she reached over to the new handset mounted on the wall just by her pillow, and began to feel it again.
Dr Stark had shown her how it all worked earlier that day. Now she touched the bell shaped button which was an extra call button, the square one which opened and closed the screen in her door and the circular shaped one which would enable her to speak without picking up the handset, her voice would come out of the speaker on the outside of her door.
She couldn't lie, she felt comforted having two call buttons. Just in case she had to reach one fast. Not that she'd ever tell anyone that, not even her doctors. But it was certainly a fact she couldn't deny.
After Hathaway had gone, she had opened her screen. It relieved the compressing feeling on her ears, like she was indeed taking a hearing test. But she couldn't deny either that it being closed made her feel safe when she was having a conversation, knowing no one could hear her.
That led her thoughts back to Derek Chancer. Had it been the notorious woman killer who had indeed been watching, listening to and reporting on her? That was a horrible thought. How much had he been paid by Adam to do this? That said, she knew Adam well enough to know he'd spare no expense on tormenting her. Reminding her she wasn't safe, even inside Smith's Grove. That made her angry now more than afraid. Who the fuck did that son of a bitch think he was? She knew he viewed her as his "property," a view any misogynist took, but he was going out of his way to make that clear. She was determined to show that she, Danielle Jamie Hayward, belonged to nobody but herself. She was no man's "property." Or woman's for that matter.
She reached over and pressed the call button on her handset. Testing it. Within a minute, Ash was there.
"Hi, its Ash. You ok?"
"Hey ash," she spoke quietly as it was getting late. "Can I please have a glass of water and two painkillers? Got a headache from hell."
"You haven't taken any recently?"
She knew why he was checking. Some patients would abuse it, use them as drugs. Guards, doctors and nurses wrote down whenever they gave a patient painkillers for just this reason.
"Nope," she smiled at him. "You're more than welcome to check if you need to."
He appeared to consider this for a moment, then spoke. "Nah, it's ok. The docs trust you so I will. Don't prove I've made a mistake."
"Thanks Ash. I would never do that."
He was gone, returning a minute or so later with the water and tablets.
She'd only just taken them when her phone rang. It was nearly 10. She felt a jolt of panic, then immediately shouted at herself. For fuck's sake Hayward! You can't flinch every time your phone rings or you get a text message or Email. That's what he wants! But she still checked the ID. Her heart soared. Charlotte. She pressed the button to close the screen, then answered.
…
Derek Chancer could just see Danielle when her screen was open. It appeared she'd had a new door fitted for some reason. God knew why. He heard the distant ring of her phone and snatched up his "iPod." Here was his chance to earn some money by listening to her. Plus he couldn't deny he was interested to know who that bitch was talking to himself. He put on the earphones and pointed it in the direction of her cell.
…
"Hey charlotte!" she tried to keep her voice light, cheerful. She'd already decided not to tell her friend anything of what had just happened between her and Michael. Charlotte would only worry about her and that wasn't fair. She had enough on her plate already.
"Hey you! How are you?"
"Oh you know me. Doing well thanks. Docs are really helping me."
"Not just the doctors though, I bet?" Charlotte said with a laugh.
"Well, no," she admitted, her face growing hot and she was thankful Charlotte couldn't see it as this was an Audio call not a video one. Even if he could've and might have nearly killed me tonight, she didn't add.
"What are you doing this Halloween?" She asked instead to change the subject.
"Actually, I've just got back from a Halloween party. It was great fun. Someone had rigged up their house like a haunted one. Music, sounds, fake blood the works."
"Cool," she said, trying not to sound sad. She would've loved to be there for that. She loved haunted houses, horror movies and such.
"They said they'll do it again when you can come," Charlotte said, obviously reading her mind. But as they'd been best friends since the age of 5, she shouldn't have been surprised by this.
"Thanks," she said, managing to grin and it was genuine.
"You should've seen the amount of food Dan. It was ridiculous. We'll all have enough left over for the next month."
She laughed. "Nice!"
"It suits me," her friend agreed. "Means I don't have to cook for a while."
She laughed out loud this time. Charlotte could always do that for her no matter what was going on. It felt good. "You hate cooking! Any excuse to get out of it and it's got your name on!"
"Too damn right," Charlotte said, laughing too. "Not to mention I'm useless at it and would burn water!"
"Well," she said. "I didn't want to say anything but…"
"Yeah alright," Charlotte laughed. "Point taken. Shut up. I get it!"
In spite of all the precautions they'd given her, she still lowered her voice now. The casual chat she didn't care if he… Anyone heard. But this?
"They've majorly modified my cell," she said quietly. "They believe someone on the inside was reporting on my movements and words to Adam. That's how he knew you were going to be here yesterday! Fuck I'm so sorry Charlotte! Are you ok?"
"We figured it was something like that," Charlotte's voice was bitter. "Jesus Christ! Will that bastard ever give up?"
"Knowing Adam no," she said grimly. "I don't think he knows what give it up even means."
"Don't you worry about us though?" Charlotte said, her voice stern now. "Colin and dad were there as was mom, I was perfectly safe. We called the police immediately. Are you ok? Jesus! Haven't you been through enough? Mind, given who's protecting you… I'm surprised he's not running in the opposite direction. Both Adam and whoever's behind this."
She realised she was blushing again. "I'm fine," she said, not entirely truthfully. What'd happened with Michael was still really hurting, but God she wanted to be with him. Right now. She was missing him so bad, unbelievably so and the worst part was she wasn't completely sure why.
Oh yes you are, said her internal voice. Stop denying it Hayward! You're missing him because you love him! Now just face it like a woman! Stop being such a coward!
"You sure?" Charlotte asked, clearly hearing her hesitation.
For a second, she teetered on the verge of telling her best friend what'd happened. But she couldn't. Charlotte couldn't help her with this, however much she might want to.
"Is it Michael?" Charlotte asked. This time she hated the fact Charlotte could read her so easily.
"Kind of," she admitted. "But it's a long story."
"Do you want to talk about it? I'm here D, you know that. Always."
"I know Charlotte. Same here for you. Thanks babe. But it's… Complicated."
"Is he with you now and that's why you can't talk?"
"No, he's not. Honestly. I'm not under duress. It's just… Fuck! I don't know how to explain it."
"Do you want me to leave it?"
For a long time, she hesitated. Part of her wanted to say yes, but the other…
"Shit," she sighed. "I don't know C. It was… Strange. Damn scary. Dr Loomis took me to his cell tonight. It's Halloween and he wanted to see how Michael would react I think. Well… Let's just say I've heard you and others describe being under an intense cold stare, but of course I've never fully understood that until now. Until tonight. Jesus C! It was… Was terrifying. They sent a nurse over to talk to me."
"Damn," Charlotte whistled. "But I don't think he'd ever really hurt you Dan. Look how close you've become over the last few months. Hell he's treated you kinder the last few months than Adam did in six!"
She laughed.
"What?" Charlotte asked.
"That's almost word for word what I said to nurse Hathaway. She asked me if I was given the opportunity to go back to Michael's cell tonight, would I?"
"And?" Charlotte's voice was quiet. She was sure she already knew the answer.
"What do you think?" She retorted. "Of course I damn well would! He's all I can think about Charlotte! I… Fuck! I think I love him!"
"I knew it," Charlotte said in a sing song voice. "I just knew it! Go, go girl! Go for it, tell him!"
"Chance it with a man who makes Adam look like an angel?" she spoke just as quietly as her friend now. "Someone who's killed God knows how many people? I would rather face Adam angry any day than Michael Myers just once! Someone who never speaks? Someone who…"
"You love," Charlotte cut across her, raising her voice firmly over hers. "Stop trying to find a way round it. You love a killer. Ok. Who's anyone else to judge? He cares about you, you've seen that, as have I. You deserve to be happy Miss Hayward! Got it?"
"Yes mom," she said. She couldn't deny the truth in Charlotte's words, or in the fact she was just trying to find excuses not to act. But why? Was it because she was genuinely afraid of a relationship after Adam? Or could it perhaps be normal girl nerves when facing a man one liked? Perhaps it had nothing to do with him being a killer at all. Maybe she was just too shy to tell him.
"Come on," Charlotte sang again, "tell him! I don't mean right now, but soon. You going to let your fear stop you? Let it slip by because of one motherfucker? A misogynist like that? I haven't. I told you. I'm with Tim now and I'm really happy. Sure I remember things Adam did, but Tim isn't Adam. I have to remind myself of this. Michael isn't Adam either. You have to remember this. Even if his… Life choices are… Unusual."
This made her laugh for real now. "That's one way of putting it!"
Charlotte laughed with her. "You know what I mean."
There was a comfortable pause between them, before Charlotte spoke again. "So you were saying? What have they done to your cell?"
"Oh yeah! Damn C! It's like being in a hearing test booth! I kid you not! It's totally sound proofed! Like, seriously. I have this little handset I pick up and my voice comes out of a speaker on the outside of my door. It even chimes like a PA when I press the talk button."
Charlotte burst out laughing. "Brilliant. You'll be asked to call people down to reception!"
She mentally rolled her eyes. "Don't you start?"
"Had that already have you?" Charlotte was still laughing.
"Twice at least."
"Brilliant. I love it."
"It's like fort Knox on the ears," she said. "When the screens shut it's really compressed. But at least it means no one can hear me."
"I bet you absolutely love that," Charlotte teased. "Fort Knox on the ears. Your favourite thing, ears!"
"Ok, ok!" she started giggling now in spite of herself. God she loved Charlotte Avery. She could always cheer her up no matter the circumstances.
"I bet Michael regretted it after you'd gone," Charlotte said after a short pause. "Seriously. I bet they'll reunite you and he'll comfort you the best way he can. You'll be touching his ears all night. I guarantee it."
"I hope you're right," she tried to keep longing out of her tone, but knew she'd failed when Charlotte replied.
"It's ok. I promise you; I know I am. He cares about you, you know that. He'd never hurt you, not in a million years."
She smiled. "Thanks Charlotte, this is why I love you so much."
"No problem, I'll send you the bill in the post!"
"Ha."
"Who's kidding?"
The two girls laughed again, then lapsed in to a comfortable, companionable silence, even over miles of phone cable.
…
Derek Chancer shook the iPod for the third time. This was so fucking frustrating and weird. Had those fucking techs broken it when they examined it? That wouldn't surprise him. The problem was, he couldn't hear a damn thing. He'd heard Hayward's phone ring, even though he couldn't see her cell from his, just the first part of the door if he looked hard enough. She'd closed her door screen, but that had never stopped him hearing her before. What the fuck was going on?
He'd also checked the headphone socket 3 times with no luck. The volume control, charge and so on. Nothing worked. He couldn't hear a damn thing. Shit. This was bad. He didn't need anyone to tell him that. He wanted that money. God he needed it. He had a whole list of things he could purchase for his operating table when he got out of here, more creative ways to hurt and kill women. But they wouldn't buy themselves. He needed that cash!
But how would he even come close to getting it if the God damn iPod wasn't working? He made sure he was aiming it at her door yet again. Still total silence.
A few minutes later, he saw her screen lower again. She'd obviously finished her phone call. She'd stupidly thought previously the screen would protect her. Well it seemed to have actually done so this time.
Chancer was furious. Damn it! The woman had taken a phone call and he hadn't heard a word of it. He had nothing he could report back to his employers and in turn their client. Not good.
Even standing at his door with the iPod he couldn't hear anything. But he couldn't do that for too long because if a guard saw him it would look exceptionally odd. Him standing at his door listening to music or watching something. Fuck!
The desire to kill Hayward consumed him again. God! If only he could. He'd seen her standing by Michael's cell next to his earlier and heartily wished Myers had done him a fucking favour and killed the bitch for him. But of course he wouldn't. Myers cared about Hayward.
Although, just for a second, Chancer had reconsidered this. He'd certainly looked like he'd wanted to kill someone. There was something in his eyes, manner… Chancer felt himself shiver at the memory.
That was why Hayward had screamed. Part of him couldn't blame her. Even if he most unfortunately wasn't the cause of it. He would be if he got the chance, he was determined on that. Then there'd just be the small problem of escaping Michael Myers before he himself was killed…
But he forced himself not to think about that. Not now anyway. He heard footsteps and saw two of the guards walking past his cell. As quickly and discretely as he could, he picked up his iPod and put the earphones in his ears.
"Jesus I'm tired," he heard one of them say as clearly as if he was standing in the cell with him.
"Tell me about it," said the other. "Not long left now until 7AM."
They continued walking. Chancer removed the earphones. Ok, so he'd heard them clear as a bell. So why the fuck hadn't he been able to hear a word Hayward said? This made no sense. Perhaps she hadn't answered her phone after all? After they'd interrogated him, had those fuckers done something to Hayward's door? Cell? But he couldn't see any of it except the front of the door, so had no way of knowing.
But if his suspicions were right, that meant he was in trouble. Firstly because he wouldn't be able to report anything to his employers which meant no money, but most concerning, it meant they were on to him and had taken measures to protect her. If the latter was indeed the case, then surely Michael Myers also knew? That part scared the shit out of him. Derek Chancer didn't like that thought. Not at all. He got no more sleep the rest of that night.
…
Eventually, Danielle broke the comfortable silence which had fallen between the two friends.
"Charlotte," she said, then paused. She wanted to ask her the exact same question she'd asked Nurse Hathaway. Have I broken everything between Michael and I? But for some reason, she didn't want to hear Charlotte's answer in case it was yes.
"Hmm?" Her friend asked, sounding as if she was getting sleepy. She wished she was, but couldn't see herself getting any sleep tonight. All she wanted to do was cry.
"Don't worry, nothing. It's ok." she knew she was being a coward, but she couldn't face it.
"No come on," Charlotte said, suddenly sounding much more awake. "What is it? You know you can tell me anything."
She sighed. She knew Charlotte wouldn't leave it, at least not now. Plus she'd told her this much, why not tell her the rest? She took a deep breath.
"Do you think what just happened tonight will have undone everything between Michael and I? Like, he hates me now?"
Charlotte made a soft noise of surprise. Whatever she'd been expecting, it clearly wasn't that. "Huh? No way! He's a man everyone fears. But you're different in his eyes. He cares about you. Why on earth would your fear, justified completely I might add change this? That sounds to me as if you're almost hoping it will. Scared of a relationship. Am I right?"
"Hell no!" she exclaimed vehemently. "No way! I want to be with him so badly. I'm just scared of his reaction. But I'll admit it, I was scared to ask you in case you said yes." She paused. "Ok, maybe a little scared of a relationship too. But you've taken the plunge, so I will too! You're right. I can't let this slip by because of him! That's what he wants after all!"
"Good for you girl! Well done! I'm not Michael. But I am your best friend and we're honest with each other. So my answer is not a chance in hell! Just you wait! As soon as he can be with you, he will be! I promise!"
"I hope you're right," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "I really, really hope you're right."
…
Derek Chancer knew he had no choice. He'd have to text his employers and tell them about the problem with the iPod. He'd have to be honest and say he didn't know if the techs had broken it or Hayward's cell had been modified to stop it working. Either way, this was bad. Entering the app, he started typing in the fake review box.
I've got a problem. My iPod can't hear in to her cell. I can hear guards walking past outside it and every word they say as clear as a bell, but I can't hear her at all. I don't know if it's because those fucking techs broke it when they examined it, or if her cell has been modified in some way to stop the technology working. I want to continue; I need the money. Can you help? D.
The answer came back within five minutes. Anonymous of course.
We can update your software with our newest version, see if that makes the microphones any stronger. Sound proof foam exists, they may have used that to modify her cell. In which case it's unclear how well it'll work. Leave your iPod locked for the rest of the night, don't touch it and we'll update your software remotely. After 7, turn it off and on again and you'll have the update. I'm sure I don't need to add that you won't be paid tonight of course.
Fucker. Chancer thought as he locked the iPod and put it on his bedside table. He could work that much out for himself thank you very much. But they just had to rub salt in the wounds didn't they? Assholes.
He lay back down on his hard bed, fuming. If Hayward talked to anyone else tonight, he'd be clueless. Damn Dr Loomis. Why did he have to be too clever, sharp for his own good? Well he hadn't heard the end of this, Chancer vowed then and there. He'd get his revenge. Kill his wife? Or Dr Stark? Hmm that sounded just fabulous, but impossible. But he'd do something to get his own back on this fucking hospital, if it was the last thing he did.
…
When Charlotte eventually hung up about ten minutes later, she opened the screen in her door again. The relief was indescribable. The compression on her ears instantly lifted. She took a deep breath and put her phone on her bedside table. As she did, her hand came in to contact with something cold. She reached out again and realised it was her freshly filled water jug. She'd totally forgotten about it when she'd asked Ash for the tablets.
Feeling it now brought back a clear and sudden memory of her long ago in her very early time here, touching the water jug, looking for any sharp edge to slit her wrists on. She was sure that'd been the night Michael had tapped his bars to her. God. How long ago had that been?
She then thought about the fact it'd been Michael's birthday on the nineteenth of October, and she'd asked Dr Loomis to give him a small box of chocolates bought from the gift shop when she'd been allowed through once with Joanne. She hadn't seen Michael since then and the one time she had…
She sighed. What a fuck up she'd made of that. But she hadn't exaggerated. She could almost feel the menace, rage and desire to kill coming off him. Even without seeing him. God. She was certain now. She loved him. She must do. Or else why would this hurt so badly? Why did she want to be with him so much? Feeling something which felt almost like physical pain?
She filled up her plastic glass and took a long drink of the cold water. Her headache had started to wear off now. Too bad the tablets couldn't do the same for the pain in her heart. But there was only one man who could help that.
The emotion of it all hit her all over again at that moment. Adam hiring someone to watch, listen and report on her. Her longing for Michael, knowing in her heart of hearts she'd have to tell him the truth. Right then, she felt more alone than she ever had in her life. She lay down on her bed taking several deep breaths, trying to stop it, but she couldn't. Before she knew quite what was happening, she buried her head in her pillow and finally succumbed to the tears she'd been holding back for the last few days. She couldn't even find it in her to close the screen for privacy. She no longer cared who could hear her. All she cared about was the pain which seemed to be ripping her to pieces. If she'd not been so stupid, she could've been with Michael right now! The man who'd so easily managed to do the one thing she'd vowed no one ever would again after all Adam had done. Stolen her heart.
…
Dr Loomis would never have told Dr Martin this, but he was more troubled by what'd happened between Danielle and Michael than he was letting on. He was seriously in spite of his words, reconsidering trying to unite them again tonight after all. It was Dr Loomis' turn to sleep in the small staff bedroom at the back of the block. Each night, one doctor stayed over, in case they were needed. But the patients couldn't access them. Only the guards could wake them and only when it was urgent. It was where Dr Stark had fortunately been the night Adam Dawson had got her protected number due to the still unbelievable actions of the now late John Baker.
He sighed softly and walked back in to the block. It was now just after 9PM and he would clock off and go to his quarters at 11PM. He was walking through to get something from his office, when he was sure he heard something. It sounded like a quiet, quickly stifled sob? He always tried to stay professional, but right then he couldn't help what happened. He felt his heart crack with sympathy. If that had been a sob, there was only one person it could've been.
As quietly as he could, he walked back through the block, having grabbed his overnight bag from his office, and stopped outside Michael's cell. As before, the killer was standing by his door, his steady, unflinching gaze fixed in the direction of her cell. Had he heard it too?
Samuel Loomis had no idea how Michael did this, hadn't in all the years he'd known him, but within a second the killer's eyes were on him. The doctor looked back and now the killer's gaze was its usual emotionless, blank self. But on this Halloween night and for the first time since meeting him, Dr Samuel Loomis saw right through it. Michael Myers could hide it all he wanted, but the doctor knew the killer was currently a hurting man. If he (Dr Loomis) had indeed heard her cry and so had the killer, he'd hate the fact he could do nothing to help her. Doctor and patient looked at each other intently for a minute, then Dr Loomis spoke softly. "Come on."
He opened the killer's cell door with the master key not the electronics, so it didn't give out its usual loud buzz. Silently, the killer stepped out and to his side. Dr Loomis didn't even consider using chains. As far as he was concerned, not only would it be cruel, but also pointless, as he'd be out of them within seconds.
…
Danielle looked up with a start as she heard someone softly tapping against her door. Now she regretted leaving the screen open as they'd immediately hear she'd been crying. AT least with it closed she could prepare herself. Yes the guards could see through it, but they wouldn't have heard her. She wasn't embarrassed, she just didn't want to not to mention couldn't face anyone right now.
"Hey," said a soft male voice. "It's Dr Loomis. "Are you ok?"
Shit! The last person she'd wanted to see her in this state. She took a deep breath and tried to force her face to smile. She knew it wouldn't fool the Psychiatrist.
"I'm…" She started, but didn't know how to finish. Heartbroken? Angry? Scared? Feel so alone?
"I know exactly what will help you," Dr Loomis said and was that a smile in his voice?
"Not sleeping pills," she pleaded. "Please. They made me so groggy last time I think I lost two days straight!"
"Don't worry, it's not sleeping pills. It's better than those.
Something in his soft, gentle voice made an unexpected gush of affection fill her heart. She walked to the door and reached out, her hand coming in to contact with his arm, feeling his suit jacket under her fingers. She was even more grateful when the Psychiatrist moved it so he'd taken and squeezed her hand in his.
"I'm sorry Dr Loomis," she said before she could stop herself. Once again she didn't care who heard, it just came tumbling out. "It's everything all at once. It just hit me and I couldn't stop it. I can't believe that Adam wants to sabotage even my recovery treatment following his abuse by hiring someone to watch, listen to and report on me! I can't even get better safely! I started off scared, but now I'm so fucking angry! It's a new emotion I'm not used to. Such deep anger and hatred. But damn it I… I don't want revenge. I just want him to leave me the fuck alone! And Charlotte! He's determined to control both of us for the rest of our lives and I'll be damned if he'll do that to us! But I can't do anything and that makes me feel so damn helpless! Then there's my feelings. You know what I'm talking about. I've just completely fucked everything up tonight! I'd deserve what I got after that! How could I have been so stupid? Yes I know everyone fears him especially tonight, but Jesus fucking hell! What have I just done? Yes I was terrified for a second there, but…"
"Ok," Dr Loomis squeezed her hand again. "I'm going to stop you for just a second there ok? I'm more than willing to listen to you for as long as you need, but let me help you first. Ok? I promise what I'm going to do will help you considerably."
She let out a soft, "huh?" She was so confused. But he was the doctor… "Ok," she said quietly, her voice cracking with emotion. "How, Dr Loomis?"
"Can you stand back from your door and lie on your bed for a moment? There's not room for me to come in otherwise."
"Yeah, of course. Sorry." She released his hand and did as he asked.
"No need for sorry. None at all."
The door buzzed open and then there was a second's silence. What the hell? She hoped Dr Loomis hadn't lied and it was pills after all. Well if it was, she'd take them. She'd have to. She knew he was only trying to help.
…
In spite of everything, Derek Chancer found himself grinning. He'd been right in what he'd heard. The bitch had cried. Aww, what a fucking shame! Too bad it wasn't because of him. He'd certainly report that to his employers when his iPod was done updating. Small, but something. It'd give Adam Dawson a kick at least. Then he'd heard Dr Loomis' soothing voice, but the quack had been talking too quietly for Chancer to make out what he'd been saying. Probably trying to comfort the stupid bitch.
But that was when his grin had died completely, sliding off his face like a mask. Because He'd realised Dr Loomis had opened Michael Myers' door and the silent killer must've stepped out, walking towards Hayward's cell beside the doctor. Fuck! Bad! It looked like the shrink was going to reunite them after all. Talk about the nail in Derek Chancer's coffin.
…
She made as if to sit up, reaching for her water jug. She'd need it for the pills. But that was when she was pushed back against her pillows, someone sat at her side and she felt the arms close around her tightly. There was no way it was Dr Loomis. For a second, she genuinely didn't twig. Not until the person beside her moved and she felt her hand come in to contact with his left ear.
"M… Michael?" she could hardly speak. The killer tightened his arms around her and lay at her side, holding her as close as he could to his chest.
"Told you I could help you," Dr Loomis said and she knew he was smiling. The door silently closed. "Or should I say, Michael can."
"I…" she tried to speak but her throat was too dry. She picked up her water glass and took a sip before she tried again. "I'm so sorry Michael! So, so sorry! I…"
If she hadn't felt what happened next, she would never have believed it possible. Touching her cheek had been one thing. But this? This was in an entirely different league. Michael placed a warm and tender finger to her lips, hushing her. That simple gesture made her blink fast with further tears, but this time of longing, shock. The killer pushed her head to his shoulder then, holding her as tightly as he could, again moving his head so she was touching his ears. Both this time.
"Good night to you both," Dr Loomis said. "You will not be separated again. You have my word on this." They heard his polished shoes on the tiles as he walked away.
…
It felt like hours before she finally slept in Michael's arms. She'd repeated to him what she'd told Dr Loomis re Adam, even though he'd obviously heard it without her knowing. Michael of course said nothing, but did hold her tightly throughout and kept her hands on his ears. For the first time, she did cry in front of him. The killer moved his head so she felt his ears move in her hands and she let out a watery laugh.
"Damn it Michael! You know what that does to me." He chuckled and repeated the gesture.
She really wanted to tell him how she felt about him, but somehow those three little words, "I love you" wouldn't come. Adam's influence? She sincerely hope not. But she remembered Charlotte's words, "tell him. Soon."
She would, she knew that much. Just not exactly when or how. Maybe she'd take a leaf out of his book and ask someone to write it down for her? Or was that cowardly? She told herself she'd think about it tomorrow. Right then all she wanted was to be close to him. Right now, she wanted to tell him so much, but she knew what that would mean. No way was she going to repeat this with the screen down. Dr Loomis had said they wouldn't be separated again, so presumably she was supposed to show him her new cell's workings.
"Michael," she said softly. "I'm not joking here. Watch out for your ears. This is going to feel extremely odd for a few seconds."
The killer simply held her. She reached over and closed the screen. The compression hit her immediately.
"See?" She said. "Compressing on the ears isn't it? Sound proofing. It's how they've stopped whoever's watching me? That's why there's foam on the floor. No wonder I didn't hear you approach! Mind you," she took a breath. "You don't need foam to be sneaky, I know that." She tried not to shiver. None of his victims had heard him approaching at the end of their lives.
The killer's hand started stroking her back then and she couldn't help but sigh. It felt amazing.
"Hmm. Can't concentrate if you do that," she said, finally feeling sleep hit her." She was certain Michael quietly chuckled, but didn't stop what he was doing. She smiled sleepily at him.
"Thank you," her voice shook slightly. "I didn't think I'd sleep tonight."
She felt her head lean against his shoulder again, but this time, another first, her face was also against his neck. She made as if to move, but Michael tightened his embrace so she couldn't.
It was strange, really. Just moment's ago she'd felt so alone behind the sound proof screen and foam, like a tortoise in its shell. But now? Now she never wanted to move again. Alone was one thing she didn't feel. Safe, loved were the first two words which sprang to mind this time.
A few minutes later, she showed Michael the handset and what the buttons did. Somehow she knew the killer was silently impressed by how fast the doctors had moved. She wanted to tell him what she'd planned to when she'd closed the screen. Adam knowing she had visitors yesterday, his stalking Charlotte and her family. But for some reason, when she was in his arms like this nothing else mattered. This was only confirmed when the killer replaced the handset on its base and pulled her close once more, resuming the stroking of her back, placing her hand against his left ear. She had only intended to close her eyes for a second, to give herself the time to frame the words she wanted to say to him. She hadn't planned on not opening them again until 8 hours later, at the sound of the breakfast bell.