Chapter 45: Testing the waters.
…
Both men turned in unison as they heard footsteps approaching them. "Shit!" Colin breathed. It was Rick, Jack, Joanne and Michael.
"She's out liked a light," Joanne said as she reached them. "Emma's sleeping in her room with her tonight, Dave and Tim are with Charlotte."
"You see Colin?" Dr Loomis murmured. "They're both safe, go and get some sleep."
"Fuck that, that's not going to happen."
"Sorry," Rick said. "Are we interrupting something private?"
Colin was purposely avoiding Michael's eyes. Inside he was shouting at himself to 'grow up' that there was nothing he could do now, but it was a hell of a lot easier said than done. Dr Loomis gently took his arm. "Come on," he said, pulling him to his feet.
"Colin, are you ok?" It was Joanne, and the look of sympathy in her eyes was almost too much. He remembered how he'd comforted her earlier, now it looked like the tables were turned. He considered. Should he say something or not?
"No," he said truthfully. "I'm tired, I feel and probably look like shit and I'm a fucking mess!"
"Do you want to talk?"
"You're a sweetheart, thank you. But your boss here has already gone through that hell."
"Again, not the word I would've used," Dr Loomis said softly. "I'm here if you need me."
Colin wasn't even aware he'd moved to stand in between the male guards until Rick's hand fell on his shoulder. "You alright?" He whispered.
Colin's stomach was reeling. How he wanted to confront the killer right now. Tell him exactly how he was feeling. Warn him that this time he meant business. He'd been a stupid coward to act before she hooked up with Dawson, he wouldn't be a second time, even if it was Michael Myers.
"Colin," Dr Loomis murmured. "It's alright."
He took several deep breaths, unsure if he was going to throw up or start shouting. He would not meet the killer's gaze, he couldn't. Rick and Jack glanced at each other, then at him. Had they seen something in his face? Colin realised suddenly he no longer cared who knew the truth, it wasn't like he could do anything about it now.
"Mr. Myers," he spoke quietly, finally turning to face Michael. "I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it straight man. I love Danielle! And I don't mean as a fucking brother, ok? Yes, I mean really love her! I act in time to say something with Dawson, but God help me if you fuck with her in any way I will retaliate and fight you to the fucking death! You have no idea how much I care about her, and you never will. Just put it this way, she's everything to me and I won't see her hurt again. Not even by you. Want the truth? It's fucking killing me that you got to her first! Think whatever you will of me, I don't care. My sister's laying there dying because of that fucker Dawson, we all know he was fucking involved. I didn't get a shot at the man who terrorised, raped and degraded the two women apart from mom I love most in the whole fucking world! You did that for me and while I meant what I said, it was fucking awesome you cut his head off, I wanted to be the one to get him damn it! I'm genuinely sorry I mentioned 1978, that was wrong of me. But Mr. Myers I… Jesus I… I love her! I'm thrilled we're adopting her, but my feelings for her go way beyond brotherly love and I have to put them to rest because she loves you. I would never do anything to jeopardise this for her, but I swear to any God out there, if you fuck with her Michael Myers, I'll take you down or die trying!"
Michael of course hadn't moved during Colin's rant. Colin took a deep breath and turned away. He felt sick. Dr Loomis took his arm again.
"She could've been my wife by now," Colin said, loudly enough so the others heard him. "If I'd just been braver. How do I know she never felt the same for me? She might have but been too afraid to tell me because of that motherfucker!"
He turned back and that was when he saw it. Michael was looking at him, his stare was blank, cold, emotionless. Colin could see the challenge in his eyes. He knew he was no match for Michael Myers, but he had also meant what he said.
"Yeah?" He challenged back, his voice a dangerous whisper. "What? You'll kill me if I come any closer? Or are you just warning me you could? Newsflash for you Mr. Myers, I know that. We found that out back in 1978, didn't we? Not to mention fucking '63! How… how could you kill your sister? What the fuck man? If anyone even touched Charlotte, I'd fucking kill them, not kill Charlotte herself! That's some fucked up shit."
"Colin!" Dr Loomis' voice was sharp now. "Come on!"
But he refused to move. "What Mr. Myers? You're angry because her brother is putting you in your place? Surely if you love her like I'm told you do, you'd understand where I'm coming from."
If he was honest, Colin wanted to cower from that ice cold stare, knowing it was a clear warning. But he couldn't. she meant too much for that, way too much. "I love her just as you apparently do, so what's the problem? Is it because I'm challenging you about your past? Or because I'm threatening you? Hey, if you really care about Danielle, you've got nothing to worry about, have you? Yeah, ok I admit it, I'm jealous of you Myers! In fact, I hate you. But you make her happy, so I will not stand in her way! But I mean what I fucking said…"
"COLIN!"
This time it was the guards shouting in unison and now he felt their hands on him, pulling him back. Glancing at Joanne, she looked near tears as she stood beside Michael with a restraining hand on his arm, but Michael hadn't shrugged it off. Colin just hoped that was a good sign, not that Michael Myers was biding his time before moving in for the kill.
"That was unwise," Dr Loomis chided quietly, as he led Colin a short distance away, the guards watching them anxiously. "Please do not misunderstand me, I completely understand where you're coming from, but you're tired, not thinking straight, and your emotions are high. It's probably not the best time to tell Michael how you're feeling."
"If I hadn't done it now, I'd probably have fucking chickened out again," Colin snarled. "I'm not doing it a second time! I saw that look in his eyes, a clear warning. I know what that look means, 'I could kill you'. But he probably would've killed me no matter what I said."
"You have to remember Michael has never loved before," Dr Loomis said. "This is as new for him as it is for Danielle, true love that is. I know," he added as Colin opened his mouth. "If you'd told her, Michael would never have met her. But we can't change the past however much we might want to. Michael loves her and she loves him. On this, you need to trust me."
"BULLSHIT!" Colin turned back and before he could even think it through, he was shouting. "HEY, MR. MYERS, I CAN'T HELP THINKING THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT I WAS QUESTIONING YOU! WHY WOULD YOU GET ANGRY AND THREATEN ME WITH THAT GAZE WHEN YOU SUPPOSEDLY UNDERSTAND HOW I FEEL? ANSWER ME! BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE THE FACT, I'M CHALLENGING YOU! YOU TARGET ME, AND YOU WILL LOSE Danielle! YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT?"
"Colin," he heard Joanne whisper. "Please, please, shut, up?"
"Come on Michael," he heard Jack say. "Let's get back inside. It's getting cold out here."
"I really want to believe I'm mistaken," Dr Loomis said. "But you wouldn't cause Michael to target you in order to get her to leave him, would you?" He was speaking quietly so only Colin heard. Colin didn't answer.
"OR WHAT MR. MYERS? WHAT KIND OF SICK FUCK KILLS HIS OWN SISTER AT 6 YEARS OLD? JESUS MAN! THAT'S LOW! SERIOUSLY FUCKING LOW AND FUCKED UP TO BOOT. WHAT ABOUT 1978? THOSE BABYSITTERS, WHAT'D THEY DONE WRONG? LAURIE STRODE? WHY ARE YOU SO ADAMANT TO SEE HER DEAD AFTER ALL THESE YEARS? I HEARD WHAT HAPPENED HERE TODAY! SHE'S CERTAINLY ON YOUR HITLIST! WHAT WAS IT MYERS? YOU HAD FEELINGS FOR HER AND SHE TURNED YOU DOWN? WAS THAT IT? IS THAT WHY YOU WANT HER DEAD?"
Before Dr Loomis could do anything, Michael had silently walked right up to Colin, slamming him against the garden wall. Rick, Jack and Joanne all sprinted towards them.
Surprisingly, Colin showed no fear. The two men stared each other down, neither moving. Inside though, Colin was close to shitting himself. Why the fuck had he been so stupid? Admittedly, talking about Danielle was one thing, but '78 and '63? Judith? 'Fucking idiot' he shouted at himself. 'Stupid, stupid idiot!'
Even while he knew this though, his mouth kept talking of its own accord, as if his brain had taken over. "So, what now? Thinking of the best way to kill me? Ha, you're Michael Myers! You don't run out of ways to kill people!"
"COLIN!" Now Dr Loomis was shouting in earnest. "STOP, JUST STOP! I TOLD YOU THAT YOU SHOULD GET SOME SLEEP, THIS IS WHY! DON'T BE SO DAMN STUPID! MICHAEL, LET HIM GO. COLIN, GET TO YOUR HOTEL OR WHEREVER YOU'RE STAYING AND CALM DOWN! EMOTIONS ARE HIGH, WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT I'M INCLUDING MICHAEL IN THAT. BUT THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER! OF COURSE, YOU'RE SCARED FOR CHARLOTTE, OF COURSE YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT DANIELLE, YOU LOVE THEM! THERE'S NO CRIME IN THAT! BUT THIS? ATTACKING MICHAEL ON A PERSONAL LEVEL? THAT'S NOT RIGHT OR APPROPRIATE! I UNDERSTAND IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT Danielle, BUT MICHAEL'S PAST? NOT RIGHT OR FAIR!"
All Colin could hear was the killer's calm breathing but did notice Michael hadn't put on his terrifying mask. Nor did he make any move to. Colin wasn't going to beg for his life after all he'd just said. Now that he was trapped, the anger was slowly leaking out of him and all he felt was incredibly tired. Finally, he slumped to the ground, his legs giving out even while Michael still held him against the wall. He caught a glimpse of himself in one of the windows and saw he was as white as a sheet.
"Just get on with it," he said, his voice flat and totally defeated. "Just kill me."
"Which would make your parents happy I'm sure," Joanne pointed out. "Not to mention Danielle, Charlotte and us!"
Colin could hardly believe what happened next. Michael grabbed him by his coat's collar and pulled him to his feet. He fully expected to hit the wall headfirst, but it didn't happen because Michael turned him away from the wall then shoved him with such force, Colin staggered and would've fallen to the ground had Rick not caught him. "I'd take that as a warning," he whispered in Colin's ear.
Colin couldn't meet anyone's eyes. Without a word, he turned and started to walk away. He'd come close to death; he knew that much. Michael could've easily killed him, then and there. Had he been thinking about it, while he'd held him against that wall? Colin wasn't sure he wanted the answer to that.
"Well done, Michael," he heard Dr Loomis say and he understood why. Michael had indeed let him go; he was still alive.
It wasn't until he was at the other end of the garden that he slumped down on one of the benches, put his head between his knees and struggled with the dizziness which was threatening to cause him to pass out. Shit that'd been close! What the fuck had he been thinking of, winding up Michael Myers that way? Hadn't he just said to Dr Loomis just minutes before, 'I'll die if I piss off her man?' That was just what he'd done and by some miracle he wasn't dead.
He was still fighting against succumbing to the tears he'd been holding in for what felt like days. His sister was dying, his other was injured, and he loved her the wrong way to how a brother should. Not to mention he'd just told her man as much. He knew he would've been forgiven for talking about Danielle and how he felt towards her but bringing up Michael's past kills had been wrong and as Loomis had said, unfair. Was the psychiatrist, right? Had he deliberately tried to anger Michael so he would make an attempt on his life, thereby causing her to leave him? There was no way he was that selfish.
Was there?
"Colin, are you ok?"
He started when he heard the soft voice beside him, then felt the gentle hand on his shoulder. Glancing up, he saw it was Joanne and Dr Loomis.
"I… I don't know," he replied truthfully. "Fuck! Maybe I do have a death wish after all. You're right though Dr Loomis, I shouldn't have mentioned Michael's past, which was really stupid, and like you said unfair. What kind of person am I? I even wondered if I was trying to deliberately anger Michael, so he'd do something to me, thereby causing her to leave him! Please tell me I'm not that selfish?" He was almost pleading he realised.
"Were you?" Dr Loomis asked gently.
"Fuck I don't know!" Colin started to cry, and he felt Joanne put an arm around him. "I don't know anything anymore! I think I'm falling apart. My biological sisters in a coma and my adopted one is also injured! I feel so damn powerless!"
"But angering Michael won't help you," Joanne murmured, pulling him into a hug. Colin rested his head on her shoulder, unable to stop himself.
"I know," he tried to hold back tears, but Joanne's hug finally pushed him over the edge, and he started to cry in earnest. He didn't try to hide it, why should he? His sister could very well be dying after all.
"Come on," Joanne murmured after a while. "Let's get you back inside and to bed."
This time, Colin didn't try to fight it. He hated to admit it, but maybe they were right. Maybe sleep was what he really needed after all.
As they walked towards the doors, he saw Rick, Jack and Michael standing beside them. He felt his heart turn to ice and glanced nervously at Dr Loomis.
"It's ok," the psychiatrist assured him. "Michael let you go, didn't he? You're safe. Come on."
But as they reached the doors Colin stopped, looking Michael straight in the eyes, his own puffy, red and bloodshot. "What do you want me to say?" He croaked, his voice a weak whisper. It was only then he noticed the guards had stepped back out of earshot but were still watching just in case. "I'm sorry? Of course, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have mentioned your past like that! That was wrong of me. I even wondered if it was to piss you off to the point, you'd attack me and she would leave you as a result. Fuck! What kind of man am I? I didn't tell her how I felt and then, she fell in love with you! I know I should be happy for her, I'm just…" he ran his hands through his hair. "I'm just such a mess! I know I have to move on, know she's yours now, I just…" he blinked once, twice and took a deep breath.
"I just love her so much in every damn way possible! She and Charlotte both suffered because of that asshole, and I wasn't there to see him die."
…
At first when she woke up Danielle was momentarily confused, unsure where she was. Then it all came flooding back to her. Haddonfield Memorial hospital following Adam's brutal and last assault.
"Hey darling," said Emma's voice. "Are you ok? Wakey wakey."
"Hey mom, I'm ok, I was just a bit confused there for a second, not sure where I was. Do you know where Michael is?"
"I think he's with Dr Loomis and his guards," Emma said. "I get the impression he wanted to give us some privacy."
"That's sweet of him," she admitted. "Do you think I'll be cleared to go back to Smith's Grove today?"
"Can't see why you wouldn't be," Emma agreed. "Dr Merrick said he'd discharge you today if all was well."
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door, which Emma got up to open having slept in the chair bed the night before.
"Hi, it's Dr Merrick. How are you this morning?"
"I'm still in a bit of pain," she admitted. "But it's better than it was. I feel stiff more than anything else."
"Well, that's hardly surprising given what you went through. If you're ready, I just want to give you a check-up."
"Go ahead," she smiled at the doctor.
"Do you want me to leave?" Emma asked.
"Don't be silly mom."
Dr Merrick was just applying the blood pressure cuff when there was a knock on the door. Emma stood and opened it, to reveal Joanne, Rick and Michael with Dr Loomis behind them.
"Hi Joanne, Rick, Michael, Dr Loomis, Emma said and at the sound of Michael's name, Danielle felt her heart flip in her chest. Something must have shown on her face because Dr Merrick chuckled.
"Can we come in?" Joanne's voice asked.
"Of course," she said immediately and the four of them stepped through the door. It was then she heard the clink of chains and realised Michael was once more shackled. She felt her heart sink slightly. Why? Had something happened, and if so, what?
"I would offer to wait outside," Rick said. "But I'm really sorry I can't."
This confirmed her worst fear, something had clearly happened with Michael, but she kept her mouth shut and merely nodded.
Dr Merrick resumed his work, fastening the Velcro then pressing the button. There was the familiar hum, and she immediately felt the cuff begin to tighten.
"I hate this," she admitted with a small grin.
"Not the nicest feeling, is it?" Dr Merrick acknowledged. "It won't take a moment."
After a few seconds, the doctor spoke again just as she felt someone reach her side. She didn't have to think too hard to be certain it was Dr Loomis.
"Hmm," Dr Merrick said. "It's a little high. Are you feeling, ok?"
"I… I think I'm still a little… stressed from yesterday," she admitted. "Not to mention… you know, Charlotte."
"Of course," the doctor said gently. "That is more than understandable. Are you feeling dizzy at all?"
"Yes, a little but I didn't mention it because I just put it down to my head injury."
"That's probably exactly what it is, but your blood pressure is higher than it should be and that concerns me a little. I wasn't going to ask you to do this for me again before discharging you, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to. I would like you to go in for another CT scan."
"Shit, I hated the last one. I never know when the machine's going to move and following the voice instructions is hard when I'm nervous."
Of course, she didn't see it, but she was certain Dr Loomis had nodded to Rick. Because next moment she heard the guard removing all his protective equipment, then the sound of Michael's chains being removed. She also didn't have to see it to know Joanne and Emma were smiling. She wouldn't have been surprised if Dr Merrick was either.
She also knew what this meant. Michael was once again being allowed to be with her, but this time Rick would be also. She didn't mind, she cared for and respected him, but it did make her worry increase. What the hell had happened overnight?
As if reading her mind, Dr Loomis stepped closer confirming her early certainty it was him and whispered in her ear.
"You are right, I can see it on your face. Something did happen last night, but I do not want you to worry about it. If you do, it'll just increase your blood pressure and so on and you are less likely to be released today. All you need to know is that no one was hurt, and Michael didn't commit any act of violence post Laurie, which you saved the day for I might add."
"Bull," she said firmly. "The guards would have done that without me."
"Perhaps, but not mentally. They would've used physical force, as opposed to reaching Michael emotionally like you did."
She found she once again couldn't argue with this.
"Rick will be with you, Dr Loomis continued. "He will be armed because as you already know the guns are plastic the bullets rubber. But he will be standing right beside the door and not saying or doing anything unless he absolutely has to, which I very much doubt. Michael would never harm you. I think we all know this by now."
She could only nod. The door opened and she heard a gurney being wheeled into the room.
"Please work with me?" Dr Merrick asked. "I want you to go down on this, ok? Just because of your blood pressure and the fact you feel dizzy."
"No problem," she agreed instantly.
"That's my girl," Dr Loomis touched her arm.
Two nurses came forward and gently but with practiced ease helped her out of her bed and onto the gurney.
"Ok, are you comfortable?" A female nurse asked.
"Yes," she affirmed.
They left the room, and she heard the others walking at her side. She was surprised how comfortable the gurney's leather pads actually were.
They entered the scanner room, and she heard the hum of the machine. She felt a jolt of panic. This was the last thing she wanted to do a second time.
"It's ok sweetheart," Emma whispered to her. "It'll be just the same as yesterday, including the fact Michael will be at your side, and we'll be just outside."
"Where are Dad and Colin?
In the beat of silence that followed, she was sure she could almost detect the look which past between the others. Shit. Had what'd happened with Michael involved one of them? Surely not?
"They're both with Charlotte," Joanne said, but not quickly enough. She reached out and laid a hand on Dr Loomis' arm, feeling his suit jacket under her fingers.
"They're all fine," the Psychiatrist murmured. "Honestly, it's ok."
"Hey," came the voice of the radiologist, she remembered his singsong Irish accent from the day before. "How lucky are you? You get me and my voice in your ears twice in two days!"
At this she couldn't help but smile. "Thanks Ed," she said sincerely.
"Oh, you even remembered my name! Even better!" Ed sounded genuinely pleased and some of her panic subsided. She knew she could trust Ed and that he knew what he was doing, and she would indeed be fine.
"Ok so same drill as yesterday," Ed continued, as the heavy door closed and she was alone with him, Michael and Rick. "The others are just outside, this same rubber bulb you squeeze it immediately if you need me to stop the scan. When the machine tells you to breathe and stay calm, do the best you can and try not to move."
"The only thing that made me nervous yesterday is I'm not sure when the machine's going to move," she admitted.
"Sorry you should have said! There's a microphone on the headphones so I can hear you. No problem. When you hear me say "turn," that's me warning you it's about to move. Ok?"
"You don't mind doing that?" she felt absurdly grateful at this small but kind touch.
"Course not," Ed touched her hand and she couldn't resist giving a brief squeeze. "Thank you so much."
"No problem at all. Your gurney will be wheeled into the scanner, same as yesterday. You ready?"
"No," she said with a small grin. "But guess I need to be huh?"
"You're perfectly safe, I've got full control. Nothing will happen to you; the machine will purely take some more pictures of your head and brain."
"Do you have another pair of headphones you can be heard through? It's just…"
"You want your man there to hear me too? Yep, no problem, stand by."
"Do you want the audio as well?" She heard Ed ask Rick, who must have answered with a nod or headshake, as Ed said, "no problem."
A minute or so later, she was once more entering the CT scanner and Michael was once again holding her hand in his. Soft music started up in the headphones, then Ed's voice cut in. "Ok, ready?"
"Yes," she confirmed. "Let's get this over with."
…
Colin sat once more at his unconscious sister's bedside, wondering if he looked as tired as he felt. The memories of last night kept crashing over him. If he was honest with himself, he couldn't even believe himself that he was still alive. Michael would've had every right to kill him and probably should of, yet he hadn't. Colin knew the killer would have understood, probably, the feelings he had for Danielle, but to mention 78 and 63. Nope, stupid moves. No wonder Myers had been angered by his words.
For a terrifying moment there, Colin had been sure he was going to die. This was why he'd simply said, "get on with it," when Michael had been holding him against the wall. It wasn't necessarily because he wanted to die, he had too much to live for, but because he had been certain he'd finally gone too far, and he was Michael Myers' next victim.
But amazingly, it hadn't happened. Then he'd tried to apologise to Michael and even to his own ears his words had sounded insincere, except the part about Adam of course. That part was 100 percent true, he wished with all his heart he'd seen the misogynist fucker die. But the rest? Colin wasn't even sure himself if he'd completely meant it or not.
He had however meant what he'd said before. That if Michael ever did anything to hurt Danielle, Colin would fight him to the death, which was probably the most likely outcome, Colin wasn't fool enough to kid himself otherwise.
Deciding and knowing at the same time it was wise to follow Dr Loomis' instructions, Colin had immediately left for the hotel, which fortunately was purposefully just across the road, it was owned by the hospital for occasions just like theirs. He'd gone up to his small room and collapsed on his bed, but of course sleep eluded him. Charlotte was of course the main reason for his insomnia, but right behind her was what'd happened between him and Myers. Did he seriously have a Deathwish? Sure, he was distraught right now, but so were the rest of the family and none of them had gone out of their way to wind up and goad a masked serial killer.
But none of them love Danielle the way I do either, Colin thought as he tossed and turned, desperate to close his eyes. Dr Merrick had offered all of them a sleeping pill which Colin had refused, but now he was sincerely regretting doing this.
When morning had eventually come, Colin had walked straight back to the hospital. Dave and Tim joined him moments later and they resumed their watch.
"You ok son?" Dave asked him within minutes of seeing him. Colin rubbed his eyes.
"Just tired as all fuck dad," he admitted. He'd resolved during those long sleepless hours he would not tell his family anything that'd happened between him and Myers the night before. Apart from anything else it would worry them for his safety, but they'd probably also say it'd been his fault. Which, indeed, it had.
He desperately wanted to say something to Myers, a true apology before they both left once more for Smith's Grove. But could he? Should he even. He couldn't deny he was scared. If Myers decided not to accept his apology, he would have quite literally, a deadly enemy. But if he didn't at least try, he would feel really guilty for a long time, perhaps the rest of his life.
No, Colin knew he had to say something to Myers and soon. But how to get him in private was another thing. He also really, really didn't want her knowing what had happened or what he'd said. It wasn't her fault he was the man who'd let her get away, and now she was happily in love with Myers. He would appear incredibly selfish and bitter to tell her so now.
"Where's Mom?" He asked now.
"She's with Dr Merrick and Danielle, she's having her final check-up."
Colin could only nod. He hoped she would be cleared to leave, as that would mean she was sufficiently recovered enough to fly, but at the same time…
He shook himself firmly, not liking where his thoughts were once again going. He wanted her to stay because he loved her, and not as a brother.
"You sure you're, ok?" Dave asked, clearly detecting his son's demeanour and mood. Colin hesitated. Should he tell at least his father the truth? He also had a lot of time and respect for Tim and was sure the other man wouldn't judge him either.
"Cole?" His father gently pushed.
"Ah shit," Colin lowered his face into his hands. "You know Tim, Dad, right now I feel like the world's biggest damn prick!"
"Why?" The two men said together.
"Jesus!" Colin looked up and glared at the wall. "Because I am! I'm the most selfish damn prick on the face of the earth right now! I mean hell!" He gestured at Charlotte. "My sister's lying there unconscious and I let my own fucking feelings take over in such the wrong way! Please, don't tell Mom this will you?"
Tim and his father just looked at him, neither speaking, waiting for him to continue.
"Right now, I fucking hate myself! The problem is… fuck! I love her… the wrong way, ok? As in, I don't love her the way a fucking brother should!"
"Ah," Dave said quietly, but with no judgement in his voice.
"I was a stupid damn fool! Talk about the girl that got away! I let her get away! I should have told her when she broke up with that fucker Dawson! But I didn't, I was too much of a chicken!"
"She only broke up with Adam," Tim said speaking for the first time, "when she tried to commit suicide."
"I know! But that's the thing, I should have gone in there and told her!"
"She wasn't allowed visitors for a while," his father reminded him softly.
"I know, but damn it a phone call. Something! Hell, a letter even! Or I could have asked to speak to her the first time Charlotte visited her! Little things, like how she used to say I had nice ears!"
He heard his father's soft chuckle. "Me too," Dave said. "Her and her ears, eh?"
"I know," Colin looked back down at the floor. "She could've fiddled with my ears all she liked, hell she can, but…"
"You wish she was yours?" Tim asked.
"Yeah, and I wish I'd fucking told her when the chance was staring me in the face. I should have got her away from Dawson, I had plenty of time to do it, but I chickened the fuck out! Now, it's killing me!"
"Are you jealous? That she's with Michael now?"
"Jealous? Fucking hell dad! I'm jealous plus ten! Of all people, why the fuck did it have to be Michael Myers?"
"I think Adam asked that very question," Tim said quietly. "But look what good it did him. He died for it."
At this, Colin couldn't resist a small smile. "Yeah, I know, good fucking riddance. But shit! It all hit me last night a new as it were, and I felt fucking terrible! Look!" He gestured once again at Charlotte's unconscious form. "My sister's unconscious because that fucker wanted to hurt her, just as he hurt Danielle! He intended her to die I'm certain of this, whatever the fucking cops say! Thank Christ she didn't, but it wasn't for lack of trying!"
"But Adam's dead now," Dave said. "He can't hurt either of them again, or us."
"Yeah, but Charlotte has to survive first…" Colin's voice trailed off.
"She will," Tim and Dave said in unison.
"You know C," Dave said affectionately, his own voice choking with tears now. "She's a fighter, when she wants something, she goes after it at full speed. I believe that includes this. She wants to survive, so she'll fight with all she has to do so. After all, the docs thought she'd be dead this morning and look, she's still breathing!"
Colin could only nod, knowing his father was right.
"But that's not all, is it son?" Dave asked, leaning towards Colin. "You said you let your feelings take over, what happened?"
Colin hesitated, unsure if he should proceed, but unsure he could get out of this without telling his father an outright lie either.
"I won't say a word to your mother," Dave confirmed. "If that's what you're worried about. This is between the three of us." Tim also nodded.
"Ok," Colin said after a moment. "Just don't hate me, please?"
"I could never hate you son," Dave said, bringing tears to Colin's eyes once more. Swallowing hard to get them under control, he took a deep breath and began to tell the story he was sure he never would just hours before.
…
To her surprise, she felt herself relaxing as the scanner started, the soft music and Ed's voice periodically saying "turn," just before the machine moved. She guessed someone who could see would know when it was about to happen. Just as the day before, Michael didn't release her hand once.
"Hold your breath and please remain calm," said the female voice of the machine. She felt Michael squeeze her hand and smiled. He was telling her he was with her. She tried to remain as still as she could, until the machine said, "release." This was repeated three more times.
"Last turn," came Ed's voice a few seconds later.
Again, the machine told her to hold her breath, then to release it seconds later. A few seconds later, she felt her headphones being gently removed as the gurney began to move out of the scanner. Finally, it was over.
"Great job," Ed said as the nurses prepared to wheel her back to her bed. "I'll print out the pics now and get them to Dr Merrick within the hour. You'll be pleased to know that from my perspective everything looks good to go, but of course Dr Merrick also has to agree with me."
"I understand no problem, thank you so much Ed."
"All in a day's work. You take care, ok?"
When they got outside the room she felt a wave of sadness, certain Michael was about to be chained once more. She heard Dr Loomis sigh softly before speaking.
"Michael, can we trust you?"
She felt her heart sink completely. So, she had been right, something had happened. But Dr Loomis had told her not to worry, so she would try her best to trust him by doing just that.
Michael must have nodded because Dr Loomis said, "it's ok Rick."
They reached her room, and she was helped back into bed.
"When can I see Charlotte?" She asked Emma.
"As soon as Dr Merrick clears you, we'll take you to see her before you leave, that's a promise."
"Thanks Mom," she smiled at her mother.
If she was honest, she was dreading in part going back to Smith's Grove, but knew it had to be done. She trusted Dr Stark and Dr Loomis completely, and it wasn't like last time where she'd be unfamiliar with her surroundings, not to mention she'd found a lot more than just mental healing there, the result was standing at her side right now. She just hoped Dr Merrick would clear her to leave soon. Being in the hospital was bringing back everything that'd happened with Adam the day before and right then she wanted to get as far away from Haddonfield as she possibly could, until the news reached her she was longing for, that Charlotte was awake once more.