Chapter 56: Nigel and Michael

…

About forty minutes later they arrived at the restaurant. Nigel couldn't deny he was impressed. There was nothing what so ever to indicate what it really was apart from the PRIVATE sign above the double doors. The women got out from the back, Michael from the passenger side.

They headed towards the doors, Michael guiding Danielle. They slid open automatically and immediately she heard soft classical music coming from within.

"Good evening guys," a cheerful female voice said immediately. "Come in!"

If she hadn't known the staff really knew who they were, she would've been completely fooled. They were led up to a table with luxurious leather armchairs. They were as comfortable as the ones in the Smith's Grove conference room.

"I'm Emma, your waitress this evening. What can I get you all? Mr. Myers?"

Michael's eyebrows rose and he glanced at Emma in surprise. She smiled warmly at him. "Dr Loomis called ahead and told us you were coming, I'm so glad to see you. What can I get you for dinner this evening?"

Joanne and Nigel smiled at each other as Michael lowered his eyes to his notepad and started writing before handing it to Emma.

I had a feeling he was behind this. I will take the steak, thank you.

"Good choice ." Emma said. "What would you like?" She read Danielle the menu. As soon as she said carbonara her mouth watered. She turned towards Joanne and smiled, remembering that first therapy session right at the start of her treatment when she'd told them she loved carbonara. Joanne squeezed her arm and she knew they were once again thinking the same thing.

"I'll have the carbonara please, and can I have an apple juice to drink?"

"Of course you can! Sorry Mr. Myers, I didn't ask you what you want to drink?"

Call me Michael, no need to call me 'Mr. Myers.' I will take a sparkling water, thank you.

Emma read it and nodded. She then turned to Joanne and Nigel who gave her their orders.

The food didn't take long at all to arrive which made sense considering they were the only diners. It was piping hot and delicious. Michael's steak had of course been cut in the kitchens, just as Dr Loomis had said it would be.

"Nigel," Danielle said as they started eating. "Tell them that story about the time you got that um… wrong text."

"Oh Jesus," Nigel started laughing. "That was absolutely hilarious! I most certainly would not have wanted to be the person who sent that! To this day I don't know who it was! I got an… explicitly worded text saying something like 'I want your dick in my pussy so bad, I want you to fuck me so hard.' I had no idea who it was!"

Joanne started laughing and Nigel was certain there was a slight smirk on Michael's lips.

"Did you text them back?" Joanne said through laughter.

"Hell no!" Nigel looked at her as if she were crazy. "Can you imagine? 'Sorry darling you've got the wrong number.'"

Danielle was howling with laughter, her face buried in her glass and tears falling down her cheeks. "Oh my God," she said when she could just about speak. "Shit! You so should have replied!"

"A certain little tinker tried to persuade me to do just that," Nigel said poking her arm. "I didn't want to embarrass them. 'you've just texted a 52 year old honey., as I was at the time. 'My equipment is a bit rusty!'"

Joanne burst out laughing again at this. "You were only 52! No way it's rusty!"

"How would you know?" Danielle and Nigel said together. Michael laughed out loud at this.

Joanne blustered. "I… I wouldn't! I just meant…"

"Stop now while you're ahead Joanne," Danielle advised, clutching her stomach and wiping tears from her face. "Fuck Nigel that gets me every time!"

"You're too kind," Joanne said. "I would've so replied and told them they had a wrong number! I'm assuming they didn't text again?"

"No," Nigel grinned. "So they probably realised their mistake and thought I was either exceptionally kind, stupid or the number was dead!"

Joanne was coughing with laughter at this point. Michael reached over and slapped her gently on the back. "Thanks Michael," she gasped. "Jesus that was fucking hilarious!"

"Oh God," Nigel groaned. "That's one story I'm never going to hear the end of now isn't it? Thanks Danielle!"

"You're welcome," Danielle smirked. Michael raised his notepad.

You should've told them you're a girl.

The others collapsed in laughter at this. "Can you imagine?" Nigel could hardly speak. "'Sorry babes, I don't have a cock, I'm a woman!' Oh shit, I should've done that! I think maybe I was too kind after all!"

The rest of the meal past with further companionable conversation, Nigel asking Joanne to tell some of her worst experiences as a guard. Danielle was horrified to hear about the time a male inmate of the prison she'd worked at before starting at Smith's Grove, had kicked her in the face breaking her jaw.

"Glad I didn't see that," Nigel and Danielle said in unison.

Joanne smiled at them. "Thanks, but it was ok, bit of surgery and a few weeks off and I was just fine."

"Now that's one tough woman right there," Danielle said with pride and admiration. "You're the kind of woman I want to be. I idolise you Joanne."

"Nah," her friend squeezed her shoulder. "I'm just me. I can't say for definite that if I'd been through everything you have that I would be that 'tough' as you put it."

"I bet you would," she squeezed Joanne's shoulder back. "I bet you'd have told those guys where they could stick their cocks and it's not inside you!"

Joanne chuckled. "Who knows?"

"Can I get you people anything else?" Emma's cheerful voice spoke beside her chair.

"Can I have another apple juice please Emma?" Danielle asked.

"Of course you can! Dr Loomis has insisted the bill is on the Smith's Grove tab and instructed me specifically to say 'have exactly what you want' no exception.'"

"That sounds exactly like what Dr Loomis would say," the women said together affectionately. Nigel and Michael smiled.

"Indeed. Anything else for anyone?"

"In that case I'll have a small wine if I may?" Joanne asked with a grin.

"Of course Joanne! White or red?"

"Just a small white thanks."

"Joanne turner!" Danielle said in mock disbelief as Emma walked away, having taken their orders for dessert. "I never would've believed it of you!"

"What?" Joanne said in mock defence. "It's just a small wine! Why boss, am I not supposed to?"

"I just never would've imagined it from you that's all. Do you like wine then?"

"No, that's why I'm ordering one."

Nigel laughed. "You walked straight into that," he said.

"Yeah fair enough. I mean, do you like all different kinds? Or just some?"

"White is my favourite," Joanne confirmed. "Do you like wine then?"

"Yuck, no chance! Can't stand the stuff. To be honest I don't drink alcohol as it is."

"Have you ever?"

"Um… you know what? I really don't think so. I just never liked the taste."

Following Joanne's example, Nigel had ordered half a pint of beer but no more as he was driving.

"You could always ask Michael to drive if you get too smashed," Joanne grinned.

"No! Ask me! I'll drive!"

"Oh my God," Nigel and Joanne groaned. "Suicide mission alert!" Nigel said. "Michael if she drives kill me first!"

"That's not fair!" Danielle said as they heard Michael laugh out loud with them, for one of very few times since she'd known him. "My driving is excellent thank you very much!" Michael raised his notepad and Joanne read the message aloud.

"If she drives I'll kill myself never mind you."

The other three burst out laughing. "Yeah point taken," Danielle gasped when she could speak. "I think I'd kill myself too by driving, literally! So maybe not."

Emma arrived with the drinks and desserts, smiling warmly at them. When she'd walked away again, Nigel turned to Michael.

"What about you, Michael?"

What about me?

Nigel read the message aloud. Either he or Joanne made sure they did when Michael wrote something.

"Do you like a drink? Is it your thing?"

Since I became an adult I have been unable to find out.

Nigel picked up his beer and poured some into a clean empty glass. "Give this a go." He passed it to the killer.

Michael sipped it and Joanne saw he was thinking. "Well?" she teased.

Hmm. Not bad.

"Michael," Nigel said slowly. "I'd really like to ask you a question, but I really don't want to… you know, push it or say the wrong thing."

Nigel, read this carefully. You are one of under ten people who will forever be safe from me. Nothing you say will put you in danger.

"Well thanks," the older man was touched by the killer's message. Bluntly worded as it may be he could also hear the kindness in it. "Well, ok. Why… why did you kill your sister at just 6? That's… that's no age to kill someone is it? Had she really pissed you off or something?" Nigel had lowered his voice as he spoke. "What about 1978?"

There was silence and Nigel could see Michael thinking over his question. No one broke it, waiting.

That I do not know. I just had a rage and anger building in me beyond anything I could control. All siblings may fight this is true, but I just felt certain she had to die.

There was another long silence after Joanne finished reading the message. No one spoke. For his part Nigel could hardly believe the killer had even answered his question, let alone so honestly. "Ok," he said slowly. "It was still there obviously in the leadup to 1978?"

It was. It was a lust for blood, predatory and insatiable.

Nigel felt himself shiver and was sure Joanne had done the same. "Now?" He asked softly.

It can be calmed, but only by one.

"Who's that then Michael?" She asked, her tone teasing. For answer, he took her hand as he was sitting opposite her and squeezed it. She squeezed back, blinking away tears of happiness at his words. Was this really true? Did she really hold the power to calm Michael's killing rage? Possibly saving someone's life in the process?

Look at Laurie strode, she thought. What was that all about if not? You appeared; Michael let her go.

Her chocolate sponge dripping with steaming custard was gorgeous. Once they'd all finished she asked to use the bathroom. Joanne stood up immediately and they walked off.

You're a good man.

Nigel reed Michael's latest message and raised his eyebrows. "Thank you? But why? What have I done that is so special?"

You saved Danielle's life.

"Wouldn't almost anyone? Well except Adam of course."

Or me.

"You'd have killed her on first meeting?" Nigel's voice held no hostility at all.

Of course I would. If given a chance when she was first at Smith's Grove I would have done so without hesitation.

"Why?" Nigel murmured, leaning towards Michael and lowering his voice once more.

Because it's who I am.

"Or was?" Nigel whispered. "You wouldn't touch her now would you? In fact as proven you'd kill anyone who hurts her. You have done three times already."

Michael sighed but nodded, Nigel and he locking eye contact. I still do not understand what she has done to me, not completely.

"Well of course you don't, you've never felt anything like this before right? From the need to kill to the need to love, they're two completely different emotions. If I suddenly went from love to wanting to kill, I think I'd be confused as fuck too!"

Hmm.

"But you know I'll help you in any way I can, right? If you need someone to talk to or a listening ear, I'm here. You have my number, use it."

I thank you and return the offer. That said, I still do not know how or why I fell in love with her. I've asked myself this constantly and can never come up with an answer.

"Sometimes love doesn't have answers," Nigel murmured, laying a hand on Michael's arm as their eyes remained locked. "Sometimes it just hits. It can come along when you least expect it and soften even the hardest heart."

You are not talking from experience, are you?

"No, Sophie and I were childhood sweethearts who married at 17 with our parents' consent. I couldn't even imagine life with anyone else but her Michael, she was my soul, my heart, my universe. I would've done anything for her and I tried my best to do so. You'd have loved her if you could've met her, she's the sweetest woman you'd ever have had the privilege of knowing."

Again, I am sorry for your loss.

"Thanks. But while we were together for almost 40 years, we were the happiest people alive. When we moved into the house next door to Danielle Sophie had been diagnosed and knew she didn't have long left. When we were told it was terminal, all she wanted to do was relax in a nice house with a small garden. That's how we found the one we lived in then."

You really do love her, don't you? I talk of both of them. I can see why you treat her as the daughter you never had.

"Sophie was my world and she's like my granddaughter. I am thrilled the Avery's have adopted her, no more than she or they deserve."

Agreed.

There was silence for a moment before Michael showed his notepad again.

I just wish I could stop worrying about her plans tomorrow evening.

Nigel squeezed his arm. "Like I said that's no crime, in fact it makes sense. If I'm honest I'd be a little concerned if you weren't I think. It's not like this is a wedding, graduation or something, it's an execution. Albeit of a purely evil man."

I don't know if I should tell her how I'm feeling or not?

Nigel noticed the question mark and realised the killer was asking for his advice. "There's no harm in doing so," he said after thinking for a second. "It will show her someone really loves and cares about her. Just make sure it's crystal clear you're not…"

Stopping her from going, I know. I'd already thought of that, that's the last thing I want her to think, but of course I know and completely understand why she might.

"So if she asks you if she can go or tries to, don't even let her finish the question that's my advice."

Wise words.

Nigel smiled at the other man. "But also remember she has damn good reason for witnessing it. Please don't tell her this, but Dr Loomis himself wrote to the prison and verified what she had told them, because I think they were going to refuse as too short notice and Chancer had never been mentioned as killing one of the 'Hayward' family. But Dr Loomis put his foot down and that's why they accepted. But she doesn't know that."

That makes sense, Dr Loomis is a good man too. I have a lot of respect for him.

"Of course you do, he's been your doctor for thirty-five years. But I agree with you, he's a good man. He really cares about the people he treats, works with and meets."

Now you are talking from experience aren't you.

Nigel could see this time it wasn't a question. He grinned. "Yeah, but I didn't mean to. I started talking about Sophie and he cornered me in an office and gently pushed me to talk to him, I hadn't even planned it! You know I even tried to give him money for it afterwards? He just shook his head at me and walked away! I've tried since too, but he's not having any of it. Now he's paying for my damn dinner?" Michael chuckled softly.

He is kind hearted, this is true.

The women arrived back at the table at that moment but didn't speak, clearly detecting something was being discussed purely between Nigel and Michael. But as they sat down Nigel smiled at him before turning his head. "Hey ladies. Anyone want any more to drink or are we ready to hit the road?"

Unable to resist as Dr Loomis had insisted it was free, she took another apple juice. Following her lead, the others ordered another drink too.

Half an hour later they were back in the car heading towards Smith's Grove. She yawned softly. "Wow I'm tired and cars always make me feel sleepy."

The others chuckled. "Get your head down if you want to for a bit D," Nigel said. "It's about 40 minutes back."

"Nah, I'm ok," she smiled at him. "Just the sensation of driving makes me sleepy, plus I've just eaten a huge meal."

"Yes that was lovely," Joanne agreed. "Thank you for driving us Nigel. Do you want gas money?"

"Now don't be ridiculous," Nigel said firmly. "I won't hear that from any of you! It was my pleasure!"

Before long they were back at the gates and the guards once more checked the trunk, then let them back through.

"Daren," Danielle said, having recognised the guard's voice.

"Hey you," he greeted cheerfully.

"Everyone knows you now don't they?" Nigel joked. "Once met never forgotten!"

"Why check the trunk going back in? Out I can understand, but why back in?"

"Because we've got a list of things which are forbidden within Smith's Grove," Darren said. "Knives, weapons, explosives and so on."

"Damn!" Nigel pretended to slap his forehead. "I knew I should've put Danielle in the trunk then! She's a right little fire cracker when you pull her pin and make her angry, goes off with a bang!"

Everyone laughed including Darren as he pressed the button to open the heavy, reinforced security gates.

When they got back into the block, Dr Loomis was waiting for them.

"Thank you so much for paying for dinner," the three said together. Dr Loomis chuckled.

"You're more than welcome."

"You really shouldn't have," Nigel said in a mock stern tone. "That should've been me."

"Well it wasn't, so…" Dr Loomis grinned.

"I think Joanne enjoyed her small wine," she laughed.

"Now Joanne Turner!" Dr Loomis said but they all knew he was joking. "I don't know, drinking and then coming back to work? Simply unbelievable!"

"I'm sorry Sir," Joanne said. "Then perhaps you shouldn't invite me to these lovely social events and then not give me leave afterwards?" Everyone laughed again.

"I'm so glad you all enjoyed yourselves," the doctor smiled at them. "Michael, how was it?" The killer raised his notepad.

Very nice. I too thank you Dr Loomis. Not only for the meal, but also for giving me the chance.

Joanne and Nigel looked away, clearly understanding this was private. "Nige, can I come for a cup of tea in your suite before bed? Would that be ok?"

"Now what are you asking me for? Of course darling. I need to put the car back in the parking space anyway. Dr Loomis authorised me to park it outside the ward, but I want to put it back in the right place."

"Don't worry about it…" Dr Loomis started. "I told you you…"

"No it's fine doc honestly," Nigel smiled. "D wants to have a cup of tea with me before bed anyway, so I'll drive her back and then we'll take the shuttle."

"Ok," Dr Loomis said. "But only if you're going anyway. Otherwise if you decide to drive back, you keep it there as long as you need Nigel. Ok?"

"Understood boss," Nigel mocked saluted and Dr Loomis rolled his eyes but grinned.

After dropping Danielle's bag back in their cell, they got back into his hire car to drive the short distance to his suite. "You don't mind using the shuttle?" He asked her. "I mean after… I can drive you back if you'd prefer?"

"No don't be silly," she said firmly. "Charlotte wouldn't want me to avoid the shuttle purely because she showed me them. She'd probably tell me off for it actually."

"Now on that you're probably right," Nigel said affectionately as he started the car and pulled away from the block doors.

Just as they arrived at the suite her phone pinged with a text. She pulled it out and smiled slightly. "What is it babes?" Nigel asked.

"It's from Rick," she said.

Hi, this is Rick. Before I go any further I want to say save this number, it's my personal cell in case you need me. Now I'll move onto tomorrow. I will be in at about 8AM and Dr Loomis has booked us one of the big conference rooms again like you sat in earlier today. We will meet up in there and discuss how tomorrow evening is going to work. Yes before you ask, Michael can be there if you want so he's in the loop. See you in the morning, have a good night. Your friend, R.

She passed her phone to Nigel who read it and smiled. "He's a good man Rick," he said. She nodded in agreement. They got out of the car and headed towards the door of his suite, which he opened with a key card and they entered. It was pretty much the same as she remembered from being in one with Charlotte. She sat on the huge leather sofa and Nigel headed into the small kitchen to put the kettle on to boil, having refused to allow her to help. Just as he laid the tray on the coffee table her phone pinged again. This time the text said three simple words.

I love you. M.

Suddenly she felt the sting of tears and before she could stop them Nigel had noticed. Immediately he sat beside her and his arms were around her as she broke down into his shoulder. "Sorry," she sobbed eventually, trying to regain control. "I think my emotions are all mixed up. I can't believe Michael Myers; the, Michael Myers loves me and has told me that." She showed him the message. "So I'm so happy, but sometimes I still feel so sad! Charlotte, everything we both went through with Adam who yes is now dead but it doesn't take away the pain sometimes, the memories, the terror…"

"Of course it doesn't sweetheart," he cradled her close. "Something like that will take a long time to completely recover from, that's if you ever can. There's no shame in that at all. None."

"I know," she sniffled. "I'm so sorry Nige, I didn't ask to come back with you for tea and a good cry, that wasn't on the agenda."

"Hey," Nigel said firmly. "You need to cry, then cry. I'm here for you always, you know that don't you?"

"Yes," she wiped her eyes on the soft tissue he handed her. "Thanks grandad, of course I do. But I still didn't plan it!" Nigel stroked her back.

"You know sometimes we all need a good cry, right? I wouldn't be surprised if even Michael has let his emotions out in one way or another in his life."

"Yeah," she smiled a little queasily. "By killing someone."

"Well…" he hesitated. "That, may be true yes."

"I just…" she stripped off her shirt then lowered her pants, showing him all her scars. "Motherfucker," she heard him growl. "Christ if Michael hadn't killed him I would've!"

"It's just… she hesitated, trying to find the right words. "Now I've talked about this with Michael yes. He said all they show is that I'm a fighter, I'm brave and I shouldn't think about the cause anymore."

"On this Michael Myers is correct," Nigel said. "In every word he said to you there."

"I… I know," she slumped back onto the sofa. "It's just… they're everywhere. I hate them. Michael told me off for saying this but please don't Nige, I just have to say it. They make me feel so ugly. Now maybe I'm not, hell Michael Myers loves me for fuck sake! But… I don't know! It's like I said to Michael, I feel like even from beyond the grave Adam's taunting me, having the last laugh."

"Then don't let him honey," Nigel pulled her into his arms again. "He can't hurt you anymore, that's not possible to do without one's head. So don't even let him have that power over you, you've already won!"

"I know you're right," she admitted with a faint smile. "I just wish there was something I could do… you know about these scars."

"It's no different to being a soldier in war," Nigel said. "They've got battle scars too yet they're still the victors! That's you!" He poured out the tea and handed her a white chocolate cookie. She smiled at him properly this time. "After that dinner? Seriously? Wow thanks Nige. Where did you get them from?" He handed her the packet. "I bought them on the way up." She was astonished, the package was huge. "Oh, and I should also add, I um… might have sneaked another two packets in to your cell through a certain Michael Myers, you'll find them in your big desk draw."

"Nigel," she said sternly. "You shouldn't have, I… thank you!"

"You're welcome, but I of course had to buy another one just in case this very thing happened. No keep hold of it," he added as she made to pass it back. "Take it back with you when we go back."

"I'll get really fat if I eat all these," she objected weakly.

"Good!" Nigel said. "You need to get some weight back on you Madam, you're skin and bone thanks to that twat! You need feeding up! Emma agrees with me. Why do you think she gave you all that junk food to take back?"

"You need to stop fussing over me," she muttered.

"Not going to happen kiddo," Nigel said. "We love you so that means some serious fussing. We're not sorry for it either."

"Seriously," she tried to sound annoyed but failed. They hugged again tightly. "Nige," she said after a while. "Does mom know I'm witnessing Chancer's execution tomorrow?"

"Yes she does. She's right behind you believe it or not. She thinks like us that you deserve the chance."

"Ha, the chance, how appropriate!"

For a second she knew he didn't twig, but then he laughed. "Ha, pun intended! A chance to see Chancer die!" She smirked, but then grew serious again. "Really?" She was surprised. "Wow. I wasn't expecting that response."

"I think sometimes you underestimate your mom you know."

"You might be right," she chuckled a little. She didn't mean to fall asleep on the sofa, she'd only lane back for a bit as it was so comfortable. She didn't even feel it when Nigel gently placed a blanket over her and gave her a pillow, before quietly closing the door. Once in the master bedroom, he picked up his phone and texted Michael.

She won't be back tonight; she's fallen asleep on my sofa and I don't have the heart to wake her. Sorry Michael. Michael's reply came back within a minute.

That does not surprise me. I will let Dr Loomis know. Good night to you both. M.

Nigel couldn't deny he was a little surprised, but at the same time felt a rush of respect for Michael. What had he expected? The killer to demand she returned to him? Not likely! He wasn't Adam, Nigel knew that. He was giving her the freedom to do what she wanted when she wanted, the exact thing she should have had all her life. He sat on his bed and sipped from a glass of water from a jug Dr Loomis had made sure was there for him. He wasn't even a patient, yet the doctor was treating him so kindly and really seemed to care about him and his welfare. Forcing the thoughts of Adam out of his mind, he went into the lounge again. "Honey," he murmured, softly shaking her shoulder. She stirred a little. "I've told Michael you're not coming back tonight he's fine with it. Come on, take the bed."

"I can't," she said sleepily. "That's yours."

"Babes I'll be fine on the sofa, come on you!" Before she could protest any further, he pulled her up gently by the arm and guided her into the bedroom. "Oh, no need," he smiled. He hadn't realised there were two beds there as he'd only seen the room briefly. "Perfect. Come on missy, get in that bed." She smiled at him and didn't object. Nigel stripped off and pulled on his own night clothes before taking the other one. She heard her phone ping.

Sleep well, I will see you tomorrow morning. M.

She smiled at her phone, then text back. Love you. She was so tired. Putting her phone on the nightstand beside her bed she rolled over and was soon fast asleep, snoring quietly.

Nigel smiled lovingly at her as he listened to her gentle snores. He adored this woman; he'd do anything for her. Whatever she needed from him he would do. He was already considering buying her and Michael a gift, something they needed or wanted. But what? He would have to speak to Dr Loomis about it in the morning. With another affectionate look at her sleeping form, he closed his eyes too and was soon fast asleep himself.

…

Twelve hours to execution:

Now, Derek was seriously trying not to panic. He had two hours remaining to himself and then… he took a deep breath and stared at himself in the tiny little mirror behind thick security Perspex. He was unsurprised to see he looked terrible. Pale, tired and gaunt. Truly a dying man. The guard had taken him for his shower when he'd asked at just after midnight and he'd then pulled on his 'death clothes.' Wearing suit pants and a white shirt again he hoped would make him feel… more like himself, like a man. But in fact it was the opposite. They purely reminded him he was about to die and that he actually had no dignity left.

He smoothed out the collar of his shirt and felt the tailored creases in his black suit pants. NO! He shouted at himself. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DIE LIKE THIS DEREK! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE SHOWING THE WHOLE WORLD YOU'RE STILL A MAN AND THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT FROM YOU RIGHT TO THE END! LOOK THOSE CUNTS STRAIGHT IN THE EYES AS THEY PULL THAT FUCKING SWITCH THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO! Those words sounded great now, however when he was actually strapped in the chair that was another matter. But he knew he had to stay strong and be true to his word if only to himself. He wasn't at all a believer in any kind of religion or afterlife as he'd thought previously. But now his execution was this near, he wondered if he would have to re-evaluate that position. When father Fletcher arrived at 8AM, he might have to ask him more about God, Jesus all that stuff. As it seemed he really was about to die (he couldn't deny it even to himself anymore) maybe he should make things right with him above if he even existed just in case.

"Shit," he breathed. "Fuck!" There was no other word for it, he was now absolutely terrified of the next few hours ahead and the worse part was there was absolutely nothing he could do to change what was about to happen to him. He was about to take his seat in 'old sparky' and ride the lightning. Fuck this bullshit, he thought. Can't we just get this fucking circus started now? This is so fucking unfair and cruel! How do you think your forty-two victims felt then? The thought was so unexpected he winced. Why did he care how those bitches had felt? He'd fucked, killed and tortured them and that was all there was to it. But now it's your turn boy! You're facing death just like they all did. "For fuck's sake," he said aloud. He had to stop this stupid pointless battle with his own thoughts. What was the fucking point? He was almost out of time. Arguing with his own head wouldn't help in any way. That said nothing would and he knew that.

Thompson was coming to see him soon of course, another who was allowed to be with him from 8 but couldn't follow him to the chair. Only Father Fletcher was allowed that honour. He sneered at that last word. Honour? Doubtlessly the little shit would love every second of it. He knew Derek Chancer's crimes of course he'd read his whole fucking file! It was very likely that inside past his sad and comforting persona, he'd cheer like every other fucker when that switch was pulled in twelve hours' time! "Fucker," he whispered again. "Go and shag your wife after I'm dead asshole!" Fuck! He really was going crazy. He was talking to himself again. But as he'd thought before was it really a surprise? He was about to die after all, surely that earned him the right to go insane? Approaching the bars, he called out softly to his death guards. "Hey boys, can't we just get this fucking show rolling? We've only got just under two hours and there's no way in fuck I'll sleep, duh!"

"Sorry Derek," one of them said. "Father Fletcher isn't in until 8AM."

"Yeah I fucking know that," he snapped. "But I can't just sit here… fucking waiting! Can't you just shove me in the chair and pull the fucking switch already?" Of course the guard ignored him, but what else could he do? Inside Derek knew that, but it didn't stop him saying the words. Sitting back down on his hard bed, he felt a twinge of pain in his back. Those beds were not designed or meant to be comfortable of course, and back ache had plagued him for the last two days as a result. He picked up the legal papers, started glancing at and trying to read them, but the words just seemed to blur before his eyes. It was as though his eyes at least were accepting the battle was lost and were getting ready to die now. He slammed the papers down again in utter frustration and yes, terror. Thompson wasn't going to get him out of this and deep down he knew it. Derek Chancer, was indeed out of chances.