When her alarm went off at 6:30AM, Danielle at first didn't know what it was. She stretched out her hand and sleepily groped for her phone to silence it. "Good morning hon," Nigel's voice said sleepily from the other bed. "Is it that time already?"

"Sadly yes," she said reluctantly, pulling herself out of bed as Nigel did likewise. Pulling on the clothes she'd worn the previous evening, she headed into the lounge then the kitchen to put on the kettle. She needed a cup of tea before doing anything else! Nigel walked in a few minutes later and she handed him his tea. "Thanks babes," he yawned and sat beside her on the sofa. "Are you going back to the hospital today?"

"Hmm I think so. Emma said I should stay as long as you needed me and so did Dr Loomis come to that. He said every day these suites are cleaned if someone is staying in one and I could have this one as long as I needed it at no cost! He's too kind." She felt her heart lift, but was worried about asking. "What?" Nigel asked, obviously detecting what she was thinking. God! Was she that easy to read? "Would you mind staying here another night?" She asked. "Just so I can talk to you about… you know, tonight?"

"Of course hon," he said immediately. "I packed enough clothes and things I just need to phone the car company to secure the car for another day, but that's no problem of course I will." A little while later they walked towards the shuttle station. Nigel had asked her again if she was sure she wanted to take a shuttle and she'd nodded firmly. "Charlotte would want me to," she said softly. Nigel hadn't argued further and soon they were inside. She hit the button Charlotte had shown her and within seconds a shuttle arrived, they climbed aboard and sat down. "Welcome to the Smith's Grove shuttle system, please select your desired destination." Nigel tapped the instructions into the touch screen having asked her if she wanted to do it with him, but she just smiled and told him it was fine. "Thank you, your journey to your desired destination will commence in fifteen seconds. Please fasten your seatbelts, relax and enjoy your trip. You will reach your destination in approximately three minutes."

"It's like science fiction," Nigel quipped as he sat back in his seat and they fastened their seatbelts. She laughed. "I said exactly the same thing!" Once again she hardly felt it as the shuttle pulled smoothly away from the station. She was surprised to find that three minutes was a hell of a long time to think. She thought about the day ahead, what she was about to bear witness too. A man dying in the electric chair. She didn't however wonder if she really wanted to do it her mind was made up. But she also knew it wasn't something she would ever forget. How many people got to witness an execution in their lives after all? But with everything Chancer had put her through which could've very easily got her killed as well as compromising her safety to the limit, she also couldn't deny there was a part of her which couldn't wait to hear that he was dead and to sit there while it happened. The son of a bitch deserved everything he was about to get. If she was honest, she was almost sorry she couldn't pull the switch herself.

When they arrived back at the high care ward Dr Loomis was waiting for them. "Good morning," he greeted. "Did you both sleep alright?"

"Like a log," they both said together and the doctor chuckled. "I'm really glad to hear that."

"Dr Loomis," Nigel said. "she's asked me if I could stay tonight too so she can speak to me after… when she gets back. Is that ok?"

"Of course it is, I already told you that. I'll get your suite freshened up for you today."

"Thank you so much," the other man said gratefully. "You're too kind Dr Loomis."

"Not at all," Dr Loomis smiled. "It's my pleasure. Care to escort her into the dining room?"

"Thanks," Nigel said, still flattered how far Dr Loomis was allowing him to go. Before they moved however, the doctor clarified. "You both should get some breakfast, go on with you." Neither of them argued. "Told you he's a good man," she said as William escorted them towards the patient's dining room. Nigel nodded and squeezed her arm. "Indeed he is." They entered and he told her Michael was waiting at one of the tables. Something must have shown in her expression because he whistled softly and nudged her. "You're blushing, Miss Avery." They got their food and crossed to sit with Michael, who was chained by wrists and ankles. "Morning," they both said to him in unison. Nigel saw the killer look up and was that a slight smile on his lips? They began to eat and a couple of minutes later Michael made to stand. "Nah man," Nigel said immediately, standing himself. "Let me get what you need. Honest it's fine. Sit down, can't be easy to walk in those carrying stuff. What do you want?" He could see Michael was looking for his notepad, so pulled out a pen from his pocket and his diary. Tearing out a blank page, he passed it to Michael.

I appreciate it Nigel, but only if you are sure?

"Yep, it's not a problem at all Michael. What are you after?"

Then I thank you again. A black coffee please?

"Yep two secs," he was gone. She stood up and approached Michael, leaning in and kissing his lips softly. She reflected that only a few weeks ago she wouldn't have dared do that. How things had changed. Michael laid his cuffed hand on her arm. "Morning darling," she murmured. "Sorry about last night I just totally crashed!" His warm hand rested on her cheek and she realised again that in his chains he was unable to reach or use his phone. "I love you," she whispered in his left ear, before affectionately pulling it. He chuckled softly as she hugged him before going back to her seat. Nigel joined them a few seconds later and passed Michael his coffee.

Thank you.

"You're welcome," Nigel smiled at the killer. He then leant towards him and spoke softly. "Please trust me Michael?" He then gently reached into the killer's pants pocket and laid his phone in front of him on the table. He was certain Michael smiled at him and he touched the killer's cuffed arm. "You're welcome anytime," he whispered. He retook his seat beside her opposite Michael and passed her some more food. "Wow," she said. "Do you seriously expect me to eat all that?"

"Yes I do," he said sternly. "It's like I told you last night, you need fattening up! Your mother gave me very specific instructions before I left."

"I bet she did," she said affectionately, blinking back tears. Even while Charlotte was in a desperate battle for her life, their mother was bossing Danielle around to make sure she ate.

"Yeah, so if you want my advice you'll eat all that food, she'll be asking me I guarantee you.

"The scary thing is I know you're right," she said starting to eat. "I'll do my best that's all I can say."

"Can't say fairer than that," he squeezed her arm.

"What time is it?" She felt for her phone in her pocket.

"It's 07:30AM," Nigel said. "Are you getting… nervous?"

"I don't even know if nervous is the word. I think more… like wo, what the hell am I about to witness?" Now her phone did ping with a text. She pulled it out. It was Michael. Someone must've got his phone out of his pocket for him, as he could not have reached it wearing his chains. Her heart swelled with affection for Nigel she was sure it'd been him.

Your…

That was all the message said, which told her he was thinking. Neither she nor Nigel pushed him, just waited giving him the time he needed.

Your destination this evening concerns me.

"Really?" She asked, surprised. "Why?"

"I'll be back in a sec," Nigel stood up. She could see through it though; she knew he was really giving her and Michael privacy. "Morning Dr Loomis," she heard him say and wondered if that was just a tactic to fool her or if the doctor really was there. Michael tried to reach to touch her but his chains didn't allow it. She heard them clink loudly and the last thing she wanted was Michael angry, so she immediately stood up and crossed to sit beside him feeling her way around the table. As soon as she sat, his hand was on her arm.

You should have allowed me to move to you.

"It's ok," she smiled at him. "I knew there was nothing on the floor it's fine. What were you saying darling?" He sighed softly and the hand on her arm turned into a gentle squeeze. She placed hers on top of his. "You're worried about where I'm going tonight?"

I am.

"Why? Would you rather I…" immediately his warm hand was gently resting against her mouth. Not enough to cover it, but she understood his meaning instantly.

Don't ask me that question. Please? I am and would never stop you from doing whatever you want to do or feel is right. I know you have very good reasons indeed for witnessing this execution, I just please… ask you to take care?" M.

At this, she couldn't help herself. Standing she wrapped her arms around him holding him as tightly as she could. She felt him tense a little but by now understood why. He was frustrated he couldn't return the affectionate contact due to his chains. "Hey shh, it's ok," she murmured in his ear, hugging him even tighter. "I know you would if you could, just let me love you ok?" She softly kissed his lips. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder then before she heard the clinking of keys. "It's me," said Dr Loomis' voice in her ear. "Let me take care of this problem for you." She stepped back and next moment Michael's arms were tight around her, as he stood up to hold her properly. Releasing her with one arm, she was certain he'd just shaken the doctor's hand. Awe struck her all over again. This was all really because of her influence? Sometimes even now she still couldn't believe it. "You're welcome Michael," Dr Loomis said softly. Maybe he'd shown him a message too? "Are you both done?"

"Yes," she said and Michael must've nodded. Affection hit her all over again for the psychiatrist when as Michael took her left arm Dr Loomis took her right. Together, they guided her down the corridors. "How are you?" the doctor asked her.

"Um, I'm not sure," she said truthfully. "Apprehensive? A little nervous I think? Or maybe just like wo what the heck am I about to be a witness to? Don't get me wrong I don't want to miss it and he deserves every God damn second of it for what he's done, but… you know?"

"Of course. Of course I understand where you're coming from and what you're saying."

"Of course you do," she said, affectionately squeezing his arm, his suit jacket soft under her fingers. "Because you're an amazing and damn good psychiatrist. It feels like you can read me like a book sometimes."

He chuckled and returned the squeeze. "Well thank you. But it's only my job."

"Bullshit!" She squeezed again. "I said this to Joanne, Rick and Jack and I'll say it to you too! Don't tell me it's just a job, you've done a lot more for me than you were ever expected to by the psychiatry rule books and you damn well know it. Being kind to me, helping to rescue me when I was kidnapped, giving Michael and I a chance, need I go on?"

Now Dr Loomis stopped, turned to face her and to her shock but happiness actually pulled her into a hug. She didn't have to see it to be pretty sure Michael was smiling. She hugged him back tightly. "Wow," he said as he released her. "Who are you and what have you done with Danielle? Well, apart from being an Avery now?"

"I've said those very same words myself," said Joanne's voice as she walked towards her. "Hello you," Joanne said, pulling her into a hug too. "How are you?"

"Everyone keeps asking me that," she grinned. "You know I'm not the one going to the chair, right?"

Everyone chuckled, including Michael. "That's as maybe but you're still witnessing it happen, how was your little unexpected overnight stay last night?"

"How did you…" she began.

"Ah. Now I couldn't possibly reveal that to you could I?" Joanne took her arm along with Michael this time Dr Loomis walking beside them. "Secrecy and all that."

"Oh yeah," she laughed. "If you tell me you'll have to kill me kind of stuff!"

"Absolutely!" Chuckling, the four of them reached the conference room. "Hey," she said. "I just thought. How do you open the doors from the outside if you're the first to arrive?"

Dr Loomis sighed dramatically. "Ah, Joanne. We have to tell her even more of our secrets. This is becoming a fast security risk!"

"Sorry," she said perfectly seriously. "I left my spy ID at home, and I forgot my suit and sunglasses. Do you need me to sign a confidentiality contract?"

"What are you like," Joanne said affectionately, now putting her hand on a square shaped button on the wall identical to the one inside. "Give that a push." She did so and the doors silently hissed open. They entered and she was once more directed to the head of the table, Michael again on her left. "Hey kiddo," it was Nigel who took his previous seat on her right.

"Do you mind if I stay?" Dr Loomis asked. "I can help if needed when discussing how today will work."

"Why are you even asking me?" She smiled at the doctor. "It's your conference room!"

"It's your meeting," he countered.

"Of course you can," she said, flattered he was seriously asking her permission not even as a joke.

"Thank you," he sat down across from her.

"Is Joanne still here?"

"Oh yes, you can't get rid of me that easily! Why, do you want me to leave?"

"Shut up," she sighed in exasperation. "Of course not, duh!"

"Hey everyone," it was Rick, the final member of the meeting. He entered and she again hit the familiar button to close the doors.

Unable to resist she then pressed the microphone button, checking it only worked in room one where they were. The chime sounded. "Ok guys shut it, sit down this meeting's about to start. Oh sorry, was I meant to say your attention please? I apologise for my lack of professionalism and experience in public address announcing!" She turned them off and everyone was laughing. She couldn't help it and joined in. "You are such a tinker," Nigel teased, hugging her. "Just knew you wouldn't be able to resist doing that!"

Again Dr Loomis seemed to know what she was thinking before she'd even spoken. "Go on," he said good naturedly. "I could kill a coffee! Jerry's on duty this morning too!"

She felt happiness shoot up in her chest and didn't want to stop it. She could not believe how much they were allowing her to do for the simple reason it cheered her up. She of course didn't see Nigel's affectionate smile at the doctor. Reaching forward, she pressed the call bell. Within a minute she heard the sound of happy whistling. Now she realise what must've happened. Dr Loomis had told Jerry this would happen. She felt a rush of affection hit her for Jerry this time. He was a good man and his white chocolate cookies were to die for! The doorbell rang and she opened the doors. Jerry entered, still whistling away.

"Good morning everyone," he said in his cheerful Irish accent she loved so much. "What can I do for you all this lovely morning?"

"Can we have a pot of tea please?" She asked.

"Of course darling. Anything else?"

"Flask of coffee as well please," Dr Loomis said with a grin. "Not all of us are tea drinkers!"

"Sure! Oh and you won't believe this…" Jerry paused dramatically, then lowered his voice to a whisper. "I've made some more white chocolate cookies!"

"No," She groaned, feeling her mouth water immediately. "Oh my God Jerry, you knew I wouldn't be able to resist those! I swear you put a secret ingredient in them to make them irresistible."

"Nope, because that would mean putting myself in them!" Everyone laughed at this. "Just good old coco powder! I'll be right back!" Within five minutes he returned bearing a huge pot of tea, milk and sugar, plus another of coffee and a massive plate of white chocolate cookies. When she felt the size of the plate she gasped. "Wow! You seriously expecting us to eat all those?"

"Maybe not in this meeting," Jerry smiled. "But I hear you're venturing out today? Thought you could take some with you, you might need them." She couldn't help turning towards Dr Loomis in mock suspicion. The Psychiatrist raised his hands. "I'm innocent," he said. Jerry had just turned to leave again when she lightly touched his arm. "Jerry?"

"Yes darling?" She smiled at him. "Can I ask you something? She closed the doors.

"Uh oh," Jerry said in mock fear. "She's shut me in! Should I be scared?"

"Terrified," Joanne, Rick, Nigel and Dr Loomis said together.

"Hey!" She said trying to sound indignant but it failed as she too started to laugh. "No, I just wondered Jerry…"

"Oh this might take a while," Jerry fake sighed, sat down and began pouring them all a drink. Everyone smiled at him. He poured himself a coffee then handed round the cookies, taking one himself.

"You're not busy are you?" She asked suddenly seriously.

"Nope," Jerry confirmed. "All's good in the kitchen's right now. There's your tea, milk two sugars right?" He passed it to her and she nodded, smiling. "Thanks Jez."

"Jez, eh?" he chuckled. "I get called that a lot. So Madam head of this meeting, how may I be of assistance to you this morning Mam?"

"Oh shut up," she lightly punched his arm. "No it's just… you're Irish. How did you come to be here in Illinois?"

He chuckled again. "My parents were Irish and the accent must have come down to me. I was born in Dublin but my parents decided to move here when I was 12."

"Why?"

"To be honest with you sweetheart I don't actually know. Maybe they just didn't like Dublin? My father wanted to work on cars and obviously the US love their engines, and mum… sorry mom wanted to work in a huge retail store. So she now works in the huge shopping mall in the centre of IL.

"But why here? You could've gone anywhere? The US is huge after all!"

"I don't know. I think they like IL because of the views. Has anyone told you? There are stunning views if you know where to look, also it's quiet most of the time where we lived."

"But in winter it's freezing!" She shuddered a little. "Why not go to Australia or somewhere?"

He laughed. "Ask my dad honey he made the decision."

Do your parents still live here?"

"Yep. Dad's retired now but mom's adamant she wants to work a little bit longer. I'm 28, mom's 50 and dad is 62."

"Isn't that a bit early to retire?"

"He made a fortune from his car business so decided he'd had enough. He set up his own business from scratch over here."

"Do you think you'll ever go back to Dublin? I don't mean to stay but to visit?"

"Um, to be honest I doubt it. I don't have much left from the place. Well accept the accent," he nudged her shoulder. She laughed.

"So now I've been interrogated Madam, I think fair's fair. Tell me a bit about you?"

"Fair enough," she grinned. "Um let's see. I'll be 20 on Christmas day this year and I've been totally blind since birth. I'm adopted as of last week, my best friends parents adopted me. You remember Charlotte who came up to visit me a few times?"

"Ah yes," Jerry said after a moment's thought. "Nice girl."

"She certainly is," she smiled a little sadly.

"I heard about what happened," Jerry's voice was gentle. "I'm sorry. But she'll come back I promise you! When she does I'll give her a whole batch of my white chocolate cookies, that's a promise!" She couldn't help it now and stood, pulling the young Irishman into a hug. He hugged her back. "Thank you Jerry," she said sincerely. "Then she'd better wake up because they are out of this world!"

"Yeah," Joanne agreed. "If that isn't a motive for her to come back to us then I don't know what is! Jerry's white chocolate cookies? They'll wake anyone out of a coma!" Everyone smiled. She continued with her story.

"To be honest I can't remember what I told you, but I was admitted here following a suicide attempt after horrific domestic abuse. This man here," she poked Nigel's shoulder. "Nigel was my neighbour and he saved my life that day. Cut me down from the garage when I was hanging by the neck to end it all!"

Jerry clapped Nigel on the back. "Good man! Well done, would've been a terrible loss to us all!"

"You're telling me," Nigel said.

"So yeah as time went on, I got close to a certain man named Michael Myers," she lightly nudged Michael's arm.

"I know," Jerry wolf whistled. "I wish you both nothing but the best."

"Thanks."

"Can I ask, why were you adopted? What happened to your parents?"

She laughed humourlessly. "They fucked off and abandoned me when I was 15 because I'm blind. Sent me a text saying they didn't want anything further to do with me because of it as 'I'm not perfect,'" She put air quotes around the last three words. "So they were disowning me."

"Fucking hell," Jerry sounded horrified. "What the fuck?" She smiled a little more genuinely this time. "Hey their loss, my gain. The Avery's are the best family in the whole world and they truly love me. I'm thrilled to be Charlotte's sister. So when she wakes up while we devour white chocolate cookies by the load of course, I will tell her the good news! Well she might say bad, but…"

This time it was Jerry to hug her. "Now that's a real motive to wake up," he murmured. She couldn't help it and softly kissed his cheek. He squeezed her tightly. "She'll come back," he said softly. "I promise."

"Course she will with your cookies on the table," she blinked back tears. "Thanks Jez."

"You're the only one who's allowed to call me that," Jerry warned as she sat down and he poured and passed her another tea. "Right, better get back to work. Thanks for the chat, was lovely to get to know you better. Mr. Myers, look after her for us will you?" Dr Loomis could hardly believe what he was seeing as Michael now stood up and shook hands with the young chef. With a cheerful 'bye,', Jerry left the room starting to whistle again.

"Sorry," she apologised. "I know that wasn't planned, but…"

"Now what are you saying sorry for?" Joanne and Dr Loomis said together.

"Uh, well nothing I guess," she mumbled, knowing she'd just been put in her place.

"He's a lovely guy is Jerry," Rick smiled. "I've met him a few times, always have a little chat when I go down to the kitchens or see him in the corridors. Got a lot of time for him."

"I can see why," she nodded. "He's lovely."

"Him, or just his white chocolate cookies?" Joanne teased. She pretended to be thinking. "Um, both. Although his cookies are amazing!"

There were a few minutes of companionable silence while everyone sipped their hot drinks and ate another cookie, then Rick spoke. "Ok before we start planning," she checked her phone. It was almost 9. "Please," Rick laid his warm hand on her arm. "Please, please just humour me for a minute. Are you absolutely sure you want to come with me for this? I will more than understand believe me if you've changed your mind."

She stood up and pulled him into a hug. "No Rick," she murmured into his shoulder. "I am absolutely 100% certain. After what he did to both of us hell yes I'm sure!"

"Ok," he hugged her back then released her. She retook her seat. "I just had to ask that once."

"I genuinely appreciate your concern," she said sincerely. "I really do Rick. Thanks for your text last night by the way."

"You're welcome."

"You gave her your personal number?" Joanne sounded mock terrified. "Rick, how could you! We've got ourselves a stalker!" Everyone laughed. Joanne reached forward and took the phone from her hand. She didn't question it, she trusted Joanne turner implicitly. When her guard and now friend handed it back she pretended to sound devastated. "What have I done? Oh no! She's got my personal cell number too now! Shit! I made a mistake!"

She stood up and hugged her as tightly as she could. "I love you Joanne," she murmured into her ear. Joanne hugged her back just as tightly. She sat down and sent Joanne a text so she would have her number in return. "Got it," Joanne confirmed a second later.

"Ok," Rick began. "Death Row is about 3 hours from here in the opposite direction from Haddonfield so it'll be a long drive. Dr Loomis insisted on giving us a driver, just in case I can't after… you know, seeing it."

"That was in fact a lie," Dr Loomis interjected. "I've actually arranged for you to fly there. James will meet you at the airport at 11."

"Seriously?" they said in unison. "That must be costing Smith's Grove a fortune," she finished.

"Seriously," Dr Loomis confirmed.

"Wo, um thanks," Rick said. "Ok so that… changes things somewhat. The flight will take about ninety minutes I reckon so we'll land just after 01:30PM give or take if we're taking off by 11:30. That will give us time to get something to eat if you want before heading to the prison. When we get there, we'll both be thoroughly searched of course and we have to leave all electronic devices in the car. I take it a driver's meeting us at the airport?" He asked Dr Loomis.

"Yes," the doctor confirmed. "That part about the driver is true."

"Ok, from the airport it's about another hour's drive to the prison, which will work perfectly as we have to be there by 4PM." He turned to Michael. "Michael, can I borrow your phone a sec please?" Silently of course the killer handed it to him. They heard the soft beeping as Rick tapped keys. "Thanks," Rick said after a moment, handing it back. "My numbers in there now enabling me to text you if necessary and you'll recognise it's me. Please bear in mind there will be at least two hours of radio silence while… we're on Death Row." The killer nodded to the guard. "It's…" Rick paused. Even given who was involved, it was still an execution a man was dying. "Happening at 6PM, but they need time to security check us and so on."

She nodded. "Can I ask a couple of questions?"

"Of course, is that a question?" Rick chuckled. "It's your meeting remember?"

"I just wondered… does anyone know if… if I'll hear anything?"

"If Chancer has any last words to say you'll hear those," Dr Loomis said. "He'll speak through a microphone in the Death Chamber linked to the witness room. It's two way glass which means they can see him and he can see the witnesses."

"I mean," she swallowed. "From the… the chair?"

"Possibly," Rick said. "Electricity makes a humming sound when a generator is turned on so you may very well here that. I doubt you'll hear anything from Chancer himself, maybe the odd moan of fear just before it happens but that's doubtful. They normally turn the mikes off to stop witnesses hearing that stuff."

"I…" she hesitated. "I really, really don't want to sound like a bitch, but is there any way you could give me a… a signal when…"

"The electrocution starts?" Rick's voice carried no hint of judgement or dislike. "Of course, I'll squeeze your hand how's that?"

"Thanks," she smiled at him. "After what he did to me I want to know when that switch is pulled! I'm sorry, but I do!"

"Understandable, yup I'll squeeze your hand once."

"Does anyone know how long it typically takes? The execution itself?"

"It… depends," Dr Loomis said delicately, "on quite a few factors. The size of the condemned, whether everything is attached properly and so on. I take it you know how the electric chair works?"

She nodded. "Yes. Call me weird but I've always been fascinated with the death penalty. I've done a lot of research on it. I know he'll be strapped in, wear a skull cap and his leg and head will be shaved to enable the current to go into his brain easier and faster."

"Correct," Dr Loomis said. "You may smell smoke afterwards, again they try to minimalize that but sometimes things happen."

"When the curtain opens between the witness room and the Death Chamber he'll already be strapped in, right?"

"Yes," Joanne confirmed. "They don't allow witnesses to see that part. He'll be alone in the room apart from the prison Chaplin. He's the only one who's allowed to be with Chancer at the end."

"After the execution is complete," Rick continued. "They will announce the time of death over the microphones. The guards will then come in and let us out. We should be back at the car… all being well by 06:45 at the latest. We'll then go back to the airport and fly back. We should be back here by what… 10PM at the most."

"Ok," she nodded. It all sounded relatively straight forward, she just hoped it would go that simply when the time actually came.

…

Eight hours to execution:

"Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…"

Derek Chancer had never considered himself a praying man it had never been part of his life. But as Father Fletcher continued to drone out the Lord's prayer, he found himself joining in. Hell, pun intended, what else did he have left? As the clock ticked relentlessly and mercilessly onwards closer to his death, he found himself fighting off uncontrollable bouts of panic and terror which he didn't like at all. He'd always seen himself as being in control, in charge, one step ahead. But that doesn't tend to work when you're about to get fried in 'old sparky,' he thought. You have no control then at all except what you eat for your last meal. "Father," he said when the Chaplin was finished. "I'm scared!" Immediately he hated himself for having blurted out those two words but neither could he deny they were entirely true. He was fucking terrified, although he doubted Father Fletcher would appreciate them worded that way. Although could he blame him? He wasn't the one dying in just under eight hours' time after all.

"Which is perfectly understandable," Fletcher murmured. Derek was again reminded of his earlier thoughts. This bastard would probably cheer with the rest when he was pronounced dead! He was just doing his job. He resisted snapping back, after all as much as he hated it Fletcher was now his only comfort left. "I tell you Derek, you need to give yourself entirely to Jesus, let him comfort you in your last hours and when he takes you home to eternity."

At this Derek couldn't help but laugh, although it came out as a high terrified hysterical one. "Jesus ain't got time for men like me," he almost shouted. "Jesus doesn't love women rapists and killers father! Jesus will probably laugh as I enter hell!"

"Jesus loves us all," Fletcher said. "You just have to repent and accept he died for you and you will have eternal life through his sacrifice, Derek."

Derek snorted; he couldn't stop himself. "Yeah right, what sacrifice is that? He's not the one getting fucking fried tonight is he? Or have I missed something? Is he up after me?" Fletcher ignored his flippant words as Derek had suspected he would. Hell he'd probably heard them a thousand times from other now dead inmates during their last hours on earth.

"No, Derek." The Chaplin's voice was still as gentle and patient as it had been since 8 that morning. Derek was certain very little would change that. God only knew, yes God, how much training he must've had to do this job. Had he cried after his first execution? Derek wondered. "Or had he just gone home as though he'd just seen someone walk out of a door as opposed to out of this world? He would of course never know the answers to these questions but that didn't stop him wondering. "He died for you on the cross of Calvary, so that we could all be forgiven and have eternal life through his sacrifice. He took all our sin to the cross with him."

It took everything Derek had not to roll his eyes. What a load of total and complete bullshit! Did people really believe this? Were they really that stupid? He forced himself to listen, reminding himself that he didn't have much left to gamble on at this point. What Fletcher was offering him sounded like crap but he was out of options. "What?" He tried his utmost not to laugh hysterically again. If he did, he worried he would completely lose control and have a full on panic attack. "you're telling me some dude nailed himself to a cross so… what? We could… live? That makes no sense! One guy dies, so we all live for ever and ever?"

"Not 'some dude,' Derek." Derek could almost hear Fletcher's distaste for his wording. "Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the son of God! Have you never heard any of this before?"

At this Derek clapped a hand to his mouth to stop himself laughing. "Are you joking Father? My mother was not religious in the slightest! She killed her first man and is now dead because of it!"

"I know Derek," Fletcher said in his gentle voice. Derek was beginning to heartily wish Fletcher would stop using his damn name at the beginning of every sentence! "But how about at school?"

Now he did laugh, he couldn't help himself. "I skipped religious education, I thought it was a bunch of complete and total bullshit!" Of course if I'd known then where I'd end up, he thought. I might have paid a little more attention!

"Is that what caused your violence? Your mother's actions?"

"Ha," Derek snorted. "No Father. I hate women, always have done ever since my father ran off with some cunt and broke mom's heart. They're witches, bitches, all of them. They deserved to die!" He was surprised Fletcher didn't wince at his language. He was clearly stronger than Derek gave him credit for. Mind he was probably used to that too.

"So you committed your crimes out of anger for all women because of one's actions? A little unfair, don't you think?"

Derek shrugged. He wanted to tell Fletcher not to preach to him but… to be honest he had no fight left. Hardly surprising yes. But… "Cunts deserved what they got," he muttered.

"All of them?"

"Yes fucking all of them! They deserved to get fucked and killed! I would've given anything to do the same to the cunt who took my father."

"Have you considered your father and this woman may have really fallen in love? That happens, Derek."

"Fuck love," he growled. "My mother was everything to me and should have been to him too! Couldn't wait to get his cock out of his pants could he?" As he said this, he reflected like father like son. Considering he too had been turned on by the thought of fucking countless women but he pushed that thought away. He'd been single. His father had no God damn right to break his mother's heart in two the way he had.

"But these type of thoughts never end well, Derek." This time Derek had to resist the urge to punch Fletcher. Stop. Using. My. Fucking. Name. Every. Five. Seconds. Damn. You! But of course he knew he couldn't. Purely because the thought of his final hours alone in solitary would drive him insane. Although maybe that would be a good thing. If he went to the chair a blabbering wreck maybe he'd be none the wiser as he died. "After all," Fletcher continued totally unruffled. "Look at your mother. She killed a man in retaliation and got killed when she came out of prison."

"I fucking know that thanks," he growled, unable to stop himself.

"I apologise, Derek. But it just emphasises what I am telling you. You both died for killing the opposite sex."

"I'm not fucking dead yet," this time he almost snarled the words and had to physically fight the urge to stand up and attack this fucking smug twat! But there were too many guards and he was shackled. He desperately tried to fight off his anger. Think of mom, think of mom. Miraculously it worked somewhat.

"Indeed you are not," Fletcher agreed. "But we have to be realistic, Derek. You are in your final hours and I am trying to help you after they are over."

"Help me out by getting me a fucking permanent stay," he muttered. "Maybe then I'll believe in this Jesus guy!" Of course Fletcher ignored this too. For the next fifteen minutes, Derek listened numbly as Fletcher told him all about the bible, Christ and the cross. The words seemed to go over his head though, he couldn't take them in. Sure he wanted some comfort, but his idea of comfort was a stay of execution followed by a pardon! Life in prison would be better than this, just as he'd told Thompson when he'd first arrived on Death Row. He didn't want to die yet; he wasn't ready for it! But it seemed something… or someone out there had other plans for Derek Chancer's future, or rather his afterlife.