Just minutes later Dr Stark was back, Michael, Rick and Jack behind her. It was only then Danielle realised just how completely Dr Stark had not been kidding. While she still stuck by her conviction, she had to tell him, she could see her doctor was taking absolutely no chances. She closed the doors again as Michael sat across from them a little distance away in the huge room, the two guards either side of him.
"Hi darling," she said trying to stop her voice from shaking. "I need to tell you something." She took a deep breath. "I've had to change my number again."
It was only now she realised Michael wouldn't be able to text her his response. Seconds later however, she heard Rick speak. "Michael says, 'why?'"
Someone got my number who…" she hesitated. Shit. Had she made the correct choice after all? YES! Shouted her heart. YOU'LL GET NOWHERE IN THIS RELATIONSHIP OTHERWISE AVERY! TELL HIM!
While she knew the voice within her was right, it was a lot easier said than done now Michael was here. She felt herself swallow.
"I can't block them because I don't have their number and they may also call on an unknown one. So, I wanted to change it again before that could happen."
Rick spoke again, this time purely acting as Michael's voice. "Adam is dead, I saw to that. So, who else are you so worried about?"
"Well first it's my ex-friend Sophie who turned her back on me when I was admitted here. She sent me a damn rude text last night; I don't want her having my number."
"That is not all though, is it. Tell me the truth."
"You, see?" she breathed to Joanne and Nigel. "I fucking told you so."
"I… I'm scared to tell you the truth," she admitted. "Actually, I'm terrified."
"Why? I will never hurt you. So, if that is what you are afraid of, don't be."
"Thanks darling," she smiled weakly at him. "You… you might not mean to, but…"
"Just tell me?"
She could tell from that message Michael's already little patience was wearing thin. "Told you so," she breathed to Nigel and Joanne a second time.
"I… I'm sorry darling," she stammered a little. "It… it's not easy for me."
She heard him sigh softly and Rick nor Jack tried to stop him as he approached her, and as Joanne stood so he could retake his seat. Though she couldn't see it, she could almost feel all four guards' watchful eyes on her and Michael. Affection hit her all over again for them. She knew they would protect her to the death if they ever had to.
"I got this text last night," she said finally, picking up her phone and reading the message allowed trying to stop her voice from shaking all the while. "I know Laurie Strode very well, and the way you are treating her is not right and to be honest damn out of order. I think she knows a lot more about Michael Myers than you do, and I think you should at least hear her out. You might have been right about Adam though I still say you're wrong, but not this time miss knows it all. I have given Laurie your phone number and she will call you. Listen to her, that's unless you want to die too? Michael will kill you just as he wants to kill Laurie. Sophie."
There was a long, long silence. "That's why I'm changing my number," she said in just above a whisper. "These guys suggested I tell you I didn't want Sophie to have it which incidentally is the truth, but it's not the whole truth. I said I couldn't start our relationship with lying to you. You had to know the whole truth or nothing at all. Hell Michael, we all know how… blunt your messages can sound, of course they can you've never written before now! But I said to them he's Michael Myers, I wouldn't put anything past that man. I wouldn't. Plus, you knew very quickly I wasn't telling you the whole truth, just as I told them you would. I'm changing my number so Laurie Strode can't call me. I don't want to talk to her anyway. Not after she ambushed me at the hospital after…" she trailed off.
Michael stood up and headed back to his seat. She wasn't sure how to react, but she felt sad he'd walked away from her. That was until Rick spoke again.
"If she even tries, I…" she heard Rick audibly swallow. "I will kill her this time and no one not even you, will stop me."
"You want to kill her anyway," she said before she could stop herself. "Have done since 1978."
"This is true, but if she tries to speak with you or I even hear her voice, she will die."
Was it her imagination, or had the temperature within the conference room just dropped several degrees? She felt herself shiver and Nigel squeezed her hand tightly, telling her she wasn't the only one. Rick spoke again.
"I thank you for not lying to me, whatever reasons you may have had for doing so."
"I couldn't," she whispered. "I love you way too much to do that Michael."
"You, ok?" She heard Jack murmur to the killer.
"I was scared to tell you for obvious reasons, but I knew I had to! Even telling you it was just Sophie wasn't the whole truth. It's true yes, but it isn't the whole story."
She heard him sigh again before at last his arms closed around her as he sat beside her, pulling her close and her head to his shoulder.
"Good man," Nigel murmured. The older man felt close to tears when this time it was him who Michael handed his notepad too, he who acted as the killer's voice.
"How dare this Sophie give your number out to anyone without your permission anyway. That too angers me."
"I know," she squeezed him close. "Me too Michael. The fact I don't know how she got my number in the first place as it's been changed twice already, that made up Dr Stark's mind."
"Thank you, Dr Stark."
"You're welcome, Michael," Dr Stark said quietly. "I want to protect her just as much as you do."
"I'm sorry Michael," she murmured to him, her head snuggled into the crook of his neck. "Sophie getting my number is true I'd still like to know how the fuck she got it, but the… the other part was what I struggled with most for obvious reasons.
Lowering his head, Michael moved so his ears were in her hands before wiggling them. Everyone chuckled affectionately, before he leant in and kissed her lips softly to another round of applause. He again wrote on his pad and handed it to Nigel.
"Thank you, I appreciate that would have been hard for you to tell me, but it means a lot to me you didn't lie to me in any way."
"Never," she breathed, her throat clogging up with tears of love. "Never."
For only the third time, he whispered 3 soft words into her ear, only heard by her and Nigel, she knew because he took a shaking breath as if trying to hold back tears of his own.
"Shh, I know."
A couple of minutes later, everyone murmured "aww" as she handed Michael a couple of sandwiches, which the killer took without hesitation. It was clear to everyone in the room they completely trusted each other. Meanwhile Joanne handed him a black coffee.
"These sandwiches are amazing," Jack said, biting into a ham one.
"I know right?" The weight which had come off her shoulders was immense. She knew she had made the right decision and she had been proved correct. That said though, she would never, could never begrudge Dr Stark and the others for their caution and hesitation, because she completely understood where they were coming from. "The egg's fresh," she said to him in a confidential whisper. Immediately Jack took one.
"It's the cheese I like," Rick said as he took a second sandwich. "I'll say this, the kitchen staff are so generous with their food."
The others chuckled. She slid a white chocolate cookie across to Jack, then Rick. "Oh my God!" Jack groaned. "These cookies are… just epic!"
This made Danielle burst out laughing. "Epic? Seriously Jack? I never imagined you saying, "Epic!""
"Well, there you are!" Jack laughed. Takes one to know one Miss Avery."
Hearing her adopted name made her smile all over again. Rick bit into his cookie. "Shit," he said with relish. "These are indeed, 'epic!'"
"Jerry makes them himself," she confided.
"No way!" Rick and Jack said in unison.
"Yep, he told me that a little while ago today. Fucking amazing, aren't they?" She held one out to Michael then who took it.
"Nigel, Joanne," Dr Stark said a couple of minutes later. "Please can I borrow you both for a sec? I need to show you something."
"Yes sure," the two said together, standing.
"We're good Jack if you want to head back," Rick offered.
"With these cookies on the table? No chance!"
Everyone laughed. "That's if I don't eat them all first," Danielle teased, before handing him two of them.
"Thanks. Yeah," Jack stood up. "Cheers Rick, I'll head back onto the block then now I've got my cookies supply! See you in a minute people!" Again, he started to whistle as she opened the doors and he walked away, Dr Stark, Joanne and Nigel behind him. she closed the doors again.
…
"You aren't showing us anything are you?" Nigel asked Dr Stark as soon as the doors were closed. The doctor sighed.
"No Mr. Manning I'm not. But I think you already know that from what you've just said. Listen you two, please. I'm more than happy for you to go out for dinner with her tonight, of course I am. But…" she paused.
"You think she secretly really wants to ask Michael to come to?" Nigel asked.
"Right," Dr Stark confirmed. "Which I also completely understand. The thing is…" she thought again. The other two remained silent, waiting. "There… there might be a way," the doctor said slowly. "But it'll take some arranging. Mr. Manning, would you be happy to work with me?"
"Name its doc," he smiled at her. "On one condition. Call me Nigel and I'm at your service."
"Oh, shush Nigel," Dr Stark smiled back. "No, it's just… there is a place this would be possible…" she thought again. "Hang on, Danielle will love this." She rang the doorbell and the doors hissed open a second later. "Could you do me a favour? If you feel the microphone button, you'll see there's a little number pad underneath it?"
"Yeah," she nodded, finding it.
"Can you press the number two on it for me please?" There was a beep. "Thank you. Now can you please ask Dr Loomis to come into this room? What you've just done pipes your voice into meeting room 2 as well as this one."
"Wow, you're trusting and letting me do that?" The smile which lit up her face made both Joanne and Mel blink back tears. Such a small thing, but it meant the world to her.
"I sure am," Dr Stark confirmed. "Thank you very much."
She pressed the microphone button and the chime sounded. "This is an announcement for Dr Loomis," she said. "Dr Stark is asking if you could please come back into conference room one if you're able? Thank you." She turned them off again.
"Thank you," Dr Stark squeezed her shoulder. "You should be a Public Address announcer!"
"No way!" She wrinkled her nose, made sure it was only working in their room and turned them on again. The chime sounded.
"Could all non-swimmers go to the shallow end of the pool please? The wave machine is about to be activated," she said in the mock voice of an announcer as everyone started laughing. She was certain she heard Michael's soft sound of amusement. She turned them off again. "God no thanks! trying to tell little kids what to do and ignorant adults who'd just ignore me? Who listens to those announcements anyway? Like the ones on trains? Gah! They're always so damn quiet you can never hear them as it is!" No thank you!"
A second later the doorbell rang again, and Dr Loomis was outside. "You summoned me?" He chuckled.
"I didn't, Dr Stark did."
"Hmm, in your voice? That was clever."
"Oh, be quiet," she was laughing as well now.
The two doctors, Joanne and Nigel stepped out again. She suddenly yawned.
"Tired?" Mel asked.
"Hmm," she said sleepily. "Just hit me all of a sudden." Michael tightened his arms around her, and she snuggled further into him. "Hardly surprising though, my head's on my favourite pillow."
"Also, you had to tell your story," Rick said. "That can take a lot out of someone too you know."
"Yeah," she yawned again. "Shit, I'm exhausted all of a sudden."
"Do you want to go back for a little sleep?" Mel asked.
"You know, I think I might." Still holding her, Michael helped her to her feet. "Rick, you don't have to chain Michael again do you to take us back?"
"Technically yes," Rick said, and her heart sank. "But nah, I won't. Come on then you two."
"Thank you," she said in gratitude. Mel stood up.
"I'm tired," she said to Dr Stark and the others as they walked past them. "I think I need a little sleep."
"No problem," Dr Stark said.
"I'll give you a call and wake you up in a couple of hours, ok?" Nigel said.
"Cheers, thanks again Dr Stark for arranging him to be here so quickly and thanks for coming Nige."
"Wouldn't miss seeing you for the world babe," for a second Danielle Avery was being hugged by the two men she loved most in the world, along with Dave and yes Colin and she had never felt safer in her life. Dr Loomis and Dr Stark smiled at each other, as did Joanne, Mel and Rick.
"Happy snoring kiddo," Nigel said as he released her, and Michael again took her arm to guide her back.
"Wait, I so do not snore!" She said in mock indignation.
"Oh, she does," Nigel said in a mock whisper to Michael. "Oh yes, she does, you wait! Sounds like an express train!"
"Hang on just a minute! How the hell would you know? You lived next door!"
"Exactly! Nigel poked her side. "That's how I know! I lived next door; the walls weren't that thick! They shook every night with your snoring!"
"That wasn't me it was Adam," she said, unable to believe she was able to use his name as a joke so quickly. "He's the one who snored, not me!"
"Uh huh," Nigel tickled her, making her squirm and giggle. "Sure, whatever. It was her," he mocks whispered to Michael again. Snore, snore!"
"Oh, get lost!" she reached up and pulled both his ears.
"Yep, still attached," Nigel teased. "Although they might not be if you have your way and keep pulling them like that! Michael, keep an eye on your ears man when she's around!"
Laughing, she waved as Michael guided her back through the doors escorted by Mel and Rick and heard the others call 'bye' as she did so.
"Holy shit," she said again as they reached the cell. "I'm fucking exhausted! Did someone drug my tea?"
Mel chuckled. "That's illegal without your consent or unless it's authorised by a doctor, so no. Not guilty!"
She laughed as she lay down on the bed, Michael at her side.
"You don't have to stay if you don't want to darling," she said tiredly. "I can meet up with you later. Shit," she cursed as she realised there was no way for Michael to answer her. This was the first time they'd had this problem, and she didn't like it at all. That was when to her total shock Michael once again actually spoke into her ear, his voice a soft murmur. "I'm staying with you."
Again, she was struck by how sexy his voice was and the fact he'd spoken as he'd known there was no other way, he could answer her.
"I love you Michael Myers," she squeezed him as tightly as she could. "Thank you so much! I know there was no other way for you to answer, but that was so special!"
He kissed her mouth as the door slid closed and she heard Mel and Rick walking down the corridor. Seconds later, they were alone once more.
…
"Yes, that's possible," Dr Loomis said after Dr Stark had finished speaking. "We'll need to contact them first though."
"Yep of course, but I wanted to run it past you before doing so."
"Danielle will be thrilled," Dr Loomis smiled. "I can tell she really wants to ask Michael but knows, or thinks she does, that she can't. We are about to change that."
"There's a way for Michael to come with us tonight?" Nigel asked.
"There is. There's a restaurant which is owned by this hospital. It's basically a… let's call it a first step for someone who's heading out into the world after a long stay here. The waiters and waitresses are also guards, but they're not armed and don't carry any protective equipment save for a radio in their pockets. The place has cameras, so everything is watched and of course there are no steak knives or things like that in the dining room, the chefs do all that in the kitchen. But don't be fooled, you can pay a little extra for luxury seating and a nice table. Or we can authorise it, so you don't need to pay, which is exactly what I am going to do. The staff may be guards, but they are also very discrete and act purely as serving staff unless there is trouble. Neither will know they are really guards unless they are told."
"I feel like I shouldn't be there," Nigel said. "Like they should have this romantic moment alone."
"I hear you," Joanne nodded.
"But she's requested you both specifically to be there," Dr Loomis said. "This just allows Michael to accompany you. Joanne, nothing changes on your part. You're not going as her guard, but her friend like you said earlier I believe." When she raised her eyebrows, he chuckled. "Dr Stark told me just now. So, you don't need to worry about doing any of the guarding, the staff do all that."
"That's a pretty cool idea," Nigel said. "Does it work? I mean have people been rehabilitated before starting with little things like that?"
"Yes indeed," Dr Loomis smiled. "It's been incredibly successful. All we must do is let the staff know it's Michael Myers who'll be entering. We don't even need to mention Danielle anymore, as she's not a committed patient she's voluntary."
Nigel nodded. "That makes sense. Won't the staff be nervous though? I mean" he laughed a little. "This is only Michael Myers we're talking about. Shit I'd be terrified!"
Dr Loomis smiled reassuringly at him. "No, because they are trained for this, and Michael I believe deserves that chance. Don't get me wrong I would not put him at the same table as Laurie Strode," Nigel shivered. "Exactly. But you, Joanne and Danielle Michael don't want to kill, so you're safe."
"In theory," Nigel said quietly. "Damn. I wouldn't want to piss Michael Myers off! What if something did happen?"
"Michael would be put in a secure van in chains and brought straight back here where he would spend a long time in solitary. Believe me Mr. Manning, he won't want to take that risk. You've seen how much he loves her; he wouldn't do that I really believe this, that's why I'm giving him the chance to prove it."
"Please call me Nigel," the other man said. The doctor smiled at him. "Ok, Nigel."
"You didn't mention Laurie Strode's name by accident just then, did you?"
"No," Dr Loomis sighed heavily. "I didn't. Dr Stark told me what happened. Doesn't sound as though Sophie is much of a friend."
"She's not," Nigel confirmed. "Turned her back on her when she attempted suicide, Adam of course having told her he was devastated," he finished through gritted teeth. "Yeah, and I'm a serial killer!"
"It sounds as though he had women falling under his spell hook line and sinker," Dr Stark said.
"Oh, he did." The older man smiled humourlessly. "They were throwing themselves at him. I mean," he sighed sadly. "Look at Charlotte. There was a very brief time just after she arrived here where Charlotte was under the exact same spell."
Joanne nodded. "Yeah, I remember how sad poor Danielle was when she got that text from her, it basically called her a bitch for breaking Adam's heart," she said contemptuously. "She was devastated. She believes Adam made her send it and that is probably true, but I do believe for a little while at least Charlotte meant it. She was riddled with guilt afterwards."
"That's what misogynists do," Nigel said sadly. "They just don't care about women. Adam was of course hansom, pretended to be charming at first oh he had women throwing themselves at him. He reminds me of certain criminals who've now been executed."
"Men like that are scary," Joanne said. "Because they're so damn convincing and by the time you realise the truth it's too late. It's so sad really."
Nigel nodded to her, then turned to doctors Stark and Loomis. "Where is this restaurant then? I'm more than happy to drive there but can you get me directions?"
"Yes of course," the two doctors said together.
"I take it we don't tell Michael what it really is?" Nigel asked.
"Can if you want to," Dr Loomis replied. "But he doesn't need to know it, neither does she." Nigel nodded. "Ok."
"But giving Laurie Strode her number, not only that but without her permission?" Dr Loomis sounded angry. "That's not on at all. Speaking of her number should be changed by now, shouldn't it?"
"Shit," Nigel slapped his forehead. "I said I'd call and wake her up in a couple of hours. I totally forgot about that."
"Don't worry Nigel," Dr Stark said. "I will of course give you her new number, I think she'd have words to say to me if I didn't."
The older man smiled. "Thank you, Dr Stark."
They headed into an office and Dr Stark was as good as her word reading out Danielle's new number as Nigel tapped it into his phone, deleting her old one.
…
She lay back down on the bed, having swapped her clothes for her soft pyjamas. Snuggling into Michael's side, she sighed in contentment.
"Shit," she said sleepily. "I don't know why I feel like this I slept a lot this morning, so much so a certain someone put 'sleepyhead' in their text message!"
He chuckled, as she leant in for a kiss. "Oh, hang on speaking of texts…" She picked up her phone and sent a text to him, simply reading hi. A few seconds later, his reply came back.
Thank you. It's a new number. I will save it now and delete your previous one. M.
"Hmm," she smiled, closing her eyes as she reached out and put her phone down on the nightstand. "I'll take some of my previous words back that was quick. I hope Dr Stark has given it to Nigel.
He moved so she was once again touching his ears. Unable to stop herself, she leant in and softly nibbled his left one.
I thought you were tired.
She heard her phone ping and read the message. She smirked. "It's ok Mr. Myers I have no intention of pouncing on you, not here."
He chuckled again, as she lay back down her head on his shoulder. "I am," she confirmed. "Just couldn't resist, your ears and voice, hell you are so damn sexy Michael Myers."
He tightened his arms around her. While she was tired, she also wanted to tell him this, just once.
"Michael, please can I actually borrow your ears for just a minute?" Her phone pinged again, as she'd taken it off silent.
You will always have my ears. Whether to listen to you, or for you to fiddle with.
"Thank you," she smiled at him. Before she could lose her courage, she started to speak.
For the next fifteen minutes, she told him everything. From the very first time she met Adam up until her suicide attempt. Sure, she had told him bits before, but after the meeting today she wanted to tell him the whole story.
"He could whistle of course and let me touch his ears, but I know now that was all a false sense of security. It wasn't until I moved in with him things changed of course. It was weird, the first time he asked me to call him "Sir," he made it sound like… I don't know a request. He gave me some BS about how it was some kind of tradition in his family, but it was only behind closed doors. Yeah of course I thought it was a bit weird, but I loved him so…" she shrugged. "So, I went along with it. The first couple of times he gave me gentle reminders, saying things like 'babe please remember what I told you, 'That type of shit. Then it turned into violence. I was stupid," she said with self-disgust. "I had sex with him stupidly fast. I mean fuck! He had a sexy voice, whistled, let me touch his ears, said he liked things I did and didn't care I was blind, shit you know the script! Of course, now I know that was all fake, but damn he did a good job on me. I don't know if he'd been watching me for a while before approaching me that day in the student bar or what, but it does make me wonder just how long I was his intended target for."
That is irrelevant now though. Because I can whistle, you can touch my ears whenever you like, and I am not pretending with you.
"Oh, I know that," she smiled at him. "I'm not pretending with you either. I mean shit, I don't have a death wish!"
He chuckled, holding her tightly.
"No seriously I wouldn't do that. After what Adam did to me, I would and could never do that to anyone." She laughed quietly. "I never thought I'd hear Michael Myers himself say 'I can whistle.'"
Well, I can.
"Yeah, I know," she grinned. "It's fucking sexy is what it is. You know Michael…" she paused. But she'd come this far, she had to tell him this. She felt her face go bright red.
You're blushing.
"I know," she buried her face in her hands. With a soft chuckle, he removed her hands from her face. "Before I tried to kill myself," she said, mortified and unable to believe she was telling the man himself this months later. "I Googled your name. I had some kind of… obsession with you, I guess. Whether it was because I secretly wanted you to do exactly what you have done and kill Adam, I don't know. He monitored all my internet activity, so he would've seen my research of Mr. Michael Myers."
You did, did you?
She blushed again. "Yeah," she pressed her head into his shoulder in embarrassment.
Do tell me, what did you find?
"Uh, just a list of your… you know, victims."
Ah.
"Their profiles, that sort of stuff. I think there was a picture of you know… Laurie Strode too. I think she was your… only survivor."
That is interesting.
She felt herself shiver a little but wasn't sure why. He held her tighter.
"I'm only guessing there was a photo of you, I don't know this for a fact. If so, it'd be your Smith's Grove mug shot I'm guessing? Did you ever let them take your picture?"
Hmm. They probably did.
"Probably with a camera on a ten-foot pole," she laughed a little. "I know I sure wouldn't have wanted to get too close back then!" She felt him kiss the top of her head.
"So that's pretty much it, that's mine and Adam's whole story. You're the first person I've told it too from scratch and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be."
I appreciate it, thank you. I would not have pushed for it. Now get some sleep you.
She smiled at that message. Who'd have thought, she thought. Michael Myers talking to me like this? Damn, I love it. If I'd known what I know now when doing my research…
With a contented smile, she snuggled into him. Within five minutes she was doing the very thing Nigel had warned she would be, snoring softly.
…
The Shape looked down at her sleeping form, listening to her soft snores. Damn. He still asked himself regularly what on earth this woman had done to him. Snuggling her head back into his shoulder, he gazed fondly down at her. He had come to realise there was nothing he wouldn't do for her; she had done the one thing he had never believe was possible. Got through to his heart. He hadn't believed he had one, not since he'd killed Judith at the tender age of just 6. But she'd found the piece of him he'd thought was missing. Found it and put it back into place. He couldn't fool himself this meant he would never kill again if given the chance, but nowhere near as much as he had in the past and certainly never against anyone she loved. For the second time, he found himself remembering his last three kills and the fact they had all been for the woman asleep in his arms. It could've been four. He would've killed Derek Chancer without hesitation if she hadn't asked him not to. With a soft sigh, he kissed her warm and beautiful cheek. She was going to witness Chancer's death the very next evening in the electric chair. He thought about how he felt about this once more. While he would never stop her doing it if it was really what she wanted, he still couldn't deny he had concerns. Maybe he was indeed just being overprotective, but that didn't stop them being there. That said there was the fact she was going with Rick and more importantly that she was a much stronger, braver and as Nigel had said, more powerful woman. She'd proved that the way she'd spoken to both Adam and Chancer. Also, as Rick had said after what Chancer had done to her with the iPod, she deserved to see him die and had damn good reason for doing so. Picking up his phone, he sent a text to Nigel.
I have her new number; do you need it to call her later? Also, you are correct, she does snore. M.
Nigel's reply came back minutes later.
Ha ha, I told you! You should tell her that when she wakes up. Poor thing, she looked exhausted, didn't she? I'm not worried she's with you, I know she's perfectly safe. Thanks man but Dr Stark has just given it to me too. I'll call her at just after 6.
Fine. I hope you all enjoy your dinner this evening. M.
…
Nigel spoke Michael's latest text aloud to Dr Stark and Dr Loomis who both smiled. "He's in for a surprise that's for sure," Dr Loomis said.
"So is she," Nigel nodded. "I can't thank you enough for this Dr Loomis, she'll be over the moon."
"That she will," Dr Stark agreed.
"Michael and she have worked very hard over the last few months to get where they are as I'm sure you know Nigel. So, I am more than happy to give Michael the chance he has earned to prove himself."
"You're a good man Dr Loomis," Nigel said sincerely. "It's obvious you really care about your patients."
"Indeed, I do, but I thank you for your kind words," the psychiatrist smiled at him.
"I know who I'd come to talk to if I had a problem," Nigel added. "I had a counsellor when Sophie first died but… he snorted. Fucking useless."
"Really?" Dr Loomis asked. "Why?"
Nigel shrugged. "I don't know, it just felt like… she wasn't taking my grief seriously or… just seemed so detached. I know you guys must be to be good at your job and professional, but… shit I don't know, she just gave me the impression she didn't have much empathy you know? I felt like I was just paying to sit in a room for an hour a week and just talk, getting nothing back."
"What were you after?" Nigel suddenly noticed how gentle the psychiatrist's voice was.
"Sorry man, I'm not asking t… Nigel blustered. "I'm not asking to talk to you, it's just…"
"Answer me, Nigel. What were you hoping for?"
It was only then Nigel heard the door to the office softly close and realised Dr Stark had gone. Had Dr Loomis done this on purpose? He wouldn't put it past him. Respect rose up for him all over again.
"Shit I don't know doc! Some sympathy, I guess. Or… some comfort?"
"How long were you married?"
Nigel smiled sadly. "Forty years before she died, we lived next door to that prick for the last 2 years of her life. she was like the daughter I never had. At first it was just small talk. Hello how are you, but over time…" He smiled sadly again. "She started talking to me for longer periods, when that fucker… sorry when the late Adam was working, she'd come into my house for a cup of tea, but she was always so… closed off. I understand why now, and it still breaks my heart. She was scared to say too much in case that bastard found out."
"Domestic abuse is a nasty and scary thing," the doctor said softly. "It wasn't your fault."
"BULLSHIT!" Nigel shouted before he could stop himself, banging the desk. "FUCKING BULLSHIT! I SHOULD HAVE READ THE SIGNS, I SHOULD'VE NOTICED, SHOULD HAVE GOT HER OUT OF THERE FASTER, BEFORE…"
"Nigel!" Dr Loomis' voice was firm now. "Stop, just stop. "Don't play the 'what if' game, you'll drive yourself crazy. Just listen to me. There is nothing you could have done. Adam may have harmed you too if you had."
"I could've at least called the fucking cops before I saw her hanging in that fucking garage…" Nigel said. "Christ Dr Loomis, I had my suspicions for ages, but I never had any solid evidence, well apart from him shouting at her! That alone should've made me act, fuck knows why I didn't!"
"You did when it mattered," Dr Loomis said his voice gentle once more. "Plus, can you honestly tell me you regret what happened given the position she's in now?"
Nigel couldn't help a smile. "Ok you've got me there, not maybe I can't. Michael really loves her, doesn't he?" He showed Dr Loomis Michael's first text. The psychiatrist smiled.
"Yes, it would seem he indeed does. I must tell you I was astonished as I watched it very slowly develop. It didn't happen overnight of course, not by a long shot. But my previous position of Michael as 'pure evil with nothing left' doesn't hold any weight anymore."
Nigel smiled back. "Good old Danielle," he said affectionately. "If anyone could crack Michael Myers' heart it was her. I don't think she planned it though. She told me in the hospital just before leaving for Smith's Grove that she would never fall in love again, nearly all men were 'fucking bastards' and so on."
Dr Loomis chuckled. "To be fair, I don't believe Michael planned for it to happen either."
"Touché," Nigel laughed a little.
"I am so sorry for your loss, Nigel. Tell me about Sophie?"
"I'm sorry Doc I didn't mean I was asking for you to talk to me I…"
"Tell me, Nigel."
The older man felt a great swell of affection for the man in front of him at that moment. Dr Loomis was indeed a damn good man and doctor. He took a breath.
"We met at 16 one of those childhood sweethearts' scenarios. I was smitten with her on first sight, and she was too to me, I think. We were inseparable all throughout high school and even got jobs in the same office afterwards. Everyone who saw us said we were perfect for each other. We didn't plan it, we just both asked our parents for consent to marry at 17. They could see how happy we were so said if that was what we wanted yes. We never looked back. We used to leave each other little love letters before work every day," he smiled a little sadly. "We'd leave them in each other's lockers in the office. Silly little things because even once married, we absolutely adored each other. She was the best thing that ever happened to me. The wedding was huge, especially for two 17-year-olds. All our friends and both our families attended; her father insisted on helping us by paying for the whole thing. I mean hell we were students! Her mother made all the food herself and her brothers asked four of their mates who owned DJ equipment if they would do the disco for us. They insisted on doing it for free as our wedding present. I remember when I proposed," he chuckled. "I couldn't afford a proper ring, so I used a plastic one, but she cried as if it'd been platinum!"
"Aww," Dr Loomis murmured. "It's clear you truly adored each other."
"We did," Nigel smiled again. "Within a week her brother gave me a little money to help with what I'd already saved so I could buy her a real engagement ring, I paid him back once we were both working. It was only on her finger for three months before it was joined by her wedding ring. When we moved into the house next door to them, I refuse to say his name ever again, Sophie had started feeling ill and was formally diagnosed three months later. I was heartbroken of course. We obviously hadn't had children it was a mutual decision when we first married because we were so young. We wanted to see the world, travel. But later, we tried and never managed to conceive, there was no way we could afford IVF. So, when we moved in next door Sophie saw her as a daughter too. We wanted to do whatever we could to help her, especially because she is blind."
"Totally understandable," Dr Loomis said. "I'm sure you were fabulous to her as much as you could be."
"We tried," Nigel said bitterly. "But it was kind of hard with him around. Sophie would always have a go at him about his speed, he drove that work van like a fucking lunatic. We lived near a school, and we were always worried one day some poor child would get hit and killed. He never listened to her of course, one guess why?"
"Because she was a woman?"
"Correct, you win the grand prize!"
Dr Loomis smiled sadly. "What did you do?"
"Oh, don't get me wrong doc I went out there and gave him a fucking piece of my mind. Both for his speed and the way he talked to my wife! I told him he had no respect and was a sexist, bullying, arrogant asshole! So maybe that's why he didn't like it when she bought me dinner," he chuckled a little. "Didn't stop her though sweet thing. She of course had to learn to cook on her own, her so-called parents fucked off and abandoned her when she was in her teens, and I'll say this Charlotte's parents were amazing. I'm so, so happy they've adopted her, no more than she or they deserve."
"I am too," Dr Loomis said. "It's great for all of them as you say."
"Now we just really, really want Charlotte to wake up so Danielle can tell her the wonderful news! We agreed yesterday that none of us would, she would be the one to tell Charlotte. I just wish there was something we could do. She's only in a coma because of that motherfucker! I don't care if he was driving the car or not, he is responsible for it!"
"I don't think we're in any disagreement or doubt over this," Dr Loomis' voice was gentle as this time he laid his hand on Nigel's shoulder. "I'm with you on this one completely. Has there been any change overnight?"
Nigel shook his head. "Nope, not a thing. I don't know if that's good news or not."
"Possibly because it means her body is healing itself, I believe she will wake up Nigel, but only when her body is ready for her to do so. Sometimes we just must let our bodies take control. Remember, the doctors thought she'd be dead by the morning after didn't they."
Nigel sighed. "Yeah, that's true. I'm so glad they were proved wrong on that. DR Merrick is being amazing, he updates us at every turn, even if it's just to say no change. I can't tell you how touched I was, we all were when he took himself off Charlotte's case especially to treat her. I never told her that though."
Dr Loomis nodded. "Yes, DR Merrick did tell me he'd done that. He is a very good doctor and professional."
"He certainly is. Dr Loomis, is there a difference between a doctor and a psychiatrist? Aside from the obvious, a psychiatrist is if you like… an internal brain surgeon?"
Dr Loomis chuckled. "That's pretty much it. We deal with people when they are mentally ill with no signs of physical ailments."
"I know a lot of people underestimate what you guys do," Nigel said. "I've heard people even call psychiatry witchcraft."
The doctor sighed. "Yes, as indeed have I. Just goes to show how little they know. Although," he chuckled again. "She'd be a fantastic psychiatrist as she got through to Michael Myers, I didn't."
"I'm sure you played your part," Nigel said. Dr Loomis smiled at him.
"You're too kind, but I really didn't. I was just trying to keep Michael locked up and safe from any contact with anyone else. When he held her hand that first time my guards ran in to rip them apart and I stopped them. To this day I don't know why, but I am now exceptionally glad I did."
"Me too," Nigel smiled.
…
You appear to be correct she hasn't as much as stirred once, snoring away. M.
Nigel smiled at his phone as he read Michael's latest text. "I'm thinking I should maybe put tonight off?" He said to Dr Loomis. "She's exhausted."
"No," the doctor shook his head. "She would be bitterly disappointed if you did, she's been looking forward to it all day."
Nigel smiled affectionately. "Not to mention," Dr Loomis added. "We've arranged their little surprise now; she will be so happy. Come on."
Nigel followed the other man without question and was surprised to realise they were heading straight into the cell block. Rick came up to them and walked with them. Nigel smiled at the guard. "Hey Rick."
"Alright Nigel?" The guard smiled back. "So, what do you think of Smith's Grove then?"
"From what I've seen of it I'm very impressed. You clearly take treatment very seriously and have every type of facility and help a patient might need. Not to mention incredibly kind guards of course. That's a huge thing."
"We try," Rick chuckled.
"I'm serious. I don't know what sort of mental state she would've been in if not for you and the other guards she cares about. I really believe you guys played your part in pulling her from the edge of the abyss just as Michael did."
"Well thank you although I'm not exactly sure what I did."
They entered the cell block confirming Nigel's suspicions. He whistled softly. Dr Loomis really did trust him it seemed. He glanced around, unable to stop himself. He knew he was one of very few people to see this. All the cells they passed were empty. Rick lightly tugged on his arm and led him into one of the cells. Nigel saw the bed, desk and screened off toilet and sink area.
"Better than a prison cell I bet," he remarked.
"Oh definitely," Dr Loomis said standing in the doorway behind them. "We don't want the patients to feel like they're in prison, we want to remind them they are being treated with a chance of possibly leaving in the future."
"Even Greggory?" Nigel lowered his voice. The doctor smiled grimly. "Perhaps not."
Nigel touched the heavy metal door with its solid steel bars. "That feels like a prison door to me?"
"You have to remember some people here are very dangerous," Rick said. "Those bars are purely to protect us. Nigel stepped through into the small bathroom. He was surprised to find even that quite spacious.
"Hmm, not bad," he smiled in thanks at Rick as they stepped out of the cell.
"Damn," the guard said. "I was just about to lock the door!"
Nigel laughed. "She'd probably say I need to be locked up," he smirked. Dr Loomis and Rick laughed with him.
They then entered a slightly bigger corridor and Nigel saw another guard standing by the one occupied cell. His badge said William.
"Alright Bill?" Rick smiled.
"Bugger off," the other man said good naturedly. "I told you to quit that ages ago Evans."
"You don't like Bill?" Nigel asked. "Hi, I'm Nigel, Danielle's friend."
"Hello there pal," William smiled warmly at him. "Nope, I can't stand Bill and this douche over there knows it!"
Nigel burst out laughing. "Have you considered that's probably why he does it?"
William rolled his eyes. "Of course I have. I told him to call me Will, but he insists on Bill."
"Damn!" Rick slapped his forehead. "Did you say Will? I must've misheard, I could've sworn you said Bill!"
William gave his colleague the finger. Nigel and Dr Loomis laughed. Nigel stepped forward and shook William's hand.
"For what it's worth I prefer Will," he said in a confidential whisper.
"I heard that," Rick chuckled. "Gah! I'm never going to hear the end of that now, am I?"
"You reap what you sow," Dr Loomis said with a grin.
Rick opened another secure door for them, and Nigel saw a door without bars just solid heavy metal. "Ah," he said. "That's their cell, right? She did tell me about the soundproofing. Good move if I may say so and it appeared to work. Just a shame… you know, what happened."
The other two nodded. "The damage was already done," Dr Loomis said grimly. Nigel stepped forward and pressed the doorbell button on the door.
…
She started awaking at the sound of her doorbell at first unsure what it was. "What the hell was that?" She asked groggily, remembering how she'd said similar the first time she'd heard the breakfast bell. At least Jefferson wasn't here to taunt her this time. Her phone pinged.
It's your doorbell.
"Oh, yeah of course!" She picked up the handset and Michael pressed the button to lower the screen. "Hello?"
"Alright D?" Said Nigel's voice. She couldn't believe her ears. "Wakey wakey, time to get up if we want to go for dinner. Rick and Dr Loomis are also here."
"Wow, thanks Dr Loomis for letting Nigel come through here. This is the second time I was expecting a phone call and got the man in person instead!"
"It's your lucky day," Nigel smirked. "Those are nice pyjamas, are they new?"
"Mom gave them to me," she smiled. "Gave me a whole damn suitcase to put in the aircraft when we came back, told me not to open it until I was here." She gestured at the desk, which contained boxes of chocolates and drinks. She stood and opened the small wardrobe to show it full of new clothes.
"That sounds like Emma," Nigel said affectionately. "But what do you expect? You're her daughter now, for real. Of course she's going to spoil you."
She leant forward and whispered in Michael's ear. "Is it ok if Nigel comes in?" Her phone pinged.
Of course. Don't ask my permission. Not now, not ever for anything.
"Is it ok if Nigel comes in?" She asked Rick. Immediately the door buzzed open, and Nigel stepped through.
"Wow," he said as he stepped onto the foam. "This stuff's soft, is that for sound proofing?" Dr Loomis nodded.
She pulled the door closed but Rick didn't lock it and raised the screen. Taking his hand, she directed it towards the handset and control panel. Nigel picked up the handset and they heard the chime sound. "Hello?" He said and they heard his voice through the outside speaker. "Wo, he put it down again. "Your own private call bell!"
She opened the screen again to the sound of Rick and Dr Loomis laughing. "Don't push your luck Missy," Rick teased.
"You know," she said thoughtfully. "I don't think I've ever actually used it?"
"No, I don't think you have," Rick agreed.
"That's very compressing on the ears," Nigel said. "Yes, I said ears," he moved so she was touching his and she gently pulled them. "Yeah, get off!"
She laughed and pulled them again. Nigel began to tickle her. She squirmed and giggled again, as he pulled her into his arms and a tight hug.
"Nigel, Michael," she said after a moment, suddenly serious. "Could you both come here a second please?" She felt Michael come up on her other side. "Thanks." She opened the wardrobe on her side again. "I…" she hesitated. "I don't know what I should wear tomorrow night. I mean I'd love to wear a bright party outfit because I'm so happy that fucker's dying but…"
Nigel grinned. "Hmm," he looked at her clothing. Oh look, perfect," he said just as Michael pulled out what he was pointing to clearly having seen it at the exact same time. "Emma bought you a black trouser suit."
"She did? Wow, she really has spoilt me, hasn't she?"
"You deserve it," Nigel said. She felt the soft suit Michael was holding and nodded. "What do you think Michael?" Nigel asked. "She'll look gorgeous, won't she?" Her phone pinged again, and she held it up so Nigel could see and read it. "Absolutely."
"Thanks Michael, Nigel," she smiled at both. "What about underneath it though?"
"There's a white shirt to go with it," Nigel said, "Plus a pair of your favourite comfortable shoes. Shall I put it on the door altogether so you can find it?"
"Thanks grandad," she smiled at him, and he hugged her tightly. "Love you," she murmured. He kissed her cheek. "I love you too and don't you ever forget it."
"I think I know what I'm going to wear tonight," she opened the door again pulling out her favourite casual pants and a white blouse.
"Good choice kiddo," Nigel said. "Absolutely gorgeous."
"Oh, shut up," she blushed.
"You look gorgeous whatever you're wearing, doesn't she Michael?"
She does indeed.
Nigel reed Michael's message off his notepad aloud. She blushed again. "You, see?" He spoke. "If your man there says it, it must be true. You going to argue with Michael Myers?"
"Uh," she said immediately. "No way!"
Nigel chuckled and was certain he heard Michael doing the same.
"Hi, you," said Mel's voice. "You ready?"
She scooped up her clean clothes and nodded. Mel was going to take her for a shower and since she'd become trusted and then voluntary, she was now allowed to use the same showers as the staff which were much better and more spacious than the ones the patients used.
"Oki doke," Nigel smiled. "Meet you at about 7?"
"Sure, where?"
"Is block reception, ok? The entrance?"
"Fine, no problem." As Mel guided her towards the showers she felt a tinge of sadness. How she wished Michael could accompany her that evening but of course she knew he couldn't. It didn't stop her wishing though.
"What is it?" Mel asked, clearly detecting her thoughts.
"Oh nothing," she sighed a little. "I just wish Michael could come with us tonight. I knew this relationship was going to be hard when we got together and of course I'm not changing it I'm his for life, but…" she hesitated. "Little things like this, like wishing he could come with me on a date and stuff. I mean of course I know why he can't, major security risk and I get that. Nigel you and the rest of our little group might be safe, but there are no guarantees for anyone else. What if Laurie Strode walked through the door of where we were for instance?" She shivered a little. "No, I totally get it but that doesn't mean it's not hard to deal with."
"Perfectly understandable," Mel said sympathetically as they entered the huge shower room. "But doesn't mean it might not change in the future, does it?"
"I highly doubt that, he's Michael Myers after all. His name is infamous and for all the wrong reasons. He killed his own sister then mercilessly massacred a group of other innocent people."
Mel said nothing further as she guided her into a shower stall. It wasn't after all her secret to tell.
…
Eighteen hours to execution:
Derek wasn't sure why he'd stayed awake to see this his last midnight on earth, but he could not look away from the tiny clock set high in the ceiling as it ticked to 12AM. So, this was it, his last morning and afternoon alive. Come 6 this evening or just after he would be dead.
He didn't see the point in even trying to sleep, it would be futile, and he knew it. This was his last eight hours of privacy alive. Crossing to his bolted down desk, he picked up some of the legal material Thompson had given him a few days ago. What was the fucking point? He slammed it back down again. What good were these fucking papers doing him? If Thompson appeared right now and pulled a rabbit out of the hat, Derek might change his mind. Until then…
He had been told he could change into his 'death clothes' any time between now and 8AM but he had to have a shower first. Yeah, course I do, he thought bitterly. You don't want a stinking man with you when you're up close and personal watching my every move as you escort me to the electric chair. For my benefit fuck! It's entirely for yours! What do I care about showering? I'll be dead hours later anyway! Bastards!
He was seriously considering calling for a guard to escort him to the shower now. It was only about ten steps away, but he of course couldn't go alone. Sons of bitches wouldn't even let him shower in private for the last time.
Standing, he took a sip of his water. It was unbelievable how these little things he could not take for granted anymore. He only had just under eighteen hours to drink water, have a shower, eat, hell breathe!
He knew if there was such a thing as ghosts his forty-two female victims would be laughing at him now from beyond their graves. He was about to learn how they'd felt when he'd snuffed the life out of their eyes. He was even dying in the exact same way he'd killed some of them. He'd chained them to his table and electrocuted them to death. They were getting the last laugh now alright.
Deciding sleep would be an impossibility from here on he did call to a guard, asking to go for the final shower of his life.