"I now need to show you something," Dr Loomis said to the killer. "The screen is there. Please give it your full attention?"
The killer made no response, but did look as the video started playing, the sound as crystal clear as the picture.
"I can't trick a blind woman Sir; I don't have the conscience to do it!"
When the video was done, Dr Loomis brought up the news report.
"That very same man was found dead on the highway less than an hour after that video was taken," he said quietly. "We strongly believe one of the criminals Adam has hired killed him."
The killer read the report, then looked back at his doctor. Dr Loomis would've sworn he heard him softly sigh.
"He's trying to stop you protecting her," Dr Loomis repeated. "Can you see that now?" Very slowly, the killer nodded.
…
Adam hadn't expected to leave his meeting with Chris Leach feeling quite as uneasy as he did. Yes, Leach scared him, but some of the things the crime boss had said made Adam's skin crawl. "One of my men was watching the building?" Did that mean they'd had eyes on Adam from the moment his contract with them had started? Adam didn't like the sound of that at all. Ok he had nothing to hide, but he'd hired for them to watch her, not him. Yet again and he hated it, he imagined how she must be feeling, knowing she was being watched and listened to and hadn't even known it. He understood it a little now. But still, it changed nothing and didn't soften his resolve. She was his property after all, end of story.
He didn't care Graham Williamson was dead, the guy was a fucking coward anyway and a dwarf! The man's death didn't concern Adam, but he did wish the guy could've been killed while doing something which had nothing to do with him. Despite Leach's less than comforting and scathing words, Adam didn't like how close the evidence was to him. The deceased had just left Smith's Grove hospital asking to see Danielle, then he's dead. As he'd also said to Leach, "Doesn't take a genius to work that out."
He'd also understood Leach's veiled warning. "We won't if you don't stop crying about today." Adam couldn't mention the murder to anyone, or how scared he was it would come down on him. He might not have been the one who pulled the trigger or done whatever had killed the guy, but he was still involved. But if he told anyone, Leach was bound to find out he had eyes and ears everywhere. This angered Adam. He was the one paying the money, yet he was being made to feel like the one right at the bottom. Which of course was what Leach wanted him to feel, he knew that. Didn't mean he had to like it though. Hell, if Adam wasn't so determined to show that bitch who was boss, he might have terminated his own contract before Leach could do it for him. But he was close now, he was sure of it. The last stage of his plan would've set things up nicely. There was no way a silent, masked killer would protect her after this. No, he consoled himself. She'll be in your hands soon and this time you will be a murderer. Perhaps if this all worked out, he'd ask Leach for some tips on how to do it with absolutely no evidence to point to him. Leach would know exactly how of course. Adam didn't like Leach, but as Leach himself had said regarding Myers, "he'd be a very valuable asset and weapon indeed." The same held true for Leach if everything went as well as it was now, and Adam saw no reason why it wouldn't. Maybe he could even pay one of Leach's guys to do it for him! Granted it would feel so much better if he killed the bitch himself, but he knew he also had to be realistic and practical about it. Without Myers to protect her, she was his, he had a clear shot as soon as she got out of that nut house. Now, it was just a matter of waiting.
…
"I love this sound," Danielle said. She and Joanne were sitting on a bench at the back of the exercise yard. "The waterfall. I know it's not always turned on, but I love being out here when it is. I don't know why, there's just something about water features I love. I've always associated them with…" she blushed. "Romance. The thought of Michael holding me while we can hear it is…" she sighed sadly. "Maybe I should say was a nice thought."
"No, stick to, "is," Joanne said firmly. A second later, Dr Stark's voice came over her earpiece, which of course Danielle didn't hear.
"Dr Loomis is talking to Michael; I think he's making progress. Keep her distracted for a bit longer if you can. Charlotte's going to speak to Michael soon I think."
"What is it about waterfalls exactly?" Joanne moved to the feature and turned a dial, so the water gushed faster with a soft tinkling sound. She couldn't help smiling.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I've just always loved the sound. It's so nice. It sounds so… so peaceful, tranquil. There's something about being near water which makes me feel… safe? I'm not sure why. Maybe it's some long forgotten memory from my childhood?"
Joanne turned the dial, so the pattern of the waters fall changed again. She did this a further four times, going through the different settings. "Which one's your favourite?" She asked.
"The third one," she said without hesitation. Joanne turned the dial back so they could both hear the soft and steady fall and tinkle of water. She leant back on the bench and sighed, a small, contented smile on her lips.
"I could fall asleep to that sound," she said dreamily. "I would've loved to have been here with Michael, but I know that'd never be allowed. Security and all that."
Joanne made a mental note. That was good to know.
"In case you're wondering, no Michael doesn't know that. There's no way I could tell him something like that. It would sound so stupid!" She looked down sadly. "A shame though, because…" She trailed off.
"You'd like him to know wouldn't you," Joanne said softly, understanding.
"Yeah. But he's a masked killer. Me telling him I like waterfalls, I mean…"
"You told him you like ears," Joanne pointed out. "Look what happened then. He lets you touch his ears all the time. So why should this be any different?"
"He did, he might not again."
Joanne could see the pain in her eyes, and it tugged at her heart. But she wouldn't give away what Dr Stark had said. Charlotte was the one who deserved to do that. She after all had been used as the letter writer by that callus bastard Dawson.
"I can't remember if I ever asked, can you whistle Joanne?"
Joanne laughed. "Not very well," she said and demonstrated. She giggled. "You're just putting that on. I bet you can whistle really."
Joanne tried again and produced a couple of notes. She grinned. "See? Told you!"
"Just give me a sec," Joanne said after a short while. "I just need to check something. I can still see you though and we're alone out here, ok?"
She didn't argue, just as Joanne knew she wouldn't. She was so sweet, so trusting to very few people and Adam Dawson had dared to destroy her confidence? Do all this to her? She walked out of her earshot and told Dr Stark via her radio what she had said about the water feature and longing to be held by Michael on the bench next to it. That she knew security measures would have to be taken probably them alone in the yard, but she'd do whatever she could to make that happen. Dr Stark thanked her, and Joanne was sure there was a tear in her voice.
When she returned, she was indeed almost asleep, lulled by the tinkling water, her eyes almost closed. Joanne felt her heart contract. The poor woman had been through so much today, once again because of Dawson. God she'd love to be there when Michael killed him. She'd hand out popcorn! She relayed this fact to Dr Stark in a whisper. The consultant chuckled quietly.
"She looks so tired poor thing, she's almost asleep. It's warm out here and still, should I…"
"Ok, don't wake her," the consultant answered. "Leave it with me."
Joanne had a pretty good idea what the doctor was hoping for. Soon all being well, it wouldn't be Joanne or Charlotte sitting beside her on that bench listening to the playing waterfall, but a man named Michael Myers.
…
The heavy steel gates slid closed behind Adam with a loud electronic whirr. He looked up and could see nothing except the barbed wire fences and armed guards in the four towers, one on each side of the prison.
"Please follow me Mr. Dawson," a guard said. Adam followed the instruction and was led into a security station. There he was patted down (by a man he noticed,) while his phone and keys were placed in a locked and secure cabinet. Adam wasn't sure how he felt about this visit. On the one hand he desperately wanted to see his father again, on the other, how could he tell him about her and everything that'd happened? Lisa Dawson had escaped, he didn't want to tell his father that he, and Edward Dawson's son had failed too.
The prison had contacted Adam a year ago to inform him that his father's sentence had been extended by another six years, for "inside troubles" they called it. Probably teaching a woman who was boss, but then maybe not. There were no women in there, precisely for that reason. So, this now meant his old man had ten years on his sentence. This infuriated and deeply upset Adam, but he knew there was nothing he could do.
Now he followed the guards out of the security station and towards another set of iron gates. They opened silently and Adam was escorted through. Was it his imagination, or were the armed guards in the nearest tower watching him? He told himself not to be so stupid, they were just watching everyone, and it was their job. But still, he felt uneasy. He fucking hated prisons. Detention had been bad enough, but to end up somewhere like here…
Adam concentrated on where they were going and eventually, he was in a huge visitor's room, some visitors behind glass from the inmate they were visiting. Adam sincerely hoped this wouldn't be the case for him and Edward and to his relief it wasn't. Edward was sitting at a bolted down table, his chair also bolted to the floor. Adam took the bolted one opposite him.
"You are not to leave your seats," a guard instructed them. "No physical contact, you have an hour." Then he was gone. Adam looked across at his father and inwardly winced. Edward looked tired, with the kind of pallor one only got in two places. Hospital, or prison.
"Hi dad," Adam said. "How are you?"
"Just fucking splendid son," Edward said with a thin-lipped grin. "Having the time of my life in here."
"Why have they extended your sentence?" Adam lowered his voice. "There are no women in here, is there? Was it…"?
Edward laughed. The laugh of a long-time smoker. Adam could smell cigarette smoke on his breath. He sent his old man a pack every week. "Ha! No, fortunately for them. Fucking so-called big boys pissed me off so badly I beat two of them up. Was so bad they're in hospital. That was three months ago.
"Shit," Adam whistled. "Good on you dad."
Edward looked at his son ruefully. "That's easy for you to say, you're not stuck in here for another fucking decade. Anyway," he continued before Adam could answer. "Enough about me, tell me about you. What's going on in your life?"
Adam took a breath. Where the hell did, he start? It was a long story. "It's a really long story dad."
"So, we have an hour, spit it out then."
"You honestly want to hear this?"
Edward gave him a look which clearly said no, that's why I asked. Adam flushed a little.
"Ok. It's… fuck. I told you that blind bitch Hayward tried to kill herself, she's currently in a fucking insane asylum. Well…"
Taking another breath, Adam proceeded to tell his father everything. His unsuccessful attempts to get to her via messages, as she'd had a DV advisor change her number not once, but twice. How his inside man had bribed a prison guard to get it the first time and Adam had heard rumours through his contacts that guard had consequently been killed. Adam shivered a little as he said this. How the hell would Edward react when he knew who his son was now up against? He told his father about how he was using some of his money to have her watched, tracked, and listened too by someone inside the asylum. He told him who it was. The notorious and infamous woman killer Derek Chancer. Edward whistled.
"Christ son, you don't do things by halves do you? Good work! So? What have you found out?" Adam and Edward were keeping their voices low, all too aware of the many microphones concealed in the walls, ceiling and even the floor of the visitor's room. So, this was it. Adam looked his father straight in the eyes. "To be honest dad, I'm not sure you're going to believe this."
"Try me," Edward gave him that thin lipped grin again.
"She's… well, got to know someone in that nut house I… well I really wish she hadn't. It could make my life incredibly harder. Even put it in danger. But I'm hoping I've concocted and executed the perfect plan to ensure that doesn't happen. This person has become very protective of her and it's the last person you want as an adversary, you must trust me on that one!"
Edward raised a thick eyebrow. "Oh? No one scares you son, you always used to say that. This must be one scary motherfucker to scare you."
Adam laughed humourlessly. "Just a little. Dad," he leant forward towards his father, being careful not to let the guards see. "It's only Michael fucking Myers!"
"Michael…" Edward looked at him as if he'd gone mad. "Did you just say Michael Myers?"
Adam smiled dryly. "The very same. Somehow, he and the bitch have got close. He doesn't let her out of his sight, or should I say didn't," he smirked. "I think I've just seen to that."
He then told his father about the letter he'd written pretending to be from Charlotte to Michael and what it said. Edward was silent for at least thirty seconds after he was done.
"Jesus Christ," he said eventually, his voice low. "Adam, be careful. You become an enemy of Michael Myers, you're dead. That said, you come close to Michael Myers, you're dead. Jesus! Those kills in 1978…" Edward shivered a little. "The guy's a killer shark. I say guy, is he even a man? You say he's protecting her? What the fuck? I would have thought he'd have just killed her on sight. A totally blind woman, how fucking easy a kill would she have been!"
Adam nodded. "I know, I thought that too. But it seems not. He seems to… I don't know. I don't want to say care about her, but…"
"I want to advise you to back out now," Edward said. "But I know you, Adam. I know you won't do that. But Michael Myers? Jesus! Might as well have signed your own death certificate!"
"But that's just its dad, what I've done now will hopefully snuff out any chance of him protecting, caring or whatever the fuck he's doing for her now. I told you. I wrote from Charlotte that she'd called him a "Psychopath, evil, remorseless killer." Who'd protect someone after they'd apparently said that about them?"
"That's…" Edward said slowly. "That's if he believes she wrote it. You're taking a huge risk their son. If they've spent a lot of time together, you'll have no idea what will have happened between them. You can only see from the outside, not within. How do you know for absolute certain Myers will believe Charlotte wrote this letter? After all, you're also trying to get hold of Charlotte, aren't you? You told me that last time."
"Oh, come on dad!" Adam said impatiently. "There's no way he'd disbelieve it! Why would he? He's a fucking masked killer! He's never had anyone care about him before, hell they've never lived long enough to even tell him their fucking names! So of course he'll believe it was her! Why wouldn't he? I'm surprised he hasn't killed her already! Maybe he has and I just don't know yet!"
"Do you want my honest opinion?" Edward asked.
Adam nodded. "Of course, dad."
"I think you've gone in to this a little fast, without enough thought. You told me you covered your evidence from the cops, ok good. But Michael Myers…" He was silent again. Adam didn't interrupt, just waited. Eventually, his father spoke again.
"We obviously have no way of knowing how much if anything she's told Myers about why she's there, or about you. You may indeed be correct, and he'll believe it was her who said all that to Charlotte, in which case brilliant. Job done. However, if she has told Myers Charlotte is also… Involved with you along with all the so-called "Domestic violence," you have inflicted on both of them but especially her, then that could be very, very bad."
"What would you have had me do?" Adam demanded, starting to feel a little angry at his old man now. "Christ knows I've paid enough for this! When she's released, Myers won't be going with her! Motherfucking killers in there for life!"
"Adam, how much do you know about the 1978 killings?"
"Not loads, I was only 12 dads."
"Precisely. Then I suggest you do your research. Perhaps then you will understand why I'm so… concerned for you."
"Can't you tell me?" Adam asked. Edward glanced at the clock. They had twenty minutes left. He looked away for a moment, then back up at his son before speaking. "I was 30 when it happened. Living in Haddonfield, it was a fucking miracle the Psycho never targeted our house. He could've done incredibly easily. The killings happened just across the street."
Adam clapped a hand to his mouth. "Seriously? We were that close?"
Edward nodded grimly. "I was there with you and Lisa, wishing whole heartedly I could throw the bitch out in to the street for Myers to finish off. But I knew I couldn't without suspicion on me. If he didn't come our way, then I'd be charged with fucking assault if she lived to tell the pigs about it. So anyway. Michael Myers was being taken to court. His doctor, Samuel… something, was in a secure car with a nurse. When they got there, the patients were all wandering around the grounds. Next thing they know Michael Myers attacks the car, pulls the nurse out by her hair, and speeds off in it."
"How would he have learnt to drive?" Adam had asked the question before he could stop himself. Edward rolled his eyes.
"Adam. You've told me yourself you think the man has supernatural abilities, answer your own question. So anyway, he drives to Haddonfield and kills a group of teenagers who were babysitting. The kids survived, and he also killed paramedics and a nurse that night. There may have even been more, we'll never know. So, his doctor… whatever the fuck his name is, speeds after him and finds a teenager in a fight for her life with the masked fucker. His quack shot him six times, Adam. At point blank range with a fucking gun! He fell off the balcony they were on to the ground and when they looked down, he was gone! Fucking gone, Adam! Now here he is back in the very same nut house as her, and you say he… cares for, protects her, whatever! The fact is this guy survived six-point blank gun shots and is protecting your fucking target! Be realistic, Adam! Give up now while you're still alive!"
Adam stared at his father in a mixture of horror and disbelief. "No way!"
"Yes, fucking way," Edward snapped. "That's why I'm telling you to get away now before the heat really comes down! Even targeting Charlotte now might be dangerous if it's true Myers is protecting Danielle. She's only her best friend!"
"But that's just it, dad! My inside man said he wouldn't let her out of his sight, but now I've sent that letter…"
"But that's my point!" Edward slammed his hand down on the metal table, causing a guard to look over. Edward grinned at him then spoke once the guard had looked away AGAIN. "If! That's a big fucking "If", Adam! Its miles too big for me! You're putting everything, possibly including your own survival on an "if!" How do you know Myers doesn't in fact know it was you who sent it? I repeat. We have no way of knowing what's happened between them while she's been there. You're going purely on what you know! If you want my advice, before you do anything else, contact your inside man and ask him what the state of play is. If it even looks like Myers hasn't fallen for it, get the fuck out! Now! Anything less and you're dead, son! Michael Myers didn't even know the people in 1978, how much worse will it be if he's killing someone who's hurt someone he knows? You're fucking naïve if you think being in there will stop him, Adam! This is Michael Myers! He'll find a way to escape I'm telling you! Then might as well get the shovel out and start digging your grave! I hate to say it son," Edward tried to make his voice gentle, almost consoling. "But you might have lost this one. I know you want to show her who's boss and of course you are, but this might just be too dangerous. There are millions of women out there who Michael Myers will never even meet. Take one of them as your property, toy, whatever. But her? Nope. Too hot. Leave her and Charlotte well alone if I were you."
Adam stared at his father. If he was honest, he'd never even considered some of what his father had just said. Particularly the part about not knowing what'd happened between her and Myers in the asylum. Behind closed doors and thick walls. His man inside could only tell him what he heard, and it appeared that was nothing these days as something had been done to his bitch's cell to stop him hearing her! Adam gritted his teeth in anger. He hated admitting defeat. It just wasn't him.
"Adam," Edward said softly now just as the bell rang to signal visiting was over. "Please. I'm speaking here as your father. Just be careful, think about what I have said. I don't want you to die son. That's all. I love you and it'd break my heart. You understand? See how it looks inside and if it's hot, please just leave it. Don't let your pride and anger, or determination for revenge kill you."
Adam had nodded to his father just as a guard came over and told him he had to leave. He gave his father a brief smile then followed the guard back through the maze of doors and gates towards freedom.
It was only then he realised he hadn't told his father exactly who the head was of the organisation WORKING FOR HIM. Chris Leach himself. Maybe that would've changed his father's outlook. He remembered Leach's words about Myers now as his car keys and phone were returned to him at the main gate. "If I could persuade him not to kill me, or any of mine unless I asked him to, he could be a very valuable, great asset and weapon indeed."
But as Adam got into his car and waited for the heavy gates to open to let him drive out, he couldn't stop thinking back over everything his father had said. Was Edward, right? He didn't like it, but he agreed with the suggestion he see how hot the situation was before he acted next. He'd have to contact Chancer tonight, see what was happening when he got home. He glanced at his watch. It was 2:05PM. Hopefully, the fucking pigs would have returned his laptop and phone by now. Adam hated this cheap bit of plastic he currently had to use which passed for a phone. But still, he could make calls and send texts with it, so that was something.
…
Dr Loomis was pleased but not surprised when Michael slid a piece of paper towards him across the table. The doctor picked it up and read the four words written on it. Show her she's wrong?
Dr Loomis sighed and nodded. "Yes, Michael. She's certain you're going to believe she said, and Charlotte wrote the contents of that letter. I didn't want to tell you this but feel I should. Joanne told Dr Stark and I something Danielle said a little while ago. She told us over the radio. She said and I quote, "What if this is it? The end? If Michael truly believes I said that stuff, then my suicide will have been nothing more than a dress rehearsal.""
Dr Loomis was certain he saw the killer's eyes widen. Breaking every security rule in the book, he reached across the table and laid his hand on Michael's arm. With no chains or glass between them, Michael could easily get to him now. But Dr Loomis was using his own judgement. Sure enough, Michael didn't move towards him in any way. "I know," he murmured. "That's what I meant by show her she's wrong. She'd never have said any of that and I can say that purely from the time I've spent with her since she's been here. I and Dr Stark both. Apart from fearing you're… anger, she is terrified she's lost whatever is between you. She really, genuinely does care about you Michael. There's no trick here, no ulterior motive, just pure strong feelings. After everything she's been through, do you really think she'd trick you?"
There was silence, but Dr Loomis was certain the killer's eyes had softened. He gave the other man a small smile. "Don't let Adam do this," he murmured. "That's what he wants. She's currently outside with Joanne and really wants you to join her where she is." Michael's eyebrows rows. Dr Loomis smiled again. "Sorry, can't say any more than that. It's her story. But will you, Michael? Will you show her Adam won't win? I know you care about her, so don't let him ruin it. That's exactly what he wants. He's scared of you, Michael. He thinks if you're not protecting her, he'll get to her more easily. He's wrong I assure you but think of her. She genuinely wants to be close to you. Now you must decide what you really believe and whether you'll follow your heart, or let everything you've achieved between you die?"
…
When Adam got back to his house, he was both frustrated and relieved to see a squad car waiting outside. Relieved because that hopefully meant he was about to get his phone and laptop back, and frustrated because they'd taken it in the first place. He stepped out of his car and towards the waiting officer. They would've known where he'd been, as the prison would've told them when he got there and when he left. Adam hated having all these restrictions on him, he had no privacy anymore. All because it was illegal to show women who they obeyed.
"Here you are Sir," The officer said as Adam reached him, handing back his phone and laptop.
"Told you you'd find nothing," Adam said, unable to stop himself. He was annoyed.
"Indeed," the officer said. But as Adam reached his front door, the cop lowered his voice. "But believe me Dawson. If I had any proof whatsoever, you'd now be in handcuffs in the back of this car. I believe you did send that letter and I also believe you wrote it. We also noticed you formatted your phone very recently. Hmm, I wonder why that was! I'm not giving up on finding proof! You deserve to be behind bars for life! Leave those poor women alone, you misogynistic son of a bitch!"
Adam was speechless. That fucking cop had just threatened him. He opened his mouth, but then common sense made him close it again. He didn't want to be arrested. The officer continued to glare at him all the way back to his squad car. His words left Adam feeling uneasy. He had a horrible feeling that cop would continue to investigate him looking for even the slightest evidence against him. Adam just hoped the owners of the café would not DOB him in. He'd fucking kill them if they did or ask one of Leach's goons to do it just as they had with the dwarf. On this occasion however, he'd pay whatever he had to for it. If those fuckers dared to tell the cops, he'd happily give leach all the money he had to watch them die.
Slamming his front door, he turned on his phone to make sure it was still working after the pigs had fiddled with it. Yes, everything was as he'd left it. Turning on his laptop, he checked that too. Same thing. Good! If those fucking cops had dared to delete even a file, he'd be suing them for invasion of privacy! Especially given they had no evidence he'd written the thing. No, that was in a café a few streets away. That said, he hoped the owners had disposed of it by now.
Picking up his phone again, he called the number he'd memorised and when it was answered by someone who sounded like a child, fucking voice changing idiots, Adam asked to speak to his man inside SG. There was a pause, then three beeps. What the fuck? Derek Chancer had rejected his call! Adam was just starting to get angry, when a text came through on his phone consisting of four words.
I haven't seen them.
That told Adam everything he needed to know. Chancer hadn't seen the bitch or Myers today. Hmm, what did that mean? But he agreed with his father on one thing. He needed more information before he acted further. Whether he liked it or not, he'd just have to wait to see for certain one way or the other if the masked Psychopath had fallen for his trick. He didn't like it but knew there was nothing else he could do. So, in the meantime, he ordered food and then a whore for that night.
…
Charlotte was feeling unaccountably nervous as she followed Dr Stark towards the visitor's room. Dr Loomis had given her all clear to speak to Michael just a few moments before. But now it was here, Charlotte wasn't exactly sure what she could possibly say to the killer apart from the obvious. I didn't write it. Still, she knew she had to talk to him. She owed that to both, maybe even herself as well.
"You, ok?" Dr Stark asked as they walked through beeping doors.
"I… I don't know," Charlotte admitted. "I think I feel a bit nervous, though I don't know why. I shook the man's hand once for God's sake! Although I know that won't matter a jot to someone like Myers if he has his deadly sights on you. You could kiss the guy but if he's decided to kill you it wouldn't save your life!"
"He'll be behind glass," Dr Stark said. "We're taking no chances. But you don't have to do it you know."
"Oh yes I do!" Charlotte said firmly. "I owe it to him. Both. The shit Adam pulled today was fucking low!"
"But you're a victim of it too," Dr Stark reminded her. "Adam wrote the letter from you. You seem to have forgotten that."
Charlotte sighed. "No, not exactly. I guess I just thought that compared to what Adam is putting her through now, what I went through was child's play. So…"
Dr Stark stopped and gave Charlotte such a stern look, the young woman almost recoiled. "It was Domestic abuse," Dr Stark said firmly. "Don't you dare let me ever here you are comparing your abuse again! You hear me? They were both just as bad as each other. Abuse is abuse, no matter what it involves. Got it?"
"Yes," Charlotte said, a little taken aback by the doctor's stern look and voice. "Got it, Dr Stark." It occurred to her know that not only was Dr Stark a damn good professional, but also a damn good person. They continued walking.
"So," Dr Stark said as they reached the door. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Charlotte nodded. "Yes."
Dr Stark nodded and pressed a button on the door frame. A few seconds later, the doors slid silently open. Charlotte had to marvel at the electronics. Silent and no one would hear a word through that thick wood and metal.
"Come in," Dr Loomis said. He lowered his voice. "Would you like a guard in here with you?"
Charlotte considered, looking at the thick glass from floor to ceiling. She could just see Myers sitting a short way away on his side at a table. "No," she said after a moment. "But would you stay, Dr Loomis?"
"Of course," the Psychiatrist said immediately. "You sure about the guard?"
Charlotte couldn't help but smile. "What are the chances he'll get to me through that?" She gestured at the glass. She estimated it probably had four or five pains of glazing. "No, it's fine, honestly."
Dr Loomis nodded. "Ok."
"I'll be back in a bit," Dr Stark said. "I want to go and check on her and the rest of the block, alright?"
Charlotte felt herself shiver. Derek Chancer was in that block. She forced the thought out of her mind. If anything, he was more dangerous than Myers in some ways.
The doors silently hissed shut with a whoosh of compressed air. Charlotte slowly approached the huge wall of glass, running from one side of the room all the way to the other. "How's he going to hear me through that?" She asked Dr Loomis.
"There are microphones built into it. They're already turned on. Just speak normally, ok?"
Charlotte nodded. This was the first time she'd ever done anything like this. She imagined this would be what visiting someone in prison would be like. As she reached the glass, the silent killer stood and approached her on the other side. Charlotte tried to force her mouth to smile. She'd shaken this man's hand after all! Come on C, she thought. You're her best friend. He'd never hurt you, would he? He cares about her! You must do this! But as Charlotte met the cold, emotionless gaze of the silent killer, she found herself taking an automatic step backwards. Dr Loomis touched her arm. "It's alright," he said softly.
"Hi M…Mr. Myers," Charlotte said and cursed herself for stammering. "Please listen to me. I have to say this. I swear to you I didn't write that letter. Not a word of it! Nor did she say any of it! She's like my sister Sir and I'd never hurt her like that and by association you! I know you care about her, and I'd never do anything whatsoever to endanger that! After everything she's been through, and me to a lesser extent, that wouldn't even enter my head!" There was a soft beep. Charlotte glanced at Dr Loomis. The Psychiatrist gestured to a small screen right in front of Charlotte. It'd lit up with four words. Dr Loomis read them and couldn't stop a small smile. The young woman looked at the screen. Don't call me Sir.
Despite herself, Charlotte felt a rush of affection for the masked killer. He undoubtedly knew she'd had to call Adam Sir just as her friend had and she could read the kindness in those brief words. "Sorry," she blushed a little. "It's just… Well, you are Michael Myers." She managed a small smile at him. "But seriously. I didn't write that; she didn't say it. I can't make you believe me, but I had to speak to you before I left. It was so important to me! Dr Stark reminded me just now I'm a victim in all this too, as Adam wrote it from me. I know that, but to me per say it hasn't done much damage. It was her he really wanted to get at through it, trying to make you stop protecting her. She means the world to me Mr. Myers and…" The screen beeped again. Mr. Myers?
"I…" Charlotte blushed again. "Ok got me. Sorry Michael. I just… Damn! I don't know how to say this. But you mean the world to her, that's so blatantly obvious! She talks to me about you all the time!" Charlotte saw the killer's eyebrows rise and was that a very slight smile on his lips. The screen beeped again. Indeed?
"Uh, yes! Charlotte stared at him as if he was an idiot. "You're all she talks about Michael! She really cares about you! She did indeed say to me, the one thing Adam did get right, was that she doesn't know what she'd do without you now! She doesn't want to depend on your protection, she doesn't mean it like that, but she seriously cares about you! That's what she means! She doesn't want you as a protector, she wants you as a…" Charlotte stopped herself. This wasn't hers to tell. Lover. "Friend," she finished. But she knew the killer had noticed her hesitation. Nothing got passed Michael Myers. There was another silence, then Charlotte was almost certain the killer nodded to her. "Do you believe me?" Charlotte had to ask. She could've sworn she heard him softly sigh. Then her heart leapt, as he slowly nodded a second time.
"Thank you," Charlotte found herself blinking back tears. "Thank you, Michael, you've no idea how much that means to me! Both from her perspective and mine personally like Dr Stark said! I was used as a writer of lies designed to break the two of you apart! That hurt me so much! I can't tell you! That Adam would use me to hurt my best friend like that and the man she truly cares for!" There was a moment's pause, then another message came up. It's alright. Forget it.
Charlotte read the message and had to turn away, as now tears did come. Dr Loomis put an arm around her. "Sorry," she tried to smile. "It's just…"
"Don't be silly," Dr Loomis murmured. "I'd be the same in your shoes if Michael Myers had just told me that."
Charlotte turned back to the glass. "I'll see you soon, Michael," she wiped her eyes. "And thank you. Thank you so very much!"
…
"I should get going," Charlotte said once she, Dr Stark and Dr Loomis were standing outside the visitor's room.
"Um, I don't think so," both doctors said together. Charlotte raised her eyebrows. "Huh?" Dr Stark gave her the kind of stern look she'd given her just moments before.
"First, it's late. Second, it'll be even later by the time you get home. Third, we have one of our staff suites already for you. So, you'll go and get some dinner in the staff canteen, on us of course and then get some sleep.
Dr Loomis spoke. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of contacting Colin, Emma, and Dave to tell them where you are and what's happened. They are understandably horrified. But you're going nowhere tonight, Miss Avery. That's doctor's orders."
Charlotte smiled at them both, blinking back tears. "Ok, she said, knowing arguing was pointless. She felt a great rush of affection and respect rise for both. Damn they were good people as well as doctors. "Then I'd better be a good little patient, say thank you doctors and take my medicine. Huh?"
…
"Are you ready to see her?" Dr Loomis asked Michael as Dr Stark led Charlotte away. The killer nodded. Dr Loomis opened the glass door and Michael stepped through to his doctor's side. "Come on," Dr Loomis said. "No chains, let's go."
Michael silently followed him out into the exercise yard and Dr Loomis led him straight towards the back. The water feature was behind a barrier so patients couldn't access it, the guards opened a small hatch with a key to reach the settings dial. Danielle was sitting on the bench beside it, fully asleep now. Joanne was standing at her side. The guard looked up when she heard footsteps and saw Dr Loomis and Michael approaching.
"Hi," Joanne smiled at them. "She's so tired poor thing."
"Once again because of Dawson," Dr Loomis sighed and glared into the distance.
"Yeah," Joanne said sadly. Michael silently slipped past them and took his seat beside her on the bench, the only sound the softly playing water. Dr Loomis and Joanne couldn't help but smile at each other.
"Once she knows he's here she'll be so happy," Joanne whispered. "She's such a sweet woman, so trusting to very few thanks to that prick Dawson's damage! I can't believe I'm one of them."
"It's because you're damn good at your job," Dr Loomis said softly. "You've become very close to her and that means she respects and in the very rare occasion she needs to, does what you say."
Joanne looked at the water for a moment. "Yeah. I really regret saying to you that first day Fact is Jamie wouldn't do it, so you had no choice but to ask me. God! It made me sound so reluctant! All because she was blind, and I was out of my comfort zone! How selfish did that make me?"
Dr Loomis touched his guard's shoulder. "Hey, we've all learnt a lot since she got here. Not least the fact that Michael Myers does have a heart after all."
Joanne nodded, still looking bitter at her own words. "Seriously, what a bitch I was. I know why I must. She's terrified of men too close to her you told me and if they are she could regress. I get it, I do. I've just… Never looked after a totally blind person before. I made it sound like she was some kind of alien from outa space or something!"
Dr Loomis smiled at her. "Remember the day she first crossed Michael's line?" He said, watching as Michael looked at Danielle's sleeping face. There was unmistakable emotion in the killer's eyes. Joanne noticed it too and Dr Loomis was sure she blinked back tears. If truth be told, he was close himself. Who'd have thought it? Michael Myers the silent, masked killer, looking at someone with such… Love in his gaze?
Joanne laughed quietly. "Yeah. You had a right go at me. What the damn hell were you doing? But you were right too you know. That really was a stupid mistake! Well, or not as it turns out, maybe the best of Danielle Hayward's hell of a life. But back then how were we to know that?"
Dr Loomis chuckled. They both watched as now Michael drew Danielle into his arms and her head to his shoulder. This time, Joanne was sure the Psychiatrist had a tear in his eye. She reached out, took his hand, and squeezed it. "I know," was all she said. But when Michael moved his head, so Danielle's hand touched his left ear, Joanne saw the tear fall from the doctor's eye. She squeezed his hand again, blinking back her own.
"Aww," Dr Loomis said. "That's so sweet." Again, they smiled at each other.
"We should step back," Joanne whispered. "Give them some privacy. But oh, it's so adorable!"
Dr Loomis nodded, and they both withdrew a short distance away. They could still see them, but not hear.
…
Danielle stirred slowly, at first unsure where she was. But when she heard the soft tinkling of water, she remembered. Her conversation with Joanne, her longing to be held by Michael while the water played, falling asleep despite herself. She was surprised to find she was still here. No one had woken her and taken her back to her cell. But why?
She made as if to move, but it was then she realised she couldn't. Something was stopping her. Or rather, someone. She knew immediately it wasn't Joanne. Her head was on someone's shoulder she realised, as at the same time she felt the soft skin of an ear under her hand. Her heart leapt and she had to fight every urge not to break down with happiness.
"Michael?" She breathed, hardly daring to believe it. "Is that you?"
The arms around her tightened and she felt the ear move under her hand. Yep, it was him. Now Danielle did blink back tears. Michael's hand started stroking her back as he held her close to him beside the softly falling water. Now Danielle had no choice but to let her tears fall. Michael pushed her head back to his shoulder, and Danielle broke down in earnest.
"Michael," she sobbed. "I'm so, so sorry! I didn't say any of that and Charlotte didn't write it! Of course, I understand why you were unsure, I totally do! You've never had anyone trust you before and you've never trusted anyone yourself! But I promise you on my life I never said any of that to Charlotte! When Dr Stark read the letter to Charlotte and me, we both nearly cried! Adam wanted you away from me, thinking he could get to me easier that way! He's terrified of you, that's why! I mean that's no crime we all are, but he's also a fucking coward! I don't depend on your protection Michael; I don't mean it like that! But I really care about you and all I want is to be close to you! I…"
She stopped herself. She had very nearly said I love you. God! She was so close to telling him! Should she just let it come out? Here? Now? Michael lifted her other hand, so both her hands were on both his ears and cuddled her close against him.
It was then Danielle Hayward heard it. The soft whisper into her left ear. If asked later, she'd say it'd probably just been the waterfall and she'd imagined it, but right then, right there, she could've sworn she'd just heard Michael Myers' voice for the very first time. Three words, in a soft whisper meant only for her ears.
"Shh, I know."
…
"Wow! Suite? This is more like a flat!"
Dr Stark chuckled. "They're for staff members who stay here over the week and only go home at weekends. Means they don't have to pay for hotels. Or rather we don't," she grinned.
Charlotte smiled back at her. The two of them were standing in the entry way of a huge suite. Complete with bedroom, bathroom, lounge and a small kitchen with basic tea and coffee facilities. The bathroom had a huge shower cubicle. "Too bad I'm only staying one night," she laughed. "Talk about luxury!"
The consultant chuckled. "You can stay as long as you like Charlotte, but I'm sure you have things to get home to."
Charlotte nodded. "Sadly yes. College, more's the pity," her face grew serious suddenly. "Or I would stay to help Danielle through this. That said, I hopefully don't need to now. Hey?"
Dr Stark smiled. A few minutes previously, Dr Loomis had told her over the radio that Michael was now with Danielle beside the waterfall. Charlotte had cheered quietly. "Yay, Adam's plan failed! That's the best news I've had for weeks!" Now, the doctor made as if to leave. Before she could stop herself, Charlotte had spoken. "Dr Stark, please may I talk to you? I mean is that ok? I know I'm not a patient and I'll pay whatever you charge for private sessions if you do them…"
Dr Stark cut her off, raising her voice a little. "You'll pay nothing Charlotte. You've been affected by this just as much as Danielle has. I told you I would talk to you if you needed it." She closed the door and sat on the desk chair. Charlotte sat on the huge leather sofa against the lounge wall. "I meant it."
Charlotte smiled at her. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "I really appreciate that." She paused for a second, then spoke again. "I know I said before that the abuse Adam had put me through was like child's play, but you're right, it was Domestic abuse. It was still no barrel of laughs. I guess in some ways it was worse for me than for Danielle. I could see when he was about to check my phone, read my texts and while he couldn't use blindness against me, he certainly used other things. Telling me what to wear, saying I couldn't wear makeup, texting me every five seconds when I was out, what are you doing, who are you with? Following me everywhere I went. Even when I was driving my car, he'd follow me. I'm 20, a little older than Danielle and got my licence at 17. I never thought I'd have to learn how to drive to avoid a stalker. Take short cuts, change my routes, you name it. I ended up outside the police station more than once asking for help. For all the good it did. He'd just say he was worried about me or something at first, then later when the cops got wise to it, he stopped following me, unless he was sure he could get away with it and just phoned me instead. Constantly. I did what Danielle has and changed my number, but a so-called friend of mine gave it to him." She sighed a little sadly. "Someone who used to be like me. Believed Adam was Mr. nice guy. I just hope to dear God she doesn't get with him like I did and make that stupid mistake! I was, to put it in a way Danielle would laugh at, a sighted idiot who put my eyes before my head. Now I have a new number, thanks very much to you and your DV workers. I'm forever grateful for it. Danielle had told me countless times he was bad news and I never listened. All I wanted was for them to split up. Ha. Now all I want is to get away from him."
"But you are, aren't you? You're in a secure refuge?"
Charlotte nodded and looked down at the ground. "Christ Dr Stark! It's… horrible in there. Not the refuge itself, the staff are just as nice as you all are, from the Psychologists to the cleaners. It's… the victims. Some of the women in there have scars so horrific, it's like…" she stopped again, as if she knew what she was about to say was crazy but couldn't help herself. "It's almost like being well, in a horror movie. They make hers look like scratches!"
"Hmm," Dr Stark said compassionately. "I understand what you mean. I've seen similar things myself."
"I'm sure you have," Charlotte said sympathetically, shivering a little. "I only have two friends in there and that's only because they're willing to talk to me. A lot of the women in there are so quiet, just stick to their rooms and only come out for meals. Even then some of them have food bought to their rooms. They're allowed to as part of the rules. We can't make each other socialise and I understand why some don't want to. Some of them don't even trust women, let alone men. I haven't told anyone in there our story though, we tend to avoid the subject of why we're there. No one wants to talk about it of course. No men are allowed to visit either and any woman who does has to have the consent of the woman they're visiting."
Dr Stark nodded again. Charlotte looked into the doctor's kind blue eyes and wondered what horrors she herself had seen. In this job she'd probably seen everything.
"Dr Stark," she said slowly after a moment. Not sure if she should ask this question, or even if she did what answer she'd get from it. "I've been thinking. I know Danielle loves Michael, as do you I'm sure by now, although I know you can't confirm this. Do you think there's a chance he'll ever get out of here?"
Dr Stark looked at Charlotte closely for a moment before replying. "Well, that depends. But I can't say any more than that." Charlotte nodded, trying not to smile. She had a feeling she knew what the doctor was not saying.
…
Adam was just beginning to doze off having kicked that night's whore out of the house when his phone rang. He glanced at his watch. It was just past midnight. So that meant there were only two people it could be. Chancer or one of Leach's goons. Unless it was the fucking pigs arresting him. Well, they could fuck themselves. He picked up the call. "Hello?"
"Adam," said a voice, speaking in just above a whisper. Adam recognised it though. It was Chancer. "I can't speak for long," the woman killer continued. "The guards are watching me like a hawk, and I think that quack Dr Loomis still suspects my iPod… isn't an iPod. So, listen. I just saw Myers guiding Hayward into her cell and going in with her an hour ago. Sorry my friend."
At first, Adam didn't fully register what Chancer had just said. Then gradually, it began to sink in. His plan had failed. Myers had guided the bitch back to her cell and what was worse he was in there with her to boot. No. This couldn't be. Could it? But it was.
"FUCK!" Adam bellowed, turning his head away from the phone so as not to shout in Chancer's ears. He was furious. Beyond furious, livid. But he was also scared. Michael Myers was one quite literally, deadly enemy he didn't want against him. Even if it was already too late for that, depending on what the bitch had told him, just as Edward had said. This was bad.