Within his sight

by Whistle-78

After Danielle Hayward, a totally blind teenager is committed to Smith's Grove having attempted suicide, the staff realise to their horror the only cell available is next door to the silent, masked, infamous serial killer. The Shape, Michael Myers. But as time passes, something slowly begins to develop between the two.

26. Chapter 26

"We should tell Michael away from here," Jack said. "We don't know how he'll react, and we'd better play it safe."

"Agreed," Rick nodded to his colleague, so did Dr Stark.

"Yes Jack, you're right. We should also tell him alone. Just in case."

"I disagree with you there," Rick said. "I think Danielle should be here Dr Stark. Because if Michael does get angry, she may be able to calm him better than any of us. He loves her after all."

"There's something in that Rick," Dr Stark said slowly. "Ok, but please, please keep your eyes on her. If… God forbid she needs… protecting…"

"Got it," Jack and Rick said together immediately. Dr Stark knew they understood. They were good men as well as guards, just like Joanne.

"Dr Stark?" It was Colin. He walked slowly back towards them as if each step was hurting him. Dr Stark felt her heart break for him and the rest of the family. Her news would only make it all worse. Fucking Andrews would pay for this. This was cruelty of the highest order.

"The hotel is full tonight," Colin said. "Danielle is of course more than welcome to stay with us if she doesn't mind sharing with us. We, um, also only booked a double room so it… Might be a bit cramped. Tim is going home because the police don't think Adam knows his address, but he's only got a one room flat so no space, I asked him."

"Thank you, Colin," Dr Stark gave him a soft smile. "I appreciate it."

"Should we fill Joanne in before we tell them?" It was Colin who asked.

"That is a very good point Colin," Rick said. "Yes, we most certainly should. Joanne can… watch out for Danielle."

"You're not seriously suggesting," Colin looked horrified. "That Michael would try and hurt her, are you?"

None of them answered, there was no need. Colin covered his mouth. "No way! Charlottes told me how much Michael cares about her. There's just… No way mans!"

"I'm sure you're right," Dr Stark said. "But we can't take chances."

"She's, his partner!" Colin said. "There's no way!" But Dr Stark and the others could tell by his face there was a tiny shred of doubt in his mind. This was Michael Myers after all.

…

"Everything ok?" Joanne asked when they re-joined her, Danielle, and Michael.

"Joanne," Dr Stark said. "Please may I speak with you for a moment?"

Joanne nodded and followed her boss out of earshot. Jack and Rick looked at each other uneasily, standing either side of Michael. No matter what had gone before and recently with her, there was still a killer standing between them. They were both confident, trained guards, but were they strong enough between them to stop Michael if…"

A couple of minutes later, they heard a nurse tell them that visiting hours were at an end. Emma hugged Danielle, Colin, and Dave, still sobbing in agony. It was the hardest thing to watch, Rick and Jack had to look away, blinking back their own tears. They'd both met Charlotte if only briefly, and it was clear to them how much they loved Charlotte, and Adam Dawson had possibly taken her life before it was anywhere near over. A cruel, pointless, and remorseless killing. The two guards looked at each other and, in that moment, were both thinking the same thing. We won't stop Michael if Adam Dawson gets in his way.

"Please call me if…" they heard Dave say to a nurse.

"Of course," the nurse murmured. "Immediately. Your hotel is five minutes away, correct?" Dave nodded.

"But you say she might not make it until morning, what if…" Rick couldn't help himself. He stepped forward and took Dave Avery's arm in a gesture of support.

"Thank you, man," Dave looked at his name badge. "Rick."

"You have our word," the nurse said. "Anything changes well or bad, we'll call you immediately."

"Fucking better," Colin growled.

"I promise you Sir," the nurse assured.

Before long the group were leaving the hospital. Dr Clarkson had stayed in Charlotte's room so had heard none of the conversation regarding Michael. Now she climbed into her car with a nod to Dave and Colin before leaving.

"Don't know what we'd have done without her," Dave said. "I admit what you say is right son, but she got here so fast. She was here ten minutes after we first called."

Colin shrugged. "Still could've and should've done more," he muttered.

Dave cleared his throat, sounding as if he dreaded what he was about to say. "Danielle, please just answer what I'm about to ask you?"

"Ok, of course dad?" she looked surprised. Dave blinked back tears and pulled her into his arms. "Oh Dan," he kissed her forehead. "We love you so much!"

"I love you too. What's up?" She of course didn't see Rick, Jack, and Joanne tense, but Colin and Dave did. They exchanged uneasy looks as the guards surrounded Michael. Shit! Was this a live grenade about to be activated and thrown? Not just that, but someone could be killed as a result.

"Ok," Dave began. "Dr Stark has asked if you want to stay with us tonight, but we only have a double room Colin and I and the hotels full. So, you'd have to share with us. Do you want to do that?"

"Well, I'd be near Charlotte so yes, but how would I get back to SG? Are you planning to pick me up tomorrow or something?"

Dr Stark looked pale, even scared. Dave stepped forward and took her arm. "You have to," he breathed. Dr Stark knew he knew; Colin had told his father what was going on. She felt affection swell for this stranger, Charlotte's father. What the poor man, his wife and son were going through, all because of one cruel, misogynous man, she couldn't even begin to imagine. She took a deep breath.

"Michael," she spoke quietly. "I… I don't know how to tell you this. I… shit! I really am sorry… but Dr Loomis has just had a call from Mr. Andrews."

"The CEO? why?"

Dr Stark didn't take her eyes away from Michael. "He… he's ordered for you to be transferred," she said. "To Glass Hill. He told Dr Loomis and I about its weeks ago and…"

"So let me get this straight." Colin was speaking before he could stop himself. "He's using what's happened to Charlotte as… what? A footbridge to make his plans easier? He had an ulterior motive for allowing Mr. Myers to go with Danielle? Not because he cares about her at all. My sister's fucking dying here and…"

"That… that's about the size of it," Gemma Stark felt physically sick. "Cuts time he says, and he refuses to send more guards down here. Joanne, Rick, and Jack must do it. The journey with you, Michael. He won't "waste resources" he says by taking you back first. So, you can either stay with Dave and Colin or… or…"

"Fucking bastard!" Danielle snarled. "My fucking best friend is…" she broke off and began to cry. Colin immediately pulled her into his arms. "My fucking best friend is fucking dying, and I really need Michael right now! But of course, Mr. It's all business won't care about that! He's using this to his advantage! That's why he allowed Michael to go with me! I… it's almost beyond belief!"

Just as they'd feared, Rick, Jack and Joanne felt Michael tense in his chains. The first danger sign. "Michael," Rick murmured softly to him. "Please, please don't. Listen, we totally understand your anger, of course we do. We're just as angry as you are. But please, no one innocent should die because of this. Please, please try and control it."

"This is what I was afraid of," Danielle sobbed. "I always feared this! I knew it was too good to be true! Glass Hill is no fucking contact! Even if I was Michael's wife I couldn't! Shit! I always prayed, hoped…" Colin held her tighter. "I'm so torn! Fuck! Do I go with them to see Michael for the last time? Or do I stay here? Shit! I'm losing my man, and my best friend is…" she couldn't continue. To the guards, it felt like they were holding a block of iron. Michael Myers had gone very still, very tense. This was bad. He was angry, very angry, just as they knew he would be.

"Michael," Jack spoke this time. "Please pal. We care about, even respect you. Please don't make us have to use force? We don't want to; you don't want us to. Please work with us here. We'll do anything we can to help you. We're on your side Michael, we always will be."

Danielle pulled back from Colin and stepped towards Michael. Joanne took her arm and guided her towards him between Rick and Jack.

"Michael," her voice broke. Joanne felt her heart do likewise. "Darling, please, don't hurt these guys? They're right, they care about and respect you, and Michael so do I! Hell, I love you! You know that! Please, please don't try to kill anyone here? I… I can't bear to see someone else die!" There was a long, terrible silence. All they could hear was Michael's calm, measured breathing. She felt her fear growing. Michael was angry and someone or several people, could be about to be massacred right here, right now because of Dr Stark's words. Rick and Jack tightened their grips on Michael's arms. "We're here for you Michael," Jack said. "We're not against you."

About ten minutes later, the secure bus pulled up in front of them. Dr Stark stared in shock. How had they got here so fast? It'd only been two hours surely. As she looked inside, she saw Dr Loomis and Andrews sitting within. Her anger swelled again. That little suited bastard wanted to make sure it "all went to plan" or something like that. Just to line his pockets. She felt physically sick. They must've used the lights and siren to get here so quickly.

"So?" Joanne asked Danielle softly. "I can't stay with you if you're staying."

"I'll go, I… I can't do anything to help Charlotte," her voice caught. "Colin, Dave, please c…"

"You don't even have to ask," both men hugged her fiercely. "Any word at all, we'll call you without hesitation."

Danielle could only nod as she stepped towards the secure vehicle. As she did, she whispered to Joanne. "Jesus! Remember that dream I told you about that night months ago? That I was aboard one of these with Michael and…" with a shiver, she stopped speaking. She could tell by her guard's sharp intake of breath that she remembered it too, only too well. They boarded the bus and Andrews' clipped voice was the first thing they heard. Even though she'd never heard it before, Danielle knew it was him immediately. "Ok so I want Miss Hayward in the patient's area, chained to her seat."

"WHAT THE HOLY FUCK?" Joanne shouted. If Danielle hadn't heard it with her own ears, she wasn't sure she'd have believed it. She'd never ever heard Joanne shout like that. The fact it was on her behalf only made her love her even more. "NO FUCKING WAY! I AM NOT CHAINING HER TO HER SEAT! YOU'RE HAVING A FUCKING LAUGH!"

"Miss Hayward is a patient," Andrews said smoothly. "She will be chained to her seat.

"I don't think so," Dr Stark said. While she wasn't shouting, her anger was clear to hear. "Over my dead body Andrews! That is not happening. No way in hell!"

"I am in charge, Miss Hayward here is a patient and she will be chained to her seat before we go anywhere. Handcuffs, the works.

"Then we won't be moving," Dr Stark said simply. "Because that isn't happening Andrews!"

"How dare you…"

"FUCK YOU!" Now Dr Stark was shouting. "YOU ARE A CRUEL, UNCARING, CALCULATED SON OF A BITCH ANDREWS! HOW CAN YOU EVEN DO THIS NOW? TRANSFER MICHAEL WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON? YOU MAKE ME FUCKING SICK! NOW THIS? I REFUSE TO ALLOW DANIELLE TO BE CHAINED TO HER SEAT! IT'S NOT HAPPENING! I'll SEE YOU ARRESTED FOR THIS! CHAINING MICHAEL IS ONE THING, BUTDANIELLE? AS I SAY, OVER MY DEAD BODY!"

Danielle meanwhile had gone deathly pale. Only the seven of them knew why. Adam had chained her up numerous times while he raped and sexually assaulted her or inflicted violence. "No," she said so quietly it was almost a squeak. "Please Sir, no chains, please!"

"Don't you worry," Dr Stark snarled. "You won't be chained. No way in hell!"

"Get moving," Andrews snapped at Ian. The driver nodded. Dr Loomis was glaring at both Ian and Andrews.

"No one is seated," Dr Loomis' voice was ice cold. Ian however ignored this, closed the doors at the push of a button and pulled away as he'd been ordered.

"Then sit down," Andrews replied. "It's simple. I want chains on both Myers and Miss Hayward."

"Please Sir," Danielle begged, words she thought she'd never have to say again. "No chains, please I'm begging you…"

"Begging will get you nowhere," Andrews snapped. "Sit down!" Danielle could feel the approach of a full-blown panic attack. This hadn't happened to her since that night way back when she couldn't find the call button. She didn't realise she was shaking until Joanne put her arms around her.

"Don't make us use force Mr. Andrews," Jack said quietly, but they could hear the threat in his voice. She felt affection almost choke her heart. "I will if I need to. Dr Stark said no, so no it is. If you continue to argue, you will be the one chained to your seat. So shut your fucking mouth."

Andrews once more glared at them, as Jack gave Michael a gentle push into his seat and began chaining him to it. That was when Andrews made his next move.

"We may not have an armed guard on board, but Ian is armed, and we'll also make do with this." From his jacket, he produced a gun, a real one. They heard the click as he cocked it. "This is your last warning, Miss Hayward. Sit down and guards apply Hayward's chains, or I will not hesitate to be the one to use force."

Danielle felt as though she'd stepped in to a nightmare, one there was no awaking from. Jack approached her and guided her to a seat. "Please Sir, please, don't chain me up? I can't…"

"Hey," Jack said and to her total shock pulled her into his arms. "Hey, I'm not Sir to you, I'm jack. Remember? The man with the wife named Jill. The small ears?" As he said this, he lowered his head, so her trembling hands were on said ears. She made a small sound halfway between a sob and a laugh. "You've come so far. Where's the Danielle who pointed my gun at Derek Chancer's head and interrogated him? Where's the Danielle who said fuck you? Don't let this idiot drag you back! He's not worth it! So, don't call me Sir Sweetheart, please? Not ever. I'm Jack, your friend. As for chains, it's not happening, you have our word on this."

"Well?" Andrews snapped. "What are you waiting for? Apply Miss Hayward's chains, or I shoot. It's simple."

As Jack laid Danielle's hand on the back of her seat so she could find it, Dr Stark spoke, her voice very quiet.

"There is a private and confidential reason why Danielle will not be chained to her seat Mr. Andrews. I don't care what you say or do, we are not chaining her. Do you understand? We are the doctors; we've been helping her for months and where have you been? Snug in your leather office chair, that were. It's not happening, the end. As for the reason, you'll know it when hell freezes over. You have no right to know why, nor do you even deserve to. It's her choice if she tells you or not and if I were her, I sure as fuck wouldn't!"

That was when they heard a loud clinking of chains, as Michael stood up. Rick felt the killer lay a firm hand on his chest, but it didn't feel like a threat. It felt as if Michael was saying, I will get past you so don't try to stop me. We're on the same side. Next moment, Danielle felt Michael's hand take hers and the cold steel of his handcuffs against her arm. Almost as if he was saying, see? I'm handcuffed and it's not so bad. No one will be sexually assaulting you this time. Then, he too lowered his head, so she was touching his ears. With her hands still on his ears, with utmost care, Michael eased her into her seat.

"What the…" Andrews demanded. "Do as I say! This is ridiculous! Mr. Myers, sit, down! Guards, this is your final warning! Chain them, or…"

But he got no further because that was when Michael moved. Before Andrews even realised what was happening, he was on the ground, Michael's knee on his chest and both hands around his throat. Michael released him with one hand and took his gun from him as easily as if it were made of plastic. Andrews was trying to fight him off but didn't stand a chance.

"Gemma! Samuel!" Andrews said as best he could through his depleting oxygen supply. "Do your jobs, subdue him, guards, and protect me!"

"I'm very sorry Mr. Andrews," Jack spoke. "But you surely don't need our protection. You're the CEO after all. You're the one who wants them chained up, can you blame them for fighting back?"

Michael tightened his grip on Andrews' throat, as Danielle sat shaking in her seat. Joanne knelt by her and put an arm around her. Rick approached Andrews, pulled his hands behind his back, and handcuffed him.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Andrews demanded, though still unable to shout. "Let me go! How dare you! I'll see you in trouble for this, you'll lose your job!"

Rick laughed bitterly. "Mr. Andrews, I think you'll lose yours long before I lose mine."

Michael once again tightened his grip and now Andrews became both deathly silent and pale. He looked as white as a ghost. "Please," he almost whimpered now. "Please Michael, don't kill me?"

Joanne, Rick, and Jack were all looking at Andrews with the utmost contempt. Ian, in his secure and bullet proof cab had seen none of this, as his eyes were on the road. Now, Dr Loomis reached up and pressed the button to turn on the intercom, so he could hear them. "Ian, I'm asking you please to stop."

A second later, the bus came to a Holt, but Ian didn't get out of his cab. Security rules dictated that he would only do so if the guards pressed the panic button, which would activate an alarm within the cab. But otherwise, he was to always stay there. He had a gun in a shoulder holster, but from within his cab there was no chance of anyone reaching it.

"Please don't kill me?" Andrews pleaded again. Even Danielle could tell Michael was considering the kill. At last, he very slowly stood, Andrews' gun in his hand. Jack, Rick, and Joanne exchanged looks. A silent killer, now an armed, silent killer? He could've killed Andrews so easily, as easily as breathing and still might. Should they be worried? Respect them he might, but he now had a loaded gun in his hand.

But Michael simply turned to Dr Loomis who'd just approached the front, having been speaking with Dr Stark at the back while their guards controlled the situation expertly as always. Dr Loomis gave his patient a nod. Michael moved the gun, so it was pointing directly at Andrews' head.

For a reason only known to him, Andrews stood and approached the barrier between the guards and patient's seats. He was still handcuffed, so Joanne would never know why. But that was his mistake. Michael grabbed the heavy barrier and smashed it right into Andrews' face. The CEO's nose broke, spirting blood everywhere. Michael repeated this, once, twice. Because Andrews was cuffed, he couldn't defend himself and slumped to the ground, unable to clutch his bloody and swollen face. Michael retrained the gun back on Andrews' head, as Dr Loomis turned to face him.

"You will order Ian to turn around," Dr Loomis' voice was very soft, the threat obvious. "He will drive us back to the airport and we will fly Michael back to Smith's Grove. But you will tell him to wait there a moment as Dr Stark makes a phone call. We will then use this vehicle for our purposes, as opposed to yours. If you try anything else Mr. Andrews, I will not stop Michael from killing you. Do you understand? If you alert Ian, you have a gun pointed at you, Michael will shoot before he can do anything. Got me?"

There was a buzz as Dr Loomis turned the intercom on and Andrews relayed what he'd been told to say to the driver. Ian asked no questions; he'd been trained not to. Besides which, orders could change in a moment's notice. He simply turned around and headed back towards Haddonfield airport.

"Not so cocky now the guns on you, are you?" Rick said contemptuously. "Jesus Christ! Do you even know the patients in your hospital? Of course you don't! All you care about is money."

"Just before we get on the plane," Dr Loomis said. "You will telephone Glass Hill and tell them the plans for Michael's transfer have changed, do you understand? Michael is my patient, and I am refusing this transfer. I think you'll find they'll take my authority over yours, Sir. Considering I know Michael a hell of a lot better than you will ever do."

Michael sat down behind Danielle, still wearing wrist and ankle chains, but not chained to his seat. Dr Stark now approached Danielle, knelt beside her, and put an arm around her.

"Listen, I've got a plan. I've texted Dr Clarkson, I just need to speak to her by phone as well first. But she has agreed. How do you feel about staying in Charlotte's flat in the DASC? Its top security and you'll be close to the hospital, able to see Charlotte every day. Colin and/or Dave will pick you up from there and take you with them to the hospital, I've just spoken to them as well. They will also help you with anything, absolutely anything, Dave told me to stress this, that you need. As you just heard, Michael is heading back to SG, but we'll keep you in touch with him, I promise. The DASC will also install the same monitoring app Charlotte has on her phone on yours, and you will have a guard with you whenever you go out and will be protected twenty-four -seven."

"I…" Danielle took a breath. That panic attack had felt so close, she felt like she was still fighting it off.

"You can't do this!" She heard Andrews say to Dr Loomis. Even at gun point, it seemed the man was not giving in.

"I think you'll find we can," Dr Loomis said. "You are… excuse me were, the CEO, not a guard. I think you'll find you are not meant to have a gun on you, it's against the rules. What if a patient overpowered you as indeed just happened? You're not a trained guard, are you Sir? I'm afraid you'll be arrested for this serious breach of security, not to mention your treatment of a very vulnerable patient, who you've never even met before. First thing you say is I want her chained, and you refuse to respect Dr Stark's authority when this is refused, even though she knows there's doubtlessly a reason for it. Her safety wasn't your priority, yours was and yours only. Sorry, your job is over, Sir. Not to mention you dared to threaten Myself, Dr Stark and our guards with it. That is a criminal offence. You're just very lucky Jack, Rick and Joanne didn't decide to defend themselves. They could have very easily, you know. They are trained and very confident guards, all three of them. You were the one who would've been hurt, not them."

"I'm scared," Danielle said to Dr Stark in a squeak of a voice. "That was fucking close! I almost had a panic attack again! No call button this time… chains… fuck! I can't…"

Next second, Michael was kneeling beside her, Dr Stark standing quickly and moving in front of her. Dr Loomis took the gun from Michael and trained it back on Andrews. "Just a thing, eh?" Rick sneered at the soon to be ex CEO. "Really? Then look at this!" Joanne pulled out her keys and un-cuffed Michael, leaving the cuffs hanging from the chains around his waist.

"What the fuck are you…" Andrews began but stopped when Dr Loomis put the gun against his temple. "Shut, up."

Immediately as soon as he was free, Michael's arms were around Danielle, holding her tightly before he kissed her to the lips. Joanne let out a quiet sob. Rick and Jack smiled at each other. Michael placed her hands on his ears and cuddled her close to him. her heart was hammering with the effects of her panic, and she felt Michael's arms tighten around her. "Shh," he said and this time she knew she'd heard it because so had Dr Stark, judging by her own quiet sob. The first time she'd ever seen the consultant show anything other than professional sympathy. This was her real emotion. Michael moved his head, so his ears moved under her hands and this time she was able to let out a small laugh.

Eventually they finally stopped at the airport and Michael himself guided Danielle out of the bus, where she gulped in fresh air. Michael didn't let go of her as Dr Stark dialled Dr Clarkson's number.

"Yes, that's fine," they heard the other consultant say as Dr Stark had put her phone on speaker. "Dave rang me a short while ago to say he'd contacted Nigel manning, Danielle's former neighbour I believe. He's already on his way and says he'll bring anything she needs to her."

A small but genuinely happy smile touched Danielle's lips. Michael had clearly seen it as he stroked her cheek once more.

"Ok," Dr Stark said. "Thank you, Dr Clarkson. We just need to wait until Dr Loomis, Mr. Andrews and Michael have left by plane, then we'll bring her straight to you."

"Thank you for sorting that so fast," Danielle said to her doctor.

"It makes sense," Dr Stark said. "You're closer to Charlotte and just as importantly, you're safe. That's all that matters to us." Dr Stark saw Michael nod to her.

…

"What about me?" Andrews asked Dr Loomis, all his arrogance and I'm in control attitude gone now he had a gun pointed at his head and could've very easily been killed by Michael Myers just moments before.

"What about you?" Dr Loomis asked dispassionately, as if he couldn't care less. Because, he didn't. "You'll do as you're told or die. It's simple, really."

"No," Andrews shook his head, still very white. "I mean, what are you going to do with me?"

"You're going to fly back to Smith's Grove with us, handcuffed of course. Rick and Jack here won't be guarding Michael, they'll be guarding you. I think you forgot this bus has CCTV, and I will be accessing the footage. In fact, Rick…" he turned to the guard who nodded, approaching the cab, opening a small hole with a key, and starting to talk to Ian through it.

Dr Loomis continued. "Rick is now getting the footage for us. As soon as you pulled out your gun, you overstepped the mark and broke every rule in the book. Not to mention in case you've forgotten, this gun has B. Andrews engraved into the handle." Dr Loomis saw Andrews turn, if possible, even paler. "Yes," Dr Loomis nodded. "So, there's no chance of you denying it. You're in trouble I'm afraid, Mr. Andrews."

A few minutes later, Michael stepped slowly back in to the vehicle. Andrews cowered against his seat. Dr Loomis smiled at his patient. "We've got him under control Michael," he said. "I think your mere presence will ensure his good behaviour. But if it doesn't, you can do the honours."

…

"How will I keep in touch with you?" Danielle asked Dr Stark a few minutes later as Dr Loomis, Michael, Rick, jack, and the still cuffed Andrews headed towards the plane. Dr Stark and Joanne were coming with her to see her settled in safely. As Joanne had said, "I don't fancy trying to explain to Michael why if something goes wrong." She'd smiled, but her voice was serious. Dr Stark had nodded in agreement.

"We'll give you a phone number," Dr Stark said. "It'll put you directly through to me or Dr Loomis anytime day or night and we can take the phone to Michael. We've also made a little… tweak to the monitoring app, so not only are professional security companies able to monitor you twenty-four hours, so are we?"

"How did you…" she began.

"Ah, the beauty of technology," Dr Stark squeezed her hand. "We couldn't possibly tell you all our secrets, now, could we? But put it this way. Anything at all happens to you, then not only will we know, but so will Michael, immediately. We promise."

She gave her consultant a small smile as Michael turned back and pulled her close to him, kissing her in front of everyone.

"I'll miss you," she whispered. "Thank you, Michael Myers. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me! I'll be forever grateful to you! I'll see you very soon, I promise! I love you."

She felt herself blinking back tears as the plane finally rows into the sky. Joanne and Dr Stark both hugged her tightly. "You were right," Dr Stark assured her. "You will see Michael very soon; I promise you in turn."

"Thanks," Danielle had to let the tears fall. "It's just… fuck! I miss him so much already…"

"Of course you do," Dr Stark murmured. "It's called love. True love. Enjoy it. Absence…"

"Makes the heart grow fonder," she said, and Dr Stark knew if she could she'd have rolled her eyes.

"No? You don't believe it? It's a very true old saying, you know."

"It's bullshit," Danielle said bluntly. "Right now, it just hurts like hell!"

"I hear you," Dr Stark said as she helped her back on to the bus to drive her to the DASC, her new temporary home. "I'm married and I miss my husband every day."

This was the first time Dr Stark had ever told her something personal about her and Danielle smiled at her for real this time. To her, this little scrap of knowledge Dr Stark had just given, showed the doctor truly cared about her.

"Yeah," Joanne chimed in. "I feel the same about Rick. I miss him too."

"I really don't mean this to be rude, but you'll be back at Smith's Grove tonight, won't you? You'll see him."

"No?" Joanne sounded genuinely surprised. "When we say we're going to make sure you're settled in and safe, we meant it. We're not going back Dr Stark, and I until you tell us you're ok without us. We're staying in rooms attached to your flat."

Danielle opened her mouth but couldn't speak. "You're… you're serious?" She asked.

"Completely," Dr Stark and Joanne said together. "What?" Dr Stark asked. "You thought we'd just drop you off, say thanks and leave?"

"Well… yes," she said sheepishly.

"How could you!" Dr Stark pretended to be hurt. "How could you underestimate us so badly?"

"I love you Dr Stark," Danielle said before she could stop herself. As soon as she'd said it, she realised she meant it. "You've been nothing but kind to me despite me being so damn rude to Joanne, you, and Dr Loomis when I first arrived. I can't thank you enough either for everything you've done to help me. From sleeping pills to listening ears. You're such a good doctor, but an even better woman. As are you, Joanne. A good guard, but a genuine and kind woman!

Her words were so heart felt, Joanne blinked back tears. Dr Stark stepped forward and for the very first time hugged her.

"I'll say what I said to Joanne, rick, and Jack. Don't you dare say it's just a job? You and I both know how much you've done for me! You are so caring Dr Stark and have done way more than a doctor normally would. I'll miss you just as much as I'll miss Michael and Joanne."

"Well don't miss us yet," Dr Stark released her. "Because we're not going anywhere until you tell us you're ready. Also, you just had to get ears in there somewhere didn't you missy? Ok Ian," she said into the intercom. "Drive on, please. It's time for us to take Danielle home."

…

Adam scowled as he listened to the news on his car's radio, finally being released by the police and allowed to go back home. So, his bitch had survived, had she? All be it touch and go as she was now in a coma; she was still fucking alive! Ok she might not make it until morning, but right now she was still living, breathing! This infuriated Adam. Could these guys not even do this properly?

However, he was glad he'd had the foresight to call Ashley from his burner phone before getting rid of it the night before. "I've changed my mind," he'd said. "Don't send me the video, the pigs are all over me. I'll come to you when the coast is clearer."

"Fucking better," Ashely growled. "Mr. Leach won't be happy if you don't. He was very reluctant to authorise this in the first place you know, almost didn't. So, you'd better give us our God Damn money, or you'll have both him and us to answer to and deal with."

"You have my word," Adam promised. But now as he sat in his car, he wondered. They hadn't even killed her correctly. Would he, should he pay for such an incomplete service? If he could he'd go in there and finish the bitch off himself. But of course, that was impossible. The place was crawling with police, as if the idiots seriously thought he was just going to turn up there with flowers and grapes!

The interview with the police had been among the most gruelling Adam had ever faced, and he'd faced a few with them. Most unfortunately for him, Dr Loomis had sent the cops the footage of Graham Williamson's visit to SG, and the cowardly little worm had warned the doctor what was going on.

They'd made their contempt for him obvious during their interview. "Not only that," Detective Peters had said. "But we now also have reason to believe and suspect you were at least involved in another murder which happened just over two weeks ago. We have spoken to Dr Loomis of Smith's Grove hospital, and we find it incredibly suspicious that a man who only an hour before was visiting that location, was found deceased nearby. Especially if you take into consideration the fact that he talked about "tricking a blind woman." Hmm. What does that sound like to you, Mr. Dawson? Not to mention he wrote this."

Detective Peters showed Adam a copy of the message Graham had written Dr Loomis. Adam wants you, watch your back.

"So?" Detective Peters asked, glaring at Adam. Even his solicitor sitting beside him in a well-tailored suit said nothing. But Adam answered as he'd been advised.

"No comment." The police officers exchanged knowing and contemptuous looks.

"Did you plan this visit?"

"No comment."

"Who did you send in to trick her?"

Adam remained silent this time. The interview felt like it'd gone on for hours. When would he get out of here? Finally, he was released, but just as he'd feared he didn't get his phone or any other devices back this time.

"If we find even the slightest proof on any of these," Detective Peters warned him. "We'll be back to arrest you. Do you understand?"

Adam just shrugged and left. Now, he thanked any God who existed and those who didn't that he'd thrown away his cheap burner phone. The pigs couldn't seize it as he no longer had it. The head of a misogynist gang would surely be on their systems, they'd know who he was instantly. Adam had cleared his call log and text messages, which would hopefully make it a hell of a lot harder for the pigs to find them. He'd also refused to give them his pin, taking the consequence of the warning he was committing another offence by doing so. What did he care? He was on borrowed time and knew it, as much as he hated it. He was starting to wonder if he should just get out of Haddonfield for a while. Take his bitch Claire and just go. But he'd be back soon enough. As soon as it was safe to do so. As he continued driving back towards his house, he reflected that right now, safe was one thing he was not.

…

"So, what do you think?"

Danielle, Dr Stark, Joanne, and Nigel who'd arrived half an hour ago were sitting in the living room of Charlotte's DASC flat. The last couple of hours had been intense. She'd had her fingerprints taken, photos and recorded her voice into the voice ID. She'd had to say phrases such as, "I am Danielle Hayward; this is what I sound like." But it had all been worth it when Steph, her DASC engineer said "ok, shall we test it?"

Danielle had been taken up to Charlotte's flat and shown the keypad outside the door. three buttons, one shaped like a microphone, a hand, and a nose.

"Hand is fingerprint," Steph explained, "nose is Face ID and microphone is voice. You select how you want to enter when you get to the door.

"Just one question, this won't remove Charlotte's details, will it?"

"Don't you worry about that," Steph said. "Charlotte's details are going nowhere; you will just both have access to the flat."

Danielle pressed the microphone button and a male voice said, "After the tone, please state "I am" and your name to gain entry." There was a beep.

"I am Danielle Hayward," Danielle said clearly, just as she'd said in the recording suite. There was a soft ding, and the door slid open.

"Bingo," Steph smiled.

"I take it it'll buzz if it doesn't work?"

"Yep. You get two tries and then security is automatically called up to reset the licence and if necessary, ask you to leave. If not willingly, by force."

"Wow, you guys really aren't kidding."

"We take Domestic Violence and abuse very seriously," Steph said. "No shit! What if I've got shopping or something? The door doesn't stay open for very long. There's no way someone can enter behind me."

"Which is precisely the point. So, if you have stuff to bring in, alert reception and a guard will come up with you to keep the door open with a special code only the guards have, but they will also stand outside the door until you are done." This was seriously advanced security. It was just a terrible shame it hadn't managed to save Charlotte's life.

SHE'S NOT DEAD YET! Danielle shouted at herself. DON'T THINK LIKE THAT! DON'T YOU DARE! Charlotte's A FIGHTER AND YOU KNOW IT!

Nigel had been true to his word, collecting anything Danielle needed from Charlotte's parent's house, where all her stuff had been taken after she'd been taken to Smith's Grove. Colin gave Nigel his key and the other man bought anything she needed.

"Thank you so much Nigel," Danielle said, hugging him tightly. "I told Joanne here you're like my grandfather."

"Less of the grand," Nigel said, but there was a small smile on his lips. "I love you too. Thanks for keeping me up to date by text. So, you and Mr. Michael Myers, eh? God help anyone who tries to hurt you now," the older man said. "I sure wouldn't want to piss off Michael Myers."

"That's what I said," Joanne nodded to him.

Now, the four of them were eating take away food, Nigel had insisted on paying for every one of them. Dr Stark and Joanne had tried to argue, but Nigel was having none of it. "Danielle loves you too," he'd said. "You've helped her no end, she's told me that enough times. This is the least I can do to say thank you, whether it's your job or not."

Danielle picked at her food struggling to eat, but Nigel kept nagging her to try her best. She normally loved food from this restaurant, having gone there and had taken away from there countless times with Charlotte before everything had happened. But tonight, she couldn't. Charlotte, Charlotte. Her friend would not leave her mind. Would she make it to see the dawn? Desperate for something to distract herself if that were at all possible, she tried to answer Dr Stark's question.

"It's… well the security's state of the art it seems, fingerprint, face, or voice to get in. The doormen all seem nice, even if it is somewhat intimidating to walk past a group of guys in suits with guns on their shoulders and radios in their ears!

"I thought you'd like the suits," Nigel teased. "As for the ears…"

Dr Stark and Joanne chuckled. Danielle blushed again. "Shut up Nige," she muttered. But it was good that he was at least trying to help her through this hell she and the rest of Charlotte's family were stuck in.

"As for the inside," she continued. "It's surprisingly nice, almost luxurious, I guess. But then, women stay here for a long time sometimes, right?"

"That's correct," Dr Stark agreed.

"Dr Stark," Danielle said quietly, lowering her voice, even though only the three she loved and trusted could hear her. Sadly, the fourth couldn't, being Michael. Nor could Charlotte… but she forced that thought away. "I'm a bit scared to trust. I'm sure Dr Clarkson is a lovely woman, but I don't know her. I've worked with you for months but…"

"Now," Dr Stark chuckled and touched her hand. "Why do you think I'm here and not leaving until you tell us? It's precisely for that reason. So, I can carry on treating you. The therapy rooms here are just as good as Smith's Grove, and I will continue working with you. Although Dr Clarkson has said that she and her staff will help you in any way you need, just ask them."

"You…" Danielle gaped at her doctor, affection rising fast. "You're staying here to continue treating me?"

"But of course," Dr Stark said. "What did you think I was staying here for? To decorate the rooms?"

"I… thank you. That means more to me than I could ever tell you."

"Then you're welcome. It's the same with Joanne. You'll have a guard with you whenever you wish to go out, so it made sense it was one you trust and know well."

"Are you getting paid extra for this?" Danielle blurted out before she could stop herself. "Because if you're not, I want to give you some money! This… this is over and beyond the call of duty, I…"

"Now stop!" Dr Stark's voice was a little stern now. "Don't you start worrying and thinking about that? That's the last thing you need to worry about! Joanne and I will be just fine."

"Agreed," Joanne said. "Don't even go their Missy, got me?"

"I think you've just been told," Nigel hugged her and kissed her forehead. "I'd do as they say if I were you."

Danielle couldn't deny however she might try, that the fact Joanne was with her was hugely comforting. When she was there in all her equipment and concentrating solely on her, she felt incredibly protected and now, cared for. When she'd first arrived, it had purely been to guard her. Now, Joanne felt like so much more than a guard. A friend, the mother she'd never had. She'd gone way passed what was expected in her job description.

A few minutes later when she entered her on suite bathroom, Nigel spoke quietly to the doctor and guard. "I agree with Danielle. Please let me at least give you something?"

"Nope," Dr Stark and Joanne said together. "There's no need Mr. Manning," Dr Stark said. "If it wasn't for you, we would never have met her. That's enough for us."

"Are you sure? Also please, call me Nigel?"

"Done. Yep, positive, there's no need Nigel. We are getting paid by Smith's Grove, but that's irrelevant. We want to be here, we want to do this for her during this hard time, just as much as you do. It's the least we can do during this terrible time."

When Danielle came out, Dr Stark showed her again where Joanne's and her rooms were. She'd been right, they were literally connected to the flat. Their rooms were in a little corridor just inside the front door. Dr Clarkson explained they were there if a woman needed a psychologist close by twenty-four-seven, a doctor or councillor.

…

"I told you," Dr Loomis said, as they landed at the airport nearest to Smith's Grove. "Our guards and driver are armed, there is no need for you to get on your high horse Mr. Andrews. You were perfectly safe. The only reason you got overpowered was because you threatened the wrong people… people Michael Myers here happens to care about."

"Armed?" Andrews sneered. "What? Those flimsy, stupid rubber bullets? Jesus Christ! They won't do a damn thing to anyone besides sting! I never agreed we should use them."

"Is that really what you think?" Rick asked softly. "You're so wrong Sir. Just ask Adam Dawson." Jack smirked at his colleague.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Andrews said, clearly still unwilling to drop the attitude now he no longer had a gun pointed at him. "But those stupid bullets, or so-called bullets, don't do a damn thing to a fly!"

"You're just lucky Joanne, Jack or Rick didn't decide to prove you wrong," Dr Loomis said. "They could have you know and would've been quite within their rights to do so. Considering you threatened them and showed cold, merciless cruelty to a very vulnerable patient you know no more about, than what is written in her file on entrance to Smith's Grove." Nothing, in other words."

"You're too fucking soft Dr Loomis," Andrews snapped. "That's your problem. She is a patient, end of story. She should've been chained according to the rules, and you know this only too well. You and Gemma Stark both broke those rules."

"That's your problem," Dr Loomis said to Andrews, releasing him from his seat but not the handcuffs. "You only care about money, rules. You don't care about the patients as people. Some very ill, other very dangerous patients pass through our hospital Mr. Andrews. What they need is compassion and care, not HR ticks in a box."

"Bullshit," Andrews snarled as Rick and Jack took his arms to lead him off the aircraft. "Unhand me! You are my guards; you are supposed to be protecting me! Let me go! I'll see you all fired for this! I don't even know what all the fuss is about! Just because she's blind, you all act as if she's made of cotton wool! Maybe that's what she needed, some toughening up! What the hell was wrong with her anyway? Why she was so apparently terrified? They were only chains; anyone would think they were snakes! Whatever care and compassion you've given her clearly hasn't worked. You're treating her like a child and she's most certainly not! Yes, she had horrific scars, I've seen the pictures. But how do I know she didn't deserve…"

But that was as far as he got because that was when Michael's arm closed tightly around his throat. Rick and Jack looked at each other as Myers began to squeeze Andrews's windpipe. Should they act?

"Oh dear," Dr Loomis said mildly, as if nothing was happening. "You just insulted Michael Myers' partner, oh excuse me, his, "thing." I don't think… well I'd like to say you'll regret that, but I don't think you'll live long enough to. I think you pushed Michael here over the edge when you kept talking about the chains. As for her scars, that was a big, big mistake."

Jack and Rick looked at Dr Loomis, unsure what to do. They couldn't lie, they were a little afraid themselves. If they tried to help Andrews, Michael could easily target them. It was their job to subdue him but should and perhaps more critically, could they?

…

Before she went to bed, Joanne and Danielle went for a little walk in the streets surrounding the DASC. She hated herself for admitting it, but there was a small part of her which was thrilled to have Joanne with her exclusively. Was that selfish? After a short hesitation, she asked her guard that very question."

"No," Joanne said, squeezing her arm. "You've always had me exclusively since you first walked through Smith's Grove's doors. I was assigned to you from the word go. I knew this before you even arrived."

"How did you feel? I mean, knowing you had a blind patient to guard? Please be honest? I won't be offended I promise!"

Joanne hesitated. She'd known one day Danielle would probably ask her this very question, but should she tell the truth?

"Come on," she teased, poking Joanne's arm this time. "I'm not the woman you met that first day, I love you. Please?"

"Not the Danielle I met that first day? Don't I know it?" Joanne chuckled. "Only too well. Ok. I was… apprehensive at first, I won't lie to you. I'd never met anyone blind before you and it was a big responsibility I wasn't sure I could handle."

"Yeah, a lot of people think that. Don't apologise, but lots of people are scared when they first meet a blind person. They don't want to offend us, say the wrong thing, know how to treat us, the stereo type is to treat us like we're stupid. When I said, "you mean carer?" to you on that first day," she winced. "That was me trying to insult you. I'd heard the word "carer" so often in my life and I hated it. I thought you were going to treat me like a child, speak for me, and do everything for me. I have never been more wrong. You treated me no differently to anyone else. So…" Now she stopped and hugged Joanne tightly. "You had nothing to worry about Joanne. Don't know why you were even worried. The fact I was blind never even seemed to make a difference to you, at least not around me. I never saw it, pun intended. You always treated me with the utmost kindness and respect. All you had to do was guide me, which you're doing right now. So honestly? I don't know what you were afraid of."

"Oh Danielle," Joanne hugged her back. "You're such a sweetheart."

"I could've told you that," said Nigel's voice from behind them. He stepped forward and took her other arm. "Hope you don't mind me joining you ladies, Dr Stark is talking to Dr Clarkson, so thought I'd see if I could find you."

"I'll never mind seeing you Nige," she squeezed the older man's hand. "I can't thank you enough for what you did that day. Without you, I might very well be dead now."

Joanne saw Nigel glaring into the distance. "I always suspected," he said quietly. "That Adam Dawson was abusing you, and there was that day you finally told me the truth."

"I was so sorry when you lost Sophie," she said as they walked on. "That must've really hurt."

Nigel smiled sadly. "It did. Married for fifty years and losing her to cancer is not an easy thing to deal with."

"I'm so sorry," Joanne said quietly.

"Thank you my dear," Nigel smiled more genuinely at her now. "But when you moved in, you filled my heart with joy I thought I'd never feel again. I was determined to help you out of that shit Adam had put you through. You didn't deserve any of it."

This time when she stopped, she hugged them both at once. "I love you," she whispered. Tears of affection now sliding down her face. "I love you both so much."

…

Rick put his hand on Michael's arm to try and pull the killer back, but it was like trying to move a slab of stone. Andrews was quite possibly breathing his last breaths. Jack tried to help his colleague. "Michael," he murmured. "Please man, don't kill him. Let him go to prison like he deserves. Dr Loomis is going to call the police when we get back, the footage is already in his inbox. Please, he deserves to suffer for what he's done."

Rick looked desperately to Dr Loomis, and finally reached for his gun. He had to do his job, whatever had happened before. He had to stop Michael committing this kill. He loaded his gun with a rubber bullet and aimed at Michael. It was ironic that the very bullets Andrews had such distain for were hopefully about to save his life.

"MICHAEL!" Rick shouted. "THIS IS YOUR ONE AND ONLY WARNING! RELEASE HIM, OR I SHOOT!"

Jack felt sick. Rick had told him once of how Michael had helped him on to his bed, given him a glass of water, and even carried him out to the ambulance after Derek Chancer had almost killed him. But there was no sign of that respect now. Michael's eyes were fixed on Rick, cold, blank, emotionless. A challenge?

"MICHAEL!" It was Dr Loomis' turn to shout. "Please. You've come so far, don't undo it all now by killing someone. You've come all the way from Haddonfield back here and haven't touched anyone. That shows huge progress. Please, work with me here Michael, let him go. Yes, he insulted her very cruelly and I am very sorry for this and totally understand your anger, I'm angry too. But if you kill him, you'll be going back to square one again." Dr Loomis stepped forward and put a hand on the killer's tense arm around Andrews's neck. "Come on now Michael," he murmured. "She needs you. She'll probably want to speak to you very soon and if you do this, she won't be able to. How do you think she'll feel if we have to tell her you've killed someone tonight?"

Jack noticed now that Rick's hand holding the gun was shaking slightly. He no more wanted to do this than Dr Loomis did. Rick looked Michael straight in the eye and his voice cracked a little. Jack understood why. Michael could break and snap Andrews's, or even Rick's neck as easily as one might twist the lid off a coffee jar.

"Michael, please. I remember so well how you protected and looked out for me after Derek Chancer almost killed me. How you gave me a glass of water, gave me your bed, and even carried me out to the ambulance! Listen my friend, I really, really don't want to do this. But it's my job. Please, please don't make me? I'll forever be thankful to you for what you've done, and I really don't want to have to use force against you."

Jack and Dr Loomis saw Michael's and Rick's eyes meet now. Very, very slowly, Michael released Andrews. The CEO gasped for breath as Jack quickly grabbed his arms to escort him off the aircraft. But even then, even given he'd nearly died, Andrews couldn't resist a parting shot. "At least she knew who was in charge, calling me Sir!"

"SHUT UP!" Rick, Jack, and Dr Loomis shouted in unison. Rick took Michael's arm.

"Come on," he murmured, leading him from the aircraft after Jack and Dr Loomis.

As soon as they were off the aircraft, Michael shrugged Rick's hand from his arm. Not aggressively, but Rick got the point. Don't touch me. "Ok," he said softly, walking beside the killer as they headed for the waiting car back to the hospital. Rick was filled with contempt all over again when he heard Andrews still complaining, all be it his voice was hoarse, and his windpipe would bruise in the morning. If Rick was honest with himself, that was just fine with him.

"I don't know why that stupid bitch Joanne felt it was safe to remove Michael's handcuffs. If she hadn't, this wouldn't have happened. You should've put them back on. Why didn't you? You know how dangerous Michael Myers is and he nearly killed me today. Twice!"

"Couldn't happen to a nicer man," Rick muttered and heard Jack's snort of laughter beside him.

As they reached the car the two guards glanced at Dr Loomis, asking if they should re-cuff Michael. But the doctor shook his head, and the guards simply took their places either side of Michael in the back of the vehicle, as they headed back to Smith's Grove.