"It's ok I've got this," Leach said casually, as if he was dealing with a piece of litter as opposed to a rolling human head. "I'll deal with this. You guys get moving." Rick saw Leach pick up Adam's head by its ears, and reflected Danielle would've loved that, but he sure as hell wasn't going to tell her, he was fighting with his own stomach. "Got his head by the ears," Leach said conversationally, as if reading Rick's mind.
Before Danielle could take as much as a step, she felt the arms around her. Not Rick or Jack this time, but Michael. For a second stupid as it was, she felt a twinge of fear. Michael had just killed two men: all be it they'd been Ashley and Adam. Was he still…? But she instantly got the answer when with a metallic clang, Michael's knife hit the floor. A lump rushed to her throat. He was telling her she was and would always be completely safe from him. Rick picked up the knife and pocketed it. Unable to stop herself, Danielle took a chance she would never have dared to just weeks before. Reaching up, she tentatively felt Michael Myers' infamous mask for the very first time. It simply felt like thick rubber, even the hair was fake.
"It might not feel terrifying," Jack said. "But believe me, fuck me it looks it!"
A few seconds later, Danielle did something she would never have believed she would ever do, not if she wanted to live! She took hold of the fake hair of the mask and very gently pulled it from Michael's face. He didn't try to stop her, just took it from her when she held it out and slipped it into his pocket. Jack, Rick and even Dr Loomis drew in breath. No one else would ever, ever have been allowed to do that and lived to tell the tail!
"Ok. Jack," Dr Loomis said, and Danielle was glad to hear him taking control. "Let's get out to the car, get to the hospital. Rick, stay here with the cops, tell them the story we tried to restrain Michael, but it was impossible, and he killed Adam and this rapist," he kicked Ashley's corpse. "We couldn't do a thing."
"Got it boss," Rick said immediately.
"Wait, can you?" It was Leach speaking quietly. "Just one second, please?" The crime Lord approached them, holding out his hand to the killer.
"Guys, I'm so terribly sorry. I had no idea what Dawson's… or should I say the late Dawson's plan was in the end. I mean I knew he was going to try and grab you Danielle, but this?" He gestured at Danielle's deathly pale face. "Too far! That's why I was waiting at the airport, I knew enough was enough and had to do my part! If you kill me next Mr. Myers, I deserve it. I should've, could have done more to stop him and I didn't, purely thinking of money. Yes, I'm a high-ranking criminal, I'll admit it. But that? Too much."
"Please don't?" Danielle said to Michael. "He got me out of my chains as you saw, treated my wounds, and helped me. I think he really is sorry for everything. He helped rescue me tonight."
Chris Leach and the others were sure they heard Michael softly sigh, before to Leach's shock, the killer took his proffered hand in a firm shake.
"Thank you both," Leach said quietly. "I'm going to disband the rest of the Misogynist gang; I want nothing further to do with them and I'm also going to work hard on turning my life around. Maybe this lifestyle isn't what I want after all."
"Good for you," Danielle said sincerely. "Good luck, Chris."
"Thanks," the crime Lord said, shaking her hand in turn. "You take care and get better soon."
To Danielle's enormous relief, Dr Loomis didn't step in to stop Michael supporting her. Next second she'd been lifted into his arms and was being carried from the house. Who knew it? She thought. Michael just killed two men in cold blood and now he's carrying me to safety. Not just that, but he loves me.
As soon as they reached the car, Dr Loomis turned to Michael. "Michael, do you remember what we discussed?" The killer didn't react while he eased Danielle as lovingly as he could into her seat, trying not to hurt her any more than she already was. Finally, and only when he was sure she was as comfortable as possible, he turned to his doctor and nodded very slightly.
"Sorry my friend," Rick said as he picked up wrist and leg chains. "I no more want to do it than Jack or Dr Loomis do. But we must. Please trust us though, you'll be beside each other all the way tonight from this moment on, not separated at all." He chained Michael, but nowhere near as tight as it should be, purely for show. The two guards helped the now chained killer into the car, into the seat beside Danielle, before Rick walked back into the house. Jack and Dr Loomis took the seats behind them, Scott jumped into the driver's seat and within seconds the whale of the siren once more rent the air as they shot in to the rapidly falling night.
…
Darkness. That was the first thing Joanne saw when she tried to open her eyes. They felt like they were stuck together with glue. When she finally managed, even then she was still disorientated. She blinked several times, before her hospital room came slowly back in to focus and with it, her memories. Of course. She was in the hospital after that prick Adam Dawson had injected her with chloroform to enable him to take Danielle. Shit! Danielle! Where the hell was she? Was she ok?
She was just about to get out of bed when as if on cue, there was a gentle knock on her door. "Come in?" Joanne called and was relieved to hear she sounded almost back to normal now.
The door opened and Joanne didn't know whether to feel terror or relief when she saw Dr Loomis enter her room. She opened her mouth to speak, but Dr Loomis got there first.
"Joanne, its ok, Danielle's alright, we got to her. Long story, but she's now in this hospital. Michael is also with her."
"How?" Joanne asked. "I thought you'd gone back to Smith's Grove?"
"Danielle's monitoring app," he said, hearing Joanne's soft "Ah, of course."
"But just humour me for a moment please Joanne. How are you feeling?"
"Like I got knocked out with Chloroform, Getting there," Joanne said, deciding her boss would know immediately if she lied, so stuck to the truth. "Chloroform is evil, lethal shit. I'm just thankful they only wanted to knock me out. They could've just as easily killed me. But I wasn't that evil fucker's target! Where is he now? Have the police got him?"
Dr Loomis smiled grimly. "There's no need to arrest him now."
"No… what the hell are you talking about?"
"Well, that is, unless they've changed the law so criminals who are now in their coffins have to face trial?"
Joanne stared at him, then spoke one word in just above a whisper. "No?"
"Yes," Dr Loomis said, again with that grim smile. "Adam Dawson had made an enemy named Michael Myers and as we both know that's… not the best idea if you want to live a long and happy life."
Joanne couldn't help but notice that her boss had not elaborated on Dawson's cause of death, and she sure as hell didn't want the details just then either. "Good," she said instead. "Good riddance."
Slowly and carefully, Joanne climbed out of bed and was relieved to find her legs responding to her brain's commands. She felt almost as good as new. "I have to see Danielle," she said to Dr Loomis, who didn't object, just nodded. "This way."
Joanne followed him down the corridors, expecting any moment she'd start to feel tired or groggy again, but no such thing happened. It seemed clear that the drug was almost out of her system entirely.
"Now I will warn you," Dr Loomis said quietly as they stopped outside a room in another ward. "I… wouldn't ask Michael to leave if you want to live past tonight."
Joanne gave her boss the same grim smile he'd given her. "Got it. Wouldn't even think about it."
…
Joanne knocked quietly on the door and heard Danielle's weak voice say, "Come in?"
The guard opened the door and stepped in. She had to stifle a gasp of both shock and anger as she saw Danielle. The young woman was lying in her hospital bed, an IV in her right arm, hooked up to several beeping and flashing monitors. She was also covered in bandages from head to foot. What the fuck had that bastard done to her? If it really was true, he was dead, Joanne was just sorry she hadn't been there to see it. "Hello," she said quietly but she didn't have to say anymore. Just at the sound of her voice, Joanne was almost brought to tears by the smile which seemed to light up Danielle's pale and injured face.
"Joanne?"
It was only then Joanne saw Michael sitting in the visitor's chair, chained by hands and ankles, but she strongly and privately suspected knowing Rick, Jack, and Dr Loomis as she did, that this was simply for show and to reassure the nurses and hospital staff that they were safe. Michael wouldn't target them now, would he?
"Sweetheart," Joanne spoke again and this time she did feel tears start to fall. Her voice cracked. "Sweetheart I am so, so s…"
"No," Danielle said so firmly that Joanne stopped and looked at her in surprise, her mouth hanging open. "Don't you dare, Joanne? How is it your fault you were knocked out with Chloroform, so Adam could snatch me! What? You drug resistant or something? Let's not forget, you're in this hospital because of him same as Charlotte and I am, we've all been affected by that evil son of a bitch! So don't give me any of your, "I'm sorry," bullshit because I won't listen! You hear me? This was entirely Adam's and his goon's fault, not yours!"
Joanne gaped at her, speechless. For someone who was as injured as she looked, Danielle certainly just put Joanne in her place good and proper.
"Um, ok," was all Joanne could say, her voice was shocked. "Who are you and what have you done with Danielle Hayward?"
Danielle smiled, but there was no humour in it. "I survived."
A few moments later, there was another knock on the door and a nurse entered. "Hi," she said gently. "Dr Merrick has asked for a CT and MRI scan, just to check you have no head trauma. We'll take you down shortly, ok?"
She groaned. "Fuck! I've never had either of those before, I don't have a clue what to expect! I…"
"Do you want me to explain?" The nurse immediately closed the door and sat down in the other chair, telling her how both scans would work. How they were very noisy, but she would be wearing ear defenders.
"If you want, I'll be right with you," Joanne said immediately. She looked genuinely apprehensive.
"Right, you won't be alone at all," the nurse agreed. "But Dr Merrick reiterated this really needs doing, just in case."
"Ok."
"How are you feeling now?" The nurse asked. "Do you need any more pain medication?"
"Are you guys absolutely sure they didn't nick any of my arteries?"
"Yes sweetheart, positive. Why?"
"Because I keep feeling tingling sensations all over where the cuts are and they're…" she hesitated, and Joanne could see she was trying not to swear. The nurse lightly touched her shoulder, with a soft chuckle. Clearly, she too understood this. "Fucking agony," Danielle finished through gritted teeth. "I really don't like the thought of lying in a hard machine on these cuts. Can't you knock me out or something?"
"We can't knock you out, but we can give you something to numb the pain."
"Great," she said bitterly. "Something I've never been through in my life, and I must do it conscious and covered in cuts. Fucking Adam!"
"We'll be back in a few moments to take you down," the nurse said, standing. "Your friends there can be right beside you if you want, of course. They'll…" she hesitated. "Just must remove any metal due to the magnetics. Give me just a few and I'll be right back."
Would Michael be allowed to be with her without his metal chains? "Fuck!" She said suddenly. "How's Charlotte?"
"Now don't you worry," it was Joanne's turn to sound stern. "There has been no change, her parents are still here with her. I spoke to them earlier and one thing they were adamant on was when you were found you were told to worry about yourself for once."
"Sounds like the kind of thing the Avery's would say. Even if their daughter is critically ill in a coma!"
"You're a daughter to them too," Joanne reminded Danielle quietly.
…
Laurie Strode cursed as she headed down yet another corridor. Her 10-year-old daughter Karen was in here with a rash and no one knew what'd caused it yet. Weren't these damn doctors going to tell her anything? Laurie hated being out in public ever since that Halloween night in 1978, when she'd survived an encounter with Michael Myers. All she wanted was to get Karen home and look after her herself. But until she knew how and what the problem was that was impossible. Laurie hated that.
She'd just turned towards her daughter's room when she saw two Smith's Grove guards standing against the wall close to another room's door. What the hell? Their name badges said Jack and Rick. That was strange, what on earth had happened to bring someone from Smith's Grove to Haddonfield Memorial Hospital? She felt a brief stirring in her stomach and felt the reassuring coldness of her gun in its belt holster. If it was indeed something to do with Michael, she would be ready for him. But that was insane, wasn't it? Why on earth would Michael Myers be here? Crazy. They had good medical facilities at Smith's Grove, Laurie knew that much from her extensive research of the place. There would be no reason at all for Michael Myers to be brought back here, much less to Haddonfield. None.
So why were the hairs on the back of her neck standing up? Trying to ignore the feeling that she was being watched, she headed towards Karen's room. Her daughter was all that mattered to her now, and Laurie was determined to get answers.
But when she saw Dr Loomis walking towards her, all Laurie's extremities right down to thoughts seemed to stop in their tracks. What the fuck was Samuel Loomis doing here? Michael's doctor? When he saw her, he too stopped as if in disbelief.
"Laurie," he spoke in just above a whisper. "What are you doing here? You need to be careful."
"My daughter's sick," Laurie snapped. "Why do you think I'm here? To hook up with a sexy doctor? Don't you fucking dare tell me he's here Loomis! If so, why?"
Dr Loomis had already pressed a button and spoken quietly into his radio. Next moment, Rick and Jack whom Laurie had seen a few seconds ago entered the room whose door they'd been standing by. Laurie stared at them. "What the fuck Dr Loomis?"
"Laurie," Dr Loomis repeated. "Please, do what you need to do but leave this corridor if you can. It's a long story but trust me, Michael is NOT after you."
"Currently, you mean?" Laurie gave him a look of clear contempt. "Why? What the fuck is stopping him? Michael Myers has been after me since 1978! What now the fuck has changed twenty years later?"
"Please," Dr Loomis said quietly. Laurie noticed he was not raising his voice. "Please, I need you to believe me! Is there anything I can help you with? I of course will, but you need to move away from this room."
"My fucking daughter's sick!" Laurie repeated, staring Dr Loomis straight in the eyes. "She's there, that room there! I'm not going anywhere until she's better." Laurie pointed to the door almost directly opposite Danielle's. Dr Loomis cursed. How had the staff been so damn careless? Surely everyone knew the Surname Strode, but clearly, they hadn't realised it was Michael Myers with their party. Of course, he wasn't masked, which made that understandable they hadn't recognised the killer. But Laurie Strode was Michael's number one target, as she herself had just said. Dr Loomis knew he had to do something and fast. The question was, what?
…
Danielle had lapsed back into drug educed sleep, the beeping of her monitors perfectly steady. Joanne glanced quizzically at Jack and Rick, but both shook their heads. All Joanne's equipment was in her room having been removed when she'd been brought in unconscious, so she had no radio. Rick stepped forward and hugged her gently but tightly.
"We'll talk babe," he whispered. "As soon as we can. But I'm so glad to see you're ok! I love you," he kissed her cheek.
"Is she conscious?" Jack asked softly.
Joanne shook her head. "The drugs have knocked her out again poor thing. I just hope it stays that way for her scans."
A nurse opened the door then and told them they'd be taking her down in ten minutes. Joanne nodded.
It was at that moment while the door was open that Michael Myers and Laurie Strode saw one another. Totally silently and without emotion, Michael got to his feet, pulling out his mask.
"Shit," Rick cursed. "Fuck!"
"Michael," Jack pleaded. "Please listen to me man. Please don't do this! Danielle needs you!" But he stopped. It was clear Michael wasn't hearing a word any of them were saying, his cold, intense black eyes fixed on his target since 1978. Rick was sure that chains or no chains, Michael would kill Laurie if he got the chance. The chains were after all way looser than they should be, purely for show. But now, Rick realised the stupidity of this mistake. They'd trusted Michael and in normal circumstances were sure they'd be able to. But now? Why the holy fuck was Laurie damn Strode here, now?
Rick and Jack moved into action, moving to either side of the killer. Despite having no protective equipment, Joanne was the one who moved to block the door.
Go, Laurie! Jack pleaded silently. Please! Go!
As both male guards watched helplessly, Michael pushed Joanne aside as easily as if she were made of plastic. Joanne staggered and hit the wall, but even then, she couldn't help noticing how Michael hadn't used anywhere near as much force as the old Michael Myers would have. It was as though he was saying to her, I don't want to hurt you, but you will not stand in my way. Jack and Rick took off after the killer and with only a second's hesitation, Joanne followed. She knew she had to.
…
Laurie turned from Karen's room, a nurse having just gone inside to check on her. She took one step forward and that was when she saw Michael Myers standing right behind her. Laurie reacted without thinking, pulling her gun from its holster, and cocking the weapon towards the masked killer. In turn, Michael took a step towards the woman he'd wanted to kill since 1978.
"Please!" This time it was Dr Loomis who spoke. "Please Michael, I'm begging you. Laurie, go! Please, just go! Go to your daughter, she needs you! There is a long story to this, and I do not wish to stand here and tell you! Apart from anything else, it's not my place to do so! Let's just say, Michael is here helping someone in this hospital. Please Michael, don't ruin everything you've done over the last few months now. Don't throw it all away for this one kill? Please?"
Laurie was staring at Dr Loomis as if he had indeed gone just as crazy as she'd thought he had. "What the fuck Loomis? Michael Myers doesn't help anyone. He creeps, he kills! End of story! What the hell are you talking about?"
Michael took another deliberate and purposeful step towards his intended victim. Laurie stared straight into his masked face and raised her gun.
"Think about it!" Rick hissed. "For God's sake think! You start firing here Laurie, in a hospital you'll start an all-out riot! There's… at least one critically ill person in here we know of and believe me, it won't help! Michael, please take off your mask. Someone sees Michael Myers. Also starting a riot! Please, I know you hate each other… just… please, not here? Outside if you absolutely must… but not here! Please!"
Michael reached up and grabbed Laurie by the shoulders. Rick had been right. Chained or not, Michael Myers was strong, inhuman. Rick had always suspected this, but now he was seeing it right in front of his eyes. Laurie's mouth opened in surprise as Michael started dragging her away from the room and towards an exit door out of the ward.
"Move!" Dr Loomis said to his guards as quietly as he could without shouting. They didn't need telling twice. Rick, Jack and even Joanne all sprinted after them.
Laurie stared as the three guards rushed out of the door and stopped in front of them. Why the hell had Michael Myers taken the time to drag her away from this ward before killing her? Why did he care where she died? As long as she did?
There were no cameras in this corridor, it was also dark. Though she hated to admit it, Laurie could see the guards and Dr Loomis' point. Firing in a hospital would be a very bad idea indeed. Whoever Michael was "helping" here and everyone else would panic. But what if that was a made-up story? What if they were lying to her? Laurie's hesitation was her mistake. Because next second, Michael had slammed her up against the brick wall and his hands were around her throat.
"MICHAEL!" One of the guards yelled and the three of them moved into action with a speed that even while struggling for breath, Laurie couldn't help but admire. They'd clearly been trained well. Both male guards grabbed Michael's arms and tried to pull his hands from her throat, while the female took Laurie's arm, trying to pull her backwards and away from Michael.
"Come on man," one of the men gasped for breath. "Please! This isn't helping! She needs you! Control the kill, Michael! You must! What about her, huh? She's injured, and about to have scans, the woman you love! You do this and you won't see her for a very long time! We turned a blind eye in Smith's Grove because we could and because you were protecting her, she'd been cruelly wronged, but we won't be able to do so here! Not a chance in hell!"
Laurie was still fighting for her life; Myers' hands were a death grip around her throat. But she had registered what the guard had said. Michael Myers had a woman he loved. What the fuck? Were these guys crazy too? Michael Myers didn't love; he didn't know how or even what it was! Laurie knew this! Michael Myers was an inhuman killing machine, that was all there was to it. Laurie knew that no matter who this woman was, not even she would be able to save her from Michael Myers. Laurie could feel her strength ebbing away, then her knees gave out from under her, only held up by Michael's grip on her neck. Unconsciousness swam at the edges of her vision, and she had no choice but to give in to the approaching darkness and oblivion.
…
Emma Avery looked sadly at her daughter, still unmoving and unconscious in her hospital bed and hooked up to several flashing and beeping machines. Colin who was sitting beside her lovingly took her hand.
"Mom?"
Emma smiled sadly at her son, then reached over and put her arm around him. "Sorry darling, this whole thing is just…" she took a shuddering breath. "I'm so glad they've found her, but what will Adam try next? That's what scares me beyond anything else."
Colin shot his mother a look. "Mom, from what I heard Michael Myers was with the party who rescued her. Are you seriously telling me you believe Adam is still alive?"
Emma looked at him for a second, clearly not understanding. Then her mouth dropped open. "I… I guess I didn't think of that," she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Colin and Dave had eventually told Emma that Danielle had been kidnapped by Adam and that rescue was underway, but they hadn't given her all the details until they knew she was safe in this very same hospital. Now, Emma looked steadily back at her son.
"You really think that's true?" She put a hand to her mouth. "That Adam is dead I mean?"
"If Michael Myers entered that house, got Danielle out and left Adam Dawson alive, I'll be very surprised indeed," Colin said simply. "So yes, I think its true mom."
Emma made no response this time. In unison, mother and son turned back to look down at their daughter and sister unconscious in her hospital bed.
"Come on sis," Colin murmured. "If I'm right, Adam Dawson will and can never hurt you again. Please, just wake up. We need you; we love you! You're safe now."
"That's if she doesn't have irreparable brain damage from this," Emma said, blinking back tears. "Mom," Colin said gently but firmly. "We don't know what will happen yet, we can't start worrying before it's even happened. We must trust the doctors and even they aren't sure yet. She might make a full recovery."
Emma knew her son was right, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She sighed, but slowly nodded to him. "I want to talk with Danielle as soon as I can," she said after a few moments of silence.
Colin nodded. "Of course you do mom, we all do. She's being checked over in surgery now, just in case that bastard hurt her internally."
"I know," Emma nodded, just as Dave walked back into the room. "How's she?" Colin and Emma said together.
Looking at his father, Colin was struck by the thought his old man had aged twenty years in the space of just twenty-four hours. He looked exhausted, almost grey. But then he reasoned, they probably didn't look all that hot they right then.
"I don't know any more than you do," Dave slumped into the chair beside Colin's. "They won't let anyone into where Danielle is accepting very few."
"Do you know if…" Emma began, catching her husband's eyes. Dave shook his head. He knew what his wife was asking. Was Michael Myers with her?
"I don't know hon," Dave said heavily. "We can't get into her ward just now. Last Dr Merrick told me they're taking her down for scans very soon."
"Fuck!" Colin slammed his hand against Charlotte's wheeled table, making the contents rattle. "How I wish I could've seen it if indeed Myers has killed that little fucker! That fucking misogynist would deserve whatever he got! But damn it I wish I'd seen it!"
"I don't think you're alone their son," Dave squeezed his son's shoulder. "I think we all would. Not least Charlotte."
Dave turned back to Emma, who was looking sadly at their unconscious daughter. "Are you going to talk to Danielle about what we discussed?"
"Yes," Emma said, her voice hoarse with crying for both her daughter and the woman who she considered one. "As soon as I can."
"I think she'll listen to you mom," Colin took his mother's hand again. "She loves you like a mother. You've done way more for her than her so-called mother ever did!"
Emma smiled sadly at her son. "Thank you darling, that is sadly true."
"You know," Colin said quietly, as if to himself. "If things had been different, I could've seen myself possibly with her. I've liked her all my life, but now?" He laughed humourlessly. "I am sure as fuck not arguing with Michael Myers! If he makes her happy, fair play to the guy! I won't be standing in his way! But I swear to God if he ever hurts her, I won't hesitate to take revenge."
"Well let's just hope he doesn't," Dave said very quietly, also looking at Charlotte's unconscious form. "Charlottes already come close to death at the hands of a so-called man; we don't want you to follow her."
Colin looked away, unable or unwilling to answer.
…
"MICHAEL!" Dr Loomis yelled again. "PLEASE, THIS ISN'T HELPING ANYONE!"
The masked killer hadn't released Laurie, and it was clear she didn't have long left. She was turning slowly but surely deathly blue and her struggles had ceased as she'd lost consciousness. Joanne, Rick, and Jack were still trying desperately to pull Michael back, but without success. Laurie Strode's life depended on them, and they were failing her. Joanne felt sick. Michael Myers loved Danielle but right now, he was demonstrating, as if any of them had ever doubted it, that he still had the urge to kill as much as he ever had. What if one day something happened which did make him target Danielle? Joanne didn't want to think about that, but the possibility was staring her straight in the face. Finally, Rick managed to pull Michael back just enough for Laurie to snatch in one harsh breath, just as the stairwell door creaked open.
If Samuel Loomis hadn't seen who was standing there with his own eyes, he wasn't sure he'd have believed it. It was Danielle. She was still wired to machines; wires trailing out into the corridor and was wearing an oxygen mask over her face. How the hell had she found them? But then again, the shouting was probably a good indication. How the hell had she got out of her room with all those wires on? She looked very weak and unsteady on her feet. Unable to stop herself, Joanne ran forward to catch her before she fell. For a few seconds, all they could hear was Laurie's gasps for air, the soft hiss of Danielle's oxygen mask and distant beeping of her monitors. They could tell by the speed of the beeping that her heart was racing very fast. Too fast. Had she guessed what was happening?
For a fraction of a second, everything appeared suspended. Then, Myers threw Laurie from him and to the floor. Rick ran to her and Jack towards Michael. Jack's suspicions had been right. The chains had been applied so loosely that the killer had managed to free one hand. As they watched, Michael's strong arm came around Danielle, catching her as she fell against his chest. She gasped for breath behind her mask and a loud alarm began to sound from her machines, signalling a too fast and dangerous heartrate.
As Michael easily and effortlessly helped Danielle back towards the door, Laurie opened her eyes. She stared at them as they retreated, shock all over her face.
"What the fuck?" She just managed to say, her voice hoarse with pain and oxygen loss.
"That," Dr Loomis said quietly. "Is Danielle Hayward, Michael Myers' partner."
"I thought," Laurie tried to stand, but she was too dizzy. Rick gently helped her up. "I thought you were lying. I… I think she's just saved my life. What the fuck is that girl doing? Does she want to die?"
Michael was now holding Danielle to his chest, his hand holding hers as he now shouldered open the door back towards her room. she looked only half conscious herself.
"As soon as she appeared," Laurie murmured, watching them go, "he let me go and went straight to her. He hates me, has wanted to kill me since Halloween night 1978 and yet one look at her and… who the hell is she?"
"I just told you, Dr Loomis said evenly. "She's Danielle Hayward, Michael's partner."
"What the hell's happened to her? Has Michael hurt her as well?"
"No, Laurie," Dr Loomis said. "As I've already explained, it is not my story to tell. If you want my advice I say, go, get out of here. Go!"
Laurie looked back through the still open door and saw Michael helping Danielle back into her bed. Her mouth opened in pure shock, but she didn't need telling twice. Rick and Jack followed her through and ran into Danielle's room after Michael. Dr Loomis followed Laurie.
"I'll ask the doctors to move Karen to a different corridor. Bear with me." He walked away fast.
But as Laurie passed the door heading back towards Karen's current room, she couldn't stop herself looking in. The two male guards now surrounded Michael and the killer was now securely chained. What'd happened? Had his chains broken or something? They were thick God damn steel! They never broke! Laurie couldn't resist looking through at the pale faced woman lying in her bed. Glancing at her face, Laurie had to hold back a gasp of shock. The woman was blind.
"What happened?" The female guard, Joanne? Spoke.
"I heard you shouting," Danielle replied weakly. "I heard Laurie's name and knew what'd happened. So, I managed to follow your voices. I was hoping…" her voice trailed off.
"It worked," Laurie said quietly from the doorway. Immediately Rick and Jack tightened their grips on Michael's arms so he couldn't move towards her. For extra security and for the first time ever, Jack attached another manacle to the killer's chains and then to his own wrist. "I am Laurie Strode."
"I know, I recognise your voice from the news. If you want my advice Miss Strode, get the hell out of here."
"That's what I said," Joanne muttered.
"There are so many things I could and want to say to you Miss Hayward," Laurie said, her tone incredulous. "I don't think you have to guess too hard what they are."
"No, but I really don't advise it. You've already come close to death tonight, don't make it worse. I know exactly what you want to say to me, but if I were you, don't. Just go, go back to whatever reason you're here for. Apart from the obvious, I'm not in a mood for talking just now. I'm hurt too, Miss Strode."
"I can see that," Laurie replied dryly. "But I do have to ask you, do you have a Death wish?"
"I could ask you the very same question seeing as I just saved your life. Please, just get out of here!"
"You know Michael Myers isn't capable of loving or caring for anyone, right?" Laurie continued, ignoring Danielle's warning. "You're walking into a trap, and one day you'll pay for it with your life. He just kills, that's it. That's all he lives for. Love? You're deluded. You should be in Smith's damn grove!"
"FYI I was, it's my story and I have no wish to talk about it right now Miss Strode. I'm recovering from something tonight, no, Michael had nothing to do with it, unless you're counting rescuing me. So please, just leave? I may, I said May, consider talking to you at some point, but now is not that time. Just get out of here before Michael loses his patience and tries again. I really don't want to see these guards hurt because they're also my friends. I'm done, Miss Strode. You saw the way he moved so fast when I appeared, doesn't that tell you something? Now please, go?"
As if on cue, a nurse stuck her head around the door. "Miss Strode, please follow me? We're moving your daughter to another location."
"Thank fuck for that," Danielle muttered, though quietly enough so only Joanne and possibly Michael heard her.
When the door closed, she turned her head towards Michael. She wasn't sure why she spoke these next words as there was no way for Michael to answer, plus he'd just tried to kill his most wanted victim so was probably not in a communicating frame of mind, but she had to try regardless. "Michael, are you ok?"
She knew it was a stupid question the second it left her mouth, but by then it was too late to take it back. Of course, she got nothing in response, but nor had she expected anything.
"He's chained to Jack," Joanne said very quietly. "Are you ok? What happened there?"
"I got scared waiting for my scans and then I heard Rick and Jack shouting "Michael!" Then Dr Loomis shout Laurie's name. I knew immediately what had happened, so I managed to find my way out there. I figured if I could get to Michael before… before it was too late, I might be able to save Laurie's life. I don't think she likes me much though."
"I think she's just in shock," Joanne murmured. "As Michael's been after her since Halloween 1978, she can't believe he could or would ever love someone. But neither does she know your story. Or how many months it's gone on for, or how much progress you and Michael have made together. Nor do you have to tell her. No one else will, it's your decision but frankly, I don't see it as any of her business."
Joanne had already tidied up her wires, so it looked to the nurses like she hadn't moved from her bed. A minute or so later, a nurse finally entered. "Hi, we ready for your scans now?"
"Not really," she managed a small smile. How the hell had the medical staff not heard all the shouting from the stairwell? She wondered. But then, this was a hospital, so perhaps they'd just dismissed it as normal. The nurse stepped to the door. "Ok, I'll just get a couple of strong men to help me wheel your bed down there, ok? I'll be just a minute." She was gone.
Rick and Jack looked at each other. "Do we draw straws on being the one to tell Michael he can't be beside her in her scans due to his metal chains?" Rick asked in a whisper.
Jack shook his head fervently. "Are you kidding? After what Michael's just done? I'm not saying a fucking word about it!"
"Well, we need to make a decision," Rick murmured. "If we try and stop him from going with her, I… don't much like my chances of survival, whatever has happened between us before."
Jack nodded in agreement. He turned to look at Dr Loomis who'd just re-entered the room. "Doc?"
Dr Loomis stepped up to the killer and looked him straight in the eyes. Michael had by now removed his mask once more, which Dr Loomis took from him and pocketed. "Michael," he said softly. "Look at me."
To Jack and Rick's, even Joanne's surprise, the killer returned his doctor's eye contact. Dr Loomis continued. "What the hell were you doing? I get it, you saw Laurie, you reacted but damn it, Michael! What about Danielle? The woman you love. Jesus! If you'd killed Laurie tonight that would've been it for you, you wouldn't have seen her for a very long time! You're just lucky Danielle did what she did." He turned to Danielle. "Which was brave if not a little stupid," he said gently.
"Yeah, I know. But what was I supposed to do?"
"I'm sure Laurie is very grateful to you," Dr Loomis murmured.
Rick snorted. "You think? That woman isn't capable of gratitude."
"Michael," Dr Loomis began again. "I know you want to be beside Danielle during her scans, but I can't lie, I'm reluctant to allow this after what has just happened. How do I know you won't try and target someone else? One of the nurses perhaps?"
Despite everything, even what Michael had just done, the thought of him not being with her during this unknown procedure hurt. It hurt like hell. She pressed her face into her pillow, hoping they wouldn't see her blinking back tears. But it was clear Dr Loomis had when he sighed.
"I've told you this before Michael, she needs you. This will also mean my guards will have to remove their guns, handcuffs, and other metal equipment. I am damn well trusting you Michael Myers and if you break my trust, you will be locked back up on your own for a long time. Do we have an understanding?"
Doctor and killer looked at each other, before Michael slowly nodded his head once. Without a word, Jack and Rick removed their protective equipment and all other metal including watches, and Jack his wedding ring.
"Hate taking this off," he said softly. "I never do unless I have to."
"I'm sure Gill will understand," Danielle said. Jack squeezed her arm. "You're a sweetheart, thank you."
30 seconds later, a group of male nurses came in with the nurse and upon Danielle agreeing she was ready, began to wheel her bed down the corridor, Michael and the three guards behind them. As they walked, Jack pulled out his keys and unchained the killer, Dr Loomis taking the chains and putting them in his bag as he would not be entering the scanning room.
"Is… is there any way," she spoke quietly to Joanne who was walking beside her now. "That it could just be Michael and I in there? Of course, I understand if Rick and Jack must be there, but…"
Joanne shot a glance over her shoulder at Dr Loomis, who nodded. Joanne could see his thinking. If it was only her in the room, Michael would never target her. Plus, it would also mean they wouldn't have to take off all metal.
"Rick, Jack," Dr Loomis murmured. "Stand down."
The two guards stared at him as though he'd gone crazy, but Dr Loomis nodded firmly. After a second's hesitation, both men nodded, Jack immediately slipping his wedding ring back on before any of his equipment. Dr Loomis smiled at him, as did Joanne. It was clear to all of them how much he adored Gillian.
They reached the scanning machine, and both were checked for metal and cleared. Danielle was helped up on to the moveable bed which entered the machine and Michael stood at her head. The radiologist spoke to her through the headphones she and Michael were both wearing, and she nodded to show she could hear him. The nurse placed the rubber bulb in her hand she could squeeze if she wanted the scan stopped, then stepped out.
"I'm nervous Michael," she blurted as the heavy door clanged shut. "I know this is going to be loud and I know the CT scan part moves! I don't know what to expect and…"
She was stopped, as Michael reached forward and took her hand in his. She squeezed it as hard as she could without thinking and felt the killer squeeze back.
How has he just tried to kill someone? she wondered as the deafening buzzing began and the scans commenced. "Now he's holding my hand. How is that possible? But it's happening, right now!
Michael didn't release her hand all through the MRI and he continued to hold it as the CT began and the machine told her to remain calm and breathe slowly. Only when the machine began to slowly turn her to examine her brain did Michael release her hand, but as she turned, he moved with her, so his hand was constantly resting on some part of her body. She couldn't lie, it relaxed her more than she could ever tell him.
This guy's a killer, she thought repeatedly. He's a killer, yet he's doing this for me right now! He loves me! I know Laurie Strode will never believe it, but do I care? I don't have to tell her a damn thing! Why should I? She doesn't know our story, nor does she need to.
As the scans continued and Michael kept his hand on her as the machine turned, she rested her head against the head support and lay still. With Michael Myers at her side, she could face these scans, they weren't so bad after all. When he comforted her with his touch this way, she could almost forget he was a silent, masked killer. All she could see was her lover, at her side when she needed him the most.
She couldn't deny she was relieved when the buzzing finally stopped and the radiologist's voice came through the headphones, informing Danielle they were done. Before he could even enter the room though, Michael had lifted her out of the high machine and back onto firm ground, then onto her hospital bed. The nurses appeared again within seconds and wheeled her back towards her room, Michael, and the guards behind them.
"Was it as bad as you feared?" Joanne asked quietly as they walked. "Or did a certain man named Michael Myers stop that from happening?"
"Perhaps," she said simply.
When they reached her room, the nurses made sure all the monitors were back in place before leaving. Joanne, Rick, Michael, and Jack remained with her.
"Where's Dr Stark?" she asked suddenly, aware she hadn't seen the consultant since she was rescued.
"She had to go back to Smith's Grove," Joanne said. "Something came up. But she was fine to do so as you're perfectly safe now that the late Mr. Dawson is no longer a threat."
"Yeah, not much you can do without your head!"
She heard Joanne stifle a gasp and guessed that although her guard knew Adam was dead, no one had told her how it'd happened. "Sorry," Danielle said somewhat sheepishly. "Should've spared you the gory details."
"Hell no!" Joanne said fervently. "I wish we had pictures!"
At this she laughed, she couldn't stop herself. Rick and Jack both murmured in disagreement. All joking aside, it must've been horrific to see it happen right in front of you.
A few minutes later, another nurse came in. "Hi," she said. "How's the pain now?"
"Moderate," she said after a moment's pause. "God. I didn't know so many small cuts could sting so badly! I almost wish they'd cut me less and with bigger ones,"
Joanne shook her head angrily. "Shouldn't have fucking done it at all," she muttered.
"You still getting that tingling?" The nurse asked.
"Yes. That's why I asked if you guys were sure they hadn't nicked an artery or something."
"Dr Merrick is looking at your scans now, that'll tell us if anything like that has happened."
"One of your colleagues told me they were positive that it hadn't."
"Yes, I know. That was unwise. We can never be sure until we check the scans. I brought you some more tea, and some cookies to make up the blood you lost. Will you eat and drink it for me?"
"Yes," she said reluctantly. How many damn cookies would she have to eat? She felt like she'd eaten a lifetime's worth in just the last few hours!
The nurse seemed to guess what she was thinking because she chuckled. "Sick of cookies already, are you? Don't worry, I promise these will help. They are, after all, white chocolate chip! Your favourite I believe?"
"Ok got me. Yum! You're the experts," she took the cookies and tea with a smile of thanks.
"Ok, so Dr Merrick will be in shortly to talk to you about the results of your scan. In the meantime, I'll leave you to it. There are two painkillers on your bedside table, take them." With that the nurse left.
Danielle turned to Rick, Jack, and Joanne. But she didn't have to say anything. Either the guards knew her well enough by now or something had shown on her face. Because they moved as one towards the door, it softly closing behind them. They were alone.
"Damn," she slumped back against her pillows. She'd already decided she wasn't going to say anything to Michael about what'd almost happened with Laurie Strode, knowing that could potentially be a very dangerous idea.
Instead, she started nibbling on a chocolate cookie and took a sip of her scalding tea. Putting the cup down on the nightstand, she rubbed a tired hand across her face. "Shit," she said softly. "I hope these pills help me sleep. Not a chance with the pain and this constant beeping. I know these machines are for my own good but…" she sighed. "Fuck they're so loud."
Michael stepped to her side and once again took her hand in his. She was grateful the guards hadn't put his chains back on. She smiled wearily at him. "Thanks for being there during my scans," she said after a while. "It meant a lot to me."
Of course, Michael didn't say anything, but he did tighten his grip. She swallowed the painkillers with some water and lay back against her pillows. Before she closed her eyes though, she couldn't help but think back to what'd almost happened.
Michael would've killed Laurie if she hadn't stepped in, that much was certain. She couldn't help wondering why Michael hated Laurie so much. What had made him go after her in the first place in 1978? There was no reason for it that she could see, yet they clearly hated each other.
She inwardly shivered. She wouldn't want to be Michael Myers' enemy as Adam had found out tonight, because she'd lose. She didn't much like the thought of having her head chopped off! If she was honest, she didn't think the terrible noise of Adam's head hitting the floor would leave her anytime soon. Just as the sight of it wouldn't leave Rick or Jack. The sickening, gory thud of decapitation.
God! She thought. I really need to think about something else… or just go to sleep!
Despite this, she found herself thinking over everything Laurie had said, or perhaps more accurately hadn't said. she had no doubt she hadn't heard the last of this and Laurie Strode would make a valiant effort to speak to her again. Probably to lecture her on her stupidity or something. She didn't think she could face that conversation, apart from anything as Joanne had said, it wasn't even Strode's business. But then, she reasoned, you don't have to if you don't want to. But still, something told her Laurie was a very forceful person, you don't survive Michael Myers without becoming tough as a result.
Despite this though, she found herself speaking quietly. "Michael, are you ok?"
Of course there was no answer, nor did Michael release her hand. She moved a little in her bed and winced in pain. Michael's hand tightened on hers and him gently but firmly stopped her moving any further.
"Sorry, those fucking bastards cut me to shreds." As she said it, she reflected that was, yet another thing Michael Myers was very good at. Cutting people to shreds.
With her free hand, she tentatively felt her bandages, looking for any sign of blood. It didn't seem that she'd bled through them, thank God. That was when Michael pulled her hand back, effectively telling her not to touch them and make them worse.
Her emotions were all over the place. She didn't know if she wanted to cry, scream, or burst into hysterical laughter. Everything was spinning around and around in her head. Adam, Laurie, the events of that night… The last thing she wanted to do was to anger Michael by talking to his number one target. She would make every effort to avoid it but knew she couldn't say the same about Laurie Strode. The woman was nothing if not determined.
She should tell her to mind her own business, just as Joanne had said. It was her life, her story, Laurie didn't need to know any of it. Although, she thought. Maybe if I tell her she'll see that Michael Myers really can change…
Well, if you discount the fact that he just tried to kill Laurie tonight… not to mention cutting Adam's head clean off! She was almost thankful when the painkillers finally kicked in and carried her off to sleep.
…
Chris Leach sat in his living room, staring out of the window. His mind was all over the place. He knew in his heart he'd done the right thing tonight, even criminals had feelings. But as he stared out, he couldn't stop thinking about Sharon. He loved her, he couldn't deny that and now she was in police custody because of that fucker Adam Dawson.
Leach was glad the misogynistic prick was now dead. He'd meant what he'd said to Michael. He wanted to turn his life around, at least to some extent, and he was going to disband the misogynist gang. What good did they even achieve? They didn't make him much money and all they did was bully women. Both from a business and personal standpoint, they were useless.
Leach sighed. Targeting a blind person had been a mistake. He'd known that almost ever since Adam had hired them to spy on her through Derek Chancer. Leach smiled grimly. That'd worked, hadn't it? Now the 28-year-old woman killer was on death-row facing the chair. As far as Leach was concerned that was just fine.
But Adam Dawson had struck him as an idiot who acted impulsively, didn't think, and moved too fast without considering the consequences. Well, that'd certainly proved true in his case because now he was dead. He'd been warned Michael Myers was protecting her, but he hadn't believed it and boy had he paid the price. The ultimate price too.
Chris knew he'd been lucky Myers hadn't killed him. He could've done so easily, and part of Chris knew he'd deserve it. The irony didn't escape him that it'd been her the very woman he'd been paid to work against, who'd interceded for him, begged the masked killer to spare his life.
He couldn't deny she had a good heart and now he'd met her for himself, agreed she hadn't deserved any of what Adam had done to her. As for him, it'd all been about money. Nothing more, nothing less. He was almost ashamed of this now. Almost.
Chris had always kept his hands clean. Never did his own dirty work. Dr Loomis had suspected he was involved in some way but had still stopped the police from arresting him.
Before now, he'd always been happy that someone else would take the fall when it came to the consequences of his orders. This time though, was different. She would and was undoubtedly suffering a lot of mental and physical distress because of Adam's instructions, which Leach's organisation had followed albeit for a price.
Leach told himself he shouldn't feel guilty, he hadn't done anything. On the contrary, he'd stepped in to save her after it was clear how far Adam was… had been prepared to go to get his hands on her.
Then there was Charlotte. Another near fatal accident. Leach recalled how he'd almost not authorised it to take place. Thinking back on it now, he knew he shouldn't have. That'd been a big mistake.
Apart from anything else, it'd been ridiculously dangerous. But again, he'd let money make his decision. Now he had no way of knowing if Sharon would be back tonight, or tomorrow, or when he'd see her next. Hopefully not in court.
Chris remembered when he'd really started to dislike Dawson. He'd almost killed him that night in the café, and part of him wished he had.
Ok maybe not, because it meant the professional, Michael Myers, had given the little prick what he really deserved.
A murder on Leach's name wouldn't do him any favours, but still… The little prick might've hated women, but he also spoke to men like they were his minions, to do as he instructed. He'd thought he was invincible, the king of men and every woman's nightmare.
Even if the second of those was true. Chris knew many women had been terrified of Adam Dawson, not just those two. There would sure as fuck be no tears at his funeral.
Adam had told him once that his old man was in prison, so someone would have to tell him that his son was dead, a task Leach wouldn't have wanted.
He remembered Adam telling him how his father had warned him to leave well enough alone if Michael Myers was involved. He smiled grimly again. Hadn't he said the same thing? To Chris, that just confirmed his initial impression.
Adam had been hot-headed, thought too fast and then acted. He would never have made a good gang leader, he took way too many risks. I hope you rot in hell Dawson, he thought savagely. May you never, ever rest in peace?