"This is Haddonfield Radio, it's 10AM.
Good morning. Police are urging all our residents to be extremely careful, after a masked man broke into one of Haddonfield's houses and slaughtered the whole family horrifically. They have said the actual full details are too gruesome for our listeners, but did say it was a "blood bath." The reason they strongly suspect a Myers mimic, is because this man used a knife, was over six feet tall, and wore the same deathly pale mask and blue coveralls Michael Myers is known for.
Detective Martin Jenson, who is heading the investigation, said, "at present, we have no idea who this man is, but we urge everyone in Haddonfield to be especially careful when walking at night. Unlike Myers, this man does not have a particular time of year in which he kills, judging by last night's events, as we are nowhere near Halloween. A week previously, a young jogger was viciously stabbed while on his morning run, and we are now convinced the two attacks are linked. We are doing everything we can to catch this masked maniac as soon as possible, and beg Haddonfield to please not call us, unless you have a legitimate tip or sighting. If you do sight him though, do not approach. He is armed, and dangerous."
Our reporter asked him if this man is trying to mimic Myers, why? Detective Jenson could only assume it was because he idolises the notorious serial killer of 1963, who killed his sister aged just 6. The Curfew will be in place until he is caught, please be back in your houses by 11PM this evening, and do not leave until 7AM tomorrow morning. All offices of work have currently been closed, except for key workers. Always drive to work and back, do not walk or cycle, however short a journey it is. We will have more in 30 minutes."
…
With a snap, Jodie turned off her car's radio. "Whew, that's grim!"
Danielle nodded slowly, her mind racing. "A Michael Myers mimic? What the hell?"
"Do you think Michael knows about it?" Crystal glanced at the other three.
"Wouldn't put it past him," Danielle and Jodie said together.
"It's not like he can do anything though," Destiny raised an eyebrow. "He's trapped in Smith's Grove, what can he doo?" Danielle and Jodie smiled humourlessly at each other, thinking the same thing. This is Michael Myers!
"How do they police that curfew?" Danielle asked the question out loud, voicing her thoughts.
"I think it's just a case of, if you're out between those times and something happens to you, you or your family can't file a lawsuit against Haddonfield PD," Destinny said sardonically. "It's not our fault if you die in a bloody and horrific way, it's yours."
"You're so sinical Box," Crystal smiled a little. "But correct."
"Surely there will be Officers on patrol though?"
"Oh yeah, but not to arrest you if you're out breaking curfew, all they care about and so they should, is catching that masked maniac! They just said it themselves! I think someone out past eleven and before seven will be the least of their worries!"
Danielle felt herself shiver. She wasn't sure whether to be flattered someone idolised her husband that much as to mimic him, or simply worried for her and her family's safety, not to mention the innocent people of Haddonfield. Then, she scratched her first thought. The Michael Myers this masked mad man was idolising wasn't the one she knew, wasn't her husband, it was the old Michael Myers, who would've killed her without a seconds thought on first meeting her, had come very close to doing just that, having told her so himself.
Jodie must've detected where Danielle's thoughts had gone, because she reached out and lightly squeezed her shoulder. Damn, she loved Jodie Craig. If there was anyone apart from Charlotte and her parents who understood her, it was Jodie. Their almost eight-year friendship was as close as sisters, and when Jodie married Colin, as she had hinted would happen soon, they really would be sisters, albeit in law. Danielle couldn't wait.
The group had left Fun Zone hotel an hour ago and were now driving back to Haddonfield. Danielle had already told them that one day, she would pay for them all to go again, plus Colin, and hopefully, Michael. The others had smiled lovingly at her. Crystal and Destiny, to Danielle's astonishment, were both still single. She could not understand how they had both not been snapped up already! Were the men around them as blind as she was? They were kind, caring girls, and as Jodie had told her, gorgeous to boot.
"I bet Michael's longing to come back here to find this guy," Destiny said, unconsciously echoing Danielle's thoughts of just a few minutes before.
"Probably," Jodie agreed, but of course, he won't be able to. One killer to catch another? Ludicrous!" As she said this though, she squeezed Danielle's shoulder for a second time. Danielle's mouth dropped open. Jodie couldn't possibly be serious.
…
"Ok Michael," Leason said, as they disembarked the aircraft, heading towards the waiting car. "We are going to go back to your house, Dave told us it's your home now," he smiled at the killer. "I want to speak to them anyway, no, not about you! This is for you to tell them, not us. That is, if they don't already know or guess. However, I do need to tell you one thing I forgot to mention in Smith's Grove. I really did; it's not a trick. You will, in effect, be on call from the PD, too. So, they could call you anytime twenty-four hours a day, if there is a big break in the case and they need your help. Are you ok with that?" Michael nodded.
Jack grinned at him. "Yeah, for five hundred bucks an hour, I'd be ok with anything too!" Michael chuckled.
"I just wanted to say on behalf of Joanne, Rick and I," Jack continued. "That we will not be invisible to you. Just because we're keeping an eye on you so to speak, does not mean we will be in hiding so you can't see who's watching you. We're your friends, we would not do that. Plus, it's part of the trust Smith's Grove are placing in you, you can always see us, so you know where your guard is. So, if anything were to happen, which we know will not, and for some reason you couldn't see us, that would obviously be… very bad. For you, that is." Michael nodded to his friend, smiling slightly.
They got into the car, and the Smith's Grove driver drove them to the house. On the way, Rick handed Michael a small box. "From Smith's Grove."
Michael opened it and saw a heavy platinum keyring, which was in the shape of a heart, with D/M Myers engraved into it. Hanging from it, was the house key Dave had given him.
"A gift to wish you luck and remind you of how far you've come," Rick put an arm around his friend. Michael laid a hand on his shoulder, looking softly back at him. Yet again, Rick Evans found himself thinking something he'd thought countless times in the last year. I never thought I'd see that look in the eyes of Michael Myers when looking at anyone, never mind me!
They reached the house, and Michael had only just stepped out of the car, when he was wrapped in a tight hug. "Michael!" Emma held him tightly, him towering over her. "How are you, darling?"
Michael hugged his mother in-law back, kissing her cheek, then pulling out his notepad, his eyes nothing but warm.
Hello, Emma. I am fine, how are you? How is Charlotte?
"I am fine thanks, Tim's with Charlotte right now, I wanted to be here for this." She smiled lovingly at him. "Still no change hon," she took his arm and led him towards the front door. The others followed, Rick blinking back tears at the sight in front of them. "It's just a waiting game right now."
I am sorry
"Thanks, but it's not your fault, is it? You didn't knock her down with a car, did you?"
That may be true, does not mean I can not be sorry, however.
"You have such a way with words, Michael Myers," Emma grinned. "I know what you mean. Come in, welcome home!"
…
"Yo, Michael!" Colin stood up carefully from the sofa to hug his brother in-law. "How's it going, spikey Mikey?"
Michael sighed, rolling his eyes, and Colin burst out laughing. "Sorry, couldn't resist! Seriously bro, how are you?"
I am fine, Colin. More importantly, how are you?
As Colin read this, Michael released him with one arm to gently turn his head, so he could see his neck wound. He felt tears build in his eyes at this tenderness from the most unlikely man. Even now, he still couldn't get used to it.
"Looks better, doesn't it?" He smiled at Michael. "No bandages, scar's not too bad either apparently."
If that's as small as it is, you are very, very fortunate and lucky.
"I know, right? Thank God for Dr Merrick and the other surgeons, they saved my life! Of this, I have no doubt! I can walk, but not far, and I get tired quickly. He gestured to a walking stick beside the sofa. "I use this if needs be."
Good, be sure you do.
He grinned but was blinking back tears at this, remembering Michael saying those exact words to him once before. "Yes boss!"
It is very small, correct. The stitches have not quite dissolved yet, though.
"Yeah, I know, Dr Merrick said to be careful until they have completely, and I have a follow up checkup day after tomorrow. I can't drive now either, obviously."
If I am available, I will drive you there.
Now, he did feel a tear slip down his cheek. Leason had told them all Michael was as good as free, being trusted by Smith's Grove, and already, he was stepping up to the plate as part of the family. Dave had insured Michael to drive his vehicle, as had Colin.
You need a shave!
Colin laughed again, a full, genuine laugh. "Yeah ok, I know! Jodie and Mom have both said that already! I just can't be bothered! Don't you start!" Michael chuckled. "Anyway, you're a fine one to talk!" he smirked, touching Michael's stubble.
Perhaps, but Danielle likes me with a bit of a beard!
Colin whistled. "Oh, really? Hmm. I've heard that about women liking beards. Fair enough then, but Jodie hates it!"
You had better shave then, quickly!
"Michael!" Dave came in then, hugging his son-in-law close. "It's so nice to see you again! How are you son? We all wish you nothing but the best of luck in… what you're about to try and do. Yes, we all already know, we guessed."
They sat down in the living room, Nigel immediately heading for the kitchen. "Drinks, peeps?" Silently, Michael followed him. Leason smiled after them.
"Michael is seriously protective of Nigel, I know why, and I can't blame him!"
"I was just thinking that, Sir," Dave nodded. "I wasn't going to ask, but I bet it makes Nigel feel safe as houses! It would if it were me!"
"Right," the others all nodded.
"We know he was in Smith's Grove for treatment," Colin said, "He told us that himself."
"Well, he is protecting you also. Why do you think he wanted to come back so badly?" Everyone smiled at Leason, knowing it was true.
A short while later, Nigel and Michael re-entered, handing out the drinks. Everyone took theirs, with smiles at the two men. "Danielle and the others will be here any minute," Dave glanced at his watch. "She'll be so happy." Leason smiled again.
"Crystal and Destiny also want to meet you," Colin grinned at his brother-in-law. "I mean, who doesn't want to meet Michael Myers? Um, well, now, I mean. Years ago, we'd be running the opposite way!"
Michael rolled his eyes, and everyone full-on laughed.
…
"Are you coming in?" Danielle asked Destiny and Crystal.
"Of course," Destiny smiled. "I believe Dave has invited us to dinner?"
"Yep," Jodie nodded. "He texted me a little while ago."
"He's a good man Dave," Crystal said fondly. "He's almost like a father figure to me."
"I hear you!" Destiny nodded to her friend.
Before long, they were finally drawing up outside their house, and the four girls got out. Jodie took Danielle's arm, and they walked towards the front door, Danielle producing her key. She rang the bell just out of curtesy, then unlocked and opened it, as the four entered.
"Now what are you ringing the bell for?" Emma scolded, hugging each of them tightly. "This is your house!"
"Sorry, Mom," the four chorused, grinning, as they entered the living room.
"Hello, Danielle, Jodie, Destiny, Crystal!" Dave and Colin said together.
Crystal and Destiny's eyes widened, as they saw Judge Gary Leason sitting in an armchair. "Wo!" Crystal breathed.
Leason grinned. "Only me girls, very nice to meet you." He stood, shaking Crystal and Destiny by the hand, then Jodie.
"I've seen you on the news," Destiny sounded just as in awe of who was in front of them. You've sentenced some of the most infamous serial killers to death!"
"Ah," Leason grinned. "Just part of the job. The real star of the show is over here."
"Oh, my, God!" Destiny gasped. "Danielle, you really weren't kidding!"
"Huh?" Danielle was confused.
"Michael Myers really is one gorgeous guy!" Destiny clarified.
"He's much better looking in the flesh," Danielle grinned. "Just basing it off the picture of him in here doesn't do his good looks justice!"
"Oh hon, we're not basing it off a pic," Jodie smiled at her, gently moving her forward, until she felt the arms close around her and she was kissed once, twice. Everyone watched lovingly, as Danielle slowly came to realise what this meant. "Michael?" She asked, shocked. Immediately, she felt her phone buzz.
Yes, it is me. Hello, my sweet Danielle, I told you I would see you very soon, didn't I.
He put her hands on his ears and began to wiggle them, as everyone chuckled.
"You…" Danielle was almost afraid of his answer. "Babe, you're here to catch your mimic, aren't you?" Her husband held her tighter, and she knew she was right.
Yes, I am. I do not want any of you being in danger from him. Not to mention, I am angered he is someone who dares mimic me.
She read out this message to the others and Dave, Colin and Emma all drew in a breath.
"Jesus Christ!" Colin breathed. "I'm so glad I'm not him!" Michael withdrew his notepad.
I care about all of you currently within this house, and I will not just stand by and watch! Mr. Leason here is asking me to do it for the sake of Haddonfield, my only priority however, is all of you, Tim and Charlotte.
"We know darling," Emma joined Danielle, holding Michael close. "We love you too, so, so much. More than I think you understand."
"Well said," Dave almost barked, taking Michael's free hand in a firm shake. "You're our son-in-law now Myers, in this family for life."
"Correct," Colin nodded.
Destiny, Crystal and Jodie blinked back tears, knowing Michael was including them in what he'd just said, as well as Leason.
"Listen," Leason said a few minutes later. "I knew Nigel would have serious words with me if I didn't stay for a coffee," he smiled at the older man. "But I really must get going shortly. Michael," he approached the killer and held out his hand, which Michael took. "I wish you nothing but the very, very best of luck, stay safe, be careful, and above all, take care of yourself! I cannot thank you enough for agreeing to this, and I mean that! Haddonfield will thank you too, when this is over!" he handed Michael two bank cards. "This is your bank card, where your wages will go. It's your money, only you and Danielle," Mrs. Myers," he smiled. "Have access to it.
Michael nodded to him again.
"Thanks babe," Danielle said to her husband. "You didn't have to…" Michael shook his head, and Colin tapped Danielle's shoulder to indicate this, that her husband was telling her to accept it without argument.
"Mr. Leason… Gary," Danielle said. "Is there any way I could add Michael to mine?"
"Of course, Danielle. I will come round to get the necessary information tomorrow, is that ok?"
She could hardly believe it. A high court judge was offering to do something for them that someone far, far lower than him could easily do. Yet… "Thank you," she said softly, feeling the sting of tears. Leason came over and squeezed her arm.
"You're more than welcome, both of you. Mr. and Mrs. Myers."
"That reminds me, I want to change my Surname to Myers, Sir. I don't care, I know it's dangerous, but I want everyone to know, damn it!"
Leason chuckled. "Hey, no calling me Sir, I'm Gary! Certainly. I will go through that with you tomorrow also. Ok?"
"I will have coffee and cake on standby," Jodie promised with a grin. "Tea too," she added, as Danielle grimaced.
"Jodie's cake is fabulous," Danielle said to Leason, who laughed.
"I know, I've already had that pleasure. Ok, I will text Michael and let him know a time, which he can then pass onto you." Danielle nodded, as Leason turned back to Michael.
"Do you need anything further from me, Michael?"
There was silence, as the killer considered. No one broke it, just respectfully waited. For his part, Dave could hardly believe what Michael Myers was doing, that Haddonfield had requested his help! But then, he reasoned, if anyone could catch this bastard, it was Michael Myers, the one man who just years ago, would not have hesitated to do exactly what his mimic was now doing, the very reason he'd been dubbed the "Michael Myers Mimic," by the press in the first place. Finally, Michael nodded to Leason, raising his notepad.
Where is it? My GPS box?
"Ah." Leason led Michael into the hallway, showing the small box screwed into the wall, just by the front door. It was about the size of a cigarette packet. Slowly, Michael nodded to him. Leason pulled out his phone again, showing Michael the map of the street where the house was, Michael's red dot resting on the house.
"See? It doesn't show where you are within this house, that is not our business, it just shows you're here."
Colin entered the hall then, leaning on his walking stick. "Excuse me, sorry, mind if I have a look? Tags have always fascinated me, because I have a friend who used to be on one criminally but turned his life around."
"Good for him," Leason smiled. "Michael, are you ok with that?" Michael nodded, and Leason showed Colin the phone.
"Michael, what happens if you step outside?" Colin asked. Michael rolled his eyes and sighed, making Colin and Leason smirk, but opened the front door and stepped into the street, Colin watching the tiny dot move away from the house. "Nice," he whistled. "It's crazy how it moves like that in real time!" Michael walked slowly away towards the end of the street, the dot moving with him, before turning and coming back into the house. Colin glanced at Michael's left arm, seeing the handcuff with its tiny square box.
"Amazing how something that small works so well," he said. "What's the point of the box then, as you can track him anyway?"
"Because it shows us exactly where he is when he's with one of his boxes," Leason said. "Normally it's for curfew reasons as you already know, but in this case, it just gives the tag a centre point from which to focus. That's why there's another in the PD." Colin nodded.
…
A short while later, Leason left, and the others sat down for dinner, cooked by Dave and Emma, a complete three course meal.
"Where are you two staying?" Danielle asked Rick and Jack. She'd hugged Joanne for ages, tightly.
"You only saw me day before yesterday," Joanne had laughed. "How as Fun Zone?" To which Danielle had told her all about it.
"We're in a hotel nearby," Rick said, finishing his home-made onion soup. "Best soup ever, Emma, Dave!"
"You're welcome," Emma smiled around the table.
…
The family and friends talked for three hours, over their soup, steak and fries, then apple pie and custard, drinking apple and orange juice.
"That was absolutely fabulous," Jack smiled. "I don't think I'll eat for a year!"
"I know, right?" Destiny smiled at him, having been asking him questions all through dinner about life as a guard in a Psychiatric hospital, Crystal talking to Colin animatedly about a game they both played online, and Jodie talking to Rick and Michael about her life, asking them about theirs. Danielle and Joanne just chatted about anything, smiling lovingly as Jack answered Destiny's questions patiently, grinning at her enthusiasm for the subject.
"If you're that keen," he teased her at one point, "why don't you train for it?"
Destiny snorted with laughter. "You've got to be joking? All those dangerous men? No fucking way!" She smirked at Michael, picking up Jack's vest on the back of his chair, looking at and touching all his equipment. "Are those guns real? It doesn't feel heavy enough to be real."
"No, they're rubber bullets. But believe me, they hurt! Joanne over there however, her gun is the real deal!" Destiny stood and gently touched the heavy weapon on Joanne's shoulder.
In between the steak and dessert, Destiny pulled out Jack's handcuffs and cuffed herself.
"Jesus," she winced. "I could not live like that every day, they're uncomfortable. I mean ok," she added quickly, as Jack smirked at her. "Shut it! I know they're not designed for comfort, but being escorted around like this? I'd feel like an animal! Now can you let me out please?"
"No, Jack, please don't!" Danielle, Crystal and Jodie said together, and everyone laughed.
"I suppose so," Jack sighed, unlocking the cuffs.
Danielle felt a rush of affection for him at that moment. He'd known Destiny and Crystal for just hours, and he was being affectionate with them and teasing them already. Damn, she loved him, Rick and Joanne.
"I spoke to Adam last night," Danielle said, as they started dessert.
"How is he?" Jack asked.
"Fine," she smiled. "He said I could tell you, he and Amber are expecting another child."
"Oh, amazing!" Everyone said together.
"I know!" Danielle grinned. "We must have been on the phone for an hour! I love that guy!" She smirked at Jodie. "A certain someone thinks he's cute!"
"Well, he is!" Jodie said defensively, as Colin clutched his heart.
"Oh, Jodie, my heart! How could you?"
"Shut up!" She kissed him. "It's you and only you, Cole! And I saw that," she added, as Danielle mimed vomiting.
"I really, really don't want to know about you and my brother in private, thanks!"
"As I said about you and Michael," Nigel poked her. "Oh, I do, tell me all the gory details!"
"Piss off," Colin and Jodie said together, causing them all to laugh again.
…
Just as they'd finished, Michael's phone chirped with a message. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
Good evening, Mr. Myers. My name is Detective Martin Jenson. I can not thank you enough for agreeing to help us. Please could you come to the PD in an hour? We have a briefing, and you deserve to be there for it. All my team know you are on board, and we all look forward to meeting you. Judge Leason himself has told us about how much you've… changed, and we all congratulate you, and know you will be an invaluable resource to us in catching your mimic. An officer will attend your house in forty-five minutes to collect you. Sincerely, Martin.
Michael showed the screen to the others, who all nodded, Colin reading it to Danielle.
"We suspected you might come back for this," Jodie said to Michael, sounding almost awed. "If anyone can catch him, it is indeed you!" The others all nodded. Michael looked at them one by one, causing them all to smile at him, seeing the protection and concern for each of them in his gaze. Finally, he kissed Danielle, before texting Jenson back.
Ok, thank you.
A little while later, Michael went up to his and Danielle's room to change, dressing in his suit and tie. When he came back down, he went straight to Danielle, who when she touched him, immediately felt her heart speed up once more. Everyone smiled at her.
"Gorgeous, Michael," Crystal gushed, smiling at him.
"Yeah," Destiny agreed. "How could any woman resist that?" Michael smirked at them.
Everyone knew the FBI and detectives would also be in suits and ties, so Michael wanted to look the same. Danielle hugged Michael tightly, whispering in his ear in the hallway. "Darling, please, please, be careful?"
Michael hugged her tightly back, kissing her repeatedly. Part of her knew asking Michael Myers to be careful was almost pointless, no one could stop or defeat him, enough people had tried, but she couldn't help herself. He was her husband now, a brother, son and friend.
I will, I promise you, my sweet Danielle. When I get back, me and this suit are all yours.
"Yum," she licked her lips. "I can't wait!" He chuckled, kissing her again, before putting her hands on his ears, wiggling them again and whistling a little tune.
"I love you," she whispered, kissing him again.
I love you too, my sweet Danielle, I will see you soon.
Not long after, the doorbell rang, and Michael headed out to the waiting cruiser, after hugging the women and shaking hands with the men. Everyone watched with a smile, as he took the front seat next to the officer, Rick taking the back.
"That's so weird," Colin said, almost in awe. "Watching Michael Myers get into a cop car with no handcuffs, and Rick going where the bad guy sits!" I bet Michael did that on purpose!" The others nodded, laughing, and After the car pulled away, Dave closed the front door.
"Michael and the FBI will smash it!" Crystal hugged Danielle. "This guy should not have tried to mimic Michael Myers, big mistake!"
"Agreed," Destiny and Jodie joined them in the hug.
"He's doing so because of you, Danielle," Jack said, hugging her himself now. "Remember that. If it hadn't been for your help, there's no way this would be happening. He'd just kill anyone, helping his Mimic, before killing him too! I know, he did his part too to change, but you worked together!"
"Well said!" Emma smiled at the guard.
…
"Jack," Danielle said, as Nigel drove Emma and Dave back to the hospital a short while later. "Please can I have a quick word with you?"
"Uh oh, I didn't do it!" Jack said dramatically, making everyone laugh. He took her hand and led her into the kitchen, closing the door behind them. His tone of voice made her remember the time in the Smith's Grove office, when he'd told her she could have his car and money after she'd pulled out his gun, and she smiled at him. He smiled back, clearly knowing what she was remembering.
"Tea?" He asked. Dave had firmly said over dinner to him, Rick and Joanne, plus Destiny and Crystal even though they already knew it, that they were to treat this house as their home, having whatever they wanted food and drink wise, and he would not let them pay anything for it! Crystal and Destiny were staying in the room next to Danielle's, Charlotte's room. She knew if they'd had enough rooms, they would've put the two guards up to.
"Thanks," she smiled at him, and Jack walked over to the kettle, making her drink, then his coffee, as they sat down at the kitchen table.
"So," he sipped his coffee. "How can I help you?"
She reached across the table, taking his hand. Jack squeezed back. "Jack, how are you coping? You know, with Adam's… method of exit?"
He squeezed her hand again. "Well, I can't lie sweetheart, it was… not something I'll forget quickly. I'll be honest with you, I've contacted the Smith's Grove counselling team, they're working with me through it. It was something I wish I hadn't seen, not that I'm saying for a single second that prick didn't deserve it though!"
"Oh, I know," she stood and hugged him fiercely. "I hear you!"
"I also have sleeping pills for if it gets bad, the nightmares. Why, are you struggling?" His voice was so gentle, she almost started crying, as he hugged her and put her hands on his ears. Now, she laughed.
"I can't wiggle my ears, sorry, and they're small, I know! Will I help your ears addiction until your husband gets home?"
"Shut up, Grant!" She pulled his ears gently.
"Ow, my tiny ickle ears!" he squeaked, as he'd done when she was in solitary, and they both burst out laughing. It felt so good.
"You can whistle though," she grinned.
"This is true," he agreed, whistling a happy tune. She laughed again.
"I am a little," she admitted softly. "Like, hearing that thud… Jesus! I knew what'd happened, that's why I said, "He's just decapitated him, hasn't he?" What else could make a noise like that? So… you can't mistake it for anything else!"
Her friend nodded, squeezing her close. "Do you want to talk to someone?"
"I am," she smiled at him, touching his spikey hair affectionately. "I'm talking into his small ears right now!"
"Cheeky," Jack laughed. "Thanks, I'm flattered."
"Do you know how Rick and Dr Loomis are doing with it?"
"If it was anyone else asking me that, I'd refuse to say, but you have a right to know of all people, considering what you'd gone through and why we were there. Rick's also seeing a counsellor, but I think he's… finding it a little more difficult than I am."
She felt her heart break. "I'm so sorry! Is there anything I can do for any of you?"
"Oh sweetheart," he kissed her cheek this time. "You're so kind. No hon, I think it's just time. All we would ask is, please…"
"Don't tell Michael?" She said before he could finish, and the guard nodded.
"Purely because I don't want him to feel bad about it. His victim was a Grade A prick! He deserved all that and more!"
…
"Ok guys listen up," Detective Martin Jenson said, as the six men and five women took their seats in the briefing room. "First of all, I would like to welcome our guest of honour, the one man who knows more about who we're up against than anyone else!" Everyone applauded Michael, having shaken his hand when he'd entered. Jenson had then handed him a box with a wire trailing from it, a little bigger than his GPS one.
"This is a mini keyboard, it's plugged into that huge screen on the wall there," he pointed, and Michael nodded to him. "If you have anything you want to say, anything at all, just write it there and it will appear up on the wall. Ok?" Michael nodded again.
"Thank you so much for your help to us, Mr. Myers," Jenson said, as Michael used his keyboard for the first time, and his message appeared on the wall screen with a soft beep.
My name is Michael, there is no need to address me as, "Mr. Myers."
"Got it," Jenson smiled at him, along with everyone else. Among the men was one of the FBI Agents who'd been at Smith's Grove. He nodded to Michael.
"Ok so…" Jenson picked up a digital pointer, as a map of Haddonfield appeared on the board on the opposite wall. "So far, our friend the mimic has struck here, he pointed to a red dot, which lit up, "and here." He pointed to another one. As you all know, he's also…" Jenson glanced at Michael. "Completely silent, he does not speak. Now whether he does speak as a "Normal," man, when he's not out killing, we obviously don't know. He could have a wife, children, siblings, we have no idea."
"That makes him even more scary in a way," one of the female detectives said. "He's masquerading as normal. At least you Mr… Michael, sorry, didn't mould into society, you stood out. This guy doesn't!"
"Laura is right," Jenson nodded to her. "So, we have already set up a twenty-four-hour team to keep surveillance, watching for this guy to appear. If we can stop him killing, all the better. I don't want to sacrifice an innocent person for this, though. So, if we see him attack, it's shoot on sight, as you all know. Don't wait, just fire. Our team are changing shifts in an hour." The screen beeped, and everyone looked up.
What does his mask look like?
Jenson tapped something on his laptop and a picture appeared on the screen. "This was drawn by a sketch artist, after one of his survivors described him. Look all you need to, Michael."
"How is he?" the FBI Agent asked.
"He's… fighting, John," Jenson said simply, but no more. Everyone nodded sadly, knowing what Jenson wasn't saying, the man's chances of survival were not good.
Hmm. That looks very similar to mine, but not quite.
When they'd got back, Judge Leason had privately handed Michael his mask before leaving, giving him a stern warning again what would happen if he used it to kill. Now, Michael withdrew it from a small bag he had with him. There were soft gasps around the room at the sight. Michael passed it to the detective next to him, and it was slowly passed around the room, and compared to the picture.
"Thank you so much Michael," Jenson said again. "This really is invaluable evidence." The others nodded.
"He's tried his damn best to imitate you Michael," the detective to his left said. "It's too similar to think otherwise, look." Michael nodded to him.
"Part of that almost looks home made, Sir," a young female detective said. "Like, he's done his absolute best to copy this, but didn't know exactly what it looked like. Could that be because Michael here was before his time?"
"Possibly," Jenson said slowly.
"No way," another man said. "There's pictures of our friend Michael everywhere!"
"Not in his mask," another said. "We never got pictures of him masked and killing, did we?"
"We've got Laurie Strode," Jenson said, shooting another glance at Michael. "She gave us a fantastic description, of course."
"Yeah, but that's not anything physical," another woman said. "Plus, it was never released to the public, Sir. Only we knew it. So where would he have got that knowledge from in the first place?"
"I think we're losing the point here," the FBI Agent, John, said. "The point is he somehow has, has a mask and is killing people with a knife. The how really is insignificant compared to that."
The young detective blushed. "I know, Sir, but it is certainly a question worth considering."
"This is Haddonfield, Becky," Jenson said. "Knowledge gets out, however much we might try to stop it! the Hype are not exactly known for keeping things quiet, it's their job not to! Then, there's this."
He tapped his computer again and a video started playing, the sound coming over ceiling speakers. It showed a woman in hospital, holding the hand of a man who was in critical condition, her eyes streaming with tears.
"He looked like that killer of 1978," she sobbed. "Whatever the fuck his name was… Myers, that's it! Looked just like him! Six foot plus tall, blue coveralls and a fucking terrifying white mask! He's trying to copy Myers! He… He stabbed Callum," she broke down again, clutching the man's hand. "He would've come for me, if I hadn't set off my attack alarm, I think that scared him off! Fuck, I should have done it sooner, it might have… have saved…" she broke down completely. Jenson paused the video, as the screen beeped again.
This is one factor where I and my Mimic differ. An attack alarm would have had absolutely no effect on me.
"That's what we thought Sir," a detective nodded to him. "So, this guy might want to look and be like you, but he… he isn't you. I have no doubt that if this guy was shot, he'd die…" He trailed off, giving Michael another uncertain glance. "Not… not like you."
"We have orders to shoot to kill him," Jenson said. "But let's try and avoid that, his victims deserve justice!"
"Yeah," one detective sneered. "The needle!"
"Exactly."
"That's one thing the news got wrong," a woman said. "His mask is not the same, it's similar. They are completely different things. Though, of course, the media don't know that." Everyone nodded.
"Is the curfew really a good idea Sir?" The young female detective asked. "I mean, between 11 and 7? If this guy wants to kill someone at five in the afternoon, I have no doubt that he will, damn the watch!"
"The hours of night and darkness," John said. "We can hardly shut everyone in their houses all day, can we? Apart from anything else, there is not a good enough reason for it. I don't think people would like that, do you?"
"Also," another man added. "If our man is a member of society and we did that, he'd just wait it out. Our friend Michael here has been described as inhumanly patient, who's to say this guy wouldn't be? Maybe not to your extent Michael, but he'd wait. He would know that to come out during a twenty-four-hour lockdown, would be very suspicious. It wouldn't work, Becky."
"On that logic, who's to say the 7 to 11 will then?" She shot back.
"Because" the man said slowly, as though she were stupid. "It's dark, everyone's in bed, he knows no witnesses will be around, it's safe for him to come out and kill. He's wearing his mask, and he wants to kill people. Our young jogger friend was at 5AM, the house was at 11:30PM. That's the whole reason why the curfew was put in place during those hours."
"I understand what Becky is saying though," the woman next to Becky smiled in support. "That said though, I think if he wanted to kill badly enough, he'd let his… excuse the pun, mask drop, and would just do it. He wouldn't keep up his family man appearances if he is one, if he wanted blood bad enough."
"Correct," Jenson agreed. "But an 11 to 7 curfew gives us the best chance of catching him, however careful he might be." He handed Michael back his mask.
Leason had also told him that when out trying to catch his mimic, he could wear it, to disguise his face and hopefully scare the man into surrendering, seeing the real Michael Myers, but he was not to hurt him in any way, beyond restraining him to aid in his arrest.
"Michael," Jenson said. "We will ask you to come out on one of our tracking teams, and to be on call twenty-four hours a day, in case he is sighted, or we need your help some other way. Good with that?" Michael nodded.
I will, of course, need to inform my wife of this.
There was a shocked silence, several pairs of eyes widening. Michael Myers was married. Was this a joke?
"Yes, of course," Jenson smiled at him. "That is no problem."
"You're… you're married, Sir?" One detective said in shock. Everyone looked up, and saw Michael raise his eyebrows and smile softly at the other man, raising his left hand to show his wedding band.
I am indeed.
He turned to Jenson.
Just let me know when you would like me to accompany them, Detective. I would ask it not to be tonight, however.
"Certainly," Jenson smiled at him again. "Please, I'm Martin. We will only call you tonight if we absolutely must."
"So," another man said slowly, clearly thinking. He hadn't said a word yet throughout the meeting. "This guy's… what? Obsessed with Myers or something? Sorry," he said apologetically to Michael. "Who on earth…"
"Would want to be obsessed with him?" Another man said incredulously. "Wake up, Harper! Have you not heard in your years in this career, of people who love and swoon over serial killers? He'd probably like to kiss Myers' shoes!"
No thank you, I will pass!
At this, the room rang with laughter, before the door opened and an assistant wheeled in a fully stocked refreshment cart, to see them through what was likely to be an hours long meeting.