Michael Myers x ofc/you
Title: Care for me, part 1.
Part two here
Part three here
Part four here
Part five (final) here
Warnings: therapy, obsessive behaviour. References to past murder.
Contents: Rob Zombie's Michael Myers in Smith's Grove meets a new therapist with unconventional ideas. Over 3k words. Michael x you/ Michael x ofc. 'You' have a name, since i find y/n somewhat awkward for longer fics.
I am also proud to say that this fic is heavily inspired by Michel Foucault's ideas on power difference and how this comes into play in the anti-psychiatry theories. Also: 80s fashion. I'd love to have feedback on this, since i choose a very particular, somewhat fragmented writing style (it is what i immensly enjoy).
Routine. That was what defined his life at Smith’s Grove. And Loomis’ voice, somehow. The waiting was long, but Michael was patient. One day, a Tuesday no less, something new happened.
Loomis had brought someone else with him on his daily visit. You, a young woman, with supple step and a relaxed posture. Behind his mask, his eyes followed you with apt curiosity.
“Michael, hello, today our session will be different. As you can see, there is someone new to help you. I have asked her to take over for me once a week.”
“Hello, how wonderful to meet you, my name is Marion van Doorn.” You made no move to shake his hand, not expecting him to even accept.
Loomis continued. “She is specialised in some, well, unconventional forms of therapy that have proved very helpful for several other patients that have been treated here. I will leave you to it, y/n.” And briskly, Loomis left the cell.
“Bye, doctor, meet you at lunch.” You called after him, then turned your attention to Michael. His gaze was unsettling in its unseen intensity. “Alright, I will explain my methods.”
You crossed your legs and leaned forward, not keeping your posture open as the other professionals did. “I am not a doctor like Dr. Loomis or any of the nurses who may have treated you. I’ve heard bits about you from Dr. Loomis, but was frankly unsatisfied with the data in his reports on you.” Your voice showed obvious displeasure. “All of it was focused on getting you to speak, to communicate, in order to treat you. It’s just data, things they can write down, right? Words. But I think, that if we listen, really listen, then we can go past ‘words’ and towards understanding. And if I look around me,” you gestured to the room, plastered in masks, and then returning your eyes to his with a genuine smile, “it seems like you are already communicating plenty.”
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
And so it started. Loomis seemed impressed with you and the way you were able to connect with your patient. And when you were gone, there was gossip in the hallways.
“And she’s so young, too. Do you think she can handle him?”
“You heard what he did to the other nurse all those years ago – it’s only a matter of time with those methods of her.”
“Calling them methods is rather generous, don’t you think?”
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
Next Tuesday, second session. You sat down in front of him, the door to his cell partly opened as a safety measure. Guards outside.
Michael once again noted the absence of a clipboard, you did not carry anything but a tweed blazer over your arm. The weather must be getting colder again.
“Hello again Michael.” You started, gentle smile, making eye contact, relaxed, informal posture. “Last time we met I explained some things, but from today onwards I would like to put some things into practice if you’d like.”
Silence, but you didn’t seem to mind. His eyes never left yours, sharp behind the mask. He chose a funny one today, white with black, crude lines.
“I’m not looking for results, see it more as exercise. Dr. Loomis values routine as a cornerstone of therapy, of building a stable life and that makes a stable individual. You’ve probably noticed; lunch is at the same time each day and lasts exactly forty-five minutes, two hours a day in the recreation room at two, and so on… I’m not saying he is wrong, but he is. For me, agency is what makes the difference. If you cannot choose what to do when, not able to do as you feel like doing things, you cannot build a trust in yourself to stand on your own feet. People who are here, can rarely choose things for themselves. So, I’ve taken the liberty to bully Dr. Loomis until he gave in and let you choose a part of your daily activities. Your sessions with Dr. Loomis will still happen at the same time every day, and there is a limit to how much time you can spend on some activities, but I hope having the choice will make things a little lighter. Please let me know if any guards or nurses give you trouble and I’ll make sure your wishes are honoured.”
Michael never answered, just looked at you with intelligent eyes. Somehow it reminded you of the raptors in the Jurassic Park films. The kind of attention that would be incredible from any other patient, but from him it made your skin prickle.
“Alright, that is all. Then have a great week!”
He watched as you closed the door softly behind you.
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
You did not show up that next week on Tuesday. Dr. Loomis was unable to take over the session on such short notice – Michael overheard staff: called in sick with barely half an hour notice. It left him with time to fill, to think and think some more while working on another mask.
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
Wednesday. With little notice, guards pulled Michael from his cell. He had walked these depressing corridors so often, but the longer they kept him walking, the less he knew where they were headed. Past the recreation room, past the courtyard, past the lunchroom. Eventually they passed another locked gate that brought them to the front of the building, just near the entrance. This was not part of the sanitorium that he visited often. The visiting area was the destination.
“There ya go, someone’s here to see you, you bastard,” said one of the guards, giving him a shove that barely moved the large man.
He stepped in quietly. A few visitors sat by the windows, a few by the door, causing a soft chatter to echo throughout the room. And for him, in the corner, sat you. You waved him over, standing to make him notice you.
With mean smirks, the guards moved to fasten his chains to the table.
“No, no thank you, that won’t be necessary,” you interrupted, holding up your ID. And in a kinder tone, to him: “Good afternoon, Michael.”
He sat down, not being able to help the tiniest twinge of a smile underneath his mask. The absurdity of having a visitor, after not seeing anyone he knew outside of this place was… something. And how you seemed to trust him, with a body and a humanity so fragile.
“I hope you don’t mind my little stunt – but that is the thing with spontaneity, isn’t it?” you grinned. “How have you been this past week? Have you had fun with the new freedom?”
Then you propped your bag on the table, reaching inside. “I can’t stay long, but I wanted to give you this.” You got out a journal, with bulky pages. Michael’s massive hands took it from you as you slid it over the table to him.
“This is my art journal. Frankly it’s just something that I do to for fun, it has whatever I feel like; some drawings, collage, my failed attempts at learning water colour… If it’s of no interest to you, please give it back next week.” You leaned forward on the table, your gaze penetrating his, as if his mask was not even there. “Be careful with it too, and please don’t tell Dr. Loomis. He would not approve.”
You stood up and while you passed him, you halted, mischievous smile. “I marked the pages with nudes on them by folding the corners. It was very nice to see you again, have a lovely week.”
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
Back in his cell, it took Michael a few moments to realise what had just happened – what was still happening. The A5 journal was clasped tightly in his hands. He had not wanted to the guards to catch sight of it, had hid it as best he could in his robe.
He left it untouched for several days, debating to look in it or not. It seemed so personal. Seemed to break too many patient-therapist boundaries. He kept it inside his pillowcase, since there were not many hiding spots in the cell.
Saturday was the day he found his curiosity outweighed his complicated thoughts. He skipped recreation hour to leaf through the journal instead. Indeed, its contents varied wildly. Some pages were clearly unfinished, a few torn out, others scratched or painted over. Some entries were dated. Next to the botanical studies were the foreign names of the plants, must be your native language. True to your word, the pages with nude figures, mostly ink drawings, were dog-eared. A few of those even showed a pair together, of varying genders. The chaotic ink lines suggested movement and passion.
With a snap, he closed the journal. Why had you given him this?
It was after a night’s sleep, that he looked through it once more. You were right, this was unprofessional and Loomis would probably terminate the sessions if he knew. Having looked through most pages now, Michael found about a dozen empty pages at the end of the journal. Were you still using this? Then why would you part with it?
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
“Michael, nice to see you so busy this early in the morning. The guards said you were drawing. Is that going to be a new hobby for you?” Loomis was back for his daily meeting. He bent over Michael’s desk, looking at the papers scattered over it. Drawings. The remainders of a mask he had not yet finished. Underneath the papers; paint stains. As always, Michael did not respond, not even to look at the doctor.
“Ah, I see, you’ve drawn…” Loomis’ voice caught in his throat as he picked up one of the sheets. “You’ve drawn Marion.”
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
You were called in and came the next morning, early, which happened to be Tuesday regardless. Loomis accompanied you to Michael’s cell to speak with you. The doctor had not explained much, only that you had to come and see what had happened. The excitement in his voice somewhat unsettled you, and at the same time you were glad, even proud, to hear your methods had had some effect on the patient.
“He has taken up a new hobby,” said Loomis during the speed-walk through the bland corridors. The door to the cell was already opened by the guards who saw the two of you approaching hastily.
“Good morning, Michael,” Loomis continued. “I hope it is okay, but I thought Marion might like to see your new drawings.”
Michael’s eyes were on you from the moment you entered. You went over to the desk, gestured there by Loomis.
“Ah, drawings, I see. They’re very good,” you said, clearly impressed. Then you spotted it, a portrait of you. And another. Different angles, different expressions. Is this what you look like to him? They were not perfectly realistic, but it was certainly you; you recognize all your distinct features. Beneath those there were more, most were not finished. You could only stare, surprised.
“Is that me?” and you point to yourself with a small finger.
His eyes meet yours and he nods once. That moment of eye contact stretches on, as scribbles from Loomis’ pencil on his clipboard were heard. Feeling flustered, you gather the papers and stack them in piles, unable to look away from the large man for long. With a pull at the collar of your blouse, you sit down next to Dr. Loomis in front of Michael again.
“I must say this is a very interesting development,” starts the doctor again. “Michael, is there a reason you have drawn your new therapist? Do you perhaps… like her?”
Your eyes shot to the doctor, disbelief. “I can imagine it being nice to have some more freedom and more informal interactions.”
“Informal? What are you referring to?”
You gesture to yourself. “No uniform, no clipboard, no questions. I’ve not even read his file.”
Michael watched the two of you bicker.
Dr. Loomis holds up a finger at your words. “You have not- you haven’t read his file?”
“Nor your book. The blurb was enlightening enough.”
Confusion fills the doctors features. “But you said- Your methods of…”
You shrug, turning your gaze to Michael instead. “Should we continue the session?”
He continues, temper rising. “So when you said that you disagreed with my methods, you did not even know my methods?”
“Oh, I do, Samuel. I fail to understand how looking a child in his eyes and declaring him evil incarnate would help any situation. How old was he again?” your tone was sharper, eyebrows raised. Michael saw the glint in your eyes, the weight of your words.
“You do not know how things went down all those years ago. You do not know what I have seen.” Loomis hissed. Inwardly you cursed yourself. There was no way saying something so accusatory would lead anywhere.
You sigh. “I’m sorry, that was harsh. If you want to discuss this, let’s do so later.”
It was almost as if you and Loomis were his parents; fighting about him as if he wouldn’t hear you from the other room.
There was also something calculating in Loomis’ stare. “As you wish.”
Then silence, during which you looked at Michael’s hulking form opposite of you. It seemed nothing affected him. Yet he was following every word, noticing every change in expression and tone.
The doctor cleared his throat. “So, Michael, how are you today? Is there anything you wish for us to know?”
Silence.
Since you decided the awkwardness was too much, you stood up, putting on your blazer. “Thank you for letting me see your drawings, Michael. You are very skilled, excellent eye for detail. I will be back again next Tuesday. Have a nice day, the both of you.”
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
The Tuesday after that, you came for your agreed upon session. Something felt different. The guards seemed to tense at the sight of you, rather than greet you as warmly as before. Loomis had dragged his feet over your methods, wanting to keep to his original schedule for Michael’s day, but you told him it could never hurt to try it out for a while. For long enough to notice changes. He relented in the end. The damage control you had to do did not sit well with you, but you kept your eyes on your goal: to help patients.
“Morning, Michael,” you stepped in the cell, keeping the door halfway open as was agreed. Immediately your eyes were drawn to the walls of the cell. They used to be covered in paper mache masks, but were now a part was replaced with drawings. Of you. The artist of the drawings was standing instead of his normal hulking position on the bed. You had not seen him standing often before, and the immense size of him was almost enough to drop your confident tone. He was looking at you, head raised. He wore an orange mask that looked vaguely like a pumpkin, with a wide jagged grin.
“How have you been doing? I know I’ve said it before, but let me know if anything interferes with your afternoons.”
The man remained silent, as usual. What was not as usual, was that he moved. Towards you, to be precise. Caught of guard, you instinctively took a step back. Then stopped yourself, even though he had taken a second step, covering more ground than you had.
To fill the awkwardness, you resumed talking. “I’m sorry about last week. It was unnecessary and I have apologized to Dr. Loomis.”
You thought that Michael was heading to his cot to sit down, so you intended to let him pas. Yet that didn’t happen, and now he was much too close for comfort. He smelled of soap and something manly, and of glue.
Looking up at him was intimidating. The need to put space between you was overbearing, so you stepped back, and stepped back until your hands felt the door behind your back. Do you need to act? Leave? Notify the guards?
That choice was taken from you not even a second after you had registered the thoughts, as Michael pressed the door firmly closed, almost soundlessly, with a hand next to your upper arm. Your breath hitched. Then that same hand touched your arm, as you lifted it to press against his chest – to stop him from coming ever closer.
“What is it?” you asked, mouth dry. You licked your lips. “You are… very tall.”
The feel of him against your hand: warm, you could feel his heart beat steady, and it pressed your elbow against the door. The fabric he wore was thin, soft.
Then the guards noticed. A quick rapping on the door. “Ms. Van Doorn, are you in there? Are you alright?”
“Yes! Yes, everything is fine,” you called out, turning your head to the side. Breathing seemed difficult so close to him. His hand covered the one on his chest, warm, large. When you looked back at him, his other hand was at your cheek. His eyes were something fierce, searching your face. How far could he push you? Thumb brushed your lip. Moved down to your neck, pressing lightly, then the thumb returned to rest against your bottom lip. Unsure of what to do, lips fell open just slightly, which was enough. The finger moved in between your teeth, and you let it in, too late now, just to stop its advance by pressing your teeth to his nail.
“We need to open the door,” called one of the guards. The knob jiggled. The hand on your arm quickly returned to press above it, stopping it from opening. “That is procedure, ma’am, or we will have to call for back up and assume the worst.”
A light squeeze against your throat made your eyes flutter shut, before regaining your senses. “Yes, of course,” keeping your tone as neutral as you could. Then, as if nothing happened, Michael stepped away. The door opened, bumping you in the back, and the guards escorted you out. You were unable to answer their questions.
.・*・.・*・.・*・.・*・.
When you returned to your car, shaky legs, your hands found not only your keys in the pocket of your blazer, but also a folded drawing. Its edges were torn and it was barely A5 size. You sat down behind the wheel, glad to be no longer standing, before looking at it. It depicted you, but not just you. It was you, held by the throat, eyes closed, head fallen back (some mistakes in perspective here), and a much larger figure pushing one of your legs up around his waist, cut off by the end of the scrap of paper. The large figure was undoubtedly Michael, with his long hair. Your hand was on his shoulder. Was this your death? Is this what was going to happen back there? His hand had not been rough, but it had left a ghost in its wake that you could still feel. You drove home with your own hand pressed below your adam’s apple.
It was at home you realised he was probably not hungry for murder.
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