Normily: After Effects

Patient

Norman was still out. Emily was staying with him at the hospital overnight while Steven had to go back to set for a while. He said he would be back late and that Emily would have to let him inside. The hospital room was cold. Emily had to ask for a couple of blankets.

The monitors beeped continuously. Beep. Beep. Beep. This freakin sucked. Emily was into her fourth hour of trying to ignore the damned monitors while keeping warm enough so she could fall asleep. The chair she was in was large and roomy enough to where she could curl up in it and fall asleep. Except she was worried about Norman.

The sliding glass door squealed open only further interrupted the sandman visiting Emily. She slowly peered over the blanket, finding two figures in the dark room. One of them turned and closed the squealing door, sealing out any light, while the other went to Norman's bed. The one by the door then approached her, sitting on the arm of her chair. He slowly reached down to move the blanket. Emily tried not to scream. When the man started to move the blanket Emily forced him off and onto the ground.

"OW!" he said, "Emily, it's me. Steven. I brought Mingus up to see his dad."

"Oh my gosh," Emily said, reaching down to help him up, "I'm so sorry. I just thought. . . never mind. I'm sorry."

Steven got up and flipped on the lights. Norman was still out. Mingus stared silently at his father. They had a good relationship and never wanted either of them to get hurt. Emily wished there was something she could do. Steven pulled the other chair over and sat down. The three of them waited for something to happen with Norman. At around one in the morning Steven got up and went over to Mingus.

"Hey, I think it's time to go," Steven said quietly.

"Can't we stay?" Mingus said.

"Yeah, but where would I sleep?" Steven asked.

"With me," Emily said from her chair.

"Are you sure?" Steven asked. Emily lifted the blanket and scooted over in reply. Steven walked over and sat down awkwardly. After a they repositioned a few times, Emily was curled up in Steven's lap like a child. Mingus walked over to the empty chair and sat down, never breaking his gaze on Norman.

"When do you guys think he'll wake up?" Mingus sadly asked later.

"Soon," Steven yawned. Emily was already asleep.

"But when," Mingus begged.

"Dude, we'll just have to be patient."