Normily: After Effects

Freedom

Norman slowly, but proudly, walked out of the hospital a week later. Emily had asked the doctors to give him a note saying that he could NOT do his own stunts for the next few weeks; Norman protested this greatly saying that he was fine. But, as the doctors had said, a punctured lung was not fine, it was serious. And now they were standing outside.

"Emily," Norman said.

"Yes, Norman?" Emily replied.

"I love you," he started to leave her side

"And I love you," Emily pulled him gently back to her side, "But you are staying with me until we get to the car."

"Okay," he groaned. They walked slowly to the car and got in. Norman got in the passengers' side while Emily sat in the back. Lauren was sitting behind the wheel texting. She fired off two more messages before putting her phone away and looking at Norman, then Emily. "So, how was your stay," she said cheerily.

"Fine," Emily said, leaning forward to kiss Norman's cheek. He turned and kissed her in return.

"Good," Lauren said, "Now, let's talk about your future."

Norman felt his stomach tighten. The future? He just wanted to get back to his apartment in Atlanta and take a hot shower, not plan out his entire existence from now on. He sighed quietly, glancing out the window. A hand rested on his shoulder and calmly rubbed it; Norman relaxed. "Okay."

"What do you two. . ." Lauren's voice faded out as Norman closed his eyes and gave into the medicine he'd been on for almost ten days. When he reopened his eyes he was sitting in an armchair; a microwave was beeping, tea kettle whistling, and music playing. This was not the car, nor his apartment, or anywhere he recognized. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted into his nose. He groaned and sat up, realizing how reliant he'd become on the pain medication.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Emily said, quietly sitting up from the couch next to him. She was dressed in a t-shirt and jean shorts; not what she had been wearing when they left the hospital. Emily looked around and smiled. Norman was utterly confused about what was so weird about this situation.

"Where are we?" each word stabbed him in the chest.

"Home," Emily said, "free of the world."