Saving Us

Chapter 1

Norma Bates sat impatiently at the desk in the motel. Three hours and fourteen minutes she noted miserably. Three hours and fourteen minutes since Dylan had dropped her off so he could search for Norman alone. He said it was because she was too panicky and needed some rest but she knew the real reason why. He was fearing the worst. Dylan wanted to protect her from seeing Norman in his darkest state.

She rolled her eyes Dylan was insane if he actually expected her to rest at a time like this. She had paced back and forth between the motel and the house about a 100 times waiting for any news.

She was just about to walk back up to the house when two pairs of headlights lit up the driveway. She frantically jumped out of her seat and rushed outside. She was taken aback when she saw it was both Dylan's truck and Alex's SUV.
Dylan got out of his truck first. "Mom it's okay."

"It's never okay when you call me mom." She whispered and rushed to where Alex was lifting Norman out of the vehicle.

Alex set Norman on his feet and Norma's stomach turned. Norman stood staring blankly, blacked out. She reached for him and pulled him into her protectively. Alex looked at her concerned but backed off. Dylan approached her carefully.

"Norma, Romero found him like this." He whispered.

"It's okay Dylan. We can trust him."

Dylan looked her over. "Since when? He knows about the blackouts?"

"Never mind that now. We need to get Norman to the house."

She awkwardly attempted to pull Norman towards the stairs with very little success. Alex moved over to her and in one swift movement picked Norman up in his arms.

Norma's eyes widened. "Yeah... Okay that's probably more efficient."

She hurried up to the house and guided him in. Alex immediately went up the stairs and into Norman's room. She and Dylan followed behind. She rushed in and pulled the blankets back for him to lie Norman down. Alex stepped back to give her space to get him as prepared for bed as possible. Once she tucked him in and kissed his forehead she, Alex and Dylan left the room. She closed the door and leaned against it breathing heavily.

She tucked her hair behind her ear exhausted. "Dylan, honey, go get into bed. You've had a long night."

He looked between her and Romero . "Okay Norma. You'll be alright?"

"Of course sweetie." She hugged him. "Thank you for everything. I love you."

"Love you too." He replied and headed to his room.

She sighed and looked at Alex. "I guess we should talk." And started down the stairs.

He followed closely behind her into the living room. She sat down on the sofa and he sat in the chair across from her. He watched her intensely.

Despite everything she smiled at this. "Are you waiting for me to crumble into a thousand tiny pieces?"

"Maybe. Are you going to?"

"I don't know yet. Where did you find him?"

"He was standing at the boat launch. Just staring at the water."

Norma licked her lips and avoided his eyes. "Alex was Norman alone?"

"Yes he was."

She took a deep breath. "Are you sure?"

He stared at her in confusion. "What do you mean am I sure? Of course I'm sure. I didn't see anyone else!"

She finally met his eyes and whispered "Alex... did you check the water?"