Clouds Cover the Sun Because they like the warmth

Peter's Nightmare

The two sat outside at a table. Both looked equally distressed. Especially after what Manon had learned, and Norman had lied on the stand. All for the greater go, and yet she was horrified at the idea of why he did. Norman did it for her as revenge. Of course the question of how much he deserved it was out. Right now she feared that power could be turned to her. She could be put in danger. Even though she had doubts behind it, she had learned from experience that doubts weren't always right. "So why did you want to talk to me?" Peter sighed, as he looked her dead in the eyes. "Because I had a possibility of becoming a victim to it." Manon raised a brow. "Could have?" Peter looked down. "What I'm going to say next is going to sound completely crazy, and I understand if you won't believe me, but do you remember how when you said you were there for an interview I looked terrified?" Manon nodded, not sure where this was going. "That's because on the day of my interview something happened in the elevator. I don't know if it was real because I am the only person who seemed to remember despite Bryce being with me." Peter sounded begrudging at that last part as he looked back at the courthouse. "When he got in everything went wrong. Suddenly the floors were different. Instead of being office floors they were some of the worst things a person would ever have to go into." 

"Like what?" "The second floor was the first indication something was wrong. The wallpaper and floor were these ugly yellows and at the far end was a chair bolted to the floor. But the weirdest thing was this hole. A note was attached right next to it and it said. "Feed it something alive." I walked up to it to see if I could see anything. Without warning the shadowy hand came out and grabbed my tie before pulling me inside, and then I died." Manon shook her head. If he died then how was he here? Was the story made up? Was he a ghost? "How are you here then?" Manon asked. Peter shrugged. "I don't know. Because I was in the black void, and the next I was back in the elevator." Manon didn't want to believe it but looking in Peter's eyes she could tell he was genuine. "That elevator transferred me into a death trap. Every mistake I made would end me, and sometimes even Bryce. Only to make things worse it was all like a giant escape room. I needed something from every floor, and yet every floor was a death trap. I've lost count over how many times I died, but the ninth floor was different. It was where my interview was conducted and obviously I passed it." Peter looked down and Manon knew he had more to say. "But?" "But just because I escaped it didn't mean it ended."

 Manon was confused. Every time she used the elevator the office was normal? Not to mention Peter took the stairs every time. The only exception to that time was if Bryce forced him to carry something really heavy with him. "A week afterwards I kept having these dreams about my deaths. Usually things would go black incredibly quickly, but in my dreams I got to live it out longer, and it was horrifying. I could feel every bit of pain and horror all over again, and it lasted for hours. The death that happened on the ninth floor was a stupid one. I just walked out onto the sky, without being able to float, but in another dream I saw what happened if I failed the interview. It was exactly as what happened in the courtroom, but the dream didn't end when I woke up. Every night for a week I would live in that zombie-like state. It was horrifying as my body was not even in my control. Not only that, I didn't try to fight back. I was aware of what I was doing, and yet I couldn't do anything about it. I did thankfully get chances for breaks as they had secret rooms that had a bed in it so I could at least rest outside of work hours, but it was still horrifying." 

Manon let out a hum. She believed him, and yet his story didn't make her feel any better. So Norman would do this even if it wasn't for her. Maybe they were desperate? "What happened afterwards? Did you dream about it?" Manon asked as Peter sighed. "I didn't dream much after just that I quit shortly after. The company at least provided me compensation by giving my paycheck with a bit extra for plenty of food. Though I don't know what happened after I quit." Manon sighed, she felt so confused. She wanted to trust Norman yet after this she didn't know if she could. "Listen, I know it doesn't help, and it may make things worse in y'all's relationship, but Norman wouldn't do that to you. Bryce has told me you have changed Norman for the better. He would never try to hurt you." Manon nodded, it was a bit comforting, but she and Norman would have to have a talk about it.