Saving Us

Chapter 21

Norma Bates really wasn't thinking straight. Her mind was racing as they drove through the mountains to Dylan's farm. She was terrified because something had happened between Norman and Caleb but she still had butterflies from kissing Alex. Everything was so messed up now. She and Alex hadn't spoken a word since he told her that he loved her. She didn't want things to awkward between them but she didn't know how to make it better.

It wasn't like she could just ask him if they were a couple after one kiss. Could they even be a couple? Probably not. Her life was too crazy for that. She looked over at Alex who had his poker face on again. He was too good at it she had no idea what he was thinking. She rolled her eyes and looked out the window. Two can play it this way.

They pulled into Dylan's driveway. Norma saw Caleb's van and couldn't help thinking that he should have just stayed away. Alex parked the vehicle as she undid her seatbelt. She got out the SUV but in change waited for him before investigating. Dylan emerged from out of the van, beckoned them over, and stepped back inside.

Norma's stomach was in knots as she hurried to him. She stopped short at the van it was surprisingly higher than the SUV. She was contemplating how to make that step in her dress when Alex lifted her up effortlessly. She climbed inside and Alex jumped in after her. She followed Dylan to where Caleb lied on a makeshift bed.

He was curled in a ball gripping a towel to his bare chest. Norma could tell he was seriously hurt as the towel was tinged red. She went and fell on her knees in front of him. Alex crouched over them as Norma gently pulled the towel away.

Norma gasped while Alex swore. Caleb had a jagged gash from his left shoulder to just above his belly button. She quickly put the towel back in place.

She turned to Dylan. "What the Hell happened?"

Dylan looked frightened. "Norman attacked him with a knife."

Norma turned back to Caleb who was saying: "He needs help Norma."

"Yeah I got that." She snapped.

Alex put his hand on her shoulder and nodded at Caleb. "Norma we gotta get him to a hospital."

Caleb shook his head. "No hospitals." He mumbled.

Alex leaned down. "Look man I'm not a big fan of hospitals either but-"

"It's not that." Dylan interrupted. "He's wanted."

"What?" Norma said.

Alex sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Why am I not surprised? Dylan there's a first aid kit in the car. Go get it."

Dylan stepped out of the van leaving them alone with the half dying Caleb. Alex looked over at her. "Do you have any non-criminal relatives?"

Not that she could think of. Norma shrugged. She pushed the hair off Caleb's sweaty forehead. "Where's Norman?"

Caleb groaned. "I think Dylan locked him in the cabin. Don't go after him Norma Louise."

"I have to." She stood up and turned to Alex. "Stay with him."

Alex nodded softly. "Be careful."

She shuffled to the door and from behind her heard Caleb say: "Why would you let her go?"

To which Alex replied simply: "He's her son."

Norma loved that he understood and respected her. He knew how much being a good mother meant to her. She marched over to the cabin and stopped at the door.

Dylan jogged over to her with the keys. "He's not himself Norma. It might not be such a good idea..."

"He's my baby Dylan. A mother doesn't abandon their kids because of some mental disorder. I'd do the same for you."

He took a deep breath and unlocked the door. "I gotta get this first aid kit to Romero. Shout if you need anything."

"I will." She said and walked into the cabin.

It looked deserted. The main light was off and the grow light was flickering. She looked around for the light switch but heard a sound from behind her. She whipped around to see Norman closing the door.

"Hello mother." He said through clenched teeth.

She took his appearance in. His hair was messy, his eyes were wild, and his clothing was drenched in blood.

"Hi honey." Her voice shook slightly. "Why did you close the door?"

He smiled fondly. "I'm protecting you from all those bad men who want to hurt you."

"Norman?" She asked cautiously.

"Yeah I tried to take out that disgusting rapist like you told me to but my knife was dull. I'm so sorry mother." He looked at her like he used to when he was five and did something wrong.

Chills went up her spine. "Norman I never asked you to hurt Caleb; I've never asked you to hurt anyone."

"What are you talking about? Yes you did."

She shook her head slowly. "No."

"Mother you- wait. Wait just one minute. You're not my real mother. You're the one who didn't really love me. You're the whore who leaves me for other men." He face grew angry.

"Norman that's not true." She said quickly.

"Shut up." He commanded and looked to his right side. "What's that mother? Kill the slut?"

"Norman it's me!" She pleaded.

"I said shut your mouth!" He backhanded her across the face.

Norma fell backwards at the impact. She hit the ground hard. Norman stood over her looking menacing. She didn't have a choice anymore she screamed as loud as she could before Norman jumped on top of her. His hands reached her throat and drove her head against the floor. His grasp tightened as he called her a whore over and over.

Her vision was starting to blur when Alex bursted into the room. He ripped Norman off of her and she attempted to catch her breath. Norman was struggling hard in Alex's grip and was starting to get the upper hand.

"Don't look." Alex told her.

Norma looked away sadly as Alex put Norman in a choke hold. In less than a minute Norman was conscience in Alex's arm. Alex slowly lowered him to the floor in front of her. Norma looked at him and for the first time didn't recognize him as her son.

She stood up and started crying. Her voice sounded hoarse which only upset her more. She went from heartbroken to angry in a split second. She screamed and kicked the table and then she threw everything on the table at the wall. Norma could feel all her bottled up rage wash away as she broke things. She hardly noticed when Dylan came in and turned on the light. She did happen to see Alex grab Dylan's shoulder before he could reach her. That was good; she was incredibly unstable and didn't want Dylan involved.

Norma moved over to the marijuana plants and began destroying them. She couldn't stop because she knew that if she stopped she'd have to face reality. Her son was gone and in his place was a monster. A psycho in the true sense of the word.