Chains

Chapter Five

POV: Alex

Midway through the previous week, i'd started to be questioned about Bob. I somehow managed to worm my way through Special Agent Babbit's strategically asked questions; which included the typical 'Where were you the night he went missing?' and other quick-fire questions. Her aim was clearly to make me feel intimidated. To make me feel uncomfortable, and catch me out. It didn't work, thankfully for me, but I knew it wasn't over. She knew something, I was convinced they all did, and that they were just waiting for the right moment to bring it up.

It didn't help that Norma was always sniffing around. She could so easily tell that something was wrong, and it frustrated me. I'd always tried so hard to be a difficult person to read, and I thought I had it with Norma. Perhaps it was a consequence of my growing feelings for her, that a change in my attitude around her was easy to spot.

Today's day of work had been difficult; i'd woken up too late so my routine was turned on it's head completely, and I was back a lot later than I usually would be. I pulled up at the motel, feeling a sense of comfort as I arrived in the dimly lit car park area. Expecting Norma to be back in the house by this time, I was confused by the light shining through the windows of the motel office. Pushing open the door cautiously, my eyes scanned the room before fixing on a certain precious sight. Sitting there on a chair she must've brought over to the welcome desk, one hand propped up on the side of her face and the other draped across her lap, was a fast asleep Norma Bates. Now why on earth was she down here so late?

As I stepped closer, it clicked just how much of a precious sight this was. I honestly didn't want to wake her. When she was asleep, it was one of the only times that the immense pain in her eyes wasn't visible. Those eyes, that although beautiful, were a dangerous weapon. They ailed me more effectively than a stab to the chest, a bullet to the heart or anything else known to be painful to a human being.
As much as I wanted to leave her there; for once peaceful and with her mind at rest, I couldn't. I couldn't just leave her here, asleep, door open. Not in a town like this, not with everything that's going on.

"Norma?" I spoke softly, keeping my distance at first. The further away I could stay from potentially scaring her to death, the better.

Unfortunately, no answer.

I tried again and again, same tone of voice. No luck. I sighed, taking a few steps closer and leaning over the desk slightly so I could reach her. Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, I lightly shook her. "Norma."

Despite the fact that I was afraid of making her jump, she managed to make me jump as she very suddenly sat upright in her seat. Violently swatting the hand I touched her shoulder with, she spoke loudly with squinted eyes. "Don't you dare touch me, i'm armed!"

"Woah, woah-it's just me." I moved my hand away from her shoulder, lifting my hands up in surrender and taking a step back.

Her eyes stayed narrowed for a moment, before regaining their usual shape. Like as if they needed a moment to focus on their surroundings. "Oh..." Her voiced softened in contrast to it's previous urgency and threat. "Sorry." She averted her eyes and pushed hair behind her ears, giving the impression that she was embarrassed.

"No, no. No need to be sorry. It's wise to be wary in this town. That's the only reason I woke you up, it's really not the best idea to sleep down here with the lights on and door open.." I said,

"Well obviously I didn't mean to. I came down here about an hour ago to wait for you, I needed to tell you something. I must've accidentally drifted off. Thank god it was only you..." She put her hand on her chest, closing her eyes briefly and shaking her head.