"What about the night terrors? Have they progressed?"
"They've become more... Detailed."
"Detailed how?"
"The images, they become more defined. I'm starting to see the accident from all angles. Almost like a film."
"Like a film? That's interesting," doctor Grimm's said as he scribbled down a note on his pad. "And your mother. Last time we spoke you said her face became monstrous. Like a demon? Has that changed?"
"Um, yeah I guess. It-it's hard to remember it all," Cass said as she rubbed her forehead.
"It's okay Cassandra. Take your time, think it through."
"I remember turning to see her. Blood streamed down her face. The branch is starting to look more like a trident. I'm not sure if it's entirely right but I think that's what I saw."
"That's okay. Tell me more about your mother." Cass took a deep breath.
"I could see her struggling for air. She looked at me. As if she was trying to say something. I reached out my hand to grab her. Then that's when her face turns. Behind her everything turns black. Her face turns into this monster. Horns spring out if her skull and she ... I'm sorry I can't go on," Cass said. Dr. Grimm sighed and placed down his pad.
"It's okay. We can end today. Come see me next week and we can try this again?"
"Yeah-yeah okay sounds good," Cass replied before rising from the comfortable chair. Dr. Grimm rose and touched her lightly on the shoulder.
"Is your father coming to pick you up?"
"No, I'm driving to work." The therapist gave her a look.
"Let me drive you. I'm not comfortable with you driving," Grimm said. Cass shook her head.
"No really. I'm fine. It's not like it was before. Driving keeps me calm," she smiled. Grimm said nothing and nodded. "Thank you."
Coming out of the office Cass looked around at the walls. She could see the fresh paint. It was a different color from before. Cass took her hand and grazed it across the wall. As she reached the end she took up her hand and looked down at the paint. She took a moment and sighed. Old and new. She shook it off and headed outside to her jeep. She hoped in the car and turned on the engine. She quickly flashed back to her dreams. She sighed and began to drive off.
Arriving at the strip club she slowly placed the car in park. She looked around at the regulars who stood outside taking long drags of their cigarettes. Cass glared. They all had the same routine. Arrive at eight, spend a few dollars on the stripper dancing on the pole, grab a drink, go outside smoke, and head in and stay till close. She felt sorry for them. Sad individuals with nothing better to do. Some of them had a wife and kids. Other were either single or newly divorced and looking to get laid.
It's not what you think. Cass wasn't a stripper, even though she had done it for a year or two. That was until her father found out. Underage and stripping for the public. All knowing who she was and her backstory. When she was twenty the owner offered her a bartending and waitress job. She accepted. She told her father she got a job at the book store. He believed it for a while until he went to visit her and they told him she never was employed there. He tried starting a fight but Cass didn't care. It was either she kept her job or she would leave the house. Her father was an ass but he didn't want to be alone. Cass took in another breath of the air inside her car and headed inside.
An hour had passed into her shift. She cleaned the bar waiting for the next perverted man to come by. It was a sad life, but it was her life. She turned her back to the bar edge and began to fix the liquor on the shelves. Organizing them one by one. Making sure it was aligned perfectly and the label was evenly shown.
"Why am I not surprised that you're still working for this shitty place," a man's voice said. Cass grew a smile. She didn't have to see the face in order to know who was talking to her. Cass turned. Her guess was right.
"And why the hell am I not surprised to see you here on a Wednesday night," she smiled as she leaned across the bar to look at the familiar friend. "How are you doing Ethan?"
"Just fine darling. Jackass father still up your ass about working here?"
"Course he is but, I stopped giving a shit about his opinion a long time ago." Cass looked over to see a new face. Young with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. Ethan peeked around and turned back to her.
"Sorry, this here is Dylan. Dylan, this is the most beautiful rebellious girl you'll ever meet, Cass," Ethan introduced. Dylan gulped back. He was rather over taken by her.
"Uh hi," he said nervously. Ethan smiled and let out a giggle.
"Shy little shit over here," Ethan said as he slammed his palm hard on Dylan's back. "Could we get two scotch?"
"Sure thing," Cass said as she grabbed two glasses and began to fill them. "So I'm guessing you're new in town. Where did you come from?" Dylan went a little quiet. Not ready to say out loud.
"Far away from here," he said. Cass watched him closely. He was a bit odd.
"His mother and brother bought Summers old motel," Ethan informed. Cass gave a look.
"That place is a piece of shit. Why would they buy it?" Cass asked. Dylan shrugged.
"My mom thought it was a good idea."
"Wait so your mother is Norma Bates?" Cass asked. Dylan nodded. She paused for a moment. "People have been talking. This whole town is full of crazies."
"Daddy still thinking they had something to do with Summers disappearance," Ethan said sarcastically.
"Pretty much. Someone in town goes missing, that leads to an outsider. Apparently," Cass rolled her eyes. Dylan listened in closely.
"You're the sheriff's daughter?"
"I don't usually like to admit it but yeah. From the small conversations we have, he has a serious hard on for you Bates," Cass said.
"I'm not part of the Bates," Dylan stated firmly. Cass gave a look. "Sorry. Didn't mean to sound so rude. My last names Massett. Mom remarried."
"Good old Dylan over here has started working with me. He's shown some serious shit," Ethan said trying to change the conversation. "You know I can still get you a job. I've offered you multiple times."
"And I've told you before I'd rather not," Cass said as she leaned in closer. "My dad already lost his shit when I was dancing on the stripper poles half naked, do you really think he would be okay with me watching pot plants?"
"It's better money."
"And it increases my chances of getting my ass killed. Thanks but no thanks," Cass smiled. She turned back to organizing. Ethan turned his head to Dylan. He sat there watching her. He leaned in closer to Dylan's ear.
"You can try man but not a single man in this town has ever won that girl," Ethan whispered. Dylan looked at him as Ethan winked and parted from the bar. Dylan went to rise before Ethan slammed him in the chair. "Like I said. You could try."
Dylan glared at Ethan as he walked over by the tables and sat down. He sipped on his scotch with a smile and gave him a wink. Dylan felt his throat slowly start to dry up. Was this guy serious? Dylan gave Cass another look as she polished some of the glasses. The more he looked at her the more he really did want to try. His usual girls were easy and one nighters. Something about her was different. It all seemed odd to him. They had just met. He quickly felt his palms clam and he quickly retreated to the table with Ethan. As he sat down he glared into his glass. Ethan gave him a look.
"Is that how you usually pick up girls?"
"Shut up. It's different," Dylan said. His eyes still locked onto the liquid that swayed inside his glass. Ethan looked at the kid then over at Cass.
"Wanna know something about that girl?" Dylan looked up. Intrigued. "That girl has been through hell and back. Daughter of the dick head sheriff and the towns outcast. She knows people sure but nobody really knows her."
"I'm sure everyone's been through their own shit. What makes her special?" Dylan asked.
"This town hasn't seen that much. Now are you gonna shut up and listen?" Ethan asked. Dylan gave it a moment and nodded. "When she was eight, her and her mother were coming back from out of town. Visiting some family. Car spun out of control and they spun down into a ditch and totaled the vehicle. Mother died and she got away with minor injuries. Ever since then her father hasn't even given her the time of day. Thirteen years that girl spent taking care of herself. Finding work wherever she could. Making her own way to and from school. Spent her birthdays out by the ocean. Alone. Everybody saw her as the unlucky girl. The cursed one. Any name you can think of, she's been called it. This right here, this is her home." Dylan sat quietly. His eyes drifted to her. He watched her closely.
"She's been alone?"
"Completely alone. Men have looked at her once in a while but, nobody approaches her. If they do, they get shut down right away. I love that girl. I treat her like family. She needs that. I introduced you two for a reason. If you're interested go for it. But remember, baggage comes with that piece of ass," Ethan stated. Dylan looked down at the ground then back at Ethan.
"I'm not the only one who would have to handle the baggage," He mumbled.
"Go give it a try." Dylan let out a sigh and rose from the chair. He took the glass of scotch and took it back before heading back to the bar. Ethan watched him with a smile.
Every step he took, his heart beat raced faster. The story with her and her mother actually encouraged him more. She was the full package and if Ethan's cupid method was set in motion, Dylan couldn't help but feel maybe it could be something. Finally his stomach hit the bar. He gulped back and waited a moment. Cass turned and looked at him. She gave a look. He seemed nervous and almost sick.
"You alright there?" Cass asked. Dylan looked back at Ethan then over to her. He fiddled with his fingers and looked around.
"Yeah-um- I'm fine," Dylan replied nervously. Cass giggled slightly and waited for him to say something. "Look I was wondering if maybe, you'd want to….." he paused trying to think of something to say. "Maybe if you would want to go out and do something sometime?" Cass looked back at Ethan and saw him lightly laughing in his shoulder trying to avoid her eye contact. Cass knew what was going on. She leaned over the bar closer to Dylan. Dylan felt his heart race.
"Ethan set you up for this didn't he?" she asked. Dylan nodded. Cass sighed and shook her head. "He does this a lot. You're the tenth guy now that he has played this joke on. After the second he saw it as a game." Dylan stood there feeling like an idiot. Cass watched him. She placed her hand on his arm. "Tell Ethan that you got the date. I'll meet you here tomorrow at eight. I'll show you the good parts of this shitty little town," Cass said with a smile. Dylan felt a tingle in his stomach and a bit of relief.
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then," Dylan said with a grin. Cass smiled back and turned around to continue cleaning.
Dylan began to walk back to the table with a smile. Ethan slowly stopped laughing and glared in confusion. He watched as Dylan sat down at the table. For a moment he was quiet. He felt kind of proud of himself for being the first one she said yes to. He looked up at Ethan. Ethan's face was curious and in shock.
"I'm meeting her here tomorrow at eight," Dylan informed. Ethan remained quiet. "You're a douchebag by the way."
"Hey! Sometimes watching plants gets boring. I had to see some sort of action happen. Guess for Cass the tenth time is the charm," Ethan chuckled. Dylan shook his head. "But hey, props to you. Now come on, I'll drop you off at home."
Ethan rose and dropped a twenty on the bar. Cass picked it up and shook her head at Ethan. He took his hands and blew a kiss to her. Dylan followed him, giving Cass a final smile before they both walked out the door. Cass held the twenty in her hand. She thought about what was going to happen tomorrow. She actually felt excited. For the first time in a while, she felt herself starting to get happy. It was the teenage feeling she had never had before in her life. But the happiness slowly turned to worry. What was going to happen?