"Never mind what you're looking for

You'll always find what you're looking for

Sometimes it's blinding in the race

But I'll be here smiling when I see your face"

-Nevermind, Foster The People

...

Nora spent her days hidden. She didn't like to be seen. After she realized she didn't want a child anymore, her well has been emptied. It felt like she couldn't see anyone. Nora was too embarrassed. Giving up a baby isn't really ideal for being a grown woman, maybe for a teenage girl, but Nora was twenty three. Actually, she died at twenty three. She's over a hundred years old. It gets lonely since she doesn't even want to look at her husband. He's a shmuck. Charles deserved to stay where he is and not dare to bother her.

After seeing people come and die here, she should feel at least a little bit of comfort. But, the only person she liked to talk to was Tate. When he was a child and started living at her house, she felt a strong connection towards him. Nora would watch him sleep, she would clean up his room when he left for school and she would talk to him when he was alone. Nora fell in love with the boy. Not a lustful connection, but as if she was meant to protect him.

It hurts to see him with the teenage daughter of the previous owner of the Murder House, the way he cares for her and will do anything for her. But, what really bothered her was that he would shed tears when he wouldn't see her. It has been three years since she heard screaming from the girl's bedroom. Nora had held her chest as she heard him screaming his pleads to the girl. Soon he was standing in the middle of the basement, pain roaring in his eyes.

No matter how much she wanted her baby before, she realized that she wasn't a child's person.

Never mind what you're looking for

Nora forgot how bad she handled children. She wanted a child more when she first spoke to Tate. When he went into the basement that one day, looking for his truck, Nora couldn't help but watch. And when she heard him scream she felt something. It was something she felt when that miscreant took her baby. Nora felt fear for the child, as well as a shield forming in her. When her baby was taken her shield had been broken down. Now that she felt her shield lock itself inside her, she had to meet him. Nora wanted to make a good first impression, as well as help the child.

She had quickly grabbed him and held him to her chest. Nora smiled, looking down at the scared blonde. She made him face her and she smiled, making him calm down. "What's your name?"

The young boy stared at her with big brown eyes. "Tate."

"If Thaddeus comes back to scare you again, just shut your eyes and say GO AWAY, you understand, Tate?" Nora kept her smiling eyes and she caressed the boy's cheek with gentle care. "He'll mind you because I'm going to protect you." She smiled again, ruffling up his hair.

Tate looked down then back up at her. His bangs covering his relaxed eyebrows "I wish you were my mommy." Nora only grinned wider and hugged him. She felt a sensation of pride rush over her as she rubbed Tate's back.

You'll always find what you're looking for

Nora knew what she needed, but what if he would not accept her. He lost everything because she wanted that damn baby. She didn't even keep it. Nora felt ashamed, not realizing that her baby was a grown man stuck as a teenager with depression. She hated herself a little. How could she be so blind?

For the past three years, he's been hiding in the basement, focused on the gray cement walls. Nora could tell he would be thinking because he would talk to himself sometimes, playing with his hands from how bored he would be. Tate would never see Violet and Nora would be too focused on her own sorrow to realize he was going crazy again. His big sad eyes would stare at the floor as he would sit in the corner, looking like a punished child.

Nora felt a tear slide down her cheek. She looked surprised until she realized it was her own. The blonde quickly wiped her tears and stood up, her fists clasped together in a scared, wimpy manner, just like the day she went to see the previous owners and how they changed her beautiful house. She looked at the discarded bathtub in the basement. Blood covered the white tub like spots covered a Dalmatian.

Nora sighed and rolled her eyes. She set foot out of the room she was in and slowly started walking towards the other end of the basement. Her pale hand grabbed a lighter and lit a white candle. She grabbed the candle stand and breathed in the air. Her nostrils were filled with the scent of cinnamon and vanilla. Nora lightly smiled and continued to walk. All she has done most of her life was be disappointed in people. When she died, all she would do was wallow in her sorrow. Not having a baby made her feel horrible and sad. When Tate came, she had a baby. Nora had tried to attempt to take him but she never had the heart to do so.

She looked out from the doorframe and saw the outlining of Tate sitting in the middle of the floor. He looked up at her for a fraction of a second and then went back to focusing on his black converse. Nora slowly walked over to him and sat next to him, knowing he already had acknowledged her presence. She set the candle on the ground and placed her hands on her lap, looking out in front of her, staring at the darkness coming from the unlighted part of the basement.

They both stayed quiet. Tate was playing with his shoelaces, not caring if she was looking at him or not. Nora looked down and then looked at the teenager. His blonde hair shimmered like gold with the candle light. She took a deep breath and straightened out her long silk skirt. Nora felt Tate sit up straight and was prepared for whatever would happen. Tate's hands dropped in his lap and he looked at Nora, licking his dry lips. She could tell he wanted to say something but he didn't know what to say.

Sometimes it's blinding in the race

Nora looked at him and smiled, reaching out an arm and wrapping it around Tate. He only sighed and looked down, leaning against her and resting his head on her shoulder. Nora just kept her small smile and closed her eyes, breathing in the cinnamon air.

But I'll be here smiling when I see your face

"I said I would protect you Tate." Nora looked at the top of his head, smiling more. He only blinked, but she knew he was listening.

Nora stared at the darkness again, feeling the twin's presence behind them. She could feel Hayden's cold stares from her left and Charles scowling from her right. But, she didn't care. She had her baby and she won't let anyone take him away from her. Not even that little Violet. She will protect him from all the dangers of the house. That Violet will not touch her baby, Charles will not look at her baby, and Hayden will not even sneak a glance at him… Who knows what twisted thoughts she has in her mind.

Tate closed his eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling through his nose slowly. Nora laid her head on top of his and began to stroke the back of his head. His hair was soft like silk. He had as much keratin as a young child.

Tate was her baby, and Nora will protect her baby from everything.

And for months, the pair stared into the darkness while staying in the lighted parts of the basement.

…

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I always thought of Nora as Tate's mother. It was just meant to be.