Author's Notes: Finally a clue is revealed regarding Emma's departure. Norman has second thoughts about his "mother's" plan. Spoilers for next chapter listed below.
** I received a few messages asking how no one has discovered Emma is missing, so I thought I'd explain this a little more because I hid this explanation a little too deeply in a previous chapter… I hope this helps.
-Norman has been sending daily messages through Emma's cell phone to Will Decody, advising him that she is helping Dylan wrap up things in White Pine Bay before moving.
-Dylan is too focused on trying to start his life over since he believes Emma has left him for good. He's honoring her wishes to not contact her (minus the goodbye call from chapter 8)
-Only Emma has the address in Seattle and Mr. Decody's new phone number.
**Please leave a review to let me know what you think. I'm always on the fence about these chapters, so it helps to hear people's opinions.
I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 9: Your Secret Is Safe With Me
Day 8
"MOTHER!" Norman yells in a panic at the top of his lungs, causing Norma to cringe and grip the steering wheel tighter in order to steady herself while continuing to drive down a familiar road to both of them. "You can't do this! I won't go back to that place! I WON'T!"
"Calm down Norman," she hushes in an attempt to calm her distraught son, but her words can't be heard over the shouting. Norma knew this would be difficult, so she decided to keep this important doctor appointment a secret from her youngest son and distract Norman by spending the day with him. Unfortunately, her plan seems to have backfired by the behavior Norman is currently displaying.
Norman yanks on his seatbelt hysterically in order to release himself from the restraints. "STOP MOTHER! Stop this car right NOW!" He continues to shout, now tugging on the passenger handle with fury. Thankfully, Norma utilized the child safety locks option in order to prevent any sort of dangerous escape from the vehicle while in movement. "I hate you! I will never forgive you for this, NEVER!"
Tears start to build up in Norma's eyes in seeing her youngest son's tantrum. It hurts her deeply to see him act this out of control, but she continues to drive forward. However, the overwhelming feeling of hesitation starts to overtake her emotions, automatically causing her to reduce her speed. She begins to experience an internal struggle between her head and her heart. Her heart is starting to win.
The sound of repeated banging then fills the hostile aura of the vehicle. Norma glances over her right shoulder to observe her son pounding on the window with his right elbow, desperately trying to break free from the car. Norma instantly slams on the brakes, causing both to fall forward dramatically. Both occupants cease all movements in the state of shock, with only their automatic need for deep breaths breaking the silence.
Without another word Norma checks her rearview mirror quickly and then wildly spins the steering wheel to change directions, almost driving into the ditch. Her heart beats violently against her chest as she pushes the rational thoughts out of her head.
Norman remains still for a few minutes, but then breaks the tense silence. "I can't trust you mother," he whimpers. "I can NEVER trust you again."
"Put your seatbelt on Norman," Norma orders harshly with her eyes staring straight ahead. Norma understands she's making a mistake by turning the vehicle around and driving further away from the only assistance that could possibly cure her son, but her heart has won this fight. A few tears escape her eyes and trickle down her cheeks in hearing Norman's unforgiving words.
Sorrow consumes her soul in the realization that the once strong relationship between her and her youngest son is forever tarnished.
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After the stressful ride home, Norman promptly removes his seatbelt as his mother presses the child safety lock button. With the click of the button, Norman opens the passenger door and slams it shut as hard as he can before sprinting up the outside steps to the front door of the house. He quickly shoves his shaky right hand in his pocket and grabs his key. With shortness in his breath and his awareness clouded due to anger, Norman's fingers continue to tremble making it difficult to fit the key in the lock. After finagling with it for a few moments, it finally unlocks. As he races through the front door, he leaves it wide open in haste and rushes up the stairs to his room, shutting it behind him.
Lying down on his bed, Norman stares at the ceiling until he can feel himself drifting away with the thoughts of betrayal dancing throughout his head. The last idea running through his furious mind before closing his eyes is his solemn vow to let Emma go free. He's done listening to his deceiving mother and he's done helping her with her sick plan.
XXXX
Norma breathes heavily in an attempt to calm herself, leaving her white knuckled hands still glued to the steering wheel. With her chest heaving, she squeezes her eyes shut momentarily and then focuses on the sight of her visibly outraged son struggling with the lock to the front door. Norma is disappointed in herself for not being strong enough to withstand her son's defiance to receiving the help he so desperately needs. She can't help but feel a little selfish for giving into Norman's uncontrollable outburst just to save her bond with him.
Once she gains control of her breathing and her pulse decreases to a normal level, she makes a call in search of consolation.
Her husband answers on the first ring. "Norma? Is everything okay? I thought you would be at Norman's appointment."
Norma couldn't hold in her cries any longer and finds herself sobbing over the phone. "He wouldn't go. Alex, he hates me."
Romero clinches his jaw and his free hand suddenly forms a fist in hearing how distressed his wife's tone is currently. "Norma, it will be alright. I will be home as soon as I can okay?"
Norma sniffles and wipes the wetness from her cheeks. "Okay," she weakly responds.
When the call ends, Norma takes a deep breath and wipes away the visible sadness from her face in an attempt to regain her composure. She then gathers whatever strength she has left from her earlier volatile conversation with her youngest son and exits the vehicle. Norma tentatively walks up the many steps leading to her home, dreading the upcoming inevitable interaction with Norman.
After hesitantly walking through the wide open door, Norma closes it behind her and moves toward the kitchen expecting to see Norman angrily waiting for her; however, instead she sees an envelope addressed to her sitting on the table. She sets down her purse, picks up the envelope and carefully unseals it revealing a letter inside. As her eyes quickly scan the letter, her breath hitches and loud sobs escape her pouting lips.
Dropping the letter from her grasp, Norma immediately covers her face with the palms of her hands. Her shoulders bounce vigorously with each sniffle and soft incoherent mumbles escape through her fingers.
Upon seeing his wife in this disturbing state, the Sheriff is quick to rush to her side. Automatically he turns Norma around to face him and tightly wraps his arms around her. In response she drops her hands, leans into his embrace and nuzzles her weeping face into his chest.
"Shhh, everything will be alright Norma," he whispers as a reassurance. "Norman will calm down."
"No. It's - it's -Dylan." Norma stutters into his upper body.
"Dylan?" Romero asks with a raised eyebrow while releasing her from his hold in order to meet her eyes with his. "What's happened Norma? I thought this was about Norman?"
Without a word, she picks up the letter with unsteady hands and gives it to her husband to read…
Norma,
By the time you read this, I will already be gone. This is not how I wanted to say goodbye, but I know if I told you in person you would try to talk me out of leaving.
I thought I knew what my future was going to be, but Emma leaving me has opened my eyes to other possibilities. Basically what I'm trying to say is that I need to move on with my life, even if that means leaving other important people in my life behind.
You no longer need me, mom. I am confident the Sheriff will be there to support you with anything you may need.You just have to trust him and accept his help because you are not alone anymore.
I can't say I won't be in touch in the future, but for now don't try to find me. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I need to do this because I can't let life pass me by any longer.
Please remember even though I can't be there, I will always wish the best for you and Norman.
Your son,
Dylan
Romero's eyes widen and tears threaten to appear after reading the heartfelt letter. Dylan trusts him, regardless of past conflicts they may have had. The Sheriff's typical stoic façade may be crumbling on the inside, but Norma doesn't need to know that. According to his eldest stepson, he is the support system for his wife which means he needs to remain strong for her.
Rapidly, he blinks away any signs of unshed tears and clears his tightened throat, which has gradually formed while skimming through the written page.
"You have to find him Alex," she chokes out in between her cries.
"You accepted Dylan leaving before," he replies softly, trying to soothe her.
"That was different. He was leaving with someone, now he's by himself and I don't even know where he is! What if he's in danger Alex? Don't you care?" Norma pokes at his chest with her index finger harshly and then takes a step backward, distancing herself from her husband. "He's your stepson! This is all about Emma! I can't believe she's done this to our family!" She raises her voice out of frustration.
"Norma slow down. You know this isn't Emma's fault," he informs with a relaxing tone. "Dylan is an adult. There's nothing I can do about this." He says while taking a timid step toward her, careful not to upset his panicky wife any further. "Besides, he has been on his own before. He'll be fine."
She aggressively approaches him with a determined look on her face, only to roughly push him away with all the strength she has left in her. However, since she is emotionally drained from everything that has happened today, she only manages to cause him to flinch backwards. "Just get away from me Alex. If you're not willing to help me find my son then get away from me!" She shouts as she side steps him and stomps toward the doorway. "Now if you excuse me I'm going to check on my other son," she huffs.
The Sheriff stands motionless after she leaves the room, trying to process the last few minutes. He then glances down at the letter again and focuses on the word "support." Romero squeezes his eyes shut briefly and takes a deep breath. Realizing he isn't being the supportive husband he should be at the moment, the Sheriff strides out of the room and follows her up the stairs to witness Norma cautiously open her youngest son's bedroom door.
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Norman's eyes fly open and he gasps for air at the sound of his mother yelling in between her hiccupping sobs, "If you're not willing to help me, then get away from me!"Soon to follow the screaming is the sound of scampering feet moving closer and closer to his door. A few seconds later the noise suddenly stops. Not wanting to confront his mother presently, Norman clamps his eyes shut again and pretends to be asleep.
His eyes remain shut until he hears the squeaky bedroom door close and loud whispering ensue between his mother and the Sheriff in the hallway. Norman sits up immediately and swiftly climbs out of his bed to rush to his door.
With his left ear pressed against his thin structured bedroom door, Norman eavesdrops on the quiet but argumentative confrontation taking place in the hallway.
"Norma, listen to me. Even though I am the law here, I have limitations on things I can do to find him." Romero clarifies. "He's not missing. Dylan simply made an adult decision to leave. My hands are tied here."
Norman then hears his mother's muffled bawling radiate in his eardrums, which causes his previous feelings of distrust to slowly fade away. Seconds ago he was ready to defy his mother and release Emma from her prison downstairs, but hearing his mother's cries triggers his need to trust her again.
Norman convinces himself it is his mother's wish to keep Emma here as a punishment for driving his brother away. Like the dutiful son he is, he will always obey his mother.
"I need Dylan here with me. Please Alex! He needs to be with his family, not out there alone," Norma begs.
Romero sighs, but ultimately gives into his wife's pleas. "Okay Norma. I guess I can try to trace his phone. If he has his phone on, I can pinpoint his location. I'll go back to the station now and see what I can do. Why don't you rest for a little while, you've had a difficult day." She timidly nods her head in agreement.
Suddenly with hearing the words of the Sheriff, Norman begins to panic. In an instant, he runs to his dresser and scrambles to retrieve Emma's phone. While mumbling, "he can't find her" repeatedly to himself, Norman's fingertips finally feel the item he's been frantically searching for. Once he recovers the cell phone from its hiding place, Norman briefly scans the display noticing two missed calls. Instead of checking who may have called, he promptly turns the phone off.
Norman then smirks with confidence and whispers sinisterly. "Your secret is safe with me, mother."
It's now been 15 minutes since Norman heard the front door lock shut.
Carefully, Norman opens his bedroom door and listens for any other noises in the household. When he hears nothing, Norman cautiously approaches his mother's bedroom to find the door slightly ajar. Through a squinted eye he notices Norma lying on her bed resting with only discreet whimpers interrupting her steady breathing.
Believing his new stepfather is occupied at the Sheriff's Department for a while, Norman decides to take this opportunity to notify Emma that Dylan has left her for good. He's also going to inform her that even though her boyfriend is gone, she will remain where she is.
Emma must be punished for upsetting mother.
XXXX
Emma has continued to search for a vulnerable spot around the window to possibly break through. She's discovered there is no way to break the thick glass surface to escape, but she desperately pounds around the windowpane with bloodied and sore hands to see if there is another way. Her forehead is beaded with sweat and her arms continue to grow weary as she continuously tries to convince herself to never give up.
Time continues on to the point where the sky is beginning to slowly dim. She knows Norman could return at any moment and it would be devastating if he were to find her attempting to free herself of this suffocating cage.
The only interruption from the planning of her escape was the few minutes she spent eating the remaining food Norman brought her earlier in the day in order to keep her strength. However, as she's convinced hours have now passed she sees her opportunity to leave beginning to slip away.
After a forceful blow to the casing around the window, she hears another loud crack. Smiling brightly in delight she goes to hit the area again, but stops instantly when she hears footsteps approaching. Her focus immediately shifts toward the direction of the door.
Emma cringes in terror.
Norman can't find out about the window, or how close she is to leaving this controlled space. Emma begins to hyperventilate, putting extra pressure on her new lungs. While muttering "oh my God" and "no, no, no" repeatedly, Emma ungracefully jumps down from the wobbly chair she's been using as a step-ladder. With nervous hands, she leans down and picks up the window covering from the frigid concrete floor.
Hurriedly, she steps up on the chair with the case clutched tightly in her grip. Similar to fitting a puzzle piece together, Emma frantically moves the covering around until she fits it perfectly in place. There is no time to fasten it, so she can only pray the cover remains in position during the hopefully short visit from her abductor.
Emma's original goal has changed for the moment. She now has to distract her kidnapper from the barely noticeable exposed section in the cement. The only thing that could possibly alert him to the flawed fragment in the wall is the tiny speck of light currently shining around the edge of the casing.
With no time to lose, Emma once again hops down from the unstable chair, landing harshly on her left knee causing an almost unbearable ache to radiate throughout her body. Emma winces in pain as she drags the rickety chair to the corner of the room, further away from the window. As the sound of footsteps grow louder, Emma's heart begins to flinch uncontrollably and stars unexpectedly start to twinkle in her vision due to dizziness. Running on pure adrenaline, Emma sprints the best she can with a damaged knee to her sleeping bag and quickly hides her damaged hands under the thin blanket she has been provided. She takes one last deep inhale and exhale before she hears the sound of a heavy door open.
"Hello Emma." Norman greets with a smirk as he approaches a seemingly defeated Emma. "Quiet again today I see. Well, I guess I'll just talk then." He shrugs his shoulders with a creepy grin still displayed. "I have some news that you will want to hear."
Emma glances up to see unkind, blue eyes staring back at her.
Without hesitation, Norman immediately reveals the recent discovery about his brother, void of any emotion. "Dylan is gone. He left you and he's not coming back."
Wetness instantly floods the corner of her eyes, with one tear escaping down her left cheek. "What?" She asks in barely a whisper, hugging herself tightly under the blanket as an involuntary response.
Norman steps closer to the now shivering girl, towering over her as a form of intimidation. "You heard me. He's gone Emma."
Emma's mind all of a sudden goes blank and her stare becomes distant, blocking out any further words Norman has to say.
"You made mother angry. She's inconsolable and you don't even care. You don't care about anyone but yourself Emma," he speaks bitterly with a furrowed brow. "You're never leaving this place, so get used to it."
Emma hears nothing. Not the insults thrown at her, not the accusations directed towards her, and definitely not the threat that was spoken to her. The only words she heard was, "Dylan is gone and he's not coming back."
Nothing snaps her out of the emptiness she's feeling inside. Not even the earsplitting echo of her prison door slamming shut breaks Emma free of her trance.
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Three days later… Day 11
After another failed attempt to track down Dylan, an exhausted Norma and Romero return home. Norma has become even more distressed about her eldest son disappearing, causing the Sheriff to use every resource in his power to try to find his stepson. Unfortunately, he has hit yet another dead end in their search.
In trying to trace Dylan's phone number a couple of days ago, he was informed the phone had been turned off and ultimately disconnected. The Sheriff then immediately turned to plan B… Gunner. But, if the kid knows anything, he isn't sharing.
Yesterday, Gunner continued to deny any knowledge of Dylan's whereabouts when he was confronted, but Romero is still highly suspicious. The Sheriff decides tomorrow morning he'll pay another visit to the cabin in order to continue to push his limits with the kid, believing eventually Gunner will let valuable information slip.
Romero gently touches Norma's tense shoulders as she stares blankly at the letter from her son, which hasn't been moved since it was read a few days ago. Seeing his wife breakdown in front of him on a daily basis is slowly breaking Romero's heart. Deep down he knows Norma is being dramatic about this situation, but he can't have her continue living this way. So, regardless of how unnecessary he feels this investigation is, finding Dylan is his priority. The Sheriff hasn't changed his views about Dylan being an adult, believing he's free to make his own choices. But, he chooses to push his opinions aside and remember he's doing all of this for the sake of his wife's happiness.
"We'll find him Norma," Romero says softly with the palms of his hands still resting on her slumped shoulders. He then leans down to place a soft kiss on the top of her head for comfort and reassurance.
Norma breaks her gaze with a blink and instinctively reaches her hand up to touch his, while her tears continue to trickle down her already stained cheeks.
Romero removes his hands from her and walks around to take a seat on the chair next to her when he suddenly notices a red flickering light. "We have a message," he advises as he strides toward the house phone.
After pressing the flashing light, a loud beep sounds announcing the upcoming message which was left about an hour ago. A frantic voice then begins to speak…
"Norma? Are you there? This is Will Decody. I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to speak with Emma. I haven't received her daily text message in the past few days and I'm beginning to get worried. I tried calling her, but her phone is turned off. And when I tried calling Dylan, his phone was disconnected. Can you please have her call? This isn't like her not to contact me. I hope she's safe and there's some sort of explanation for all of this." Mr. Decody sighs and then clears his throat before he continues. "Please someone contact me as soon as possible. My new number is #206-555-1234."
Stillness washes over the room as both Norma and Romero process the message they just heard and gradually realize what it means. The Sheriff's eyebrows lift and his jaw drops slightly as the atmosphere remains soundless for a moment. Norma then breaks the silence with a loud gasp and jerks up from her chair. Her high heels click against the kitchen floor as she rushes to Romero's side and reaches for his hand eagerly. Norma squeezes his hand in hers while gently massaging her thumb over his knuckles. Desperate for reassurance from her husband, she turns to face him with her reddened and teary filled eyes.
"Alex, we need to find them… NOW!"
Author's Note: Spoilers: A previous White Pine Bay resident returns, but he may not be alone. Thanks for reading!
