Chapter Twenty-Six
Two Months To Go
6 months before the Bates' came to White Pine Bay
Alexa focused on the task at hand. The bird had been resting for approximately 46 seconds. She wanted to make sure it wasn't going to fly away. That'd just be a waste of a bullet.
Biting her lower lip, Alexa pulled the trigger, and the bird fell.
"Jesus."
Alexa looked at her foster father with a grin. "What? Took too long?"
"A little," Alex shrugged, "I just meant it was a really nice shot. Perfect."
She smiled, "Thank you very much."
"Anyway, how's school?"
Alexa put her shotgun down, "No point in it, really. I think Ms. Watson really hates me."
"Probably because you never try," Alex went towards the bird.
"Why should I? I'm stuck in this town. There's no point in trying."
The sheriff sighed as he inspected her. Nodding in approval, he murmured, "Fine, fine shot …"
"What was that?"
He turned to face her, "Is there no class you enjoy? You seem to really excel in the Sciences, at least."
"I guess I like them."
"Your Math mark isn't too bad either."
Alexa smoothed her hair into her hair band. "What are you getting at?"
"Why don't you try going into the Health Sciences? You could be a pharmacist –"
"Like we have any shortages of them here."
" – or a doctor," Alex finished, glaring at her. "I'm just suggesting we work on your strengths, is all. If you have something in mind, feel free to suggest."
Alexa sat on the ground. "I don't know what to tell you. I just don't feel motivated. I mean, my job will be this goddamn town once I'm 18."
"That's not true. It'll belong to you. But that doesn't mean it's the only thing you have to do. You can have interests. Jobs."
She looked up at him, "Is that even allowed?"
"You're the boss, kid, you can do what you like when you like."
Alexa looked at the dead bird. "But I'll still be stuck here."
Alex didn't respond.
"Look."
He looked up and they both stared at a deer passing by. It was the most beautiful deer they'd both ever seen. But in that moment, all she could think of was the utter hopelessness corroding her mind.
Maybe it wasn't such a big deal to the criminals in town – hell, they'd love to be in charge and do what they want. But to her it was horrific. To be stuck, to have to do something she didn't want. Adulthood was fast approaching and it killed her.
Raising the shotgun, Alexa got up rather quickly and shot the deer. She wasn't exactly sure why she had done it; why she'd attack an animal out of the blue, especially one so beautiful. But it was like all her hopelessness was stuck inside her, and Alexa needed to release it somehow.
However, having gotten up so quickly equipped with discharging the gun in one swift movement had taken Alexa by surprise. The bullet still made impact in the deer, but Alexa had fallen by the sheer force.
"Alexa!" was the last thing she heard. At least, the last thing she had heard in that state of mind.
When she had woken up, Alexa was no longer herself. She had forgotten key details in her life, and took on a positive view. Only because she didn't know of the negativity that followed her future. Of course she'd remember it eventually, but the period of peace was enough for Alex to enjoy.
Now
Alexa looked at all the blood. It was on her hands and all over the place. But something was wrong with the room. It was blurring off and on, and suddenly she couldn't see properly. All she could hear was her name being yelled out over and over again. Alexa couldn't focus – she had no idea where she was at one point, and then as if by magic she remembered. It was a violation on her senses.
"Alexa!"
She looked up and immediately furrowed her brows. "A-Alex?"
He looked at her with concern. "Are you aware of where you are right now?"
"I … I'll …" Alexa looked around. "Where is Norman?"
Alex went pale. "Why would Norman be here?"
"I saw him … wasn't he here?" she looked at him with confusion. "When did you get here?"
Alex closed his eyes momentarily before opening his mouth, "Norman was never here. He wasn't the one who killed Cheryl."
"But I saw him!"
"It wasn't him. You must've imagined it."
Alexa took a step back, "But I … why is there so much blood on me?"
"Okay, you need to calm down. Someone killed Cheryl. I'm not sure who, but you got stuck in the crossfire," he approached her slowly. "Were you hurt anywhere?"
She shook her head. "I don't think this is my blood …"
"We need to clean this mess."
Alexa looked at him. "We need to find who killed Cheryl!"
"Alexa. Do you trust me?"
She nodded.
"We need to clean this mess."
And so they did.
"Where are you taking her?" Alexa watched Alex wrap plastic around Cheryl. "Why was there plastic already on the ground? I'm confused."
"There's no need to be, I've got this."
Alexa sat on the bed. "Did someone plan this? Why else would there have been plastic on the ground – to not make a mess? What's going on?"
"Stop it." Alex snapped. "I'm going to take care of this. You're going to go to our motel room and take a shower. Put that clothing in a black garbage bag and put it inside my workbag. I'll deal with it. Then you're going to go up to the Bates' house. Okay?"
Alexa slowly nodded.
"Don't worry, okay? Do not worry." Alex kissed the top of her head, and walked out the door.
She did exactly what he asked. By the time she reached the Bates' house, everyone was asleep. Going to her room, a voice called out to her.
"Alexa?"
She stopped. "Hello?"
"It's Norman." He stepped out from her room. "How is it going?"
"It's going."
He nodded. "Good. Well. I'll see you later." Norman reached forward and kissed her cheek before walking away.
"Bye," Alexa murmured.
Hello again and see you soon ;)